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DatingDirect Review

DatingDirect Review January 2025

Chris Pleines, Author at Datingscout.co.uk
From: Chris Pleines
 • Reading Time: 5 minute(s)
DatingDirect is designed for singles looking for friendships or serious relationships. Read our review to see how DatingDirect can help you meet your match.
300,000 Members
 38 % ♀ 
 62 % ♂ 
Good For:
4 / 5
3 / 5
3 / 5
Success Rate:
34 / 10
40 / 10
35 / 10
Compare DatingDirect
Age Distribution:
18-24
25-34
35-49
50+

DatingDirect in 10 seconds

  • Dating site for singles seeking friendships to serious relationships
  • Organizes single events and parties. Learn more
  • No mobile app available
  • Most members are from the UK
  • Reliable security features
  • Well-laid out and designed interface
  • You can buy premium features without a premium subscription
  • You can use DatingDirect for free
  • Pricing starts at £18.99 / Month - More Information
Chris Pleines, Author at Datingscout.co.uk
Chris Pleines
Founder of Datingscout and Author of the book "Online Dating for Dummies"
DatingDirect has a variety of unique features such as organized events to make this possible. However, these events are mostly held within UK since most of their membership is there.

Who is DatingDirect for and not for?

  • Singles looking for relationships and deep commitments
  • Those who like to go on blind dates
  • People who are looking for friendships and profound connections
  • Those searching for erotic adventures and casual encounters
  • Singles who are into casual flirting
  • People who want large online dating member base
Back to Overview

DatingDirect Pros & Cons

  • Organizes real life events for members to join
  • Registration is quick and easy
  • Website is attractive and easy to use
  • No mobile app available to download
  • Email verification not required
  • Not many active users in the United States

How does DatingDirect work?

datingdirect-howitworks
  • DatingDirect targets singles in the UK seeking serious relationships and friendships
  • The site organizes real-life events for members to meet and includes a "Shuffle" feature for liking or passing on profiles
  • Offers subscription plans with essential features accessible for free and advanced features like messaging
  • Boasts 20,000 U.S. members predominantly young professionals aged 25-34
  • Accessible via a mobile browser with a user-friendly website, although it lacks a dedicated app

As a dating platform, DatingDirect focuses on helping UK-based singles find serious relationships and friendships. It facilitates user interaction by hosting a variety of in-person events and features a user-friendly "Shuffle" option for expressing interest in other profiles. To unlock messaging and other premium features, a subscription is required, though the site allows free access to basic functions like creating a profile and browsing. Despite not having a mobile app, the website is optimized for mobile browsers and ensures user safety with features like optional email verification. The platform is particularly appealing to young professionals, primarily in the 25-34 age group, offering a vibrant community for those seeking meaningful connections.

How much does DatingDirect cost?

Can you try DatingDirect for free?

  • You can use or try the service for free.
  • You cannot send messages for free
  • You cannot read messages for free on DatingDirect

Is DatingDirect expensive or cheap?

In comparison to other providers DatingDirect is average.

Duration / Credits / CoinsCostsTotal
DatingDirect Subscription
1 Month42.99 GBP / Month42.99 GBP
3 Months30.99 GBP / Month92.97 GBP
6 Months18.99 GBP / Month113.94 GBP
datingdirect price
Free Features
  • Create an account
  • Viewing profiles
  • Browsing albums
  • Play the Shuffle feature
Premium Features
  • Send unlimited messages
  • Browse anonymously
  • Highlight profile on search results
  • See your mutual likes

Any subscription you take out on the website will be renewed automatically. You can cancel your subscription renewal from the section "My account settings", any time from 24 hours after purchase until 48 hours before your subscription runs out.

Dating Direct also has some features that you can buy even if you don't have a paid subscription:

Boosts

Get more views, likes and messages faster by appearing on search results.

  • 1 Boost for GBP1.99
  • 5 Boosts for GBP7.95
  • 10 Boosts for GBP11.89

Incognito

View profiles without being seen for 24 hours or more! Be invisible! Get a good look at the person that you want without them finding out.

  • 24 hours for GBP1.99
  • 1 month for GBP9.99

How can I delete my DatingDirect account and cancel my subscription?

Please find more information here

Back to Overview

Who is signed up on DatingDirect?

