Badoo is one of the most popular online dating apps in the world, with 410 million active members worldwide. So, in our dating app reviews series, we cannot miss it out!

Today, we’re going to have an in-depth look at Badoo to see what it’s all about, and create our own Badoo review for you.

What Is Badoo?

Launched in 2006, Badoo is an online dating and hookup platform that was founded by Russian entrepreneur Andrey Andreev. With offices in Moscow, London, the United States and Malta, it is available in 190 countries and is available in 47 languages —which means it’s truly a worldwide dating site and app.

Singing Up for Badoo

The registration process is quite simple and asks for only basic user information. However, users have to verify their registration during sign up, which is either done by phone or other social media linking.

These are the Badoo Registration steps:

1. Visits the Badoo website or open the Badoo app.
2. Select your gender. Badoo offers over 50 gender choices.
3. Say what you want to use Badoo for: ‘Chat’, ‘Make new friends,’ or ‘Date’.
4. Add your details: name, date of birth, location, and email address.

Then, Badoo requires you to either link your account to other social media platforms, or undergoing a phone verification to confirm you are who you say you are. You’ll also be promoted to verify your photo. This involved sending a photo using your camera performing a specific pose. Verified users get a blue check mark at the bottom of the profile picture.

How Does Badoo Work?

1. Matchmaking & Connecting

For Badoo users, there are mainly two ways to meet people on the app: “Encounters” and “People Nearby.”

In the “People Nearby” section, you can search and see a grid of people currently in your area and share similar interests. You can set your search filter according to several parameters such as:

• Currently online members
• Type of relationship that you are searching for (dates, friends, chat).
• Location
• Age group
• Your distance from the member

In the “Encounters” section, you’re matched with singles the app thinks might catch your eye based on shared interests. Like Tinder, the app presents you with potential matches, and you swipe based on whether or not you want to match with them. You can click on the heart and like that profile and save it in your favorite list for future communication, or you can click on the cross icon to remove that profile from your suggestion list.

2. Communication Methods

When you get matches, how can you contact them? Badoo offers several ways to communicate. This includes text messages and video chat.

1. Sending Message to Someone on the Platform

Badoo provides instant messaging features to send unlimited messages to your matches even without a paid membership. However, you can send up to 2 messages to a fellow member. If he or she gives you a reply, only then you can send messages. Otherwise, your message is restricted.

2. Video Chat

In 2018, Badoo added a live video chat feature to its apps, giving users the chance to talk face-to-face with matches from the comfort of their own home — and even before agreeing to go out on a first date.

3. Badoo Live

This is a live streaming feature introduced by Badoo for users to broadcast their activities to other users. You can sort and filter live streams by a number of different ways to find the ones that interests you. A popular filter is by Popularity.

4. Request a Selfie

You can ask a user to upload his/her fresh photo, and if the user answers it, you will get the proof that it is a real person! Please note that the service is currently only available for women users

5. Virtual gifts

Every user can buy gifts paying with the credits and send it to their matches.

How Much Does Badoo Cost?

A basic Badoo account is free and you can make use of these Badoo’s features for free:

• 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

However, you can enjoy more benefits by paying for Badoo’s premium membership. You can get anything from a 1-day premium membership (USD0.79) to a lifetime one (Lifetime premium membership available at USD79.99).

You can access these benefits with a Badoo Premium subscription:

• View who liked you
• Highlight your messages
• See who put you on their favorites 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

You can buy Badoo credits to boost your profile. Your options are:

Be aware that this Badoo cost changes over time, depending on whether there are promotions or deals.

Badoo Review: Pros and Cons

Like any dating app, Badoo has its pros and cons. Let’s go over what we like about Badoo, and also what’s not so great about it.

Positives of Badoo

• World’s largest dating service with close to half a billion members since launch
• The basic (free) service are very extensive and include chat, uploading photos and videos and contact members.
• Badoo utilizes user verification to help reduce fake accounts.
• Numerous free features

Negatives of Badoo

• The matchmaking system requires the user to use a lot of search filters to get relevant results.
• It offers a limited search option — suggests only the members within your area.
• If you are looking for a long and ensured relationship, by then, Badoo isn’t sensible for you.

Badoo Review: Final Thoughts

Badoo has been around since 2006, and it has definitely one of the biggest social media networks (or dating platforms) in the world. What I like the app best is that you can make use of so many core features on the app without paying. And because users can verify their Badoo profiles through Facebook, a phone call, or photo verification, you know you’re not going to be cat-fished. 

If you are looking for a platform that mixes casual dating with social media, give it a try! However, if you’re looking for a long-lasting relationship, we suggest you try out eHarmony or Hinge.