International Cupid
Introduction & summary
InternationalCupid.com is our test winner in the matchmaker category. This site assists its members with finding a partner from another country or region. Members can connect internationally, which increases the chances of finding a perfect match. This site was created with exclusively heterosexual relationships in mind. Users can register as male or female.
- Over 4 million users worldwide
- Perfect for single people interested in an international relationship
- Almost two decades of proven experience
- Many testimonies from successful matches
- Top-notch customer support
- One of the most recommended premium international dating sites
- Easy navigation
- Interesting member pool
- Features make it easy and fun to find a compatible partner
- Winner of our matchmaker category
General information & target group
InternationalCupid.com is a favorite among singles looking for someone from a different country. It was created by the Australian company Cupid Media Pty LTD in 2005. This company runs about 30 different platforms on the online dating market. InternationalCupid.com has over two decades of experience. There are many shady websites in the international dating niche, so it’s a good idea to find a reputable dating site that has experience with this target group.
InternationalCupid.com has garnered a vast network of members. We can read countless testimonies from satisfied users who finally achieved what they were looking for. It’s always a good idea to be cautious when meeting people on the internet, but InternationalCupid.com has undeniably become a huge success.
Target group
When you sign up to InternationalCupid.com, you need to state whether you’re male or female. By default, the system will assume that you’re interested in the opposite sex. For this reason, we can determine that this platform has been designed for straight singles only. The gender ratio is not bad at all for a dating site. 60% of its audience is male, and the remaining 40% is female.
Due to its international nature, the site is available worldwide, and you don’t need to create a new profile in order to date someone from a different country. All you need to do is change your preferences or update the search filters. It’s a good option for expats, people who want to travel, or singles with a particular interest in certain nationalities.
Verified profiles
The website seems extremely user-friendly, and it just takes seconds to join, although it may be off-putting that the platform doesn’t require any profile verification. This is unusual for a matchmaker; however, we can easily see who has paid for a premium subscription, as users can opt to verify their profile by sending in an official ID. So anyone who wants to be on the safer side can make sure that the profiles they talk to are verified and that the person is actually paying for a premium subscription. This shows that the user is serious about their intent.
Registration
Signing up is very simple, and it only requires an email address. It’s completely free to create an account. It can be done via email, or you can choose to sign up with your Facebook profile. Surprisingly, for a matchmaking site, you aren’t required to fill in any details about your tastes or personality in order to have a look around. This may seem strange, but serious users will choose to take the time to create a thorough profile, including photos.
For this reason, it’s not very important that the platform doesn’t require much information to join. This makes the site accessible to all. Registration can therefore be done easy and fast and a new members get the chance to have a look around the platform first. However, to properly look for potential partners, it will be required to add more personal information.
Gallery
Adding a profile picture isn’t necessary, but it’s highly encouraged if you want to increase your chances of finding the one. To upload a profile photo, you’ll need to make sure the image meets the platform’s requirements. These requirements include your face being clearly visible, and it obviously can’t show someone else. It’s also forbidden to include your contact information on it, and it can’t be an obscene image. Furthermore, there are some simple format requirements regarding size and file type.
Other than that, the platform recommends that you upload a high-quality photo without any filters or image enhancements. It’s best to show yourself for who you truly are, so your potential dates aren’t disappointed when they meet you in real life.
Contact options
You can contact other members by using the messaging system. As a free user, you can only communicate with premium members, whereas premium members can chat with anybody. The chat feature allows you to send texts as well as multimedia messages and virtual gifts. Another interesting feature that assists you in communication is the folder function. You can arrange your messages into different folders and create as many as you want.
Another way you can connect is with the live-streaming feature. Some users are featured in live streams, and viewers can get to know them better. People can ask them questions and send virtual gifts via the live stream.
User platform & member area
In order to sign up, users only need to provide their name, age, and email address. The site also asks for your gender. By default, the platform will assume that you are looking for someone of the opposite sex, and this cannot be changed. The website has been created specifically for straight people who are looking for a committed international relationship. Next, you’re encouraged to upload a photo, but it’s not absolutely necessary. However, members who are determined to find the one will certainly add a profile picture. Otherwise, it’s unlikely anybody will notice your account or take you seriously.
The site asks new users to fill out the IMBRA form. This is the International Marriage Brokers Act. The information in this form asks about whether you have a criminal record, as well as other important details. This information is available to all foreign nationals that you interact with on the platform, and vice versa. In the case of applying for a visa for your future spouse, this form will become extremely important.
Find the one
Once you’ve signed up, you should provide your search criteria in order to find the type of person you’re looking for. Initially, you’ll be shown profiles from all locations and nationalities, in any age range. If you have a free profile, you’ll have to put up with some ads. The layout of the site is similar to many other dating platforms, which makes it easy to understand and navigate for most people.
If you purchase a premium membership, you’ll enjoy the exclusive algorithm developed by InternationalCupid.com. Furthermore, you’ll be suggested some outstanding matches with highly compatible profiles, according to your search criteria and the results of your personality tests. This feature is only available to platinum and diamond members, though.
Easy and effective
The contact options are mainly chatting and likes. Why reinvent the wheel when something so simple works? Other than that, some users broadcast live streams where you can also see a little bit more of their looks and personalities, and you can choose to also interact with them.
