Fetlife Review October 2026

Are you in for some unconventional fun? Explore the world of BDSM with Fetlife, and give yourself a life.
3.0fair
Screenshot of the FetLife website
fetlife.com
FetLife is a social network for adults interested in BDSM, fetishism and kink with ten million members worldwide
  • Ten million members worldwide
  • App available for Android users only
Relationships Flirts Finding love
Try FetLife free →
last updated
Members in Hong Kong10,000
Women / Men 24% 76%
FromUS$5/mo
Age 18-24 25-34

FetLife in 10 seconds

  • FetLife is a social network for the BDSM, fetish & kinky community
  • Focuses on the world of sexual fantasies like BDSM, fetishism, and kink
  • Has ten million members worldwide
  • FetLife is gender and sexuality inclusive
  • The app is only available for Android users
  • Verifies accounts via email and phone number
  • Organizes nearby events, groups, and places
  • The website offers general free services. Learn more here

Test FetLife now →

How many members in your area?
“FetLife offers an effective way for its members to open up about their sexuality and sexual fantasies. It helps them embrace their innermost desires and others as well.”
Chris Pleines, Founder of DatingScout and Author of the book "Online Dating for Dummies"

Who is FetLife for, and not for?

FetLife is for…
  • If you're searching for erotic adventures and casual encounters
  • For people who have fetishes and into kinky sex
  • For singles who are into the BDSM lifestyle
…and not for
  • For people looking for serious relationships and deep commitments
  • For singles who want to fall in love
  • For people who are uptight and conservative

FetLife pros & cons

  • Many options are free of charge on the site
  • Offers an array of fetishes and kinks
  • Has a huge base of members
  • Mobile app is not available for iOS users
  • Many users don't upload real photos
  • The overall look of the site is outdated

How does FetLife work?

  • A dedicated space for individuals exploring bondage, discipline, dominance, submission, sadism, and masochism
  • Connects over 10 million members worldwide from diverse genders and orientations
  • Offers discussion groups, events, blogs, and profile sharing for interaction
  • Protects member privacy by keeping their information and photos hidden from Google
  • Send and receive messages freely to engage with other members

FetLife is a social networking platform for individuals interested in BDSM, fetishism, and kink. It allows members to connect through discussion groups, private messaging, and event listings while sharing photos, videos, and updates on their profiles. The platform fosters a safe and inclusive space for like-minded individuals to explore their interests, learn from others, and build a community. Accessible via an Android app or mobile browser, FetLife prioritizes user privacy and engagement, making it a go-to hub for the global kink community.

What it really costs

Compared with other dating services, FetLife is cheaper than most.

PlanDurationPer monthTotal
Support FetLife 6 months 5.00 USD 30.00 USD
Support FetLife 12 months 5.00 USD 60.00 USD
Support FetLife 24 months 5.00 USD 120.00 USD

Pricing proof

FetLife-Support-Prices
FetLife-Support-Prices

Can you try FetLife for free?

  • You can test FetLife free of charge
  • You can at least read a message for free to try the service

With this link you can try FetLife for free →

Free services

  • Messaging
  • Viewing of Photos and Videos
  • Join Groups

Paid services

Take note:

In FetLife, members don't pay for a premium membership. They give "support" to the site by donating a specific amount per month. Members who send their support through their credit cards will receive billing from BitLove Inc., and not FetLife. 

