Positive Singles is one of the most established dating platforms for people living with sexually transmitted diseases, and after Lovezoid's review team spent several weeks testing it in 2026, I can say it delivers on its core promise—but with some caveats. This site works best for people with herpes, HIV, or other STDs who want a judgment-free zone to meet others in similar situations. If you're looking for a quick hookup app or expect a massive pool of local matches in smaller cities, you might want to check the comparison table above for alternatives.

What is Positive Singles?

Positive Singles launched back in 2001, making it one of the oldest niche dating sites specifically designed for people living with STDs. The platform claims over 1.26 million members globally, with the majority based in the United States. Unlike mainstream dating apps where disclosing your STD status can feel awkward or even dangerous, Positive Singles removes that barrier entirely. Everyone on the platform understands the situation, which creates a more relaxed environment for building genuine connections.

The site caters to people with various conditions including HSV-1, HSV-2, HPV, HIV, Hepatitis B and C, Chlamydia, Syphilis, Gonorrhea, and other STDs. It's available to users 18 and older, and while the company operates internationally, the largest user base is concentrated in the USA. The platform positions itself for everything from casual chatting to serious relationships and even marriage.

Key Features of Positive Singles

The matching system on Positive Singles works through a combination of search filters and profile compatibility. You can search members by username, location, age, and STD type. The site also includes a "First Date" feature where you answer questions about ideal date scenarios, and the system matches you with people who gave similar answers. It's a clever touch that goes beyond just medical status.

One standout feature is the forum and community section. Unlike most dating sites that focus purely on matching, Positive Singles includes discussion boards where members share experiences, advice, and support. There's also access to STD counselors via email or live chat—though this is limited to paid members and available Monday through Thursday from 6 to 8 pm.

The "Quick Exit" button is another thoughtful addition. If someone walks into the room and you need privacy fast, clicking this button immediately redirects you to a neutral website. It's a small detail that shows the developers understand their users' need for discretion.

Communication tools include standard messaging, winks, and the ability to comment on profiles. There's also a chatroom for more casual group conversations. Video introductions can be linked to your profile, which helps establish authenticity and gives potential matches a better sense of who you are before reaching out.

Positive Singles Pricing and Value

Here's where things get a bit frustrating. While Positive Singles offers a free membership, it's quite limited. Free users can create a profile, upload up to 26 photos, send winks, browse members, and reply to messages. However, you cannot initiate conversations—only respond to them. This essentially means free users depend on paid members to make the first move.

Premium membership pricing breaks down like this:

• 1 month: $29.95
• 3 months: $59.95 (about $20 per month)
• 6 months: $95.95 (about $16 per month)

The site does offer bonus time with subscriptions—10 extra days with a 1-month plan, 1 extra month with 3 months, and 2 extra months with 6 months. No promo codes are currently available, but these bonuses help offset the cost somewhat.

Is premium worth it? Honestly, it depends on your situation. If you live in a major metropolitan area with an active user base, the paid features—especially the ability to initiate messages and access STD counselors—add real value. If you're in a smaller town, I'd recommend browsing free profiles first to see if there are enough active members in your area before committing money. You can test the waters without paying, which is always a good sign.

User Experience on Positive Singles

Signing up takes about 10-15 minutes if you fill out your profile properly. The process asks standard questions like age, location, and what you're looking for, plus the crucial STD status selection. You'll choose from a detailed list of conditions, which felt thorough but not invasive. The profile headline allows 70 characters, and the "About Me" section gives you up to 2000 characters to describe yourself.

Profile quality varies significantly. Some members put real effort into their profiles with detailed descriptions, multiple photos, and video introductions. Others have bare-bones profiles with a single photo and minimal information. In my testing, I'd estimate about 40% of profiles felt genuinely complete and engaging.

Activity levels depend heavily on location. Major US cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago have decent activity with new members logging in regularly. If you're searching for dating options in New York, you'll find a reasonable pool here. Smaller cities and rural areas? The pickings get slim fast. I noticed some profiles that hadn't been active in months, which is a common issue with niche dating sites.

