“Valentine is coming. Where is ya boyfriend? You are sitting at home lonely, your mates are getting flowers. You are sitting at home, lonelyyyyy.”
This doesn’t have to be you this valentine. Especially because tech has made friendships and relationships a lot less awkward and much much easier. We used and reviewed 7 dating apps – one from Nigeria – so you could spend February 14th with the possibility of a new beaux or babe.
Badoo
Badoo is a free dating app and website catering to a younger demography for friendship, relationships, and casual dating. It offers multiple communication methods, including video chat, and utilizes user verification to reduce fake accounts. The matching process is based on photos and attraction, making it ideal for those looking to meet based on physical attraction. However, the app has s reputation for being a “hookup app” which is not flattering. The app is free to use on mobile and web but premium members have access to more perks, features and an ad-free experience.
Bumble
Bumble is a dating app designed for women, putting women in control of initiating conversations. The app uses a swipe-style matchmaking process, where users swipe to indicate interest in other members. When there’s a mutual match, both members are notified, but the woman has 24 hours to initiate the conversation. If she doesn’t, the match disappears and can’t be re-initiated, as in, men are NOT able to initiate the conversations. Bumble also has two alternative versions – Bumble BFF and Bumble Bizz. Bumble BFF is for making friends and Bumble Bizz is for professional networking.
iHappy
iHappy is a pretty standard dating app for those seeking new friends and love. It is free but comes with ads – many of them. The app requests your location but may provide incorrect information, with many profiles being from out of state or country.
Kismia
Kismia is a dating platform aimed at helping people find serious relationships online. It has a fast and easy-to-use registration process, with smart matching algorithms based on location, gender, age, and zodiac sign. The app is free, with a VIP-status feature available which increases a users popularity and their chances of getting matched. Kismia has a built-in messaging system for communication and with a free account, users can use the app without being interrupted by any ads but they will have limited access to features. Paid subscribers, however, have a lot more options.
SweetMe
SweetMeet.me is a free online dating app where you can find singles in your area either to make new friends, simply meet up for casual dates, or to find love. The app is completely free but riddled with advertisements. When you sign up on the app, it is required that you fill in your details and that you upload a photo by all means. The app uses your location to connect you with people nearby and also uses a swiping method for activity. When you swipe, you get to initiate the conversation.
Tinder
Perhaps the most popular dating app on our list and on the planet, Tinder is one app that revolutionized online dating and what not. With an intuitive design and simple user controls, signing up on Tinder is breezy; with email, phone number, or Facebook. The app is predominantly male, which can be a benefit for women looking for more attention compared to apps like Bumble. However, Tinder has had its fair share of a bad reputation and is now known to be more suited for casual dating and hookups rather than serious relationships. So if your relationship goals are literally anything else or even a degree more serious, Tinder isn’t going to be right for you at all. But who knows? You just might have a different story.
Trueflutter
Trueflutter is a matchmaking app that connects Nigerian singles looking for serious and committed relationships. With unique features like audio bios, the app sets itself apart from other dating platforms giving users a chance to add voice notes to their profiles thereby allowing you to hear what a person sounds like even before the match. It also lets you respond with a voice text of your own. The app’s algorithm, security features, and privacy settings promise to streamline the matchmaking process and ensure users only connect with compatible partners. If you’re single and looking for love, Trueflutter may be worth a try.
DISCLAIMER
As much as possible, please be very careful how much information you divulge to a random person you meet via any of these apps. Do not get carried away by singleness or loneliness tat you throw caution in the air. Approach every potential match with high caution. This is necessary because dating apps are notorious for privacy issues and stalker reports… some even ending up in deaths and extortion. Please keep your personal information personal and stay safe!
