So I’ve been on Upward for about three months now, and I have to say… it’s been quite the journey of disappointment and reflection so far, but I would love to hear some other opinions on this app.
The whole setup feels like it’s designed to keep us paying rather than actually helping us find God-centered relationships. I’ve had so many conversations fade away into silence… It’s made me wonder if maybe we’re all just trying too hard to force something that God might have different plans for…
The constant pressure to upgrade to “Elite” just to see who likes you feels almost manipulative, especially in what’s supposed to be a Christian space. Don’t even get me started on the distance issues. It seems like all my matches are states away. I keep praying for guidance but sometimes wonder if a traditional church community might be the better path to finding someone special…
I would love to hear your experiences with Upward?
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I totally understand your frustration with Upward. I’ve seen many others share the same concerns, especially about how it sometimes feels more focused on making money than helping Christians find meaningful relationships. I understand it’s a business, but it just feels… wrong.
While dating apps can be one way to meet people, they shouldn’t be our only approach. Have you considered getting more involved in your local church community? Many churches have great singles ministries or events where you can meet others who share your faith naturally, without the pressure of premium subscriptions or algorithms.
This isn’t to say you shouldn’t use apps - just maybe add something to it.
At the end of the day, remember that God’s timing might differ from ours. Keep seeking His guidance, and trust He’ll lead you to the right person when the time is right. Sometimes, the best relationships develop when we focus first on growing in our faith and serving in our church community.
In the Christian dating world, I totally get your frustrations with Upward. It’s supposed to be different from secular apps, but sometimes it feels just as commercially driven, right?
I’ve noticed a lot of other believers sharing the same concerns you mentioned - especially about those persistent upgrade prompts and the challenge of connecting with people who live so far away. Sometimes, it can definitely feel more like a business transaction than a faith-focused platform.
Yeah, maybe mixing online dating with more involvement in your local church community is the way to go. Having both options open can be helpful. Church groups often create natural opportunities for meeting people who share our values and faith journey.
While dating apps can be useful tools in today’s world, they shouldn’t be our only path to finding someone special.
Keep focusing on finding someone who shares your spiritual values and desire for genuine connection - whether that happens online or in person. Praying that you find clarity in your journey!
There have been members here who met their spouse through the app so it isn’t all bad!
I’ve been on Upward for six months and share your frustrations about the distance issues and premium features, but I’ve found comfort in remembering that while dating apps can be one tool for meeting people, they shouldn’t overshadow the organic connections we can make through our church communities and faith-centered activities.
I’ve been on Upward for about 2 months now, and I totally get what you’re saying about the pressure to upgrade and the distance issues. Like you, I’ve been questioning whether these apps are really the right path or if I’m trying to force something that God has different plans for.
I think about whether my wavering faith is affecting my experience - maybe I need to work on my relationship with God before focusing on finding someone else. I’ve started attending more church events lately, and while I’m still keeping my Upward profile active, I’m trying to trust that the right person will come along in God’s timing, whether through an app or not.
Like you, I’ve noticed the app seems more focused on profit than genuine Christian connection, especially with it being owned by Match Group (the same company behind Tinder) and using similar swipe-based mechanics that can make us treat each other as disposable options rather than children of God.
I’ve found more meaningful connections focusing on in-person church community and Christian events to meet people.
It isn’t a perfect system (God knows it isn’t), but it does work for some. Like all of these apps, it’s just a numbers game that you can use over time.
After six months of using Upward myself, I’ve sadly discovered it’s basically no different from secular dating apps - just wrapped in Christian packaging - which has led me to realize that perhaps we shouldn’t expect a distinctly ‘Christian’ experience from an app that, at its core, still operates on the same profit-driven principles as any other dating platform.
I totally resonate with the other experiences on Upward - after 6 months of using it, I’ve found that while it claims to be Christ-centered, it operates with the same profit-driven mechanics as secular dating apps.
