TrulyFilipino Review (2024) - A Nice Design Let Down by Constant Paywalls

Read the full review below but here's our unbiased rating of TrulyFilipino in the key areas

Design and usability

Size of membership base

Quality of members

Cost and value for money

★★★★★

★★★★★

★★★★★

★★★★★

Summary

TrulyFilipino is a simple, no-frills platform for foreigners seeking genuine relationships with Filipinas. While the user base and features are limited, it's a solid option if you're willing to work past the paywalls and basic interface.

The Full Review

When I first stumbled across TrulyFilipino, I was a bit sceptical. It’s not as big as some of the heavy hitters like FilipinoCupid, but I figured it was worth a go. It claims to focus on connecting foreigners with Filipinas looking for genuine relationships, so it sounded right up my alley. Here’s my take after using it for a few months.

User Base & Demographics

The first thing I noticed about TrulyFilipino is that it doesn’t have the massive user base you’d find on some of the bigger sites. While FilipinoCupid has millions of members, TrulyFilipino operates on a much smaller scale. But honestly, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. A smaller user base means less competition, and I found it a bit easier to strike up meaningful conversations without having to sift through loads of profiles.

That being said, there is a bit of a catch. Because the user base is smaller, you’ll notice fewer women in more remote parts of the Philippines. If you’re looking to connect with someone in Manila or Cebu, you’re golden, but if you’re hoping to meet women in lesser-known provinces, you might be disappointed. I’ve tried searching for women in areas like Bohol and Siquijor, and the pickings were slim.

Another thing to note is that the demographics seem skewed a bit younger compared to other platforms. I’ve come across a lot of women in their early to mid-20s, which is great if you’re looking for someone younger, but if you’re after women in their 30s or 40s, you might have to dig a bit deeper.

Lastly, there were quite a few profiles without photos. Yes, there were plenty with, but I couldn't see a way to filter out no photos which made browsing through pages a bit annoying when 50%+ had no photos.

Interface & Ease of Use

When it comes to user interface, TrulyFilipino is simple—maybe a bit too simple. It doesn’t have the sleek design or polished feel of some of the bigger dating apps. The layout is basic, and while it’s easy enough to navigate, it lacks the modern look you might expect from a dating site in 2024. There’s nothing particularly exciting or innovative about the interface.

Still, I can’t fault it for functionality. The search filters work fine, and you can narrow down potential matches by age, location, religion, and a few other criteria. One thing I found handy is that the site allows you to browse profiles without being bombarded by ads, which is a relief compared to other free apps that push paid features at every turn.

Speaking of which, TrulyFilipino does have an app for both Android and iOS, which I downloaded to try out. The app works pretty well—it’s not the most advanced or feature-rich app out there, but it gets the job done. You can message people, check profiles, and get notifications on the go, which is all I really needed. It’s a bit barebones, but for casual browsing or chatting when you’re not near a computer, it’s fine.

Communication Features

This is where TrulyFilipino shows its limitations. The free version doesn’t let you do much beyond browsing profiles and sending some “interests” (basically, likes). If you want to actually communicate with women, you’re going to have to cough up some cash and go for a premium subscription. Free members can send one message every 10 minutes but it gets frustrating quickly.

Once you’re a premium member, you unlock unlimited messaging, video chat, and even photo sharing—all solid features if you want to build a real connection. The video chat, in particular, is a nice touch. It gives you a much better feel for someone compared to just texting. I’ve used this feature a few times, and it worked smoothly without any major issues.

However, one gripe I have with the messaging system is that it feels a bit outdated. It’s functional, sure, but there’s nothing special about it. The interface is clunky, and the chat system doesn’t feel as seamless as it could be. I’ve used other dating apps that offer a more polished messaging experience, so it’s a bit of a letdown here.

Safety & Security

I was pleasantly surprised by how proactive TrulyFilipino is when it comes to user safety. They have a pretty thorough verification process, and women who go through it get a little badge on their profiles. This definitely helped weed out a lot of the fake profiles or scammers that can plague dating sites.

Still, I did come across a couple of profiles that seemed a bit sketchy. I flagged them, and to TrulyFilipino’s credit, they were quick to remove them. The platform also provides safety tips for navigating online dating, which is nice, though most of the advice is pretty common sense if you’ve been in the game for a while.

There’s also an option to block and report users, which comes in handy if someone’s being inappropriate or suspicious. Overall, I felt like the site takes safety seriously, but like anywhere else, it’s still important to keep your guard up.

Pricing & Value

Now, let’s talk about the cost. TrulyFilipino isn’t the most expensive dating platform out there, but it’s not the cheapest either. The pricing is pretty standard at $28.95 USD/month. They don't offer longer terms for lower prices which is a bit of a turn off but they do offer a $4.95 7 day trial. Be wary that you will be auto rebilled at the full $28.95 price once your trial is up.

In terms of value, though, it’s a bit hit or miss. The features are good but the membership base is small and not as active as the bigger boys. If you’re already on FilipinoCupid and ChristianFilipina and want to increase your matches, it's a good third choice.

Customer Support

Here’s one area where TrulyFilipino doesn’t exactly shine. The customer support is available via email, and that’s about it. There’s no phone support, which is a bit disappointing if you run into issues that need immediate attention. There was live chat advertised but everytime I tried to talk to an agent, it told me to lodge a ticket through email.

I had a minor issue with my account once—nothing major, just a billing question—and it took about two days to get a response. They eventually sorted it out, but the process was slower than I would’ve liked. It’s not the worst customer support experience I’ve had, but it definitely could be better. Some of the bigger platforms at least offer chat support or faster email responses, so it feels a bit behind the times.

Success Rate & Matching Algorithm

One thing I appreciated about TrulyFilipino is its focus on genuine connections. The women on this platform tend to be more serious about finding a relationship, which is great if that’s what you’re after. I didn’t come across too many women looking for just a fling—it seemed like most were genuinely interested in long-term relationships.

However, the matching algorithm is nothing fancy. It’s your basic filtering system—age, location, and interests. There’s no real “smarts” to the matching process, like you might get on other sites that use more advanced algorithms to pair you with compatible partners. You’re pretty much left to your own devices to browse and message whoever catches your eye.

That said, I did end up meeting a couple of women who I had decent conversations with. One, in particular, seemed like a good match, and we’ve been chatting for a while now. If you put in the effort and are patient, you can find someone special here—it’s just not going to be served to you on a silver platter.

The Good and the Bad

What truly sets TrulyFilipino apart from the bigger names like FilipinoCupid or ChristianFilipina is its simplicity. It’s not a flashy app, and it doesn’t try to be. It’s a no-frills platform for people who want to meet Filipinas for serious relationships without a lot of distractions.

What I didn't like was the constant paywalls. Whenever I tried to do basic actions on the site I was pushed to upgrade. I get it, they're here to make money but when you're just trying to browse Filipinas or read your mail, it can be very distracting.

Final Thoughts

TrulyFilipino isn’t the most impressive dating site I’ve used, but it’s not without its merits. The smaller user base and straightforward approach mean you’re more likely to find genuine connections here, but you’ll have to work a bit harder to find them. The app is decent, the safety features are solid, and while the customer support could use some work, it’s not a deal-breaker.

If you’re looking for something simple and aren’t too bothered by a lack of fancy features, TrulyFilipino is worth a shot. Just be prepared to put in some legwork—and maybe keep a backup plan if the smaller pool of users doesn’t cut it for you.

We recommend the following dating sites

#1 FilipinoCupid

#2 ChristianFilipina

#3 PinaHeart

9.6 (Excellent)

8.9 (Great)

7.5 (Good)

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