Sober Dating Service is a niche matchmaking dating service and community created especially for people who don’t use drugs or alcohol.
The website was created to provide the recovery and sober-curious communities with a secure, drug-free environment.
It tackles a prevalent issue in contemporary dating: the expectation that first dates involve drinking, which can be a major obstacle for people trying to stay sober.
As the cornerstone of partnerships, the online dating service emphasizes healthy lives and common values.
Sober Dating Service is part of a significant network of niche platforms owned and developed by Online Connections, Inc., a corporate entity situated in Weston, Florida, that oversees hundreds of specialized dating services.
Since its launch in the early 2020s, the Sober Dating Service has continued to grow in popularity.
With its long-standing focus on a traditional dating experience intended exclusively for people in recovery or committed to total abstinence, Sober Dating Service distinguishes itself from rivals.
Who the Sober Dating Service Is Suited For
Sober Dating Service is best suited for the following groups of people:
1. Those in Long-Term Recovery: The platform is perfect for those who have built a strong foundation in sobriety, usually for more than a year, and are searching for a partner who appreciates and shares that way of life.
2. Strict Abstainers: This dating service is ideal for people who are determined to live a completely drug- and alcohol-free life, in contrast to sober-curious apps.
It offers a community in which you are not required to justify your decision to abstain.
3. People Weary of “Bar Culture” Dating: This type of dating is ideal for individuals who would rather connect over coffee, exercise, or outdoor activities rather than deal with the pressure of the “let’s grab a drink” first-date cliché.
4. Users Seeking Intentional Relationships: The dating app draws users seeking serious, long-term connections based on shared values rather than casual encounters because it uses conventional bios and “flirts” instead of fast swiping.
5. Singles in Major Metropolitan Areas: Similar to many niche apps, it works best for people who live in or close to big cities, particularly in the USA and Canada, where there are enough users to consistently find matches.
6. Privacy-Conscious Sober Singles: The dating app offers a specific area where you can talk candidly about your sobriety or recovery without sharing it with the millions of users on popular dating apps like Hinge or Tinder.
7. International Travelers: The dating service is an excellent fit for sober people who travel regularly and wish to meet like-minded people in various international hubs because it works in more than 59 countries.
Who the Sober Dating Service Isn’t Suited For
Sober Dating Service remains a highly specific niche platform, and it is not suited for the following types of people:
1. Those in Early Recovery: Generally speaking, delaying dating for at least a year following recovery is usually recommended by experts.
Relapse risk may be raised by emotional pressures introduced by entering a new relationship too soon.
2. Sober-Curious or Mindful Drinkers: This dating platform is intended for complete abstinence, in contrast to sites like Loosid that accommodate a wide range of drinking habits.
If you are trying out sobriety or still drink occasionally, you could discover that the community’s rigid standards don’t fit with your way of life.
3. Active Substance Users: The dating platform is designed to provide a secure sanctuary for people who abstain from alcohol and drugs.
To safeguard other users’ sobriety, profiles that include photos of alcohol or encourage substance use are usually deleted.
4. Casual Hookup Seekers: The app’s layout, which uses conventional bios, “flirts,” and messaging in place of quick swipes, is intended for users seeking committed, long-term partnerships.
Tinder and other popular apps are better suited for people looking for casual, frequent encounters.
5. Users in Remote or Rural Areas: Compared to industry titans like Hinge or Bumble, this niche dating app has a much lower user density.
Compared to popular dating apps that now include strong sobriety filters, you can get very few local matches if you live outside of a major metropolitan area.
6. People Avoiding Subscription Fees: Although the app is free to download, it requires a subscription barrier, usually between $22.99 and $32.99 per month, to access key features like unrestricted texting and viewing all member photos.
7. Individuals Looking for a Lifestyle “Social Club”: This is a platform specifically designed for dating.
Since Sober Dating Service focuses almost entirely on one-on-one romantic matching, you should think about Loosid if your main goals are sober gatherings, community forums, or boozeless city guides.
Demographics and User Base of Sober Dating Service
1. User Base Statistics
Total Users: Over 50,000 downloads of the app have been made from the iOS and Android stores.
Active Daily Users: 2,000–5,000 users, which is typical for super-niche apps.
Market Position: It is a mid-tier performer.
2. Demographic Breakdown
Age Groups:
Millennials (25–44): Make up the greatest group; over 77% of niche sober dating users are between the ages of 25 and 34 (41.5%) and 35 and 44 (35.4%).
Gen Z (18-24): The group with the quickest rate of growth. 39% of Gen Z intends to live a completely dry lifestyle, and 65% intends to cut back on alcohol.
