Hank vs Sitch

Pricing

Hank is priced at Free (Free to download and use), while Sitch comes in at $$ (Free to apply; paid "Setup" packs required for matches).

Format & matching

Hank uses groups of Varies, compared to Sitch’s 1:1, and Hank relies on interest-based matching while Sitch uses algorithm-based matching.

How they work

Hank: Download the app and create a profile. Browse a calendar of local activities — walks, coffee meetups, happy hours, museum visits, book clubs, and more — happening near you or online. Join anything that catches your eye. Before the event, you can see other attendees' profiles and start a conversation. After the activity, stay connected with people you clicked with through in-app messaging. If you don't see the right activity, create your own — set the time, place, and description, and Hank handles the rest.

Sitch: You start by submitting an application — think of it as a dating profile with teeth. You share your values, interests, hot takes, and deal-breakers. Sitch's AI and a team of human matchmakers review your profile and, if accepted, you buy a pack of "Setups." From there, Sitch sends you curated matches one at a time. If both people say yes, Sitch handles the intro so neither of you is stuck waiting for the other to message first. You can also call their AI matchmaker for real-time dating advice.

What to love

Hank: Purpose-built for 55+ — no competing with twenty-somethings or navigating dating-app mechanics. Completely free with no subscription walls or premium tiers. Both in-person and online activities mean you can participate regardless of mobility. You can host your own events, not just join existing ones. Clean, simple interface designed for accessibility.

Sitch: Hybrid AI + human matchmaking feels more thoughtful than pure algorithms. The mutual opt-in intro removes the awkward 'who messages first' problem. Application process filters for people who are actually serious. AI matchmaker phone call feature is a genuinely novel touch. No endless swiping — matches come to you.

Reality check

Hank: Currently strongest in the New York area — thinner activity selection in other regions. No Android app yet (planned but not launched). Smaller user base compared to mainstream apps means fewer activities in less populated areas. No algorithmic matching — you browse and choose activities yourself.

Sitch: NYC-focused, so most people can't use it yet. Waitlist and approval process means you might wait a while to get in. Paid Setup packs on top of the application feels like a lot of friction. iOS only — no Android or web app.

Søren's take

On Hank: Hank fills a gap that's been wide open for years: most friendship apps are designed for people in their 20s and 30s, and the 55+ crowd has been left to figure it out on their own. Hank's approach is refreshingly straightforward — here's a calendar of things to do, go do them with people your age. No personality quizzes, no swiping, no algorithms. The free pricing is a big deal for this demographic. The main limitation is geographic reach — it started in NYC and is still building out — but if you're 55+ and looking for community, this should be on your phone.

On Sitch: Sitch is betting that the future of dating isn't more swiping — it's less. The hybrid AI-plus-human matchmaking model is compelling because it adds a layer of curation that pure algorithms can't replicate. The application process and paid Setup packs create real friction, but that's kind of the point: it filters for people who are genuinely invested in finding someone. If you're in New York and tired of the dating app hamster wheel, Sitch is worth the waitlist. Just know that you're paying for the privilege of being set up, and the app is still early enough that the match pool may be limited.