Is Badoo Used in the United States? Here’s What Actually Happens on the App Today

If you’ve ever wondered whether Badoo is still alive in the United States, you’re not alone. The app launched over a decade ago with big promises-global connections, free messaging, and a fresh alternative to Tinder. But today, walking through any major U.S. city, you’ll see far more people scrolling through Hinge or Tinder than Badoo. So what’s really going on?

Badoo’s Presence in the U.S. Is Real, But Small

Badoo is available in the U.S. App Store and Google Play. It’s not blocked. It’s not banned. But it’s not popular either. According to data from Sensor Tower and App Annie in late 2025, Badoo ranked outside the top 200 dating apps in the United States. Meanwhile, Tinder sits at #2, Hinge at #4, and Bumble at #5. Badoo doesn’t even crack the top 10 in user spending, which is a strong indicator of active engagement.

That doesn’t mean zero Americans use it. There are pockets-especially in cities with large immigrant communities. In New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, you’ll find users from Latin America, Eastern Europe, and parts of Asia who’ve been using Badoo since before they moved to the U.S. For them, it’s a familiar platform, a bridge back to home-country dating habits. But for native English-speaking Americans? It’s largely invisible.

Why Badoo Never Took Off in the U.S.

Badoo’s early success came from Europe, Latin America, and parts of Asia. Its model was simple: swipe to connect, free messaging, and a heavy focus on photos. That worked well in markets where dating apps were newer and less saturated. But in the U.S., Tinder had already carved out the swipe-and-match model by 2013. By the time Badoo tried to push harder into American markets, it was too late.

Then came Hinge, which focused on profiles with prompts and meaningful answers. Bumble, which put women in control of first messages. These apps didn’t just offer better design-they understood American dating culture: slower, more intentional, and privacy-conscious. Badoo kept its old-school vibe: lots of photos, less text, and a reputation for being more casual-sometimes too casual.

By 2020, Badoo’s U.S. user base had shrunk to under 1 million monthly active users. For comparison, Tinder had over 8 million in the same period. The gap only widened.

What Do People Actually Do on Badoo in the U.S.?

If you open Badoo in the U.S. today, you’ll notice a few things right away. First, the interface feels outdated. The profile layout is cluttered. The matching algorithm is slower and less accurate than what you get on Hinge or Tinder. Second, the pool of users is uneven. In most areas, you’ll see a mix of older users (35+), international users, and people who don’t use smartphones much.

There’s also a noticeable drop-off in new sign-ups. A 2025 survey by a U.S.-based digital trends firm found that only 3% of Americans aged 18-30 who’d ever tried a dating app had used Badoo. Of those, 78% switched to another app within 30 days. Why? Too many fake profiles. Too many bots. Too little moderation.

Real users report getting flooded with messages from people who look like stock photos or use the same three lines over and over: “Hey, beautiful 😘” or “Want to chat?” There’s no way to filter out low-effort users, and the app doesn’t push you toward meaningful matches the way Hinge does with its prompts.

Is Badoo Safe to Use in the U.S.?

Safety is a big concern. Badoo has had issues with fake accounts and catfishing for years. In 2023, the Federal Trade Commission issued a warning about dating apps with poor verification systems-and Badoo was named as one. While they’ve added a photo verification feature since then, it’s optional. Most users don’t bother.

Compared to apps like Hinge or Tinder, which now require photo verification for premium users and have AI-driven scam detection, Badoo feels like a relic. If you’re looking for something serious-or even just a safe first date-Badoo isn’t the best starting point in the U.S.

Who Still Uses Badoo Here?

There are three main groups still active on Badoo in the U.S.:

• Immigrant communities-especially from Brazil, Mexico, Russia, and Ukraine-who used Badoo back home and kept using it after moving.
• People over 45 who find apps like Hinge too “young” or complicated and prefer the simpler interface of Badoo.
• Users looking for casual encounters-Badoo still has a reputation for being more open about hookups than other apps, which draws a niche crowd.

But even among these groups, usage is declining. Many older users are switching to Facebook Dating. Immigrant users are moving to apps like Tantan or Mamba, which are better localized for their languages and cultures. The only group that hasn’t left is the one that never really came in the first place: young Americans looking for dates.

What Are the Alternatives in the U.S.?

If you’re in the U.S. and thinking about trying Badoo, here’s what you’re really comparing it to:

The bottom line? Badoo doesn’t compete on features, safety, or user experience. It survives on nostalgia and niche markets. If you’re looking for a real connection in the U.S., you’ll get better results elsewhere.

Should You Download Badoo in the U.S.?

Only if one of these applies to you:

• You’re an immigrant who already uses Badoo and wants to stay connected to your old network.
• You’re over 45 and find other apps too flashy or confusing.
• You’re specifically looking for casual, no-strings interactions and don’t mind low-quality matches.

If you’re under 35, looking for something serious, or just want to avoid wasting time on fake profiles-skip it. There are better options. Apps like Hinge and Bumble don’t just work better-they feel safer, smarter, and more aligned with how Americans actually date now.

Badoo isn’t dead in the U.S. But it’s not alive in any meaningful way either. It’s a ghost app-still there, still running, but mostly empty. And if you’re looking for a date, you’re better off walking into a coffee shop than opening it.