Gender:
Men: Between 57% and 60.8% of active users are men.
Women: Make up between 38% and 39.2% of the population on the mobile dating app.
Geographic Focus: New York City and Los Angeles, two large cities with sizable sober-curious or recovery populations, have the most concentrated user bases.
Education and Career: More than 87% of users on niche dating platforms have either an undergraduate or graduate degree, indicating that users are typically well educated.
3. User Types and Motivation
Typically, the user base is divided into three different groups:
In Recovery: After conquering substance use disorders, around 70% of individuals are actively maintaining sobriety.
Sober-Curious or Health-Conscious: A rising group of younger users who do not have a history of addiction but abstain from alcohol for reasons of mental clarity, physical fitness, and authentic connection are known as sober-curious or health-conscious.
Purposeful Daters: Those looking for a “vetted” group to avoid the stigma or “awkwardness” of disclosing their non-drinking status on popular dating apps like Tinder or Bumble are known as purposeful daters.
Sign-Up Process and Creating a Profile
The sign-up and profile creation process on Sober Dating Service adheres to a typical mobile registration flow that is centered on confirming your dedication to sober living.
1. Initial Sign-Up Process
Download & Access: You can get the app from the Google Play Store and the Apple Play Store.
Age Requirement: To register, users must be at least eighteen years old.
Basic Information: An email address and basic personal data, such as gender and location, are needed for initial registration.
2. Creating a Profile
The app asks you to create a “personal profile” after you’ve registered.
Biography: To help other members better understand your personality and way of life, you are urged to include a brief biography.
Photos: It is advised to provide crisp pictures.
Free users can upload pictures; however, viewing all other members’ complete photos requires a premium membership.
Interests: To help find matches, you can mention precise interests, such as outdoor pursuits, preferred mocktails, or sobriety milestones, just as with most niche apps.
3. Interaction Mechanics
Engaging Members: You can begin sending “flirts” and messages to other sober singles as soon as your profile is online.
Real-Time Updates: For more efficient communication, member chats operate in real-time.
Matching System on Sober Dating Service
In contrast to popular swiping apps, the Sober Dating Service app prioritizes sobriety status and shared recovery milestones over casual browsing.
Core Matching Mechanics
Search-Based Discovery: Users can peruse a directory of “sober personal profiles” with Sober Dating Service, in contrast to Tinder’s swipe-only format.
Instead of using quick matches, this enables a more deliberate search based on distinct user information.
Interaction-Led Connections: Users can show interest by sending “flirts” or direct messages rather than waiting for a mutual “match.”
When a link is established, these exchanges take place immediately.
Engagement Tools: Instead of relying just on profile cards, the dating platform offers an in-app newsfeed where users can share updates and communicate with the larger community, enabling “organic” matches through social interaction.
Matching Logic and Philosophy
Safe Spaces: The system is intended to eradicate the “liquid courage” culture, guaranteeing that all prospective matches are already aware of and respectful of an alcohol-free way of life.
Beyond Romance: The matching system frequently fulfills two functions, enabling users to locate workout buddies or sober pals using the same dating interface.
Vetting for Quality: The matchmaking app primarily relies on user-driven reporting and corporate moderation, as it lacks the advanced verification committees found in newer high-end niche dating platforms.
Pros and Cons
Pros of Sober Dating Service
For those in recovery or leading alcohol-free lives, using the Sober Dating Service app offers a number of benefits:
1. Extinguishing “The Talk”
The biggest advantage is that you won’t have to justify your sobriety.
Niche sober dating apps guarantee that both parties already share this fundamental lifestyle value; on mainstream dating apps, users frequently have to deal with the difficult burden of explaining why they aren’t drinking on a first date.
2. Increased Genuineness and Stronger Bonds
True Self: Conversations are more genuine when alcohol isn’t used as a social lubricant.
Users get to see their companion for who they really are, not a drug-influenced version.
Meaningful Conversation: Sharper communication and more deliberate dating objectives are fostered by sobriety, which enables couples to identify compatibility much earlier.
Shared Values: By bringing together people who value progress, health, and emotional well-being, these internet dating platforms create more solid, long-lasting foundations.
3. Assistance with Recovery Objectives
Avoiding Triggers: Without the social pressure of a bar, users can recommend dates like coffee, hiking, or art displays.
Mutual Respect: Since both partners serve as a support system against triggers and cravings, dating another sober person lowers the chance of relapse.
4. Practical and Lifestyle Benefits
Clearer Judgment: Without the cloud of alcohol, sobriety makes it possible to make better decisions and assess a potential partner’s character.
