TL;DR — Badoo Review
Badoo is a huge, mostly free întâlnire and social app for meeting people nearby, now owned by Bumble Inc. Founded in 2006, it lets you swipe, browse nearby users, message and chat video without paying, with selfie verification to cut down on fakes. It’s great for casual dating, less so for serious relationships. Rating: 3/5.
- Best for: casual dating and meeting people nearby, especially in Europe and Latin America
- Cost: free; Premium roughly $13–$26/month depending on region
- Standout feature: free messaging and video conversație plus People Nearby
- Skip it if: you want a serious-relationship app with consistently high profile quality
Badoo is one of the oldest and largest dating apps in the world, and it’s still a go-to free option in many countries. In this 2026 review we cover how it works, what’s free, what Premium and credits cost, how safe it is, and how it compares with its sister app Bumble și Tinder.
Badoo at a glance
| What it is | Dating and social discovery app |
| Launched | 2006 |
| Founder | Andrey Andreev |
| Owner | Bumble Inc. (Badoo is based in London) |
| Platforms | iOS, Android and web |
| Utilizatori | More than 500 million registered (company figure) |
| Preț | Free; Premium roughly $13–$26/month, cheaper on longer plans; optional credits |
| Verification | Selfie-based photo verification |
| Age requirement | 18+ |
| Our rating | 3 / 5 |
What is Badoo?
Badoo is a free dating and social app that helps you meet people nearby for chats, dates or friendship. It was founded in 2006 by Andrey Andreev, is based in London and has been part of Bumble Inc. since the group was formed. Badoo says it has more than 500 million registered users, and it is especially active in Europe, Latin America and parts of Asia, although the number of people using it each month is far smaller than that headline figure.
Badoo sits between a aplicație de întâlniri and a social discovery app, closer in feel to Lovoo sau Întâlnește-te cu mine than to relationship-focused services.
How does Badoo work?
- Download Badoo on iOS or Android, or use the website, and sign up with your phone number, email or a social account.
- Add photos and a short bio, and complete selfie verification to get a verified badge.
- Swipe through profiles in Encounters, or browse People Nearby to see who’s close by.
- Send messages, photos or start a video chat with people you like.
- Upgrade to Premium or buy credits if you want to see who liked you or boost your profile.
Badoo features
| Caracteristică | What it does | De ce contează |
|---|---|---|
| Encounters | Swipe to like or pass on profiles | Quick, familiar way to find matches |
| People Nearby | Shows users close to your location | Its main draw for meeting locals |
| Free messaging | Chat without a subscription | No paywall to start talking |
| Chat video | Built-in video calls | Check someone is real before meeting |
| Photo verification | Selfie check that earns a badge | Helps cut down on fake profiles |
| Lookalikes | Find people who resemble someone you choose | A fun, if gimmicky, discovery tool |
Badoo pricing: free vs Premium and credits
Badoo’s core features are free, including swiping, messaging and video chat. Premium unlocks seeing who liked you, undoing Encounters votes, invisible mode, highlighted messages and no ads. Prices vary a lot by country: independent reviews list one month at roughly $13 to $26, with three- and six-month plans working out cheaper per month, and some regions offer a lifetime option. Credits, sold separately, pay for boosts such as Spotlight. Subscriptions renew automatically and credits expire after a few months.
Pros and cons
| Pro | Contra |
|---|---|
| Free messaging and video chat | Profile quality is mixed |
| Huge international user base | Fake profiles still get through |
| Selfie verification badge | Better for casual dating than serious relationships |
| People Nearby for meeting locals | Prices and features vary by country |
| Web and app access | Credits add another layer of spending |
Este Badoo sigur?
Badoo is reasonably safe for a free dating app: it offers selfie verification, moderation and block and report tools, and it’s backed by a large, publicly listed owner. Independent testers still report fake profiles, so use the usual precautions.
- Favour verified profiles with the blue badge.
- Video chat before meeting to confirm the person matches their photos.
- Be careful with People Nearby and avoid sharing your exact address or routine.
- Never send money or gift cards to anyone you meet online.
- 18+ only. Badoo is for adults, and age checks rely partly on users being honest.
How Badoo compares
| App | Cel mai bun pentru | Free? | Standout | Our rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Badoo | Casual dating and meeting people nearby | Yes, with Premium | Free video chat, People Nearby | 3/5 |
| Bumble | Verified, respectful dating | Yes, with paid tiers | Photo and ID verification | 3.5/5 |
| Tinder | The biggest swipe pool | Yes, with paid tiers | Sheer volume | See review |
| Lovoo | Social discovery in German-speaking countries | Yes, with paid extras | Trăi streaming and radar | See review |
If you want something more relationship-focused, OkCupid and its compatibility questions is a better fit, while Tinder usually has more active users in the US and UK.
Who is Badoo best for?
Badoo is best for people who want a free app for casual dating, chatting and meeting people nearby, particularly in Europe and Latin America. It’s less suited to anyone looking for a serious partner with carefully curated matches. If you’d simply like to meet someone new face to face right now, our free video chat with strangers needs no sign-up (18+).
Frequently asked questions
Is Badoo free?
Yes. You can sign up, swipe in Encounters, browse People Nearby, send messages and video chat for free. Badoo Premium adds extras such as seeing who liked you and invisible mode, and costs roughly $13 to $26 for a month depending on your country, with cheaper multi-month plans.
Este Badoo sigur?
Badoo is reasonably safe for a free dating app. It uses selfie-based photo verification, moderation and block and report tools, and verified profiles show a badge. Fake profiles still get through, so favour verified matches, keep chats in the app at first and never send money.
Who owns Badoo?
Badoo was founded in 2006 by Andrey Andreev and is based in London. It is now part of Bumble Inc., the company that also runs Bumble.
How many people use Badoo?
Badoo says it has more than 500 million registered users worldwide. The number of people active each month is much lower, and activity is strongest in Europe, Latin America and parts of Asia.
Is Badoo good for serious relationships?
Badoo is better for casual dating, chatting and meeting people nearby than for serious relationships. If you want a long-term partner, a compatibility-focused app or a paid dating site may suit you better.
What is the best alternative to Badoo?
Bumble, Badoo’s sister app, offers stronger verification and a more intentional feel, Tinder has a bigger pool in many countries, and Lovoo is a similar social discovery app that is popular in German-speaking countries.
The bottom line
Badoo remains one of the most generous free dating apps, with free messaging, video chat and a big international user base. Mixed profile quality, lingering fake accounts and a casual vibe hold it back from a higher score. Use it free, stick to verified profiles and only pay if you really want to see who’s already liked you. Our rating: 3/5.
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