Mingle2 Review: Is This Dating App Worth Your Time?
What's up, guys? Landon here from Dating Strats, and today I'm diving into Mingle2 - a dating app that promises to be completely free and claims to have millions of users. Sounds too good to be true, right? It absolutely is.
I spent several weeks testing this platform so you don't have to, and let me tell you, it was a painful experience. If you're thinking about signing up for Mingle2, read this review first. You'll thank me later.
What Is Mingle2?
Mingle2 is a free dating website and app that's been around for quite a while. It used to be called JustSayHi.com, which honestly was a better name because at least it was straightforward. The platform markets itself as completely free with unlimited messaging, no restrictions, and millions of users worldwide.
The interface is... well, let's just say it looks like it hasn't been updated since 2010. We're talking basic HTML vibes with ads scattered everywhere. It's not going to win any design awards, but hey, if it actually worked for finding real connections, I could overlook the dated look.
The Good (Yes, There Are a Few Things)
Let me start with the positives before I tear this thing apart:
Actually Free Messaging: Unlike most dating apps that tease you with free sign-up and then paywall everything important, Mingle2 does let you message people for free. No daily limits, no premium subscription required for basic communication. That's actually pretty rare these days.
Simple to Use: The platform is straightforward. Sign up, upload photos, start browsing. There's no complicated personality tests or matching algorithms to figure out. Sometimes simple is better.
Global Reach: You can connect with people from all over the world if that's your thing. The user base spans multiple countries, so if you're into international dating, there are options.
No Pressure Interface: There's no swiping mechanism or time pressure. You can browse profiles at your own pace and reach out to whoever interests you.
The Bad (Where Do I Even Start?)
Now, let's get into why I'm telling you to avoid this platform like the plague.
Fake Profiles Everywhere
This is the big one, guys. Mingle2 is absolutely crawling with fake profiles. I'm talking about professional model photos stolen from Instagram, obviously fake names, and bios that read like they were written by someone who learned English from Google Translate.
One user reported: "I don't know what's going on on Mingle2 but names, photos and locations of the same profiles keep changing. It's phony AF." This matches exactly what I experienced. The same "person" would show up with different names, ages, and locations throughout the week.
The platform has minimal verification processes. According to recent reviews, "fake profiles can be created simply through different email accounts" and "the only way to minimize fake profiles is to report them manually since there are no countermeasures during registration."
Scammer Paradise
Where there are fake profiles, scammers follow. Mingle2 has become a breeding ground for romance scammers, and they're getting more sophisticated. Users report receiving messages from scammers who "pretend to like you, send you pics they stole from Facebook and then ask you for money."
The most common scams I encountered:
- The Military/Doctor Overseas Scam: "I'm a doctor working in Syria" or "I'm deployed overseas and need help with travel expenses"
- The Bitcoin Trading Scam: Attractive profiles that quickly try to move you to WhatsApp and then pitch cryptocurrency investments
- The Emergency Money Request: After building rapport, they suddenly need money for family emergencies, visa fees, or travel expenses
According to Dating Site Reviews, "In North America alone, users of dating apps have lost an astonishing $1 billion to these scams over the last three years." Mingle2 seems to be contributing significantly to this problem.
Inactive User Base
Even if you manage to find profiles that look legitimate, good luck getting responses. Multiple reviewers report that "there doesn't appear to be a single active user" and that most legitimate users have become inactive.
I sent messages to dozens of profiles that seemed real - proper photos, detailed bios, recent activity indicators. My response rate was maybe 5%, and half of those turned out to be scammers within a few messages.
Technical Issues and Poor Support
The platform is buggy as hell. Pages take forever to load, especially on mobile. The search function constantly resets your preferences, showing you people outside your age range, location, and relationship goals.
Customer support is practically non-existent. Users report sending "NINE times, over the course of 2 months" support requests and receiving only "vague and unhelpful automated messages." If you run into problems - and you will - you're on your own.
