LaVette Review: Is This Dating App Worth Trying? In 2024

LaVette Review: Mia Lux, who lives in New Zealand, became dissatisfied with dating apps after her divorce. So she worked with Lauren Zander, her life coach, to turn her frustration into a solution. Lavette, an invite-only video dating platform that soft-launched in 2022, comes to mind. As an online dater, I put LaVette to the test to see how it compares to other dating apps I’ve used in the past.

While the app is still in its early stages, Lux and Zander intend to launch it fully after obtaining additional seed funding. Lavette is currently invite-only and vetted. In my full LaVette review, you’ll learn how to sign up, what makes it different from other dating apps, and how my experience on LaVette compares to other online dating sites.

What is LaVette?

LaVette is a video-based dating app with users in their 30s, 40s, and 50s that is only available in the United States. The app is intended for serious daters, and the company does not anticipate it being popular with people in their twenties. Because LaVette is an invite-only service, you’ll need to download the app and request an invitation. A process is in place to identify and select users who will be accepted into the platform.

While certain dating apps, such as Raya, are infamous for having low approval rates, LaVette does not want to be as restrictive. “We are not aiming for a low approval rate,” explains Stacey Marty, LaVette’s Chief Marketing Officer. “We’re looking for people who want to, or are willing to be vulnerable, and who want to go through this sort of uncomfortable social experiment with us.”

In its current soft-launch state, the app has approximately 550 users. “We’re not allowing many people on the platform because people will self-select out,” Marty explains.

Who is LaVette for?

The video-centric app is aimed at serious, intentional daters who are fed up with the “swiping culture” experience. LaVette offers a variety of events and dating tools to help its users grow personally. You’ll succeed on LaVette if you’re equally dedicated to personal development and improving your dating life. The app has a wellness-friendly tone, which is likely due to co-founder Lux’s background in the wellness industry.

Matchmaker Sameera Sullivan shared her insights on the platform and what makes it unique. “LaVette is unique because it is video-focused, which can help users get a better sense of their potential matches’ personalities and mannerisms,” she explains. “Video content can also be a more engaging and dynamic way to showcase oneself, which can help people stand out in an overcrowded online dating landscape.”

While Sullivan commended the app’s ability to connect with matches, she did have a few reservations. “It’s important to remember that people may not always be as authentic or truthful as they appear in their video content,” she says. “Ultimately, whether LaVette is the right fit for someone will be determined by their preferences and level of comfort with this dating format.”

How the app works.

LaVette is not like most online dating platforms, I realised as soon as I downloaded the app. First, there is no clear path to finding matches. There are several ways to interact with the LaVette community, including rooms in a “Social Club,” which have targeted topics visible upon entering; a “Community Connect” message board, which changes topics every few days; and, of course, a “Gallery,” where you can find profiles of other users to connect with. There’s also a Calendar to help you keep track of events and dates, as well as a section where you can customise your own profile.

The most notable difference is that there is no swiping through photos on LaVette. In fact, when navigating profiles in the Gallery, users will not even see a picture of the person. Instead, you’ll see only user names, ages, and locations, with a few written details. Profiles are heavily focused on video rather than pictures.

Each profile has a star icon called a “Vibe,” where you can watch each user’s short introduction video. Before connecting further, you must first view each user’s Vibe.

When you create your own profile, you’ll be directed to make your Vibe clip, which is a video of you saying three words that describe who you are. Remember that this is the first thing that other users will see. The filming process was a little clumsy for me, and it took a few tries to get my video to work properly. After you’ve made your first Vibe video, you can make more on four different topics: Love and relationships, Career and Money, Life(style), and Family.

When viewing profiles in their Gallery, a user can find someone they want to connect with, watch their first Vibe, and then unlock their profile to view the rest of the videos. From there, you can either chat in the textbox or schedule a video call if both parties agree.

It is up to both users to decide what happens after the scheduled video chat. You’ll receive an update indicating whether the other user wishes to continue connecting, prefers to be just friends, or no longer wishes to connect. This step is as simple as clicking a button, removing the guesswork from dating and eliminating the need for a lengthy explanation.

Initial Pros & Cons:

Authentic, heartfelt profiles

Profiles on LaVette felt more authentic and natural than those on other apps. It was nice to have something that focused on the actual person rather than their pictures. The interaction is more cerebral and serious in nature. Swiping is fun, in my opinion, but LaVette’s format allows you to get to know the real person, adding depth to the dating experience.

No ghosting…kind of

The app aims to eliminate ghosting by allowing users to communicate with their match after each video date. Rather than overthinking what to say or wondering how someone feels about you, this is accomplished by clicking a button. I think this is a great tool for eliminating the guessing game, but I had some issues with the messaging system that caused me to unintentionally miss messages—this, of course, could be interpreted as ghosting.

Events are great when they happen, but aren’t frequent enough

When I first learned about LaVette, the concept of events piqued my interest. I was looking forward to a different way to interact with other singles than just one-on-one matches. Having said that, I wish the events occurred more frequently. Sadly, the event I had planned to attend had to be cancelled at the last minute. This could be because the app is new, and hopefully, there will be more events in the future as the user base grows. I’d like to see events held on a weekly basis.

App features and functions are a bit clunky

Unfortunately, the app could use some improvement. For example, I was unable to coordinate a message with someone with whom I was chatting because the messaging system was not functioning properly. I also had trouble creating my profile. The app is best viewed on a desktop or laptop computer, which may frustrate some users. Frustrating technical issues may drive people away from the app, so hopefully these will be resolved as the platform grows.

