The True Cost of Dating Apps in 2026: $1,200-3,000/Year (And Free Alternatives)
Updated 2026-02-18 · 8 min read
💸 The Average Dater Spends $1,200-3,000/Year on Dating Apps
Most people have 2-4 dating apps running simultaneously. With premium subscriptions on each, you're spending more on finding a relationship than on most actual dates.
Every Dating App Price (2026)
Tinder
Tinder+ : $9.99-19.99/month (age-based pricing)
Tinder Gold: $14.99-29.99/month
Tinder Platinum: $24.99-39.99/month
Super Likes, Boosts: $3-8 each
Free tier: Usable — limited swipes, no see-who-liked-you
Free tier: 8 likes/day — genuinely enough for most people
eHarmony
6 months: $65.90/month ($395.40 upfront)
12 months: $45.90/month ($550.80 upfront)
24 months: $35.90/month ($861.60 upfront)
No free tier for messaging
Match.com
Standard: $22.99-44.99/month
Premium: $34.99-57.99/month
Free tier: Browse only — can't message
The Real Math
Typical dater with 3 apps:
Tinder Gold: $29.99/month
Bumble Premium: $32.99/month
Hinge+: $34.99/month
Occasional boosts/super likes: ~$15/month
Total: $112.97/month = $1,355.64/year
Add eHarmony or Match and you're easily at $2,000-3,000/year.
Which Free Tiers Actually Work?
🟢 Hinge Free: Best free tier. 8 likes/day is enough. The algorithm is good. Most successful relationships come from thoughtful profiles, not more likes.
🟢 Bumble Free: Fully functional. Women message first eliminates low-effort matches.
🟡 Tinder Free: Usable but limited. Swipe cap is frustrating but forces selectivity.
🟢 Facebook Dating: Completely free. No premium tier. Surprisingly decent — integrated with Facebook events and groups.
🟢 Coffee Meets Bagel Free: Limited daily suggestions — less addictive, more intentional.
🔴 eHarmony Free: Can't message — essentially useless without paying.
🔴 Match Free: Browse-only — need premium to actually connect.
The Smart Dating App Strategy
Pick 2 apps maximum — spreading across 4+ apps means you're not investing in any of them
Use free tiers first — invest in your profile (better photos, thoughtful prompts) before paying
Pay for 1 month only — most successful users match within the first 2-4 weeks of activity
Delete (not just pause) when in a relationship — app charges continue even when you stop swiping
Check for annual billing — many apps auto-renew annually at full price
How much are dating apps costing you?
Tinder, Bumble, Hinge, Match — upload your bank statement and see the total. You might be surprised.