JDate Dating App Review (2023)

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Overview

• Best For: Jewish singles aged 35+ looking for a serious relationship
• Number of Members: Over 750,000 members on Jdate
• Favorite Features: Religion-based filters, free Jlife magazine
• Video Chat: No

How JDate Works

Jdate was created to help strengthen the Jewish community and connect like-minded singles who have specific dating preferences when it comes to religion. 

How to Sign Up for Jdate

Jdate has a quick and uncomplicated signup process. You will first be asked for your email address and to create a password. Then, you’ll share your name, age, and location. You also have the option to sign up through Facebook or Apple for an even easier process. 

It takes mere seconds to create an account, and then you’re able to jump right into creating your profile.

Setting Up Your Profile on Jdate

Jdate requires all users to upload at least 1 photo (you can add up to 6), and it advises adding a selection of photos where you can clearly see your face. You can either upload photos directly from your device or add photos you’ve already shared on Facebook.

Once you’ve chosen your photos, you’ll be prompted to add some basic details about yourself, including height, occupation, and religion. 

The next step, writing a bio about who you are and what you’re looking for, is optional but recommended. 

Suffering from writer’s block? Jdate has a page full of tips and tricks on how to make your profile stand out. If you’d rather opt out of writing a summary, you can simply select interests and hobbies to be shared on your profile to give users a glimpse into the type of person you are.

Once you’ve personalized your profile, it’s time for the fun part—finding love!

How to Find Matches on Jdate

A great feature of Jdate is the attention to detail in their match filters. Aside from common filters like gender, age, and location, Jdate allows you to set preferences regarding religious practices, smoking/drinking habits, relationship type, and much more.

It also understands that preferences can change as you go on dates, and allows you to go back and edit them at any time. 

Once you’ve set your preferences, you can start looking at potential matches. Jdate’s LookBook feature shows you a selection of matches based on your filters, and that selection is updated daily. 

You’ll have the option to select a “heart” or an “x”, indicating if you’re interested in that match or not. If you and the match both select a heart, you will be notified of a mutual match. A user will never be notified if you aren’t interested.

You can also browse profiles that don’t appear in your LookBook, and you have the option to sort by newest, online, distance, and match percentage (how much they match your preferences).  

Messaging is only available to paid members, though there is a feature called Messaging+ that is available with the premium subscription package. This allows you to communicate with every single member on Jdate. Instant messaging is currently the only messaging option Jdate offers.

This means if you are interested in a profile that doesn’t have a paid subscription, with Messaging+ they will still be able to respond to your messages. 

Jdate’s messaging system has a couple of features that help remove any uncertainty or discomfort. Each message has read receipts so you can always tell if your messages are being seen, and the system has a quick way to block messages from members you don’t wish to communicate with.

Safety & Security

Should you ever need to block a user because of abusive or inappropriate messages, Jdate’s customer care team prioritizes user safety. They work diligently to remove users who are behaving in an unacceptable manner. 

Every profile picture is verified to prevent fake profiles and scammers. The care team also prevents members from sharing personal information in their profiles and provides online dating safety tips to encourage users to be prudent. 

JDate App

Jdate has an app that is available on both iOS and Android. The app matches the simple and accessible interface of their website and includes all of the same features as the website, including instant messaging and LookBook. 

The app allows you to stay connected to your matches and maintain connections on the go, without compromising the full experience of the website.

JDate Customer Support

Jdate’s customer care team can be contacted through an online form and promises to respond to all questions or requests within 48 hours. There is currently no phone or live chat support available. 

There is a thorough FAQs page that covers common questions on a range of topics, including safety, profile creation, and messaging.

Jdate’s magazine, Jlife, shares articles on a wide range of helpful topics, spanning from cultural information and relationship advice to success stories and date ideas. 

How to Cancel or Pause a Jdate Subscription

Keep in mind that Jdate’s premium memberships are paid for upfront, so there is no option to get your money back if you decide 2 months in that you don’t want to keep using the service. 

If you don’t turn the auto-renewal off before the renewal date the subscription will renew for the original duration purchased.

If you would like to cancel your subscription, you can do so by accessing your account details and managing your subscription settings. If you do decide to cancel before your subscription is up, you are still able to access all of the premium features until your pre-paid time comes to an end.  

JDate Pricing

Jdate offers three membership options, which all include the same features. The only perk for choosing the longer membership options is the higher savings per month. 

Jdate’s membership options are priced similarly to other large dating sites like Match and eharmony. With the maximum membership length being 6 months, there is no opportunity for greater savings with a year-long membership, but the flexibility of the 1-month option might be comforting if you aren’t ready for a longer-term commitment (at least to a dating site!). 

What Can You Do with Jdate for Free?

Jdate’s free version allows you to complete your entire profile and add up to 6 photos. You’ll be able to browse all other users, view profiles, and receive matches, though you won’t be able to send messages. 

For both free and paid members, the LookBook feature and the Your Matches emails regularly present a selection of matches that meet all of your preferences. 

Just like paid members, free members have the option to purchase the Spotlight feature, which will boost their profile to the top of the page. The free trial is a great option to get a sense of the match options and how the site works, but the premium subscription is the way to go if you’re serious about finding a partner on Jdate.

Premium Features and Upgrades on Jdate

The premium membership includes unlimited messaging and the ability to communicate with anyone on the site, regardless of membership status. It also includes the Read Receipt feature that lets you know as soon as a match sees your messages. With advanced privacy controls, you have the option to browse anonymously, hide your online status, and prevent your profile from appearing in searches. 

The Spotlight feature isn’t included in the premium membership but can be purchased as an add-on for $2.99 (1 day), $7.99 (7 days), or $19.98 (30 days).

JDate Alternatives

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Jdate vs Match

While both sites promise serious relationships and specialized preferences, Jdate is focused on religion while Match focuses on interests and lifestyle. Match offers many membership and messaging options, while Jdate keeps it simple with one of each. For singles looking for a simple approach with clear religious preferences, Jdate is the best choice.

Jdate vs Zoosk

Zoosk has a market for casual relationships, while Jdate doesn’t. Zoosk also provides dating insight reports on dating preferences and personality types. For singles who are still figuring out what they want, Zoosk is the perfect introduction to online dating. For singles who know what they’re looking for and are ready to settle down, Jdate comes out on top.

Jdate vs eharmony

Jdate’s signup process is quick and easy, but eharmony has a more detailed approach with their in-depth personality quiz, which gives insight into communication style and relationship behaviors. Both sites provide access to singles who are serious about finding a long-term partnership, but eharmony focuses on behavioral compatibility instead of belief systems.

Bottom Line

If you’re a Jewish single looking for a serious relationship and have specific preferences when it comes to religious branches, kosher preferences, and synagogue attendance, Jdate is the dating site for you. 

It guarantees you’ll be able to connect with matches who align with your values and belief system, and it’s focused on connecting you with your most specialized and compatible matches.

If you don’t have strong religious preferences, or simply want someone who is culturally Jewish, it may make more sense to put your money towards a dating site with a larger user base and with general religious filters that can provide you with more options.