Hily dating app review: A generous free tier, gamified swipes, and so many fish pics

Hily dating app is a lesser-known alternative to the Big Three: Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge. Despite being around since 2017, it gained traction through AI-powered safety features. When I first heard about Hily, not many people in my circle were familiar with it. Let's break down what it's like to sign up for Hily.

The signup process is straightforward, asking for basic information like gender identity, preferred gender, name, birthdate, and location. You can choose to skip some questions if you prefer. Hily also gathers details about your interests, education, and favorite movies or TV shows. You can add up to 12 interests to your profile, such as music preferences, hobbies, and personal values.

After answering these questions, you'll select what you're looking for in a partner, whether it's a committed relationship, new friends, casual dating, or physical connection. You can choose two options, and then you'll be asked about the vibe you're looking for, with options like humor, emotional availability, and more.

Next, you'll set your age range for potential matches, ranging from 18 to 80 years old. You can also choose a distance filter, which controls who you see in the "Finder" section. The app also includes a "Roulette" feature, where you can earn perks like rollbacks or a profile boost by spinning a wheel. You have the option to disable these pop-ups if you choose. Once you're satisfied with your profile, you can start browsing for matches.