I tried 9 dating apps in Singapore for 3 weeks
I decided to try online dating coz I am finding for love too!
But after a while, I started feeling very sian from all the swiping and ghosting.
So I did a small experiment.
I downloaded 9 dating apps, used my real photos, and tested them for 3 weeks.
⚠️ I did not pay for premium, so this is the free user experience.
Here’s my ranking from best to worst.
🥇 𝗛𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗲
This was the best app for me.
I actually met two people from Hinge, and both experiences were positive.
We didn’t end up dating because our personalities didn’t match, but we remained friends.
One surprising thing:
Hinge is very popular in Singapore, and you might even see people you know.
I was even shocked to see my ex on the app while he was still in a relationship. 💀
Overall, the people here felt much friendlier compared to Tinder and Happn.
Most users seem to be looking for relationships rather than hookups.
🥈 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴
I met one guy from this app and met him twice.
However, we eventually realised our personalities were not compatible for dating.
Overall, the experience was quite decent.
🥉 𝗖𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗕𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗹
I like this app because Singpass verification is required, and it even shows whether someone is single or married.
This helps reduce catfishing.
However, the new version is frustrating for free users.
For example:
• You cannot easily see people who liked you
• People who liked you are not shown again in your feed
• Many features require premium
So it’s safe, but not very free-user friendly.
4️⃣ 𝗢𝗺𝗶
From what I observed, many people here seem to be looking for casual relationships or hookups.
Not ideal if you are looking for something serious.
5️⃣ 𝗕𝗼𝗼
The concept focuses on personality compatibility, which is interesting.
However, free users have limitations like:
• Around 12 likes/messages per day
This makes interaction quite limited unless you pay.
6️⃣ 𝗕𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗹𝗲
You can chat for free, but there are restrictions.
There is a limit on how many matches you can message, and once you reach it you need to wait or upgrade.
So it works, but it’s not fully free.
7️⃣ 𝗢𝗸𝗖𝘂𝗽𝗶𝗱
OkCupid allows you to:
• Send an intro message when liking someone
• Chat freely after matching
However:
• You cannot see who liked you without paying
• There is a daily like limit
Because of this, finding matches can be quite slow.
8️⃣ 𝗧𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿
From my experience, many users here seem to be looking for hookups rather than serious relationships.
So it may not be ideal if you want a long-term relationship.
9️⃣ 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗻
This was my least favourite app.
Many users also seemed to be looking for hookups.
What annoyed me most was that you cannot even change your preferred age range without paying for premium.
Because of this, the app felt very restrictive.
✨ Final Thoughts
Online dating definitely requires a lot of patience.
* I am not interested in fwb nor third party btw
Having used these dating apps extensively, I realized that patience and persistence are key when exploring the online dating scene in Singapore. One important insight is that each app has its own distinct user culture. For example, Hinge stands out as a platform geared more towards meaningful relationships, which aligns with the author's experience of meeting friendly people and even reconnecting with acquaintances. This reflects a common trend where apps that promote profile depth and interaction tend to attract users interested in finding something lasting. Facebook Dating benefits from integrating with an already familiar social network, making it easier to feel safe and connected, although personality compatibility still plays a major role in connection success. Coffee Meets Bagel’s Singpass verification system is a notable feature in enhancing trustworthiness and reducing catfishing risks — a crucial concern for many singles in Singapore. However, limitations for free users are a common frustration across many platforms. Most apps restrict how many profiles you can interact with daily or hide who liked you behind paywalls. This proves to be a hurdle, especially if you are budget-conscious but looking for serious dating opportunities. In contrast, apps like Tinder and Happn often lean toward casual dating or hookups based on user behavior and culture, making them less ideal if you're seeking long-term commitment. From personal experience, it's helpful to manage expectations on these platforms and focus on apps that match your dating goals. Also, using real photos and honest bios helps in attracting genuine matches and reduces ghosting frequency. Lastly, I learned that it's important to be mindful about privacy and app usability features. For instance, many users find Happn's restrictions on age range frustrating without premium access, which can impact the overall experience negatively. In essence, exploring multiple dating apps gave me a clearer understanding of what I value in a relationship platform: authenticity, safety, and user intent. If you're new to online dating in Singapore, testing a couple of apps with these characteristics in mind can help streamline your search for love.
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