Dating app pricing varies enormously — from completely free (Facebook Dating) to over $50/month (Tinder Platinum, eHarmony). This quarterly-updated pricing index compares every major platform's free tier, premium costs, hidden fees, and overall value. The best-value premium dating app in 2026 is Hinge+ ($14.99/month on a 6-month plan). The best free dating experience is OkCupid (free messaging with matches). The most expensive mainstream app is eHarmony ($35.90/month on a 6-month commitment, with a $215+ minimum spend).
Smooch and the DatingPartners network have the same owner as WhichDating. Where they appear on this page, they are labelled. Who owns WhichDating
Complete Pricing Table (March 2026)
| Platform | Free Tier | Cheapest Premium | Standard Premium | Top Tier | Minimum Commitment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hinge | 8 likes/day, messaging | $14.99/mo (6-mo) | $29.99/mo (Hinge+) | $49.99/mo (HingeX) | 1 month |
| Bumble | Swipe, match, message | $16.99/mo (6-mo) | $32.99/mo (Premium) | $249.99 (Lifetime) | 1 week |
| Tinder | Limited likes, messaging | $12.50/mo (12-mo) | $24.99/mo (Gold) | $49.99/mo (Platinum) | 1 month |
| Match.com | Browse only | $18.99/mo (12-mo) | $24.99/mo (6-mo) | $44.99/mo (1-mo) | 1 month |
| eHarmony | Questionnaire only | $19.14/mo (24-mo) | $35.90/mo (6-mo) | $65.90/mo (1-mo) | 6 months |
| OkCupid | Messaging, questions | $14.40/mo (12-mo) | $19.99/mo (6-mo) | $39.99/mo (Basic) | 1 month |
| Plenty of Fish | Messaging, search | $10.47/mo (12-mo) | $13.17/mo (6-mo) | $19.99/mo (1-mo) | 1 month |
| Elite Singles (closed 30 April 2026) | Profile only | $19.95/mo (12-mo) | $27.95/mo (6-mo) | $37.95/mo (3-mo) | 3 months |
| Zoosk | Browse only | $12.49/mo (12-mo) | $19.98/mo (6-mo) | $29.95/mo (1-mo) | 1 month |
| OurTime | Browse, limited likes | $12.99/mo (6-mo) | $17.96/mo (1-mo) | — | 1 month |
| Christian Mingle | Browse only | $22.99/mo (6-mo) | $34.99/mo (3-mo) | $49.99/mo (1-mo) | 1 month |
| Smooch | — | Membership pricing | — | — | See smooch.com/membership/ |
| Facebook Dating | Completely free | No premium tier | — | — | — |
Prices are approximate and may vary by region, age, and promotional offers. Verified March 2026.
Free Tier Comparison: What You Actually Get
Not all "free" tiers are equal. Here's what you can genuinely do without paying:
Fully functional free tiers (you can date without paying):
- OkCupid: Message matches, answer compatibility questions, use Double Take, basic Stacks
- Hinge: 8 likes/day, unlimited messaging with matches, Most Compatible daily match
- Bumble: Swipe, match, message, Question Game, video calling, BFF/Bizz modes
- Tinder: Limited likes, messaging with matches (ads, restrictions)
- Plenty of Fish: Messaging, search, MeetMe, Chemistry Test, live streaming
- Facebook Dating: Everything (no premium tier exists)
"Free" in name only (you cannot date without paying):
- eHarmony: See matches but cannot view photos or message. Questionnaire is free.
- Elite Singles (closed 30 April 2026): Cannot view photos or message. Essentially a preview.
- Match.com: Can browse profiles but limited to ~1 message per day. Messaging requires subscription.
- Christian Mingle: Can browse but cannot message. Subscription required.
Hidden Costs & Upsell Tactics
Coin/credit systems: Zoosk and some others use virtual currency systems that obscure real costs. Zoosk Coins cost approximately $0.02–0.05 each, and features like "Boost" or "Super Send" require 100–500 coins per use.
Dynamic pricing: Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge use dynamic pricing — the cost you see may differ from what someone else sees based on your age, location, and engagement patterns. Older users and users in expensive markets may see higher prices.
Auto-renewal: Most platforms auto-renew subscriptions by default. Check cancellation policies before subscribing. eHarmony's 6-month minimum commitment means you're locked in for at least ~$215 regardless of whether you want to continue after month 2.
Boost/spotlight purchases: One-time purchases (Tinder Boost ~$5–8, Hinge Roses ~$3–5 each, Bumble Spotlight ~$5–8) add costs on top of subscriptions.
Best Value Rankings
Best value overall: Hinge — the free tier is genuinely usable for serious dating (8 likes/day + messaging + Most Compatible). Hinge+ at $14.99/month on a 6-month plan adds meaningful upgrades.
Best free experience: OkCupid — free messaging with matches, 5,000+ compatibility questions, and inclusive features. The most you can get without paying.
Best premium value: Bumble Lifetime ($249.99) — one payment for permanent access. If you plan to use Bumble for more than 8 months, this is cheaper than monthly.
Worst value: eHarmony — the most expensive major platform with a 6-month minimum commitment. The free tier is completely useless. The matching is excellent, but the pricing is aggressive.
Quarterly Price Changes
We track pricing changes across all major platforms. Notable changes since our last update:
- Tinder increased Gold pricing in several markets (up ~10%)
- Bumble introduced new weekly subscription options
- Hinge held pricing steady across all tiers
- eHarmony ran aggressive promotional pricing (50% off) during February
This index is updated quarterly. Last update: March 2026. Next update: June 2026.
For detailed reviews including pricing deep-dives, visit our reviews section.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest dating app?
For genuinely free dating with messaging, OkCupid and Plenty of Fish are the cheapest. Facebook Dating is completely free. For paid apps, POF Premium ($10.47/month on annual plan) is the cheapest subscription.
Is it worth paying for a dating app?
It depends on the app. Hinge and Bumble have strong free tiers where paying is optional. Match and eHarmony essentially require payment to use. The most valuable premium feature across all platforms is seeing who already likes you.
Why do prices vary between users?
Many apps use dynamic pricing based on age, location, engagement patterns, and market conditions. The price you see may differ from what friends see for the same plan.
What is the most expensive dating app?
eHarmony at $35.90/month (6-month plan) with a $215+ minimum commitment, or Tinder Platinum at $49.99/month. Premium matchmaking services (It's Just Lunch, Berkeley International) cost thousands.
Related Guides
The State of Online Dating 2026: Annual Report
WhichDating's State of Online Dating 2026 report. Market data, user demographics, platform rankings, safety statistics, and the trends shaping how people find love.
Online Dating Statistics 2026: The Data You Need to Know
Comprehensive online dating statistics for 2026. User numbers, revenue data, demographic breakdowns, safety stats, and trends shaping the dating industry.