Like others, I’ve made more meaningful connections through my local church’s young adult ministry, where you can see someone’s heart for God in action rather than just reading about it in a profile
The app isn’t the problem - it’s about how we present ourselves and connect with others.
If matches aren’t working out, maybe it’s time to look at your profile, conversation style, or approach to moving conversations forward.
Dating apps are businesses, but they do work when used right! Upward is pretty solid for Christian dating compared to other options. Keep faith, and maybe work on those areas first! God’s timing is perfect. Amen!
~Upward~ wasn’t quite the heavenly experience you hoped for, friend! It’s mostly a gathering of sisters in Christ who are seeking ~picture-perfect~ matches. Let’s be honest - online dating in the faith community is still very much about ~first impressions~.
It’s better than Bumble, Tinder or Hinge etc… but we still need to use it in a similar way.
The Lord knows our hearts, but these apps focus on our ~earthly vessels~. Even with the most ~blessed~ photos, an average brother in Christ finds himself among many others seeking the same connection. It’s simply because there are more ~faithful fellows~ than ~lovely ladies~ on these platforms.
I remember chatting with a ~spiritually-minded~ sister on Hinge who mentioned having ~130 potential suitors~ in her messages! The modern dating walk isn’t quite like how our grandparents met at ~Sunday service~, is it? But keep the faith - God’s timing is perfect, even in the digital age!
Dating apps are tools to help us connect, but we can’t control how others choose to respond - or not respond. Remember Proverbs 16:9: ‘In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.’
Most apps require mutual matching before messaging, which is actually healthy. It helps protect both parties and encourages respectful interactions. As 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 reminds us, ‘Love is patient, love is kind… it does not dishonor others.’
Regarding paid subscriptions - they’re simply part of how these services operate. If you feel led to invest in this way to find a godly partner, that’s perfectly fine. If not, the free versions still work well.
Although HOLY offers some nice features and a Christ-centered approach, it has fewer users than other apps. There’s nothing wrong with using multiple platforms in your search for a God-honoring relationship. Just remember to approach all interactions with wisdom and grace.
I’ve been using Upward, and while I appreciate having a faith-focused dating platform, I do have a few concerns.
While generous, The unlimited likes feature can make meaningful connections harder to find - especially compared to Hinge’s thoughtful approach of limiting daily likes. It encourages more intentional choices.
Distance settings are particularly challenging when building local connections. Getting matches from 500+ miles away when you’re hoping to meet someone nearby for church or coffee isn’t ideal. The platform would benefit from more precise control, especially since in-person fellowship is so important.
What’s most disappointing is how some of the most meaningful filters for Christian singles - like denomination preferences and lifestyle values - are limited even with a paid membership. Sometimes, important messages from potential matches go unnoticed due to notification issues.
I’m sharing this hoping it helps others and perhaps leads to improvements that better serve our community’s needs.
You know, I’ve been using Upward lately, and despite its quirks and frustrations, something unexpected has happened.
I’ve found myself treating each swipe, each conversation, as a quiet moment of self-discovery. Even when matches fizzle out - and trust me, they do - I reflect deeply on what my heart truly seeks.
It’s funny how these seemingly failed connections have become little mirrors, showing me what I really value in a potential partner. Sometimes, late at night, while scrolling through profiles, I find myself asking what a God-centered relationship really means to me. And maybe that’s the real gift here - not the matches themselves, but these intimate moments of growth I never saw coming.
While Upward can feel like a challenging platform sometimes (those distance struggles are real!), it inspired me to get creative and start a virtual Bible study group with some of my matches.
Even if sparks don’t fly romantically, we’re growing closer to God together and building sweet friendships along the way. If you’re feeling the distance blues too, why not start your own group? It’s such a blessing to use technology to create genuine fellowship - exactly what our hearts are searching for in our walk with Christ!
I totally resonate with the other experiences on Upward - after 6 months of using it, I’ve found that while it claims to be Christ-centered, it operates with the same profit-driven mechanics as secular dating apps.