Badoo Review March 2024

Badoo is a free dating site and app that caters to the younger audience for friendship, relationships, and casual dating. Badoo offers a lot of special features that make it one of the best dating apps today.

2,000 Members
 35 % ♀ 
 65 % ♂ 
Good For:
4 / 5
4 / 5
3 / 5
Success Rate:
30 / 10
38 / 10
33 / 10
Compare Badoo
Age Distribution:
18-24
25-34
35-49
50+

Badoo in 10 seconds

  • A social media network and dating site good for people looking for love, friendship, or casual relationships
  • Majority of users are late teens and young adults
  • Majority of users come from European countries
  • There are occasional technical issues when accessing the mobile app
  • App has a high percentage of member activity
  • Many special features are available
  • Contacting features are free to use, but a premium membership can enhance your experience
  • You can use Badoo for free
  • Pricing starts at HK$14.99 / Day - More Information
DatingsScout.hk Author Chris Pleines
Chris Pleines
Founder of Datingscout and Author of the book "Online Dating for Dummies"
Badoo does a good job connecting members who are attracted to one another. With its Encounters feature, the matching of members is sped up and done so with utmost efficiency. However, Badoo may not be the best for people who are searching for a lifetime partner, or a serious relationship.

Who is Badoo for and not for?

  • Singles who are into casual flirting
  • Those looking for love, friendships, and profound connections
  • People looking for casual dating with no strings attached
  • Those searching for erotic adventures
  • Older singles who want to find love and find long-term commitment
  • People who dislike quick matchmaking
Back to Overview

Badoo Pros & Cons

  • Contacting features are free to use by everyone
  • Many active members on the app
  • Most, if not all members are legitimate
  • Most, if not all members are legitimate
  • Occasional technical errors on the app
  • Not much active members in some countries
  • Mostly successful for casual dating only

How does Badoo work?

badoo free dating app app
  • Swipe matchmaking available called Badoo Encounters
  • Message for free with your successful matches

Badoo is one of the best and most popular dating sites worldwide. It offers many contacting features to use for free. You just need to have a successful match with another member. Badoo allows you to find matches who are nearby your location through its 'People Nearby' search function. However, you can also find members from faraway cities should you choose to change your location pin using this feature. You may also match with members who are quite far away through "Badoo Encounters," which is a roulette-type matchmaking feature.

A tip when making your profile: publish 15-second 'Clips' that show off your personality. Profiles with 'Clips' gain more visibility on the platform as it adds a huge score on Badoo's profile scoring system.

How much does Badoo cost?

Can you try Badoo for free?

  • You can use or try the service for free.
  • All members can send messages for free
  • You can read the first messages in your inbox for free

Is Badoo expensive or cheap?

In comparison to other providers Badoo is average.

Duration / Credits / CoinsCostsTotal
Badoo Premium
1 Day14.99 HKD / Day14.99 HKD
1 Week35.00 HKD / Week35.00 HKD
1 Month135.00 HKD / Month135.00 HKD
3 Months103.33 HKD / Month310.00 HKD
6 Months83.33 HKD / Month500.00 HKD
Badoo credits
100 Credits0.12 HKD / Credit12.00 HKD
550 Credits0.11 HKD / Credit60.00 HKD
1,250 Credits0.10 HKD / Credit120.00 HKD
2,750 Credits0.09 HKD / Credit235.00 HKD
Badoo Price Table
Free Features
  • Use of search filters
  • Browsing member profiles
  • Messaging premium members
  • Basic messaging and quick flirts
  • Participating in Encounters matching game
  • Viewing who visited your profile
  • Use the 'Lookalikes' special search function
  • Verify your profile
Premium Features
  • View who liked you
  • Highlight your messages
  • See who put you on their favourites list
  • Undo your vote on Encounters
  • Browse the site anonymously
  • Chat with new users first
  • Become a featured member
  • Send Crush alerts
  • Increase your popularity
  • Give gifts
  • Activate stickers

Although users can make use of Badoo's core features for free, you can also enjoy more benefits by signing up for Badoo's premium membership.

Badoo uses credits as an in-service currency. You can purchase credits to enjoy some perks, such as more visibility, removing feature limitations, and others.

Credits can be used for the following user perks:

  1. Be the first entry to show up on match search results
  2. Get your photo included in the featured users' tab
  3. Your profile shows up more often in Badoo Encounters
  4. Purchase gifts to catch attention
  5. Use emojis and stickers in chat
  6. Raises your Badoo Encounters quota
  7. Raises chat quota to 5
  8. Notify users when you are online

You can set the system up to auto-refill your credits whenever they go below a certain amount.

