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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Ashley Madison Discreet Dating vs DOWN

Ashley Madison Discreet Dating 4.0★ · Free + IAP 45
Winner DOWN
DOWN 4.3★ · Free + IAP 55

DOWN has a slight edge over Ashley Madison due to a slightly better user experience and a community that, while still having issues, appears to have fewer pervasive complaints about bots and scammers.

Full reviews: Ashley Madison Discreet Dating · DOWN

Ashley Madison and DOWN both offer platforms for discreet dating, but both struggle with user complaints about fake profiles, bots, and high costs. DOWN generally provides a smoother user experience and a community perceived as more genuine, despite its own issues with paywalls and distance filters.

Head to head

Features and Community edge: DOWNR3R6R15R18
Ashley Madison Discreet Dating Ashley Madison is praised for its intent as an 'Adult Playground' and the ability to find some real profiles, with some users having positive experiences and meeting people R6. However, a significant number of users report a severe problem with fake profiles, bots, and scammers, with estimates ranging from 60-70% to 90-95% R3R6R18. Some users also feel there aren't a lot of people on the app, limiting options R15.
DOWN DOWN is appreciated for its open-minded community and the ability to specify intentions (hookup, talk, hangout), which helps eliminate confusion . Users report finding real people and having genuine conversations . However, there are also complaints about fake profiles and scammers, though perhaps not as overwhelmingly as with AM . Some users also note a limited number of people to swipe on in their area or profiles being too far away .
Ease of Use and Reliability edge: DOWNR8R9R12R13
Ashley Madison Discreet Dating Ashley Madison is described as easy to use with a minimal layout and simple profile creation R8R13. However, users report glitches with logging in, sorting, and message notifications R9R12. There are also complaints about the app sending messages or favoring profiles automatically, using up credits .
DOWN DOWN is generally praised for its easy navigation, straightforward design, and simple interface . Some users, however, report the app freezing, not working, or requiring new profiles frequently . There are also complaints about accidentally liking or dating someone due to the interface .
Price and Value tieR1R4R7R10
Ashley Madison Discreet Dating Ashley Madison is consistently criticized for being extremely expensive and overpriced, with a credit system that requires payment for almost every interaction, including sending single messages R1R4R7R10. Users feel they spend a lot of money only to encounter scammers or bots, making it not worth the cost R1R4R10R13.
DOWN DOWN also faces criticism for its paywalls and subscription model, with users feeling they cannot do much without paying . Some users mention being asked to pay per message . However, some users report being able to text without paying for a subscription, and some find the VIP worth it . There are complaints about the pricing for memberships being high, such as $40 for one month or $60 for three months .
Support and Moderation tieR10R24R28R31
Ashley Madison Discreet Dating Ashley Madison is criticized for poor support, with users stating that support is nonexistent or does nothing to address reported fake accounts and scammers R10R24R28R31. Users report that AM is unwilling to credit for reported accounts and that bad accounts disappear before they can be reported R10R24.
DOWN Reviews for DOWN do not extensively discuss customer support. There are complaints about spam messages from the 'Down team' that mimic match notifications R88. One user mentioned a refund request being denied .
Pick Ashley Madison Discreet Dating if

you are specifically looking for a platform known for discreet encounters and are willing to navigate a high number of fake profiles and significant costs R6.

Pick DOWN if

you prefer an app with a more open-minded community where users can clearly state their intentions, and you value a smoother user interface, even if it has its own paywalls and occasional glitches .

Evidence note: Both apps have a significant number of negative reviews, often citing similar issues like fake profiles and high costs. Ashley Madison's reviews are particularly saturated with complaints about bots and scammers, making it difficult to find positive feedback on its community beyond general 'love it' statements. DOWN's negative reviews, while present, are slightly more varied and positive reviews often detail specific aspects they enjoy, suggesting a more balanced user experience.

