Stir Dating App: 2024 Reviews, Cost, Features & More!

You’re looking for Stir dating app reviews, so you’re probably wondering if it’s worth trying.

First thing to know: Much like SingleParentMeet, Stir is designed for single parents who are ready to dive back into dating. It also welcomes singles who are interested in having children.

It was created in 2022 by the company Match Group Inc., which owns other dating apps and sites such as Tinder, Hinge, Plenty Of Fish, OkCupid, and Match.com.

That means Stir is a legit dating app for those in its target demographic, but will it work for you? Keep reading to find out!

Since 2009, VIDA’s team of professionals has reviewed over 200 dating services and apps – derived from first hand experience, success rates, prices, and customer experiences. 

This Stir review has everything you need to decide if this dating app is worth your time and money.

Stir Dating App Pros, Cons, and Verdict

Let’s start with the good news…

Pros

• The targeted dating pool means everyone is on the same page regarding children
• Has a “private mode” that only allows people you’ve chosen to communicate with see your profile, perfect for using the app discreetly
• Profile verification is required to use the app
• Inclusive of many genders and sexualities
• App available on iOS and Android devices for free

Cons

• Reading and responding to messages requires a paid subscription
• Much smaller pool of singles when compared to mainstream dating sites
• Cost is a common complaint - many users say it’s more expensive than other dating apps, without having any additional benefits apart from the niche dating pool

Our Verdict

Stir’s positioning as the best dating app for single parents is a powerful lure. But here’s the thing about niche dating apps, whether you’re looking to meet other single parents, vegans, digital nomads, or any other specific type of matches: 

It will likely take you a lot longer to meet compatible singles, simply because the dating pool is exponentially smaller. For a match to work out in real life, compatibility has to flow both ways. The smaller the pool of available matches, the harder it is to find that. 

Stir is worth exploring if you’re only interested in meeting other single parents - and you download it with the expectation that it will likely take a lot longer to find good matches. 

For that reason, you’ll want to use it in conjunction with a more popular mainstream app or two and use the filters to curate your match feed.

Next, let’s take a look at what some real users had to say about Stir.

What Single Parents Had To Say In Their Stir Reviews

On the App Store, Stir has a respectable 4.3 out of 5 stars thanks to 42.3k ratings.

But of those who actually left a Stir review, feelings were mixed. For instance, this user said he loved the app and liked the matches he met, but thought it needed better screening options:

This user liked the Stir interface, but felt it was missing vital filters to help pre-screen for deal breakers:

This user reported a negative experience, saying she wasn’t happy with the men she matched with on the app:

And this user was upset to find out that after paying $30 for a premium subscription, paying an additional fee was required for free users to respond to the messages she sent them:

On Google Play, the app had a slightly lower rating: 3.9 out of 5 stars.

One of the biggest complaints users listed in their Stir dating app reviews was the glitchy location filter:

Another common Stir complaint was how much the subscriptions cost, and the fact that you can’t do anything for free:

On the plus side, users liked the premise of the app. But even some of the positive reviews mentioned drawbacks, like a user pool perceived to be small, unengaged, or not local:

There were also some 5-star Stir dating app reviews:

On the WhatToExpect website, users weighed in on Stir in the Single Mom’s forum. These two said they had a good experience with it:

On Reddit, Stir users voiced many of the same pros and cons as reviewers on other sites did. Single parents found it to be a good idea as far as the niche demographic:

But many complained that you couldn’t do anything for free:

So based on all the reviews, it’s safe to assume you’ll likely be matching with people who aren’t that close to you, and you’ll need to plan on paying for a subscription if you sign up.

And on that note, let’s talk about cost.

How Much Does Stir Dating App Cost?

It is free to download the app or create an account on the web version, however, certain features and upgrades cost extra. For example, 1 boost can cost $2.99 and a pack of 5 Super Likes starts at $1.60. 

Paid memberships range from $17.99 to $39.99 a month, depending on the membership type and number of months you commit to upfront. 

Here’s a cost breakdown of the two paid membership options (pricing may vary by location):

Standard Membership: Includes unlimited messaging, who's viewed you, and detailed profiles. 

• 1 month costs $39.99
• Three months cost $28.99/month
• Six months cost $18.99/month
• Twelve months cost $16.99/month

Premium Membership: Includes everything in a standard membership, but also adds on video chats, message alerts, and profile boosts. 

• One week costs $19.99
• Three months cost $29.99/month
• Six months cost $19.99/month
• Twelve months cost $17.99/month

So what do free users have access to?

Free users can browse profiles, send ‘Likes’, receive ‘Top Picks’, and earn a free message from Stir based on how active you are on the app. This free message is only valid during the current session and will expire, so it must be used quickly!

How To Set Up A Stir Profile

Download the app (it’s available on iOS and Android devices) or sign up via the web version. 

Users begin by filling out basic information like how you identify, who you are looking for, and your birthday, location, name, and email address.

Next, you’ll be asked to include ‘personal’ information such as your height, religion, relationship history, lifestyle, if you’re open to video chats, and if you prefer dogs or cats. Then upload up to 6 photos to your profile. 

Bonus Tip: Upload at least one flattering photo that shows your full face. No selfies, sunglasses, or hats! If you want to keep those “likes” coming in, check out these science-backed dating photo tips! 

How To Use Stir Dating App

Before you can search for fellow single parents, you must verify your Stir account with your phone number. 

This is a security measure implemented to protect users, and your number won’t be shared with fellow members.

Once this verification is complete, you can browse singles in your area by using the ‘Discover’ page. Similar to dating apps like Tinder, you can ‘Skip’ or ‘Like’ profiles based on someone’s photo, age, location, bio, and personal information. 

When you ‘Like’ someone back, they turn into a ‘Match’ and a conversation can be opened. You’ll need a paid subscription to read and respond to messages, and it costs a little extra if you want free members to be able to respond to messages you send them.

The Easiest Way To Meet Quality Matches As A Single Parent

With limited free time, the demands of modern dating might feel impossible.

Crafting a compelling profile, scrolling through profiles until someone meets your standards, keeping up on your message exchanges… and that’s all before you’ve gone on a single date!

VIDA Select can help.

Our team of seasoned dating experts handles everything for you, so you can focus your time and energy on the most important part: meeting pre-screened, highly compatible singles. 

The best part? The average VIDA client meets someone special within the first 3 months of beginning service.

Learn more about VIDA’s modern approach to matchmaking here.