Christian dating apps: SALT and Upward

Two Christian dating apps, what they cost and how to meet new people with care.

Meeting someone who shares your faith is not always easy. Church communities can be small, friends may already be in relationships, and busy weeks leave little room for meeting new people.

Dating apps designed for Christians aim to bring together single adults who want faith to be part of the conversation from the start. They can widen the circle of people you have the chance to meet.

Below are two such apps, SALT and Upward, what each one charges for and some safety habits for meeting people online.

What are SALT and Upward?

SALT is a Christian dating app published by SALT Group Ltd. Its store listing describes it as made for Christians by Christians. You build a profile with photos and answers to a few questions, and you can describe your faith so that others see what matters to you.

Upward, from Affinity Apps, LLC, presents itself as a values-first dating app for singles who want a relationship with clear intentions. Profiles highlight the values that shape each person’s life, and members can state their relationship goals.

SALT and Upward set a minimum membership age of 18. Store content classifications serve a different purpose and leave that requirement unchanged. Under-18s must not register for either service.

Features

The descriptions in the stores and the developers’ help pages provide the basis for this overview. Features may vary by version.

SALT

• Sign-up options: register with an Apple, Facebook or Google account, or with an email address.
• Preferences: choose the age range and distance for the profiles you are shown.
• Mutual matching: like a profile or pass. A pair of reciprocal likes creates a match, after which the members can chat. SALT also offers Intros, which let a member send a short message before a match.
• Faith in the profile: the listing says members can describe their faith, so others can see what it means to them.

Upward — Core Values and the Marriage Timeline are described in the Android listing.

• Core Values: pick the values you want others to notice first.
• Relationship goals: a profile section for sharing the kind of future you have in mind.
• Chivalry Mode: participation requires a complete profile, photo verification and completed Core Values. The mode encourages men to initiate contact, but either matched person can send the opening message.
• Mutual connections: swipe to like or pass, and chat once both people have shown interest.

What they cost

SALT allows joining, matching and messaging without a subscription. Its optional Premium plan adds features, and purchases are listed in both stores. The App Store also declares advertising; the Google Play page consulted did not show an ads label.

On Upward, basic matching and chat are available without paying. The paid Premium and Elite plans add options such as more likes, profile boosts and seeing who has liked you, and Premium removes adverts. Google Play labels Upward as containing adverts, and both stores list in-app purchases.

Subscriptions usually renew automatically. Read the terms on the store page before paying, and check how to cancel through your phone’s account settings.

Ease of use

Create an account and follow the profile steps shown in your version. Add suitable photos and review your answers before browsing.

Use recent photos and describe your interests and faith honestly. Leave identifying details out of the public profile, including your home location, employer and telephone contact.

Staying safe when you meet people

Getting to know someone online calls for care, and it is wise to take a few precautions, especially in the first weeks of contact:

• Never send money. Treat financial requests from an online match as a warning, including requests to buy gift vouchers or cover an unexpected expense. A convincing explanation does not make a transfer advisable.
• Watch for fake profiles. Pressure to move quickly, refusal to talk by video or details that do not add up are warning signs.
• Report and block. Use the app’s tools to report suspicious profiles or behaviour; this also helps protect other members.
• Meet in a public place. Choose a busy café or similar spot for a first meeting, and arrange your own transport.
• Tell someone you trust: share your meeting plan with a reliable friend or relative, including the location and your planned return time.

If an exchange leaves you uneasy, stop replying and use the app’s blocking option.

Keeping faith at the centre

An app can introduce you to people, but it cannot tell you who is right for you. Take time to pray about new friendships, ask honest questions about how each person lives out their faith and let trusted friends or a church leader share their perspective.

Download SALT or Upward

Install either app only from your phone’s official store, using the links below. On the store page, check that the developer is SALT Group Ltd for SALT or Affinity Apps, LLC for Upward, and read the subscription details before paying for anything.

SALT

Upward

Prices, features and availability may change. Consult the relevant store listing for purchase details and the developer’s support pages for explanations of specific features.

In closing

Christian dating apps can make it easier to meet people who share your beliefs. Used with patience, good judgement and sensible safety habits, they can be one more way of building new friendships.

Back to the guide to Bible dictionary apps