Costs
Members with free profiles can still communicate with others, although the options are naturally more limited. For example, you can like other members’ profiles or send them messages, and you can even read messages, but only from premium members. Becoming a premium member gives you a broader range of options to interact with anyone on the platform. These are the rates for the different premium subscriptions:
Gold membership:
- 1 week: $20.37
- 1 month: $41.50
- 3 months: $27.67 per month, billed in one payment of $83
- 12 months: $13.75 per month, billed in one payment of $165
Platinum membership:
- 1 week: $25.00
- 1 month: $50.00
- 3 months: $33.33, 59.99 per month, billed in one payment of $100.00
- 12 months: $17.50 per month, billed in one payment of $210.00
Diamond membership:
- 1 week: $50.00
- 1 month: $89.98
- 3 months: $59.99 per month, billed in one payment of $179.97
- 12 months: $31.67 per month, billed in one payment of $379.98
As payment methods, users can choose between a credit or debit card, Google Pay, or Skrill. Memberships are automatically renewed when they expire, but users can also opt out of this function if they wish to. This can easily be done through the member menu by selecting and saving “no” under “Auto-Renew My Membership.” This will cancel the auto-renewal feature for the current period, and it can be turned back on anytime.
Success rate & special features
Browsing through the platform, it’s possible to read about plenty of successful matches who have found each other on InternationalCupid.com. However, we couldn’t find definite statistics regarding how many members find love on the platform. At the same time, users seem positive about the service.
We’ve found plenty of encouraging reviews online, particularly among those who were willing to invest in one of the premium memberships. These appear to have a higher success rate. In these reviews and testimonials, you can read about some of the special features that give a definite advantage to the Gold, Diamond, and Platinum members.
- Live streams: Some users are featured in live streams; there, you can see them and get a feel for what they’re like. You can also interact with them, ask questions, and send virtual gifts in real time.
- Translation tool: Users can interact with other members, even if they speak a different language! Premium members can have their messages instantly translated. The service is available in over 20 languages.
- Virtual gifts: You can send special virtual gifts to your favorite singles, either via the chat or in live streams. These gifts can help you charm that special someone.
- Premium customer service: Diamond members get special customer service, available 24/7, every day of the year.
- Profile highlighting: Depending on the type of premium membership, you may find different special features that allow you to highlight your profile above that of other users. For example, your profile may get twice the space in the results. It may also rank higher than others, or even above all members. If you choose to purchase a diamond membership, a diamond icon will appear next to your profile. This shows other users that you pay for the most expensive membership and lets them know that you’re serious about searching for a partner.
App
There’s an app available for both Android and Apple users. Users can download it for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app has over a million downloads from the Google Play Store. It has had some criticism from users about the prices. However, it seems like members are generally happy with the service and find it both pleasant, effective, and fairly priced. The app provides a convenient way to use the platform on the go.
Additionally, users can send winks for free on the app, and if they receive a positive response, they can initiate a conversation. This means that your credits won’t be wasted on someone who doesn’t reciprocate.
Conclusion
InternationalCupid.com is a renowned platform in the matchmaker category. It was launched in 2004 and quickly became a favorite among people who want to date internationally. The platform is great for expats, migrants, and anyone who is trying to find a foreign spouse. The platform is easy to navigate, even for someone new to the online dating space. It features numerous successful love stories and has a high success rate. Paying for a premium membership gives you the best options for meeting other singles. It’s free to sign up, and even with a basic account, you can interact with others.
FAQ
How do I contact customer care?
If you want to contact customer support, you can write about the issue via the following link: https://support.internationalcupid.com/hc/en-us/requests/new
Can I get a refund?
The operator will only issue a refund in certain cases, such as if you’ve had technical problems. It’s also possible to get a refund before you’ve initiated or received any contact with other members of the site. There are other exceptions, which will be decided on a case-by-case basis. However, there aren’t any refunds for an unused period of membership once you have started using the service.
Is there a translation service?
Yes, users with a Platinum or Diamond membership gain access to a translation tool. It can translate between English and over 20 other languages.
What does a green dot on the profile indicate?
A green dot on the profile means that the user is currently online. However, they may have forgotten to log out of the site on their computer, so it doesn’t guarantee that the user is currently present or will reply.
Is it safe to meet other singles from InternationalCupid.com in real life?
It’s wise to take some precautionary measures. Most people have good intentions, but you should be careful when meeting up with an unknown person in real life, no matter how long you’ve been chatting. We recommend that you tell a friend or family member about your date, including when and where you’re going. Keep your phone on you at all times. On first dates, it’s a good idea to meet in a public space with lots of people around. If you’re feeling pressured to move to a private location, leave the date immediately.
It’s best to avoid drugs and alcohol, and if you choose to drink, keep your drink in sight at all times. Remember that you’re free to leave at any time. Be in control of your mode of transportation, and always have a back-up plan, even if you plan on driving there yourself. Finally, never leave your personal belongings unattended.
How do I date online safely?
Take your time when getting to know someone online, and don’t think that you know their intentions, regardless of how long you’ve been chatting with them. We recommend keeping your conversations on the InternationalCupid.com platform while you’re getting to know each other. Think twice before giving out your personal information to someone you’ve met online.
Be wary of online or overseas relationships. Every dating platform can host scammers, despite the operators’ efforts to eliminate disingenuous profiles. If there’s a chance you may go, “What was I thinking?” we would advise you against sharing anything about your routines, workplace, family, etc. Report all suspicious behavior so the platform can remain a safe space.