5 Dating Apps That Just Aren't Worth Their Costs
Dating apps are free to download, but finding love can come with a monthly bill.
Morgan Stanley researchers estimated that about 26% of online dating users pay for subscriptions or individual add-ons, spending an average of $18 to $19 per month. Those upgrades promise a better experience and greater success, but not every perk delivers meaningful value.
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Here are five dating apps that aren’t worth the price.
1. Tinder
Tinder’s paid perks add features, not proven better odds.
“While they make you feel like you’re ‘doing more’ and like you might even get access to a higher level of singles that are kept from free members, that just doesn’t seem to be the case,” said Eric Resnick, online dating coach and owner of ProfileHelper.com. “I have yet to see any statistical evidence that paying to use these apps does anything to improve your success rate. In fact, I believe some of the bonuses you get by paying can hurt you.”
2. Bumble
Bumble’s paid perks can give users an edge by letting members jump the line in its mutual-swipe system. But Resnick said the system can be “toxic” for users.
“They train daters to chase the dopamine hit of their next match, instead of teaching them mindfulness and how to focus on matching with the right people,” he said.
Bumble plans to phase out mutual swiping in select markets later in 2026. The redesign aims to improve compatibility and reduce superficial interactions, Global Dating Insights reported.
That makes the current paid advantage worth waiting on.
3. Hinge
Hinge’s paid plans offer unlimited likes, while free users can view only one incoming like at a time.
Resnick said this type of feature doesn’t help users and keeps them on the app longer, which means more money for the company.
“You are going to pay much more attention to the first 20 profiles you look at in a day than you would the last 50,” Resnick said. “Unlimited matches drag you down a rabbit hole that leads to poor choices and increased depression rates.”
More than five genuine prospects daily signals too much app time, according to Resnick. His advice: “Turn it off. Go outside. They will be here when you come back tomorrow.”
4. Plenty of Fish
Plenty of Fish charges subscribers to see the full “Interested in Me” list.
Speaking generally about this type of perk, Resnick said it isn’t worth the money. Anyone who fits a dater’s filters will eventually appear in the regular carousel. Payment only reveals those profiles sooner.
“Discover them organically and decide if you like them that way,” he said. “Going to the ‘who liked me first’ bucket just sets your mind up to settle for what you know you can get.”
5. Coffee Meets Bagel
Coffee Meets Bagel’s free tier includes daily suggested matches, mutual matching and chatting.
Marica Sinko, creator of Dating Man Secrets, tested the free version for one month and found that it provided enough access to meet people and go on a date.
The catch is that the app’s slow-dating model can make every missed match feel more important. Members can earn or buy Beans to unlock individual features, but frequent purchases may make the premium tier more economical.
Sinko eventually paid for premium and found its “Activity Report” useful when pursuing a match that became a six-month relationship. Premium may be worthwhile for serious or time-strapped daters. Patient, budget-conscious members can still get the essential experience for free.
Bottom Line
Freemium dating apps charge for speed, volume and information, not guaranteed compatibility.
“All of these apps provide more than what you need to succeed,” Resnick said. “However, success on dating apps requires patience and a strategy that is focused on the 1%-2% of the people you're actually compatible with instead of trying to grind on the numbers and hoping you find love.”
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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