I tried to apply at Raya because I am not a fan of traditional dating apps and would rather try to meet a like-minded individual who understands how I feel about dating. It took a while before I was taken off waitlisted and I can say that the wait is worth it. I was able to find a real person whom I can talk to, and I was rid of bots trying to pose as a real person like in my experiences with other apps. - Shiela, Professor, 29
Raya Review New Zealand October 2026
Know about Raya's dating services in this review! All about Raya in New Zealand.
3.5good
Raya is an exclusive dating app for people looking for relationships or friends, with membership approved by a committee
- Membership approved by a Raya committee
- Only available on iOS devices
Relationships
Finding love
Flirts
Is Raya right for me?
last updated
Members in New Zealand10,000
Women / Men
45% 55%
FromUS$9.99/mo
Age
Raya New Zealand in 10 seconds
- Exclusive dating app to find relationship and friends
- Raya committee approves or denies membership
- Private membership club based application process
- Famous for being used by celebrities
- Only available on iOS devices
- Two matchmaking functions available. Learn more
- Premium membership is cheap and available in 1-month package
Is Raya right for you?
Find out if Raya is the right service for you or if there are better options.
Better than Raya
Who is Raya for, and not for?
Raya is for…
- People looking for serious relationships
- Singles who want to casual flirting that can potentially lead to love
- Those looking for friendships and profound connections
- Singles who want to network with an exclusive. private community
…and not for
- Those searching for erotic adventures and casual encounters
- Singles who are are looking for quick hookups with famous people
- Those who do not have elite connections
Raya pros & cons
- You have to be invited or referred to join
- Totally secure app because applications are also screened by a committee
- Choose between two matchmaking functions depending on your interest
- Application screening takes from a day to a few months
- App only available for iOS devices
- There are hardly any celebrities or influencers among the limited active memebers
What Raya really costs in New Zealand
Compared with other dating services, Raya is average-priced.
Membership
Membership is a subscription for all app functions and renews automatically.Total
1 month
9.99 USD / month
9.99 USD
Our pick: At 9.99 USD for 1 Month, this is the only option and buys access to the full app, including unlimited messages.
Raya costs last updated on Oct 6, 2026
Payment options in New Zealand
Credit CardVia Mobile PhoneApp Store
No anonymous payment.With Raya you cannot pay anonymously, the charge appears on your bank statement.
On your bank statement
Raya App Inc is the billing company on statements
Raya costs screenshot
Can you try Raya for free?
- You can test Raya free of charge
- You cannot read messages without paying
What is the notice period on Raya?
The notice period on Raya is 3 days.
Once you have successfully joined Raya, you will be able to enjoy all its perks and services. After the waiting process, you will be asked to pay for the subscription as a final step in the application.
All of the app's function including messaging features will be unlocked for you.
Free services
- Download the app
- Start application process
Paid services
- Unlimited messages
- Browse members
- Turn off app visibility
How to cancel your Raya subscription →
Is Raya right for me?Who is signed up on Raya in New Zealand?
Raya, a chic and exclusive dating site, attracts predominantly younger members from around the world, though it also appeals to some middle-aged and mature users. Due to its club-like membership, Raya has fewer members compared to more mainstream dating apps. The site boasts a diverse membership base, primarily straight, from various countries.
Despite being marketed as an elite network, recent reviews and a detailed journalist account suggest that Raya’s user experience might not significantly differ from other dating apps. This insight is vital for users considering the membership cost, as the exclusivity appears to be more about marketing than genuine user distinction.
600
Weekly active members in New Zealand
10,000
Members in New Zealand
Gender
15%
18-24
35%
25-34
20%
35-44
20%
45-54
10%
55+
Age of members
Where Raya is most popular in New Zealand
Strongest regions
- Auckland100%
- Wellington70%
- Otago57%
How does Raya work?
Create a photo-centric profile in "slideshow" format
Swipe right to approve or left to reject profiles
App moderators screen pending applications
Raya applicants need to receive an official referral from an existing member to ensure that you'll be a good fit for the app
Only available for iOS users
Signing up at Raya
★★★★★ 4.0/5
Sign up with
Email & password
Where
Website and iOS app
Minimum age
18
Browse without an account
No
Required information
- Name
- Date of birth
- Location
- Your occupation
Verification
- Phone number verification required
Applications are reviewed by hundreds of committee members from around the world. These members come from diverse backgrounds, interests, ages, and sexual orientations, and they don't know each other's identities. The review process can take anywhere from a day to several months. Once a decision is made, you'll receive an email letting you know if you've been accepted or denied.
