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Software · head to head

Mastodon vs Match.com

Mastodon logo

Mastodon

Software

Social networking that's not for sale

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Match.com logo

Match.com

Software

Start something real

From
$35.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Mastodon has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Mastodon the App Store listing (publisher Mastodon gGmbH) states the official app is free with no subscription tier; as a federated non-profit network there is no vendor-hosted enterprise plan or SLA available to purchase.; Match.com without a subscription you can only chat with recommended matches rather than anyone you find
  • They diverge on capability: Mastodon covers Decentralization, Match.com covers Advanced Search.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Mastodon and Match.com actually diverge.

Attributes where Mastodon and Match.com differ
AttributeMastodonMatch.com
Starting priceFree$35.99/month
Pricing modelfreesubscription
Free tierYesNo
Founded20161993

Identical on both: platforms (Ios, Android, Web), 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 Mastodon

  • Decentralization
  • Custom Servers
  • No Ads
  • Chronological Feed
  • Content Warnings
  • Federation
  • ActivityPub
  • Fediverse

Only in Match.com

  • Advanced Search
  • Daily Matches
  • Messaging
  • Profile Verification
  • Events
  • Dating Advice

Both cover

  • Ios support
  • Android support
  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Mastodon

No use cases recorded yet. See the Mastodon review.

Match.com

  • Finding long-term relationship matches with detailed search criterianot Mastodon
  • Attending online and in-person singles eventsnot Mastodon
  • Getting profile and first-date coaching from Match dating expertsnot Mastodon

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Mastodon

  • The App Store listing (publisher Mastodon gGmbH) states the official app is free with no subscription tier; as a federated non-profit network there is no vendor-hosted enterprise plan or SLA available to purchase.

Match.com

  • Without a subscription you can only chat with recommended matches rather than anyone you find
  • Seeing unlimited profiles requires the Premium subscription
  • Advanced search filters are Premium only
  • Reconnecting with profiles you already passed on requires Premium
  • Profile boosts to be seen faster are Premium only
  • The iOS app requires iOS 16.0 or later

Pricing, plan by plan

Mastodon

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Toots
    • Federation
    • Custom Instances

Match.com

$35.99/month
  • Standard$35.99/month
    • Messaging
    • See Who Viewed You
    • Search Filters
  • Premium$44.99/month
    • All Standard Features
    • Read Receipts
    • Profile Boost

Which should you pick?

Choose Mastodon if

  • You need decentralization.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Ios, Android, Web.
  • You also want custom servers.
Mastodon review

Choose Match.com if

  • You need advanced search.
  • You work on Ios, Android, Web.
  • You also want daily matches.
Match.com review

Questions people ask

Is Mastodon or Match.com better?
Neither clearly leads. Mastodon starts at Free and Match.com at $35.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Mastodon or Match.com?
Mastodon has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Mastodon and $35.99/month for Match.com.
Does Mastodon or Match.com run on more platforms?
Both run on Ios, Android, Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use Mastodon for free?
Yes. Mastodon has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Match.com starts at $35.99/month.
What can Mastodon do that Match.com cannot?
Mastodon covers Decentralization, Custom Servers, No Ads, Chronological Feed. Match.com covers Advanced Search, Daily Matches, Messaging, Profile Verification. Both handle Ios support, Android support, Web support.
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Related pages

More on Mastodon

More on Match.com

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