Upward vs Christian Mingle: Which Dating App Is Better?

💡 Key Insights:

• User base differences: Christian Mingle (established 2001) has a larger user base than Upward (launched 2020), making it better for finding more potential matches.
• Age demographics vary: Upward targets younger Christians (18-35) while Christian Mingle's largest user group is 25-44 years old.
• Pricing advantage: Upward is more budget-friendly with Premium ($14.99/month) and Elite ($29.99/month) tiers, both offering more features at lower price points than Christian Mingle.
• Free messaging capabilities: Upward allows free users to message their matches, while Christian Mingle requires a paid subscription for any messaging functionality.
• Different matching systems: Upward uses a Tinder-like swiping interface, while Christian Mingle offers both algorithm-based matches and traditional search filters.
• User ratings comparison: Upward has a higher user satisfaction rating (3.6/5 stars) compared to Christian Mingle's lower rating (1.4/5 stars) on Google Play Store.
• Feature accessibility: Both offer free account creation, but Upward provides more functionality without requiring payment, including the crucial ability to communicate with matches.

Trying to decide between Upward and Christian Mingle? You're in the right place. We've put together a side-by-side comparison of these 2 well-known faith-based dating apps.   

Whether you're concerned about pricing or curious about how they work, this article will help you make the best choice. 

Our team of dating experts has been in the industry since 2009, optimizing profiles, swiping, and messaging on behalf of the clients we represent online. 

We’ve seen firsthand how all the dating apps and sites have evolved over the years, and we understand the unique benefits and drawbacks of each one. This enables us to guide singles toward the platform that best suits their dating goals.

Now, let’s dive into our Upward Vs Christian Mingle comparison!

The Bottom Line Up Front

Upward and Christian Mingle both cater to faith-focused singles seeking meaningful relationships, but their matching approaches set them apart.

Upward embraces the swipe mechanism popularized by apps like Tinder and Bumble, offering a familiar interface for today's daters.

Christian Mingle provides more flexibility - delivering compatibility-based matches while also letting you explore profiles independently using custom search filters.

Remember though, finding your perfect match involves more than algorithms. The spark of in-person connection and shared life moments create bonds that no profile or questionnaire can fully predict, regardless of which platform you choose.

Upward v/s Christian Mingle: Popularity & Demographics 

These two niche dating apps serve singles seeking partners who share their spiritual values, but their reach and reputation differ. 

When it comes to user base size, there's a noticeable difference.

Christian Mingle has been around since 2001, giving it a significant head start in building its community. Upward, on the other hand, didn't launch until 2020. So, if you're basing your decision on the number of potential matches, Christian Mingle is probably your best bet. 

The total number of users isn’t the only factor that will play into your decision, you’ll also want to see what other users are saying about these apps.  

What Users Are Saying 

On the Google Play Store, Upward boasts over 40k reviews and has been downloaded more than a million times. Its average rating sits around 3.6 out of 5.

Christian Mingle's stats tell a different story. While Christin Mingle matches Upward million-plus downloads, its user ratings paint a different picture compared to Upward. On Google Play, it averages just 1.4 out of 5 stars, though it has fewer reviews overall.

These ratings give you a glimpse into what others are saying, but remember that everyone’s experience is unique and what works well for one person might not for another. 

Age Demographics

You’ll also want to consider how popular a dating app is with people in the age range you want to date. Upward’s target demographic is singles ages 18 to 35 compared to Christian Mingle, the largest age group falling between 25 and 44. 

Upward v/s Christian Mingle: Popularity & Demographics Winner

When it comes to sheer numbers, Christian Mingle takes the lead over Upward. However, it's important to remember that quantity doesn't always equal quality. 

Regardless of which of these you choose, you’re likely to encounter like-minded singles who are looking for meaningful connections, not just a hookup.  

Your ideal choice might ultimately depend on interface preferences, specific features, or which platform feels most comfortable to you personally.

Upward v/s Christian Mingle: Cost & Premium Features 

Both Upward and Christian Mingle offer free account creation, but like most dating platforms, the real benefits come with paid upgrades. Let’s break down what you get at each level and which platform delivers the most bang for your buck. 

Upward Cost 

You can download and use the basic features at no cost, which includes the ability to chat with your matches. 

Free users have a few restrictions:

• You'll have limited "Likes" each day
• You're limited to one "Super Like" per week
• You won't be able to see who's liked your profile

If you want to unlock more features, Upward offers two paid tiers: Premium and Elite.

Keep in mind that these figures can change, but to give you ballpark figures:

The Premium plan, without any promotional discounts, runs about $14.99 for a single month. 

As with most subscription services, committing to a longer period can save you some money. Opting for a 3-month subscription brings the cost down to around $22.49 total, which works out to around $8 per month. If you're willing to sign up for half a year, you're looking at approximately $35.99, bringing your monthly cost to under $6.

Taking it to the next level, 1 month of Elite membership costs you around $29.99. Their 3 month is $44.99 and a 6-month elite package is $71.99.

