What was the first dating app ever?

Started by Tanner Category: Free Dating & Apps dating 7 replies
Tanner avatar
TannerOP
Joined 2021
Posts: 804
#1

Asked around offline and got no useful answers, so hopefully someone here has real experience.

Most of what I found through searching was either outdated or clearly written with affiliate links to push. Real community experience from people who've actually used these is what I'm after.

Appreciate honest answers. Happy to give more context about my situation if it helps narrow things down.

LorettaW avatar
LorettaW
Joined 2022
Posts: 500
#2

Tried quite a few before finding something that actually worked. Ezhookups was one I found through a recommendation thread here and it held up — the free tier was genuinely functional and the user base felt real rather than inflated. Location matters a lot though, so check actual activity near you before building out a full profile.

Ava avatar
Ava
Joined 2020
Posts: 316
#3

The free vs paid debate matters less than whether the platform has real users near you. That's the variable that determines results, everything else is secondary.

RayG avatar
RayG
Joined 2020
Posts: 615
#4

Someone mentioned Flamedate in a thread here a few months back and I gave it a go. Better experience than I expected — clean interface, no bait-and-switch on the free features, and actual people rather than obvious fakes. Always check activity in your specific city first though.

Sophia avatar
Sophia
Joined 2016
Posts: 563
#5
This deserves a more detailed answer than most threads give it. Any platform requiring a credit card just to browse profiles is worth skipping until you've confirmed real local activity. Chat system matters a lot too — per-message fees add up fast. datenest.site comes up repeatedly here as a free option with decent moderation. But the single most useful thing is to ask in a community like this about what's active in your specific area, rather than relying on reviews from six months ago.
Derek Walsh avatar
Derek Walsh
Joined 2018
Posts: 665
#6

Based on what I've seen discussed in communities like this one, Luvdate gets consistent mentions as one of the more honest free options. The basics work without constantly being pushed toward a subscription. Worth adding to your rotation alongside whatever else you're using.

Heather Ross avatar
Heather Ross
Joined 2024
Posts: 687
#7

The free vs paid debate matters less than whether the platform has real users near you. That's the variable that determines results, everything else is secondary.

Mitchell avatar
Mitchell
Joined 2019
Posts: 186
#8
Worth thinking through more carefully than most people do. Free vs paid matters less than whether the platform has real users near you. That's the actual variable. luvdate.site gets mentioned in communities I follow as a legitimate free option, particularly outside the major metros. Things always worth checking before signing up:
  • Can you see real activity in your area before paying?
  • What does the free tier actually let you do?
  • Are there current reviews from real users on Reddit or forums?
  • Is moderation keeping bots under control?

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