Making contact on Raya
★★★★★ 4.0/5
- Private messages are premium
- There is a chat function
- Nearby members will appear on your radar
- Matches are based on location
- Members can turn their app visibility off
- Sending messages for free is not possible
Profile quality
★★★★★ 4.0/5
- Active Instagram account is required
- There are no fake profiles
- All members have photos
- "Social" and "Work" functions available
- Profiles are pleasantly detailed
- Profile pictures are visible to everybody for free
The Raya app
- Available for iOS devices only
- App is available for free
- You can only create an account on the app
- The app will tell if you are accepted or waitlisted
- The app is easy to use
The app is seamless and easy to use. As Raya is only available on iOS devices, this is where you will be creating the account as well. There is a separate Raya website, but it only contains information on how the app membership and services work.
After signing up using the app, it will only pop up a message telling you to wait until you are notified. You can only signup once using the app and it will remember if you have used the device for signing up in the past.
Our field test
★★★★★ 4.0/5
Design & usability
Raya has such a simplistic design that will let you find everything that you need in one place. Its features are easy to use and the navigation feels crisp and sharp.
You will easily find your way on the site even if you are a non-tech savvy person. The functions are easy to understand and there is a dedicated website to answer all of your questions.
Special features
Raya is a unique social networking app used for dating. It has the following special features for you to enjoy:
Finding people 2
Work ModeFree
Are you on the lookout for more professional connections? Raya has a Work mode which you can use to find people who are working on the same industry and company as you.
Social ModeFree
Use this mode if you are ready to mingle with other members and find friends and relationship.
Final results
3.5good
“Raya keeps adding new features beyond dating, but if you're thinking about joining, consider this: even though it's marketed as exclusive, recent reviews suggest the experience is pretty typical.”
Is Raya right for me?
tested October 2026
Signup4.0
Making contact4.0
Profile quality4.0
Field test4.0
Overall3.5/ 5
Alternatives: Better than Raya
Compare Raya with other dating sites
Raya experience reports
Raya FAQ
FACTS
What is Raya?
It is a club-membership based dating app that has become famous for having celebrity members.
Is Raya legit?
Raya is a registered online dating service provider that operates in several countries.
Does Raya have an app?
It has a website and an app, but you can only use its services using the app.
Is it hard to join Raya?
Most people were denied membership by Raya because they maintain a certain number of members at a time. Denied members will be put on hold in the waitlist.
MEMBERSHIP
How can I contact Raya?
You can get in touch with Raya using their customer support email contact@rayatheapp.com
How can I get accepted at Raya?
People who know a current member have a higher chance of getting accepted because they can ask for referrals.
What is the email address of Raya?
You may send an email to their team at contact@rayatheapp.com
How do I cancel my paid membership at Raya?
To cancel your membership, you must let their team know by sending a request to the customer support team.
How to set up Raya account?
You may set up an account using the app. However, you will have to wait for a while until you receive a membership confirmation.
How long before I get accepted at Raya?
You may have to wait from a day to a few months before getting a membership confirmation.
COST
Is Raya free?
Raya is a premium dating app which means that you will have to purchase a subscription to enjoy their services.
SECURITY
Is Raya safe?
The app uses security features to filter out unwanted entities from entering such as bots and people creating fake profiles.
Is Raya illegal?
It is a registered online dating and professional connection service provider that operates in several countries.
Is Raya legal?
It is a legal online app that abide by the laws of the countries where it operates.
Are there fake profiles in Raya?
Raya has one of the hardest registration procedure among apps so members are sure that they won't be infiltrated by scammers and such.
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Chris founded DatingScout 17 years ago, and today he is one of the leading Online Dating Experts. He is the author of the book "Online Dating for Dummies" and the author of the Internet's largest online dating study analyzing 20 Million Profile Pictures with artificial intelligence. Chris Pleines holds a master degree in media science and appeared in numerous television interviews and publications to give expert advice as well as tips about online dating.