Members
300,000 from United Kingdom
Members activity
250,000 active weekly
Gender Proportion
37 %
63 %
  • Majority of the members are from the UK
  • Most members are either of British, Irish, or Indian decent
  • Singles events are popular among members
  • Heterosexual people dominate the population, but there are also a few lesbians and gays
  • In order to register, you need to fill out a personality test

There are a lot of young professionals on the site. Work and education background is one of the major matching criteria on the site, younger people who are on the 25 to 34 age group dominate the population.

The majority of the members are from the UK, but there are also some members from different parts of the world as it allows any nationality to create an account with them. It would be more beneficial, however, if you live in the UK as it is the center of the organised singles events by DatingDirect.

Heterosexual relationships dominate the population of the site, but there are a few members who are part of the LGBTQ community. You can either create an account as a man or a woman, but you can choose to seek another man or woman no matter which gender you choose. Once you have set and saved this information, you will not be able to change them anymore so make sure you got it right.

New members at DatingDirect in January 2025 in comparison

Here you can see how membership figures at DatingDirect are developing compared to others

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DatingDirect in Detail

  • Reading time 16 minutes
  • Lots of insider information for more success

How to Sign Up for DatingDirect

datingdirect registration
  • You must be at least 18 years old to sign up
  • You can sign up using your username and password
  • You must sign up to browse DatingDirect

To sign up, visit the DatingDirect website. To complete the registration, provide all required information.

Required Information on Signup
  • Name
  • Date Of Birth
  • Location
  • Ideal Partner's Gender
  • Ideal Partner's Appearance
  • Your Gender
  • Personality Test
  • Questionnaire about your ideal partner
  • Profile Picture
Optional Information on Signup
  • Your Relationship Status
  • Type of relationship you are looking for
  • Your Ethnicity
  • Your Religion
  • Your Physical Traits
  • Questionnaire about you

DatingDirect offers the following methods to verify your account:

  • Verification email (required)

DatingDirect will ask you for an email address to continue with the registration process. You will then receive a welcome email from them, prompting you to start searching for potential matches. 

Making Contact on DatingDirect

datingdirect contacting
  • Meet other members in DatingDirect organised events
  • You need a paid subscription to send a message
  • Variety of contacting features
  • Detailed search and other filters are available for free
  • There is a chatroom

There are multiple ways to get in touch with other members of DatingDirect such as sending messages and likes. It also has a variety of features to make your matches notice you. But the real scene-stealer in DatingDirect is the free organised events it rolls out for everyone.

Events

DatingDirect Events are a great way to meet people during happy hours, cultural outings, organised weekends and more, all in a casual and friendly atmosphere. You can bring your friends with you if you to these gatherings. Basically, these events will get you to meet other singles over a drink.

Browsing the events listings is available for free. Take note that only the site can create these events, as they make sure that everything is safe and well-facilitated; thus the term "organised events." Here are the general rules of attending an event:

  • Attend one of the nights and kick back with a cocktail while chatting to lots of other singles.
  • They also offer dinners for those who prefer longer conversations in a cosy restaurant.
  • You can also register for one of our socials if you prefer something more fun and relaxed. Take part in cooking lessons, photography lessons, pool or even a walking tour.

For paid events, ask your friends to create a profile on the site so that they can book and pay for events they would like to attend. Just bear in mind that tickets are offered according to location and age range. Once they have created their profile, ask them to contact the customer care team and we will add a free 7-day subscription to their account. 

Shuffle feature

This is where you can discover the DatingDirect selection that meets your search criteria. It shows you the profile overview of your match and you decide whether you like the person by clicking either "Yes" or "No."

Clicking "Yes" will place the profile overview presented like mini cards on your deck. Liking profiles will send a notification to the other person. It's one way to get noticed by people in this wide pool of selection.

The Shuffle feature is available for free, although you will need a paid subscription to unlock the list of members who sent you likes.

Incognito

Another contacting feature is Incognito, which lets you browse invisible. Get a good look at the person that you want without them finding out. You also won’t appear in any search results. Incognito mode can be activated and deactivated as often as you’d like.

Incognito Mode is activated immediately and lasts 24 hours or 30 days depending on option chosen. You can get it for £1.99 for 24 hours or £9.99 for a whole month.

