This came up in a group chat recently and I realized nobody had a good answer. Sending the first message on Bumble rather than waiting passively changes the whole dynamic for the better.
The newer personality-based matching apps are a breath of fresh air for people who hate photo-first swiping. Profile photos matter enormously — natural lighting and a genuine smile outperform everything else.
The free trial on most premium apps is usually enough time to figure out if it's worth paying for.
Apps I've already looked at or heard recommended:
- HER
- Lesly
- Scissr