HUD App Review: Honest Upfront Dating [2024]

What Is HUD App?

launched in 2015, HUD apparently stands for “Honest Upfront Dating.” It’s been around for quite some time which is a positive, especially since there’s a dating app graveyard lately for those that didn’t quite make it through the pandemic.

I hadn’t heard of HUD App until really diving into the dating world, because it’s not advertised as heavily as other sites. As a quickie, the HUD dating app is most definitely for hookups. Whether you're looking for casual dates, friends with benefits, or exciting encounters, HUD App aims to connect you with others who aren’t necessarily seeking something long-term.

Though it sounds pretty similar to other dating apps, I wanted to see what set them apart and if I could find new connections here as opposed to some other dating sites I’ve been using.

The TLDR; on HUD App

In a nutshell, HUD App doesn’t tout itself as a dating app that could find you long-term romance, which is nice because the precedent is set that this is for hookups only. To help with this, you can even add what you like in the bedroom as… an icebreaker of sorts, and add a badge that you’re STD-free via Safely.

With its user-friendly interface, robust search capabilities, and a focus on casual encounters, HUD App offers a unique dating experience for those seeking spontaneous connections.

What’s the Flirt Carousel? HUD App introduces the Flirt Carousel, a unique feature that presents you with profile photos of potential matches. Swipe right if you're interested, and left if you're not, simplifying the process of finding like-minded individuals. Very Tinder-esque, no?

“Moment” for Sharing Extra With Matches: The Moment feature on HUDApp.com allows you to share photos and updates with your matches, fostering a more interactive and engaging communication experience.

How is HUD’s Privacy and Security? HUD App prioritizes your privacy and safety. The platform implements stringent security measures to safeguard your personal information and interactions from unauthorized access.

What are Virtual Gifts? Add a playful touch to your conversations by sending virtual gifts to your matches. These fun tokens can help break the ice and add a dash of charm to your interactions.

Are There HUD Premium Accounts? While the basic features are free, HUD app offers a HUD Premium and HUD Diamond memberships with added benefits such as advanced search filters, unlimited messaging, incognito mode, and a whole host of other features.

Is it Easy to Delete a HUD Dating Profile? If you decide to leave the HUD dating app, you can easily delete your profile. Head to your account settings, follow the instructions to delete your account, and bid farewell to the platform. If you want to completely delete the app and any subscriptions, you’ll need to do that in the appropriate app store. I’m an iOS gal, so I canceled under the “subscriptions” section on my phone.

Does HUD Have an App for iOS and/or Android?

Yep, HUD is actually only an app without a desktop version. It’s available for both iOS and Android.

HUD App Review For Sign-Up & Registration Process

As I mentioned before, this is entirely through an app.

Signing up for HUD App was quick and painless, though it did require my phone number. That’s great for verification purposes and feeling safer, but if you’re someone who likes to be super stealth, it may not be for you.

1. Download the HUD App (it’s available for both Android and iOS) or visit the site.

2. Create your account by providing your phone number, confirming it, and then add your essential info. While it may feel weird to verify with a phone number, it does help with the profile verification of whomever you’re connecting with too.

From there, it helped me build my profile as I went along and asked for my gender and how I identify (with the option to display it or not)

What my pronouns are,

What gender identity I’m interested in,

What I’m looking for – with a ton of different options including “I don’t know” which is what I chose,

And finally I could add a photo by uploading it or choosing from Instagram or Facebook. I uploaded directly (I’m not keen on tying my social to my profiles).

3. Customize your profile. After that, I could add a bio, get a photo verification badge, and add traits/interests. I could also link my IG or Spotify (if you dare – that feels a little intimate, no?) and add an STD safety badge!

It also gave me some prompts to make the bio a bit easier to create.

After I got through that process (and once again, had to consider what I could write for the prompts to put my best foot forward and be interesting) I was able to explore the app and was dropped onto a home feed immediately.

Search Capabilities for HUD App

The default search filter for HUD is very wide, so the first thing I had to do was drill it down into my immediate area, since I wasn’t traveling anytime soon. These are the different search options available:

• Location-Based Matching:HUD App uses geolocation technology to connect you with individuals in your vicinity. In normal speak, just turn on your location and let the matches roll in.
• Go Worldwide: Much like Tinder, you can add another location if you’re planning on traveling to see what’s out there.
• Basic Filters:You can customize your search by applying filters such as age range, gender preferences, and distance.
• Premium Filters: I had access to premium filters even with a free account, likely to get me interested in what was available in the HUD Premium version. Here, I was able to drill into all sorts of things, including bedroom preferences, zodiac sign, frequency of drug use, etc. It’s so nice to get as close as possible to what I prefer instead of having to roll my eyes at the results nine times out of ten.
• Compatibility Assessments:HUD App utilizes algorithms to match you with individuals who have similar interests and desires. I find that it works well, but you have to talk with your matches to make sure.

