You’ve probably seen cars driving around encased in advertisements. Did you know the drivers of those cars are likely getting paid just for driving around?
Car advertising is a legit way to make several hundred dollars a month — maximizing income from your vehicle if you already use your car for ride-share or food delivery services.
However, there are a few things you need to know:
Car wrap scams are rampant, and there are lots of companies with poor reviews
Some people report their cars were damaged by the wraps
Depending on where you live, you may have to pay for commercial car insurance, which typically costs more than personal car insurance
In this post, I’ll show you how to safely advertise on your car with a legitimate company:
Car advertising, or car wrap advertising, is when companies pay you for driving around with their advertisements on your vehicle.
Car wrap advertising companies match you with local brands, whose ads will be affixed to the outside of your vehicle. Depending on the company, you can choose two types of ads:
Full-car wrap that covers your vehicle's paint job
Decal ads that only cover specific areas of your vehicle, such as the side, hood, or rear window.
Most car wrap companies, like Carvertise and Nickelytics, have partner shops where you can have the ads placed on your vehicle for free. Other companies may require you to have the decals placed yourself.
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How to get paid for advertising on your car
Typically, car wrap advertising companies pay you based on how often you drive your car and where. Most have an app or website that allows you to track your miles and get paid (usually through ACH deposit or PayPal).
Who can get paid for car ads: The car advertising process
Most companies only hire drivers with cars less than 10 or 15 years old. Drivers must have a good driving record with current vehicle insurance.
Uber/Lift/DoorDash drivers can also sign up and make money on top of their ride-share earnings.
How much do you get paid to advertise on your car?
The amount you make by advertising on your car depends on several factors, like the size of the advertisement and the location and amount of time you drive. Larger, more prominent ads have larger payouts because of increased visibility and potential reach.
Driving around in a more populated metropolitan area will also fetch you more money. Most companies use an app to track your mileage and location whenever you drive.
These Reddit users shared how much they made through car wrap advertising. As a side note, several of these drivers claimed they had trouble fully removing the ads from their vehicles:
3 companies that pay you for car advertising
These are three legit car wrap advertising companies that will pay you to display ads on your vehicle:
1. Carvertise
Carvertise is a car ad company that allows you to match with relevant ad campaigns in your area for free. Drivers can choose partial or full wraps, which brand to advertise with, and can accept or decline any campaign, which typically last 2 to 6 months.
Carvertise will suggest brands to partner with, targeting areas you frequently commute, and arrange for a shop to install your car wrap for free.
Carvertise driver requirements:
18 years old with a valid drivers license/insurance
Regularly drive in one of the top 200 markets in the country
Drive at least 30 miles per day (mileage tracked via the Carvertise app)
Car must be at least model year 2008
Payout: $100 to $300 per month or $450 to $1,500 per campaign, depending on the size of the car wrap advertisement and the length of time you display it. Carvertise pays via PayPal or direct deposit (ACH deposit).
BBB: B+
Trustpilot: 3.2 stars
App Store: N/A
Google Play: 2.6 stars
2. Nickelytics
Nickelytics is a car advertising company based in Tampa, Fla., though they work with drivers across the U.S. To start, download and create an account on the Nickelytics app (available on both IOS and Android devices), which will also be used to track mileage.
Once you're approved for their advertising program, Nickelytics will put you in touch with and pay for a wrap installer. Drivers can choose between back windshield, light wrap, or full body ads. Campaigns can last anywhere from one week to three months.
Nickelytics driver requirements:
18+ years old with a clean driving record
Car is no more than 10 years old
Drive a minimum of 30 miles per day, 150 miles per week, or 450 miles/month
Rideshare and delivery drivers welcome
Payout: Nickelytics says most drivers make between $175 to $250 per car wrap advertising campaign and can make upwards of $500 depending on the type of advertisement and duration of the campaign.
BBB rating: N/A
Trustpilot rating: N/A
App Store: 3.5
Google Play: 2.5
3. Wrapify
Wrapify works with drivers across the U.S., who can get their back window, doors, or whole vehicle wrapped.
Wrapify driver requirements:
21+ years old
Pass background check
Drive a vehicle that is a 2010 model year or newer with no significant damage
Payout: Depending on whether it's a partial or full wrap, Wrapify says you can earn between $180 and $450 per month. Payments are made via direct deposit to your bank account.
These are some other car advertising companies that have raised concerns from drivers (or that have no reviews at all):
1. Free Car Media
Free Car Media has a bare bones website and claims they are still in the process of growing and making new brand partnerships. They even warn potential drivers it may take several months before a compatible ad match can be made.
We were not able to find any customer reviews for Free Car Media.
Free Car Media driver requirements:
Clean driving record
Drivers can elect to opt out of a campaign if not satisfied
Drivers manually track miles driven
Payout: Free Car Media claims rear window advertising pays $50+ per month, while full vehicle wraps pay up to $400 a month.
BBB rating: N/A
Trustpilot rating: N/A
App Store: N/A
Google Play: N/A
2. Stickr.co
Formerly called ReferralCars, Stickr.co isn’t like other car advertising companies. Rather than paying you based on the number of miles you drive, you only get paid when someone signs up for the advertised service with the referral number on your sticker, a perforated see-through advertisement placed in your back window (which you install yourself).
People on Reddit are rightly suspicious of Stickr.co for several reasons:
Stickr.co charges a $10 monthly “deposit,” which they say you’ll get back once you take a picture of the advertisement on your car each month.
Some people claim they were only paid in restaurant coupons or gift cards
People say they worked with Stickr for months with no payouts
Payout: Stickr claims drivers can earn upwards of $2,300 in cash and gift cards each year, though based on customer reviews, this appears to be far from the truth.
BBB rating: F
Trustpilot rating: 3.8 stars
App Store: N/A
Google Play: N/A
3. StickerRide
StickerRide is a 10-year-old company based in the United Kingdom that claims to also hire drivers in the United States.
However, there are hundreds of reviews on Google Play that claim the app is impossible to log into because of a faulty verification process.
StickerRide driver requirements:
18+ years old with a clean driving record
Drivers can only participate in one campaign at a time
Payout: StickerRide allows you to calculate your potential income on its app before starting the application process, though most users claim they were never able to successfully create an account.
BBB rating: N/A
Trustpilot rating: N/A
App Store: N/A in the U.S.
Google Play: 1.7 stars
How to spot car wrap scams
Car advertising is a legitimate venture if you're willing to display ads on your vehicle. Unfortunately, scams are rampant1, so proceed with caution when selecting a vehicle advertising company.
The Federal Trade Commission2 offers this advice to spot and avoid car wrap scams:
Car wrap scammers often place ads on job boards, send email solicitations, and message people on social media.
Companies may offer to send you a large check, then ask you to deposit it and wire a portion of the check to another company that will wrap your car.
Legitimate car wrap advertising companies will only hire drivers who are at least 18 years old, with proof of a valid driver's license and a good driving record.
These Reddit users shared their experiences with car wrap scams:
Car wrap advertising is a legit way to make money, but there are some risks involved:
Potential damage to your vehicle
While companies claim the ads will do no damage to your car, some Reddit users claimed they had trouble fully removing their car wraps:
Insurance costs
Some insurance companies may require you to purchase commercial insurance for advertising on your car.
According to insurance marketplace Insureon3, commercial car insurance typically costs more than personal car insurance.
Risk of standing out
Some Reddit users warn that if your car is wrapped, you may be more susceptible to road rage incidents and being stopped for traffic violations, though there is no legitimate data to back up these claims:
Consider making extra cash with car advertising
If you frequently use your car, either for long commutes to work or as part of your job as a ride-share or delivery driver, it might make sense to get paid for advertising on your car.
However, it’s crucial to read driver reviews so you know you’re working with a legitimate company.
Do you have old gold scrap collecting dust? Broken gold chains, bent gold bracelets, old dental fillings, solo earrings without a mate? Even beautiful gold jewelry is often considered scrap to a gold buyer, who will melt down most items and sell them to a refinery for profit.
With gold prices hovering around record prices of $5,600 per ounce in early 2026, now is an excellent time to sell any gold.
Scrap gold is any piece of gold that is not used as anything else — not jewelry or a coin, for example. Also, any gold that isn’t or can’t be used in the way it was originally intended to be used (such as broken jewelry or old gold dental components) is considered scrap.
Lower-end jewelry is also considered scrap gold when selling it because it will be melted down and resold as gold bullion — opposed to the necklace, ring setting, or bracelet it once was.
Meanwhile, a Tiffany gold bracelet or Cartier gold ring is more likely to be purchased for its resale value (because of the high demand of both brands).
How and where to sell scrap gold
You can sell scrap gold in a number of ways — both online and in person. This post offers a guide to selling gold, including understand what your gold is worth, and whether your gold is real or fake.
The good news is that there has always been a market for scrap gold. It is an investment that may decrease in value periodically, but always has value.
