Started in 2007, Zoosk is a traditional dating app that features modern chat, messenger, an app, and more, with all kinds of members looking for a wide variety of relationships.
Zoosk claims to be the most popular dating site in the world, with more than 40 million users in more than 70 countries.
While a large dating pool is a powerful asset in the world of online dating, Zoosk isn't our top choice for finding love and long-term commitment. Here’s why:
- Zoosk doesn't use an extensive questionnaire to match daters, so you may have to spend more time searching through incompatible profiles
- Users complain about low quality of members, including many dead and spam accounts
- Zoosk is extremely limited unless you are willing to pay — even people's pictures are blurred
Our Zoosk ratings:
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Member's experience
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Matches
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Cost
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Customer service
Here’s why we pick eharmony over Zoosk:
- Responsible for more than 2 million love connections (it’s one of the largest dating apps of its kind)
- Only major dating app devoted specifically to serious partnership
- Free basic plan
- Vetted profiles (so you know you’re talking to a real, unmarried person)
- According to a study, couples on eharmony are more likely to get married and less likely to get divorced compared to other online dating sites
- Lengthy questionnaire to help you find compatible matches
Read our eharmony review and start with a free membership today >>
Keep reading for:
- Is Zoosk sign up free?
- What are the Zoosk free features?
- Can you get Zoosk coins for free?
- Is Zoosk free chat available?
- How do I get a Zoosk free trial?
- Pro: Zoosk is super-easy to setup, with a great messenger
- Pro: No open / polyamorous relationships
- Pro: LBGTQ+ friendly
- Pro: No lengthy questionnaires
- Pro: Verified profiles
- Pro: Access to a broad range of people
- Con: Pay-to-play dating
- Con: Inactive users
- Con: Monogamy only
Bottom line: Is it worth paying for Zoosk?
Bianca’s Zoosk review
Both eharmony and Zoosk are quality dating sites that rely on computer algorithms to best connect you with the type of romance you’re seeking, and both are used by tens of millions of people around the world.
eharmony has a more extensive startup process that involves a lengthy questionnaire (about 20 minutes long), while you can get started fairly quickly with Zoosk, since it fills in info directly from your Facebook profile.
While Zoosk is an interesting concept, the quality of this site, user experience and user base is low.
It’s frustrating that you cannot interact with other profiles unless you pay. These days, there are so many free dating apps to use, especially the popular ones like Tinder and Bumble.
Also, while Zoosk says it’s the largest dating app in the world, I don’t personally know anyone who uses it.
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.
This is the extent of the profiles Bianca could view as a free member:
Our review of Zoosk vs. eharmony
Zoosk is a dating site that appeals to users seeking all types of relationships, while eharmony caters exclusively to the serious-minded dater looking for a committed relationship, love, and possibly marriage.
Zoosk has many cons, however — including reports of fake profiles and a lack of free features. We recommend checking out any of the other quality dating sites and apps, including our top pick: eharmony.com. Here’s why:
- eharmony requires all users complete a lengthy online survey of more than 150 questions that helps the algorithm understand your values, passions, hobbies, dating and relationship goals, and personality.
- No need to scroll through endless profiles. Complete the test, select a membership level (including a free level), and eharmony will send daily matches by email, with whom you can engage.
- eharmony assigns a human to verify that each member is indeed who he or she says they are — virtually eliminating catfishing, spam, and other sleazy behavior.
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.
eharmony then sends you daily emails with 5-7 matches of potential dates, based on how each person responded to the survey questions. You can then examine these matches’ profiles to help you decide whether you would like to communicate further.
eharmony.com is free for the basic level, which allows you to:
- View your personality test results
- Receive partner suggestions
- Send smiles and likes
- Upload photos
eharmony price vs. Zoosk cost
eharmony’s dating cost is competitive with other dating sites. There are three membership levels to choose from.
