Once was a different dating app until late 2022. But then it was used to rebrand the dating site ‘uDates’ – which is reviewed below. uDates as mentioned throughout this article is now known and branded as Once.
Our user applied to join uDates in September 2022 but decided quickly upon access that the site was not one they would continue to use or test.
Unserious Dating Site
Once uses coin/credit systems for nearly all interactions including messaging. Dating App Authority does not recommend dating apps with this style of payment system.
Furthermore, Once includes so caller ‘Popular Members’ who are actually paid for their content or paid with revenue share for interactions they cause on the website. This means, if they join the site and create profiles that are popular, they can send messages to users and when those users are fooled into messaging them back (which they have to pay for) the popular member receives a share of the profit that Once earns.
Profile Reactivated without Consent
A month after our tester applied and subsequently closed their profile, they received an email welcoming them to the site and asking for e-mail confirmation. Before a conformation was given, further emails were received with chats that were going to ‘expire soon’. These chats were initiated by accounts that were clearly visible as fake accounts.
Upon visiting the site, reactivation of the account was confirmed – although not wanted. The tester then browsed the profiles presented to them as in their area. All of these were from users with accounts that were obvious fakes, supermodel photos, photos at home in locations that were definitely not their area. It was the opinion of out tester that the profiles were 90 – 100% fake.
In the short time they stayed on the site, more chats were initiated by profiles that did not fit the location that they claimed to be from. All of these are attempts to get unsuspecting users to buy coins to chat with profiles that are created for the sole purpose of building revenue.
Conclusions
Cons of Once
- Unserious dating site: Once uses a coin/credit system for nearly all interactions, including messaging. This makes it a very expensive dating app to use, and it also encourages users to send messages without actually being interested in getting to know someone.
- High number of fake profiles: Once has a high number of fake profiles. These profiles are often created by “Popular Members,” who are paid to create fake profiles and send messages to unsuspecting users.
- Profile reactivation without consent: Once has been known to reactivate user profiles without their consent. This is a major privacy concern, and it can be very frustrating for users who have closed their accounts and do not want to be contacted by the app again.
- Limited features: Once does not offer many features that are standard on other dating apps, such as compatibility quizzes, read receipts, or the ability to search for profiles by location.
Overall, Once is not a recommended dating app. It is expensive, full of fake profiles, and has limited features. There are much better dating apps available, such as Hinge, Bumble, and OkCupid.
Here are some additional details about Once’s features:
- Profile creation: Once profiles are very limited. You can only add a few photos and a few short sentences about yourself. This makes it difficult to get to know someone before you start messaging them.
- Searching and filtering: Once does not allow you to search for profiles. Instead, profiles are presented to you in a roulette-style card stack and you choose to either like or pass on each person. You can filter profiles by age and gender.
- Matching: Once users match with each other when they both give each other a “Like.” However, only premium members can see who has Liked them.
- Messaging: Once users can message each other for free, even if they’re not premium members. However, only premium members can read messages.
- Read receipts: Read receipts are not available on Once. This can be frustrating if you’re trying to gauge someone’s interest in you.
Overall, Once is not a recommended dating app. It is expensive, full of fake profiles, and has limited features. There are much better dating apps available, such as Hinge, Bumble, and OkCupid.