Both paid tiers on Upward unlock advanced features, but going the Elite route gives you one additional feature - the ability to see who’s liked your profile. 

Both options include: 

• 5 Super Likes per week
• Unlimited regular Likes
• Unlimited Rewinds (in case you accidentally swipe the wrong way)
• A monthly profile Boost
• An ad-free experience

If you find yourself running low on Super Likes you can purchase more in packs of 5, 25, or 60. Plus, you can buy additional profile boosts for around $3.99 each or less per boost if you buy at least 10 at a time. 

Christian Mingle Cost

While the free version lets you see who’s out there, there’s a catch when it comes to communication. If you want to exchange messages with other members, you'll need to upgrade to a paid subscription. 

This communication barrier is the main difference between free and paid users. While it might seem insignificant, the ability to chat with potential matches is crucial if you're serious about meeting someone.  

You’ll get these premium features by upgrading to a paid subscription:

• Exchange messages with all users
• Access all of a user's photos
• Message read receipts
• See who "likes" your profile
• See who viewed your profile
• Hide your profile & online status
• Anonymous Browsing

Upward v/s Christian Mingle: Cost & Premium Features Winner

Upward emerges as a more budget-friendly option, because it offers more features at a lower price point.  

With Upward, you'll pay less to access premium perks like seeing who's liked your profile and enjoy unlimited messaging. Accessing who’s liked your profile gives you a clearer picture of your visibility and appeal which helps you gauge if it’s working for you before you shell out more money.  

Another point in Upward's favor is its flexibility regarding subscription lengths allowing you to start with a shorter commitment so you can test the waters first. 

All in all, if cost-effectiveness and feature accessibility are high on your list, Upward appears to offer more value for your money compared to Christian Mingle. 

Upward v/s Christian Mingle: Matching & Messaging 

Upward & Christian Mingle take different approaches to connecting you with compatible matches.

Matching & Messaging On Upward 

Upward embraces the familiar swipe-based system popularized by Tinder. The process is straightforward - swipe right on profiles you like, left on those you don't. When two people swipe right on each other, a match is created.

Your match feed is generated based on your set preferences, though Upward will expand beyond your exact specifications to keep potential matches flowing. You can customize your experience with filters for:

• Distance and location
• Age range
• Gender
• Specific traits - with options to choose from like exercise habits, body type, drinking preferences, and more.

When browsing profiles, you have three actions available:

• Like (swipe right)
• Pass (swipe left)
• Super Like (showing heightened interest)

Super Likes notify the recipient immediately and appear on their homepage, though seeing who sent them requires a premium subscription. The best part? Once matched, either person can start a conversation - no paid upgrade is required.

Matching & Messaging On Christian Mingle

Christian Mingle offers several ways to find potential matches. You can filter and browse profiles based on criteria like someone who’s new to the site, if they’re currently online, or geographical distance, and compatibility-based suggestions. 

Their search functionality gives you access to their entire user database with comprehensive filtering options. The platform also features "LookBook," which lets you anonymously view one profile at a time based on your discovery preferences, showing basic details like photos, name, age, location, and match percentage.

When you find someone interesting, you can express interest with a "heart," and if they've already liked you, they'll be notified immediately. Don't worry about rejections—members only get alerts when there's mutual interest.

The major drawback? You'll need a paid membership to actually message your matches.

Upward vs Christian Mingle: Matching & Messaging Winner 

Upward wins this category by allowing free communication between mutual matches. This crucial difference means you can actually start building connections without opening your wallet—a significant advantage for anyone testing the waters of faith-based dating.

With Upward's straightforward interface and ability to message matches without upgrading. You can more easily move from an online connection to a real-life meeting with a solid messaging strategy.

Further Reading:

• Upward dating app review
• ChristianMingle review

Upward vs Christian Mingle: Which Works Better? 

If you’re looking for someone who shares your faith and values - Upward and Christian Mingle can be great. But keep in mind they attract far fewer users than mainstream choices like Match, eHarmony, or Hinge, so don't put all your eggs in one basket.

These larger mainstream sites let you filter for religious preferences too, giving you access to a broader pool of potential matches. 

But here's the thing - more users doesn't always mean more success. Sifting through profiles and keeping up with messages takes a lot of time. Did you know the average online dater spends over 51 minutes a day on dating apps? That's a big commitment, especially if you're not able to get dates with people you’re excited to meet. 

If all that sounds exhausting - why not let VIDA Select help? Our team of dating experts can take the hassle out of online dating. First, our experienced matchmakers will determine which dating sites and apps are best for you. Then our professional writers craft a customized profile that gets the attention of the best singles in your area, and we’ll select your most attractive photos using our proven ranking process! 

Plus we’ll handle all the back-and-forth messaging and once a date is scheduled we’ll let you know when and where. 

Imagine showing up on your first date, confident that you’re about to meet someone who checks off your boxes that you’re excited to meet. 

Why not learn more about how VIDA Select can help you find the love of your life. Go here to learn more!