Our number one recommended online gold buyer is CashforGoldUSA based on our first-person investigation, Better Business Bureau A+ and Trustpilot reviews, and length of time in business.
2. Scrap gold buyers “near me”
If you search for scrap gold buyers near you, you’ll find local businesses where you can physically bring your gold to sell. Pawn shops, local jewelers, and precious metal exchanges and “we buy gold” storefronts fall under this category.
It's important to note that offers you get locally vs. online can vary drastically depending on your market and from business to business. If you aren't pressed for cash or time, it's always worth getting multiple offers.
ALWAYS, 100% of the time, negotiate with the buyer. This is a straight-forward transaction: the gold is worth what the buyer can resell it for plus their commission. Don't be shy!
For people who are nervous about sending their scrap gold through the mail, the fact that they can bring their gold in person is a positive of using local scrap gold buyers.
There are many quality local gold buyers, and in our research, pawn brokers can offer competitive rates and friendly service — a product of being local businesses with deep roots in your community.
Search for “who buys scrap gold near me” or “where to sell scrap gold near me.”
Check Yelp and Google reviews, and ask for recommendations from your friends and neighbors.
3. Selling scrap gold independently
While it may take some more legwork on your end, you can also sell gold on your own to an independent buyer.
You can set your own asking price on Facebook Marketplace, ebay, or Craigslist, though you should take safety precautions meeting up with potential buyers. Meet somewhere public during the day, like a store or restaurant parking lot or even in front of a police station.
These are some scrap gold pieces currently listed on ebay and Facebook Marketplace as of February 2026 — bad phone pic and all:
Both ebay and Facebook Marketplace have ratings systems, so you may have difficulty selling if you don't have much experience/feedback:
There is also a robust subreddit called r/Pmsforsale where 27,000 weekly visitors buy and sell precious metal bullion, scrap and coins — but not jewelry.
Redditors have the option to create one of three different types of posts:
WTS (want to sell)
WTB (want to buy)
WTT (want to trade)
Of course, there are precautions you should take selling on Reddit to avoid falling victim to scam. Redditors on r/Pmsforsale recommend the following safeguards:
1. Only sell or buy from users with at least 100 buy or sell transactions displayed on their profile. A bot autofills this information for the buyer/seller when the original poster types “Trade completed!” or “Trade complete!” on their post.
2. Use one of r/Pmsforsale's designated “middlemen” to facilitate a sale. These are users appointed to help people with their transactions based on the length of time they've been posting and the number of successful transactions they've completed.
3. Check out r/Pmsforsale's list of banned users (which they link to in the bottom right under their list of rules).
Needless to say, it is much easier to sell directly to a pawnshop, jeweler, online gold buyer than tp mess around with direct sales.
What is scrap gold worth?
Scrap gold is exactly that: gold. That means scrap gold is worth just as much as any other type of gold. The fact that it’s scrap makes absolutely no difference at all.
Not sure how much your scrap gold is worth? Ultimately, it will depend on three things, which we explain below:
Weight
Gold content (purity)
Current spot price of gold
Weight
To know how much your gold is worth, you’ll need to find its weight. Gold is usually measured in either grams or ounces. You can invest in a small digital scale, or take your gold to a local jeweler or pawnshop to weigh it.
Gold content
Gold content is measured in karats. The higher the karat number, the more gold is in your scrap gold. Below is a list that shows the gold content you’ll find:
24K: 99.9% gold
22K: 91.7% gold
18K: 75% gold
14K: 58.3% gold
12K: 50% gold
10K: 41.7% gold
9K: 37.5% gold
Definition of spot price of gold
The spot price of gold is the current price that gold sells for on the open market.
Gold prices hit a record high of $5,600 this month, with lots of headlines as precious metal prices are up and down on global economic news. Even on the dips, gold still remains at record highs.
To determine how much your scrap gold is worth, multiply its weight by its percentage of gold content, then multiply that number by the spot price of gold.
For example, imagine you have a scrap 18K gold necklace that weighs 5 grams. To determine how much it is worth, you would:
Multiply 5 grams by .75 (which equals 3.75)
Multiply 3.75 grams by the spot price of $158 per gram (February 3, 2026 spot gold price)
This shows that the gold content in your scrap gold necklace is worth about $553 on that date.
Don't forget to consider the buyer's commission of 5% to 50%. Again: always negotiate! Don't accept the first offer!
How much money you get for your scrap gold will ultimately depend on how you sell it. In any case, you are unlikely to get the full value of your gold, since the buyer needs to make a profit when they go to resell it.
That being said, you might expect to get between 25% and 75% of the spot gold value of your item.
Where can I find scrap gold?
These are some examples of scrap gold you may have on hand to sell:
Gold is found in electronic scrap like the processors and connectors in computers, circuit boards, tablets, and smartphones — though extracting this gold is complicated
Bottom line: Where is the best place to sell scrap gold?
If you need quick cash, a quality local pawnbroker or jewelry store is a good option for selling your gold. However, if you have a few days to spare, CashforGoldUSA promises fair prices based on a very strong online reputation, fast payment, secure shipping and price-match guarantee.
FAQ about scrap gold
What is scrap gold?
Scrap gold is any piece of gold that is not used as anything else — not jewelry or a coin, for example.
Who pays the most for scrap gold?
Typically, you’ll get the most money for your gold by selling it to a trusted online gold buyer. These buyers tend to pay out more for gold than other buyers (like pawn shops and local jewelry shops) because they don’t have the overhead of a physical store. Online gold buyers must also compete on a national level, not just a local level, which tends to drive up the amount they pay out to gold sellers.
What is scrap gold worth?
Scrap gold is exactly that: gold. That means that scrap gold is worth just as much as any other type of gold. The fact that it’s scrap makes absolutely no difference at all.
How much does scrap gold sell for?
How much money you get for your scrap gold will ultimately depend on how you sell it. In any case, you are unlikely to get the full value of your gold. (After all, the buyer needs to make a profit when they go to resell it in the future). Current prices are about $5,600 per ounce.
How do I sell scrap gold?
To sell scrap gold, you can use an online gold buyer, search for “scrap gold buyers near me,” or search for “sell scrap gold near me.”
Where can I find scrap gold?
Scrap gold that you may have on hand to sell includes: dental work, broken jewelry, flatware, and more.
Looking to earn money back on your in-store and online purchases?
We put together a list of the best apps to scan receipts and the best-cash back apps to help you earn money on your regular purchases:
Some of the apps on this list, like Ibotta, can earn you hundreds of dollars a month if you use them often and strategically, while others simply aren’t worth the time for the little amount you get back.
How receipt cash back apps work
Some cash-back apps allow you to scan physical receipts or upload digital receipts to earn money or gift cards on items you purchased. The apps will pay you based on what you bought.
While the types of eligible receipts vary from app to app, generally, you can scan receipts from:
Other cash-back apps allow you to link your credit and debit cards to automatically earn rewards points or money back from purchases. In some cases, you’ll need to browse through offers and activate the ones you’re interested in before you shop.
Not all items will earn you the same amount of cash back — the amount can vary substantially based on the store where you’re shopping, the brands you’re purchasing, and other factors determined by the individual app.
Many of the best cash-back apps also let you earn bonuses by taking surveys, referring friends, or scanning a certain number of receipts.
How do cash back apps pay you?
In most cases, the payout you receive is referral money, paid to you via digital gift cards, Paypal, Venmo, or ACH deposit.
Cash-back apps work with retailers to get a commission for purchases made through their apps, and you get part of that commission.
When you buy something through a cash-back app or extension, it’s a win-win-win — good for the retailer, good for the app, and good for you.
8 best apps for cash back
We compared some of the best cash-back apps. Here’s how they stack up:
App name
App cost
Minimum cash-out amount
Rating
Sign-up bonus
Referral bonus
Receipt expiration
Fetch
Free
$5-$50
4 stars
2,000 points (about $2)
2,000 points per referral
2 weeks
Ibotta
Free
$20
4.8 stars
$10
$10 per referral
Seven days
Shopkick
Free
250 “kicks” (points) of $25
4 stars
None
$1 per referral on up to 100 referrals
10 days
Shopmium
Free
None
4.5 stars
Free gift (not disclosed)
£3 per referral
Seven days
Dosh
Free
$25
4.5 stars
$1
$10 per referral
N/A
Rakuten
Free
$5 (quarterly)
4.8 stars
$10 Rakuten or Walmart gift card
$30 per referral
N/A
Checkout 51
Free
$20
4 stars
None
None
Seven days
Coupert
Free
$10 ($1 for first-time users)
4.7
$10
Earn $100 when 6 friends complete their first order.
N/A
Fetch
Fetch (formerly known as Fetch Rewards) is a popular app to scan receipts. Download the app (available on iOS and Android devices) and sign up with your email address or by connecting your Facebook account.
Once you sign up, you can start scanning receipts right away. You can earn a 750-point bonus for your first upload and a 500-point bonus for your second.