Frequently asked

Are Ashley Madison and DOWN full of fake profiles?
Yes, both Ashley Madison and DOWN receive numerous complaints about fake profiles, bots, and scammers, though the issue appears to be more pervasive and frequently cited for Ashley Madison, with users estimating 60-95% fake profiles R3R28R34R58.
Do I have to pay to use Ashley Madison or DOWN?
Yes, both apps operate on a freemium model where basic access is free, but significant features, especially messaging, are paywalled; Ashley Madison uses a credit system where sending a single message can cost around $1 or more, while DOWN offers subscriptions that can cost around $40 for one month or $60 for three months R7R16R25R60.
Which app has better customer support?
Reviews indicate that Ashley Madison has poor customer support, with users reporting that support is nonexistent and does not address issues with fake accounts or provide refunds for wasted credits R10R28R31. DOWN's reviews do not extensively cover customer support, but some users mention spam messages from the 'Down team' and denied refund requests R88.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R3] Ashley Madison Discreet Dating 3/5 · US Fake profiles abound: I’ve 60-70% catfishing.
  2. [R6] Ashley Madison Discreet Dating 3/5 · US Glitches: To be honest, there are so many fake profiles. The intent is wonderful and there are some real profiles that turn out great! Still recommend this app/site as the BEST overall Adult Playground 🤫
  3. [R15] Ashley Madison Discreet Dating 3/5 · US More options: Not a lot of people on the app. You can find what you looking for but options will be limited.
  4. [R18] Ashley Madison Discreet Dating 3/5 · US More fakes than real: Not what it used to be.
  5. [R8] Ashley Madison Discreet Dating 4/5 · US Experience: I am now experiencing it and it wasn’t hard to get my profile done
  6. [R9] Ashley Madison Discreet Dating 3/5 · US Not Sure Yet: It’s really too early to tell as I’ve had a horrible experience, but also a couple decent ones. My biggest issue is that the app doesn’t seem to want to log me in which is frustrating.
  7. [R12] Ashley Madison Discreet Dating 3/5 · US Viewing.: The sorting and messaging notification are out of kilter. They don’t sort in any coherent order and is so difficult for the last few months. Plus the fakes are coming out. In droves
  8. [R13] Ashley Madison Discreet Dating 2/5 · US All for a price: The app itself is easy to use with a very minimal layout. The service is ridiculously overpriced. Almost $300 in and all the connections I’ve made have turned out to be escorts or scammers. They have ruined Ashley Madison. Does Ashley Madison care? Probably not when they get $$. If anyone were to report the accounts you’ll have nobody on Ashley Madison in all of central Texas. I g
  9. [R1] Ashley Madison Discreet Dating 1/5 · US Tired of bots: Too expensive and keep making it more expensive and mostly bots on the site. The site is not worth the money.
  10. [R4] Ashley Madison Discreet Dating 1/5 · US Scammers: Scammers and bot using your credits, stick to Feeld
  11. [R7] Ashley Madison Discreet Dating 1/5 · US Have to pay to message people: You can’t even talk to people on this app without making a payment for credits. Minimum is $80🙄
  12. [R10] Ashley Madison Discreet Dating 2/5 · US Declining App: Prices continue to increase. ‘Bots’ that cause you to burn credits and scam artist are very active attempting to gain information to use against. AM unwilling to credit reported accounts. Additionally, those bad accounts disappear before you are able to report.
  13. [R24] Ashley Madison Discreet Dating 3/5 · US Half scammers: Am needs to do a better job at weeding out these scammers and fake accounts. They use up your credits and am rarely refunds them back
  14. [R28] Ashley Madison Discreet Dating 1/5 · US Complete garbage: Am has declined below worthless over the recent years. 95% of profiles are fake. Even some of the verified profiles are fake. If most of the stats section is ask me, they are fake. I’m cautiously burning up my last bit of credits and will never return to this completely fake app. Support is nonexistent and does absolutely nothing besides giving false responses
  15. [R31] Ashley Madison Discreet Dating 1/5 · US Too many fake, scam profiles: Unfortunately Ashley Madison does not monitor or protect the legitimate users even when a scam profile is brought to their attention. All profiles should be REQUIRED to verify they are who they say they are. All I can say is legitimate, real individuals beware and navigate cautiously!
  16. [R34] Ashley Madison Discreet Dating 1/5 · US 90% are fake: Profiles are so fake it’s obvious
  17. [R58] Ashley Madison Discreet Dating 1/5 · US SCAMMERS!!!!: There are WAAAAAAAAYYYYY TOO MANY SCAMMERS on this site!!!! And NOW, the idiots who run this site, won’t even let you screenshot their pictures for PROOF!!! I report AT LEAST 20 Scammers EVERY DAY!!!!! It’s RIDICULOUS now!!!! This site DEFINITELY went down hill!! B
  18. [R16] Ashley Madison Discreet Dating 1/5 · US Credit System is Bull: It costs at least a dollar every time you want to send a single message. Not start a chat, send ONE message. So unless you can get off the app real fast, you’re going to be dumping way too much money into this for it to be worth it. And no, there are no free credits to minimize the insane, overpriced, expenses. $0.30 a credit and at least 5 credits a message. It is NOT worth
  19. [R25] Ashley Madison Discreet Dating 2/5 · US Premium & Credits: Imo the premium trial should include at least 50 tokens or credits. Users only get a few messages for back and forth before the credits dry up and that’s almost $90 bucks for a few chats
  20. [R60] Ashley Madison Discreet Dating 1/5 · US An app designed to scam men: It doesnt matter if the woman messages you, or is interested in you or try to make the first move, the app will always charge the man to make any interaction at all. It doesnt even matter if you are subscribe to their “prime or premium or whatever the name” subscription, you will always as a man will have to pay. Dont fall for this scam. Of i could give them a negative
  21. [R88] DOWN 2/5 · US Endless ‘down team’ spam: As I’m sure most guys on this app experience, you get about one match every two weeks. During that time, you will get endless messages from the down team about how to use the app and other messages that just make you think you actually have a match or message. But instead Down just spams you all the time.

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store