Once Review 2024 — Real Dating Site or Scam?
| Active Audience | 85% |
| Quality Matches | 90% |
| Popular Age | 20-42 |
| Profiles | 1.600.000 |
| Reply Rate | 95% |
| Ease of Use | 8.4 |
| Popularity | 9.2 |
| Fraud | Very Rarely |
| Rating | |
| Registration | Free |
Once users sign up here as well:
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Betty
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15 Sep 2020Updated:10 Mar 2024
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3498 Views
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10 min read
Pros and Cons
- Site is easy to use and understand
- Believes in providing quality over quantity
- The payment methods are quite secure
- Perfect for people looking for serious relationships
- The app is very women-oriented
- The overall matching process is quite slow
- Not for people who are only looking for a casual relationship or hook up
- The credits are expensive
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Once is a Switzerland-based online dating platform that was launched in 2015. The company was founded by Jean Meyer and some of his colleagues. They introduced Once to the world as the ‘slow dating site’ that functioned by providing only a single match every 24 hours. The founders believed that this personalized matchmaking approach would provide a better way of finding a quality match, rather than quantity.
While other dating sites offer personalized matchmaking with the help of algorithms, systems, or machines, Once is a site with a team of professional matchmakers. They match you based on the information you have provided in your profile.
Some other factors that are important in the matchmaking process are the number of active members for the last 48 hours and the proximity. Super simple in both design and functionality, Once it is quite a pleasure to use, despite its apparent limited features.
Once has been deemed as one of the most innovative apps since Tinder, revolutionizing the online dating community by providing a unique value proposition, focusing on quality rather than quantity.
Once—How It Works
Of course, one-match-per-day might sound like a prolonged process. However, this is because the site wants you to match with people with whom you can share thoughts from your heart. Here is an overview of the working of Once dating site.
Once a member has been selected for you or vice versa, you will have 24 hours to like each other’s profiles. With the help of the site’s tokens, like crowns, you will be able to send a one-time message to the other member.
If that person likes your profile and replies, a chat screen will be provided to you both where you can chat for as long as you want once it allows for a maximum of 4 free matches.
Let Us Analyze The Audience
According to research, Once had about three million users in 2017. The site is available in seven different languages across 32 nations, including France, Spain, the UK, etc. Since Once dating site has a hold in so many countries, landing a match is not difficult.
The sex-ratio in the site is evenly distributed. Here, you will mostly find members who are above the age of 25 years. This might be because the site is quite slow and meant for relationships that are long-term and serious. However, you might also find some members below 25 years.
Most members here are only looking for serious relationships, which is why they can bear with the one-match-per-day system. You will hardly find youngsters using the site since they are mostly into the one-night stand and hookup culture and not looking for a long-term relationship. If you are looking for something serious, you can consider creating a Once account.
What Are Some Essential Features Of Once?
The ‘one match per day’ is, perhaps, the most crucial feature of Once. Every day, the professional matchmakers will send you a handpicked match, based on the information on both profiles. For instance, if you have mentioned that football is your passion, the match you will be sent will likely love football as well, in one form or the other.
The matchmakers also focus on the active users on the site and will screen profiles so that you do not match with any familiar faces like your old friend from school, distant acquaintances, or people from work. Only the suggested match will be able to view your profile.
Once you are presented with a match, you can like the profile; if the other member likes your profile within 24 hours, this means that you will be able to move on to chat. You also have the chance to send a one-time message to the other user with the help of crowns. If there is no response and your 24-hour time is up, you will be given your next suggested member.
Additionally, the rating system has been made to empower women. In today’s times, women are susceptible to a lot of danger like fake photos, ghosting, catfishing, etc. Similar to Uber ratings, the rating system at Once empowers women, thereby making it one of the most secure dating apps today. Thanks to the learning algorithm of the site, women have the power to review the profile pictures, dates, and chats of men they went out with. They also have the chance to write down their comments about the date, which are then checked by the site’s administrators and professional matchmakers.
Some other important features provided by Once include the following.
Matching Quality
This feature offers you the chance to rate the pictures of other members. This activity will help matchmakers understand your taste and type and will be able to pair you up with members accordingly.
My Reviews
This feature can be accessed from your profile information. You can ask your Facebook friends to write a review about you. This will allow the matchmakers to study your personality suggest matches accordingly. This feature will increase your chances of being matched and liked perfectly.
Match Preferences
This is a paid feature where you have to answer some questions by matchmakers. Similar to the above, match preferences will help the matchmakers understand you as a personality and your preferences and taste.
While Once dating site is free to use, you can increase your chances of interaction by purchasing crowns. The crowns offer you a lot of key features like:
- Matching with someone who is online
- Sending a message to a previous match that you might have missed
- Choosing your own matches with members, you want to have a chat with
- Picking your match for the next day without that person knowing
How User Friendly Is Once?
Once is a site that has hit the right chord with the audience. This is thanks to its design and functionalities that it provides.
Key Points On Once Website Usability And Design
The site has a very user-friendly site. The site is very minimalist, and you do not have to work too hard to find all the functionalities. The site makes use of white as its primary theme color, which gives the site an immaculate and neat look. Everything that you are looking for will be visible within the interface itself.
What Does The Once Mobile App Look Like?
The site’s mobile app is quite nice. It almost functions as same as the main website. In fact, both the versions have similar features that make it easy for you to use both without facing any problems and hassles. You can download the Once app for your iOS and Android devices via iTunes and Google Play, respectively.
In both stores, you will see in-app purchases; the prices are almost equivalent to the original site’s pricing.
How Reliable Is The Customer Support?
If you face any problem while using the site, you can head to the Contact Us tab. Here, you need to fill up an online form and describe the problem that you are facing. For faster assistance, you also need to submit your phone number and other additional information like city, country, and Facebook name. In the Message text box, you can explain your problems in detail.