Fetch accepts receipts from:
Grocery stores
Fast-food restaurants
Clothing retailers
Convenience stores
Drugstores
Big-box retailers
Department stores
Fetch does not accept medical or utility bills; movie, concert, or experience tickets; or airline tickets.
How much you can earn: Each eligible receipt will get you a minimum of 25 points no matter which retailer it’s from, though Fetch does have some preferred vendors/brands that will earn you more points. Generally, 1,000 points equals $1 in rewards. Popular brands like Pepsi or Cheerios can earn you around 50 extra points.
How to get paid: Submit receipts within 14 days of the transaction date to earn points. Fetch users can submit a maximum of 35 receipts over a 7-day period, and when you cash out, you can choose a digital gift card to stores like Amazon and Target. Your points expire after 90 days of inactivity (no new scanned receipts) within the app. As long as you continue to upload receipts, you can continue to accumulate points.
Pros of Fetch
Quick and simple to use
Daily rewards available (you can spin once every 24 hours on the prize wheel for receipts you turn in)
Ability to scan e-receipts from big retailers like Amazon
Helpful customer support
Cons of Fetch
Can take a long time to cash out for a gift card (minimum of 3,000 points/$3 to cash out)
No cash payments/direct deposit option
Must scan receipts within two weeks of transaction date
Points expire after 90 days of inactivity within app
What Fetch users have to say
Google Play: 4.7/5 stars; 845,000 reviews
Apple Store: 4.8/5 stars; 4.2 million reviews
BBB rating: B (not accredited)
According to Fetch Rewards reviews, the app is easy to navigate, and customer support is responsive and helpful. Users appreciate the daily rewards and the ability to scan e-receipts from retailers like Amazon.
However, reviewers also mention that it can take a long time to earn enough points to redeem them for a gift card.
Ibotta
On Ibotta, you have to add store offers to your profile before you shop. The app allows you to search for product offers by retailer and add them to a virtual cart. Then, once you shop, you can scan your receipt and earn cash back for the offers you previously selected. Receipts must be scanned within seven days of purchase.
You can also shop online directly through the Ibotta app to earn rewards from retailers like Amazon.
If you have a loyalty card through a specific store, you can link your account through the Ibotta app and earn cash back automatically on the offers you selected when you scan your loyalty card at the time of purchase — no need to scan your receipt after purchase.
This video offers an in-depth tutorial on how to use Ibotta:
How much you can earn: CNBC reports1 that the average active Ibotta user earns between $10 to $20 a month, and more active users earn as much as $100 to $300 a month.
How to get paid: Ibotta users can cash out via PayPal, Venmo, or digital gift card once they have at least $20 in earnings.
Pros of Ibotta
Free to use
More than 300 retailers
$10 welcome gift when you spend $30 through a linked online retailer
Earn money through referral program when friends sign up
Earn more with bonuses (like when you scan a certain number of receipts)
Cons of Ibotta
App can be confusing/time-consuming
Most offers are name-brand specific
Must add offers before shopping
Must scan receipts within seven days of purchase
App has ads
Cannot link e-receipts
What Ibotta users have to say
Google Play: 4.5/5 stars
Apple Store: 4.8/5 stars
BBB Rating: B (not accredited)
According to online reviews, you can earn more money through Ibotta by taking advantage of bonuses and using the referral program.
Several reviewers claim they missed out on deals because of Ibotta’s name-brand specific offers. They also don’t like that you can’t link e-receipts — any online purchases must be made directly through the app.
Shopkick
Shopkick is a rebate app that was recently relaunched to replace Coupons.com, which was sold and shut down in summer 2023. With Shopkick, you receive points in the form of “kicks” for completing actions such as:
Walking into select partner stores
Scanning barcodes of select products with the in-app scanner
Watching online video ads
Referring friends to Shopkick
Purchasing select items (and submitting your receipt through the app)
Shopping at partner stores with a linked credit card
Learn more about how Shopkick works:
How much you can earn: Every 250 kicks earns you approximately $1. Once you have at least 500 kicks, they can be redeemed for gift cards from certain retailers.
Pros of Shopkick
Kicks don’t expire unless your account is inactive for six months
Wide variety of options to earn extra kicks
No limit to the number of kicks you can earn in a day
Cons of Shopkick
Online shopping must be done through a mobile device (not desktop)
IRL options can be limited depending on your location
Can only submit 20 receipts per week
What Shopkick users have to say
Google Play: 3.9/5 stars
Apple Store: 4.6/5 stars
BBB rating: A+ (accredited)
Shopkick reviews say that while users appreciate the ability to earn points without buying anything, opportunities vary depending on your location, and it can be time-consuming to earn significant numbers of points.
Shopmium
Shopmium gives you exclusive cash back offers for your everyday purchases online and in-store. Tap through available offers to find one you like; then activate the offer. Purchase the item(s), upload a photo of your receipt to Shopmium, and earn cash via PayPal. Anything you earn is processed within 48 hours.
How much you can earn: Shopmium states that users can enjoy over $50 of savings each week.
Pros of Shopmium
Free welcome gift
Offers include food, beverages, beauty products, pet supplies, etc.
Cash out within 48 hours
Get a bonus by referring a friend
Try new items at a discount
Gold level includes extra bonuses like a free birthday gift
No minimum cashout amount
Cons of Shopmium
Supermarket offers are limited
Customer service isn’t great
What Shopmium users have to say
Google Play: 4.2/5 stars
Apple Store: 4.8/5 stars
BBB rating: A+ (not accredited)
Shopmium reviews complain that the app’s customer service takes a long time to get back with you and is not very helpful. But reviewers do appreciate the fast payout and the new offers that appear every week.
Dosh
Use the Dosh app to get cash back from any credit or debit cards you use for shopping, dining, and traveling with Dosh partners. After linking your cards, go about your normal shopping. The app will notify you when you get cash back. Dosh is simpler to use than other cash-back apps because you don’t need to manually activate each individual purchase.
How much you can earn: Some retailers offer up to 10% back, and booking hotels through Dosh can get you up to 40% back. You’ll receive the money within 90 days and can withdraw the funds to your PayPal, Venmo, or bank account once you’ve earned at least $25.
Pros of Dosh
App has bank-level security (including 256-bit encryption and multi-factor authentication)
100% passive cash back
$10 referral bonus
Cons of Dosh
Amazon purchases are not eligible for cash back
Takes up to 90 days to verify purchases
Dosh takes a maintenance fee ($4.99/month) from accounts inactive for more than 12 months
What Dosh users have to say
Google Play: 4.5/5 stars
Apple Store: 4.7/5 stars
BBB rating: A+ (not accredited)
Dosh reviews say that Dosh is a secure, simple way to passively earn cash back on your normal purchases. The interface is easy to navigate, and you can earn a $10 bonus for each friend you refer to the app.
However, users don’t like how long it takes to verify purchases.
Rakuten
Rakuten is available as a mobile app but can also be installed as a web browser extension so you can shop from your computer. Link your credit or debit cards to your Rakuten account, choose from more than 2,500 stores, and activate available offers before shopping.
Your cash back balance will show up in your Rakuten account within a few days and is automatically transferred to your PayPal account quarterly.
How much you can earn: While some retailers only offer 0.5% cash back, others offer up to 40% cash rebates.
Pros of Rakuten
Sign-up bonus ($10 Rakuten cash bonus or $10 Walmart gift card)
High cash-back rates
Military discount
Partners with thousands of stores
Referral rewards
Get paid via PayPal or check
Cons of Rakuten
Cash-back payments are only withdrawn quarterly
Must manually activate each offer
Some purchases are exempt from cash back
What Rakuten users have to say
Google Play: 3.9/5 stars
Apple Store: 4.8/5 stars
BBB rating: B (accredited)
Reviewers praise Rakuten’s excellent customer service and higher-than-average cash-back rates. However, they don’t like that users are responsible for individually activating each offer and that cash-back payments are only paid out quarterly.
Checkout 51
Checkout 51 is a cash-back app that can earn you rewards for grocery shopping, gas purchases, and online shopping from certain retailers and brands.
Browse through a list of offers in the app, and choose which ones you’re interested in. After you go shopping and purchase the items, upload a photo of your receipt to get cash-back rebates.
How much you can earn: You can earn up to a dollar back for certain items and cash out via PayPal or check once you reach $20.
Pros of Checkout 51
New offers every week
Cash back at gas stations
Most grocery offers aren’t store-specific
Maximize earnings by redeeming some offers multiple times
Double up with coupons
App available in both Canada and U.S.
Cons of Checkout 51
No sign-up bonus available
Offers are somewhat limited (or for name-brand products only)
Must add offers manually before shopping
Offers can “run out” if fully claimed
Must use current offers before next week’s new offers will populate
What Checkout 51 users have to say
Google Play: 4.2/5 stars
Apple Store: 4/5 stars
BBB Rating: F (not accredited)
Checkout 51 users love earning up to $0.10/gallon back when they buy gas. Unlike other apps, Checkout 51 lets you redeem some offers up to five times! However, there is no sign-up bonus available, and offers may be limited.