Most of the contacting features need a paid subscription. But since creating an account is available for everyone, it can be a reasonable addition to filtering out creepers on the site and receive messages only from those who are sincerely interested.

DatingDirect Profile Quality

datingdirect profile
  • There are no reported fake profiles
  • Profile photos are required to have
  • The profiles are quite detailed
  • The profile information can be changed later
  • Profile pictures are visible to everyone for free

Profile pages are juicy with information at DatingDirect. What's more, is that you can view them for free. You will get the following information on each profile:

  • Personality
  • Relationship Status and Preferences
  • Personal Ad
  • Physical Attributes
  • Hobbies and Interests
  • Work and Education Background

Boost

Do you want your profile to be seen by more members? Highlight your profile to catch attention by using this feature. Since your profile will be seen by more members, DatingDirect promises that you'll get twice more messages from members if you get this feature.

You can get the boosts separately from a paid subscription. In fact, you wouldn't need a premium account to buy them.

The boosts may be effective since it will advertise your profile to more people. However, if you are interested in this feature, we recommend that you try first by getting a few rather buying in bulk to test how far it can take you. You can get one boost for a one-time payment of £1.99.

DatingDirect App

datingdirect mobile
  • There is no app yet
  • Access mobile version through your phone browser
  • Features are similar on desktop and mobile version
  • Access mobile version for free
  • Mobile version works on browsers for any device

DatingDirect doesn't have a mobile app at the moment, but all of its features are available through a mobile version of the site. You can open it using any phone through a mobile browser. Just go to DatingDirect like you would using a desktop and the site automatically translates into the mobile version.

Special Features

DatingDirect has a lot of unique features on the site, some of these will even help you meet up people in real life:

Events

Events give members the chance to meet each other in person and enjoy the company of other singles. DatingDirect organises nights out, socials, and much more! There is something for everyone.

Incognito

Browse profiles anonymously using this feature. You can turn it on or off whenever you like.

Boost

Show up in people's match feeds more often and get noticed using this feature. You can get this feature even if you are on a free account.

How can I delete my DatingDirect account and cancel my subscription?

Uninstalling the app will not cancel your subscription.

How can you cancel your Subscription?

  • You can cancel via profile settings
  • You can cancel with customer support

Will your subscription automatically renew?

  • Yes, your DatingDirect subscription will automatically renew. The notice period for opting out of automatic renewal is 14 Days.

Is there a money back guarantee and do you get refunded the full amount?

  • Yes, there is money back guarantee but you only get a partial refund

How much time do you have to undo DatingDirect purchases?

  • You have 14 Days to refund your DatingDirect purchase if you don't like it.

Refunds are subject to approval.

DatingDirect FAQ

Facts

What can I do if someone else has used my email address on DatingDirect?

If you become aware that someone else has used your email address on the website, you should close the account as soon as you can.

Do women have to pay to use DatingDirect?

To access all of the features available on the website, both men and women require a subscription. To discover all of the features and view subscription prices, check out the subscription pages by clicking the "Subscribe" link found on each page of the website and application.

Why can't I create an account on DatingDirect?

If your email address is already in the database, you will not be able to create a new account. If you wish to create a new account and link your email address to it, you will need to start by closing your old account.

What is the difference between DatingDirect and Affiny?

They are two separate dating websites belonging to the same group.

  • On the DatingDirect website, you will search for dates yourself by entering various criteria (location, appearance, activities, etc.) to find the person you're looking for.
  • On Affiny, you will take a personality test and the website puts you in touch with singles who you are compatible with.

Each website requires its own subscription to get the most out of them.

Why can't I put my contact information on my DatingDirect ad?

Any information contained in your ad must adhere to the Terms and Conditions. This means that you can't advertise your postal or email address, surname, telephone number, etc. This is to prevent any unauthorised contact from others.

Why is my photo not accepted on DatingDirect?

To maintain the quality of photos on the website, the moderation team may be unable to publish certain images that you submit. The main reasons can be:

  • The image is low quality and the content is unclear
  • The photo contains confidential information which could be used to identify you off the website (phone number, email address, road name, vehicle registration plate, etc.)
  • The photo is of a commercial nature

What is the average age of users on DatingDirect?

The average age of DatingDirect users is between 36-43 years. You can find more information here

Usability

Do I need a DatingDirect profile to attend events?

