Ask almost anyone who’s currently “out there” (that is, dating) and they’ll tell you: Whether you’re looking for a man in finance, the pool of truly promising romantic possibilities has never seemed so shallow, one-and-done. The woman you watch a basketball game with, or the non-binary person you listen to Demi Lovato with. Last fall, a popular TikTok by creator Keara Sullivan (@superkeara) captured the essence of this unfortunate phenomenon, telling viewers: “If you’ve met on a dating app within the past year and a half or two years, Mate guys, know you caught ‘Nam’s last helicopter.
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A year later, it’s hard to feel like much has changed in the world of Tinder, Hinge, Feel, Lex, etc.; according to some, monogamy is actually an endangered species, and its rise has created a new window for those who Provides cover for people who don’t have the purest or noblest intentions when designing dating app profiles. (After all, what better excuse to give bad behavior a zeitgeist-y name?)
This is where paid apps (like Raya) and subscription tiers (Tinder Gold, Feeld Majestic, Hinge+, Bumble Premium, etc.) come into play: the idea is that users It is no exaggeration to say Invest more in settling down. I’ll admit, I don’t have much personal experience with paid dating apps other than spending money on Tinder Gold for a brief, uneventful summer (in which, I should say, I met someone I absolutely didn’t like) , but recently, comparing and contrasting the premiums of different apps has become a dating topic among my single friends. So, which paid dating apps actually feel worthwhile, and which ones feel…a bit scammy? Like Carrie Bradshaw before me, I look to my peers for insights.
Kelly, 26, paid for Hinge+ and Feeld Majestic:
“Paying for dating apps is the only time I see or match people I’m interested in, but once you start paying, it feels like the apps are keeping everyone nice behind the scenes, so you start paying again.”
Sam, 32; pays Raya and Feeld Majestic:
“It feels like it’s worth paying so you can see who likes you; it’s the best option for queer sex tourism when traveling. I shouldn’t have to pay for Eid, but I do because I love being there Seeing queer celebrities there is more about shopping.
Maggie, 35, pays for Feeld Majestic:
“I think the cost is too high for what you get, especially with an app like Feeld, but it’s the only way to see who’s swiping on me, so I’ll deal with it.”
Flora, 20, pays for Eid:
“I don’t think it’s worth it. It’s hard to actually match or connect with people, and to be honest, I’d rather meet people in person.
Matt, 41, pays for Raya and Hinge+:
“Raya was my first paid app, and in 2018, it was incredible. At the time, it wasn’t location-based at all, so you were matched with people all over the world; plus, the app was relatively new, People who use the app are almost always interesting and eager to talk to others. Things have changed dramatically lately, with more people. [joining] But participation is much less. People rarely match, and even if they do, they don’t talk to each other, let alone go on a date. I have friends who are high-end runway models and they have trouble finding matches and conversations on Raya. I think most people don’t really think it’s worth it at this point, but rather enjoy being a part of it.
Blythe, 29, pays for Feeld Majestic:
“As a trans queer woman, I find Feeled to be the best deal because its members are able to confidently match my queerness. They are more compassionate, expressive and flexible in asking for what they want. More secure. This combination is what I use most when traveling and all of my New York Sweetheart Pie Double Guys lists come to me if you’re looking for something more expressive. It’s worth it if you’re someone who sets the boundaries of your own desires and isn’t the typical ‘I don’t know what I’m looking for’ conversation killer on Hinge or Tinder.
Gaby, 34, has paid for Feeld Majestic in the past three months:
“Paying for Feeld has been worth it to me in the past, but now I’m taking a break. I’ve purchased roses and other features on Hinge before but found it wasn’t worth it. Same with Bumble Premium.
Rachel, 30; pays for Tinder Gold and Feeld Majestic:
“I think Feeld Majestic is better value than Tinder Gold even though it’s more expensive because it shows you all the people who have swiped right so you can browse a large number of people who have already matched with you and are therefore more likely to start or maintain a chat . But honestly, the best thing for my dating life isn’t the apps, it’s the in-person events and speed dating.
