Finding someone who shares your faith shouldn't mean settling for a clunky app or a generic dating pool where mentioning Jesus in your bio actually hurts your chances. Upward was built for that exact problem — a dating app where being upfront about your relationship with Christ is the whole point, not a dealbreaker.^1
Developed by Affinity Apps (a Match Group company), Upward gives Christian singles a familiar swipe-based experience with a faith-first twist: every profile includes a personal faith statement, and the community is built around shared values from the start. Set up a profile in minutes, write what your faith means to you, and start connecting with believers nearby — matching and chatting are completely free. The app is designed for all denominations, from Baptist to Catholic to Pentecostal and everything in between.^2 Originally launched in March 2020 as FTH ("Faith"), the app rebranded to Upward — inspired by Philippians 3:14, "I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" — and quickly became the #1 downloaded Christian dating app in the U.S. in 2020 and 2021.^3
Upward's VP of Marketing, Alexis Ferraro Luerssen, told The Christian Post: "We believe that Jesus would encourage people to embrace new technologies and advancements in society as well as guide people to find a like-minded, lifelong partner who strives to know Him well and create a happy, loving relationship with His teachings at the center."^3
Why Christians Love Upward: "At the time I was focusing mainly on God and work because I didn't wanna get into another relationship. Upward kept popping up on my TikTok and I just ignored it. One day I downloaded it. I ended up matching with this guy — the way he spoke about God and family I found really attractive. It was the first time I had the thought of 'I could see myself marrying this guy.' He ended up asking me to be his girlfriend and ever since then we've been chasing God together, praying together, sending each other daily Bible verses."^4 Another user shared: "I'm getting married to the man I met here on Upward. After our first conversation I knew we clicked. Eventually we went on our first date, which lasted 8 hours. As I got to know him more — how our values and paths aligned — I knew he was the one for me!"^4 The Upward blog features dozens of couple stories, like Jenna and Nathan who went from matching to engaged in weeks: "He described the gospel and his love for God's Word and he was very straightforward about his faith in Jesus Christ. I loved talking to him right away."^5
With over 1M+ downloads on Google Play, 153K ratings on the App Store, and an active blog and social media presence featuring real success stories, Upward has become a go-to community for Christian singles looking for relationships where God is at the center.^2
Platforms: iOS, Android Pricing: Freemium (free to match and chat; optional Premium and Elite subscriptions with weekly, monthly, 3-month, and 6-month options)
