Searching for love? There are plenty of apps for that

Written by Kelly O'Halloran
February 14, 2017Updated: October 18, 2023

It's not just Austin, y'all. Dating is tough everywhere. But the talented individuals of the tech sector have tried to make it easier to meet new friends and put yourself out there in some not-so-traditional ways.

Whether you're a student at the University of Texas in search of a new crew, a dog owner on the prowl for companionship with another animal-lover, or a woman wanting more control over her dating life, these five apps may be useful. Good luck out there!

 

Dating can be weird, awkward and scary all at once. But for dog owners, Meet My Dog eliminates some of the awkwardness by putting your pooch in the middle. Users create profiles for their dogs that activates a location-based, searchable app to see what Austin dogs are available to play with. Find a new friend for your dog — and maybe a new friend for yourself in their owner. 

 

 

Bumble launched in 2014 from Austin. The app is setup so that women make the first move after both parties have indicated an interest. If she doesn’t reach out within 24 hours of a match, the connection disappears. With a reported 7 million users across the world, Bumble deployed a photo moderation tool in 2016 banning mirror selfies and photos of users in their undies. 

 

 

Developed by University of Texas students for University of Texas students, Kickit helps connect existing friends and introduce new ones by letting users know they’re available to hang out. With a push of a button, Kickit helps people find others interested in studying, grabbing food, getting a drink, going to the gym and more. Since launching last year, Kickit is now available for users at UT Austin and the University of Houston. 

 

Hinge is the anti-swipe dating app built to foster relationships rather than one-night stands. The app recommends people daily for its users and allows for those interested to “like” a part of their story and provide an additional comment. It tends to attract a more mature audience as it charges a monthly subscription fee. 

 

 

Images from company websites and Shutterstock. 

Know a cool Austin app? Tell us or tweet @BuiltInAustin.

Jobs from companies in this blog

Austin startup guides

LOCAL GUIDE
Best Companies to Work for in Austin
LOCAL GUIDE
Coolest Tech Offices in Austin
LOCAL GUIDE
Best Perks at Austin Tech Companies
LOCAL GUIDE
Women in Austin Tech