# Mackinaw vs GateF8

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.

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

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Mackinaw | GateF8 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mackinaw-date-authentically/id6748755011/reviews)** | [4.1 (14 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gatef8/id6760747063/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 3 | **14** |
| Positive reviews | **100.0% of reviews** | 42.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | **Every 5 days** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 44 MB | 45 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **15.1** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Mackinaw Dating Company, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1827270240) | [KYLE BARTHOLOMEW](https://appshunter.io/developer/1886060492) |

## What reviewers say

### Mackinaw

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mackinaw-date-authentically/id6748755011)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### GateF8

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gatef8/id6760747063)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*