Being a single parent has its challenges, but finding a partner shouldn’t be one of them. If other dating apps haven’t helped you find your “perfect someone,” Stir is the one for you, as it will help you connect with like-minded people searching for meaningful relationships.
What is Stir?
Stir, created by Match Group —the company that also designed Tinder and other popular platforms —is designed explicitly with single parents in mind. Whether you’re looking for a casual or serious relationship, Stir helps you find someone who shares your lifestyle. This app is available on the iOS App Store and Google Play.
How does this work?
Stir is designed to give users a safe and easy way to connect with potential partners. Like any other dating app, this app includes standard features such as profile creation and messaging, while prioritizing user safety both online and offline.
How to sign up?
The sign-up process is speedy and easy. You can complete it on the website or by using the app. The app offers gender options beyond just male or female – including transgender, non-binary, two-spirit, gender non-conforming, and if none of these options fit, you also select “other.”
Select your age, the gender you would like to meet, and other basic information like your name and email address. Confirm your email address and personalize your profile by answering a few additional basic questions, such as your height and whether you have children. You can upload six photos and answer some questions related to parenting and dating, like “What’s your favorite guilty pleasure,” “Your perfect night without kids is,” and more, which helps you show your personality and unique traits, making it easier to find a perfect match. This also gives you an idea of what to write, if you are unsure.
The last step is an option to sign up for a paid membership, which you can skip if you do not wish to purchase the paid version. Now, you are all set to explore potential matches and start connecting!
Finding a match on Stir is easy
Stir has a user-friendly interface, similar to other dating apps, making it easy to navigate. Some features include browsing in public or private mode, messaging, video chat, and “like” or “SuperLike.” Although these features are simple, most of them require a paid upgrade, which is a disadvantage.
In the Discover page (homepage), you can either “skip” or “like” singles. You can browse one person at a time, and the results are filtered based on criteria such as age, distance, and gender.
Cost & Features
Like other dating apps, Stir offers various payment plans and upgrades to suit your budget.
Basic subscription: $9.99
Features available with a basic subscription include unlimited swipes, access to user profiles, messaging, and an ad-free experience.
Standard subscriptions
One-month subscription: $39.99/month.
Three-month subscription: $28.99/month
Six-month subscription: $18.99/month
One-year subscription: $16.99/month
Premium Subscriptions
Three-month subscription: $29.99/month
Six-month subscription: $19.99/month
One-year subscription: $17.99/month
You can also purchase “Power-ups” to receive email read notifications, browse in private mode, and reply for free; however, the cost is not specified. However, if you want to boost your profile, you can buy them. The price for Boosts is listed below.
1 Boost: $2.99
5 Boosts: $9.99
10 Boosts: $14.99
With a Standard subscription, you receive unlimited messaging, the ability to see who has viewed your profile, and access to view detailed profiles (excluding video calls). However, with a premium subscription, apart from all the features of the Standard plan, you also get to boost your profile and make video calls.
Another downside of this app is that its upgrades can be expensive if you plan to use the site for an extended period. The only advantage here is that, since it focuses on single parents, it is an excellent option for those seeking connection and conversation with others in a similar situation.
What features are available for free plan members?
Although Stir’s free plan is limited, the good news is that they can create a profile and search immediately, get “Top Picks,” and send “Likes” for free. Also, after browsing for some time as an unpaid member, you might earn a free message. However, it is for a limited duration and should be used as soon as possible.
A special feature called StirTime is available, which helps users match their free time with potential partners. However, it is not mentioned whether this feature is available to everyone or just paid members.
Payment mode
The subscription page directs you to choose from different payment options. Stir accepts credit cards, and you can choose to pay the full amount or make four separate payments. The subscription also includes auto-renewal. If you don’t want it, you can always turn it off.
Stir accepts American Express, Discover, Diners Club, JCB, MasterCard, and Visa. You can also pay through prepaid credit cards, but the card issuer must first register the card on their website. Most gift and prepaid cards require activation before use.
It is worth noting that if your prepaid card has a sufficient balance when your subscription renews (and auto-renewal is enabled), your Stir subscriptions will continue; otherwise, they will not. So to avoid renewal issues, using a credit or debit card is recommended.
How to cancel the subscription?
There are different ways to cancel a subscription. The easiest way is to log in through the website on a desktop. If you don’t have a paid subscription or do not have auto-renewal on, you can cancel your subscription by clicking on Account Settings —> Manage Subscription, where you will be given instructions step-by-step to delete your account.
If you have paid for your subscription, but it hasn’t expired yet, or if you want a refund, you can contact Stir by emailing them at contactme@match.com
Customer service
Stir’s FAQ page helps you guide and answers almost all queries. However, if you don’t find the answer to your question there, then you can contact Stir by clicking “Email Us” on their contact page and filling out the form.
Stir’s customer service team is available by email from Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM CST, so that you can expect a prompt response.
Pros and Cons of Stir
Pros of Stir
- It’s a dating app designed specifically for single parents, helping them connect with others and find love again.
- It’s inclusive for everyone, as it supports individuals of different genders and sexualities.
- It’s safe and secure as it follows strict safety and security guidelines to protect users.
Cons of Stir
- It’s expensive compared to other dating sites, which may not be ideal for single parents seeking affordable options.
- Its subscription and upgrades are expensive.
- The app shows matches far outside the set range, making meetups difficult.
- Standard dating app features need in-app purchases
What are people saying?
People have mixed opinions about Stir. While some find it a valuable niche option with unique features that cater to their needs, others believe it has drawbacks and needs improvements, particularly in distance matching.
On the Google Play Store, it has a rating of 3.9 stars, while the Apple App Store gives it a rating of 4.3 stars. A user on Apple App Store commented that the “price doesn’t match the app’s quality,” and another user said, “it misses vital info”. On the other hand, Redditors are not impressed with the app, with some saying it is “just like other apps” and that “a premium membership is required for everything.”
Our opinion
If you are a single parent or open to having kids and looking for a relationship, Stir is worth considering. While finding matches is easy, it has a limited user base. The Premium plans (for unlocking features) are expensive, and not everyone can afford them.
Contents