As of September 2025, eharmony costs per month vs. Zoosk:
| eharmony (Premium Light plan) | Zoosk | |
| Free basic plan | $0 | $0 |
| 1-month plan | n/a | $29.95 |
| 3-month plan | n/a | $59.95 |
| 6-month plan | $64.90/month | $65.99 |
| 12-month plan | $39.90/month | $89.99 |
| 24-month plan | $29.90/month | n/a |
Although Zoosk is less expensive than eharmony, you will likely have to spend more time searching through incompatible profiles.
Zoosk is preferable for those who do not want to complete a comprehensive questionnaire and for those looking for something casual.
Conclusion: Zoosk or eharmony—which is better?
One of the best reasons to use eharmony is its compatibility survey. The site sends you a list of daily matches based on your individual responses, which go beyond likes and dislikes into the qualities you desire in a match.
While Zoosk is less expensive, you do get what you pay for. If you are seeking a financially secure partner, eharmony’s higher price indicates that daters there can afford the premium price tag.
Learn more about eharmony, and see if it's a fit for you >>
Zoosk reviews
Zoosk reviews on Yelp
Zoosk has mixed online reviews. On Yelp, the Zoosk reviews are mostly negative — but also dating to 2013.
Zoosk reviews on Trustpilot
TrustPilot reviews of Zoosk average 1.9/5 stars based on more than 2,375 reviews as of September 2025.
Zoosk reviews on Reddit
On Reddit, there is a review thread on Zoosk:
Zoosk app store reviews
Zoosk has 4.2/5 stars on the Apple App Store and 3.2/5 stars on the Google Play store.
With 40 million members, there are bound to be some complaints. Keep reading to learn more about how Zoosk works, and why we recommend you check out other dating apps first.
How does Zoosk work?
Zoosk was one of the first dating apps Facebook allowed to integrate with its platform and uses your social media profile to quickly and accurately build you a dating profile — as well as match you with compatible dates.
Zoosk uses its behavioral technology to predict the kind of people you’d want to interact with by using your social media interests and tendencies to accept and reject different types of people.
For example, if Zoosk’s algorithm finds you consistently match with dog lovers, or those who live within a 20-mile radius, Zoosk will “learn” that about you, and make relevant connections — opposed to putting all the pressure on you to guess with a swipe left or swipe right.
Zoosk automatically pulls information from your social media profiles — like your age and where you're from. All you have to do is choose which photos you want to use and write a short bio about yourself and what you're looking for in a match.
You can always choose to omit specific personal information, too. Don’t want to include your income or industry? Not a problem on Zoosk.
Zoosk uses what it calls SmartPick to evaluate how compatible you are with other Zoosk members. SmartPick uses Behavioral Matchmaking technology and works by recording the profiles you like and those you don’t. Your vote, which you indicate by clicking a heart or an X on a profile, remains private from a potential match unless you both like each other.
When you do, you both match and can begin sending messages and chatting (as long as you’re both paid subscribers). Zoosk does offer subscribers an option to upgrade to Premium Messaging.
With Premium Messaging, members can reply to your messages without subscribing, allowing seven times more people to respond to your messages.
Because Zoosk keeps track of your preferences, the matches Zoosk compiles for you should theoretically become more accurate, the more you use it. So it pays to use the site frequently to achieve the best results.
This is what the Zoosk interface looks like:
How much does Zoosk cost?
As of September 2025, if you chose to upgrade from the free version, Zoosk offers a one-month subscription for $29.95 per month and a three-month subscription for one payment of $59.95, which is about $19.98 per month.
There’s also a six-month membership for a one-time payment of $65.99 ($11.00 per month) and a one-year membership for $89.99 ($7.50 per month). With each Zoosk subscription, you receive the same perks, but for more extended periods.
- 1-month membership – $29.95
- 3-month membership – $19.98/month
- 6-month membership – $11.00/month
- 12-month membership – $7.50/month
Is Zoosk free?
You can use Zoosk for free, but without paying for the platform, your options will be limited. However, there is a way to get started at no cost to you.
Is Zoosk sign up free?