Financial Savings: Compared to standard dinner and drink trips, dry dates, such as charity work or outdoor excursions, are frequently less expensive.
Physical Safety: Eliminating alcohol from the first meeting improves everyone’s general safety and guarantees that everyone can set clear limits.
Cons of Sober Dating Service
Although the Sober Dating Service app offers a secure environment for the alcohol-free community, there are a number of disadvantages:
1. Limited User Pool
Geographic Density: Due to the niche nature of the matchmaking service, users who live outside of large cities like New York or Los Angeles frequently discover that there aren’t many active profiles nearby.
Smaller Selection: There are a lot fewer prospective matches overall than on popular dating apps like Hinge or Bumble, which might cause users to become weary of dating apps as they swiftly browse through the profiles.
2. Technical Problems and User Experience
Bugs and Glitches: There are ongoing technological problems, such as the app stalling during conversations, improper notification delivery, and trouble controlling profile photos.
Outdated Interface: When compared to contemporary, well-funded mainstream competitors, the interface can be less user-friendly or trashy.
3. Quality and Security Issues
Bots and Scammers: The existence of phony profiles or AI bots that try to trick users into falling for social engineering schemes is a frequent issue on the niche dating app.
Unverified Sobriety: Although the dating app is meant for sober people, a user’s sobriety is not strictly certified.
It’s possible to come across people who are not genuinely sober or who don’t take their alcohol-free lifestyle seriously.
4. Cost and Paywalls
Expensive Subscriptions: Although they are free to download, a premium paywall that can cost up to $32.99 USD per month prevents access to basic functions like unrestricted messaging and viewing all member images.
Hidden Fees: The need for in-app credits for some simple interactions and hidden fees can be frustrating.
5. Risks in Early Recovery
Relapse Triggers: Dating can be a significant trigger, particularly during the first year of sobriety.
Problematic substance cravings can result from the emotional rollercoaster of heartache or rejection on these apps.
Distraction: Focusing on a new romantic connection can divert individuals who are just starting out in sobriety from the crucial tasks of self-discovery and long-term rehabilitation.
Layout of Sober Dating Service
The app design of the Sober Dating Service design prioritizes directory-style navigation over the quick swiping found in popular dating apps.
Its interface is made to make deliberate scanning of sober personal profiles easier.
Main Navigation and Key Screens
The Directory (Home): A searchable grid or list of sober singles is the main display.
A seamless photo gallery navigation enhances the user interface.
Profile View: Users can discuss their personality and sobriety journey in the “Bio” part of their own profiles.
Drag-and-drop photo reordering is available, making gallery management easier for users.
Discovery Feed: In contrast to conventional dating apps, this dating platform frequently has a social component where users can see community updates, promoting natural encounters.
Messaging Interface: To guarantee that users don’t miss connection attempts, the chat system has been modified for real-time communication, with instant message delivery and improved notifications.
Interactive Components
“Flirts”: Without writing a lengthy message, users can convey a low-pressure signal of interest using a dedicated button.
Mutual Likes Screen: You can view other users who have shown interest in your profile on this particular screen.
Premium Insights: The layout has specific areas for paid users to view who liked and viewed your profile.
Free Features on Sober Dating Service
Basic community and discovery capabilities are free to utilize with the app.
Although basic profile maintenance is free, the freemium business model of the matchmaking dating platform limits access to the majority of direct communication capabilities to subscribers.
Core Free Features
Profile Creation: After downloading the app, you can create a “sober personal profile,” complete with a biography and other details.
Photo Uploads: To make themselves easier to recognize, basic users can submit pictures to their own profiles.
Browsing and Discovery: You can use parameters like age and location to search the directory of other sober singles.
“Flirts”: Free users of the app can send other users “flirts,” which are casual displays of interest.
Restricted Messaging: Although the app claims to be totally free to use for basic conversations, non-premium accounts may have less frequent or functioning messaging.
Paid Features on Sober Dating Service
Upgrading to a premium membership on the Sober Dating Service will grant access to crucial features for visibility and communication.
Although the app can be downloaded for free, most users find that in order to establish real contacts, a premium plan is required.
Premium Membership Benefits
Unlimited Messaging: Eliminates the daily limit on direct message sending and receiving.
Full Profile Access: Viewing every picture in a member’s gallery is possible with full profile access.
Usually, only the primary profile photo is visible to free users on the online dating service.
Enhanced Visibility Tracking:
See Who Viewed You: Gives you a list of members who have looked at your profile.
