Top 5 Revenue Models to Successfully Monetize Your Dating App

Are you wondering how you can make money from a dating app? Of course, dating mobile app development is highly lucrative and profitable, attracting businesses worldwide to invest and engage with a vast audience.

According to Statista, the global dating app market is expected to generate revenues of US$8.28 billion in 2025. Supporting this, the Business of Apps – Dating App Report also highlights steady growth, reflecting the sector’s rising popularity and profitability.

Yet, many might still wonder: How can you monetize a dating app? Well, you’ll find various monetization strategies to help your dating app business make money. However, we’ve listed the top 5 revenue models to monetize your dating application, ensuring success for your business. Before we delve into details, let’s take a look at the stats of the dating app market.

In today’s guide, we’ll delve into dating app market statistics, dating business app models, dating business revenue models, and choosing the top dating mobile app development company. Let’s get started!

Dating App Business and Revenue Model

Take a look at the dating business & revenue model and understand how it works.

Here’s a breakdown of how it works based on the provided framework:

1. Key Partners

Dating apps rely on several partners for smooth operations:

• • Payment processors like Stripe or PayPal for subscription handling.

  • Marketing agencies for user acquisition.

  • Data analytics tools to track behavior and improve features.

  • Cloud providers (AWS, Google Cloud) for hosting.

  • Third-party verification services to ensure authenticity and safety.

2. Key Activities

The main tasks to run and grow the app include:

• • Developing and maintaining the app.

  • Running acquisition and retention campaigns.

  • Creating and refining matchmaking algorithms.

  • Rolling out updates and new features.

  • Offering customer support.

3. Key Resources

Success depends on:

• • A skilled development and design team.

  • Strong brand reputation.

  • Secure servers and reliable infrastructure.

  • Comprehensive user data & analytics.

  • Proprietary assets like algorithms and branding.

4. Value Proposition

Dating apps stand out by offering:

• • Easy-to-use platforms for finding matches.

  • Secure and private user interactions.

  • Advanced matchmaking based on preferences.

  • Extra features like video calls, filters, and event invites.

5. Customer Relationships

To keep users engaged, apps provide:

• • Personalized recommendations.

  • Loyalty programs for premium users.

  • 24/7 customer support.

  • Community-building tools like forums and events.

6. Channels

To reach users, apps use:

• • Social media & websites.

  • Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok.

  • Influencer marketing.

  • SEO-driven websites.

  • Paid ads and campaigns.

7. Customer Segments

The app caters to:

Singles across age groups looking for relationships.

• • Niche groups (LGBTQ+, hobbies, interests).

  • Users seeking casual dating or serious commitments.

8. Cost Structure

Key expenses include:

• • App development & ongoing maintenance.

  • Hosting and data storage.

  • Customer support services.

  • Marketing & acquisition campaigns.

  • Subscription management fees.

9. Revenue Streams

Dating apps make money through:

• • Subscription plans (monthly, yearly).

  • In-app purchases (boosts, gifts, premium features).

  • Advertising (targeted ads shown to free users).

Top 5 Dating App Monetization Strategies 

Let’s dive deeper into different dating app monetization strategies that you can implement in your app. Let’s understand: 

1. Freemium Model

According to Statista data, the freemium model has become the second most popular monetization strategy.

If you’re looking for a win-win approach, the freemium model can be your perfect choice. In this model, businesses offer basic features free of charge while monetizing premium features. This strategic approach allows users to test features without any initial financial commitment. 

Now, why offer features to free users? – Here’s what you need to understand the value of your free users. It works in two ways – some eventually convert to subscribers, while others attract new members who become subscribers.

According to an HBS working paper and ongoing research, a free user typically holds 15% to 25% of the value of a premium subscriber. A significant portion of this value arises from the referrals they generate.

The freemium model also aims to lower customer acquisition costs. It lets users explore the product without commitment, making it easier to decide whether to upgrade. If done right, it can cut down marketing costs and boost sales. 

But here’s the catch—you will find that some users are hesitant to pay for the free features that feel good enough. Here’s the key—show them the real value of going premium so they’re ready to upgrade to premium features. 

Basic Vs. Premium Features in Dating App

2. Subscription Model

“According to Subscription Service Statistics and Costs research, the average consumer spends $133 monthly on subscriptions, which is about $1,600 a year.”

