About us

Dating advice you can actually trust

HeartWise exists because online dating got loud, expensive, and full of bots — and most "reviews" are just paid placements. We do it differently: we test the sites ourselves, write in plain language, and tell you when something isn't worth your time.

How we test

Every platform review follows the same process, so you can compare like for like:

1. Real signup. We create a genuine profile and note whether a card is required at any step.
2. Two-week use. We message, browse, and report profiles to see how the platform behaves in practice.
3. Safety audit. We check for photo verification, moderation speed, and how easy it is to report a fake.
4. Plain-language write-up. No jargon, no hype — just what worked and what didn't.

Affiliate disclosure

HeartWise is reader-supported. Some links on this site are affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you sign up through them — at no extra cost to you. This is how we keep the site free and independent.

What it does not do: it never changes our rankings. We list platforms in the order our testing supports, and we say so when a site isn't worth your time — even if it pays well. If a review is ever sponsored, it will be labelled clearly at the top.

Privacy

We collect as little as possible. If you subscribe to our newsletter, we store your email only to send you the letter, and you can unsubscribe at any time. We don't sell your data. Analytics are aggregated and anonymised. For any privacy request, contact us using the details below.

Terms & age

HeartWise is intended for adults aged 18 and over. Content is for general information and is not professional relationship, legal, or medical advice. Always use your own judgement and prioritise your safety when meeting anyone from an online platform.

Contact

Questions, corrections, or a platform you'd like us to test? Email hello@heartwise.example — we read everything.