The Willow App Review April 2024

Willow is not your usual dating app. It totally veers away from the concept of a dating app where members connect with other users based on appearance and what they see on their profiles.

78,000 Members
 35 % ♀ 
 65 % ♂ 
Good For:
4 / 5
4 / 5
2 / 5
Success Rate:
30 / 10
38 / 10
33 / 10
Compare Willow
Age Distribution:
18-24
25-34
35-49
50+

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Willow in 10 seconds

  • Willow connects communities and individuals by empowering self expression, facilitating discussions, and spreading ideas worth sharing
  • The app allows its members to find like-minded individuals for a chance at friendship, love, and possibly marriage
  • It is considered to be more of a social media platform than a dating app due to its features
  • The app is based on conversations and not on photos
  • It works well for people who have difficulties presenting their photos to the public
  • The app is only available for iOS users
  • Most of the app's members are from the United States
  • There is an equal distribution between male and female members- Learn more here
  • You can use Willow for free
DatingScout.com Author Chris Pleines
Chris Pleines
Founder of Dating Scout and Author of the book "Online Dating for Dummies"
Overall, Willow’s concept is truly unique compared to other dating apps. With Willow’s priority in building connections through conversation, you are sure to meet someone who shares the same thoughts and opinions. 

Who is Willow for and not for?

  • For singles looking for serious relationships and deep commitments
  • For individuals who want to meet new people and have meaningful conversations online
  • For people who want to expand their social circles
  • If you're searching for erotic adventures and casual encounters
  • Cheaters who are looking for affairs
  • Not for people who value physical appearance more than attitude and values
Back to Overview

Willow Pros & Cons

  • The Willow App is 100% free and has no hidden charges at all
  • The interface is easy to use, intuitive, and user-friendly
  • Willow values relationships based on meaningful conversations than connections from physical attraction
  • The app has no live customer support team
  • Willow is not available in the Google Play Store and doesn't have a web version for people who don't have smartphones
  • Restricted to only a few countries and not available across the world

How much does Willow cost?

Is Willow expensive or cheap?

In comparison to other providers Willow is free of charge.

Using Willow is completely free of charge.

Free Features
  • Registration
  • Profile creation
  • Sending and receiving messages
Back to Overview

Who is signed up on Willow?

Members
78,000 from USA
Members activity
17,000 active weekly
Gender Proportion
35 %
65 %
  • Members are looking for long-term relationships through meaningful conversations
  • Male and female members are almost equal
  • Young adults dominates the site
  • Small member base compared to similar dating apps
  • High reply rate of members

Willow members are looking for long-term relationships through meaningful conversations. Members are hoping to find love and possibly marriage without being judged on their physical appearances. 

Members are mostly young adults, the majority are coming from the United States. Since Willow is only available to selected countries, its member base is significantly smaller compared to similar platforms. Members from the LGBTQ+ community are welcome to join the app.

Although the app has a small user base, it has high member activity and a high reply rate among its members. 

Females
Males

Willow Age Range and Age Distribution

  • 18-24
  • 25-34
  • 35-44
  • 45-54
  • 55+

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Willow in Detail

  • Reading time 16 minutes
  • Lots of insider information for more success

How to Sign Up for Willow

Willow Signup
  • You can only signup via a mobile number or Facebook account
  • A verification code will be sent to the number you provided if you signed up via mobile number
  • Uploading a profile photo is not required
  • Providing your last name and email is optional
  • You can customize your notifications settings
  • No email verification required

Registering an account with Willow is quick and easy. You can sign up via your mobile number, in which you will be sent a code that you need to input in Willow’s verification page. You can also register through your Facebook account, wherein your Facebook account details such as email and name will be synced to Willow.

After choosing which you want to use for your Willow registration, you will be redirected to a page where you need to input your first name, age, and gender. Then you will be asked for your last name and email address, which you can actually skip. The last step of your registration is for you to set when you want to receive mobile notifications.

Making Contact on Willow

Willow Questions
  • Post your own questions that other members can answer
  • Answer posted questions to start engaging with other members
  • Ignore messages that you don't like to answer
  • Chatting is available
  • Connect with a group of people in different communities
  • All members can send messages for free

Establishing connections starts with answering questions posted by members which you can find from the app’s home page or by searching through tags in the ‘Discover’ tab. After answering a question, messaging will be unlocked for you and the member who asked the question. You can continue chatting by going to your inbox.

Most questions in Willow have tags so you can choose to answer whatever it is you are currently in the mood to share. If you are not interested in a question, you can simply swipe left and click the ‘X’ button that will appear. This will automatically remove that question from your timeline. When you want to answer a question, just simply click on it and write your answer in the field below. Or when you are just curious about other members’ answers, you can click the chat button found on the bottom right side of the question, and all the answers will be displayed through a list.

