Yubo sits in a weird space between social media and dating app, and honestly, that's both its biggest strength and weakness. After spending several weeks testing this platform, I can tell you it's best suited for younger users (18-25) who want casual connections and live streaming fun rather than serious relationships. If you're over 30 or looking for a traditional dating experience, you should probably skip this one and check the comparison table above for better alternatives.

What is Yubo?

Yubo launched back in 2015 under the name "Yellow" before rebranding. It's grown into a social discovery app with over 50 million users worldwide, though calling it a "dating app" isn't quite accurate. Think of it more like a hybrid between swipe-based matching and live streaming platforms like Twitch or TikTok Live.

The platform targets Gen Z users primarily, with a strong focus on video content and real-time interaction. It's fully available in the USA and has a significant user base in major cities. Unlike traditional dating apps, Yubo emphasizes making friends and building communities rather than romantic matching, though plenty of users do form relationships through the app.

Key Features of Yubo Explained

The Lovezoid review team tested Yubo's main features extensively, and here's what actually matters:

Swipe Discovery: Similar to other apps, you swipe right to connect and left to pass. When two people swipe right on each other, you can start chatting. The algorithm shows you users based on age and location, but the filters are pretty basic compared to what you'd find on more established platforms.

Live Streaming: This is Yubo's standout feature. You can broadcast live video to other users or join existing streams. Up to 10 people can appear on camera in a single stream, which creates a group hangout vibe. I found this feature genuinely fun, though the quality of streams varies wildly.

Communities: Users can join interest-based groups where they share content and chat. These range from gaming communities to music fans to fitness enthusiasts. The engagement level depends heavily on which community you join.

Age Verification: Yubo uses Yoti technology for age verification, which scans your face to estimate your age. This is actually more thorough than many dating apps, and it helps keep the platform safer for younger users.

Mobile App Quality: The app runs smoothly on both iOS and Android. The interface feels modern and intuitive, though it can be overwhelming at first with all the different sections and features competing for attention.

Yubo Pricing & Value Assessment

Here's where things get interesting. Yubo offers a free tier that's actually usable, unlike some apps that lock everything behind a paywall.

Free Features Include:

• Unlimited swiping (with daily limits)
• Basic chat functionality
• Watching and joining live streams
• Creating your own streams
• Joining communities

Premium Membership (Yubo Power Pack) Costs:

• 1 week: $5.99
• 1 month: $8.99
• 3 months: $14.99

Premium gets you the ability to undo swipes, see who's already swiped right on you, boosted visibility, and the option to meet more people in a 30-minute window. Honestly? The premium features feel underwhelming for the price. The undo swipe feature is nice, but it's not worth $9 monthly when the free version works reasonably well.

Our Lovezoid experts found that you can have a perfectly fine experience without paying anything. I'd suggest using the free version for at least a few weeks before considering premium. You can browse and connect without spending a dime to test if it works for you.

User Experience on Yubo: The Real Story

Signing up takes about 5 minutes. You'll need to provide your birthday, add photos, and go through the age verification process. The Yoti verification can be finicky—it rejected my first two attempts before accepting my photo. Make sure you have good lighting.

Once you're in, the app throws a lot at you. There's the swipe section, the live streaming area, communities, and your inbox all competing for attention. It took me a couple of days to figure out where everything was and how to use it efficiently.

Profile Quality: This is where Yubo struggles compared to other social discovery apps. Many profiles are sparse with just one or two photos and minimal bio information. The emphasis on live streaming means people put less effort into their static profiles. You'll get a better sense of someone from their streams than their profile page.

Activity Levels: In major US cities, there's plenty of activity. I tested in three different locations, and finding active users was never a problem. However, if you're in a smaller town or rural area, your options shrink dramatically. The live streaming feature helps here because you can connect with people regardless of location.

The Annoying Parts: Push notifications are aggressive by default. The app constantly wants you to come back, check streams, and see who's online. I had to dig into settings to tone these down. Also, the "boost" prompts get repetitive—Yubo really wants you to upgrade to premium.

Is Yubo Safe and Legit?

This is a fair question, especially given Yubo's younger user base. As of 2026, the platform has made significant safety improvements.

Verification: The Yoti age verification is legitimate and works. It's not perfect—no system is—but it's more robust than the simple birthday entry most apps use. Banned users must re-verify, which prevents easy ban evasion.

Moderation: Live streams are monitored, and the reporting system actually works. I tested it by reporting inappropriate content, and it was addressed within hours. The app also uses AI to detect potentially harmful content in real-time.

Bot and Scam Situation: I encountered fewer obvious bots on Yubo than on many traditional dating apps. The live streaming requirement makes it harder for scammers to operate since they'd need to appear on camera. That said, I did see some suspicious accounts—usually ones pushing social media follows or promoting external content.

Privacy Controls: You can limit who sees your profile, block users, and control your location sharing. The settings are reasonably comprehensive, though buried in menus that take some exploration to find.

For USA Users: Yubo complies with US privacy regulations and stores data securely. There haven't been any major data breaches reported, which is more than some larger platforms can claim.

One concern worth mentioning: because Yubo attracts younger users, the maturity level of interactions varies. If you're in your mid-20s or older, you might find the vibe too juvenile. This isn't a safety issue, but it affects your experience.

Who Actually Uses Yubo?

During my testing, I noticed distinct user types:

Content Creators: People building an audience through live streams. They're often entertaining but not necessarily looking for connections.

Social Butterflies: Users who genuinely want to meet new people and chat. These are your best matches if you're looking for actual interaction.

The Bored: People killing time, swiping mindlessly, rarely responding to messages. You'll encounter plenty of these.

Relationship Seekers: They exist but are the minority. If you want something more serious, platforms focused on relationship-oriented dating might serve you better.

The gender balance leans slightly male, which is typical for apps in this space. Women reported receiving a high volume of messages, while men sometimes struggled to get responses.

How Yubo Compares to Traditional Dating Apps

Without naming specific competitors, Yubo occupies a unique niche. Traditional dating apps focus on matching and messaging. Yubo focuses on discovery and entertainment with connection as a byproduct.

If you want structured dating with detailed profiles, compatibility scores, and relationship-focused features, Yubo will disappoint you. If you want a more casual, video-first experience where connections happen organically through shared activities, Yubo delivers.

For users interested in specific relationship dynamics or more mature dating scenes, Yubo's young demographic probably won't match your needs. Check the comparison table above for alternatives that better fit those preferences.

After thorough testing, here's my honest assessment:

Yubo works well for:

• Users aged 18-25 who enjoy video content
• People looking for casual connections and new friends
• Anyone who likes live streaming and group interactions
• Social users in major metropolitan areas
• Those who prefer video over text-based chatting

Yubo isn't right for:

• Users over 30 (you'll feel out of place)
• Anyone seeking serious, long-term relationships
• People in rural areas with limited user pools
• Those who prefer detailed profiles and compatibility matching
• Privacy-focused users uncomfortable with video

The Lovezoid team rates Yubo as a solid option within its specific niche. It's not a scam, it's reasonably safe, and it delivers what it promises—a social discovery platform with live streaming at its core. Just don't expect a traditional dating experience.

If you're in the target demographic and curious, it's worth trying with a free account first. Registration costs nothing, and you can test all the main features without paying. Give it a week of active use before deciding if it's for you.

If Yubo's approach doesn't match what you're looking for, that's fine too. Check the comparison table above for alternatives that might better suit your dating goals. Not every app works for every person, and finding the right fit matters more than forcing something that doesn't click.