Hily

I’m not great at small talk and I honestly dread first messages on dating apps. Most of the time, I’d rather not start anything than send some awkward “hey.” What helped me on Hily was their convo starters. They’re lowkey perfect for introverts like me who want to connect but don’t know how to break the ice. I matched with someone who replied to the same prompt and boom — instant flow. No pressure to be super charming or witty right away. The app feels more like a soft entry into dating, which I appreciate so much. It’s not trying to push you into anything, it just creates a vibe where conversations can happen naturally. Finally, a space where introverts don’t have to pretend to be extroverts just to get noticed.

I didn’t go on Hily looking for love right away. Honestly, I was just curious and open to conversations. What surprised me was how many people were actually open to chatting about life, goals, even careers. One match turned into a regular brainstorming buddy — we both work in design, and now we swap ideas and support each other’s projects. It’s not even romantic (yet?), but that’s what makes it cool. Hily didn’t force anything, and that’s rare. It gave space for connection to evolve into whatever it’s meant to be — friendship, partnership, or something in between.

After my divorce, I wasn’t even sure I wanted to date again. Most apps felt shallow or too chaotic. But Hily was surprisingly different. It didn’t feel like I was being thrown into a meat market. The vibe was calmer, and the questions they ask when setting up your profile made it feel like they actually care about who you are, not just what you look like. I matched with someone who’d also been through a divorce, and we connected over that shared experience. We didn’t rush anything — just got to know each other, one message at a time. And for the first time in years, I felt like dating could actually be kind and supportive, not exhausting.

I downloaded Hily not expecting much, but it kinda changed how I see dating apps. First thing I noticed was how chill the layout is, like it’s not trying to overload you with stuff. Then came the icebreakers — super helpful, especially if you hate making the first move. But what really got me was how many of my matches actually wanted to talk about something, not just small talk. One guy and I ended up chatting about hiking spots in Oregon and swapped trail recs for a full hour. That’s rare. If you’re tired of the same old “wyd” convos, Hily actually gives you space for real ones.

I was so over the performative dating app culture — everyone trying to look cooler than they are, showing off trips and filters. Hily felt refreshingly normal. The design is simple, the chats don’t feel forced, and the people I met there actually seemed open. One guy and I ended up talking about why we both left social media and how exhausting everything online feels. No pretending, no pressure. Just quiet, real connection. That’s rare now, and I’m grateful for it.

I’m super private online, so dating apps always made me nervous. But with Hily, the vibe was different. First off, their verification is quick but solid — no fake profiles so far, which is huge. Second, I liked how the app didn't feel pushy. It let me go at my own pace. I matched with someone who also prefers a slower start, and we ended up having a week-long convo before even exchanging social media. We shared playlists and talked about road trips we want to take. Felt safe and real — and honestly, that’s the first time I’ve said that about a dating app.

don’t sleep on Hily. It’s cleaner than most dating apps and ppl actually talk hereet someone who’s on the same page about life goals and values. Never had that happen this quick on any app before.

Met someone who’s on the same page about life goals and values. Never had that happen this quick on any app before.

I love how the convos actually keep going here. I didn’t have to carry the chat by myself all the time.

What sets the Hily dating app apart is the "compatibility stories" feature. It's usually spot on about communication styles or sense of humor. Makes me more willing to give people a chance who might not be my usual "type" visually. Has definitely led to some unexpectedly great conversations with people I would've otherwise passed on.