Coupert
Coupert is one of the best tools for automatic coupons and cash back. Coupert is a free browser extension and mobile app that helps users save money automatically when shopping online. It applies the best available coupon codes at checkout and offers cashback at thousands of popular retailers, including Amazon, Macy’s, and Target.
How much you can earn: Cashback rates vary by retailer and promotion. Coupert states that active users save hundreds of dollars per year on average by combining automatic coupons with cashback rewards.
How to get paid: Cashback is tracked in your Coupert account and can be withdrawn via PayPal once you reach the minimum cash-out amount.
Pros of Coupert
Automatic coupon application and cashback opportunities at checkout
No receipt scanning or manual activation required
Works with over 200,000 online retailers
Price comparison and price history features
Free and easy to use
Cons of Coupert
Online shopping only
Cashback rates vary by store
Payout timing depends on merchant confirmation
What Coupert users have to say:
Trustpilot: 4.7
Chrome Webstore: 4.7
iOS App Store: 4.8
Google Play: 4.6
Which app pays the most for receipts?
Ibotta and Rakuten are two of the apps that pay the most money for receipts.
However, the amount you earn from any cash-back app can vary widely based on which offers are currently available, where you make a purchase, how much you spend, and whether you take advantage of bonuses.
Bottom line: Can you make money by scanning receipts?
Yes! While it likely won’t be a significant amount of money, you can absolutely earn some extra cash by scanning receipts.
Just be prepared to put in the work if you want a measurable payout — researching and activating offers, keeping up with purchases and receipts, and referring friends to get the maximum number of rewards.
Wondering what is the best app to scan receipts and get money back? Out of the choices on this list, we recommend Dosh as the quickest and easiest way to get cash rewards.
Ibotta and Rakuten are two of the apps that pay the most money for receipts.
Before I met my husband, I went on one date with a man I met through the Jewish dating site Jdate. While I typically preferred to meet people the old-fashioned way — at Jewish singles’ events, bars, or through friends — I joined Jdate because a friend was on it, and she encouraged me to sign up.
This guy and I connected through messaging then went out for dinner in downtown La Jolla, Calif. We had a good time but ultimately didn’t make it to date two. (I won’t pretend the fact that he showed up in a sweatshirt had nothing to do with it.)
Though I didn’t find a love connection, I have other Jewish friends who have found long-term relationships — and even spouses — through Jewish dating sites.
What is the best site to find legit Jewish daters?
If you’re a Jewish single looking for love with other Jews, these are seven Jewish dating sites and apps to check out — including our top choice for anyone seeking long-term partnership, eharmony, which uses an extensive questionnaire to find your most compatible matches:
Jdate claims to have helped start hundreds of thousands of relationships since its launch in 1997. Almost everyone on Jdate is Jewish — either religiously or culturally — or looking to date a Jewish person. Its members are mostly based in the U.S. and Israel.
In 2011 (the most recent data available), Jdate commissioned a survey of 1,000 married Jewish internet users through an independent firm called ResearchNow. They found that Jdate was responsible for 52% of Jewish marriages that started online.
As I mentioned, Jdate is the only site on this list I’ve actually dated someone from, and it’s the main site my Jewish friends have used for online dating.
How does Jdate work?
You can join Jdate with an email address or connect your Facebook account. Jdate requires you to upload at least one photo, and you can choose to use your real first name or create a display name.
Before you start using Jdate, you have to provide your:
Height
Religion (options include Conservative, Culturally Jewish, and Orthodox)
Occupation
Parental status/whether you want kids
Education level (including which college you went to, if applicable)
You can also choose to write a short bio, select from a list of interests, indicate whether you want to date men or women (or both), and set your preferences for:
Location
Age
Religious affiliation (12 options)
Synagogue attendance
Kosher status
Marital status
Type of relationship you’re seeking
Education level
Desire for children
Smoking/drinking habits
Matches are displayed in a grid, which you can sort by:
Match percentage
Distance
Newest profiles
People currently online
Jdate also has a feature called Lookbook that’s similar to Tinder in that you can flip through profiles anonymously and like or pass on them. You can click each profile in both formats to read the person’s full bio and learn more about them.
These are the top matches I saw when I logged into Jdate (my highest match percentage was 51%).
How much does Jdate cost?
You can join Jdate for free, but a premium subscription costs:
1 month – $59.99
3 months – $44.99/month
6 months – $29.99/month
Free features:
Look through and like/reject profiles
Paid features:
See all photos on a user’s profile
Send and receive messages with other paid subscribers
Send and receive messages with free users through Messaging+ (the only way free users can message without a subscription)
See when other users have read your messages
See which users have viewed and liked your profile
Hide online status and browse anonymously
Jdate pros:
Fairly large user base with people that seem legit and serious about dating
Puts religious preferences at the forefront
LookBook feature allows you to view profiles anonymously and to “like” or “pass” on them
Helpful FAQs with advice on how to respond to people
App available for Apple and Android devices
Jdate cons:
Most of the users I saw were older than 30 (with preferences set to 18 to 75+) so you may not have as much luck if you’re a younger dater
Free membership limited: Have to pay to contact other daters unless you are contacted first by a paid member
Jdate reviews:
App Store: 3.4 stars
Google Play: 1.4 stars
Jdate’s parent company, Spark Networks, has an A+ Better Business Bureau rating (not accredited) as of September 2025. Spark Networks is also the parent company of popular dating sites like Zoosk, Elite Singles, and Christian Mingle.
A few reviews reference Jdate specifically:
Jdate has 1.5 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot:
This is what people on Reddit have to say about JDate:
JPeopleMeet was created in 2000 by People Media Company, which was acquired in 2009 by Match Group, LLC — the same parent company behind popular dating sites like Match.com, Tinder, Hinge, and OKCupid.
Based on my experience on this site, the dating pool is small — all matches on my list except two were over 50, and most were over 65.
How does JPeopleMeet work?
Creating a profile on JPeopleMeet is quick and easy. Once you indicate your gender and the gender(s) you’re looking to date, you can upload a photo (or import one from Facebook), write a short bio, and fill out key information about yourself, including:
Age
Occupation
Ethnicity
Hair/eye color
Height
Income
Smoking preferences
Religious background
Synagogue attendance
Kosher status
Education
Relationship expectations
Children
Pets
Marital status
Body type
You can also answer questions like these to fill out your profile:
Do you enjoy cooking?
How patient do you consider yourself?
Are you romantic?
How punctual are you typically?
Do you enjoy going to the movies?
How much do you enjoy going to live theatre?
How much do you like reading?
JPeopleMeet has a drop-down menu to sort matches by distance, activity on the site, and date joined. However, no matter which option I chose, the same grid of daters appeared, only in slightly different order:
How much does JPeopleMeet cost?
You can join JPeopleMeet for free, but to access most features, you have to pay for a premium subscription:
1 month – $16.99
3 months – $8.99/month
6 months – $6.49/month
You can pay by mail, if uncomfortable with online payments.
Free features:
Browse and save matches
Send flirts
Paid features:
See who viewed and saved your profile
Chat with other members currently online
Send and receive emails
See flirts from other members
JPeopleMeet pros:
Provides a list of questions and prompts to help you fill out your profile
JPeopleMeet cons:
Small dating pool that seems to be made of mostly senior daters
Dated website that’s not very user friendly
No mobile app available
JPeopleMeet reviews:
JPeopleMeet has no reviews on major sites like the Better Business Bureau, Trustpilot, or Reddit. Its parent company, Match Group LLC, is not rated by the BBB and has 1.08/5 stars based on more than 520 customer reviews (none of which mention JPeopleMeet).
JSwipe
JSwipe was created in 2014 by Smooch Labs, which was acquired in 2015 by Spark Networks, the same company that owns Jdate.
The app bills itself as the No. 1 Jewish Dating app, with more than 1 million users worldwide.
I like JSwipe because it has a free version that includes messaging with people you’ve matched with — which is not common in the world of online dating.
How does JSwipe work?
JSwipe is an app like Tinder, where you swipe right or left to like or pass on potential matches:
To sign up with JSwipe, you have to connect your Facebook or Apple ID, then answer a quick series of questions:
What religion you identify with — Orthodox, Traditional, willing to convert, etc.
Gender
Kosher status
You also have the option to write a short bio and link your Instagram account once you’ve created a profile. In your profile settings, you can choose your Jewish preferences in a partner and filter matches by distance, age, and gender (men and women are the only options):
You can also list your:
Occupation
Degree
University
Interests
Height
How much does JSwipe cost?
