Once takes a radically different approach to online dating by giving you just one match per day. After testing it for several weeks, I can say this concept works well for some users but falls flat for others. If you're exhausted by endless swiping and want a more curated experience, Once might be refreshing. However, if you prefer having multiple options and faster results, this app will likely frustrate you. Let me break down exactly what I found during my time using it.

What is Once?

Once is a dating app that launched in 2015, founded by three French entrepreneurs who were frustrated with the overwhelming nature of traditional dating apps. The core concept is simple: instead of bombarding you with hundreds of profiles to swipe through, Once delivers exactly one curated match every day at noon.

The app has been downloaded over five million times and operates in more than 30 countries, including the USA. It targets users who are tired of the "swipe culture" that dominates most dating platforms. The demographic skews toward millennials, though you'll find users across various age groups. Once positions itself as a quality-over-quantity solution, which sounds great in theory. In practice, as of 2026, the experience is more nuanced than their marketing suggests.

Key Features of Once Review

The matching system is where Once stands apart from everything else. Each day at noon, you receive one match selected by a combination of algorithm and human matchmakers. Yes, actual people review profiles and make pairing decisions. This hybrid approach aims to create more meaningful connections than pure algorithm-based matching.

Once you receive your daily match, you have 24 hours to decide whether to connect. If both users express interest within that window, you can start chatting. If the time expires without mutual interest, the match disappears forever. This creates urgency but also pressure that some users find stressful.

The communication tools are straightforward. Once you match, you can exchange text messages within the app. There's no video chat built in, and voice messages aren't available on the free tier. The interface keeps things minimal, which I appreciated. No confusing buttons or hidden features to figure out.

The mobile app runs smoothly on both iOS and Android. Lovezoid's review team tested it on multiple devices and found no significant bugs or crashes. Load times are quick, and the design is clean. However, there's no desktop version, which might annoy users who prefer larger screens for browsing profiles.

One unique feature is the "Crown" system. You can earn crowns through daily activity, and these allow you to unlock additional matches beyond your daily one. It gamifies the experience, though it also pushes you toward premium features. Instagram integration lets you connect your account to show more of your personality, which helps since profiles can feel limited otherwise.

Once Pricing & Value

The basic Once experience is completely free. You can sign up, create a profile, receive your daily match, and chat without paying anything. This makes it easy to test whether the concept works for you before spending money.

However, the free experience has real limitations. You get exactly one match per day, no exceptions. You can't see who has liked you. You can't extend conversations beyond the 24-hour window without using credits.

Credits are the in-app currency for extending conversations and accessing extra features. The pricing structure works like this: 5 credits cost $8.99, 15 credits run $19.99, and 30 credits are $29.99. Each conversation extension costs credits, so these can disappear quickly if you're actively using the app.

The VIP subscription costs $29.99 per month and includes unlimited matches, the ability to see who liked you, and access to premium filters. Our Lovezoid experts found this pricing steep compared to what you get. For the same monthly cost, many popular swiping apps offer more features and a larger user pool.

Is premium worth it? Honestly, it depends on your patience level. If waiting for one match daily drives you crazy, VIP unlocks more options. But if you appreciate the slow-dating concept, the free version captures the core experience. I'd recommend trying the free tier for at least two weeks before deciding. You can browse and match without paying to test if this approach suits your dating style.

User Experience on Once

Signing up takes about five minutes. You can register with Facebook or an email address. The app asks basic questions about your preferences, age range you're interested in, and location. You'll upload photos and write a brief bio. Nothing complicated, though the profile fields feel limited compared to platforms that offer detailed questionnaires.

Profile quality varies significantly. Some users put genuine effort into their profiles with multiple photos and thoughtful descriptions. Others have single blurry photos and empty bios. Since you only see one profile per day, getting a low-effort match feels more disappointing than it would on apps where you can simply swipe to the next person.

