Yubo: review, limits and a 15+ alternative
Active, but 18+ only since November 2025
Yubo was long the French app closest to PLOXX in audience: young people who want friends, not dating. But since 1 November 2025 it is 18+ only - 15-17 year-olds have lost access. PLOXX is open from 15, with no account, minors matched separately from adults, and an avatar instead of your face.
| Feature | PLOXX | Yubo |
|---|---|---|
| No signup | ✅ | ❌ |
| Free | ✅ | ⚠️ |
| Video chat | ✅ | ✅ |
| Text chat | ✅ | ✅ |
| Language filter | ❌ | ⚠️ |
| Auto translation | ✅ | – |
| Persistent friends | ✅ | ✅ |
| Levels and badges | ✅ | ⚠️ |
| Active moderation | ✅ | ✅ |
| Mobile-friendly | ✅ | ✅ |
| No dark patterns | ✅ | ⚠️ |
About Yubo
Yubo is a French app, launched in Paris, that was for a decade THE teen social network in France. Its positioning was clear: making friends, not dating - the same intent as PLOXX.
Since 1 November 2025, Yubo is 18+ only. Accounts belonging to 13-17 year-olds were deactivated country by country during October 2025. Management explains that its community grew up with it, adults having become the majority. In practice, 15-17 year-olds no longer have a place there.
What it does well
- Friendship-first rather than dating - a healthy intent, like PLOXX.
- Age verification taken seriously, with facial age estimation and manual checks.
- Live group rooms: pleasant once you already know people.
Where it falls short
- 18+ only since November 2025: 15-17 year-olds can no longer sign up.
- Mandatory signup and profile: no anonymity, and friction at the door.
- Everything runs through live video where you show yourself: no option to stay behind an avatar.
- Mobile app only, no direct use from a browser.
Our verdict
If you are 18 or over, Yubo remains a polished app with a genuine French community. If you are 15 to 17, the question is settled: you have had no access since November 2025. PLOXX is built for exactly that age range, with minors matched separately from adults, no signup, and a free choice between webcam, text or avatar.
Frequently asked questions
Is Yubo still open to teenagers?
No. Since 1 November 2025 Yubo is 18+ only, and under-18 accounts were deactivated during October 2025. PLOXX welcomes 15 and over, with minors matched only with each other.
Why did Yubo move to 18+?
Its community aged with the platform: adults had been the majority for over a year. The company chose to own that audience rather than straddle two age groups.
What is the alternative for 15-17 year-olds?
That is precisely PLOXX's niche: open from 15, strict age separation, no signup, and the option to chat in text or as an avatar without ever showing your face.