An alternative to Meetic, for when you would rather be introduced than search

Meetic leaves a lot of the initiative to its members: you browse profiles, filter by criteria, like and write. This approach appeals to people who enjoy searching for themselves. Others end up tiring of the sorting, the follow-ups and the messages that are not right for them.

Looking for a Meetic alternative often means wanting the opposite: less searching, more selection. Receiving a few relevant profiles, only talking to people who have also shown interest, and knowing exactly what you are paying for.

Meetic is operated by Meetic SAS, in Paris, and runs a Swiss site in French, for over-18s only. Profiles are detailed and search by criteria is at the heart of the service. A daily selection is also offered. Meetic says that every profile description and photo is moderated. The group Meetic belongs to also encourages its members to have their profile verified, in particular by video selfie (group press release of 6 February 2024).

Without a subscription, you can create your profile, view profiles, run searches, like and reply to messages from members who have the Premium option. To send and reply to messages freely, you need a subscription. On 12 November 2026, the Swiss site showed three subscription lengths: 1 month at CHF 59.99, 3 months at CHF 39.99 a month, 6 months at CHF 23.99 a month.

Two options can be added, both paid and for subscribers only. The Premium option lets every member write to you and reply to you without a subscription, and shows your profile first. The Zen option shows you whether your messages have been read and turns on a filter to choose who can contact you. Subscriptions renew automatically for an equivalent period; renewal can be stopped up to 48 hours before it falls due.

The real difference between Meetic and Velvet comes down to one question: who does the sorting?

• On Meetic, you search: you set your filters, go through the results and decide whom to contact. Zen mode and its filters limit the messages you receive.
• On Velvet, the selection comes to you: every day, a few profiles chosen according to your goal, age, distance, lifestyle and interests, each with your affinity as a percentage.
• On Meetic, controlling who can write to you requires the Zen option, a paid extra on top of the subscription.
• On Velvet, that control is the rule: nobody can message you without your consent, and a conversation only opens when the interest is mutual.

Neither approach is better in itself. If you like to explore, Meetic leaves you in charge. If you would rather save time and only see profiles close to your criteria, a short selection will suit you better.

Velvet is a premium dating site for French-speaking Switzerland. Your profile is visible only to logged-in members, never to search engines, and you can hide it at any time. Members who wish can have their identity verified and receive a badge.

There are no options to add: all three plans give the same full access; only the length changes. Découverte costs 89 CHF a month, Premium 239 CHF for 3 months, Elite 889 CHF a year. Payment is charged in euros by CCBill.

The new platform opens soon. Pre-registering requires no bank card and gives you 15 days on us, which start the first time you log in and must be activated within 30 days of opening.

If a lasting relationship matters above all, sites built around a personality test are another option: read our Parship review. If you would like personal support, see what a matchmaking agency can offer. Our page on the best dating sites in Switzerland compares the main options.

Meetic suits people who like to search for themselves, with plenty of criteria and a range of subscription lengths. If you would rather receive a few chosen profiles every day in French-speaking Switzerland, only talk when the interest is mutual and pay a price with no add-ons, Velvet is a more selective Meetic alternative.