Matchmaking vs Dating Apps: The 5 Benefits of Having a Matchmaker

4 min read

Modern dating can feel tedious, pointless—even downright depressing. Especially with the exponential rise of online dating, whose hegemony over the industry of love is almost absolute. Almost.

Because there is another way. There’s a band of professionals working tirelessly to help their clients meet the love of their lives—and let me tell you, it ain’t the folks running Tinder, Hinge and Bumble. No, it’s the people upholding one of the world’s most ancient and traditional professions: matchmakers.

What does a matchmaker do?

A matchmaker is your quintessential ‘people person’. She’s deeply attuned to others’ thoughts and feelings, and has an incredible knack for spotting compatibility between disparate singles, pairing them up—and making the magic flow.

And that’s only the beginning. A matchmaker is a coach, a collaborator, a confidante. She’s there not only to set you up on dates, but to hear all about them after. She’s your sounding board as you grapple with the next steps: play it cool and not text for three days, or go for gold and propose that all-important second date?

A matchmaker is committed to helping her clients meet someone they can see themselves spending the rest of their life with. She’s not in the business of enabling hookups or pen pal–style communication that fizzles out after months of time wasting. She’s dedicated to proactively scouring her network and beyond for someone whose values, interests and personality are tailormade for her client.

The pros and cons of dating apps

Dating apps are accessible and straightforward; matchmaking is an intensive process delving into your deepest needs and desires. Matchmaking is prestigious and deliberate; dating apps are cheap and ‘cheerful’. (The air quotes are heavy with that one: for lots of my clients, online dating has been the opposite of cheerful.) There’s a time and a place for dating apps, but they have a far lower success rate than having your own personal matchmaker whose entire job is to find you the love of your life.

There are two benefits of online dating vs matchmaking. Granted that doesn’t sound like a lot of upsides, but they’re big and important ones:

  • dating apps are relatively inexpensive, or even free.
  • you get access to an endless pool of singles from the comfort of your home.

Now listen: these are benefits—but only up to a point.

On the other hand, matchmaking is a pricey endeavour simply because success is life-changing. And as for that hallowed endless pool of singles—well, you can have too much of a good thing.

‍What are the downsides of dating apps, compared to matchmaking?

  • Flaking and ghosting are commonplace.
  • The vetting processes are flimsy or nonexistent.
  • It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by infinite singles, almost all of whom just aren’t what you’re looking for.
  • It’s all on you: there’s no one by your side helping you scrutinise profiles (besides helpful and enthusiastic friends).
  • By its nature, online dating is surface-level: it stays two-dimensional (based around a handful of photos and a short bio) for way longer than is natural.

The 5 benefits of matchmaking

Online dating is evolving at breakneck speed. By contrast, matchmaking has barely changed for centuries, because it’s underpinned by something that transcends technology: human connection.

  • Bespoke approach: Your matchmaker works closely with you to gauge your values, lifestyle, and preferences in a spouse. They only bring matches your way who they believe would be deeply compatible.
  • Vetted matches: Your matchmaker ensures every match has been thoroughly screened, that they’re sincere about their relationship goals and trustworthy in who they say they are. In matchmaking, word of mouth is everything—so your matchmaker will pride herself on bringing you only the best and most genuine matches, tailored to precisely what you’re looking for.
  • Privacy and security: While some dating apps may expose or even sell your personal data, your matchmaker will keep your information utterly confidential.
  • Time saving: Online dating is time-consuming: wading through countless profiles, endless texting (often culminating in flaking or ghosting), subpar dates with singles who look markedly different to their profile pics… and repeat. But your matchmaker does the legwork for you, freeing your time to spend exclusively on matches who are already on the same page as you and looking only to make a meaningful connection, with a view to settling down.
  • She’s everything you think, but more: Your matchmaker is so much more than you imagined. You don’t go off on one date then never hear from her again—she guides you through the jitters, those nervy first-date plans, that painful ‘This isn’t working’ text before helping you move on to someone even better. She’s your mediating third party, not only enabling you to understand your date but helping them understand you. She’s your counsellor, empowering you to explore your relationship history to shape its future. And she’s your friend, with you every step of the way, always placing your interests front and centre.

Date by connection—not algorithm

Dating apps can be fun and carefree—but if matchmaking is feasible for you, there’s simply no contest.

There’s nothing like having a dedicated matchmaker by your side to vet singles, get you feeling confident and ready to mingle, and filter a promising selection of profiles down to a handful of exceptionally compatible hotties. Algorithms are all well and good—but we’re not robots. We need love, affection, and human connection.

Ditch dating apps. Relinquish rejection.

Farewell, flaking. Goodbye, ghosting.

Hello, Cupid in the City!

Get in touch today, and let our unique personalised approach to matchmaking guide your journey to meeting your forever love.

22nd March 2024 | 4 min read

Curious to learn more about how we can help you find your ideal partner?

Also Featured In