On this page 6 sections
A note before we start: Matcha is our app. Prices and features on every app change often, so check inside the app for the current details.
What a free account usually includes
A full profile.
Photos, a bio and usually prompts or basic details, at no cost.
Browsing and liking.
You can see people near you and like them, sometimes with a daily limit.
Messaging your matches.
On most apps, once you've matched, chatting is free.
For a lot of people, that's all they ever need. A good profile and a few good conversations matter more than any paid feature.
What usually costs extra
- Seeing who liked you. Instead of finding out only when you match.
- More likes. Unlimited likes, or more than the free daily amount.
- Extra filters. Narrowing who you see by details like height, education or family plans.
- Visibility boosts. Showing your profile to more people for a while.
- Undoing a pass. Going back to someone you swiped past by accident.
None of these are essential. They save time, but they won't fix a profile people aren't replying to.
Be careful with free sites that want your card
Be wary of any dating site that asks for card details to "verify your age" or to unlock a message someone has supposedly sent you. Real apps don't need your card for a free account. If a site pushes you to pay before you've seen a single real conversation, close it.
How to make a free account work
Finish your profile first. Clear photos, a real bio and filled-in prompts get more matches than any paid boost. Our profile tips go into detail.
Be choosy with your likes. If you have a daily limit, spend it on people you'd actually like to meet.
Reply while it's fresh. Conversations that go quiet for a few days often don't start again.
Suggest meeting in good time. A coffee or a walk is an easy first step. Our date ideas by city can help.
Use one or two apps well. That beats five apps you rarely open.
What's free on Matcha
Matcha is free to join, and you can match and message without paying.
- Free likes every day. You get free likes when you join, and more each day you claim your daily reward in the Store: 20 on the first day, rising to 50.
- A free Super Match. Claim your reward seven days in a row and you also get a Super Match.
- Undos and comments. Undo a pass or add a comment to a like a few times a day, with extra when you claim your daily reward.
- Free filters. Choose who you see by age, distance and more.
- Messaging is free. When a man and a woman match, she messages first, then the conversation is open to both.
- Planning a date is free. Meet in the middle suggests a café, bar or restaurant about halfway between you, without either of you sharing where you live.
Matcha Premium adds things like seeing who liked you, unlimited likes, undos and comments, and more filters, but you don't need it to meet people.
Common questions
Are there completely free dating apps in New Zealand?
Most apps are free to join and to message your matches, with optional paid extras. Fully free apps exist, but they're usually small.
Is Matcha free?
Yes. Joining, liking, matching and messaging are free. Premium is optional.
Do I have to pay to message someone on Matcha?
No. Once you match, messaging is free.
Is it worth paying for a dating app?
Only once you've used the free version for a while and know the app suits you. Paying won't make up for an unfinished profile.