FriendFinder Review January 2021: Pros & Cons

Love and friendship don’t recognize boundaries. FriendFinder is an international platform that joins people’s hearts all over the world. You can rightly call the company as the pioneer of the global dating market since they are the first in this industry. The resource is a part of a network that includes several more dating portals.

This site is remarkable for versatility since it has no focus on a location, type of relationships, or ethnicity. It works as a social media resource with plenty of communicative tools and matchmaking features. The website aims to connect adults for fun and entertainment, sex and love, dating, and marriage. No predictions are possible when you are on FriendFinder. The outcome of messaging and chatting might lead to either a brief affair or long-lasting relationships. Experience has shown, however, that casual dating is more probable than something serious is.

Reputation and history of FriendFinder

Andrew Conru, a Ph.D. student at Stanford University at that time, launched this project in 1996. He managed to become a wealthy Internet businessman due to the success of FriendFinder. Penthouse Media Group became the owner of the portal’s parent company in 2007 for $500M.

Over the next few years, the company had been running into financial difficulties that led to bankruptcy in 2013. Then, the management presented an effective strategy of reorganization and started its way to the top rates of dating websites from scratch. Andrew Conru took over the company as CEO, making the website drive 35M visitors per month. So, FriendFinder successfully operates on the market of dating services now.

Website, App, interface, registration

The FriendFinder website has a vintage design, to put it mildly. It seems overcrowded with buttons and images, but, on closer examination, it’s straightforward and easy-to-navigate. There are many links to provide fast access to various sections on the website. Besides, a convenient drop-down menu lets you see the latest suggestions. The application form is easily accessible via the “Join now” button available on each of the website’s pages.

Nevertheless, FriendFinder’s main benefit is zero distracting ads on the screen during your activity on the platform. Generally, the interface caters to middle-aged people’s requirements, but it might be weird for a young audience.

If you want to test all the features of the website, it’s time to initiate registration. The signup process won’t bother you with multiple stages and fields, offering to make just several steps. So, how to create an account on FriendFinder?

Click the “Join now” button on any web page you’ve landed.
Provide the site with your gender and sexual identity.
Type in your birthday, country of residence, and your native city (or, the closest location).
Specify the email; invent a username and a password.
Point out some personal information (marital status, what you are looking for, etc.).

When you complete the registration, start contacting other members of the website. Besides, it’s possible to look through the profiles of potential partners as an unregistered visitor.

Are the accounts real here?

You can face a certain percentage of fake profiles on FriendFinder, like on any other dating website. However, there are myriads of real accounts to choose a friend with benefits or a partner for one-night stand.

When you start your search, dozens of previews with photos appear on the web page. They contain such initial info as residence, tagline, what he/she is looking for, and the time of the last visit. Registration opens the gates to a full-fledged profile with the details of appearance, character, and lifestyle.

FriendFinder monitors the users’ behavior. However, an extensive background check is impossible because of the privacy policy of the portal. That’s why the users should report about harassment or fraud to the support service.

Website and mobile version

Signup, search, and messaging are enjoyable and hassle-free. The service has a responsive design that makes it compatible with both desktop and mobile devices. Moreover, on-the-go users can download the All FriendFinder mobile app for free and get a comfortable place for communication with other members of the community. You’ll access all the features of the parent website, including searching the new members, checking emails, etc. Only the iOS devices’ owners can currently enjoy the app. Those who prefer Android gadgets have to settle for the mobile version of FriendFinder.

Special Features

FriendFinder has enough useful features to make online dating comfortable and productive. They help feel relaxed, have fun, express your creativity, and get many relevant matches.

Video presentation.

This option allows recording a short video clip to put it up on the profile page. It’s possible to take a video by your web camera or upload a file from the computer. Video presentation helps sell yourself as one and attract more attention.

“Magazines” section

The community members can place their publications in this section, meaning to post articles where they share their experience, give tips, and discuss various sides of dating. This option is very engaging, and helps men and women be always in sight.

Blogging.

Those who own FriendFinder accounts can run their blogs on the website. Free users have the right to post short texts, and premium members are entitled to publish articles with images and photos. A comment section under each of the posts allows both free and VIP users to give their opinions and share impressions.

“Hot or Not”

This unique feature is similar to a Tinder’s swipe. The option makes it possible to approve or reject other users’ photos when you tap the “Hot” or “Not” button.

Live Webcam

This adult feature allows people to watch other users online, viewing their activities and love games.

Tokens

FriendFinder rewards you with points for your activities on the website. You can spend them to unlock opportunities that are usually available for premium members.

Partner search

FriendFinder drives traffic from the USA, India, Germany, the UK, Canada, and several more countries. However, if you have scheduled a date for this weekend, it’s also possible to find a partner nearby. The website provides you with tons of opportunities to make your plans come to reality.

How does FriendFinder work?

Once you’ve entered the FriendFinder space, the whole universe of dating is right in front of you. You should just register to start getting benefits, but upgrade the account to premium membership to access a full set of options.

Once your profile is ready, you’ll get matches and likes. Besides, you can start outreaching other members to initiate a promising conversation. If you need a partner in your locality, it’s better to use the “Hot or Not” option. When you plan a trip, choose a resident of the country you are going to visit. The “Who’s online” feature will help you to contact active members instantly.

Searching options and filters at FriendFinder

The initial search implies such filters as age, sex, and location. The deeper seeking means using any piece of the profile content as filters, including body type and education. Besides, it’s possible to base a search on who’s online, new members, and more.