The subscription-based model is simple: users pay a recurring fee, usually weekly, monthly, or yearly, to access premium features or exclusive content. 

By 2025, when the subscription economy is predicted to be worth $1.5 trillion, 75% of B2C businesses will employ this model. It is a key revenue generator for many platforms. 

Businesses offer different subscription tiers, and apps cater to diverse user needs and budgets. Paid versions offer exclusive features like unlimited swipes, advanced match filters, seeing who likes you, and more. It’s like paying for a membership to unlock the best the app offers!

However, it’s essential to consider the cost of developing a dating app when planning these features, as some can be expensive to implement. However, the investment is often worth it. 

The subscription model, in particular, fosters loyalty and long-term engagement by encouraging users to invest in meaningful connections. It creates an ideal balance between the app’s profitability and the user’s value. This strategy demonstrates how effective monetization can be aligned with providing a high-quality, user-focused experience.

Subscription Tiers With Features

Let’s check the reference for subscription tiers with features in dating apps:

3. In-App Purchases

In this revenue model, users can purchase features or virtual goods directly within the dating application. This can include premium features such as boosting profile visibility, sending virtual gifts to matches, unlocking advanced search features, etc. It is a perfect strategy to make money from dating app and generate consistent revenue for long-term success. 

Let’s talk numbers – 

In June 2024, the dating application Tinder generated the largest in-app purchase revenue in the past month, more than 82 million U.S. dollars. Bumble ranked second with nearly 43.4 million U.S. dollars, followed by Hinge with roughly 26.22 million U.S. dollars in the last examined month.

In-App Purchases Features in Dating App with Examples

Read More: How Much Does it Cost to Create a Dating App?

4. Advertising

Advertising in dating apps can be another dating model that could help you to make money from dating app.  It is a successful tactic to boost user engagement and generate revenue from dating apps. Dating apps can leverage user data, including preferences and behavior patterns, to deliver personalized ads that align with users’ interests. Advertising appears more relevant and less intrusive as a result.

Tinder’s “Swipe Right to Pizza” campaign with Domino’s Pizza strategically used native advertising. Users could swipe on a special Domino’s profile to win free pizza. The campaign tapped into Tinder’s casual vibe and users’ love for pizza, driving engagement and creating a fun, memorable brand experience.

These advertising strategies not only generate a substantial amount of revenue but also allow apps to maintain free or low-cost subscription levels, which attracts additional users. Partnerships with reputable businesses also boost the app’s credibility and user trust.

Dating app advertising benefits platform owners and marketers by matching user interests and leveraging their unique interactive capabilities. 

Different Types of Advertising Model

Let’s understand the advertising model in dating applications:

5. Affiliate Marketing Model

Affiliate marketing is a perfect way to drive sales and generate revenue and a strategic way to make money from dating app. Interestingly, Affiliate marketing contributes between 5% and 25% of major brands’ total internet sales. Let’s understand how affiliate marketing works. It includes three parties:

• Seller & Product Creators
• Affiliate or Advertiser
• Consumer

Example of Affiliate Marketing: 

Let’s understand it with an example – 

Suppose you have a dating app that specializes in helping users find meaningful relationships. Your dating app is the seller and product creator. To reach a wider audience, the app launches an affiliate program. Now, collaborate with a lifestyle blogger and social media influencer who shares dating tips and relationship advice. Now, a blogger becomes an affiliate or advertiser for your dating app. The app provides influencers with a unique affiliate link to share with their audience.

Now writes a blog post titled “Top 5 Dating Apps for Professionals in 2024,” highlighting your dating app as her top recommendation. She explains its features, like advanced matching algorithms and professional community filters, and includes her affiliate link in the post. One of the influencer’s readers is looking for a serious relationship and finds her post convincing. He clicks on the affiliate link, downloads your dating app, and signs up for a premium subscription.

As a result, your dating app gains a new user and earns subscription revenue, while the influencer receives a commission for referring users. 