JSwipe is free to join, but you can subscribe for premium features like boosting your profile and seeing who liked you:
1 month – $24.99
3 months – $44.97
6 months – $59.94
Free features:
Update profile and add photos
Swipe through profiles and like/reject them
1 free Super Swipe per day
Chat with anyone you’ve matched with
Paid features:
See who has liked your profile
Read receipts on messages you’ve sent
5 Super Swipes per day
1 Swipe Note per day (you get to leave a personal message with your swipe)
Boost your profile to be seen twice as often as other users
Optimize your photos to see which ones are leading to matches
Change your location to meet people around the world
JSwipe pros:
Messaging is a free feature for matches
Modern and attractive app design
Easy-to-use swipe system
View profiles based on proximity or popularity
JSwipe cons:
Matches expire after 18 days of no communication
Profiles don’t provide a lot of detail unless someone includes it in their bio, so you don’t know if someone is looking for something serious, has or wants kids, smokes, etc.
JSwipe reviews:
App Store: 3.7 stars
Google Play: 3.0 stars
JSwipe does not have its own BBB or Trustpilot pages, but its parent company, Spark Networks, has an A+ BBB rating (not accredited) and 2.8 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot.
These are some Reddit threads that discuss JSwipe:
Founded in 2001, JWed claims to have led to more than 3,700 marriages. As its name implies, JWed is built for people who want to get married, not just casually date, and is inclusive of all ages and denominations.
You can access JWed online or download the JWed mobile app, available for iOS and Android devices.
How does JWed work?
JWed has high standards — you have to provide a link to a public profile (LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, etc.) before you can be approved to join the site.
While you wait for approval, you have to upload a photo and share details about yourself:
Location
Language(s)
Smoking habits
Height
Body type
Marital status
Children
Ethnicity
Parental lineage
Family background
Jewish affiliation
Shabbat rituals
Kosher status
What being Jewish means to you
Secular education
Jewish education
About me (general bio)
Interests/hobbies
How much does JWed cost?
You have to choose between a Basic and Premium subscription to join JWed:
Basic:
$18.95/month
Premium:
1 month for $29.95
6 months for $29.95/month
Basic features:
Search all members
View members’ photos
Reply to messages sent to you
Premium features:
All features included in Basic
Send messages to any member
See when members have read your messages
Browse anonymously
See who’s liked you
Video dating
Record/receive audio messages
Hide online status/profile
Introductory call and matchmaking with a dating agent
JWed pros:
Extensive and thorough application process to join
Subscription-only model means daters are likely serious about finding love and marriage
Memberships suspended for inappropriate behavior
All profiles are individually verified before approval
Mobile app available for Apple and Android
JWed cons:
No free version available
Site is not very modern or user friendly
3,700 marriages is not that high considering the site has been around for more than 20 years
Strict (and somewhat intimidating) qualifications
JWed reviews:
App Store: 1.7 stars
Google Play: 2.7 stars
JWed’s parent company, Frumster, Inc., has a C+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (not accredited) and 4.0 stars on Trustpilot, with many complaints claiming it’s difficult to unsubscribe and customer service is hard to reach:
There are a few Reddit threads that ask for opinions on Jewish dating sites, and the same Reddit user mentioned JWed in his responses:
Saw You at Sinai
Saw You at Sinai is different from other Jewish dating sites in that actual matchmakers help you find your “Bashert” (Yiddish for soulmate).
Founded in 2003, Saw You at Sinai claims to have facilitated more than 4,600 engagements as of September 2025 — they even feature an upcoming wedding on their homepage.
Saw You at Sinai also occasionally hosts in-person singles events and retreats.
How does Saw You at Sinai work?
Saw You at Sinai works with more than 300 matchmakers around the world to match its members. Here’s how the process works:
Create a profile with details about your religious background, lifestyle, and interests. You must also include references and a list of criteria you are looking for in another person.
Members are paired with two matchmakers based on location, who will be dedicated to finding them matches.
Matchmakers send you matches, which you can approve or reject.
When both parties accept a match, matchmakers will share their contact information so they can talk and set up a date.
Matchmakers can provide advice and feedback to help you have more successful dates.
How much does Saw You at Sinai cost?
Saw You at Sinai has two membership options:
Platinum membership:
$22.95 per month
Register and customize profile
Get listed in global and local dating database
Access to dating blog
Admission to member events
Max of one match per week
Saw You at Sinai pros:
Free for basic membership
Real matchmakers work to find you matches
App available for Apple and Android
Saw You at Sinai cons:
Both people have to agree to a match to be connected
Contact info exchanged after mutual match, which some may not like
3-day rule for men to reach out to women after contact info exchanged (which may be a pro for some)
Matchmakers are volunteers and are not guaranteed compensation for setting up matches, though members are encouraged to send gifts/compensation upon successfully finding a partner
Saw You at Sinai reviews:
App Store: 2.4
Google Play: 4.0
Saw You at Sinai has an A+ rating from the BBB but doesn’t have a Trustpilot page.
There are multiple Reddit threads that discuss Saw You at Sinai, though all of them are several years old:
While it isn’t exclusively a Jewish dating site, eharmony has long established itself as the leader in connecting singles looking for serious, long-term partnership. Plus, you can filter matches based on their religious preferences.
Researchers at the University of Chicago and Harvard conducted a study of more than 19,000 marriages1, breakups, and divorces by online dating site where the couple met, and found:
25% of the marriages started at eharmony (highest of any other dating site)
3.86% divorce rate (lowest of any other site)
How does eharmony work?
eharmony uses an algorithm to match compatible partners, which is based on a five-part questionnaire with about 150 questions, including:
What is your immediate reaction if a person you’re very close to does something that upsets you?
Other than appearance, what is the first thing that people notice about you?
What are your main reasons for wanting a relationship?
What's the most important thing you're looking for in another person?
Let’s say you and your partner get invited to a friend’s wedding. As you get ready for the party, which thoughts are you most likely thinking?
You can also fill out your profile by answering prompts, similar to the ones on Bumble and Hinge.
Create profile and take compatibility questionnaire
View matches’ profiles
Paid features:
Unlimited messaging
Ability to view unlimited photos
See who has visited your profile
Enhanced search features
Individual personality report and relationship tips
eharmony pros:
Caters to serious daters seeking a compatible partner
Strict verification process that weeds out fake profiles and married people
Extensive questionnaire to improve compatible matches
eharmony cons:
Must commit to a membership for at least 6 months
Not exclusive to Jewish daters (though you can filter your results)
Not for casual dating
eharmony reviews:
App Store: 4.0 stars
Google Play: 3.0 stars
eharmony has an A rating from the Better Business Bureau (accredited since 2001) and 2.8 stars on Trustpilot.
There aren’t many reviews specifically from Jewish daters, though I did find this one on Reddit:
It’s worth noting that your success on any dating site will largely be based on where you live. The more populated the area where you live — and the larger the Jewish population — the more likely you’ll be to find a compatible match.
These dating apps have less online reviews but may still be worth checking out:
Basheret
This app is a combination dating app and matchmaking platform. You get three matches a day based on your preferences, which you can either accept, reject, or refer to a friend with whom you think that person would be more compatible. You can also switch into “Matchmaker mode” to set up friends from your phone’s contact list.
App Store: 4.3 stars
Google Play: Not available
Pricing: Basheret is free to use and message matches, but you can upgrade to a premium account to get 10 matches a day and return to previous candidates:
1 month – $39.99
3 months – $60
6 months – $99
12 months – $160
Personal service – $250
Mazel Match
Mazel Match is a free Jewish dating app that relies on swipe matching. Mazel Match requires you to upload three photos and fully fill out your profile to start matching with other daters. You can also leave video responses to questions on your profile rather than typing out answers.
App Store: 3.0 stars
Google Play: 2.6 stars
Pricing: Mazel Match is 100% free.
Mazels
This app allows you to flip through local daters and send them a message or like their profile
App Store: 3.8 stars
Google Play: Not available
Pricing: Most features on Mazels are free, though you can pay for a premium membership to see who has liked you, see verified users, and chat with international daters.
Jewish Cafe is a Canadian dating site created in 2002, with users from all over the world. The site’s design is very dated — one of the subscription payment options is check or money order.
Jewish Cafe allows you to connect with other users in several ways:
Live chat rooms
Quick match (matches based on your preferences)
Browse users currently online
Search for specific members
Pricing: Every Jewish Cafe member gets two weeks free, plus two weeks for each site referral and two weeks for posting photos. You don’t need to provide credit card information to start a free trial — you’ll just lose access once your free period expires.
2 weeks – $24.95
1 month – $32.95
3 months – $44.95 ($14.98/month)
6 months – $69.95 ($11.66/month)
12 months – $99.95 ($8.33/month)
Mazal Tov
Mazal Tov is a Jewish dating site with a matchmaking component. User reviews say the site only works for people who are OK with being matched with non-local singles — including international matches in some cases.
Members share their Jewish background and commitment to Judaism and must include contact info for a reference (rabbi, mentor, or colleague). Devora Alouf of Israel is Mazal Tov’s self-proclaimed “love-coach,” who helps to vet and match up members.
Pricing:
You can join Mazal Tov for free, but a premium membership allows you to open and reply to emails from other members and to use advanced search features:
1 month – $39.99
3 months – $60
6 months – $99
1 year – $160
$250 for “Personal Service” (customized matchmaking service)
Simantov
Simantov provides Jewish matchmaking services, with the goal of helping people get married.
