Sugarbook vs Seeking in 2026: which one fits you?

Seeking is the safer default for most people in the US, while Sugarbook mainly makes sense if you are a student who qualifies for its free Premium or you are in a market where it is active. Both are subscription sugar dating sites where the wealthier side pays, but Seeking has a far longer track record and Sugarbook's prices, ownership and app status are all disputed.

The short answer

Seeking (formerly SeekingArrangement) has run since 2006 under Reflex Media in Las Vegas. It raised its prices on January 1, 2026. Sugarbook was founded in Kuala Lumpur in 2016. Its official site now names a Cyprus company as operator, and it has a history of legal trouble in Malaysia. Sugarbook's main draws are free Premium for students and a lower-looking entry price. Seeking's main draw is scale, with a claimed 46 million or more members (a 2024 figure), and a cleaner public record.

Side by side

	Sugarbook	Seeking
Model	Subscription; coins for gifting to live streamers	Subscription (Gold, Platinum, Diamond)
Who pays	Sugar daddies and mommies; sugar babies free; free Premium for students with a university email	Men / "successful members"; women can join and message free
Price	Third-party, conflicting: 1 month $89.95 (DatingScout, Sept 2026) vs $71.95 promo / about $79.95 standard (DatingApps, Dec 2024); 7 days $45.95; 24 months $799.92	Official, from January 1, 2026: Platinum $150 (30 days) or $380 (90 days); Diamond $375 (30 days). Gold price not stated
Verification	Mandatory face verification (official claim), 24/7 moderation	AI selfie verification (added 2025); optional background check badge
Trustpilot	2.8/5 from 36 reviews, 56% one-star	1.6/5 from 41 reviews
Company	Conflicting: Sovrnt Ltd., Larnaca, Cyprus (official site) vs a Malaysian entity (DatingScout)	Reflex Media, Inc., Las Vegas
Apps	Not on the Apple App Store (official site); Android status conflicting	Google Play; App Store absence reported by one third party
Status / changes	Operator change to Cyprus (date unverified); 2026 third-party prices higher than 2024 promo prices	2026 price increase and tier rename

Facts checked September 30, 2026.

Before the 2026 increase, third-party sites listed Seeking Premium at $109.99 a month. That figure is out of date: Seeking's own announcement puts Platinum at $150 for 30 days from January 1, 2026. For Sugarbook, it is unclear whether the higher 2026 figures reflect a price rise or the end of a promotion. Full tables are in Sugarbook pricing and Seeking pricing.

Where Sugarbook wins

Free Premium for students. Sugarbook gives free Premium to students who sign up with a university or .edu email, according to its official site and two review sites. On Seeking, the equivalent student perk was largely discontinued, according to one third party.

A short trial-length plan. A 7-day plan at $45.95 (third-party) lets a paying member test the local pool without committing to a month.

Mandatory face checks. Sugarbook says face verification is mandatory for everyone and that moderation runs around the clock. Seeking's selfie verification is free, but its background check is optional and Seeking states members are not subject to mandatory screenings.

A higher Trustpilot score. 2.8 out of 5 is not good, but it is well ahead of Seeking's 1.6. Both scores rest on a small number of reviews.

Where Seeking wins

Size. Seeking claims 46 million or more members worldwide. DatingScout estimates 1.3 million US members. Sugarbook claims 6 million or more, but DatingScout estimates only about 5,000 US members. All of these are claims or estimates, yet the gap in the US is large.

A clearer company record. Searches found no data breach or FTC action against Seeking. Sugarbook's founder, Darren Chan, was arrested by Malaysian police in February 2021 and held for 10 days. He was investigated for offences including soliciting prostitution and pleaded not guilty; the outcome is unverified. The site was also blocked by Malaysian ISPs in 2021.

Stable access. Wikipedia records a Google Play ban on Sugarbook effective September 1, 2021. Sources disagree on whether an Android app is available now, and the official site says it is not on the Apple App Store.

Published billing rules. Seeking's FAQ spells out that sales are final, plans renew by default and 90-day plans are billed upfront. Sugarbook users on Trustpilot report finding no cancel button and needing support to cancel.

Red flags on both

No refunds. Seeking's official FAQ says all sales are final. DatingScout reports that Sugarbook offers no full or partial refunds, and that plans renew at the standard, non-discount price.
Verification that fails or fools. One Sugarbook reviewer wrote: "Tried over 50 times but verification still failed." Other reviewers report scammers holding several verified profiles.
Fake profiles and escorts. Seeking reviewers report fakes, scammers and escort profiles quoting hourly rates.
Small or repeating pools. Sugarbook reviewers describe seeing the same roughly 30 profiles again and again.
Suspensions after payment. Seeking reviewers report accounts suspended after paying, with no refund. Its operator holds an F rating at the BBB.

See Is Sugarbook legit? and Is Seeking legit? for the full records.

Which to choose

You are a student with a university email: Sugarbook's free Premium is worth trying, but verify every match by video before meeting.
You live in the US and want the most options: Seeking, despite the 2026 price rise.
You want to test before committing: Sugarbook's 7-day plan, if the price at checkout matches the third-party figure.
You care most about a stable, traceable operator: Seeking.
You want neither: compare more options in our Seeking alternatives guide.

FAQ

Is Sugarbook cheaper than Seeking?

On list prices, yes. Sugarbook's one-month price is listed at between $71.95 and $89.95 depending on the source (third-party, conflicting), while Seeking's own announcement puts Platinum at $150 for 30 days from January 1, 2026.

Is Sugarbook available on iPhone?

Its official site says it is not on the Apple App Store, although DatingScout claims iOS availability. Treat the official statement as more reliable.

Who owns Sugarbook now?

The official site footer names Sovrnt Ltd. in Larnaca, Cyprus. It was founded in 2016 in Kuala Lumpur, and DatingScout still lists a Malaysian address. When the change happened is unverified.

Can sugar babies use either site for free?

Yes. Sugar babies register free on Sugarbook, and women can join and message free on Seeking. One third party lists an optional paid package for women on Seeking.