Willow Profile Quality

Willow Profile
  • Profiles in Willow do not feature many information
  • There is an ‘About Me’ box for your short autobiography
  • You can choose from a list the traits you have which will be displayed on your profile
  • You can choose an avatar symbol as your profile photo
  • You can answer the questions posted by another member on the 'Questions' tab of that member's profile
  • You cannot view another member’s photo gallery unless you have answered his or her questions and that member approved your request to view his or her gallery
  • Profile pictures are visible to everyone for free

The profiles in Willow only have three tabs. The first tab is the profile information which has three parts that are optional to fill out:

  1. Traits - this displays the traits that you chose from the ‘Traits’ list.
  2. School - features which school you came from. You have the option to put your school if it does not show up on the drop-down list.
  3. About Me’ biography - this is a self-written paragraph that describes who you are.

The next profile tab is a list of questions which that particular member had posted on the ‘Questions’ tab.

The last tab is the ‘Photo Gallery’ which is hidden from members who have not yet connected to that particular member. Photo galleries can only be unlocked if you answer the member’s questions, and he or she agrees to reveal his or her photos to you.

In Willow, members do not have profile photos. Instead, they are represented by an avatar that best describes their personality. Members can upload photos to their photo galleries, but these galleries are hidden from other members until a connection has been established and there is consent from both members.

There are a few fake profiles on the app due to its lack of identity verification.

Willow App

Willow Questions
  • Willow is only availabe for iOS users
  • The app is free to download
  • Has no available web version
  • The app works well and is easy to use
  • Can be used simultaneously with other applications

Willow is only available for iOS users, which is quite a bummer since it doesn't have a web version for those who don't have smartphones. 

The app works well and has a friendly user interface. The Willow app can be used simultaneously with other applications and has no reported bugs or glitches.

Special Features

Willow FAQ

Facts

What is The Willow App?

Willow is a mobile dating app that makes its members’ personalities shine over their appearance by facilitating discussions.

Who is the founder of Willow?

Entrepreneur Michael Bruch founded the Willow app.

How is Willow different from other dating apps?

Willow is different from other dating apps because connections are made solely through conversation and not appearance. Willow does not display profile photos, rather, images are exchanged when a conversation strikes between two members.

Who can join Willow?

Anyone in legal age can join Willow.

Is Willow available in desktop?

Willow is only available as a mobile app.,

What is the average age of users on Willow?

The average age of Willow users is between 31-38 years. You can find more information here

Usability

How do I join Willow?

You can join Willow by registering using your mobile phone or your Facebook account.

Does Willow offer premium membership?

Willow does not offer a premium membership.

How do I permanently delete my Willow account?

You can permanently delete your account by going through your ‘Settings’ and clicking the ‘Delete Account’ at the very bottom of the page.

Can I retrieve my messages on my deleted Willow account?

Once you delete your account, you cannot retrieve old connections and conversations. Willow does not store deleted account details.

Can I temporarily deactivate my Willow account?

Unfortunately, you cannot temporarily deactivate your Willow account.

How do I use Willow?

Sign up for an account and answer the questions you find on your home dashboard to connect with people. You can start a conversation with a member after answering his or her question, or with members who answer the questions you post.

How do I upload a photo?

You can upload a photo in Willow by going to your profile and clicking the ‘+’ button on the Photos tab.

How come I cannot see other users’ photos?

You cannot see photos of Willow members until you connect with them.

What are the questions I find on my home dashboard?

The questions found on your home dashboard whenever you open your Willow app are conversation starters, which you need to answer in order to connect with the user who asked the question.

Do I need to turn on my mobile’s Location whenever I use the app?

It is optional to turn on your ‘Location’ whenever you use Willow. If you want to answer the questions asked by members who are approximate to your current location, the app would prompt that you turn on your 'Location'.

How do I chat with other members?

You can chat with other members who have become your connections through your messages inbox.

Security

What security features does Willow offer?

Willow has a detailed ‘Privacy Policy’ and ‘Terms of Usage’ that are strictly enforced and monitored by Willow administrators.

A user is abusing me, how do I block and report that member?

You can block an abusive user on Willow by clicking the ‘Block & Report’ button found on his or her profile.

Does Willow sell your data?

No, Willow does not sell your data.

Was Willow hacked in the past?

No, Willow was never hacked.

How accurately does Willow track your location?

Willow tracks your approximate location.

Do your Willow profile pictures or profile information appear in Google Search Results?

No, your Willow photos and personal information will not appear in Google Search Results.

Who can view your pictures on Willow?

All Willow users can view your pictures.

Is your phone number required for signing up at Willow?

Yes, a phone number is required for signing up at Willow.

Can you erase your personal data on Willow?

Yes, Willow provides an option for users to erase their data.

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Final Results table

Signing Up: 3.0 / 5
Making Contact: 3.0 / 5
Profile Quality: 3.0 / 5
Real Life Review: 3.0 / 5

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Contact details

E-Mail:support@thewillowapp.com