Established in the United Kingdom in 1975, Simantov touts their highly educated matchmakers and love coaches, who speak several languages, including English, French, Spanish, Russian and Hebrew. Pricing is not readily available, but you can get a free matchmaking consultation.
Simantov paid packages include Match Mentoring by Jo Hemmings, a renowned U.K. dating coach.
Jewish dating FAQs
Is dating allowed in Judaism?
Rabbi Shlomo Slatkin, a licensed clinical professional counselor and Certified Relationship Therapist based in Baltimore, says dating is allowed in Judaism, since it supports the strong Jewish belief in marriage and building families.
Level of observance generally dictates how matches are found, and what the actual dates can look like.
How do I find Jewish singles?
Slatkin says Jewish singles often meet their partners through dating apps, matchmakers, and singles events, which are often hosted by Jewish organizations. Observance levels typically define how matches are found.
Are there any free Jewish dating sites?
Several Jewish dating sites have robust free versions, which allow you to message with other daters without upgrading to a paid subscription:
JSwipe
JWed
Saw You at Sinai
Basheret
Mazel Match
Mazels
Bottom line: What is the best Jewish dating site?
The best Jewish dating site for you will depend on your age, location, observance level, and the type of relationship you’re looking for.
Reddit users point to Jdate and JSwipe as two of the top sites for Jewish dating, though many also say mainstream apps like Hinge (which allows you to list religious preferences) are worth checking out.
You may want to consider asking your like-minded Jewish friends which apps they prefer to use for Jewish dating.
Rabbi Shlomo Slatkin, a licensed clinical professional counselor and Certified Relationship Therapist based in Baltimore, says dating is allowed in Judaism, since it supports the strong Jewish belief in marriage and building families.
How do I find Jewish singles?
Rabbi Shlomo Slatkin, a licensed clinical professional counselor and Certified Relationship Therapist based in Baltimore, says Jewish singles often meet their partners through dating apps, matchmakers, and singles events, which are often hosted by Jewish organizations. Observance levels typically define how matches are found.
Are there any free Jewish dating sites?
Several Jewish dating sites have robust free versions, which allow you to message with other daters without upgrading to a paid subscription: JSwipe, JWed, Saw You at Sinai, Basheret, Mazel Match, and Mazels.
What is the best Jewish dating site?
The best Jewish dating site for you will depend on your age, location, observance level, and the type of relationship you’re looking for. Reddit users point to Jdate and JSwipe as two of the top sites for Jewish dating, though many also say mainstream apps like Hinge (which allows you to list religious preferences) are worth checking out.
While OKCupid had its time being the most popular dating site, today, tons of other dating apps have flooded the market, causing it to get lost in the sea of apps.
However, that doesn't mean you should sleep on OKCupid — here's why:
Among the largest dating pools with a reported 30 million members. Dating apps are all about the numbers, and this puts OKC high on the list.
Rich free version. Increasingly, dating apps require you to pay for every single feature, but OKCupid still gives you free access to sending and receiving likes, messages and viewing full profiles.
Inclusive. OKCupid really is for all kinds of daters — serious and casual, LGBTQ+, straight, and more. Median age of 32, FYI, though it's also popular among daters over 40.
OKCupid has come a long way since I entered the dating scene back in the early 2010s. Back then, I heard so many stories of women getting unwanted, creepy messages from other people on the app.
Now it really wants its users to feel empowered when dating, by being honest about what they want and putting compatibility at the forefront. It’s no wonder why so many of my friends met their match using OKCupid.
It's also one of the very few dating apps where I feel like people actually put some effort into their profiles. Even without the questions, I noticed the “About me” sections were very detailed (it's my biggest pet peeve when all I see is an Instagram or a Snapchat handle). I definitely think it’s worth giving it a shot — especially because most of its features are free to use.
Bianca Mendez is a dating app expert whose work has appeared in Woman’s Health, Bustle, Latina, Refinery29, and many other publications. She also served as a sex and dating editor at Elite Daily. You can check out her other dating app reviews here.
OKCupid stands out from its competitors by using a series of more than 4,000 questions to help you find the most compatible matches (OKCupid recommends answering 50 and 100 to start).
Most of those questions are user-generated, meaning anyone using the app can add their own question.
As you begin creating your profile, you answer basic questions like:
Gender (over 13 options to choose from)
Who you want to date
What kind of relationship you want (casual vs. long-term)
Once you cover the basics, upload your photos and write a short bio about yourself. If you’re unsure what to say, OKCupid offers prompts to help you out.
Last comes the questions! As mentioned, OKCupid allows you to answer more than 4,000 questions ranging from social issues (like whether or not being vaccinated is important to you) to more personal ones (like whether or not you like shower sex or believe in living with a partner before marriage).
You answer yes or no to as many questions as you'd like, then choose which answers you’ll accept from your matches. Finally, rate these questions based on how important they are to you.
While some questions can feel very invasive (“How many sexual partners have you had?”), you can always skip any you don’t feel comfortable answering.
Your answers will help OKCupid generate your compatibility score with other users to pull the best matches for you. You also get to view other users' answers to measure how you compare.
As you sort through profiles, you can like using the traditional swipe method or “like” someone's answers to specific prompts.
You don’t have to wait for them to like you back to get the conversation started. You can send an intro message, but other users cannot read your message unless they like you back.
First: OKCupid’s compatibility ratings are really helpful in helping to understand a potential date before you even meet them. This user design allows daters to be clear and upfront about who they are and what type of relationship they’re looking for.
Plus, these questions allow you to find some common ground with your matches, which is great if you struggle to write your profile or start conversations with someone new.
If you don’t think this matters, I do have two friends who are engaged/married to their partners, thanks to OKCupid. In fact, Wealthysinglemommy.com founder Emma Johnson met her boyfriend of five years on OKC.
Second: OKCupid is one of the most inclusive dating websites out there. They offer 22 gender identities, 12 sexual orientations, and also allow you to share your preferred pronouns. They also welcome polyamorous relationships (you can link your profiles to one another.)
Third: OKCupid’s free version is very rich. While some websites (like Match.com and Plenty of Fish) require you to pay to get access to compatibility ratings, OKCupid provides them for free. You can also message people you match with without paying. That’s gold, especially for singles on a budget.
There was a time when OKCupid had a reputation for being one of the more sketchy dating apps — attracting fake profiles, cheaters and the like. I’ve heard stories from friends about being catfished and getting unwanted, inappropriate messages from other users. Hearing that definitely discouraged me from giving the app a try.
Thankfully, OKCupid has since changed its messaging policies so that instead of anyone on the app being able to message you, a message is only possible between mutual matches. According to OKCupid’s website:
“We're big fans of consent here at OKCupid, and the feedback we've received from our members indicates that they are, too. This means that we want each of our members to decide who they're open to receiving messages from. Everyone can choose whether or not to match with people, and they can choose not to look at their SuperLikes Stack. Consent is for everyone, everywhere!”
In 2020, Check Point, a leading data security software and research firm, conducted a test to see how easy it would be to hijack OKCupid.
They found different vulnerabilities where hijackers can easier steal people’s information on OKCupid. Check Point sent their findings to OKCupid, who immediately took their feedback and made efforts to better the app to protect the privacy of users.
Aside from these two issues, OKCupid is as safe as any other dating app. Of course, you should always take precautions when you’re meeting someone online; ie, never share any financial information with your matches, always meet at a public place, and maybe even stalk them a little online to make sure they are who they are. Knowledge is power when it comes to online dating!
Wait! Before you meet in person, you can run your date's name through a site like TruthFinder, which will pull all online public records on the person and compile them into an easy-to-read report.
Is OKCupid full of fake profiles?
Unfortunately, most dating apps are susceptible to fake profiles, and OKCupid is no different.
Fortunately, OKCupid appears to be taking steps to combat fake profiles. When I created my profile, I was surprised by all the CAPTCHA hurdles I had to jump through to get my profile ready to go.
However, despite all the safety measures dating apps pull to ensure authentic dating, a fake profile will somehow find its way there. Luckily it’s easy to spot a fake profile — typically they only have one photo and zero information in their bio.
What is the cost of OKCupid?
The biggest selling point for OKCupid when it was first created was that the entire site was completely free to use. Well, that’s still mostly true.
Over the years, OKCupid has made changes to the app, including adding paid features and offering two subscription versions (Basic and Premium).
