Is there a fee to use Ashley Madison?

Ashley Madison operates on a business model that allows users to sign up without an initial membership fee. It is essentially free to join and browse profiles. However, the platform uses a credit system whereby users purchase credits to initiate conversations, send messages, or utilize premium features. Men typically must pay for credits to engage with others on the site, while women can access many features for free. The payment structure is designed to allow users to control their expenditures by only paying for the services they use rather than a flat subscription fee. This approach is beneficial for those seeking flexibility and discretion in managing their interactions on the platform.