Alternatively, you can also head towards the FAQ section, where you will see all the common queries and doubts faced by other users. Likely, your question you have in your mind has already been asked and solved.
Signing Up for an Account and User Profile
Signing up and creating a profile is quite easy. Once is a site that makes sure that you fill up your entire profile since what you write on your profile will determine with whom do you match with.
How Do You Sign-Up On Once?
The sign-up process for Once is quick and easy; it will not take more than a minute of your time. You can either use your mobile number or Facebook ID for the purpose. The dating platform will show your exact name that you use on Facebook; you will see that other members have their Facebook handles as their names instead of the traditional username.
When it comes to profile information, you can choose to do it at any time conveniently. You will also see a text box where you can write something interesting about yourself. Your profile picture needs to be clear for the matchmaking to begin – you will be notified if your photo is not clear or adequate.
Once you are done with the sign-up process, you will receive an automatic match. You can view the profile of the matched member and check out his/her pictures. However, you will only be able to send messages after you buy crowns.
Because Once protects the anonymity of its members, you will not be able to see the profiles of other users. You can only see the profiles of your matches. If you receive a chat request or send one to another member, you will not be able to view their photos, unless you are a VIP subscriber.
What Is The Profile Quality and What About Verification?
When you go through the profile of other members, you will see that they are quite informative. Most members at Once fill their information completely. The information includes drinking and smoking preferences, work, education, religion, ethnicity, height, birthdays, etc. Additionally, it is much easier to get real dates since most users here are looking for a serious or long-term relationship.
Since the sign-up process is quite comprehensive, it only goes ahead to indicate that only real people register here. Additionally, the site also requires you to input your phone number; this is the authentication step where you will receive a confirmation number via a text message, which is the final step of creating your profile.
The Search Feature On Once
Since Once does not provide any search option, you can’t search specific members or according to preferences and mood. Due to the personalized matchmaking process, you will be matched only according to the information provided in your profile by the matchmakers.
The Chatting and Matching Process On Once
Getting in touch with other members at Once is quite restrictive compared to other dating sites. This is done because Once dating site believes in personalized matchmaking. There are no search options, and you only get limited contact proposals each day. Using your crowns, you can send a one-time message to your match/es to start your connection. If your match does not reply, you can make use of another crown to send them another message.
What Are The Membership Options On Once?
While the site is free to use, you may have to purchase some additional features if you want to thoroughly enjoy using the site and increase your chances of finding the right matches.
Free Membership
The standard membership is free. You can visit the Once dating site or download the app and register for free. Then, the site’s matchmaking feature will send you a profile once every 24 hours each day. If you both like each other, you can continue chatting for free.
Some free features offered by once dating site are:
- My Reviews
- Profile completion
- Match quality
Paid Membership
The site offers its paid services via a VIP subscription and crowns. The free version allows you to enjoy the services of the site at a minimal level. While the cost of the subscription and crowns are a bit expensive, they are absolutely worth the cost. If you want to avail of the crowns, you need to tap on the crown symbol on the Once mobile app or desktop site. For subscribing to the VIP plans, you can visit the VIP section.
Pricing of The Paid Membership
The pricing of the VIP subscription and crowns are as follows:
VIP Subscription
One month: US$19.99/month; a total of US$19.99
Three months: US$15/month; a total of US$45
Six months: US$10/month; a total of US$60
Crowns
Five credits: US$1.80/credit; a total of US$8.99
15 credits: US$1.20/credit; a total of US$17.98
30 credits: US$0.90/credit; a total of US$26.99
100 credits: us$0.75/credit; a total of US$74.98
How Do You Cancel Your Once Subscription?
Your VIP subscription renews automatically once it expires. However, if you want to cancel the auto-renewal, all you need to do is head towards the Settings option and cancel the auto-renewal process from here. You can also choose to cancel the subscription from here, although not while it is in process. You can read more about it in the terms and condition section of the main Once website.
What Are The Safety and Security Features Offered By Once?
Once is a dating site that thoroughly utilizes all the available measures to provide security and safety to its members. Your profile remains secure, and other details are kept safe so that misuse can be avoided.
The administrators make sure that the most advanced SSL encryption technology is used to protect the members of the site. The site uses several layers of the firewall so that all your personal information can be locked away within the site’s servers.
What Are Some Once Competitors And Alternatives?
Once is truly a unique dating site. While the matching process is quite slow, they are definitely worth the wait, especially if you are looking for something serious. However, this exact wait might not be suited for some users. If you are looking for serious relationships on apps/sites that have a faster matching process, here are some alternatives:
- Match.com: This is one of the oldest dating sites that have a proven matching algorithm, which ensures that you land the right matches.
- OkCupid: Singles looking for serious matchmaking will definitely appreciate the site’s liberal matchmaking process.
- eHarmony: eHarmony is a dating site that caters well to the needs of both casual daters and people who have marriage in their minds.
- Hinge: Hinge is a site made to cater to the needs of millennials. The app has a less straightforward approach than Tinder.
- Elite Singles: This is a dating site made for career-oriented individuals who wish to connect fast and do not have the time that can be spent on swiping.
Once: Final Thoughts
As one of the newest dating sites/apps in the market today, Once has gained popularity very quickly, mostly thanks to its unique features like personalized matchmaking services. Since the site can be used for free, Once has been recommended by dating experts from around the world. If you happen to become a VIP member, things will get even better.
The site ensures that all the precautions needed to protect the security of your personal data are being done earnestly. This includes your data from being damaged or distorted and preventing other unauthorized third parties from accessing it. Hence, Once is a very safe and secure site that will help you find the one that you have been looking for all this time!
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