Payment options

Bank TransferCredit CardDirect DebitGiroPayPaysafecardBitcoin

How to cancel your FetLife subscription →

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Who is signed up on FetLife?
≈ 10,000
estimated active members
10,000
Members in Hong Kong
150
new members per month

Member numbers you find online are usually very inaccurate, so we estimate how many people are really on FetLife from traffic data and interest in the service, updated monthly. (2026-09)

Estimated active members, last 6 months
10k Apr
10k May
10k Jun
10k Jul
10k Aug
10k Sep

Gender proportion: 25% ♀ / 75% ♂

FetLife age range and age distribution

18-2424%
25-3428%
35-4417%
45-5414%
55+17%
  • The whole community is made up of like-minded individuals who want to explore BDSM, Kink and Fetish world
  • Members from the United States make up more than half of the total FetLife population
  • Males dominate the site
  • Newbies to the Kinkster community are welcome to register
  • Most of the members are between 25-34 years old

As mentioned, the site's foundation is based on the sexual interests of the creator of the FetLife. This roots from having difficulties in finding a woman who will share sexual fantasies with him. Using the site lets members access an extensive database of like-minded individuals who share similar views about the Fetliife BDSM, Kink, and Fetish communities. They can also meet those who are newbies or are interested in trying.

More than half of the members of FetLife come from the United States. The significant number of members exists because people are becoming more open to these kinds of set-ups. They like to explore their sexualities and try new ways of spicing up their sexual lives.

Based on data, more members are males. Almost 3/4 of the whole population are men. However, it doesn't mean that there are very few female members. A quarter of the total number of members is still equal to around two million members around the world.

Don't hesitate to register if you are still new to the concept of BDSM, Kink, and Fetish. One of the purposes of groups is to discuss topics and learn new things from each other. You may opt to read the public comments silently, or you can actively participate in the discussions. 

Meet members who are mostly millennials between the ages of 25-34 years old. This is expected since this age group is composed of members who are very familiar with the use of technology. They are also at the age where they are independent enough to explore their sexualities without thinking of other people's criticisms. 

Is FetLife right for you?

Find out if FetLife is the right service for you or if there are better options.

FetLife in detail

Signing up at FetLife ★★★★★ 3.5/5

Username & password
  • You must be at least 18 years old to sign up
  • You must sign up to browse FetLife

To sign up, visit the FetLife website or download the FetLife app, available only on Android. To complete the registration, provide all required information.

Required information

  • Username
  • Date of birth
  • Location
  • Your gender
  • Profile picture upload

FetLife verifies new profiles via:

  • Email verification (required)

Aside from the email address, Fetlife will also ask for a phone number for verification purposes. They will send verification codes to your email and phone number to confirm your account.

FetLife Register
FetLife Register
Sign up on FetLife →

Making contact on FetLife ★★★★★ 4.0/5

  • Message other members for free
  • Search bar helps you easily find who you are looking for
  • Meet other members through the explore tab
  • Sending messages has a similar format to sending simple emails
  • Search for nearby members by clicking on Perv Kinkster Nearby on the conversations page
  • Everybody can send messages for free
FetLife Messaging
FetLife Messaging

You may search for other members using the FetLife search bar located at the top-left of any page in FetLife. You may also find random members on the explore tab and groups.

Some members are responsive; some are not. Be careful about who you are messaging and how you message them because some of them can respond rudely. Better read their profiles first and check if they have some guidelines before you try to connect with them.

You can view the photos and videos of other members manually for free. However, if you give support, the images and videos will be filtered as most loved or the most recent ones.

Be ready to see sexually explicit content like nude photos and videos of members doing some acts. If you are not comfortable yet with it, you can choose other profiles with just the right content for you.

If you experience being harassed or disrespected by any members, feel free to add them to your blocked list. You can do this by visiting their profiles and click on the "block member" option.

Search for members around your area by clicking on Perv Kinkster Nearby on the conversations page. Make sure that your location is accurate so the site could give you the correct results too.

Unlike most dating sites, sending messages in FetLife is free. Just go to the profile of the member that you want to message and type the text on the message box which is similar to an email format. It is straightforward and has a simple layout. 

To view your previous conversations, you may check your inbox, archive, and sent messages. 

