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Full-Stack Dating Platform: Web, Mobile & Admin

A full-stack dating platform for web, iOS/Android and admin, with swipe matching, real-time chat, map-based discovery and paid subscriptions.

Dating platform project cover showing map-based discovery and a mobile swipe profile
Role
Full-stack developer — API, web app, mobile app and admin console
Timeline
—
Year
2026
Status
In development
01

Overview

A full-stack dating platform built with React, React Native and Node.js. Users can swipe and match, search profiles with filters, find people nearby on a map, chat in real time, join groups and events, and upgrade to premium plans. Admins manage users, permissions and pricing from a dedicated dashboard.

02

Problem

What was actually wrong.

The product needed to bring discovery, matching, communication, community and subscriptions together across web and mobile, while giving administrators a separate place to manage users, access, pricing and events.

03

Goals

  • 01Deliver connected web, iOS/Android and admin experiences
  • 02Make profile discovery work through swiping, detailed filters and nearby map search
  • 03Support real-time conversations and community features
  • 04Offer paid plans through web payments and mobile in-app purchases
  • 05Give admins control over users, roles, pricing plans and events
04

Solution

The approach taken.

The platform is organized as four connected parts: a Node.js and TypeScript API, a React web app, a React Native mobile app and a React admin console. Users discover profiles through swiping, search and map-based browsing, then connect through real-time chat, groups and events. Premium plans are available through PayPal on web and in-app purchases on iOS and Android.

05

Architecture

01

Shared API for three client apps

The web app, mobile app and admin console connect to one Node.js/TypeScript API for REST endpoints and real-time events, keeping shared product rules in one backend.

02

Real-time messaging

Socket.IO carries chat events, including typing indicators, read receipts and reactions, while the API supports the surrounding profile and match workflows.

03

Location-aware discovery

MongoDB geospatial queries power nearby discovery on an interactive map, alongside search filters for distance, age, interests and other profile preferences.

04

Cross-platform subscriptions

Web subscriptions use PayPal, while iOS and Android purchases use RevenueCat and app-store receipts verified by the backend.

05

Administration and trust

A dedicated admin console manages customers, roles, permissions, pricing, events and profile settings. Authentication, two-factor login, rate limiting and uploaded-image checks support platform safety.

06

Technologies

Backend

  • Node.js
  • Express 5
  • TypeScript
  • MongoDB / Mongoose
  • Socket.IO
  • JWT
  • Zod
  • AWS S3
  • PayPal

Web app

  • React 19
  • Vite
  • TypeScript
  • TanStack Router / Query
  • Zustand
  • Tailwind CSS
  • Leaflet
  • Socket.IO client

Mobile app

  • React Native
  • iOS and Android
  • React Navigation
  • RevenueCat
  • Geolocation
  • AsyncStorage

Admin console

  • React 19
  • Vite
  • TypeScript
  • Ant Design
  • shadcn/ui
  • Radix UI
  • TanStack Query
  • Zustand
07

Key features

  • Swipe matching and profiles

    Users like or skip profiles, review matches, likes and favorites, and manage detailed profiles with public and private photo galleries.

  • Real-time chat

    Socket.IO messaging supports typing indicators, read receipts, reactions and message deletion for conversations between matches.

  • Map discovery and search

    People can find nearby profiles on an interactive map or use detailed filters for age, distance, online status, interests and lifestyle preferences.

  • Groups and events

    Members can create or join groups, share posts and media, and browse event listings and details to connect beyond one-to-one matching.

  • Paid subscriptions

    Premium plans are available through PayPal on web and App Store or Google Play in-app purchases on mobile, with receipts checked by the backend.

  • Dedicated admin console

    Administrators manage customers, roles, permissions, pricing plans, events and the profile settings and lists used throughout the platform.

08

Process

  1. Structure

    Organized the product into four connected codebases: API, web, mobile and admin, with a shared backend for REST and real-time events.

  2. Connect

    Built discovery and matching flows around profiles, swipe actions, detailed search filters and geospatial results.

  3. Engage

    Added real-time conversations, groups and events to support interactions beyond the initial match.

  4. Manage

    Connected web and mobile subscription options with administrator controls for users, permissions, plans and events.

09

Screens

  • System architecture diagram showing web, mobile and admin clients connected to a Node.js API
    One API across web, mobile and admin
  • Dating platform feature overview for matching, profiles, chat, location, groups and subscriptions
    Core platform features
  • Technology stack across the backend, web app, mobile app and admin console
    Technology across four codebases
10

Challenges

What went wrong first.

Consistent experiences across four codebases

The web app, mobile app and admin console need distinct interfaces while sharing the same API, core product rules and account data.

Reliable real-time and location features

Chat and nearby discovery depend on timely events and geospatial search, so both need to work alongside the ordinary profile and matching flows.

Different purchase channels

Web payments and mobile in-app purchases follow different flows, so subscription state must remain consistent while using PayPal and app-store billing.

11

Learnings

  • Shared backend contracts help keep web, mobile and admin aligned without forcing every client into the same interface.
  • Location discovery and real-time messaging work best when they are designed as core product capabilities rather than add-ons.
  • Subscription flows need a clear source of truth when purchases can start on both web and mobile.

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