Originally Posted by
Lorca81
Here's my take on some of the apps and sites mentioned ...
Grindr
Pros: The app automatically makes inactive profiles invisible, so you only see users who've logged recently. The free version has enough features to be usable without paying. There are lots of trans women on the app. The app sorts by distance, even when someone turns off that feature so any profile you see will be within a reasonable distance of you. Most users list their sexual position preference (i.e., top, bottom, verse), and the selections are nuanced (i.e., verse bottom and verse top options) so you can avoid awkward situations (after all, two total tops don’t make a bottom!)
Cons: There are lots of people on the app looking for things other than hookups, dates, relationships, etc. (i.e., scammers, AI bots, drug dealers and buyer, escorts and pimps, generally super-sketchy weirdos, etc.)
FWIW: Since the app is primarily used for hookups, users tend to be a little terse, impatient, superficial, and skeptical of anyone there who says they're looking for more than just a one-off fuck.
Tinder
Pros: Many relationship-minded trans woman use the app. So, if that's what you're looking for it can be useful. The app is pretty good not matching you with an inactive profile or someone located too far away. Also, Tinder's enforces its terms of use polices very strictly and requires verification based on a unique cellphone number or Facebook profile, so you’ll have less issues with scammers, AI bots, and people trying facilitate illegal stuff than on Grindr.
Cons: It's very hard to find trans women on Tinder because the app doesn't have a "trans" filter. As a result, many trans women get reported and permanently banned for catfishing when they're matched with a guy who's only into cis women and reacts badly. This is also true for guys who say they're looking for trans women in their profile. Lastly, the since the site is designed for cishet people, you cannot quickly determine sexual compatibility with a trasn women by seeing whether she’s a bottom, top, or verse.
FWIW: Tinder is probably great for cis people looking for other cis people. But the app is terrible both for trans women and men who are looking for them.
Transgenderdate
Pros: The site (which was designed back in the Web 2.0 era) is specifically for trans people and anyone looking for trans people.
Cons: The site never purges inactive profiles, so it’s not uncommon to see a user who hasn’t logged on is years. You can view the site for free but if you do not pay for a membership the site is totally unusable (you cannot send or read messages, view pictures pics, see preference re: bottom/top, etc.) And being such an old site, its usability is kinda shitty by modern standards.
FWIW: In theory, this site is intended to facilitate romantic (rather that sexual) connections. However, in my experience, most trans women who use the site regularly only seem interested in networking with other trans women. Also, for various reasons, the trans women on the are way more prone to be judgmental about men’s sexual position preference (i.e., top, bottom, verse) and engage in vitriolic bottom shaming.
Tsdating
Pros: The site (which was designed back in the Web 2.0 era) is specifically for trans people and anyone looking for trans people.
Cons: Same as both Grindr and Transgenderdate combined.
FWIW: This site has a vibe like Craigslist back in the day, meaning it's emphasis is casual encounters and "misc. romance" (whatever that is). However, because of its cons, this site is an utter waste of time.