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The largest Christian dating app, helping believers meet and build relationships rooted in shared faith.
Our verdict
Upward is the largest Christian dating app in the U.S., and scale is its single biggest advantage. In most metro areas you will find a genuinely deep pool of faith-minded singles to swipe through, which is not something smaller Christian apps can promise. The familiar swipe-match-chat format from Affinity Apps (part of the Match Group family) is polished and easy to learn, and unlike some faith-based competitors, messaging your matches is completely free.
The trade-off is that Upward can feel more like a mainstream dating app wearing a faith badge than a deeply spiritual community. Faith questions and denomination fields exist, but they are self-reported and easy to skip, so intentions vary widely: some users are marriage-minded, others are simply swiping. Free users will also bump into the usual Match Group monetization, where the likes you cannot see, profile boosts, and Super Likes all sit behind Elite subscription tiers.
If you want the widest selection of Christian singles and are comfortable doing your own filtering for seriousness, Upward is the most practical place to start your search. Just go in with realistic expectations about how deep the faith conversation goes, and a willingness to ignore the occasional upsell prompt.
How we scored it
Standout features
Swipe to Match
Like or pass through Christian singles near you.
Free Match Chat
Message anyone you match with at no cost.
Faith Prompts
Share your beliefs and what faith means to you.
Super Likes
Stand out to the profiles you really like.
Profile Boost
Get seen by more people during peak hours.
Nearby Singles
Find matches based on your location.
Pros & cons
✓ Pros
- Largest pool of Christian singles in the U.S., so real selection in most areas
- Free messaging with your matches, with no paywall just to say hello
- Polished, familiar swipe interface that is easy to pick up
- Strong App Store rating of 4.3 stars from roughly 157,000 reviews
- Faith statements and prompts help you signal what matters most to you
– Cons
- Faith depth is shallow and self-reported, so intentions vary widely
- Seeing who liked you, Boosts, and Super Likes sit behind Elite paywalls
- Feels more like a mainstream swipe app than a faith community
Best for
Christian singles who want the biggest possible pool of matches and value free messaging over deep theological vetting.
Look elsewhere if
You want a small, devout community with serious faith-first intentions and are put off by casual swipe-app culture.
Pricing
How it compares
| Upward | CatholicMatch | SALT | Christian Mingle | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Our score | 8.4 | 7.5 | 7.8 | 7.6 |
| Free messaging | Yes, for matches | No, paid only | Yes | No, paid only |
| User base size | Largest | Catholic niche | Growing | Large |
| Faith focus | All Christians | Catholic only | All Christians | All Christians |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Subscription | Mostly free | Subscription |
FAQ
Is Upward really free?
Yes. You can create a profile, swipe, and message your matches for free. Optional Elite subscriptions unlock extras like seeing who liked you, Boosts, and Super Likes.
Is Upward only for one denomination?
No. It welcomes Christians across denominations, and faith prompts let you share your specific beliefs and church background.
How large is Upward's user base?
It is the most-downloaded faith-focused dating app in the U.S., so most areas have a sizable pool of active users.
Is Upward safe to use?
It holds a strong 4.3-star rating from roughly 157,000 reviews and includes reporting and moderation tools, though, as with any app, you should stay cautious with strangers.
Are people on Upward serious about relationships?
Intentions vary. Many users are marriage-minded, but because faith fields are self-reported, read profiles and message to gauge how serious someone is.