In addition to filters, people can also use instant messages to outreach people from other cross-branded resources. Moreover, you can use your social media profile on Facebook to connect with relevant partners. Bear in mind that its’ possible to adjust the list of match preferences to get valid suggestions.

Communication methods

Note that only a premium member of FriendFinder has the right to initiate a contact. Free users are entitled to send flirts to let their favorites know about their interest and sympathy. Those who acquire a subscription, get access to a chat room, instant messenger, and flash chat. Besides, you can participate in forums and group chats to show your best sides and to find a partner. Interaction via blogs might also be pretty useful.

FriendFinder Alternatives

If you want to vary your dating experience, try some alternatives for FriendFinder.

eHarmony

This international dating service focuses on serious matches to help people find soul mates despite religion, distance, race, and languages.

Match.com

It’s versatile and entertaining, connecting people for love. If you cannot find a partner within six months of your membership, the platform will comfort you with another six free months.

Ashley Madison

The website works for married people or those who have relationships. It caters to cheaters that find discreet or even “taboo” dating for thrills and extreme.

Tinder App

It’s a hookup swipe-styled app with the huge user pool. The service has the rep of the platform for casual dating, but you can find a partner there for all kinds of relationships.

OKCupid.com

The portal stands out from rivals, being a multi-layered service with low-priced paid plans. The service allows sending free messages, but only if both members like each other.

LavaLife.com

The website covers the USA and Canada, being friendly to sexual minority groups. You can find like-minded people regardless of your preferences and expectations.

Cupid.com

The platform features a robust database of singles Parent Dating from the United Kingdom, the flash-based video conferences, and free test-drive that is valid for 24 hours from the moment of signup.

Badoo.com

Badoo mimics social media platforms when it offers opportunities to make new friends online. It focuses on flings and flirts rather than on long-lasting dating.

Master Matchmakers

The service cooperates with the affiliated professional matchmakers in the largest cities of the USA. The unique platform combines typical features of online dating with such offline agencies’ perks as personal coaches and matchmakers.

LDS Planet

This website will suit those looking for serious relationships and marriage, LDS Church members, and single Mormons, like other LDS dating sites. The platform is notable for a large number of happy love stories.

Membership Price and Payment Method

The prices on FriendFinder are average and affordable enough to prevent you from hurting your wallet. It’s possible to use credit/debit cards to pay the bill. The mobile daters users can pay via their smartphones.

Free Membership Features

Free membership on FriendFinder provides you with a promising start on the platform. You’ll get the opportunity to build your online presence and attract other users’ attention to your personality. Except for the standard option to sign up and create a profile (without a photo), you are entitled to start blogging (plain texts without pictures) and create a personal magazine. Besides, it’s possible to join forums for discussions, chats, and just having a good time in the company of open-minded people.

Premium Membership Features

Personal messaging and private interaction with other members requires a paid subscription. Premium presence on FriendFinder gives you full access to messaging, getting profile highlights, looking through the profiles, full-sized photo galleries, and video introductions. Besides, technical support is available via phone to ensure instant solutions for a diversity of issues. If you are into the paid membership, instant messages are also at your disposal since you get access to the instant messenger accounts of other daters (ICQ, AIM, YIM, and MSN).

Is there a critical variance between Gold and Silver plans?

Silver

One month – $22.95/month
3 months – $13.95/month ($41.85)
6 months – $10.95/month ($65.70)

Gold

You can attach up to 20 photos.
The complete list of matches starts from 30 into infinity.
The system stores your emails for 120 days.
It’s possible to include up to 1000 users in your Hotlist.
Technical support ensures a response within 12 hours.

How much is dating on FriendFinder?

Silver

One month – $22.95/month
3 months – $13.95/month ($41.85)
6 months – $10.95/month ($65.70)

Gold

One month – $34.95/month
3 months – $19.98/month ($59.94)
6 months – $15.93/month ($95.60)

Is FriendFinder Really Safe?

Technically, FriendFinder is safe if you mean the risk of cyber-attacks. The platform prevents your account from leaking to third-party companies and resources. However, your financial transactions and personal information will be secure until you start sharing the crucial data with other members. The dating portal recommends being cautious even when online interaction has already turned into a face-to-face date.

Technical side of protection

The FriendFinder platform requires email verification before you get access to the portal’s features after registration. Your interaction and transaction stay private and secure due to the SSL encryption of the website. The service takes all the standard measures (firewalls, for example) to secure clients’ data. If the moderators note suspicious interaction, they track the member’s ISP (Internet Service Provider) to ban the scammer.

Customer Support

The support service works without a break on FriendFinder. You can get a response in a couple of hours or within 12–48 hours. The timeout is dependable on the membership. Of course, the VIPs are in order of urgency.

Conclusion

FriendFinder is an all-in-one platform for open-minded people. Regardless of its design, it allows putting an end to routine and fully immersing yourself in tempting and cockeyed online dating. The opportunity to run a personal blog and outreach to other members on forums is a rare chance to shine. So, even if your searches are doomed to failure, the service ensures exciting interaction and plenty of new friends.

Of course, you have to make efforts to stay away from scammers on FriendFinder. Besides, it’s necessary to upgrade to a premium membership to enjoy all the website’s features. However, these issues are typical for online dating and might be completely invisible if you know what you are doing.