by Elizabeth Rudd for Inland360.com
Its almost here V-Day, the day cupid has commercialized to make us all feel like complete losers if we dont have a date. Thats right, Valentines Day. But have no fear. If youre committed to not being dateless or alone this year, here are few free dating apps that could make your love life easier and Valentines Day a little less depressing.
Tinder (app only)
This is the speed dating of apps and you dont even have to try to make a conversation last for three minutes. Tinder syncs with your Facebook page four most recent profile pictures, your About Me section, interests and mutual friends and with a simple swipe of your finger the dating game is on. You Like or Nope the users who meet your requirements and if someone Likes you back, then Its a Match! Chat away, but proceed with caution not everyone is there to meet a nice boy or girl. OkCupid (website also available)
This app is all about math, or so its website says. OkCupid finds you a nearly exact match to your questions, though it doesnt claim to find a persons perfect match. Heres how it works: You answer a question, another person answers the same question and you each decide how important that question is to you. Then the app calculates how many possible points a person can earn and what they did earn. Then the two numbers are multiplied and the square root of that number will determine how well you match sounds complicated enough, right? The creators claim it works, as long as youre honest and know what you want.
Plenty of Fish (website also available)
Plenty of Fish or POF for those who are simply using the app is a pretty simple way to meet people in your area. You sign up, take a chemistry predictor test and a relationship-needs assessment to determine all the things you dont want to admit, and start fishing for a significant other. The concept is similar to Tinder, but a little less shallow because theres more information. The Meet Me section lets you decide if you want to meet another person by clicking no, yes or maybe and from there you are free to chat.
How About We ... (website also available)
Do something. Thats what this app is all about. Instead of just leaving a potentially awkward, Hey, youre pretty, pending match, this app starts things off with a suggested date. You have your profile, and then you have a date that youd like to go on with someone else. Example: How about we go get coffee. People pair with one another based on the date suggestion and profile. Added bonus: The app is made for couples too and has a bunch of fun date ideas so once you find that someone special or if you already have you wont get bored.
Grouper (iPhone/iPad and website only)
Its the ultimate blind date, but at least youre not alone. Grouper is a web-to-app social club that pairs two people and four of their friends its a triple blind date on steroids. You apply with Facebook; Grouper hand matches you with someone else; you pick two friends; pre-pay your first round of drinks and Grouper tells you where to meet; and then, as the website says, the rest is up to you. Only downside for those who are looking for a group date is Grouper is limited to specific cities with Seattle being the only one in the Northwest.