But while paying for these features might help up your chances at finding the right match for you, OKCupid’s free version is still one of the better options out there. Here’s how they all stack up:
OKCupid basic plan
$14.99/month for six months
$19.99/month for three months
$29.99 for one month
No outside ads
Send unlimited likes
Option to set dealbreakers in your search preferences
Unlimited rewinds to reconsider people you passed on
Unlock all of your Intros
OKCupid premium plan
$22.49/month for six months
$26.66/month for three months
$39.99 for one month
Everything included in Basic
See who likes you
3 free SuperLikes per week
See all question answers even if you haven't answered them yourself
OKCupid incognito mode
$9.99/month for six months
$14.99/month for three months
$19.99 for one month
No ads
Keep your profile active while hiding your profile from anyone you don't like or message
Send and receive messages from people you match with
OKCupid add-ons
In addition to the subscriptions, OKCupid also allows you to buy add-ons to your account. These include:
Profile Boosts ($4.99 each for 10 boosts, $5.99 each for five boosts, $6.99 for one boost) – OKCupid shows your profile to more people for 30 minutes
Superboosts (Three hours for $29.99, six hours for $44.99, 12 hours for $59.99) – Your profile will be shown to more people for the duration you choose
Read Receipts (Five matches for $2.99 each, 10 for $1.99 each, 25 for $0.99 each) – See if someone you've been messaging has read what you sent
OKCupid FAQs
Does anyone still use OKCupid?
Yes, OKCupid reports 30 million members at the end of 2022.
Is OKCupid any good?
Yes, overall OKCupid is a good dating site for three main reasons:
Large pool of users (30 million)
Lots of free features, including messaging matches
Inclusive of all daters/genders
What is the average age on OKCupid?
The median age of OKCupid users is 32.
Is OKCupid premium worth it?
All dating apps need to make money, so the free versions are typically pretty limited. They hook you in with pics of their most popular singles, tease you with a tiny bit of info and get you addicted to swiping. But to read full profiles and interact in an unlimited way, pay up!
OKCupid does allow you to connect with a limited number of people each month for free — specifically, those you match with — but otherwise, you have to upgrade to a paid version to message all users.
I never like to spend money on dating apps, but I also understand the appeal of paying for quality matches.
With OKCupid's premium version, you get to see your likes ahead of time, set dealbreakers, and see people’s answers to the personality assessment without having to add in your own.
This can save you a lot of time if you’re serious about having a relationship with someone.
However, I don’t think it’s necessary to pay for OKCupid’s premium version when the app has tons of free features to use. As long as you’re not overly picky and don’t care about ads, stick with the free version.
OKCupid pros and cons
OKCupid pros
OKCupid is for everyone.
As mentioned before, OKCupid prides itself on being an inclusive dating app, going beyond sexual orientation and gender.
It’s also open to different types of relationships. Polyamorous couples can link accounts with each other as opposed to just sharing a joint account.
OKCupid has both a desktop and mobile version, letting you access the dating service anywhere at any time. And regardless of how you log on, its interface is very easy to use.
The opportunity to really get to know someone.
All the questions and prompts help consumers cut to the chase when it comes to dating. It’s definitely empowering, especially for those who know what they want.
OKCupid cons
The site can be hit or miss based on location.
One thing I’ve noticed (even after setting my location and desired distance to find singles) is that I’ll get matches from people outside my radius. And I live in NYC!
So depending on where you live, there might not be too many users using OKCupid. You can set your location preference as a dealbreaker (but that’s with a subscription). This brings me to:
You can’t set dealbreakers unless you pay.
When you fill out your ideal person page, you’ll notice at the bottom of every setting that there’s an option to make your preferences a dealbreaker (whether it’d be about the distance, height, or political issues).
Unfortunately, that is a feature you can only access if you buy OKCupid’s premium version.
There are a lot of ads on the free site.
Lots of users complain about the number of ads on OKCupid’s free site. Luckily, you can get an ad-free experience if you pay for a subscription.
OKCupid reviews
OKCupid is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau. Match Group, also doesn’t have a rating.
OKCupid reviews on Trustpilot
On Trustpilot, OKCupid has a 1.2 rating and plenty of reviews from users with very strong opinions.
OKCupid Reddit reviews
Reddit users on OKCupid appear to be frustrated with some of the app’s limitations. The biggest complaints (mostly from male users) are not being able to set dealbreakers and not being able to message other users without liking them.
Personally, I feel that these Redditors are failing to see the benefit behind OKCupid's messaging. It shows that OKCupid cares about their users having a safe dating experience and are listening to their feedback.
The second biggest thing that Redditors complain about is how small the dating pool is. Of course, location can either make or break your dating app experience, and that goes for any dating app.
According to a study, couples who met on eharmony are more likely to get married and less likely to get divorced vs. couples who met on other online dating sites
Interested in checking out other dating sites and apps? Here are some dating app reviews:
The main difference between eharmony and OKCupid is that OKCupid is a site for all types of relationships — serious, casual, hookups, etc. If you're just looking to have fun, OKCupid is probably the better choice.
But if you're looking for a serious commitment with a highly compatible match, eharmony is our top choice. eharmony users must fill out an extensive questionnaire upon joining the site, inputting important information about themselves as well as their expectations of a potential partner. These questions guide eharmony's suggested matches, and each match will have a compatibility score and overview to show you how your profiles align. OKCupid on the other hand relies on user-generated questions to show which profiles line up with your answers.
OKCupid is not rated by the Better Business Bureau, while eharmony boasts an A rating. While OKCupid is less expensive than eharmony, eharmony's targeted approach and matching algorithm make it worth the investment, in addition to its proven track record in leading to long-term commitment and successful marriages.
OKCupid vs. Plenty of Fish
Plenty of Fish (POF) is one of the oldest dating sites (launched in 2003). It was one of the most popular dating sites back in the day before apps like Tinder and Bumble stole the scene. The site markets itself as a place for people who are seriously looking for love.
POF and OKCupid are similar in the sense that their end goal is the same: to help consumers find connections. They even both have their version of a personality assessment to help you find compatible matches.
One thing that POF has over OKCupid is that it has more free features. For example, on POF you can message anyone online (on OKCupid, free messaging is limited to introductions that other uses can't see until they like our profile). However, with messaging being so laissez-faire, there's lots of opportunities for unwanted messages to crawl into your inbox.
POF also has a way bigger dating pool, with 78 million users from the USA (OKCupid only has 10 million), making it a better option especially if you live in low populated areas. However, OKCupid wins for inclusivity.
Like OKCupid, POF is owned by Match Group (Match.com), so it does not have its own BBB page. When you read the reviews on Match Group’s BBB page, there’s not much said about POF. However, POF outscores OKCupid on Trustpilot with 3.1 stars.
If you’re on a budget and live in a more remote location, Plenty of Fish might be worth trying, but honestly, there isn’t too big of a difference between these two websites.
OKCupid is worth a shot, specifically for their awesome personality assessment and efforts for inclusivity. Experience will definitely differ based on where you live, but if you live in a big metropolitan city, that shouldn’t be a problem. However, I can’t speak for the quality of individuals (because taste is subjective).
How does OKCupid work?
OKCupid stands out from its competitors by using a series of more than 4,000 questions to help you find the most compatible matches.
Is OKCupid a good dating site?
Yes, OKCupid is a good dating site. There are three big reasons why I say it’s a good dating site: 1) OKCupid’s compatibility ratings are really helpful in helping to understand a potential date before you even meet them. 2) OKCupid is one of the most inclusive dating websites out there. 3) OKCupid’s free version is very rich.
Is OKCupid full of fake profiles?
Unfortunately, most dating apps are susceptible to fake profiles, and OKCupid is no different. Fortunately, OKCupid appears to be taking steps to combat fake profiles, in part, with CAPTCHA hurdles.
What is the cost of OKCupid?
The biggest selling point for OKCupid was that the entire site is completely free to use, which is still mostly true. OKCupid has made changes to the app, including adding paid features and offering subscriptions, which start as low as $17.49 per month for six months.
Does anyone still use OKCupid?
Yes, OKCupid reports 30 million members at the end of 2022.
Is OKCupid any good?
Yes, overall OKCupid is a good dating site for three main reasons: 1) Large pool of users (30 million). 2) Lots of free features, including messaging matches. 3) Inclusive of all daters/genders.
What is the average age on OKCupid?
The median age of OKCupid users is 32.
Is OKCupid premium worth it?
All dating apps need to make money, so the free versions are typically pretty limited. OKCupid does allow you to connect with a limited number of people each month for free, specifically, those you match with, but otherwise, you have to upgrade to a paid version to message all users.
Is it worth subscribing to OKCupid?
OKCupid is worth a shot, specifically for their awesome personality assessment and efforts for inclusivity.
Plenty of Fish (POF) was launched in 2003 when most online dating sites required a subscription to join, so POF stood out by being 100% free.
Now, each day more than 3 million people in 20 countries and in 11 languages use the POF site and app (according to POF). While the app remained very dated for a long time, it debuted a new design in October, 2022, the new look has brought the app into the 21st century, along with some edgy new features including its comapign to promote “consexting” — discussing boundaries and receiving consent before sexting — and its No Dick Pic badge to reward guys who keep it in their pants (unless explicitly asked not to, and the share happens off the app).
