Ever felt like being on dating apps is mentally exhausting? You’re not alone, trust me. By the end of 2024, I was fed up with perfected profiles, ghosted messages (admittedly, I did this too), and empty promises. I desired something more real. It was then that I heard of Hily (Hey, I Like You), and frankly, it was a breath of fresh air.
Hily promises that it’s not just another dating app trying to sell the concept of finding “the one”. It claims to be constructed based on a completely different idea: Date as you are. That is what got my attention and made me want to research them further. During my deep dive, I found that Hily aims to ensure that dating is not a competition but an adventure to understand oneself and others. It has 35 million users, more than 1.5 billion likes delivered, and 50 million matches happen every year, so it is obvious that I was not the only person who wanted something more. And even though many people still question it by asking, “Is Hily legit?”, after signing up for myself, I discovered that it is one of the freshest and most honest apps available.
Dating, but Make It Human
The thing I first realized when using the Hily app is how much less tense I felt. In contrast to being pressured to make immediate decisions based primarily on photos with other apps, Hily dating provides its users with room to truly present themselves. I did this by taking the time to fill in all that matters to me, such as my favorite music, hobbies, and funny favorite – I even put in my zodiac sign (don’t judge, I read the stars, I am a Scorpio).
The Icks & Clicks compatibility quiz is among my favorite features. It may be mentioned as humor, but it’s really helpful. You pick if you click with statements like “True love is easy” or “Work-life balance over grind and success”. All of a sudden, you’re not swiping anymore but finding out who fits your vibe. It is that type of interaction that leaves you with the mindset of being intentional in dating, and not just for dopamine hits.
One more little yet brilliant tool is the icebreakers that are part of profiles. It’s a lifesaver to someone like me who struggles with the first message. No more “Hey, how are you?” messages.
Instead, there are light, humorous icebreakers to launch a chat. This is what struck me as different: the app makes it easier to find someone and communicate with them on what feels like a more human level.
Real People. Real Energy.
In a space where one can easily ask, “Is Hily fake?”, I can respond that it is not. Safety features have been implemented (photo verification, responsive support, etc.), and what’s more important is, it’s not trying to sell you a dream. It encourages you to be yourself and connect with those who share genuine interests.
After spending some time on the Hily dating app, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The app isn’t perfect, but its approach to dating online is something I really needed. There’s no pressure – just fun. I even found that I learned a lot about myself by filling out my profile and interests.
Overall, Hily is worth a shot for everyone who wants honest, playful and safe dating in 2025.