How can I delete my Badoo account and cancel my subscription?

Please find more information here

Back to Overview

Who is signed up on Badoo?

Members
2,000 from Hong Kong
Members activity
1,000 active weekly
Gender Proportion
40 %
60 %
  • More than 700,000 users in Hong Kong
  • Most of the member base are late teens to young adults
  • Most members are based in Europe
  • The app is recommended more for the younger generation
  • Able to match and chat with users worldwide

Badoo caters more to the younger generation, which complements their “fresh and hip” setup and thrust towards mobile dating.

The dating site, with its users mostly on the lookout for hookups and flings, is often compared to Tinder. However, it does have its fair share of those over 35, who are looking for more committed connections.

Older members looking for a serious relationship might feel out of place with fewer match potentials.

Females
Males

Badoo Age Range and Age Distribution

  • 18-24
  • 25-34
  • 35-44
  • 45-54
  • 55+

New members at Badoo in March 2024 in comparison

Here you can see how membership figures at Badoo are developing compared to others

Back to Overview

Badoo in Detail

  • Reading time 16 minutes
  • Lots of insider information for more success

How to Sign Up for Badoo

Badoo Registration
  • Registration takes 3 to 5 minutes
  • Basic information is needed upon registration
  • Uploading a profile photos is required
  • You must also link your other social media accounts or undergo phone verification
  • Verified users will have a blue check mark at the bottom of their profile picture

To create an account on Badoo, you need to give out your first name, birthday, city, gender, and what you're looking for (friendship, dates, or chat). You also need to upload a photo of yourself, although you can skip this step on the Badoo sign up process for later. You'll receive a link to verify your account.

Once your email has been verified, you can now start using Badoo. Unlike others, the registration doesn't require you to fill out a personality test to find matches. Instead, you are taken directly to your profile dashboard.

To fully enjoy the benefits of your Badoo account, you need to have it verified. The email verification you received upon signing up is just the first step in the process. You have to link Badoo to other social media accounts or use your phone to verify your identity. You can continue using Badoo under an unverified account, but your access will be limited. Verified members will have a blue checkmark at the bottom of their profile picture.

Because Badoo is a free service, everyone can view user-profiles, and pictures are not blurred. Although you gain access to your dashboard after signing up, you can't perform specific tasks like boost your popularity, purchase coins, and play games if you haven't uploaded at least one picture.

There’s a strict photo verification process, and if you don’t pass it, you are locked out of Badoo.

The verification process may sound simple to most people. Badoo will give you a sample image of a male or female in certain poses. You have to take a picture of yourself with the same pose and submit it to the Badoo team.

Once they verify that you are indeed who you say you are, the temporary lock-down will be removed, and you can use Badoo freely. However, if you are a new user, and you want to look around first without committing to anything, posting a picture may feel like a huge step already.

Making Contact on Badoo

Badoo Chat Contact
  • Roulette-type matchmaking available
  • There is a nearby search function
  • Lots of contacting features to use for free
  • Send songs
  • All members can send messages for free
  • Unlimited messaging is free for successful matches

​​​​​​As a social media slash dating platform, Badoo has quite a lot of features you can enjoy:

  • Badoo Encounters

Badoo Encounters is a game that lets you search for matches quickly. This feature shows you matches one by one, with each entry showing the user's picture plus necessary information such as their name, age, and how many interests you have in common.

Press the heart icon (or one on your keyboard) if you're interested, or the X icon (two on your keyboard) if you're not. Most of the members play this fast and easy way by breezing through the different options, similar to Tinder's swipe left or right function.

However, if you are meticulous, there are links in the upper right-hand corner of each entry where you can view and share the user's profile. You can also filter the game to show only guys or girls, or matches of a specific age range.

Free members have a limited number of swipes, but credits can be used to increase this number.

  • People Nearby

Badoo's primary search function, People Nearby, allows you to find other members. You can filter the search to show only the new accounts or those that are currently online. Aside from that, there are several search filters that you can use to limit the results:

  1. Gender
  2. What they're looking for (friends, chat, date)
  3. Age
  4. Location
  5. Distance away from you

Despite the name, People Nearby is not only about searching for people close to your location, you can even get results from members who intentionally put their positions in private. Plus, you can also filter your search to show members from another city or state.