Zoosk sign up is free, but you can’t do much without a paid membership, which starts at $11.66 per month for one year.
What are the Zoosk free features?
Zoosk free features include:
- Set up profile, including likes and interests
- Add photos to your profile
- Browse members
- Send likes and smiles
- Reply to three messages for free
- See who viewed your profile
Can you get Zoosk coins for free?
No, Zoosk coins are not free, but they are available for purchase whether you have a free account or paid subscription.
Coins buy you the ability to boost your profile on the Zoosk website, send a virtual gift, and unlock Carousel Matches — a speed-dating feature that incentivizes members to quickly decide whether to connect.
Zoosk coins are available in the following packages:
- 180 coins cost $19.95
- 480 coins cost $39.95
- 1,800 coins cost $99.95
Is Zoosk free chat available?
You cannot message or chat with your matches unless you are on a paid subscription. However, you can reply to three messages you receive from premium members for free.
How do I get a Zoosk free trial?
You can sign up for Zoosk for free at any time to start browsing members and send unlimited likes and smiles. But there is not currently an option to do a free trial of a premium membership, which includes features like messaging and video chat.
Pros and cons of Zoosk
Pro: Zoosk is super-easy to setup, with a great messenger
Compared to its competitors, Zoosk’s profile setup is simple. Upon landing on Zoosk’s homepage, you see a fill-in template asking you to input your gender, what you’re looking for in a mate, birthday, email address, and password choice.
Then, tell Zoosk where you live, give them an outline of what you look like, and your education level, and then you’re off to verify your account.
Pro: No open / polyamorous relationships
Zero judgment here. But if you are open only to monogamous relationships, Zoosk may appeal to you, since there is no way to actively identify yourself as poly or in an open relationship. If this resonates with you, eharmony is equally appealing to those seeking a monogamous relationship — especially if you are looking for something serious.
Pro: LBGTQ+ friendly
Everyone is welcome.
Pro: No lengthy questionnaires
This can be a pro and a con, depending on the type of relationship you're seeking.
Zoosk uses what they call Behavioral Matching to learn what it is you like and then applies those metrics to find matches for you, essentially taking the leg work out of finding someone to date.
For example, if you like men with beards but dislike men who own a cat, Zoosk will learn your preferences, increasing your chances of finding someone you’re interested in meeting.
Pro: Verified profiles
Because Zoosk uses your social media as a starting point, it’s harder (though never impossible) to invent a persona. Zoosk also offers options to verify your identity via a photo, phone number, or with your personal Twitter account.
However, numerous users report spam and fake profiles.
Pro: Access to a broad range of people
Zoosk claims to have 40 million members and is available to anyone between the ages of 20 to 93.
But besides the overall quantity of singles, what’s most important is the ability you have to sort through them. Zoosk allows you to cast as wide a net as you want while taking advantage of the site’s technology to refine your matches based on such factors as location height, and religion.
Con: Pay-to-play dating
If you want to use Zoosk, you’ll have to pay for it. Unlike other dating sites like Hinge and Tinder, there aren’t many benefits to remaining a free member on Zoosk, since you won’t be able to do much more than edit your own account details.
Con: Inactive users
Active users have complained of coming across bots on Zoosk’s platform. While the site claims to go out of its way to make sure members are real, there are unverified users. On Consumer Affairs, Zoosk got a 1.1 stars rating as of September 2025.
Con: Monogamy only
Depending on your preferences, if you are seeking open, poly or other outside-of-traditional two-person relationships, this is not your site.
If you are looking for a friend with benefits, read about how to find one here.
On the other hand, poly and open relationship-seeking people can certainly join the site and seek matches, which can cause confusion and frustration for the monogamous.
Zoosk FAQs
Who’s on Zoosk? What age group is Zoosk for?
With more than 40 million members in more than 70 countries, the odds of finding someone you like are in your favor. The platform is also available in more than 25 different languages.
Members are 45% male and 55% female, with an average age of 24 and 27 respectively.
