Zoe Scheltema: The dating apps that are better than Tinder

If you want to make a real go of it, you may want to start expanding your horizons beyond Tinder. Photo / Getty

Opinion

Dating apps: you're either a true advocate, or you've never tried them because you're one of those lucky ones who got in to your current relationship pre-Tinder.

Regardless, there is something to be said for the luxury of lying in bed and looking for potential dates, instead of having to actually get dressed and go out. It's easy, carefree and you don't have to have three shots to pluck up your courage to talk to someone.

If you want to make a real go of it, however, you may want to start expanding your horizons beyond Tinder. There are plenty of alternatives being created, so there are plenty of options in your pursuit for true love.

I've done some swiping and come up with a list of seven options that aren't Tinder.

1. For the ladies: Bumble

Ladies, this is your time to shine. Bumble is the ultimate "women make the first move" app. If you don't actually want to talk to the guy, just swipe right on. If you'd rather just admire him, you can.

If you're a guy, well, you'll just need to sit tight and wait for someone to say hey.

My experience: The first guy I started chatting to said I was the first person to chat with him. He asked me if I wanted to go with him to his friend's party that evening. So, you could say it breeds daters with a tinge of desperation.

2. Want to track down your bus crush? Happn

This is by far the most nerve-wracking of all the apps due to the sheer reality that you might actually run into someone you've matched with, even if you don't want to.

Happn works by showing you who is around you, their proximity to you, and how long ago they were close to you. So if someone on the bus caught your eye, get this app and track them down! Oh and you can then also add "stalker" to your CV.

My experience: I'll be honest, I deleted this almost immediately because Nick* told me he already knew which suburb I live in. And the app told me we had crossed paths four times.

I'm not 100 per cent ready to be murdered by a stranger so I might put this app on the backburner for now.

3. For the coffee lovers: Coffee Meets Bagel

The concept of this one is that guys are given a range of "bagels", or ladies. They either like or dislike their options. Then they are presented to the "bagel", or woman - it gets very confusing. You are only presented with people who have already liked you first so there's no guesswork.

The catch: To like someone, you need to have beans. And when you run out of beans they cost, well, quite a lot. It's a great app if you like to be referred to as a baked good or are thinking of opening a cafe and want to find your partner in crime.

4. If you're all about the compatibility stats: Score

Score works by trying to figure out that oh-so-important element of dating: compatibility. By answering questions based on someone's likes and interests this app tells you whether you would be a good match or not.

This means chatting starts easily and your matches are surprisingly accurate in terms of having good conversation.

My experience: I chatted to Chase* about how weird the questions were and about how we both love burgers. So yeah, you could say it works.

5. For dog lovers: Twindog

While it's not exactly touted as a dating app, it works by matching your dog with other dogs. Their owners can get in touch to meet up for doggy play dates.

My experience: Chris* was my first dog owner match. It was genuinely difficult to gauge whether he wanted to go on a date with me or really wanted his dog, Albert, to meet my fictional dog, Mitzi. There was a lot of "we usually go to the park in the morning, where do you walk your dog?"

I mean, maybe he just wanted some tips. Either way, if you like hanging out with dogs, this is a great option.

6. If you're only after one thing: Pure

Before you get into this app, you are told it's not for talking. It's for "meeting up". So read between the lines, my friends. Its James Bond style interface and Chat Roulette photos (ask your mother) means this app is not for the faint hearted.

My experience: Conversation consisted of "So, what are you doing tonight?" That was about it.

Pure is for a good time, not a long time. And you may want to wear a disguise after using it, God forbid you run into any of these people in real life. This is definitely the creepiest app I have ever been on.

7. For the long-term daters: Once

The premise behind Once is to "nurture relationships" rather than set up random hook ups. So, based on people you like, you are matched with only one person every day. This is good for the hopeful romantics who believe in signs. It's bad for the fussy and impatient.

My experience: The profiles on here are detailed. So you can swiftly make every assumption possible about the person you have just been matched with. For example, I've met six-foot-tall Neal. He's a quantity surveyor and a "romantic who likes to take care of the worse off". The way things are going, we're probably going to get engaged soon.

*names have been changed