  • Featured Users

One the bottom right corner of your profile page, you will see several profile pictures. These are pictures from featured users. You can have your photo featured by paying credits. Click on a photo to view that user's profile. If you're interested, you can message him or her.

  • Messaging Feature

Since Badoo dating is a free service, messaging others is possible, even without paying for premium services. The only thing you need to start a conversation is to upload a photo of yourself. Once you have a picture, you can network with other members or ask them out on dates.

However, members can only send up to two messages to members they haven't matched. Once you've used up your two messages, they need to reply to you first before you can send more. 

You can set it so that you can get email and browser notifications whenever you get a new message. If there's a user you're particularly interested, and you hit it off immediately, you can save them on your favourites list. On the other hand, if the user says something offensive or inappropriate, you can choose to block them so they can't contact you any further.

As for Badoo's messaging feature, we give it a 4 out of 5. With most limited messaging services, you can only message another user once, or worse, you can't message a person who hasn't liked your photo back. With Badoo dating, at least you get two tries to get the attention of the person you're trying to message, and if they reply, the limits on messaging are lifted. However, credits can raise the number of messages sent even before you receive a reply.

While this may feel unsafe and unregulated for some, messaging is one of the essential features of any dating platform. After all, if the goal is to match people, there's no reason why messaging should be made inconvenient.

  • Badoo Live

"Badoo Live" enabled members to host a live video stream, which all Badoo members could watch and join. Badoo announced that the feature was removed from the site as they wanted their users to focus on connections rather than viewing streams. 

  • Send Songs

Send a Song feature in the Badoo app allows Badoo members to send favourite tracks to each other via Apple Music to create meaningful connections through song-sharing. If you’re not a current Apple Music subscriber, you can still send and receive 30-second song previews with your matches or access a special offer for Badoo members of up to 2 months free of Apple Music within the app.

Badoo Profile Quality

Badoo Profile
  • Badoo has an extensive photo verification process to ensure a user's identity
  • Profile verification process requires users to connect their account to their social media account or phone.
  • Users are unable to take screenshots while on the app
  • State your "Dating Intentions"
  • The profiles are not very detailed
  • Profile pictures are visible to everyone for free

Profile information, as a whole, is severely lacking. Unlike others where you answer questions and take personality tests, Badoo only lets you choose your interests from a vast list. You can't see what other users' thoughts are about topics concerning religion, politics, etc.

To encourage its members to post their best pictures and fill out their profiles completely, they've devised a profile scoring system. The higher your score is, the higher your visibility to others. To start receiving ratings, you need to upload at least three photos of yourself. Other members who view your profile through Badoo Encounters can rate your profile. Members are also required to state their dating intentions as 'Here to date', 'Ready for a relationship', and 'Open to chat' to avoid mismatched partners. 

Although the profile scores are meant to determine the likeability of the members, it may be lacking as it is purely based on appearance. 

Even with a verification process, fake profiles on Badoo come aplenty. There are several articles written about it on the web, and we experienced it firsthand while writing this review.

Only 2-3 minutes after creating a profile, we got four message notifications from different females who wanted to chat with us. This is highly suspicious as the account has just been created, with no picture and no information on it whatsoever. Granted, Badoo has a feature where premium members can send messages to new users as soon as they sign up. However, we doubt that people who sincerely want to meet other people would be okay with just messaging everyone who signs up for the service.

According to demographics, the male to female ratio in Badoo dating back in 2009 was 70/30, with males taking the lead. Recently, there are more and more female profiles being created – and some users suspect that these are fake profiles to bring more people in. Remember that profiles can be set so that non-members can view it. Hence, there are several female decoy profiles on Badoo with the sole purpose of enticing males to join the website and meet these "female" members.

Badoo puts a considerable emphasis on photos and appearance while disregarding views and opinions. Yes, you can choose an interest, and there are several fields where you can freely type information about yourself, but users neglect most of these because they are not mandatory.

Badoo has an extensive verification system for photos, but nothing on what's written on your profile. A person looking for a long-term relationship or marriage is not given enough tools by which to tell who is compatible with them or not.

'Clips'

Members can show off their personalities and give honest opinions on a variety of topic prompts through the use of video. These 15-second clips is a fun icebreaker when other Badoo users visit your profile. Plus, it also enhances your credibility as a genuine member of the app. Badoo also rewards profiles containing 'Clips' in terms of visibility on the platform. When you publish 'Clips' on your profile, you will show up more frequently on other members' matchmaking list.

