Software · head to head
Badoo vs Plenty of Fish
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Badoo less popular than Tinder in developed Western markets; Plenty of Fish high prevalence of fake profiles and bot accounts despite phone verification
- They diverge on capability: Badoo covers Encounters, Plenty of Fish covers Free Messaging.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Badoo and Plenty of Fish actually diverge.
| Attribute | Badoo | Plenty of Fish |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | freemium | Unknown |
| Platforms | iOS, Android, Web | Web, iOS, Android |
| Founded | 2006 | 2003 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Badoo
- Encounters
- People Nearby
- Live Video
- Photo Verification
- Spotlight
- Super Powers
Only in Plenty of Fish
- Free Messaging
- Chemistry Test
- Meet Me
- Ultra Match
- Live Streaming
- Video Chat
Both cover
- Ios support
- Android support
- Web support
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Badoo
- Less popular than Tinder in developed Western markets
- Profile verification process is weaker than competitors, leading to more fake profiles
Plenty of Fish
- High prevalence of fake profiles and bot accounts despite phone verification
- Inconsistent moderation allows scammers to evade detection
- Desktop website features advanced search not available in mobile app
- No social media integrations for profile enrichment
Pricing, plan by plan
Badoo
Free- FreeFree
- Encounters
- Messaging
- People Nearby
- Premium$12.99/month
- See Who Likes You
- Invisible Browsing
- Popularity Boost
Plenty of Fish
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Plenty of Fish review.
Which should you pick?
Choose Badoo if
- You need encounters.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on iOS, Android, Web.
- You also want people nearby.
Choose Plenty of Fish if
- You need free messaging.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, iOS, Android.
- You also want chemistry test.
Questions people ask
- Is Badoo or Plenty of Fish better?
- Neither clearly leads. Badoo starts at Free and Plenty of Fish at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Badoo or Plenty of Fish?
- Badoo starts at Free and Plenty of Fish at Free.
- Does Badoo or Plenty of Fish run on more platforms?
- Badoo runs on iOS, Android, Web. Plenty of Fish runs on Web, iOS, Android.
- Can I use Badoo for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What can Badoo do that Plenty of Fish cannot?
- Badoo covers Encounters, People Nearby, Live Video, Photo Verification. Plenty of Fish covers Free Messaging, Chemistry Test, Meet Me, Ultra Match. Both handle Ios support, Android support, Web support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Badoo: When was Badoo founded?
Badoo was founded in April 2006 in London by Russian entrepreneur Andrey Andreev and is available in 190 countries in 47 languages.
SourcePlenty of Fish: Is Plenty of Fish completely free to use?
Yes, Plenty of Fish offers free account creation, profile search, and messaging. Premium subscriptions are optional and add features like ad removal and advanced filters.
SourcePlenty of Fish: What platforms does Plenty of Fish support?
Plenty of Fish is available on Web, iOS (17.0 or later), and Android. There is no native Windows desktop application.
SourcePlenty of Fish: Does Plenty of Fish require phone verification?
Yes, Plenty of Fish requires phone number verification during signup to reduce fake profiles and improve security.
SourcePlenty of Fish: What does the free tier include?
The free tier allows users to create a profile, upload photos, search and browse profiles, send and receive messages, and view who likes them.
Source