The search function operates with your standard filter options-age, intent, ethnicity, and body type-plus the ability to search by the length of your potential match’s longest relationship. (“You haven’t spent more than eight years with someone? Then you’re not for me!”) You can also sort by income if you’re looking for a sugar daddy or mommy. There’s a Nearby function for when you just need to chat with someone within 0.5 miles and a More Prospects field at the bottom of most screens to keep you “fishing” longer. Unfortunately, even if you aren’t being terribly picky, your search might still net a No Results Found response or your search will be broadened for you.
If your search nets someone you would like to reach out to, the process is quick and painless. Profiles show the person’s photo, age, and screen name at the top-plus whether they’re currently online. To help you start the conversation, the screen also shows a list of things the user enjoys. POF prompts you to mention something specific about their profile, likely in an effort to keep the “lol u up jk” messages to a minimum. You also have the option to send the message as Priority, which floats you to the top of the receiver’s inbox. Of course, that will cost you extra (more on that in a minute).
Individual profiles feel more or less like spreadsheets-tons of data, with nothing particularly highlighted or featured. The Meet Me function works like Tinder, with the option to swipe left or right to quickly scan through profiles (an option most apps have now).
Premium Extras
Plenty of Fish trumpets its number of conversations for one main reason-messaging anyone is free on the app. That doesn’t mean POF is not going to ask for your money, though. If someone likes you, the app prompts you to upgrade your account to see who it is. Upgraded accounts also get access to a list of the newest users (who respond more to messages, or so POF says) plus you can unlock the extended profile of all users, which basically gives answers to a few extra questions and preferences. Plans start at $ for a single month, or as low as $9.99 per month for an eight-month commitment. These fees are on the low side compared with apps like Match and eharmony, which charge upwards of $40 for a monthly subscription.
With the upgraded plan, you can also see if you’ve messaged someone before-which is helpful if you spend extensive time on the app, take advantage of its generous messaging limits, or don’t want to accidentally and awkwardly re-engage with someone you forgot you previously wrote off. You also get receipts when your messages have been read, and, with some super-sneaky tracking, you can even see when someone views your profile and when a particular person was last online.
Like other dating sites, POF lets you boost your profile using Tokens, which cost $1.69 to $1.99, depending on how many you buy, along with Super Yes-es which are basically a way to say you really think you like someone. You can also use Tokens to make your message a priority, which, as mentioned, pushes it to the top of the receiver’s inbox.
Social Distancing With Plenty of Fish
The COVID-19 pandemic has most of us either locked down or doing our best to stay away from other people to stop the spread of the disease. To compensate, dating apps have offered their own virtual 
dating options to replace physical interactions. POF’s solution is unique: Mobile users can live-stream themselves and interact with live streams from other members. Beyond using video to build intimate interpersonal relationships, multiple people watching these streams builds a neat little POF community. You can even play streaming games or watch dating advice lectures on, say, dating during a quarantine.