Test FetLife now →

Profile quality ★★★★★ 3.5/5

  • Fill-out six tabs of information sheets to complete your profile
  • Uploaded photos and videos are automatically displayed on your page
  • Your activities will be shown on your profile
  • Let your friends write on your wall and format their post the way they like
  • Friends and followers list can be found on the profile page
  • Profile pictures are visible to everybody for free
FetLife Profile Info
FetLife Profile Info

You can share as much information as you want on your profile. The profile page can be edited in six parts. 

On the first tab, you can edit the information you've encoded upon registration. You can also add your interest or what you are looking for in a partner.

The second tab is for a short narrative about yourself. You can format the text to make it more presentable and enticing. 

Add your relationship with another member of FetLife on tab three. However, you may only do this if you are friends with each other on the site.

Tab four is for the websites that you want your friends to visit or checkout. Just put the links and people who click on it will be redirected there.

The fifth and sixth tab is for the uploading of photos and videos, respectively. You may directly email your photo on your profile. There's also an option where you send it on your unique email address which would save it automatically to your profile. For videos, the maximum size that you can upload is 5GB.

Your activities on the site will be shown on your profile. You have the option to keep your profile private. This setting is recommended to filter out the people who can view your profile for security purposes. But if you prefer to be open and would like to be popular on the site, disable that function and have as many followers as you want.

Members can also post on your wall and format them the way you edit your bio. You may also do this if the member is your friend or has a public profile. 

Expect to see empty profiles or complete ones. Since it is not compulsory to complete the profile information, members have their option of being discreet about their real identity or they can be as open as they want with their identities.

It is not easy to detect fake members. However, if you notice something unusual about an account, you may report it directly to the support team. 

Lastly, view the list of friends and followers on the left side of the main profile.

The FetLife app ★★★★★ 3.0/5

  • FetLife App can be downloaded in .APK format for Android phones from fetlife.vip
  • Not available on Google Playstore and App Store
  • Mobile version can also be accessed using different browsers
  • All app, desktop, and mobile versions are simple and easy-to-use
  • Around 70% of the members prefer using the app/mobile version compared to the desktop version
FetLife App
FetLife App

FetLife has an app version available only for Android phones. However, it can't be downloaded from the Google Playstore. It is available only in .APK format and the link can be found on the fetlife.vip website.

For iOS users, they may opt to use their browsers such as Safari, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and the likes to download the .APK version

All the three versions-- app, desktop, and mobile versions, are simple and easy-to-use. 

Based on usage data, 70% of the users prefer to access the site using their mobile phones. It may be due to the convenience of having the phone anytime and anywhere. On the other hand, the desktop version is a convenient choice for members who are just always at home.

It is possible to send and receive messages in the app version. However, there's a time-out for you if you've reached the maximum number of sent messages and requests. This case happens most especially when you send messages to anyone even if you don't know them personally). The time-out lasts for a few hours.

Notifications can be turned on to keep you updated on the discussions and happenings in FetLife. 

Other functions are the same as the desktop version, so don't worry about going back and forth your phone and desktop to check things out.

Lastly, you can be discreet about having the FetLife app on your phone. Change the setting of the app to show only the generic logo as an icon.

Overall, people are satisfied with using the app compared to the desktop site.

Our field test ★★★★★ 3.5/5

"I'm a dominant male, and it is so hard to find submissive women in bed. I tried using the site, and I found some interesting members. Communication is easy since the app is free. But other members never reply or answer like jerks. FetLife is okay. Nothing to lose anyway since almost everything is free."  Andrew, 32

Design & usability

Design and Usability

The overall design of FetLife is easy-to-use and straightforward. It even has FAQs on the side for some parts of the site to give guidance to the users. One example is the maximum file size of the video that you can upload on your profile video. This readily available guideline prevents users from making a mistake and saving them time and effort.

Not all may like the colour combination of the site, which is mostly black and grey. Some texts are in red. It may seem so dark and not appealing to the eye. However, it greatly represents the mysteriousness of the community.

Even members with just basic ability to navigate a site or app wouldn't get lost in using FetLife. What you see is what you get. It is not hard to use at all.

