Source-backed analysis8
Review basis
Research-based review: the AppDuo Editorial Team compiled it from official pages, documentation, app stores, press and user feedback, without hands-on testing. Every claim links to a source with the date it was checked.
8 reference sourcesInformation updated Nov 11, 2026
How we review
Known Review
Swipe-free dating: a voice chat with an AI, then a booked date
By AppDuo Editorial Team · Fact-checked
- iOS
- Android
On this page
Decide at a glance
Our verdict
Known suits people who want to skip swiping, get straight to in-person dates and don't mind a long conversation with an AI. The trade-offs are very sensitive data collection, a non-refundable $15 per date, an English-only interface, and effectiveness figures that come mainly from the company.
Best for: People in a city where Known operates who would rather meet soon than chat for weeks
Skip it if: People uncomfortable with an AI recording calls and storing sensitive personal details
Pros
- No swiping or feed: one introduction at a time, with 24 hours for both sides to accept
- Once both agree, the app checks calendars, picks a restaurant to suit tastes and budget, and books it
- 4.6/5 on the US App Store from 2,468 ratings
Cons
- Collects very sensitive data via recorded calls, which may be used for AI training and shared with ad partners; the AI-written profile cannot be edited manually
- Each date costs a non-refundable $15; the terms let Known change fees at its discretion, and the website has no price list
All pros and cons · Who is it for?
More pros
- Community guidelines require real names and recent, unaltered photos, and ban harassment
More cons
- Credit for a cancelled date or a no-show is entirely at Known's discretion
- English-only, and limited to launch cities (press has named only San Francisco); the 80% date figure is the company's own and has not been independently verified
Best for
- People tired of swipe apps who want one introduction at a time
Skip it if
- People outside the served cities, or who need a non-English interface
Experience & key features
What Known is
Known is a dating app from Known Co. (US) that calls itself a "pocket matchmaker". There is no swiping: users talk to an AI voice on a call that the app says typically lasts about 26 minutes. Known then writes the profile itself and sends one introduction at a time. TechCrunch (19 Dec 2025) reported that founders Celeste Amadon and Asher Allen left Stanford to build the company and raised $9.7 million.
How it works
Each introduction gives both people 24 hours to accept; if either passes, Known looks for someone else. Before meeting you can ask Known about your match, and it answers from what it learned on their call. Once both agree, the app checks calendars, picks a restaurant to suit tastes, dietary needs and budget, and books it; a short check-in follows the date. SFist (6 May 2026) reported that photos stay hidden until a connection is made.
Pricing and value
Known's website has no price list. On the US App Store the only in-app purchase is "1 Date Credit" at $15; SFist reported that joining is free and the $15 is paid when you commit to a match, to discourage no-shows. During beta, TechCrunch reported, Known charged $30 per successful date and had not settled on a pricing model. The terms make payments non-refundable and let Known change fees, so check the price in the app before paying.
More analysis
Privacy and the evidence behind the claims
Because the input is a long conversation, Known's policy lists sensitive categories such as sexual orientation, religion and health. The 80% introduction-to-date figure is the company's own; TechCrunch gave no sample size or method, and the company told SFist that about half of matches agree to a date. No independent verification was found, so treat these as vendor claims.
Who it suits
Known is worth a look if you live in a served city, want to meet quickly and accept paying $15 per date. If you prefer to browse profiles, message before meeting, or live where Known is not yet available, apps such as Hinge, Bumble or Coffee Meets Bagel take a different approach and operate more widely.
Screenshots
Plans & pricing
Prices last verified Nov 11, 2026
Free to join
PersonalFree
Per SFist (May 2026), joining is free: the AI call and introductions cost nothing. Known's website has no price list.
1 Date Credit
PersonalContact sales
One-off purchase, $15 per date (US App Store price). SFist reports the fee is paid when you commit to a match; TechCrunch (Dec 2025) reported $30 per successful date during beta.
- Free plan limits
- Joining and receiving introductions are free; you pay $15 only when you commit to a date.
