Matchmakers Elite vs Tawkify

If you've started looking past the dating apps, you've probably run into Tawkify. It's one of the biggest matchmaking names in the country, and it comes up fast when you search for a Chicago matchmaker. So how does a national service like Tawkify compare to a local firm like ours?

I'm Anna, and I run Matchmakers Elite with my mother, Lisa, here in Chicagoland. I want to give you an honest comparison — not a sales pitch. Tawkify helps a lot of people, and the right choice depends on what you're looking for. Here's how the two approaches really differ.

Key Takeaways

Tawkify is a large national service that pairs you with an assigned matchmaker and draws from a database of 3M+ singles (Tawkify).
Matchmakers Elite is a local, owner-operated Chicago firm — a mother-daughter team who personally know every client and the local dating pool.
Both vet their members; the real difference is national scale and software versus hands-on, in-market matching.
Tawkify packages start around $4,900 and are paid upfront, according to a third-party review (VIDA Select).
The best fit depends on whether you want a national database or a matchmaker who lives and works where you date.

Why so many Chicago singles are looking past the apps

Most people who call us aren't new to dating — they're tired of the apps. In a 2024 Forbes Health and OnePoll survey of 1,000 recent app users, 78% said they'd felt dating-app burnout at least sometimes (Forbes Health / OnePoll, 2024). Women reported it slightly more than men.

That fatigue is real, and it's not a character flaw. Pew Research found that roughly nine in ten recent online daters felt at least sometimes disappointed by the people they met on the apps (Pew Research, 2023). When swiping starts to feel like a second job, a guided, human alternative makes sense.

Burnout cuts across the board — which is why more people are trying matchmaking.

A woman looking weary while scrolling a dating app on her phone at a dining table — App fatigue is the number-one reason people first call a matchmaker.

How Tawkify works

Tawkify is a national matchmaking service built around scale. It pairs you with one assigned matchmaker and searches a database of more than 3 million singles, and the company says it has helped over 200,000 couples (Tawkify). Your matchmaker can be based anywhere in the country.

The model has real strengths. Every candidate goes through 100% criminal-record and video screening, dates are curated in person or by video, and that huge database means reach far beyond any one city. If you travel constantly or you're open to meeting people well outside Chicago, national scale can be an advantage.

A warm one-on-one consultation between a couple and a professional in a modern office — Tawkify assigns you a matchmaker and works from a national database.

How Matchmakers Elite is different

We're the opposite model on purpose: small, local, and hands-on. My mother Lisa and I personally run every match, and between us we have more than 50 years of matchmaking experience — most of it right here in Chicagoland. You're never handed off to a rotating team.

Being local matters more than people expect. We know the neighborhoods, the venues, and the rhythm of dating from Naperville to the North Shore. When we introduce two clients, we've usually met both of them in person. That's a different kind of matching than a database search — and it's why we lean into Chicago matchmaking rather than trying to serve the whole country.

Demand for guided, human matchmaking keeps rising as app fatigue grows.

Two people in a warm, attentive conversation over coffee — We meet our clients in person — matching is personal, not a search query.

Tawkify vs Matchmakers Elite, side by side

Both services are legitimate and both vet their members. The honest difference comes down to scale and style. Here's how they compare on the things clients ask us about most:

Reach: Tawkify offers a national database of 3M+ singles; we focus on the Chicagoland dating pool we know firsthand.
Your matchmaker: Tawkify assigns one matchmaker who may live anywhere; with us, you work directly with Lisa or me, in-market.
Style: national and software-supported versus small, personal, and hands-on.
Vetting: both screen candidates — Tawkify runs criminal and video screening; we vet and meet people in person.
Best for: Tawkify suits frequent travelers open to national matches; we suit people who want to date seriously in Chicago.

If you're weighing more than one option, it's worth reading our comparison with Selective Search and with It's Just Lunch too.

A well-dressed couple sharing wine on a date in an elegant restaurant — The right model depends on whether you want national reach or local depth.

What about cost?

Matchmaking is an investment either way, and pricing is where models diverge. According to a third-party review, Tawkify packages start around $4,900 for three matches and are paid upfront, with premium tiers running much higher (VIDA Select). Always confirm current pricing directly with any service.

We price our work transparently during a private consultation, based on what you're actually looking for. There's no national-tier markup and no rotating team — you're paying for two experienced matchmakers who handle your search personally. You can see how that works on our process page.

A stylishly dressed couple at a candlelit table with a single red rose and wine — Both models are an investment; the value is in the fit, not just the fee.

So which one is right for you?

Choose Tawkify if national reach matters most — you travel often, you're open to meeting people across the country, and a large database feels reassuring. There's nothing wrong with that; for some people it's the better fit.

Choose a local firm like ours if you want to build a real relationship here in Chicago, with a matchmaker who knows you and knows the city. Our clients are busy, successful people who value discretion and a personal touch over a big platform. If that sounds like you, I'd love to talk — you can reach out here or learn more about our executive matchmaking.

A happy mature couple smiling together outdoors surrounded by greenery — The goal is the same for everyone: the right person, matched with real care.

Frequently asked questions

Is Tawkify or a local matchmaker better for dating in Chicago?

It depends on what you want. Tawkify offers a national database and an assigned matchmaker who can be based anywhere. A local Chicago firm gives you matchmakers who know the area and the local dating pool and usually meet both people in person.

How much does Tawkify cost compared to a local matchmaker?

A third-party review reports Tawkify packages start around $4,900 for three matches, paid upfront, with premium tiers much higher (VIDA Select). Local matchmakers price during a private consultation based on your search. Always confirm current pricing directly with each service.

Does Tawkify vet its members?

Yes. Tawkify says every candidate goes through 100% criminal-record and video screening, and dates are curated in person or by video (Tawkify). Serious local matchmakers also vet clients — often by meeting and interviewing them in person before any introduction.

Is a matchmaker worth it instead of dating apps?

For many busy professionals, yes. With 78% of recent app users reporting burnout, a vetted, guided introduction can save time and stress (Forbes Health / OnePoll, 2024). Read our honest take on whether a matchmaker is worth it for a fuller answer.