Joydate vs Pure: free to browse or pay to get in?

What is the difference between Joydate and Pure?

The difference between Joydate and Pure is how you get in: Pure is an open-minded dating app where you post an ad to see others and need a subscription for full access, while Joydate lets you join and browse for free and asks for VIP only when you want to message. Pure is run by Online Classifieds AG in Switzerland and launched on iOS in 2013. Its chats expire after 24 hours unless both people turn the timer off; Joydate's chats stay until you delete them.

Joydate and Pure at a glance

Joydate and Pure both aim at adults who want something casual, but they treat access and privacy very differently. Pure's facts below come from its own website, FAQ, terms and Canadian App Store listing.

Joydate vs Pure

	Joydate	Pure
How it works	Profiles, browsing and daily match suggestions	Post an ad to see others; chats expire after 24 hours by default
Free	Profile, browsing, match suggestions, comments on profiles, ID verification	Limited; its app listing says you have to subscribe to get inside
Paid	VIP from C$19.99 a week, published on the site	Subscriptions; in the Canadian App Store from C$15.99 a week or C$79.99 a year, prices vary by country
Proving you are real	Free ID verification (badge) and a live video check	Optional photo verification
Privacy	Only a username and your nearest town	Expiring chats, screenshot blocking, self-destructing photos
Date safety	Safety tips, block and report, scam reporting by country	Safety Signal location sharing with a trusted contact, check-in after a date, in-chat scam alerts
Where it works	Website on any phone or computer	Apps for iOS and Android, plus a web app

What does Pure do well?

Pure does privacy and safety on dates well. Chats disappear after 24 hours unless you both decide to keep them, screenshots are blocked with a notification, photos can self-destruct, and its Safety Signal lets you share your location with someone you trust while you are on a date, followed by a check-in afterwards. It also flags likely scams inside the chat. If leaving no trace matters most to you, Pure has more built-in tools for it than most apps.

When does Joydate make more sense?

Joydate makes more sense if browsing before you pay matters to you. You can join, browse members near you, get daily suggestions and comment on profiles for free, and only pay for VIP once you want to message. Conversations do not vanish after a day, ID verification is free, and Joydate's city guides cover where to meet and how to get home safely. Pure keeps more of its app behind the subscription from the start.

Browse Joydate free →

Which is safer, Joydate or Pure?

Which is safer depends on what you value: Pure has more built-in privacy and date-safety features, while Joydate gives every member free ID verification and only ever shows your town. On both, the habits that matter most are the same: meet in a busy public place, tell a friend where you are and never send money to anyone you have only met online.

The bottom line

The bottom line on Joydate vs Pure: Pure suits people who want maximum privacy and are happy to subscribe to get in; Joydate suits people who want to browse for free first, keep their conversations and pay for VIP only when someone catches their eye.