Comparison
The Ugly Bug Ball vs Plenty of Fish
One of the oldest, largest free dating sites, or a focused community where personality is the point.
- Free to join
- 18+ only
Plenty of Fish, usually called POF, is one of the oldest names in online dating. It was founded in Vancouver in 2003, has been part of Match Group since 2015, and is known for letting free members search and send messages. The Ugly Bug Ball dates back to 2010 and is much smaller, built for people who would rather be liked for their personality than judged on a photo. Both have long profiles and both can be used without paying. Here is where they differ.
| What you get | The Ugly Bug Ball | Plenty of Fish |
|---|---|---|
| Built for | People who want personality to come first | Everyone, every kind of dating |
| Who runs it | HubPeople, a specialist dating platform | Match Group, based in Vancouver |
| Online since | 2010 | 2003 |
| Messaging | A set number free each day, unlimited with VIP | Free messaging; paid tiers add extras |
| Checks | Optional ID or live video check with a badge | Selfie Verification |
| On your phone | Phone browser, installs to your home screen | iPhone, Android and web |
A huge general site or a focused one
POF has everyone on it, which is its strength: a very large pool in the UK, the USA, Canada, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. The flip side is that you are one profile among many, and the most photogenic ones get the most attention. The Ugly Bug Ball is focused: it exists for people who would rather looks came second, which makes it easier to start a conversation without pretending.
Free messaging on both
POF's free messaging is a real plus, and it has long set it apart. The Ugly Bug Ball gives every free member a number of messages each day and unlimited replies to anyone on a paid plan, with VIP and VIP Plus for unlimited messaging and extras. If you are weighing up cost, our free ugly dating page explains what a free account covers and our pricing page lists every plan.
Who you will meet
POF's members cover every age and every reason for dating. The Ugly Bug Ball members are anywhere from 18 to over 65, clustered around 35 to 44, and mostly based in America or Britain. California, New York, Texas, Florida and Greater London have the biggest groups; see ugly dating in the USA and ugly dating in the UK.
Safety on both
POF offers Selfie Verification and lets you limit first messages so you avoid one- and two-word openers. The Ugly Bug Ball lets members verify with ID or a moderated video call, reviews uploads with software and a human team, keeps explicit images blurred until you choose to look, and alerts you to off-site contact requests. Read more on our safety page.
Which suits you?
If you want a very large free pool and do not mind standing out among thousands of profiles, POF is a sensible place to try. If you want a friendlier, focused community where personality is the point, The Ugly Bug Ball is built for you. They work well side by side.
The Ugly Bug Ball or Plenty of Fish: your questions
Is Plenty of Fish free?
POF lets free members search and send messages, with paid tiers for extras such as seeing who liked you.
Who owns Plenty of Fish?
Match Group, since 2015. It was founded in Vancouver in 2003.
Is POF good for ugly people?
Its long profiles and free messaging help, but it is a very large general site. A focused personality-first site can be easier to stand out on.
Can free members message on The Ugly Bug Ball?
Yes. Every free account has a daily message allowance, and replying to VIP or VIP Plus members never costs anything.