Given this is fully app-based and kind of gamifies the dating and hookup process, I didn’t mind the limited search functions on the free account. I did end up upgrading to keep the premium filters though because without them, it felt a little too basic.

Is HUD App Free?

I knew it wasn’t entirely free when I started the HUD app review, and like most dating apps, it’s free to use, but if you want to do anything, you gotta pay up.

Free HUD Membership

For the free tier, it seems I could only see and like profiles which is… extremely limited compared to other dating sites.

• Basic Profile Creation: You can describe yourself without paying a dime, so be sure to stretch that freebie.
• Limited Messaging: As expected, you won’t be able to chat with other members if you don’t pay up. It’s painful, but when I found the right match, I still paid for it!
• “The Bedroom” is something I immediately noticed in my profile section. What’s cool about this feature is you can share what you enjoy in the bedroom – things like bondage, dirty talk, etc. Since HUD is focused on hookups, this helps with compatibility so there are no surprises (or disappointments) when you meet up.

While the messaging capabilities are limited, it still provides a solid foundation for connecting with individuals who share your casual dating mindset.I think it’s limited, but it’s good if you want to see what the site is about.

Paid HUD Memberships:

If you like what you see, time to pay up! HUD has two paid memberships: Premium and Diamond. They never make it easy, do they? There are a lot of differences between both of the paid memberships which they explain on the app. The TLDR; is…

HUD Premium

• Enhanced Messaging: Upgrading to a paid membership unlocks unlimited messaging capabilities, enabling you to have meaningful conversations and build stronger connections with other users. You can send up to 20 messages a day.
• Advanced Features: Paid members often have access to additional features that enhance the overall user experience, such as endless scrolling, profile rewinds, Bedrooms, blocking, and more!

HUD Diamond

• Unlimited Messaging: Yup, if you’re a power dater, this is worth it.
• Unsend Messages: Send a cringy message? It happens. With Diamond, you can click unsend.
• Go Worldwide: You aren’t limited to your country anymore. Great for the traveler!
• See New Profiles: Who’s fresh? Find out with this feature.
• Incognito Mode: No explanation needed for this.
• Update the App Icon: This is helpful if you’re seeing someone and don’t want them to know you’re using HUD.

Outside of these, you can also buy “Sparks” which allow you to send a spark to matches. These are a one-time purchase only which is great.

You can also pay to Boost your profile which gets you more visibility for 60 minutes. 1 Boost is $9.99, but you can buy a package of 5 for $25, or 10 for $35.

What Sets HUD App Apart?

HUD has some unique features that make it stand out among the sea of tired dating apps. Here are some example

• The Bedroom: It’s one heck of an icebreaker. Why play 20 questions when you can go straight to talking about what you like in bed?
• Inclusive: You can choose from 30+ genders, giving no limitations to having fun!
• Being App Only: This may sound like a disadvantage, but for those who may want to browse connections at work (... like me) and are stuck with a work computer, the desktop version doesn’t feel missed.
• STD Safety Badge: This can link to something called the “safely app” to show that you’re STD-free.When you’re having fun, you want to make sure nothing comes home with you.

HUD App Review: Good and the Bad

There was a lot to love about the HUD app, so let’s talk about it.

HUD App Review of The Good Stuff

HUD App has many things I enjoy, such as:

• Playful Atmosphere: HUD App embraces a playful vibe that resonates with my free spirit. The platform encourages flirty interactions and light-hearted conversations, making it an exciting space to connect with like-minded individuals.
• Flirt Carousel: The Flirt Carousel feature is a game-changer! It's like a never-ending deck of potential matches, and swiping right or left feels like a fun dating adventure. This feature adds a delightful twist to the traditional dating app experience.
• Being Open About Sex: With the Bedroom feature, and the STD Safety Badge, it makes those uncomfortable questions much more manageable.
• Privacy Options: Even though you have to upgrade, being able to change the app icon and also have incognito mode is nice.
• Design and Aesthetic: This may not be high up on the list for most people, but the HUD dating app was visually pleasing and the overall UI was easy to use and understand.

HUD App Review of The Not So Great Stuff

Like any dating app, there are some cons. These include:

• Paid Memberships: You have to pay to play! Not only that, but there aren’t one, but two plans. The HUD dating app does offer a 7-day trial though which is helpful.
• Limited Verification: It only uses phone verification, which can be exploitable. It doesn’t allow VoIP numbers which is helpful but there are ways around that. While I haven’t run into any pesky bots, always do your research before meeting with someone.
• App Only: While that’s not a huge inconvenience, sometimes I want to flirt on my personal computer like it’s 2009, you know?

So, is HUD a Good App for Dating?

I enjoyed the HUD App and thought that it’s the right balance between real connections and when you want to have a casual fling. As soon as I signed up and got my profile verified, I had a few messages waiting for me and a number of notifications about my profile being viewed.

While the free account features and search is a bit bare bones compared to some other apps, The Bedroom was a nice feature. All in all, I’d continue using it again. It has a much younger, fresher feel compared to other dating apps!

Visit HUD App