Steade vs matchmaking agencies
A matchmaking agency gives you a consultant who meets you, picks matches and arranges dates, for a package fee that press reports put in the thousands of dollars. Steade does the matching from what you and the other person stated, and sends at most one introduction twice a week. It’s free, with no paid tier.
Last checked . Sign-up is open. Introductions start once most members have at least five people who fit them both ways.
The main difference
With an agency, a person does the work. At Lunch Actually, a dating consultant meets you to learn what you want, matches you on your profile and preferences, arranges the date, and asks for your feedback afterwards.
Steade has no consultants choosing for you. You set your preferences and up to three dealbreakers, and twice a week a matching round looks for one person who fits what you both said matters. If you both accept, chat opens and you plan the date yourselves.
Steade and Matchmaking agencies side by side
Agencies differ. We use Lunch Actually as the example because its process is published on its site; prices come from press reports and may have changed.
| Topic | Steade | Matchmaking agencies |
|---|---|---|
| How you meet people | SteadeAt most one introduction per round, every Tuesday and Friday at 8 pm SGT, from what you both said matters. | Matchmaking agenciesA dating consultant meets you, matches you on your profile and preferences, and arranges the date (Lunch Actually).1 |
| Browsing | SteadeNo feed and no swiping. You never browse profiles. | Matchmaking agenciesNo. The consultant chooses your matches.1 |
| Limits | SteadeAt most one introduction per round. You have 48 hours to accept or pass. | Matchmaking agenciesSold as packages of dates. Mothership reported a three-date package.2 |
| Cost | SteadeFree. There is no paid tier, and none is planned. | Matchmaking agenciesLunch Actually doesn’t list prices on its site. Mothership reported a three-date package at S$2,939 (2020); Vulcan Post reported its Peerage service from S$12,000 (2019).123 |
| Identity check | SteadeRequired for every member before they can meet anyone: verify with Singpass, or send an NRIC or Singapore pass plus a selfie for a moderator to review. | Matchmaking agenciesNot stated in the sources we checked. |
| After a match | SteadeOpens only when you both accept. For their first 14 days, new accounts can’t send links or phone numbers. | Matchmaking agenciesThe agency arranges the date and asks for your feedback afterwards.1 |
Who should choose which
Matchmaking agencies may suit you better if
- You want a person, not software, to understand what you’re looking for.
- You want someone else to arrange the date.
- You value feedback after each date.
- You’re comfortable paying for that service.
Steade may suit you better if
- You want considered introductions without paying for them.
- You’re happy to set your own preferences and dealbreakers.
- You want to talk first and plan the date yourselves.
- You want to read the reasons for each introduction.
Questions
How much does a matchmaking agency cost in Singapore?
It depends on the agency and the package. Lunch Actually doesn’t list prices on its website. Mothership reported a three-date package at S$2,939 in 2020, and Vulcan Post reported Lunch Actually’s Peerage service from S$12,000 in 2019. Prices may have changed since.
Is Steade a matchmaking agency?
No. No one at Steade picks matches by hand. Each round, the matching works from what members stated and shows the reasons for each introduction. Our moderators check identity and handle reports.
Will Steade arrange the date?
No. Once you both accept, chat opens and you plan the date between you. Our community rules suggest meeting somewhere public the first time and telling a friend where you’ll be.
When does Steade open?
Sign-up is open now. Introductions start once most members have at least five people who fit them both ways. Until then your profile and preferences are saved, and we’ll tell you when your first introduction arrives.
Be one of the first to meet someone.
- Free, with no paid tier
- Every member’s identity checked before they can meet anyone
- Reasons you can read, never scores
Takes about 10 minutes. Have your NRIC or Singapore pass ready.
Sources
Facts about other services come from these pages, checked on the dates shown. Facts about Steade come from our own product rules. Spotted something out of date? Email hello@steade.app.
- Lunch Actually, “Lunch Actually”. Accessed 17 October 2026.
- Mothership, “Woman, 49, disappointed she was matchmade with 59-year-old ‘uncle’ in S$3,000 dating package”, 13 September 2020. Accessed 17 October 2026.
- Vulcan Post, “Lunch Actually launches elite dating service in Singapore”, 31 May 2019. Accessed 17 October 2026.