Polyamory Contacts vs #open

#open is a mobile app for people in open relationships of many kinds, and it has built a following among singles, couples and polycules who want to meet others both online and at events. Polyamory Contacts is a browser-based dating site centred specifically on polyamory. The two overlap in audience, yet they differ in format, culture and how they help you meet people. This page lays out those differences.

Information about #open was taken from its App Store listing, titled "#Open", on 16 October 2026. Check the app itself for the latest features.

Overview table

#open details checked 16 October 2026 on its App Store listing.

Same audience, different emphasis

The #open listing speaks to a broad spectrum of open relationships, from people exploring casually to established polycules. Its name and messaging lean toward the wider world of openness rather than polyamory alone, and its events bring people together in person.

Polyamory Contacts is narrower by design. Its starting assumption is that you want loving, ongoing relationships with more than one person, and its guides, profile prompts and culture reflect that. People seeking lighter connections are welcome if they say so clearly, but commitment and care are the default.

That difference matters most when your goals are specific. If you know you want a long-term partner who will fit alongside your nesting partner, a service built around that expectation can save time. If you are still exploring what openness means for you, a broader app may feel more flexible.

Events versus guides

One of #open's distinctive features is its events. According to its App Store listing, it offers event discovery and venue check-in with QR codes, linking the app to gatherings in the real world. For people who like to meet face to face, that bridge between online and offline is appealing, especially in cities where community nights are well attended.

We do not organise events at Polyamory Contacts. Instead, our city guides describe how polyamorous communities tend to gather in cities like London, New York or Toronto, with practical notes on local culture and etiquette. Many people combine community events with online dating, using each for what it does best.

Paid features

#open lists an optional upgrade called #Open Plus. According to the listing, it adds the ability to see who likes you, introductions and unlimited likes. Prices appear in the app and depend on your region and the length of plan you pick.

Polyamory Contacts offers two paid tiers. VIP opens messaging without limits and the full set of search filters, while VIP Plus lifts your profile higher in results and adds a highlight. For example, VIP for 3 months is $102.73, and VIP Plus for 6 months is $154.03, in US dollars. All plans and currencies appear on our pricing page.

Swiping versus reading

Like most modern dating apps, #open is designed around a phone screen, with profile cards and likes. That format makes browsing easy on the go.

Polyamory Contacts asks you to read. Profiles include a written introduction where people explain who they live with, whether their partners meet, how much time they have and what they hope to find. Search lets you narrow by location and other details, then read whole profiles on a laptop or phone before deciding to write. Detail like that is what separates a good polyamorous match from a merely attractive one. Our guide on polyamorous dating profile tips shows how to make the most of the space.

Couples and polycules

The #open listing explicitly welcomes couples and polycules alongside singles, which suits networks who like to browse together.

On Polyamory Contacts, a couple can co-author a single profile, paid for once, or each partner can hold their own profile that mentions the other. Larger networks often prefer individual profiles, with each person describing their place in the polycule. Fair treatment of newcomers is the theme of polyamory dating for couples, and building a polycule looks at how networks grow.

Privacy and moderation

Polyamory Contacts puts discretion first. Readers see a chosen handle rather than your name, a general area rather than your address, and only the pictures you pick. You can block someone in a moment, and optional verification by ID or live video gives your profile a badge. Moderators, supported by automated checks, review uploads and flag suspicious behaviour. See the Trust & Safety guide.

For #open's privacy settings and community guidelines, review the app directly.

App or browser?

#open is a phone app. Polyamory Contacts works in a web browser on any device, without installation. Some polyamorous people prefer the browser option because they share devices at home, want to avoid a dating app icon on their phone, or like typing longer messages on a keyboard.

Which suits whom

#open could be the better choice if you love meeting people at events, enjoy a mobile app, and want a space that covers a wide range of open relationship styles.

Polyamory Contacts could be the better choice if you are seeking committed polyamorous partners, want detailed written profiles, prefer using a browser, or want a couple profile that one membership covers.

Getting the best from either

Whichever you choose, be specific. Describe your relationships, your structure and your availability. Name partners in your first exchanges. Take a no gracefully. And if you attend events, remember that most community gatherings are social first, so treat them as a chance to meet people rather than a hunt for dates.

Moving from #open

If you are trying Polyamory Contacts after #open, expect to write more. Lead with the people already in your life, describe a typical week and explain what you hope to add. A ten-step route from first profile to first coffee sits on how it works.

Thinking about intentions

Broad apps attract a broad mix of intentions, and that is not a flaw. Someone on #open might be newly curious, happily casual, deeply committed to a long-running network, or all three at different times. The practical consequence is that you need to ask early what each person wants, because the platform itself does not narrow it much.

On Polyamory Contacts, intentions still vary, but the range is tighter. Most profiles describe ongoing relationships, partners who know and agree, and a hope for connection that lasts beyond a single evening. If that matches what you want, the narrower range saves conversations. If you prefer variety and spontaneity, a broader app might feel more natural.

Whatever the platform, a clear sentence in your own profile helps everyone: "Looking for a steady partner I can see weekly, ideally someone who enjoys meeting my girlfriend," or "Open to friendships and slow-building romance, no rush." Clarity is kind, and it attracts the people who want the same thing.

A word on terminology

Different services use different words for similar things. What one app calls an open relationship, another might call polyamory, and individuals use the terms in their own ways. Our guide to polyamory vs an open relationship explains the distinction we draw, which can help you describe yourself clearly on any platform.

Frequently asked questions

What is #open?

Its App Store page, read on 16 October 2026, presents a phone-based service for singles, couples and polycules with real-world event tools built in.

What does #Open Plus include?

The upgrade reveals who has liked you, adds introductions and removes the cap on likes, per the same listing.

Does Polyamory Contacts host events?

No. Our energy goes into the dating site itself and into local write-ups of each city's polyamorous scene.

Is Polyamory Contacts an app?

It is a website that works in any browser on a computer, tablet or phone, with nothing to install.

Which is better for committed polyamory?

Polyamory Contacts centres on committed polyamorous relationships; #open covers a wider range of open relationship styles.

Can a polycule use Polyamory Contacts?

Yes. Members of a polycule often keep individual profiles that explain their place in the network.