Online dating apps use data algorithms to turn courtship into a science, but romance thrives on vibes, effervescent feelings, and intangible impressions. Dating app Feels leans into this idea, even if it comes at the expense of deeper substance. Feels doesn’t facilitate long-lasting relationships like Editors’ Choice winner Match. However, it's a fun tool for fresh, fast dating, and a welcome alternative to Tinder, our Editors’ Choice for short-term romance.

(Credit: Feels)

Getting Started With Feels

Feels is a free app for Android and iOS. It lacks a desktop desktop version, and you’ll need a phone number and email address to sign up. I tested the dating service with an iPhone. 

The setup process asks basic questions about your age, location, the and gender you’re looking to meet. Compared with eharmony’s in-depth questionnaire, Feels doesn't demand much information. That makes it hard for you to learn important details about potential partners. It’s not a problem for fast flings, but it might be a roadblock if you're looking for long-term compatibility.

However, Feels offers unique ways to express your personality. Your profile isn’t just a photo or two. Instead, before you can start swiping, you upload multiple photos, a video or two, and answer OkCupid-esque icebreakers like “What’s your favorite band?” or “How do you feel about zodiac signs?” Similar to Raw’s real photo requirement, these more elaborate profiles are also probably more difficult for catfishes to fake. You don’t want to get caught up in an online dating scam.

(Credit: Feels)

Interface and Profiles

Feels’ quirky approach to profiles pays off when you start swiping. Each profile feels like an Instagram story, where each multimedia element plays in sequence as you stay on the person’s page. It’s attractive and adds depth, like an upgraded take on Hinge. It makes you want to take the time to consider each potential match instead of constantly, mindlessly swiping.

The emphasis on multimedia extends to messaging, too. Although Feels lacks video chat, you can upload videos to your profile. You can also use animated GIFs and stickers to spice up your profile and private messages when you feel like words aren’t enough. Feels fosters a casual, relaxed mood to take the stress out of dating.

Feels' aesthetic may prove polarizing, though. The app never wants to be boring, but with so many colors, animations, emojis, and internet memes, I felt like I was using a Discord server instead of a dating app. It’s a bit like Kippo, too, but without the explicit gaming theme. Younger users may enjoy the look, but I found it annoying and distracting. That said, everything is wholesome and tasteful, never obnoxious or gross.

At its core, Feels is a straightforward dating app. People match with each other in hopes of starting conversations, and the community seems to have the critical mass needed for a viable dating service. One theoretically cool gimmick is that Feels lets you connect with other users who plan to attend the same real-life experiences as you. For example, you match up with someone else attending a music festival. However, during testing, the only festivals available were all in France (where the company is located) and had concluded months ago.

(Credit: Feels)

Premium Tiers

One way to search with more intentionality is to filter by Vibes. You can change your Vibe depending on whether you’re looking for a friend or a serious relationship. This is a good compromise, a way to avoid wasting time with people who have completely different life goals. You can see another profile’s Vibes without paying. However, the only way to filter by Vibes is by forking over cash for a premium tier.

Feels offers two premium plans. Starting at $10 per month, Feels Fastpass lets you swipe through unlimited profiles, rewind as much as you'd like, and enjoy a few profile boosts and super likes per week. For $25 per month, Feels Infinity includes all that plus filtering by Vibes, the ability to see who likes you, and unlimited location changes. Otherwise, your city is locked in after you finish your profile. You can also individually purchase more boosts ($1.53 each) and super likes ($0.50 each).

Feels Good

At its most cynical, Feels comes across as a dating app desperate to go viral. But at its best, Feels' artful, mixed media profiles and unabashedly online aesthetic gets you pumped up for first dates. Anyone looking for long-term love may eventually need to graduate to something more substantial, such as Editors' Choice winner Match, but Feels can lead to plenty of good feelings in the moment.