Badoo is a unique singles dating website in that it gives its patrons the outlet to message someone before they actually match on the platform.
Badoo is renowned for providing several methods for people to connect and engage in conversation.
It began in the middle of the 2000s by a businessman from Russia.
In its early days, it was a social networking option on Facebook that ultimately grew in favor so much that it metamorphosed into a dating site that didn’t require any payment to use.
Granted, it isn’t the number one dating app ever downloaded, but it does provide unique features and capabilities that make it stick out from so many dating apps.
The feature that permits its users to send a message to someone of interest without having to match first is one of the features that sets it apart, attracting dedicated fans.
Badoo’s uniqueness is in how it combines elements that are present in social media apps as well as elements that are present in dating apps.
This is a combination that makes it a multidimensional dating app.
Given that it has a bevy of methods by which users can communicate with each other, it transcends many other dating apps that lack these methods.
With such easy and divergent methods of communication at a user’s disposal, Badoo provides a laid-back atmosphere that is bereft of intimidation or pressure.
Badoo’s Features and Capabilities
Badoo is an online dating platform that is fiercely entertaining for its users.
With so many features and capabilities, it gives its users a lot to discover so that there is never a dull moment.
With these features and capabilities at a user’s disposal, it is easy to make new friends.
1. People Close By
It’s easy to connect and communicate with people who are located close-by.
These are people that you have run into in the past who aren’t necessarily on your phone as a contact.
2. Encounters
When you discover that you have similar interests with someone, you have the option to swipe on the person’s dating profile without issue.
3. Selfie
To keep its users safe, women can request that a man they are interested in send them a selfie through the dating app.
4. Connecting Social Media Accounts
Users are given the ability to link their social media accounts with those of the people they are interested in.
This gives you an avenue to see whether you have mutual friends with the person.
This way, there is an instant connection. When you have mutual friends, it’s so much easier to pursue friendship or romance, thanks to a greater sense of comfort and familiarity.
5. Video and Voice Chat
Once you have determined through photo verification that the person you are interested in on the online dating service is who they say they are, you have the option to conduct a video or voice chat with the person.
This is such a safe and secure way to communicate with someone while knowing that the person isn’t a catfish.
6. Crush
You can send a signal that you have a crush on someone. The dating app sends your crush the signal, and they get the opportunity to swipe on your dating profile if they like you back.
7. No matching required
A match is not necessary for you to have the ability to send a message to someone you are interested in.
Unlike so many dating apps out there, Badoo sets itself apart by not having this as a requirement.
8. Location Change
Unlike so many dating apps, you have the capability to adjust where you are located without the burden of having to pay for it.
Although the phone version of the dating app aligns with the GPS on your phone, the website gives you unrestricted access to adjusting your location.
9. See Who Liked Your Profile
Unlike so many dating apps that never allow you to see who has liked your dating profile unless you either match with the user or pay a premium, you don’t have to worry about that extra step with Badoo.
You get to see these people, and you are encouraged by the dating app to open a conversation with them while the interest is still recent and percolating.
10. Free to Message
It is completely free to send someone a message.
And again, there is no requirement that you have to match with someone before being able to send them a message.
Badoo’s Safety Features
Badoo takes your safety seriously. It uses technology that keeps your information safe and secure.
This is unlike so many online dating platforms that care less about keeping your information restricted.
1. Social Media Account Linking
Badoo makes it so much easier to verify whether you are talking to a real person.
By giving you the option to link your social media accounts, you get to confirm that you are talking to a real person.
Don’t worry.
No one can see what your social media accounts are without your permission.
There is no avenue by which a user can reach out to you outside the platform, unless you expressly permit it.
2. Selfie
As aforementioned, women have a powerful benefit in being able to ask men for a selfie so that they get to verify that they are talking to the real man.
Given that dating apps are more populated by men than they are with women, it is fair that women get to have this feature at their disposal.
To keep her from being inundated with an endless avalanche of men wanting to get her attention upon downloading the dating app, she gets to carefully select who she wants to keep talking to by requesting a selfie.
3. Data Deletion
This feature gets your data entirely expunged and removed from the dating app upon deletion of your dating app account.
So many dating apps trick you into thinking that your data has been completely expunged upon deleting your account when it really hasn’t.
It remains on the dating app for anyone to see.
Not Badoo.
If you decide that you have had your fun or found someone you want to date and you are ready to move on from the mobile matchmaking app, your data is deleted upon deleting your dating account in its entirety.
Badoo Premium Features
Badoo does have premium features that positively add to the experience of its users.
These premium features widen your ability to connect with that many more users of the platform.
1. Greater Visibility
With a premium subscription, your dating profile is given greater visibility across the platform, which puts more eyes on your dating profile and increases the chances you get matches.
2. No Advertisements
On top of this, you get to peruse the dating app without having to deal with intervening advertisements.
Having the advantage of discovering this vast and exciting dating app without having to deal with advertisements popping up every so often makes for a much better experience on the platform.
3. Change Your Last Vote
Some people make mistakes in swiping left on a profile of someone they want to get acquainted with.
With this feature, you get to change this vote to that of a positive swipe.
4. Anonymous Browsing
With this premium feature, you get to browse through dating profiles without the person knowing that you have viewed their dating profile.
This allows you to have full access to these dating profiles without having to worry about the person knowing that you have been hanging around their dating profile.
5. Priority Messaging
With this feature, your messages are given first-in-line priority over those of other messengers.