But after signing up for the app and comparing it to other dating sites, I can say that in a sea (pun intended) of dating apps, Plenty of Fish is still worthwhile for the following reasons:
Large number of people using it (large dating pool increases chances of success, depending on what you are seeking)
Low prices
Robust free version
Emphasis on conversations, as opposed to swiping on photos
On Plenty of Fish, you can browse user profiles in three ways:
View everyone who is currently online on one page
Swipe through suggested matches (like Tinder)
Search for members using filters like gender, age range, location, income, religion, body type/appearance, desire for children, etc.
Creating a profile on Plenty of Fish is easy:
Go to Plentyoffish.com, or download the app from the App Store or Google Play.
Create a username and password, fill out where you live, your date of birth, gender, and ethnicity.
Fill out a brief questionnaire about your dating preferences, including the type of relationship you're looking for, as well as more obscure questions, like how ambitious are you, whether or not you own a car, and your longest relationship.
Choose one personality type that describes yourself — the possibilities are endless with choices including rockstar, yuppie, and yogi.
Create a bio, offering just enough information about yourself without disclosing personal information (POF warns against this).
Plenty of Fish uses 2-factor authentication to verify your account. So, you'll need to use a mobile device that accepts text messages.
Once your profile is done, it’s time to start mingling with the other catches on the site. If you're using POF on a computer, the layout is a bit different than a dating app.
On the homepage (which resembles a social networking app circa 2005), there’s an online tab that shows users who are actively using POF. You'll also find a “Meet Me” page that’s very similar to Tinder, and a search page that allows you to look up profiles.
With a paid membership, you can also see who has liked your profile, as well as who's new on POF.
While the desktop version puts messages front and center, POF’s app is designed to look more like a typical dating app, prioritizing the Meet Me feature.
In general, Plenty of Fish is a good dating site because you can message other members for free, though this feature is limited. However, POF has its share of problems, including an abundance of spam profiles, and a smaller dating pool in less populated areas, according to users.
However, these complaints are largely true for all dating apps.
Is Plenty of Fish full of fake profiles?
Plenty of Fish has some complaints about scammers on sites like Trustpilot and Reddit, with some men claiming fake female profiles contacted them asking for money:
These are some tips to make sure you're talking to someone real on Plenty of Fish:
1. Check for a selfie verification badge on their profile, which means Plenty of Fish has verified through a live photo that the person you're seeing is actually who they say they are (or at least, they aren't using a fake picture).
Unfortunately, I didn't come across any of these verified profiles when I was browsing Plenty of Fish.
2. Save their profile image and run it through Google's reverse image search to make sure the person didn't steal someone else's photo from the internet.
How is the match quality on POF? What are the success rates?
When I looked at my matches on Plenty of Fish, unfortunately only a handful were actually located within a 30-minute radius of where I live, and many were outside of the age range of people I’d actually date.
Unless you indicate otherwise, POF will match you with any user 14 years younger or older than you, or 9 years older if you're under 22.
Plenty of Fish pros and cons
Pros of using Plenty of Fish
Messaging available on free version
Multiple ways to connect, through swipe-style dating and searching through profiles with filters
Ability to add “no dick pics” badge to your profile
POF’s search functionality makes it really easy to filter profiles by age, location, what you’re looking for, lifestyle, etc.
POF has lots of users who are at various stages of life and seeking different relationships, so there is something for everyone
Cons of using Plenty of Fish
Free version only allows one first contact message per day
People can message you from anywhere — I got a message from someone in Chicago, which is nowhere near where I live
Lots of reviews online talk about an abundance of spam profiles
Lacking some modern features, such as connecting your Spotify or social media accounts
Plenty of Fish reviews
Reviews on Plenty of Fish are average compared to other dating sites. Common complaints call out the site's abundance of spam profiles and incompatible/seemingly random matches.
Some users felt they were misled into a paid membership under the guise that they had a lot of hidden likes/views on their profile, only to discover that wasn't the case once they actually paid.
POF reviews on BBB
Plenty of Fish has a B rating from the Better Business Bureau, though customers only give the company 1/5 stars. Its parent site, Match Group, LLC, is not rated by the Better Business Bureau.
POF reviews on Trustpilot
TrustPilot gives Plenty of Fish a favorable 2.5 out of 5 stars, but has quite a few 1- and 2-star reviews worth paying attention to.
POF reviews on Reddit
There are a lot of people on Reddit asking for real experiences on Plenty of Fish:
POF's free version has many great features that make it stand out from other dating apps. Here is what you get with POF’s Free version:
Free messaging (though you're only allowed one first contact message per day)
Add members to favorites list
Get matches and view profiles
Send voice messages
Join forums
Should you want to upgrade, here is Plenty of Fish’s premium pricing:
$20/mo for 3 months
$15/mo for 6 months
$10/mo for 12 months
In addition to a premium subscription, Plenty of Fish offers Boosts so your profile will be shown to more people for 30 minutes:
1 Boost: $5.34
5 Boosts: $19.25
10 Boosts: $26.74
How many free messages can you have on POF?
If you have a free account, you can only send one first message per day, though you can send an unlimited number of messages to people you’re already in contact with. Paid members can send up to 50 first messages per day.
Which is better: Tinder or Plenty of Fish?
While Tinder came on to the scene almost a decade later than Plenty of Fish, both dating services cater to anyone looking for a connection (whether it’s a casual hookup or something serious). It’s just how they approach it that’s different:
Tinder is strictly swipe left/right dating, while POF offers that option plus the ability to search for other daters using filters.
POF allows you to message any member for free, up to one new person per day on the free version, while Tinder only allows you to chat with people you match with.
You may need to do some digging to find quality matches. Tinder is not rated on the BBB, while Plenty of Fish has a B rating. Both are owned by Match Group, LLC.
Now the differences: POF has a better Trustpilot rating at 2.5 out of 5 stars, while Tinder’s rating is 1.1. POF promotes compatibility, urging its users to discuss hobbies and interests upon messaging.
Tinder allows its users to have free reign when creating a profile, letting them add as much or no information. Also, Tinder lets you add your first and last name on your profile, while POF makes you create a username.
As for which dating service is better? In my experience, people on Tinder are more active, and it’s easier to find matches in your area.
However, Plenty of Fish puts compatibility at the forefront of their users’ dating experiences. If you have the flexibility to match with people outside of your town, then POF might be a good option.
If you’re looking for convenience (and have some patience) then Tinder might be a good go-to.
Plenty of Fish vs. Hinge
Perhaps the biggest difference between POF and Hinge is that Hinge is geared mostly toward serious long-term relationships, while Plenty of Fish is for all kinds of relationships (even hookups).
Like Tinder, Hinge only lets you message with people you match with, though there's no limit to the number of messages you can send. Unlike Tinder, Hinge has a BBB rating (B), and it does minimally better on Trustpilot with 1.2/5 stars (still below POF's 2.7).
Hinge is only available as a mobile app for iOS and Android devices (while POF also has a desktop site) and shares the same parent company as POF and Tinder, Match Group, LLC.
Hinge uses prompts to help daters fill out their profiles, which you can flip through and either “like” or reject. Paid members also have the ability to search for daters with filters on Hinge, which is a free feature on Plenty of Fish.
The bottom line: Is Plenty of Fish worth it?
Plenty of Fish is a legit dating app that puts compatibility and conversation at the forefront. Though recent reviews say the app has gone downhill, it’s worth trying at least the free version, which has a lot of features and access when compared with other dating apps.
– A BBB rating – Focused on serious relationships – 150-point personality report – Apps for iOS and Android – 100% member verification (no catfishing)
– Billions of potential matches worldwide – For love, casual dating, and hookups – No long sign-up process – Easy, swipe-based matching – Photo verification
– Focused on serious relationships – Lots of free features, including messaging – Algorithm designed to match compatible people – Prompts encourage conversation – Hybrid between eharmony and Tinder
Is Plenty of Fish worth it?
Plenty of Fish is a legit dating app that puts compatibility and conversation at the forefront. While it all depends on location and the effort to truly get to know someone, it’s worth trying at least the free version which has a lot of features when compared with other dating apps.
How does Plenty of Fish work?
Once you create a profile on Plenty of Fish profile is done, it’s time to start mingling with the other catches on the site. On the homepage, there’s an online tab that shows users who are actively using POF. You'll also find a “Meet Me” page that’s very similar to Tinder, and a search page that allows you to look up profiles. You can also discover profiles in your area as well as who's new on POF.
Is Plenty of Fish a good dating site?
Yes, Plenty of Fish is as good as any dating app or website out there. What makes Plenty of Fish stand out is that it puts conversation at the forefront of making a connection. It’s also one of the few dating websites where you don’t need a premium upgrade to fully get all the benefits.
Is Plenty of Fish full of fake profiles?
Plenty of Fish surprisingly doesn’t get many complaints concerning fake profiles and cheaters.
Which is better: Tinder or Plenty of Fish?
While Tinder came on to the scene almost a decade later than Plenty of Fish, both dating services cater to anyone looking for a connection (whether it’s a casual hookup or something serious). It’s just how they approach it that’s different: Tinder lets you swipe away for free, while POF allows you to message any member for free.