- Free trial
- No free trial
Cancellation & refunds
The terms say all payments are non-refundable except as expressly provided, with a refund if Known itself cancels the transaction. If a date is cancelled or your match does not show, you may need to provide proof, and any credit is at Known's sole discretion. Subscriptions bought through Apple or Google follow those stores' terms.
Privacy
The privacy notice (updated 29 Oct 2026) says Known may record calls made by its AI voice and may collect sensitive details such as sexual orientation, religion, ethnic origin and health, plus income and job title. The profile is written by the AI from the conversation and cannot be edited manually. Data may be used to train AI models and shared with advertising partners; named service providers include Google Analytics and Shakebugs (session replay and error monitoring). Deletion requests go to [email protected]. By contrast, the Google Play data-safety section declares no data shared with third parties and states that data is not encrypted.
Controversies & incidents
Issues documented by the press, regulators, courts or the vendor itself. Every item is sourced; unproven claims are labelled as allegations. Last researched: Nov 11, 2026
No significant controversies or incidents found in the sources we checked.
Frequently asked questions
Is Known free?
Joining is free. Per SFist (May 2026), you pay $15 when you commit to a match, and the US App Store lists a "1 Date Credit" in-app purchase at $15. Known's website has no price list.
Is Known available on Android?
Yes. Known's website says it is on iOS and Android, and its Google Play page shows 500+ downloads.
Does Known record the call?
It may. The privacy notice says Known may record calls its AI voice makes to you, for example to build your profile or collect feedback.
Where does Known operate?
SFist (May 2026) reported a San Francisco launch in February 2026. The App Store page refers only to unnamed "launch cities"; outside them, the app shows how many more singles your city needs. The current city list could not be confirmed.
Review evidence & sources8
Scores
- Ease of use
- 7.0
- Features
- 7.0
- Value for money
- 6.0
- Performance
- 6.5
- Support
- 5.5
- Privacy & security
- 5.0
Why this score
A short path: one call the app says averages about 26 minutes, then single introductions and a booked date. Held back by the English-only interface and availability limited to launch cities.
Why this score
Offers a voice interview, asking Known about a match before the date, automatic restaurant booking and a post-date check-in. There is no feed for browsing profiles yourself, and the app has only been live since February 2026.
Why this score
Joining is free and you pay only when you commit to a date, but the $15 per date is non-refundable, credit for cancellations is discretionary and the terms allow price changes; the beta charged $30.
Why this score
The store listing claims 80% of introductions led to dates in early testing, while the company told SFist that about half of matches agree to a date. TechCrunch gave no sample size or method, and no independent evaluation was found.
Why this score
The website links to FAQ and support pages, and the privacy notice lists [email protected] and [email protected]. No chat or phone channel was found.
Why this score
The policy covers call recording, sensitive data collection, AI training on user data and sharing with advertising partners; Google Play lists data as not encrypted while declaring no third-party sharing. On the plus side, deletion can be requested and contact numbers are stored hashed.
What users say
- App Store (US)4.6/5 · 2,468
- Google Play4.5/5 · 43
Sources
- Vendor-providedKnown official websiteNov 11, 2026
- Vendor-providedKnown privacy noticeNov 11, 2026
- Vendor-providedKnown terms of serviceNov 11, 2026
- Vendor-providedKnown community guidelinesNov 11, 2026
- storeApp Store listing (US)Nov 11, 2026
- storeGoogle Play listingNov 11, 2026
- pressTechCrunch (2025-12-19)Nov 11, 2026
- pressSFist (2026-05-06)Nov 11, 2026
Specs & compatibility
- Developer
- Known Co.
- Headquarters
- United States
- Launched
- 2026
- Category
- Social
Capabilities
- AI features
- Mobile app
Platforms
- iOS
- Android
Interface languages
- English
Support
- Help center
Change history
- Update.Known's privacy notice shows its latest update on this date.
- Update.SFist reported thousands of users in San Francisco and a $15 fee on committing to a match; the company said about half of matches agree to a real-life date.
- Launch.The app went live on the US App Store (release date 1 Feb 2026); SFist reported a San Francisco launch in February.
Full change history (4)
- Company.TechCrunch reported Known raised $9.7 million (Forerunner, NFX, Pear VC, Coelius Capital) and was in beta in San Francisco.
About the author
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