Activity levels are my biggest concern with Once. In smaller cities and rural areas of the USA, the user base thins out considerably. During my testing period, I noticed several days where my daily match was located 50+ miles away, despite setting a closer radius. In major metropolitan areas like New York or Los Angeles, you'll have better luck with local matches.

The interface is intuitive. Everything important sits on the main screen. Your daily match appears prominently, and navigation requires minimal learning. I appreciated not having to dig through menus to find basic functions. The notification system works well, alerting you when your daily match arrives and when conversations are about to expire.

The 24-hour limit creates real frustration at times. Life gets busy, and missing a potentially great match because you forgot to check the app feels harsh. The app does send reminders, but if you're someone who silences notifications, you'll miss opportunities. This pressure doesn't feel romantic; it feels stressful.

Is Once Safe and Legit?

Safety features on Once are adequate but not exceptional. The app offers basic photo verification, though it's not mandatory. You can report and block users who behave inappropriately. Privacy controls let you hide your profile temporarily if needed.

The scam and bot question deserves honest discussion. Some users online have complained about fake profiles and matches that seem too good to be true. During my testing, I encountered a couple of profiles that felt suspicious, generic photos with minimal information. However, this wasn't dramatically worse than other dating platforms. The human matchmaker element should theoretically reduce bots, but it's not a perfect filter.

For USA users, Once operates legitimately. It's a real company with real employees, not a fly-by-night operation. Your payment information is processed securely, and the app follows standard data protection practices. That said, I'd recommend the same caution you'd use on any dating platform. Don't share personal financial information with matches, and meet in public places for first dates.

One legitimate criticism involves the business model. The credit system and VIP upsells can feel aggressive. The app clearly wants you to pay, and some features feel artificially restricted to push purchases. This isn't a scam, but it is a business strategy that some users find off-putting. If you're exploring social discovery platforms or considering questionnaire-based matching, you might find different monetization approaches.

Who Should Consider Once?

Once works best for specific types of daters. If you're genuinely overwhelmed by choice and find endless swiping exhausting, the one-match-per-day model offers relief. It forces you to actually consider each person rather than making snap judgments.

Busy professionals benefit from the limited time commitment. Checking one profile daily takes seconds compared to hours spent on traditional apps. If dating has become a second job you resent, Once simplifies things dramatically.

People who value intentionality over volume will appreciate the philosophy. The app attracts users who are tired of casual hookup culture and want something more meaningful. If that describes you, you'll likely find more compatible matches here than on apps known for casual encounters.

However, Once isn't right for everyone. If you live in a less populated area, the limited user base becomes a real problem. You simply won't have enough local options to make the app useful. Users seeking mature dating experiences or specific relationship arrangements might find the general matching too broad for their needs.

Impatient daters will hate this app. One match per day feels glacially slow when you're eager to meet someone. If you want to go on multiple dates per week, Once's pace won't support that goal. The math simply doesn't work; one match daily means roughly 30 potential connections monthly, and most won't result in actual dates.

After thorough testing in 2026, Once delivers exactly what it promises: a slower, more curated dating experience. Whether that's good or bad depends entirely on what you're looking for.

The concept genuinely helps combat dating app fatigue. Getting one thoughtfully selected match feels more special than swiping through hundreds of faces. The human matchmaker element adds a personal touch that algorithms can't replicate. The app runs smoothly, looks good, and doesn't waste your time with unnecessary features.

The downsides are equally clear. Limited user base in smaller areas, aggressive monetization pushing you toward premium, and the stressful 24-hour expiration window all detract from the experience. The pricing feels high for what you get, especially the VIP subscription.

Lovezoid's overall assessment: Once is worth trying if you're curious about slow dating and live in a major metropolitan area. The free version lets you test the concept without financial commitment. Give it a couple of weeks to see if the one-match-per-day approach resonates with your dating style. Registration costs nothing, and you might discover that less really is more when it comes to finding meaningful connections.

If Once's pace frustrates you after a fair trial, check the comparison table above for alternatives that offer more volume and faster matching. Different approaches work for different people, and there's no shame in preferring a more traditional dating app experience.