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Dating · head to head

Badoo vs Facebook Dating

Badoo logo

Badoo

Dating

Make the first move

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Facebook Dating logo

Facebook Dating

Dating

It's not complicated

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Badoo has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Badoo less popular than Tinder in developed Western markets; Facebook Dating only available in approximately 50 countries, limiting global reach compared to Tinder or Bumble
  • They diverge on capability: Badoo covers Encounters, Facebook Dating covers Secret Crush.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Badoo and Facebook Dating actually diverge.

Attributes where Badoo and Facebook Dating differ
AttributeBadooFacebook Dating
Starting priceFreeOn request
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsiOS, Android, WebiOS, Android
Founded20062018

Identical on both: pricing model (freemium), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Dating).

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
  • Facebook
  • Web support

Only in Facebook Dating

  • Secret Crush
  • Events Integration
  • Groups Integration
  • Stories
  • Instagram Integration
  • Video Chat
  • Facebook Events
  • Facebook Groups

Both cover

  • Instagram
  • Ios support
  • Android support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Badoo

No use cases recorded yet. See the Badoo review.

Facebook Dating

  • People in niche groups finding partners with shared hobbiesnot Badoo
  • Event attendees connecting romantically from the same eventsnot Badoo
  • Facebook community members discovering dating prospects through groupsnot Badoo
  • Users keeping dating activity separate from regular Facebooknot Badoo

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

Facebook Dating

  • Only available in approximately 50 countries, limiting global reach compared to Tinder or Bumble
  • Mobile-only platform with no desktop access, restricting usage to smartphones
  • Limited communication options: text-only messaging with no video chat feature
  • Only 20% year-over-year user growth in US/Canada (280M+ users) versus Tinder's 50M+ active daters
  • Smaller active dating user base makes finding matches difficult outside major metropolitan areas
  • Privacy concerns due to Meta's history of data mishandling and data collection for ad targeting
  • Algorithm matches based on shared interests do not necessarily ensure compatibility, particularly regarding life goals

Pricing, plan by plan

Badoo

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Encounters
    • Messaging
    • People Nearby
  • Premium$12.99/month
    • See Who Likes You
    • Invisible Browsing
    • Popularity Boost

Facebook Dating

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Facebook Dating 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.
Badoo review

Choose Facebook Dating if

  • You need secret crush.
  • You work on iOS, Android.
  • You also want events integration.
Facebook Dating review

Questions people ask

Is Badoo or Facebook Dating better?
Neither clearly leads. Badoo starts at Free and Facebook Dating at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Badoo or Facebook Dating?
Badoo has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Badoo and On request for Facebook Dating.
Does Badoo or Facebook Dating run on more platforms?
Badoo runs on iOS, Android, Web. Facebook Dating runs on iOS, Android.
Can I use Badoo for free?
Yes. Badoo has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Facebook Dating starts at On request.
What can Badoo do that Facebook Dating cannot?
Badoo covers Encounters, People Nearby, Live Video, Photo Verification. Facebook Dating covers Secret Crush, Events Integration, Groups Integration, Stories. Both handle Instagram, Ios support, Android 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.

Source
Facebook Dating: Is Facebook Dating free to use?

Yes. Facebook Dating is completely free with no subscriptions or premium tiers. All features including unlimited likes and seeing who liked you are free, unlike competitors like Tinder.

Source
Facebook Dating: How does Facebook Dating protect my privacy?

Facebook Dating creates a separate dating profile invisible to friends and family. Matches come from groups, events, and pages you follow. However, Meta collects dating activity data to improve algorithms and target ads, raising concerns given Facebook's history of data mishandling.

Source
Facebook Dating: What devices can I access Facebook Dating on?

Facebook Dating is only available on mobile via Facebook apps for Android and iPhone. Desktop access is not supported.

Source
Facebook Dating: What countries is Facebook Dating available in?

Facebook Dating is available in approximately 50 countries including the US, Canada, Europe (32 countries), and select other regions. Global availability is more limited compared to competitors like Tinder.

Source
Facebook Dating: How does Facebook Dating match users?

Facebook Dating uses an algorithm based on user preferences, activity, mutual connections, and shared interests from groups and events you follow. However, research shows little evidence that similarity algorithms actually predict dating compatibility.

Source
Facebook Dating: Does Facebook Dating have video chat?

No. Facebook Dating only supports text messaging for communication. Video chat is not available, unlike some competitors that offer video call features before meeting.

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