Special features

The features of FetLife are just simple. However, there's one feature that makes it different from regular dating sites:

Fetishes +

This feature lets a member explore the fetishes that he or she is interested in. By clicking among the choices of fetishes (there are more than 60 of them), you will be redirected to the list of members and groups with the same interest. There's also a list of related fetishes that you might want to check out too.

Cancelling your FetLife subscription

How you can cancel

  • Via your profile settings on FetLife

Contact details

CompanyBitlove Inc.
AddressSuite 125, 718333, Brooksbank Avenue, North Vancouver, British Columbia, V7J 3V8
Emailsupport@fetlife.com

Do subscriptions auto-renew?

Your FetLife subscription does not renew automatically.

Money-back guarantee

  • FetLife offers a money-back guarantee with a full refund
  • You have 7 days to cancel and get your money back

Refunds are limited to one per person.

Try FetLife free →
Final results
Signup3.5/5
Making contact4.0/5
Profile quality3.5/5
App3.0/5
Field test3.5/5
Overall3.0/5
Try FetLife free →
Share your FetLife experience ★★★★★

FetLife FAQ

PAYMENT
Is my "support" to FetLife automatically renewed every month?

No. You renew your support manually. 

I am not satisfied with the FetLife. Can I get my money back?

The site has a 7-day return policy. However, it is only applicable if you send your support through any of the payment options, except the following: Gift card Trade-In, POLi, Paysafecard, or Bitcoin.                                                    

How will my FetLife support appear on my credit card bill?

The billing will show BitLove Inc.

Can I give support to other FetLife members?

Yes, you can. On the send message option, you'll find "Gift Support." Just click on it and send your little gift.

Can I send support for just a month?

No, FetLife support is for a minimum of 6 months.

FACTS
What is FetLife?

FetLife is a social networking platform for the BDSM, fetish, and kink community, founded in 2008. Members connect through discussion groups, private messaging, and event listings, and more than half of FetLife's user base comes from the United States. Unlike typical dating apps, FetLife has no traditional premium subscription, members can optionally support the platform through monthly donations instead.

What kind of sexual fantasies are not allowed in FetLife?

FetLife doesn't allow pedophilic fantasies, incest, zoophilia, necrophilia, scat, and animal cruelty.

Why can't I add my partner on a relationship status in FetLife?

Make sure that you are friends with your friend in FetLife before adding them to your relationship list.

Can I delete a photo that I uploaded in FetLife?

Yes, you can delete a photo that you've uploaded. Click on the picture and the link to remove it will be shown there.

What kind of video formats are allowed to be uploaded to my FetLife profile?

Any video file can be uploaded. If you are having a problem with uploading, you may email the support team.

What is "perv"?

Perv in FetLife means you check out, view, or see something.

SECURITY
Who should I contact if I have questions regarding my privacy in FetLife?

For any questions regarding this matter, send an email to privacy@fetlife.com.

Can I delete the information that I've already submitted to FetLife?

Yes, simply go to "Edit Profile" and "Settings" page to edit or delete the information.

I don't want to be a part of FetLife anymore. Can I delete my account?

You can delete your account permanently or just deactivate temporarily.

Is it safe to use FetLife?

Using FetLife is safe since all the information you shared is encrypted. Also, your deleted information is automatically deleted on their servers as well.

Are there fake or scam members on FetLife?

FetLife claims to do its best to prevent such kinds of members from existing on the site. However, you may report it to them if you notice some unusual profiles so they can check.

You did not find your question? Ask us!

Founder of DatingScout and Author of the book "Online Dating for Dummies"
Chris founded DatingScout 17 years ago, and today he is one of the leading Online Dating Experts. He is the author of the book "Online Dating for Dummies" and the author of the Internet's largest online dating study analyzing 20 Million Profile Pictures with artificial intelligence. Chris Pleines holds a master degree in media science and appeared in numerous television interviews and publications to give expert advice as well as tips about online dating.