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Our Verdict
OkCupid is an inclusive dating website with a comprehensive free plan and unique matching algorithm. It’s loaded with plenty of unique free and paid features like an in-depth questionnaire that connects you to others with similar interests and beliefs as well as Boosts and SuperBoosts, which show your profile to more users for a set time period.
- Millions of registered users
- Compatibility Quiz produces a Compatibility Score that breaks down what you’re looking for in a partner
- Personality Profile helps you understand how you and your matches matches connect
- Members represent individuals of all ages and demographics
- Access to dating advice articles, videos & blog posts created by experts
Key Features
- SuperLike: You can SuperLike a member to increase your chances of matching with them. When someone gives you a SuperLike, you’ll see them in a separate Stack or column. You can also send notes with SuperLikes and message someone before they Like you back.
- Match %: The Match % feature shows you how compatible you are with another member. It uses the questionnaire you both answer when signing up to calculate this figure.
- Passport: With the Passport feature, you can find matches that meet your needs but may be a bit further from you. This may be useful if you are interested in connecting with others outside of your local area.
OkCupid was founded in 2003 by four students at Harvard University. Originally, these students created TheSpark, which offered study guides for various subjects and is now known as SparkNotes. TheSpark also had a SparkMatch feature, which let users take the Briggs-Myers personality test and contact others based on their results. SparkMatch was so popular that it eventually became a separate site that was later renamed as OkCupid. Today, OkCupid exists to help people “find love and happiness through meaningful relationships with deep human connections.”
OkCupid at a Glance
- Connecting members: The OkCupid site claims the platform is responsible for 50,000 dates per week and over 91 million connections each year.
- Matching methodology: The OkCupid algorithm considers the basic criteria you’re looking for in a match, any deal breakers you set and how important each question is to you on the questionnaire. Then, it creates a Match % score and connects you with users who have similar priorities, interests and preferences.
- Commitment to safety: OkCupid does not tolerate fake profiles and those who create fake accounts are subject to being banned from the platform.
How It Works
To get started with OkCupid, visit OkCupid.com or download the dating app on your iOS or Android device. Then, enter your email address and basic personal information like your name, gender, city, relationship type (new friends, short-term dating, long-term dating, hookups) and whether you’re open to a monogamous relationship, non-monogamous relationship or both. You’ll also be asked about the gender, age, location, body type, height and background of the individual you hope to meet.
Next, you’ll upload photos of yourself and write a short bio. The final step of the process is a questionnaire that helps OkCupid connect you with matches. You can expect a variety of 15 questions about your beliefs, interests and values that run the gamut, such as:
- How important is religion to you?
- Do you like scary movies?
- Could you ever date someone really messy?
As you answer each question, you’ll be asked to state the answers you’ll accept (yes, no or both) as well as how important the question is to you. Once you complete the questionnaire, you’ll be directed to the Discover page, where you can set a location radius, browse matches, send messages and more.
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The Cost
You can create an OkCupid account for free and chat with other users without a subscription. But if you want more features, you may upgrade to OkCupid Basic, OkCupid Premium or Incognito Mode.
With OkCupid Basic, you’ll be able to send unlimited Likes, set Dealbreakers for Preferences that are non-negotiables, avoid ads and see all your Intros at one time. Intros are initial messages or ice breakers from users who have liked you.
OkCupid Premium includes all of the features that come with OkCupid Basic, plus a few extras—it lets you see everyone who Likes you before you Like them, as well as the way members answer their questions, even if you haven’t answered the same ones. Plus, you’ll get three free SuperLikes per week.
You can also purchase some a la carte premium features on their own or in bundles. These include OkCupid Boosts (these show your profile to more people for 30 minutes), OkCupid SuperBoosts (these highlight your profile for three, six or 12 hours), Read Receipts (these show you who read your messages) and OkCupid Stacks (these let you filter by specific categories).
The Incognito Mode subscription lets you keep your profile active while you’re completely hidden to anyone you don’t Like or message. Only people you Like or message can see your profile.
No matter which paid plan you choose, you’ll have the option of a one, three or six-month subscription. Pricing for the paid plans is as follows:
OkCupid Basic
- One month: $29.99 per month
- Three months: $19.99 per month
- Six months: $14.99 per month
OkCupid Premium
- One month: $39.99 per month
- Three months: $26.66 per month
- Six months: $19.99 per month
Incognito
- One month: $19.99 per month
- Three months: $14.99 per month
- Six months: $9.99 per month
Note that various discounts and promotions can impact pricing.
The Fine Print
To register for OkCupid, you must add at least one photo. If you don’t, you won’t be able to move on to the questionnaire and eventually start using your account. While you can take advantage of OkCupid’s free plan, you will also have to deal with ads.
In the event that you upgrade to any of the three paid subscriptions, you’ll have to pay for the entire amount upfront. This means if you choose three months of OkCupid Premium, for example, you’ll be responsible for $79.98 when you make your purchase, rather than $26.66 per month for the next three months.
What Experts Say
“I think OkCupid is a great dating platform for people who are looking to date seriously because the app focuses on compatibility and inclusivity,” says Sam Nabil, a licensed professional counselor and founder of Naya Clinics, based in Cincinnati. “It can help create long-term relationships based on the same interests, beliefs and preferences.”
“But it’s not just for long-term relationships,” he adds. “It [also] caters to people who are looking for short-term relationships, platonic friendships and hookups. The extensive profile is one of the best features of OkCupid, in my opinion, because it can help users easily find matches that suit their preferences.”
The Experience
I purchased OkCupid Premium and thought the site was very user-friendly and robust. The Discover page is well laid out and organized my matches based on who was online, nearby and recommended based on my criteria. The Match % feature is probably my favorite because it really hones in on the users who are similar to me. I could see which questions we agree and disagree on. I’ve used other dating platforms in the past, and have never seen anything like it.
On Trustpilot, OkCupid is rated 1.3 out of 5 stars, based on more than 445 reviews. Most of the negative reviews include complaints about fake profiles. “This site is absolutely full to the brim with fake profiles. It is so bad it should be illegal. Don’t waste your time,” says one reviewer.
The few positive reviews are from those who found success on OkCupid. “Back in 2017, I was matched with a guy who I had 90% compatibility with. Fast forward to 2022, he is now my husband! I just wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping me find the one!” says one reviewer.
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