The interface feels dated compared to modern dating apps. It works fine, but don't expect the sleek, swipe-based experience you'd get elsewhere. Navigation is straightforward once you learn where everything is, but the design screams early 2010s rather than 2026. The mobile app mirrors most desktop features but notably lacks the STD health services and forum access, which seems like an odd omission.

One annoyance: the site pushes premium upgrades frequently. Almost every action as a free member triggers a prompt to subscribe. I understand the business model, but it gets tiresome after the fifth popup in a single session.

Is Positive Singles Safe and Legit?

This is probably the most important question for this particular niche. Our Lovezoid experts found that Positive Singles takes safety reasonably seriously. The verification process requires a photo upload, valid email confirmation, and optional ID verification for members who want that extra credibility badge.

Scam and bot prevalence seemed lower than many mainstream dating sites. The niche nature of the platform likely deters mass-scale scammers who prefer larger pools of potential victims. That said, I did encounter a few suspicious profiles during testing—overly attractive photos, vague profiles, and immediate requests to move conversations off-platform. Standard dating site red flags apply here too.

Privacy controls are decent. You can password-protect your mobile app, control who sees your photos through private albums, and the Quick Exit button adds an extra layer of discretion. The site uses SSL encryption for data transmission, which is standard but necessary.

For USA users specifically, the platform operates under US privacy laws and stores data on domestic servers. The company has been around since 2001 without major security scandals, which provides some peace of mind. However, like any dating site, you should never share financial information or overly personal details with someone you haven't met in person.

One legitimate concern: the very nature of the site means your STD status is part of your profile. While the platform is designed for people who understand this, always be cautious about how much identifying information you share. Someone with bad intentions could potentially use this information harmfully, though the site's verification features help mitigate this risk.

Who Positive Singles Works Best For

This platform genuinely shines for specific user types. If you've recently been diagnosed with an STD and feel isolated or anxious about dating again, Positive Singles removes the biggest hurdle—disclosure. Everyone here already knows the situation, which eliminates that dreaded conversation early in a relationship.

People seeking serious, long-term relationships tend to have better experiences here than those looking for casual encounters. The community forums and counseling services suggest the platform attracts members who want more than just hookups. If you're interested in dating with deeper meaning or building genuine connections, the environment supports that.

The site also works well for people who value community support alongside dating. The forums provide a space to ask questions, share experiences, and connect with others who understand the emotional challenges of living with an STD. This isn't something you'll find on mainstream apps.

Who Should Look Elsewhere

If you live in a rural area or smaller city, the limited user base might frustrate you. I'd suggest checking how many active profiles exist in your area before paying for premium. The free browsing feature lets you do this without commitment.

Users expecting a modern, app-first experience will find the interface disappointing. If you're used to Tinder-style swiping and instant gratification, Positive Singles feels slow and clunky by comparison. People focused on active lifestyle dating or other specific interests might find the niche too narrow.

Those seeking purely casual encounters might also struggle. While the site technically welcomes all relationship types, the community skews toward members wanting meaningful connections. The investment required—both emotional and financial—tends to attract people looking for more than one-night stands.

Positive Singles fills an important gap in the dating market. For people living with STDs who feel excluded from mainstream dating, this platform offers a genuine alternative where your status is understood, not judged. The community features, counseling access, and thoughtful privacy tools show real consideration for users' unique needs.

However, the dated interface, aggressive upselling, limited free features, and varying activity levels outside major cities hold it back from being a perfect solution. The pricing is mid-range for dating sites, and premium membership genuinely improves the experience—but only if enough active members exist in your area to make it worthwhile.

My recommendation: create a free account first and browse your local area. See how many profiles exist, check activity levels, and get a feel for the community. If you find promising matches, upgrading to premium makes sense. If your area looks sparse, you might want to explore alternatives in the comparison table above or consider broader dating platforms where you can disclose your status on your own terms.

For users in populated areas who want a supportive, understanding community alongside their dating search, Positive Singles remains one of the best options available. Worth trying with a free account to see if it fits your situation—registration costs nothing, and you might find exactly what you're looking for.