Badoo App

Badoo App
  • The design is organised, simple, and pleasing to the eyes
  • The functionality is intuitive and user-friendly
  • App has more features than the website version
  • Badoo app allows location proximity matching
  • Mobile app has chat features and a special featured called ‘Bumped into’
  • Occasional technical errors such as the inability to log in, send messages and view certain screens
  • Available to download in the App Store and Google Play Store

One of the biggest reasons why Badoo's website looks outdated and lacklustre is because the company itself is focusing more on its mobile app. Since the site is geared towards easy and quick hookups, going mobile would be the most logical move. This way, users can look for possible friends, chatmates, flings and one night stands anytime, anywhere.

It is clear that Badoo has put in more effort into the mobile app compared to the website. The profile layouts are great, unlike its browser counterpart. Also, there are more features and things to do, so you can meet more people on the go.

Special Features

For special features, we give Badoo a 3 out of 5.

A hybrid between a social networking platform and an online dating site, Badoo has several unique games and features that other websites don't have.

The only downside is that it caters only to people looking for casual dates and hookups, since most engage members based on their looks, without really putting any emphasis on interests, viewpoints, intelligence or personality.

Badoo Encounters

This allows you to look for matches easily.

Profile Score

This allows other members to rate your pictures. The higher your score is, the more visible your profile would be.

Visits

Check which members visited your profile in Visits.

Likes

You get email and browser notifications when someone likes your profile.

Favourites

Put preferred users on your favourite lists. You can also see who put you on theirs.

Games and Profile Features

Aside from Encounters, there are several other games available:

  • Lookalikes - Using your photo, Badoo determines which members you look similar to. If you find a particular user attractive, you can search for their lookalikes so you can see others with the same features.
  • Gifts - You can purchase gifts for other users. Using credits, you can also send emojis to get their attention.

Private Detector Technology

This feature automatically detects and blurs unsolicited nude images. Recipients have the option to immediately report the sender without having to view the picture first.

Rude Message Detector

Badoo has increased its security systems by adding a rude message detector feature. This software carefully recognizes rude, abusive, homophobic, and discriminatory content and allows users to directly report the conversation through a pop-up notification.

Moods

Moods is a special feature which gives users the option to share what’s on their minds. This can either be based around their current emotions or what kind of date they want to pursue.

Would You Rather

This is an interactive game feature where users who opt in are matched together asked a series of questions as a way to get to know each other and find out what they have in common.

Screenshot Block Feature

Badoo implements a screenshot block feature that discourages users to share private information and photos without permission. Android users can no longer take screenshots and iOS users will get a warning message once they take one.

Crush

Crush is an instant notification that you can send to a member to let them know you like them by clicking on heart with an arrow icon on the top of their profile. You use your credits to successfully send a Crush.

Badoo Secret Awards

Badoo Secret Awards are private badges you earn by accomplishing certain Badoo achievements such as reaching a high profile score, having the most connections, and having the most conversations on the app.

Send a Song

Members can now send their favourite tracks to each other via Apple Music to create meaningful connections.

How can I delete my Badoo account and cancel my subscription?

Uninstalling the app will not cancel your subscription.

How can you cancel your Subscription?

  • You can cancel via profile settings

Will your subscription automatically renew?

  • Yes, your Badoo subscription will automatically renew. The notice period for opting out of automatic renewal is 1 Day.

Is there a money back guarantee and do you get refunded the full amount?

  • Yes, usually you will receive the full amount back.

How much time do you have to undo Badoo purchases?

  • You have 14 Days to refund your Badoo purchase if you don't like it.

If you wish to cancel and request a refund you must contact Badoo via its Feedback Page. Please note that if you choose to download any of the Content which forms part of any paid for service within the 14 day period, you may lose the right to a refund.

Will your credits expire?

  • Yes, your credits expire within 6 Months.

Badoo FAQ

Free Features

What are Badoo Secret Awards?

Secret Awards are private badges that members can get. They're hidden because they don't appear on your account. This is mostly to notify users of their achievements on Badoo. You can get awards for getting the highest-profile score and having the most connections (most conversations).

What are Badoo Encounters?

Encounters work similarly to Tinder's style of speed dating. Matches show up on your screen one-by-one, and with a mouse click or swipe, you can show your interest or reject the match before moving to the next one.

What is Badoo Live? Is Badoo live still available?

With Badoo Live, you could host live streams on the platform or the app or watch the live streams of others. You could comment on their streams and also follow them - or gain followers yourself by actively using the feature. In April 2020, Badoo announced that the feature was removed. They stated that they wanted their users to "focus on connections" rather than "spending time viewing streams". –

Facts

Where is Badoo based?

