Comparison

Mackinaw vs GateF8

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Mackinaw

This app offers a unique dating experience focused on authentic connections through short video responses to weekly prompts. It aims to reduce swipe fatigue and promote genuine interactions by prioritizing personality over posed photos.

Highlights
  • Video responses to prompts
  • Weekly new questions
  • No photos or bios
  • Focus on real personality
  • Safer profile design
  • Limited matches
Features
Read full description

MACKINAW: A NEW KIND OF DATING EXPERIENCE Tired of endless swiping and copycat dating apps? Mackinaw throws out the old playbook and brings something totally fresh: authentic short videos that let your real personality shine. Every week, you’ll answer a new surprise question on video to join a round. No photos to pose for, no bios to overthink – just you, being yourself. NOW LAUNCHING IN DENVER, CO! Please note: For our initial launch, Mackinaw is exclusively available to users in the Denver, Colorado area. We are working hard to expand to new cities soon! Download Mackinaw today if you're in the Denver area and discover online dating the way it should be. WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT Mackinaw feels part dating app, part game, part social experience – but really, it’s something entirely new. If you’re tired of swiping, ghosting, and guessing who someone really is, Mackinaw makes dating authentic, safe, and fun again. THE MACKINAW DIFFERENCE – No Tinder clones here: Most dating apps are just the same swiping model in disguise. Mackinaw is built from scratch to feel new, fun, and real. – Icebreaker video prompts: Record your answer before you even see the question. Capture the real you, not a polished version. – Fresh weekly rounds: New prompts every Thursday night keep things exciting and reduce dating app burnout. – Meaningful connections: Deeper questions lead to deeper conversations; no more endless small talk. – Safer by design: No public names, jobs, or schools in profiles to reduce stalking or unwanted attention. HOW IT WORKS – Opt into a weekly round when you’re ready. – Record your video to unlock that week’s room. – See everyone else’s responses and start chatting. – Keep up to three matches at a time to focus on real connections. – When the round resets on Thursday night, decide if you’re ready for another. DOWNLOAD & JOIN A ROOM TODAY Ready to move past swipe fatigue and try a video dating app built for authentic connections? Mackinaw is the safer, smarter way to meet new people. Download Mackinaw today if you're in the Denver area and experience dating that finally feels real.

About

GateF8

Connect with fellow travelers at your airport gate. Discover new people, chat in real-time, and make the most of travel delays.

Highlights
  • Connect with travelers at your gate
  • Real-time chat functionality
  • Discover people nearby
  • Enhance travel experiences
  • Turn delays into social moments
Features
Read full description

Gate F8 helps you connect with people around you while you travel. Discover fellow passengers at your gate, chat in real time, and turn delays into meaningful moments.

Screenshots

Mackinaw4 screens
GateF84 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Mackinaw at 100% against GateF8's 43%. Mackinaw also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.1). GateF8's advantage is update cadence (every 5 days vs every 5 weeks) and ratings volume (14 vs 3). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Mackinaw holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 14 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of Mackinaw's written reviews are positive against 43% of GateF8's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Mackinaw ships an update every 5 weeks, GateF8 every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Mackinaw versus GateF8: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMackinawGateF8
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (3 ratings) — better4.1 (14 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better42.9% of reviews
Number of ratings314 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.615.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size44 MB45 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperMackinaw Dating Company, LLCKYLE BARTHOLOMEW

Customer experience

Mackinaw

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

GateF8

All ratings14 ratings
Positive71.4%
Neutral14.3%
Negative14.3%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive42.9%
Neutral28.6%
Negative28.6%

In-app purchases

None

Mackinaw

No in-app purchases

None

GateF8

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Mackinaw free?
Mackinaw is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is GateF8 free?
GateF8 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Mackinaw or GateF8?
Mackinaw is rated higher. Mackinaw averages 5.0 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while GateF8 averages 4.1 from 14 ratings.
Do Mackinaw or GateF8 have ads?
Neither Mackinaw nor GateF8 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Mackinaw or GateF8?
Mackinaw ships an update every 5 weeks, and GateF8 every 5 days. Most recently, Mackinaw was updated on October 6, 2026 and GateF8 on October 2, 2026.

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