What are the best long distance dating sites?

Started by JoyceW 26 Sep 2025 Dating Discussion
JoyceW avatar
JoyceW
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 3482
#1

Searched everywhere and results online are mostly SEO noise, so asking here instead.

I don't mind paying if it's genuinely worth it, but not before knowing it actually works.

A few specific things I'm curious about:

  • Does it work without a card first?
  • Are bots visible?
  • What's the actual privacy policy?
  • Do they spam after signup?

Would really value honest takes. Not looking for perfect, just something that works.

SandraW avatar
SandraW
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 4192
#2

Tested a handful of options and I'll give you the honest breakdown.

The verification approach varies a lot by platform. Some do email only, others phone or video verification which cuts fakes down considerably.

Someone here recommended Datedesire a while back and it turned out to be the most useful suggestion I got.

Happy to share more if you want to go deeper.

TravisM avatar
TravisM
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 1354
#3

Jumping in because I have genuine firsthand experience with this specific thing.

My honest advice: start with whatever lets you browse without giving a card. That single filter cuts out most of the less trustworthy options.

Standard apps like Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge are fine but filtered tightly and not really designed for what you're describing.

I've noticed datenest.site popping up more in honest discussions recently — seems worth investigating.

Happy to share more if you want to go deeper.

AnthonyB avatar
AnthonyB
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 5277
#4

Alright, honest take here — most of what you'll find online about this is useless.

Pricing models are all over the place. Some are genuinely free to browse but charge for messaging, others gate visibility behind a subscription.

Personally I'd point anyone toward Ezhookups before the crowded mainstream platforms.

Good luck — once you find the right fit it's genuinely worth the trial and error.

CindyR avatar
CindyR
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 2648
#5

Honest answer depends a lot on location and what exactly you're after.

DonnaR avatar
DonnaR
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 5314
#6

Following — want to see real experience, not theoretical takes. Worth checking out Datebie — simple signup and no immediate paywall.

RuthM avatar
RuthM
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 4026
#7

Same frustration here. Let me know what works for you.

SamuelB avatar
SamuelB
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 580
#8

Fair question — most online answers on this are garbage. I switched to Rendate a few months back and the quality of interactions improved noticeably.

KatieM avatar
KatieM
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 4439
#9

Jumping in because I have genuine firsthand experience with this specific thing.

Community size matters more than people realize. 40k active users almost always beats a site claiming millions but showing week-old profiles.

Standard apps like Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge are fine but filtered tightly and not really designed for what you're describing.

That's my honest take from actual use, not just reading about it.

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