The Hater App is a dating app that allows users to connect with similar-minded people. However, the thing that makes Hater different from any other dating app is that its main premise is to help people match with others based on what they hate instead of what they like. Users can choose any topics they hate out of a possible 4000 topics and then start conversations with other users based on similar things they hate.
The Hater App was created conceptually by Brendan Alper, a former member of the Goldman Sachs group. Alper joined Goldman Sachs as a banker straight out of college and worked there for five years before he realized he had a different passion for pursuing: his app. He used all his 401(k) savings and an additional $100,000 from his friends and family to jump-start the app’s development.
The idea of the Hater App started in 2016 as a joke. However, it gained a lot of traction online. Alper believed that people could form stronger bonds when discussing their hates and dislikes rather than their likes. The app eventually launched in 2017 and was an immediate success, with over 30,000 users active every day in the first month.
A user’s matches are determined based on who they swipe on. If two users swipe right on each other, they match and can discuss their mutual hate. The app also helps users out by showing them what the top ‘hate’ for their state is.
Is Hater Still Active?
While the Hater App website is still active, the app can no longer be found on or downloaded from the App Store, and the official Twitter account for Hater has been inactive since 2018. This leads us to the unfortunate conclusion that Hater is not active anymore, even though the company has not released an official statement to announce its closure. The app was said not to have been generating enough revenue to keep it running, according to Alper in a CNBC interview in 2018.
How Did the Shark Tank Pitch Go?
After the Hater App’s initial success, it gained the attention of the Shark Tank creators, and the creators eventually invited Alper to apply to the show. After multiple rounds of applications, Alper finally appeared to present the Hater App to sharks Barbara Corcoran, Rohan Oza, and Mark Cuban in episode 12 of season 9.
Founder Brendan Alper explained how the app worked, showed the sharks a demo, and then even concluded that Barbara and Rohan would make a good match based on their similar hates. He went on to let the sharks know that since the app’s launch after Valentine’s day of 2017, it had amassed over 500,000 users. He then asked the sharks for an investment of $200,000 in return for a 5% stake in the app.
Rohan did not accept Alper’s offer, whereas Barbara offered $200,000 in exchange for a 10% stake in what she considered was a “pure genius” app. Mark Cuban did not accept Alper’s deal as is and suggested that he offer Alper $200,000 in return for a 7.5% stake in the app and 2.5% of advisory shares. After some deliberation, Alper accepted Mark’s offer.
The episode aired on November 26, 2017, following which its user base grew to 750,000. Alper also discussed plans to introduce premium subscriptions and targeted ads to increase the app’s revenue generation.
Our Review of Hater
The main premise of the Hater App is very interesting and is quick to draw your attention. The app takes the swiping feature from Tinder and then gives the users a whole new way to approach dating – based on things they dislike rather than mutual likes. From what we have noticed, the app has a relatively easy interface and is not dissimilar to that of other dating apps. Most of the members are quite young, and there seem to be many more male members than females. We have also noticed that the members are mainly from the United States, with little outreach to other countries worldwide.
Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of the Hater App to get a better idea of whether or not the app is worth using.
Pros of Hater
- Quick and easy registration
- Available on both Apple Store and Google Play Store
- Can sign up using your Facebook account or phone number
- Free registration
- Easy-to-use interface
- 4000 topics to choose from
- Can match with both local and international users
Cons of Hater
- Can only use the app on a mobile phone
- Can only upload a maximum of 5 photos
- Can only send a limited number of messages to matches each day
- No available option for free searching user profiles
Who is Hater For?
The Hater App is for everyone who is 18 years or older! It is not restricted to use by specific people and can be used by anyone interested in online dating that helps match you with people with similar dislikes.
Are There Any Alternatives?
There are a lot of dating apps out there that you can use to match with people who have similar interests as you. Some of the more popular apps include Tinder, OkCupid, Bumble, Hinge, SeniorMatch, and more. However, none of these apps has the same premise as the Hater App: love through hate. The Hater App is different from other dating apps because it helps you make matches and build bonds on similar dislikes and hates.
Our Final Thoughts
Overall, we think that the Hater App has a lot of potential and can be a great way for like-minded people to get in touch with each other and build connections based on things they dislike or hate. Like any other dating app, the chances of a real, committed relationship forming depends on specific people, but when it comes to love, we’re all for it!