To use Zoosk, you must be looking for monogamy only. Zoosk doesn’t qualify open relationships, polyamorous relationships, or anything other than long-term, two-person interactions.
Is Zoosk just a hookup site?
Zoosk is not just a hookup app. It's also for single people looking for a serious relationship or marriage.
Is Zoosk good for serious relationships?
While there are users on Reddit and in online reviews who claim to have met their current partners and spouses on Zoosk, Zoosk doesn’t have the same reputation as sites like eharmony for serious dating.
Zoosk also doesn't separate daters by the type of relationship they're looking for — everyone is in the same pool. That means it's up to members to weed out daters who aren't looking for something serious.
Does Zoosk have a lot of fake profiles?
Several Zoosk reviews posted on Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau complain about numerous fake reviews on Zoosk, with one even claiming more than 75% of female profiles they saw were fake.
Is Zoosk a trusted site?
Zoosk’s parent company Spark Networks has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. However, members often complain about fake profiles and spam accounts.
Is Zoosk a good dating site?
Quick answer: No. While the Zoosk app has competitive fees, it attracts a broad swath of daters, and it can be easy to get lost among the masses of daters.
Common complaints for Zoosk’s app include many dead accounts, spammy, misleading emails and marketing, low quality of members and high prices and ads on the free version. Here are a few recent complaints on Better Business Bureau, which until recently gave the parent company a big fat F for a long time.
However, parent Spark Networks has seemed to have stepped up, and is responding to complaints on the BBB, which increased its rating to an A+, even if customer reviews average 1.16/5 stars. None of the current reviews are specifically about Zoosk, though these are some older ones:
For serious relationships, our recommendation is eharmony, which is solely focused on helping professional singles find serious relationships and/or marriage.
Check out eharmony now for free >>
Zoosk alternatives
Zoosk vs. Elite Singles
EliteSingles is solely focused on pairing singles with serious dating partners, including for marriage. If this is what you are looking for, Elite Singles beats Zoosk. However, not all single moms and dads are ready or interested in a committed partnership, in which case Zoosk is a more casual dating option — and a good one!
Read the complete EliteSingles review.
Zoosk vs. Match
Match users tend to be older and are more likely to be looking for serious relationships. Zoosk tends to attract younger daters in their mid- to late-20s who are looking for serious commitment and casual dating alike. Match has a slightly dated user interface, which isn't surprising considering it was one of the first major dating sites.
Read the complete Match.com review.
Zoosk vs. OKCupid
OKCupid is known for being one of the most inclusive dating websites out there (with 13 gender identifications) and also for its extensive compatibility ratings based on thousands of questions its users can answer. OKCupid is all about being upfront in your dating intentions and is probably a better fit than Zoosk for casual dating. It also offers more free features, including the ability to message with a limited number of people each month for free.
Read the complete OKCupid review.
Zoosk vs. PoF
Plenty of Fish stands out because you don't need a premium upgrade to message other users. Zoosk, on the other hand, requires a premium subscription to message or chat with your matches.
Read the complete Plenty of Fish review.
Bottom line: Is it worth paying for Zoosk?
Don't pay for Zoosk. For serious relationships, go first to eharmony.
Interested in checking out other dating sites and apps? Here are some dating app reviews:
Used Zoosk? What was your experience? Share in the comments!
Zoosk was one of the first dating apps Facebook allowed to integrate with its platform and uses your social media to quickly and accurately build you a unique personal profile — as well as match you with compatible dates. Zoosk uses its behavioral technology to predict the kind of people you’ll want to interact with by using your social media habits as a guide.
As of September 2025, if you chose to upgrade from the free version, Zoosk offers a one-month subscription for $29.95 per month and a three-month subscription for one payment of $59.95, which is about $19.98 per month.
You can use Zoosk for free, but without paying for the platform, your options will be limited. However, there is a way to get started at no cost to you.
Don't pay for Zoosk. For serious relationships, go first to eharmony.
