Wondering whether virtual reality dating is worth the hype that it’s been receiving recently? We are too! In fact, many people are becoming more curious about what this style of dating is like, whether it’s worth the initial investment in equipment, and how to make the most of a virtual-only relationship.
Whether you’re all-in or still holding your VR headset at arm’s length, this article will help you enter the world of virtual reality dating.
What is virtual dating in 2025?
Whenever a new style of dating or online community pops up, there’s bound to be some confusion about labels. And this can be true for virtual forms of dating. As of the time of the publication, there are three ways to think about virtual romance:
Virtual Dating
Virtual dating has been around for quite some time, or at least as long as the internet has been around. It can consist of texting, messaging, video calls, phone calls, and other forms of online communication.
Virtual Reality Dating
Virtual reality dating, which we’re going to cover in detail in this article, refers to dating that happens in an immersive virtual reality space, such as the metaverse. Typically, you have an avatar that stands in for your physical body, but you’re able to interact with other people through the virtual plane. In order to do this, you need some virtual reality equipment that will pick up on your movements and allow you to immerse yourself in the virtual environment.
Currently, there is a variety of metaverses to explore, some even dedicated to virtual reality dating!
Virtual AI dating
Not everyone is looking for love with another person, and this is where AI dating comes into play. AI dating is a form of virtual romance in which a person develops a relationship with a character created by artificial intelligence. Ideally, this would happen consensually, i.e. the person would know that they’re interacting with a bot. But in practice, many people are vulnerable to being tricked into talking to a real person in the virtual space when they are actually talking to a computer.
Who VR Dating is good for
So, who benefits from VR dating? Well, everyone will have their own reasons for pursuing a virtual reality relationship. But here are a few of the kinds of people who seem to be most likely to benefit from this type of dating:
People looking to gain confidence in dating
Maybe you feel uncomfortable or self-conscious about dating in the real world and find it difficult to open up when meeting someone face-to-face. Being able to interact with someone through an avatar that you’ve created can make it feel like there’s less pressure to perform, which is a great way to build confidence.
People with social anxiety or introversion
Social anxiety and introversion (which are two separate experiences) can make in-person dating feel overwhelming and exhausting. Instead of constantly putting yourself in a social situation that drains or panics you, pursuing an online relationship could be a good alternative.
People who live in isolated areas
Maybe there aren’t a lot of single people where you live and you’d like to expand your range a bit. Both virtual and virtual reality dating solves this problem!
People too busy to date in person
Dating in person requires a list of steps: agreeing upon a meeting place, showering, choosing an outfit, putting on makeup, commuting to the date, etc. A virtual date, on the other hand, removes many of these steps, making it a more time-efficient way to get to know someone.
Anyone burned out from online dating
Online dating has led many people to feel burned out, especially given that most of the apps are based on first impressions and physical appearance. Being able to make a connection with someone without seeing what they look like can be empowering for many.
Curious people who want to learn about other cultures
As we mentioned, virtual dating allows you to expand your dating range, and this is a great thing for anyone interested in dating outside of their own culture.
Sugar daddies and babies
Sugaring is a form of dating that continues to be stigmatized in real-world settings, so you might feel better about trying it out online. Sugaring lends itself well to both virtual and virtual reality dating, although currently, virtual dating is the more prevalent of the two.
The asexual community
Asexuality is a sexual identity that is gaining recognition in today’s culture and it refers to people who enjoy connection and relationship-building, but not physical intimacy. Because virtual relationships take place without any physical touch, this style of dating is appealing to those looking for platonic relationships and non-sexual relationships.
Potential cons of virtual reality dating
Although there are many different kinds of people who may benefit from virtual dating, there are a few drawbacks to consider, such as:
- The “early pioneer” feel of virtual reality dating. The virtual reality dating pool continues to be relatively small. To be sure, like other forms of new technology, this could change overnight, but for now, you may have fewer options than other dating platforms.
- The learning curve of the tech. Both virtual and virtual reality dating require users to be comfortable using tech, whether that entails maintaining a reliable internet connection, setting up a ring light, knowing how to safely share media, or using a VR headset and body sensors.
- The absence of non-verbal cues. Although virtual reality is improving all the time, it is still limited in capturing the full range of non-verbal communication that we would get from in-person interaction. Things like a tightening or relaxing of the shoulders, a subtle eyebrow raise, pursing of the lips, and other small but important non-verbal cues are currently missing in the virtual space.
- The potential for catfishing. When you meet someone in the virtual reality space, you’ll be interacting with their avatar, which may or may not be representative of what they look like in real life. Some people may try to take advantage of this to sell you on a version of themselves that doesn’t exist.
- Potential ridicule from friends and family members. It is entirely possible to build strong, authentic, and long-lasting connections with someone you’ve met in a virtual reality setting. But even though you know that the relationship is real, your friends and family might not take it seriously. We know from previous research that lacking social support can negatively impact romantic relationships, so it will be important to have a strong sense of self and ideally, someone in your life who validates the experience.
How to boost your chances of success with VR romance
After weighing the pros and cons of virtual reality dating, you might be ready to try it out for yourself! There are a few things that you can do to increase your chances of finding love in the metaverse:
Put time into making your avatar
Your first step towards finding virtual love is creating an avatar. And you can explore a few different platforms, such as Spatial or Ready Player Me, that allow you to create avatars that can be used across different metaverses.
Whether you choose to make an avatar that accurately represents you or not is up to you. But we would say that if you’re looking for a relationship that may extend beyond the virtual space, an avatar that closely resembles you is better. Or, you may choose an avatar that is not representative of your looks as long as you convey to a partner that you look different in real life.
Sign up for a virtual reality dating platform
While you can potentially date in any metaverse, you’ll have an easier time finding someone who is looking for love on a virtual reality dating platform. There are a few different ones to choose from, such as Flirtual or NeverMet. Other platforms, such as VRChat, have the option for online dating.
If you’re looking for a virtual rather than virtual reality experience, consider exploring options such as SugarDaddy.com or other platforms that offer online-only relationships.
Take virtual reality dating as seriously as you would in-person dating
This means being honest about what you’re looking for, showing up to dates on time, being proactive about planning dates, etc. Basically, if you want a real relationship in the virtual reality realm, you have to take it as seriously as you would a relationship offline.
Maintain a healthy life outside of virtual reality dating
This is advice that can be useful not only for virtual dating but for all styles of dating. By maintaining a full and satisfying life apart from your search for romance, you’ll have a healthier perspective and emotional distance that will help your dating life. When it comes to virtual reality dating, it will be especially important to engage in activities that get you away from your screen from time to time.
Find a support system with whom you can debrief about virtual reality dating
Also true of all styles of dating, having a strong support system can make all the difference in your virtual reality dating life. This will ensure that you have outlets to talk about your experience and troubleshoot potential conflicts. And, it can be a way to invite an outsider's perspective to ensure that you’re not being treated unfairly.
If you don’t have anyone in your life who validates your interest in virtual reality dating, consider turning to a licensed professional with experience working with clients who practice alternative dating styles.
Are you ready to try virtual reality dating for yourself?
If you’re ready to be ahead of the curve for the latest dating trend, then it might be time to order your VR headset! As we’ve covered in this article, virtual reality dating has many potential benefits for a range of different people. And, if you’re able to overcome some of the challenges of this dating style, then you might realize that this is the kind of romance you’ve been waiting for.
So, will you try virtual reality dating for yourself?