Suspicious Account Restrictions
Here's something really shady: multiple users report getting their accounts locked or restricted after reporting fake profiles and scammers. One user noted: "I asked for my money back and they BLOCKED MY ACCESS AGAIN" after reporting multiple fake accounts.
It's almost like the platform wants to keep the fake profiles around. Why? Because those fake accounts are often the ones paying for premium features to appear more prominent in searches.
Who Uses Mingle2?
Based on my research and testing, here's who you'll actually find on Mingle2:
- Romance Scammers (60%): Professional con artists from overseas looking to separate you from your money
- Fake Profiles/Bots (30%): Automated accounts designed to keep you engaged on the platform
- Inactive Legitimate Users (8%): Real people who signed up years ago and never deleted their accounts
- Active Legitimate Users (2%): Unicorns who somehow haven't been scared away yet
Those percentages might seem harsh, but they match my actual experience using the platform.
The "Premium" Features
Mingle2 offers a premium subscription called MinglePlus that costs between $30-70 depending on the package. What do you get? Your profile appears higher in search results and gets highlighted.
Here's the thing: if 90% of the profiles are fake or inactive, paying to be more visible to fake accounts is like paying to be first in line at a restaurant that's been closed for years.
Red Flags to Watch For
If you ignore my advice and try Mingle2 anyway, here are the warning signs of fake profiles and scammers:
- Professional model photos: If every photo looks like it belongs in a magazine, it probably does
- Immediate professions of love: Real people don't fall in love through a dating app message
- Requests to move off-platform: They want to get you to WhatsApp, Hangouts, or email quickly
- Vague location information: "Currently traveling for work" or "visiting family"
- Poor grammar despite claiming to be American: Broken English is a dead giveaway
- Sob stories: Tragic backstories that conveniently lead to needing financial help
Better Alternatives
Instead of wasting your time on Mingle2, here are platforms that actually work:
For Serious Relationships:
- Hinge: Much better verification and quality control
- Bumble: Women message first, which filters out a lot of fake accounts
- Match.com: Paid platform means higher quality users
For Casual Dating:
- Tinder: Still the gold standard for hookups and casual dating
- AdultFriendFinder: If you're specifically looking for casual encounters
For Older Guys:
- eHarmony: Great for guys over 35 looking for serious relationships
- OurTime: Designed specifically for mature daters
My Final Verdict
Mingle2 gets a hard pass from me. While the promise of free messaging sounds appealing, the reality is a wasteland of fake profiles, scammers, and technical issues. As one reviewer put it: "After spending several weeks using Mingle2 we have to recommend that you avoid it."
Your time is valuable, and you deserve better than dodging scammers and fake profiles. The few legitimate users left on the platform are buried under an avalanche of garbage, making it nearly impossible to find genuine connections.
Rating: 1/5 stars
The only reason it gets one star instead of zero is because the messaging is actually free, but that's like praising a restaurant for having free water when all the food is spoiled.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Mingle2 completely free? A: Yes, basic messaging is free, but the platform is so flooded with fake profiles that being free doesn't matter.
Q: How can I spot fake profiles on Mingle2? A: Look for professional photos, vague location info, poor grammar, and requests to move conversations off-platform quickly.
Q: What should I do if I encounter a scammer? A: Report them immediately, but don't expect much action from Mingle2's support team. Better to just avoid the platform entirely.
Q: Are there any success stories from Mingle2? A: The platform does feature some testimonials saying "thank you Mingle2 for bringing my fiancé and I together," but these are rare exceptions rather than the norm.
Q: Is my personal information safe on Mingle2? A: While there haven't been major data breaches reported, the platform's poor security practices for user verification don't inspire confidence.
The Bottom Line
Guys, I test dating apps so you don't have to waste your time and money on duds. Mingle2 is definitely a dud. The concept of a truly free dating platform is appealing, but the execution is a disaster. Between the fake profiles, scammers, and inactive users, you're better off literally anywhere else.
Save yourself the frustration and invest your time in platforms that actually work. Your future self will thank you for not getting caught up in Mingle2's mess.
Stay smart out there, and remember - if something seems too good to be true in online dating, it usually is.