LONDON – In an ideal world, online dating would involve less scrolling and more matching. At times, the endless trawling and icky nude photo requests can be too much to bear. When did online dating become so arduous?
The UK’s online dating industry is believed to be worth £170 million, and overall dating expenditure — such as contraceptives, gifts, clothing and entertainment — has contributed more than £4 billion to the British economy, according to a recent report by Match.com and the Centre of Economic Business Research. The people of Britain are looking for love, but are they finding it?
Whether you’re struggling to find a decent match, or are simply in need of a change of scene, we’ve found five great alternatives for hopeful daters in the UK.
1. Clocked
This London-based dating app is a tonic for those who are sick of Tinder’s dearth of unsuitable matches. When you sign up, you’ll be asked a series of questions about your personality and priorities to help pair you with a compatible match. Instead of crawling through profiles, Clocked will send you six daters a day with a "clocked" compatibility score.
Free to download on iOS.
2. AirDates
AirDates is the world’s first in-flight dating app. If you spend a lot of time traveling — whether for business or pleasure — AirDates might be worth a try. If you’ve ever people-watched in an airport lounge, you’ll know that most airports are bustling with fellow travelers and potential matches. UK-based AirDates allows you to scan, connect and remain in contact with fellow passengers.
Free to download on iOS.
3. Bristlr
Dubbed the "Tinder for beards," Bristlr’s mission is to connect people with beards to those who want to stroke beards. There’s even a beard-rating feature for facial hair fanatics. Perfect for hipsters and beard aficionados.
Free to download on iOS and Android.
4. Justaskmeout
Voted best up-and-coming dating site this year, Justaskmeout targets the most nerve-wracking aspect of dating: asking someone out. With one simple click, users can ask someone out on a date. If you’re bored of the meaningless chitchat that accompanies online dating, this direct and no-nonsense approach is a refreshing alternative.
Free to join.
5. TrueView
A startup based in East London’s Tech City, TrueView launched in 2012 with the aim to connect people with similar interests and hobbies. Daters use real-time micro-blogging (much like Facebook) to find potential matches. The free app allows user to log their activities and post statuses, to simulate the experience of social media.