Plenty of Fish (POF) is one of the oldest and most well-known online dating platforms, with millions of users worldwide. Since its launch in the early 2000s, POF has earned a reputation for being a free-to-use dating service where singles from different backgrounds can meet and connect. However, as with any popular dating platform, user experiences vary widely. This article offers an honest review of Plenty of Fish from real users in 2025, highlighting the platform’s strengths and weaknesses to help you make an informed decision if considering POF as your dating app of choice.
Overview of Plenty of Fish
Plenty of Fish operates both as a website and a phone app, providing users with an accessible and feature-rich environment for online dating. Owned by Match Group, POF boasts over 130 million users globally, supporting connections across casual dating, serious relationships, and everything in between. Its free messaging feature, extensive profiles, and unique tools like behavioral matchmaking and LIVE! video streaming help set it apart from newer dating apps.
Despite its popularity, the dating world has evolved dramatically with newer apps offering different styles of engagement, raising questions about whether POF remains competitive and trustworthy in 2025.
What Real Users Are Saying: Positive Plenty of Fish Reviews
Many users appreciate Plenty of Fish for its accessibility and rich features at no cost. Here are some highlights from positive reviews:
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Completely Free Messaging: Unlike many dating apps that limit free communication, POF offers unlimited messaging without requiring an upgrade. This feature allows users to get to know matches genuinely without financial pressure.
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Large and Diverse User Base: The sheer volume of active users means singles in rural or less densely populated areas still find many potential matches to explore.
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Behavioral Matchmaking: POF’s algorithm analyzes users’ activities and preferences to suggest personalized matches, which many find helpful for more meaningful connections.
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LIVE! Streaming: This feature promotes natural conversations through real-time video streams. Users report that this helps reduce awkwardness and adds a fun, interactive dimension to online dating.
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Ease of Use: The app is simple to navigate, with straightforward profile setups and filter options that make browsing efficient.
Paul, a user from Queensland, shared a positive experience on a review platform, praising the app for sending him several high-quality match possibilities and describing the female users as “decent and intelligent”. Another user emphasized that POF worked well for her through persistent, honest interaction.
Common Complaints and Negative Reviews
Despite the positives, plenty of users express dissatisfaction with multiple aspects of Plenty of Fish. Common complaints include:
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Fake Profiles and Scammers: A frequent concern among users is the presence of fake accounts, bots, and scammers. Many find the platform struggles to effectively remove or block suspicious users, which diminishes trust and overall experience.
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Subscription and Billing Issues: Users have reported unexpected automatic renewals of premium subscriptions and difficulties canceling subscriptions. Some accuse POF of having unclear billing practices.
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Customer Support Problems: Multiple reviews highlight poor or non-responsive customer service. Users find it hard to resolve issues such as login problems, account deletions, or billing disputes.
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Quality of Matches: Some users complain about the quality of matches, finding that many profiles appear inactive or non-genuine. Negative reviews also mention a toxic user culture with frequent ghosting and inappropriate messages.
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Confusing Pricing and Features: The platform offers various premium upgrades, boosts, and tokens, which can confuse users. Some feel pressured to pay for features that were previously free or necessary to unlock better matches.
A user review on Trustpilot summed it up as “full of fake accounts” and criticized the platform for not addressing the problem effectively. Several users described negative emotional experiences due to harassment or deception on the app.
User Safety and Privacy
POF has taken steps to enhance safety by introducing email verification, phone number validation, and optional selfie verification to combat fake profiles. Users can block or report suspicious accounts at any time. Despite these measures, it is crucial for users to stay vigilant by not sharing sensitive personal information too soon and leveraging the app’s privacy controls, such as hiding age or last active time.
Plenty of Fish also provides safety tips and guidelines, including advice on meeting in public places and recognizing red flags, which fosters a safer dating environment.
Who Should Use Plenty of Fish in 2025?
POF can be a good choice for those on a tight budget who want a wide reach and no messaging restrictions. It’s also useful for people who appreciate a blend of traditional online dating (detailed profiles, messaging) and newer social features like live streaming.
Conversely, individuals looking for ultra-premium experiences, high-end matchmaking, or enhanced support may find better alternatives in apps with stricter profile moderation and clearer subscription models.
Read More: Plenty of Fish 2025, POF reviews, online dating app, POF user feedback, POF app review
Conclusion
Plenty of Fish remains a significant player in the online dating space in 2025. It offers attractive free features and a diverse population of singles, but users should be aware of its drawbacks, including fake profiles and challenging customer service.
If considering POF, weigh the positives against the negatives, take advantage of free options first, and exercise caution.
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