Badoo has offices in London (UK), Moscow (Russia), and Malta.

What's Badoo all about?

To differentiate itself from other dating platforms, Badoo refers to itself as a dating-driven social media site. Unlike dating sites, Badoo doesn't use matching and compatibility algorithms and matches users based on distance and interests alone.

Where's the best place to download the Badoo app?

For security purposes, it's better to download the Badoo dating app through legitimate sources such as the Google Play Store, Apple Store, and Windows store. There are platforms where you can download the latest Badoo .apk files, but it's difficult to ascertain which downloads are legit, and which will give your phone a virus.

What is the average age of users on Badoo?

The average age of Badoo users is between 31-38 years. You can find more information here

Usability

Are badoo profiles real?

If you see a blue checkmark below a user's photo, it means that they are verified users, and more often than not, these types are real. Although Badoo has a strict photo verification system, some fake profiles still squeeze through the cracks and make it into the platform. For females, the surest way to guarantee that the person you're talking to is who they say they are, you can request for a selfie through chat.

What is Badoo Encounters?

Encounters is at the core of the Badoo experience. Photos of members who match your interests will be shown to you, and you decide if you want to meet them. Just set your search criteria, flick through your choices, and see who you like. 

You can increase how often you appear in Encounters when other Badoo users are looking at it. Just get some Extra shows and watch your popularity rise.

How can I found out who likes me on Badoo?

The "Liked You" folder shows you all the people who voted 'Yes' when they saw you in Encounters. You can access your "Liked You" folder by activating Badoo Premium.

How can I find my matches on Badoo?

Your matches are the people who voted 'Yes' for you and who you liked, too, in Encounters. You can access their profiles directly from "Messages" to start chatting and make friends. So that you're able to differentiate between matches and messages from users you have not matched with yet, matches will have a heart icon on them.

What is the Crush feature on Badoo?

Sending a Crush means that you can let other users know how much you like them by clicking on the heart with an arrow icon on the top right of their profile.

Sending a Crush to someone means that they will be able to check out your profile straight away, and you can use Credits to send Crushes to as many users as you like! Note that there is no Undo when sending a Crush.

What do I do if I want to "unregister'' myself from Badoo?

You can terminate your registration at any time by going to the "Settings" Control of Badoo. After clicking the "Delete Profile" link, Badoo will retain your account for 30 days if you changed your mind and want to reactivate it. Once the 30 days are up, the deletion of your Badoo account is permanent.

What are Badoo gifts?

Gifts are icons that can be bought using Badoo credits and sent to other users to catch their attention. These are virtual equivalents of real gifts, so instead of giving a girl flowers, you can purchase the flower sticker instead.

Costs

What are Badoo Superpowers?

Badoo Superpowers is just another name for Badoo premium, which gives users exclusive perks that can increase their visibility and make them more popular on the dating website.

Can you try Badoo for free?

Security

Can I report violators of the Badoo Terms and Conditions?

Yes, you have a right to privacy so you can report any abuse or violation of a member to the Badoo team by filling out the Feedback page. Make sure to include examples of the actions the user did so Badoo can act accordingly.

Another option is to visit the user's profile and click the "Report Abuse" link. Choose the reason for the complaint and submit.

All of a sudden, I can't access my Badoo profile. What's going on?

If you suddenly can't access your Badoo profile, it's most likely that your account got suspended for violating Badoo's Terms and Conditions. 

Does Badoo sell your data?

No, Badoo does not sell your data.

Was Badoo hacked in the past?

No, Badoo was never hacked.

How accurately does Badoo track your location?

Badoo tracks your exact location.

Do your Badoo profile pictures or profile information appear in Google Search Results?

No, your Badoo photos and personal information will not appear in Google Search Results.

Who can view your pictures on Badoo?

All Badoo users can view your pictures.

Is your phone number required for signing up at Badoo?

Yes, a phone number is required for signing up at Badoo.

Can you erase your personal data on Badoo?

Yes, Badoo provides an option for users to erase their data.

How can I delete my Badoo account and cancel my subscription?

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Final Results table

Signing Up: 3.0 / 5
Making Contact: 4.0 / 5
Profile Quality: 2.0 / 5
App: 4.0 / 5
Real Life Review: 3.5 / 5

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Contact details

Address:The Broadgate Tower, Third Floor, 20 Primrose Street, London EC2A 2RS
Company:Badoo Trading Limited