"I've been on several dating sites and apps, and one thing that I noticed about most of them is that they are geared more towards the younger generation. It's so confusing - with terms like swipe and ghost, I felt so out of place with these dating sites. Heck, I've even unknowingly subscribed to a couple of "perks" just because I didn't understand what things meant. When I found FirstMet, I was relieved - there were no weird gimmicks, money-making perks and weird terminology. I loved how most of the women I met were actually in my age range (although there were a couple of younger ones who asked for a green card). The site is very simple so even old folk like myself don't get lost. I finally found a site where I can just enjoy meeting people without unnecessary distractions."
FirstMet Review Australia October 2026
“Even after its re-branding, not everyone will appreciate FirstMet. The site doesn't have a lot of bells and whistles and it still has traces of the serious, exclusive dating site that AYI once was. However, this is good news for people who don't really care about games, virtual gifts and personality tests - the site allows you to focus on finding matches based on mutual interests. Considering that the site still attracts mainly older users, then maybe it's a good thing that the site isn't flashy and chooses to focus on what's important - human connections.”
Find out if FirstMet is the right service for you or if there are better options.
Better than FirstMet
What FirstMet really costs in Australia
On the subscription page, you can also opt in for a profile boost for a one-time fee of AUSD0.50 . With this profile boost, your profile will receive one day's worth of account activity in 5 minutes. New subscriptions will be charged an additional one-time fee of AUSD1.99 for the premium account activation.
- Account registration
- Profile creation
- Search for matches
- Video chat via Paltalk
- Boost your profile
- Allows others to read your messages on their inbox regardless of their status
- Send and receive messages from other users
- See who viewed your profile
How to cancel your FirstMet subscription →
Is FirstMet right for me?Who is signed up on FirstMet in Australia?
According to Firstmet's website, the dating portal has over 30 million registered users from around the globe. More than half of the site's user base comes from the US, followed by the UK, Australia, Canada and India. Although the site has re-branded as a mainstream dating website, majority of its users are still older, with the largest share coming from the 35-50 and over 50 range.
Signing up at FirstMet
★★★★★ 4.0/5
Required information
- Date of birth
- Personal questionnaire
Optional information
- Username
- Name
- Your gender
- Your relationship status
- Reason for signing up
- Partner's gender
- Your ethnicity
- Your occupation
- Your religion
- Profile bio / greeting
- Personality test
- Ideal partner questionnaire
- Profile picture upload
Making contact on FirstMet
★★★★★ 2.5/5
- No free search function
- You are given recommended matches depending on your preferences
- You can expand your matches by adjusting the age range and preferred distance
- Click the check mark to express your interest, click the X mark to pass
- You can skip profiles if you are undecided
- Sending messages for free is not possible
- FirstMet has a chat function
Profile quality
★★★★★ 3.5/5
- Free users can see other users' pictures clearly
- It is possible to look at other members' profiles as a free user
- You can see detailed info like zodiac sign, political stance, religion and ethnicity
- Users can choose their interests from a list provided by the site
- Interests range from favourite movies to favourite activities
- Profiles are pleasantly detailed
- Profile pictures are visible to everybody for free
- You can edit your profile information later
The FirstMet app
★★★★★ 3.0/5
- Same layout and functionality as the desktop version
- Available for iOS and Android users
- 1 million+ downloads on Google Play
- App uses your phone's location services to detect your country and city
When it comes to features and looks, the app is a copycat of its desktop counterpart. That said, it is still a great addition, especially since the site is trying to expand its userbase and attract younger members. The app is user-friendly, which is a great thing for the app's older users. Although it doesn't offer anything new, it is a huge convenience for people who want to search for matches while on the go.
Our field test
★★★★★ 3.5/5
- Male Director, 49
Design & usability
Design and Usability
Aesthetically, Firstmet's interface looks a bit outdated and boring. However, this is to be expected, as majority of he site's users are older. What the site lacks in design it does make up for in neatness. The menus, features and text are laid out in an organised manner to make browsing easy and accessible, even for folks who aren't tech-savvy.
Special features
Compared to other mainstream dating sites, Firstmet is lacking when it comes to special features. However, the features that are available make the dating experience all the more fun and secure for all.
Messaging and contact 2
IcebreakersFree
Icebreakers are questions that the site will send to matches who meet your criteria. If they're interested, other members can answer these questions as a way to start a conversation with you.
PaltalkFree
Firstmet has partnered with the developers of Paltalk to provide video chatting for its users. If you want to be sure that your match is who they say they are, you can invite them to a video chat session complete with voice communication.
Final results
- Best score: Signup, 4.0
- Weakest: Making contact, 2.5
Compare FirstMet to alternatives
Looking for sites like FirstMet, apps like FirstMet or simply the best FirstMet alternatives? Here are the services that did better than FirstMet in our test, and below you can compare FirstMet side by side with any other dating site we have reviewed.
Better than FirstMet
Compare FirstMet with other dating sites
FirstMet and Its Just Lunch side by side. Add up to four services to the comparison, or remove one and type another name. All tested Matchmaker under the radar
FirstMet FAQ
What is FirstMet?
Firstmet is a online matchmaker where singles can find dates and potential partners. The site caters more to serious daters, or those looking for a long-term relationship, although people looking for friends and casual dates are also allowed on the site.
When was FirstMet created?
FirstMet was first introduced in 2007 under the name AreYouInterested (AYI).
Who owns FirstMet?
FirstMet is owned by US-based company PeerStream
Where is the FirstMet headquarters?
The PeerStream headquarters is located in New York, USA.
What happened to AYI?
AYI was re-branded into FIrstMet. Whereas AYI was an exclusive dating site for serious singles looking for true love, FirstMet because more flexible and expanded their services to include people looking for hookups, casual dates and friendship.
How does FirstMet work?
Each user who signs up for a Firstmet account will have their own profiles. It's important to fill up your profile with your interests and likes for better matching accuracy. Firstmet will show you matches based on your preferences for distance and age range and you can choose potential matches according to how compatible they are to you.
Is FirstMet free?
Technically, yes. You can create an account and complete your profile for free. You also get matches at no additional cost. To send and receive message, you do have to upgrade your account to a paid subscription.
Is there a FirstMet app?
Yes, Firstmet has an app available for iOS and Android users.
Why can't I get past the FirstMet login page?
Firstmet has strict policies regarding fake profiles. If the site detects suspicious behaviour, you will be reverted back to the login screen and your account suspended.
Where is the FirstMet search function?
Firstmet doesn't have a search function; instead, it gives you recommended matches based on your set preferences.
How do I remove FirstMet from Facebook?
Just click your profile picture on the top right corner of the screen and go to account settings. On your profile settings, there's an option to unlink your Facebook account.
How do I contact FirstMet support?
The site has a contact form that you can fill out. Alternatively, you can also email them at help@firstmet.com.
Is FirstMet safe?
Firstmet has been around since 2007 and hasn't been involved in any security scandals, so it's safe to assume that it is safe. As a user, it is also your responsibility to keep yourself safe through small ways such as not giving out valuable information about yourself to strangers.
How do I block firstmet members who are harassing me?
You can block people via their profiles or even straight from the messaging feature itself. The site does advise its users to report all unwanted behaviour to customer support.
How do you cancel FirstMet subscriptions automated payments?
First click your profile picture on the top right corner of the screen, and then click Premium Account. Click on Cancel Auto-Renew to stop automatic renewals.
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