Love on the spectrum: Neurodivergent friendly dating apps

Dating is already a confusing, vulnerable, and sometimes overwhelming experience for anyone. But for neurodivergent people, it can come with an extra layer of challenges that many others never have to think about. Whether you’re autistic, have ADHD, a brain injury, or live with other forms of neurodivergence, the world of dating can feel like it wasn’t built for you.

From decoding body language and reading between the lines, to managing sensory overload in noisy bars or dealing with the unpredictability of social norms... it’s a lot!

And while most dating advice assumes a “one-size-fits-all” approach, it often overlooks the specific needs, anxieties, and communication styles that neurodivergent people bring to the table. Add to that the fear of being misunderstood or rejected for being “different,” and it’s no wonder many of us feel disheartened or exhausted before we even begin.

But that doesn’t mean connection is out of reach. It just means the path to it might look a little different — and that’s not a bad thing.

Here are two dating apps designed with neurodivergent people in mind:

Mattr

Designed specifically for neurodivergent individuals. 

Please note: Mattr is currently only available to individuals in London, but they do have plans to expand to other cities in the UK.

Limited Daily Matches: Users receive up to seven curated matches per day, reducing decision fatigue and promoting meaningful connections.

No Swiping Mechanism: Instead of traditional swiping, Mattr presents potential matches in a scroll-down list, encouraging users to engage more thoughtfully.

Honesty Box: This feature allows users to share personal insights, preferences, or deal-breakers upfront, fostering transparency and compatibility.

Mood Tracking: A daily check-in system enables users to express their current mood, helping the app provide a supportive environment and potentially offering assistance during low periods.

Time-Out Toggle: Users can take breaks from the app without losing their matches, allowing for self-care and reducing pressure.

Accessibility Features: Mattr includes options like video replies for those who find typing challenging, voice-activated text reading, and is developing bionic reading features to assist users with different needs.

Face Verification: To ensure safety and authenticity, all users undergo a three-factor authentication process, including face verification.

Hiki

Hiki is a friendship and dating app for the Autism, ADHD, and all Neurodivergent community. It is a place to feel safe, find friendship or love, and most importantly, to be yourself.

Inclusive Community: Hiki welcomes all neurodivergent individuals, regardless of formal diagnosis. Self-identification is respected and embraced.

Dual Purpose: The app caters to those looking for friendships, romantic relationships, or both, allowing users to specify their intentions.

Community Feed: Beyond one-on-one connections, Hiki offers a social feed where users can post updates, share interests, and engage with the broader community.

Safety Measures: Hiki prioritizes user safety with features like location, age, and ID verification. The platform has zero tolerance for bullying, discrimination, or abuse.

User-Centric Design: Developed by a neurodiverse team, Hiki continuously updates its features based on user feedback to better serve the community's needs.

Subscription Details

While Hiki is free to download and use, it offers a Premium subscription with additional features, such as seeing who has liked your profile. As of May 2025, the subscription costs are:

• £18.99 per week
• £41.99 per month

£5.29 per week for a 12-month subscription (approximately £275.08 annually)