Known removed the swipe. We removed the swipe and added the reason.
Known and Sphere share the same starting thesis: swiping is broken. One match at a time beats a thousand random ones. Where they diverge is everything after that — the explanation, the learning, and what you're actually matching for.
Updated July 2026 · By Artem Shevchenko, Founder of Sphere
Where Sphere and Known agree
Swiping is broken
Both reject infinite swipes. One curated match beats 1,000 random ones.
Quality over quantity
Fewer, better matches per period. Constraints create value.
AI as the engine
Both use AI to determine who you meet — not a photo swipe.
TL;DR
Both apps agree that the swipe model is broken. They diverge on what comes next.
Known's approach
Remove the swipe. Present one person at a time, based on what you told them about yourself in an intake process. No explanation of the match. No behavioral learning. You get a name and a profile — you decide.
Sphere's approach
Remove the swipe. Run an AI conversation that builds a deep profile. Match based on behavioral signals — not just what you said, but how you interact. Send the match with the top 3 reasons you were introduced. Learn from every interaction to improve future matches.
Known
Known doesn't tell you why you matched. You receive a curated introduction — but the reasoning stays with the algorithm. You're trusting the match without understanding it.
Sphere
Every match comes with the top 3 specific reasons you were introduced. "You both work in climate tech. You both train in the mornings. You're both looking for something long-term." Transparency changes how you start every conversation.
Known
Known matches primarily from an intake form — what you tell them about yourself. Stated preferences are useful, but people often don't know what they want until they see it. The learning layer is limited.
Sphere
Sphere tracks behavioral signals: how you respond in conversations, which matches you engage with, how quickly you reply, and patterns in your calendar. Behavioral signals predict compatibility 4.3× more accurately than stated preferences alone. The AI gets better every week.
Known
Dating only. Known's AI is focused on romantic compatibility. If you also need a cofounder, a running partner, or a friend in a new city — you need other apps.
Sphere
4 connection types in one product: romantic relationships, friendship, business networking, activity partners. The same AI that matches you for dating understands what you need for everything else. One onboarding. One AI. All the ways you need people.
Known
iOS only. Android users can't access Known at all. This limits the total user pool — and your potential matches.
Sphere
Sphere is available via Telegram waitlist during the launch phase, with iOS and Android apps planned for launch cities. Both Android and iOS users join the same matching pool from day one.
Known
One match at a time — you decide, then the next match is presented. Clean constraint. Keeps focus. Works well for the right user.
Sphere
4–36 matches per month depending on your plan. Each match arrives with a full explanation. The limit is intentional — every match deserves your full attention, and the explanation makes it worth giving.
Use Known if:
Use Sphere if:
Both are fighting the same enemy: the swipe. Known and Sphere agree that unlimited swiping fails users. The difference is what comes after the anti-swipe decision: Known gives you the match, Sphere gives you the match and the reason. That one difference is significant — and it determines how you use every introduction.
Behavioral signals are patterns from how you actually interact — which match conversations you start quickly, how long you reply, which kinds of messages you send, what times you're active, which matches you meet in real life. These signals predict compatibility more accurately than anything you say in an intake form. Sphere's AI tracks them continuously to improve each match. According to Sphere's Match Quality Report, behavioral signals increase compatibility accuracy by 4.3× compared to stated preferences alone.
Yes. Sphere's 4 connection types mean you can use it for friendship, a running partner, a cofounder, or a business collaborator — with the same AI quality as the dating matching. You don't need a separate app. You don't need to compromise on match quality for non-dating connections.
The swipe is dead. So is guessing.
Join the waitlist. First access in London, New York, and San Francisco.