You must have a profile with at least one main photo in order to attend, so register and create a profile if you haven't already done so. You do not need an active subscription, but those who do get special rates. For certain events, there is also the possibility for attendees to invite up to 3 friends to join them. These friends do not have to be registered members in order to attend.

What are the terms and conditions for refunds on DatingDirect.com?

The site offers a 14-day cooling-off period after making a purchase on the site. To claim your refund, simply email or call the Customer Care team within this period.

Note that refunds are available for purchases of first-time subscriptions and upgrades. The total amount refunded is calculated pro-rata, based on the subscription time remaining. No refunds will be given for renewals, Boosts or Incognito purchases.

How can I change the gender of my DatingDirect profile?

Once you have registered on the website, it is not possible to change the gender of your profile. You will need to create a new account with the correct sex.

How can I upload a photo on DatingDirect?

To add a photo to your profile, go to the “Edit my profile” page by clicking on your profile avatar at top right of every page. Then click on “Add a photo!” and choose one of the options available for adding your photo.

Your photo will appear online within 24 hours and you will receive a confirmation email.

Can I browse DatingDirect without an account?

No, you cannot browse profiles on DatingDirect without signing up.

What is needed to open a DatingDirect account?

To open a DatingDirect account, download the DatingDirect App on your iOS or Android device or visit the DatingDirect website. To complete the registration, provide all required information:
  • Name
  • Date of Birth
  • Location
  • Partner's Gender
  • Partner's Appearance
  • User's Gender
  • Ideal Partner Questionnaire
  • Personality Test
  • Profile picture upload

Security

Why has one my messages disappeared on DatingDirect?

There are two possible reasons for this:

  • The member in question has deleted or suspended their profile, or
  • The moderation team has deleted the member's profile because they failed to comply with the website Terms of Use.

What happens when a DatingDirect profile is suspended?

When an account is suspended or deleted, the member's screen name disappears from all lists, and all of their personal information and their activity (sent and received messages, views, likes, etc.) are deleted automatically. When the monitoring team deletes a profile, a message is displayed to inform you.

Why did I receive a DatingDirect warning?

Every warning sent by the monitoring team is accompanied by a text explaining the decision. The most common reasons are:

  • spam (mass mailing of the same message);
  • abusive language; and,
  • systematic exchanging of personal contact details.

What does the moderating team do on DatingDirect?

The moderating team carefully checks every piece of content published on the site. The moderators may edit or refuse to publish any photo or ad that is deemed inappropriate.

How do I report a DatingDirect member?

If you suspect a member is fake, you can report them to the moderation service by clicking "Report this profile" at the bottom of the member's profile page. If you report a member and their behaviour is indeed in breach of the site's terms, the moderation service may send them a warning, or if needs be, permanently delete their profile.

Does DatingDirect sell your data?

No, DatingDirect does not sell your data.

Was DatingDirect hacked in the past?

No, DatingDirect was never hacked.

How accurately does DatingDirect track your location?

DatingDirect tracks your approximate location.

Do your DatingDirect profile pictures or profile information appear in Google Search Results?

No, your DatingDirect photos and personal information will not appear in Google Search Results.

Who can view your pictures on DatingDirect?

All DatingDirect users can view your pictures.

Is your phone number required for signing up at DatingDirect?

No, you don't need a phone number to sign up on DatingDirect.

Can you erase your personal data on DatingDirect?

Yes, DatingDirect provides an option for users to erase their data.

How can I delete my DatingDirect account and cancel my subscription?

Costs

Can you try DatingDirect for free?

How much does DatingDirect cost?

DatingDirect typically costs between 42.99 GBP and 113.94 GBP. Compared to other dating services, DatingDirect's membership costs is average. You can find more information here

How much does it cost to sign up on DatingDirect?

You can sign up for DatingDirect for free, but to use its premium features you must upgrade. You can find more information here

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Final Results table

Signing Up: 4.5 / 5
Making Contact: 4.0 / 5
Profile Quality: 4.5 / 5
App: 1.0 / 5

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Contact details

Company:DatingDirect.com Limited
Address:PO Box 64197, London, WC1A 9FG, UK
Phone-Hotline:020 386 84 378
E-Mail:customercare@help.datingdirect.co.uk
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