Upward Dating is a values-based dating app for singles seeking long-term relationships, available on iOS and Android.
Product velocity
Maintenance
Daily rank 🇺🇸
#12
Dating · free
Sentiment
4.2
208k reviews
Nemesis
HookUp & Casual Dating App CSL
The App DNA
What makes this app unique?
The platform removes the friction of casual dating by filtering matches through shared faith and family values, displacing general-purpose apps that lack this specific intent-based alignment.
For Singles prioritizing faith, family, and traditional values who are seeking long-term relationships or marriage.
What does it look like?
Key features
Users display specific values on their profile to filter potential matches based on shared beliefs.
Displays a list of users who have already swiped right, gated behind the Elite subscription tier.
How much does it cost?
Freemium model anchored at $9.99/month, utilizing feature-gating to transition users from ad-supported engagement to recurring subscription revenue.
Velocity
Maintenance developmentmonetizationUX improvementsShow more...
Upward Dating: Meet Singles maintains a maintenance-level cadence, with the latest release arriving 14 days ago after a period of inactivity. Development is currently focused on expanding monetization through new subscription tiers and refining in-app navigation. The release history shows a mix of feature-driven updates and generic performance patches. Given the current output, the app is not currently operating on a high-frequency feature or live-ops schedule.
Who built it?
Affinity Apps
7 apps tracked · Dating
Chispa: Dating App for Latinos
BLK: Black Singles Dating App
Salams: Halal Muslim Marriage
Upward: Dating for Christians
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Yuzu: Asian Dating & FriendsUser Sentiment
What do users think recently?
The recent review mood reads upset. Users appreciate successful long-term relationships formed through the platform provide a rare positive outcome for some users, but report aggressive paywalls and subscription models prevent users from accessing basic communication and profile discovery features.
How are ratings & reviews evolving?
Weekly average review rating
What users say, by theme
- Successful long-term relationships formed through the platform provide a rare positive outcome for some users
- Aggressive paywalls and subscription models prevent users from accessing basic communication and profile discovery features
72 of 99 recent reviews analyzed · high confidence · Upset overall
Read the full review analysisUnlock 2 more frustration themes and 1 user request, each backed by review evidence.
Access the full report for freeCompetition
Competitive landscape for Upward Dating: Meet Singles
How's the Dating market?
Upward Dating maintains a niche position in the dating category, anchored by a 3.8-star rating across 208,127 total ratings. The reliance on subscription gating for basic communication creates a monetization-to-utility gap that differentiates it from more open, ad-supported casual rivals.
Read the market outlookThe rivals identified
By Joyride GmbH
Both apps compete for the same mobile dating audience, though they diverge on intent: Upward Dating targets faith-based long-term relationships while CSL focuses on casual, spontaneous connections.
- CSL emphasizes low-pressure, spontaneous interactions, whereas Upward Dating requires alignment on core values for matching.
- CSL markets verified profiles to build trust, while Upward Dating struggles with a high volume of fake profiles and bots.
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Unlock the head-to-head verdict: where this rival wins, and where it loses.
Access the full report for freeThe Analyst's Read
Key takeaways for Upward Dating: Meet Singles
Where is it heading?
Users report: The dating market is consolidating around platforms that offer both high-intent matching and baseline safety. Upward Dating's maintenance-level cadence and failure to address fundamental location and bot issues leave it exposed to churn, as users increasingly view the platform as a cash-grab rather than a community.
- Persistent complaints regarding location filtering and subscription gating in the latest release erode the daily active habit, compounding the rating drag.
- Users report: High volume of fake profiles and bots in the latest sample suggests a failure in trust and safety, which directly threatens long-term retention.
The SWOT
- Core Values matching provides a defensible barrier against generic dating rivals.
- Niche positioning attracts a high-intent audience seeking marriage or long-term commitment.
- Implement a robust, transparent verification process to filter out bots and improve user safety.
- Refine the location algorithm to prioritize local matches, directly addressing the #2 user complaint.
Next best moves
Refine location algorithm because users report matches over 200 miles away → increase local engagement
+ 1 more prioritized moveThe counter-intuitive read
The aggressive paywall is not just a monetization error…
Read the full takeSince the last report: The platform's competitive outlook has hardened, with the SWOT analysis now formally acknowledging the threat of mainstream dating apps adopting niche faith-based filters. The total rating count has grown significantly, providing a larger data set for the persistent 3.8-star average.
Bottom line
Refining location accuracy and platform safety would address the primary churn drivers currently undermining the values-based value proposition. If Upward Dating stabilizes these core mechanics, it can better retain the high-intent audience that currently defects due to perceived exploitation.
Unlock 3 critical frictions, 2 market threats, 1 more prioritized move and the analyst’s take.
Access the full report for freeFAQ
Is Upward Dating worth paying for?
How does Upward Dating compare to mainstream dating apps?
Is Upward Dating safe for finding serious relationships?
What are some free alternatives to Upward Dating?
Sources
- [1] App Store, source
Report last updated