Basically, your messages are bumped up, and the recipient sees them first.
This improves the likelihood that your message gets seen and you get a response.
6. Access to Catchy Stickers
This feature permits you to send a variety of catchy stickers with your messages, which works wonders in capturing their attention.
7. Unlimited Swipes
Unlike plenty of online dating apps, there is no limit to the volume of swipes you get to use.
You get access to an unlimited number of dating profiles and can swipe away on whoever grabs your attention.
Badoo Premium Membership Fees
Thankfully, Badoo doesn’t have an expensive premium membership.
A premium subscription is $12.99 a month.
The rate is discounted to $31.99 for a full 3-month subscription.
It is $47.99 for 6 months.
And believe it or not, Badoo has a lifetime subscription option where you get to pay a lump sum of $79.99 for lifetime access to the dating app.
And that’s not all.
If you don’t want to commit for a month or more of the service, you can pay on a per-week basis or per-day basis.
It’s $3.99 for a weekly subscription and $0.79 for a daily subscription.
Cancel any subscription at any time by logging into your account, pressing the settings icon situated at the top right corner of the matchmaking dating app, scrolling downward to the payment settings area, and pressing the option to unsubscribe.
Badoo Credits
By purchasing Badoo credits, you bypass having to subscribe for premium features.
Instead, you have the option to purchase credits for a variety of reasons.
You get to boost your dating profile for greater viewership.
This clearly puts your dating profile in the spotlight, which increases the ranking of your dating profile, surpassing those of others who choose not to buy credits for this express purpose.
Your dating profile becomes the first that is presented to people in search results.
Your photo is shown in the tab for featured users.
Yes, you have the benefit of purchasing gifts for someone you like so as to gain their attention.
You get to acquire a bunch of emojis and stickers that you can use while chatting with someone.
You get to increase your quota with Badoo Encounters to as high as 5.
Users get notified when you are logged online.
Badoo vs. The Rest: How It Compares to Similar Sites and Apps
Although users in North America tend to choose Tinder or Bumble, Badoo continues to lead the world in downloads, controlling markets in Europe and South America.
1. Badoo vs. Tinder
Badoo’s main international competitor is Tinder, which uses a similar swipe-and-chat approach but has different social elements and regional popularity.
Member Count: Badoo has more than 400 million registered users worldwide.
Badoo has a huge following with about 28.4 million monthly active users, but Tinder is the top dating app in the United States.
Best For: Badoo is for international tourists and foreigners looking to connect in Europe or South America; Tinder is for the highest local volume in North America.
Verification Level (High): Selfie verification is used on both dating platforms.
Badoo was the first to use “Photo Verification,” which required users to imitate particular poses that were verified by thousands of moderators.
Monthly Cost: Depending on the tier and area, Badoo Premium typically costs between $11.99 and $39.99 per month, whereas Tinder costs between $24.99 and $49.99 per month.
Mobile Access: These are native apps for iOS and Android.
Additionally, Badoo keeps up a strong desktop messaging website.
2. Badoo vs. Bumble
These dating apps, which are sister firms of Bumble Inc., have distinct philosophies: Badoo is for diverse social discovery, whereas Bumble emphasizes women initiating contact.
Member Count: Badoo (400 million+ registered) vs. Bumble (50 million+ active users).
Best For: Users seeking a social network experience, including live streaming; Bumble is for women who want to date more intentionally and for their safety.
Verification Level (High): To prevent catfishing, both use selfie-based verification.
Additionally, Badoo enables women to instantly verify a user’s identification by sending a “Selfie Request” to guys with whom they are conversing.
Monthly Cost: Badoo is typically more affordable ($12–$40/month) compared to Bumble’s higher-tier memberships ($30–$55/month).
Mobile Access: Both provide complete iOS and Android support.
3. Badoo vs. Lovoo
With comparable “Live Video” and “Radar” features, Lovoo is a major competitor in Central Europe, particularly Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
Member Count: Badoo (400 million+) vs. Lovoo (70 million+ registered).
Best For: Users seeking a regional substitute for Badoo’s worldwide reach in the DACH regions (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland).
Verification Level (Medium-High): Both use email/phone checks and photo verification.
More human moderation is possible with Badoo’s scale.
Monthly Cost: Both matchmaking services are free; however, to boost visibility, they also use credit systems in addition to memberships.
Mobile Access: Complete native app support for both iOS and Android.
Winners by Category
Winner for Maximum Choice: Badoo
It is the unchallenged global leader with over 400 million registered users, and it works particularly well when traveling outside of North America.
Winner for Authenticity: Badoo
It is one of the most anti-catfish dating platforms on the market thanks to its pioneering role in pose-based photo verification and its “Selfie Request” function for women.
Winner for Social Networking: Bumble
Bumble’s exclusive “BFF” and “Bizz” modes make it the winner for wider social and professional networking, even though Badoo offers live streaming.
Winner for Women’s Safety: Bumble
The best way to lessen unwanted attention is for women to message first (or use specific cues).
Winner for Spontaneous Meets: Tinder
Even with Badoo’s “Nearby” option, Tinder’s high-velocity swiping culture is the most effective way to locate short, casual local encounters.
Recommendation
With free communication, Badoo sets itself apart from so many online dating sites.
It creates a casual and lighthearted atmosphere for people to connect while making the entire experience safe.
Premium packages and credits only enhance the experience but are certainly not necessary to have a fun experience and make romantic and platonic connections.
This is a dating app that is worth signing up for.