Larger time investment could be off-putting

Some people may enjoy the extra effort required to create their own profile because it adds a layer of thoughtfulness and intention. Others, however, may find this to be a deterrent, as filming multiple videos takes far more time than simply uploading a few pictures. Going through profiles also takes time, which makes me feel conflicted. Again, while some people may appreciate that this process weeds out less serious daters, I found myself not checking the app as frequently as I had in the past because I knew it would be a longer scroll.

The app is not available everywhere

One obvious disadvantage is that this app is only available to people in the United States, which (of course) excludes anyone looking to date in another country from using it.

Not enough users to interact with

Because the app is still in its early stages, there aren’t many users to interact with. In its current state, the platform has approximately 500 users. Keep in mind that this is for the entire United States, so the number of users in specific areas will be even lower.

How much does LaVette cost?

LaVette is completely free in its early stages. In other words, now is an excellent time to sign up. All features, including events and interactions with other users, are available to free members. The app/site will eventually become a paid service. The app’s price will be determined later, but in full disclosure, it will be more expensive than Match or eHarmony.

How much is the LaVette dating app?

LaVette dating app is currently free to use. There are no subscription fees or hidden charges. However, the app may offer premium features in the future, which would likely require a paid subscription.

Here are the current free features of LaVette dating app:

Create a profile and add photos
Browse other profiles
Send messages to other members
Participate in live virtual events
Access a library of learning resources

If LaVette does offer premium features in the future, they are likely to include things like:

Unlimited messaging
Priority access to events
Advanced search filters
Profile boosts

The exact price of premium features has not yet been announced, but it is likely to be comparable to other dating apps.

Cancellation Policy

Because the app is so small, no cancellation policy is currently displayed. I found it odd that there wasn’t even a FAQ on cancellation, but I’m sure customer service could help with cancellation if needed.

Is LaVette worth it?

While LaVette shows a lot of promise, and I love the premise, it’s still so new that it’s difficult to predict how it will turn out. If the app had been released a few years ago, the video focus would have been a major selling point. Many people are tired of Zoom calls and video chatting, so a first-date video call may not be for everyone.

On the other hand, for people like me who enjoy the freedom of getting to know someone first online, I really like the concept of this app, not only as a dating tool but also as a social interaction tool. I’ve met people both on and off dating apps, and I’m always looking for new ways to approach the dating process.

Because the app is free, there’s no reason not to include it in your dating arsenal, especially if you’re serious about meeting someone.

My experience dating on LaVette

My interactions with LaVette were mixed. I set aside a month to test the platform, which allowed me to attend an event as well. The app was a hybrid of a panel and speed dating, hosted by the app’s co-founder and a few dating coaches. The topic was green flags in dating, and I was able to chat with people over video chat one-on-one and in groups. The interaction was a fun and interesting way to quickly get to know people. I was able to connect with one user but have had difficulty connecting with others due to the app’s buggy messaging feature.

The apps’ various portals contain interesting content, such as videos and documents that people can interact with to better understand themselves and determine what they want out of dating and life. This can be useful for people who want to narrow down their preferences in a potential partner. However, the content is limited, so once you’ve seen what’s there, you’re pretty much done for a while. According to what I’ve seen, content isn’t updated very frequently. However, the Community Connect board provides another opportunity to interact with users by posting weekly questions to which anyone can respond.

Navigating profiles and the app’s content was interesting but time-consuming for me. Even with my customised filters narrowing things down, browsing through random names in the gallery wasn’t the most exciting experience for me. The absence of images has both advantages and disadvantages. I found myself watching a lot of videos for people I would not have interacted with otherwise, which was great but also time-consuming.

While I haven’t gone on a date through the app yet, I wouldn’t rule it out as a possible place to meet someone. Even with its initial clunkiness—which I’m hoping will be worked out in future iterations—LaVette was a breath of fresh air among the plethora of swipe-based applications.

How LaVette compares to its competitors:

LaVette vs. Match & The League

From the start, it’s clear that LaVette is intended for serious daters. I’d most closely compare it to Match or The League, both of which have events as potential ways to interact with other serious-minded singles. You can’t beat the fact that LaVette is currently free for a premium experience. Again, I’d get in on this while you can. The League is more expensive, costing TK, whereas Match offers prices ranging from TK to TK.

LaVette vs. Hinge

Hinge is a better option for people who want to interact and connect with matches quickly. The popular swipe-based app is less curated than LaVette, but users can enter what they are looking for, allowing them to date more intentionally. While Hinge does lead with images, the platform has also included video and voice prompts, which add a similar level of authenticity.

LaVette vs. Tinder

I’d even go so far as to say Tinder is the polar opposite of LaVette. If you’re looking for a quick interaction rather than a deep connection, you might prefer Tinder, which requires significantly less time and effort.

The takeaway

LaVette helped me change my mind about app dating, and I truly believe it opens up a lot of exciting possibilities. However, there are a few details that must be worked out before it is ready. With more users and regular events, this app has the potential to make dating more enjoyable and approachable. In its current state, you won’t get the instant gratification or massive pool that other dating platforms provide, but it’s still a great app for those looking for a serious relationship. We highly recommend signing up while it’s still free if you’re willing to invest time in curating your profile and connecting with others.

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