See Who Liked You: Enables quick matching by directly identifying those who have already shown interest.
Real-Time Engagement: Access to real-time conversation updates and enhanced search result accuracy are guaranteed with premium status.
Costs on Sober Dating Service
It has a freemium business model, meaning that while creating a basic profile is free, the main features for conversation and profile creation require a paid subscription.
Subscription Pricing
Subscription fees are subject to regional modifications and change according to the length of the commitment:
Monthly Subscription: $22.99–$32.99 USD.
Quarterly Subscription (3 months): $44.99 USD (often reduced to $30.99 for initial renewals).
Yearly Subscription: $89.99 USD.
Trial Period: A 7-day or 1-month trial is usually available, typically rebilling at $29.99–$32.99 once the trial expires.
Customer Support
The main developer of the Sober Dating Service, namely Online Connections, Inc., is largely responsible for managing customer service via digital channels.
Principal Support Channels
Direct Email Support: Apps@onlineconnectionsinc.com is the official email address for technical problems, billing questions, or account support.
Phone Support: The developer has a phone number at +1 (954) 637-3658 for more direct questions.
Physical Business Address: 1575 N Park Dr., Ste 100, Weston, Florida 33325, United States.
App Store Feedback: So as to address reported faults and feature requests, developers regularly monitor and reply to customer reviews on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
How to Cancel, Pause, or Delete a Sober Dating Service Account
Because most billing is done directly through mobile store platforms, managing your Sober Dating Service account takes various steps depending on whether you are using the app on an Apple or Android device.
1. Canceling a Paid Subscription
You can maintain premium access until the end of the current monthly term by canceling a subscription, which also cancels future recurring charges on the mobile matchmaking app.
Regarding iOS (Apple):
On your iPhone, open Settings.
At the top, tap your Apple ID or name.
Choose Subscriptions.
Find “Sober Dating Service” and select “Cancel Subscription.”
For Google Play on Android:
Launch the Google Play Store app.
In the upper right corner, tap your profile icon.
Select Subscriptions under Payments & Subscriptions.
Click “Sober Dating Service” and then “Cancel subscription.”
2. Pausing or Hiding Your Account
The layout of Sober Dating Service usually concentrates on live directory listings; however, many contemporary dating apps provide a “pause” or “hide” feature to momentarily stop showing up in searches without deleting data.
Look for a “Hide Profile” or “Invisible Mode” toggle in the app’s Settings section.
If this isn’t possible, you can manually discourage conversations without losing your account history by just deleting your biography or profile pictures.
3. Deleting Your Account Permanently
Account deletion is irreversible and cannot be reversed.
Important: You cannot cancel your paid subscription or remove your account by removing the app from your phone.
Launch and sign in to the Sober Dating Service app.
Go to the Profile or Settings menu.
Look for “Delete Account” or “Manage Account” by scrolling to the bottom.
To confirm permanent deletion, adhere to the instructions.
As mandated by revised mobile store standards, you can also explicitly request data deletion through the app’s settings.
4. Refunds
For the current paying term, subscriptions are typically not refundable.
Since Apple Support and Google Play Support handle the financial transaction rather than the app developer, you should get in touch with them directly if you think you were charged incorrectly.
The Verdict
Sober Dating Service is a niche dating platform with great potential but uneven technological performance.
Although it provides an essential safe area for people who prioritize abstaining from alcohol, there are serious issues with its active population and technical stability.
The Positive Verdict: Why Use It?
Cultural Alignment: It successfully removes the stigma associated with sobriety on popular dating apps.
Since it is a prerequisite for admission, you don’t need to provide an explanation for your non-drinking status.
Targeted Intent: Because users on this dating site are typically more deliberate about their lifestyle objectives, early-date conversations are more realistic and grounded.
Community Integration: In contrast to simple swipe dating apps, it has social features like a newsfeed and discovery directory that facilitate more natural connection-making.
The Critical Verdict: Why You Might Hesitate
Low User Density: Users report rapidly running out of local matches outside of big cities like NYC or LA, which frequently results in profiles from the other side of the nation being displayed.
Quality Control Problems: Low-tech design and a large number of unconfirmed profiles, which some users think are AI-generated bots or con artists trying to obtain personal information, are evident on the matchmaking app.
Technical Performance: The app frequently freezes during real-time discussions and has trouble maintaining profile photos.
Final Recommendation
Sober Dating Service is a valuable supplementary resource if you are solely looking for a companion who shares your sober path.
However, for a more exclusive, vetted, and comprehensive experience, it can be lacking in comparison to other competitors.