Behind the Match: Our Vision

Harbor is a new online dating experience, built for people who are tired of endless swiping and ghosted matches. We believe in a simple idea: quality beats quantity, and that starts with saying goodbye to swipes and likes.

Why Ranking?

Traditional dating apps promised to make meeting people easier, yet somehow, they seem to spark fewer real relationships than the days before apps even existed. It's time we deliver on the original promise by restoring intentionality to dating apps.

That’s why the heart of Harbor is ranking. Unlike swiping, ranking removes quick "yes/no" decisions and encourages you to slow down, compare, and reflect on who truly stands out to you.

The Technology

Each day, you’ll be shown 10 people and asked to rank them based on who stands out to you the most. Remember, they’ll rank you too.

To turn those rankings into matches, Harbor uses the Gale–Shapley algorithm, a proven method that’s been used for decades to solve other real-world matching problems. Put simply, it’s a method of pairing people so that when matches happen, they’re mutual and stable rather than one-sided.

The people you see each day aren’t random. Harbor uses AI models to analyze compatibility signals (like shared interests, values, and communication patterns) and selects the 10 people you’re most likely to connect with.

"Technology should enhance human connection, not replace it. Harbor is designed to be the bridge that brings people together in meaningful ways."

— Aaron Zeng, Founder & CEO

The Road Ahead

Harbor is still pre-launch, but we’re building fast. As we continue to develop and refine the experience, we’re listening closely to people like you who want something better than the status quo. If you’re ready for a dating app that puts quality first, we’d love for you to join our waitlist. Together, we can shape a platform that helps real relationships flourish.