Popular Dating Apps & Their Estimated Development Costs

Let’s explore the top dating apps and how much does it cost to build similar dating app:

1. Tinder

Known for its iconic swiping feature, Tinder revolutionized online dating with a simple and addictive user interface. Key features include user profiles with photos and bios, chat functionality, geolocation for nearby matches, and premium subscriptions like Tinder Plus, Gold, and Platinum for unlimited swipes, boosts, and visibility. Developing an app with similar functionality, including push notifications, real-time chat, and secure backend, can cost around $25,000 to $120,000+. Tinder’s success comes from its simplicity and gamified approach, making it appealing to millions worldwide.

2. Bumble

Bumble differentiates itself with a women-first messaging approach, ensuring that only women can initiate conversations in heterosexual matches. It also includes advanced search filters, video call features, profile verification, and social media integrations. Bumble monetizes through premium subscriptions like Bumble Boost and Bumble Premium, offering features such as unlimited swipes and travel mode. Building a similar app with a secure, scalable backend, advanced algorithms, and intuitive UX can cost between $30,000 and $110,000+.

3. OkCupid

OkCupid uses a data-driven, questionnaire-based matching system to provide more meaningful matches. Features include detailed personality quizzes, chat, advanced search filters, profile verification, and integration with social media for easy login and sharing. Its monetization strategies include A-List premium subscriptions for seeing who liked your profile and advanced match filters. Developing an app like OkCupid requires strong backend logic for algorithmic matching and can cost roughly $30,000 to $100,000+.

4. Hinge

Hinge emphasizes serious dating through detailed profiles, prompts, and a “like” system instead of swiping. It provides personalized recommendations using machine learning, advanced search filters, and premium membership plans. Features like chat, video calls, and profile verification are included to enhance trust and engagement. Hinge’s design focuses on creating meaningful connections rather than casual encounters. Developing a Hinge-like app, including AI-powered match suggestions and polished UX/UI, typically costs $32,000 to $105,000+.

5.Plenty of Fish (POF) :

POF offers a large, global dating community with messaging, search filters, geolocation, and premium membership options. Its features include live streaming, advanced search, compatibility tests, and profile boosts to increase visibility. POF monetizes through ads, premium memberships, and in-app purchases. Building a platform with scalable infrastructure, real-time chat, and interactive features like live video can range from $30,000 to $90,000+.

How Much Does it Cost to Build a Dating App?

The cost of building a dating app largely depends on the features, design complexity, platforms, and development team you choose. A basic MVP with essential features like user registration, profile setup, swiping, and chat can cost around $15,000 to $40,000+. If you want a mid-level app with additional features like advanced filters, geolocation, push notifications, and an improved backend, the cost typically ranges between $40,000 to $80,000+. For a full-featured app with AI-based matchmaking, video and voice calling, real-time updates, third-party verification, and premium monetization models, you can expect to invest $80,000 to $120,000+.

The costs of dating app development may increase further with high-end UI/UX design, secure cloud infrastructure, and compliance requirements. Additionally, ongoing expenses such as app maintenance, updates, customer support, and marketing should also be factored into the total budget while planning.

Partner With Apptunix to Build Your Dating App Integrated With a Profitable Revenue Model

Join Apptunix, a leading dating app development company, to build a robust dating application. Our team of dating Android & iOS app developers, designers, and experts specializes in creating innovative, user-friendly platforms tailored to your unique vision. 

With advanced matchmaking algorithms, sleek designs, and a focus on scalability, we ensure your app stands out in a competitive market. Whether you’re targeting casual daters, niche groups, or serious relationships, we craft solutions that resonate with your audience. We assist with the right revenue model strategies to make money from dating apps and build a profitable dating app business. 

At Apptunix, we don’t just build apps; we create opportunities. Our expertise in integrating profitable revenue models like subscription plans, in-app purchases, and targeted ads ensures your dating app becomes a sustainable business. 

From concept to launch and beyond, our comprehensive support and innovative approach make us the go-to partner for developing an engaging and profitable dating app.

Here’s why Apptunix is the right choice:

• Proven Expertise – With years of experience in mobile app development, Apptunix has helped startups and enterprises launch powerful apps that scale.
• Security & Privacy First – Our team integrates advanced encryption, third-party verification, and secure payment gateways to build trust among users.
• Custom Features that Convert – From AI-driven matchmaking algorithms and video chat options to niche community features, we tailor solutions to your app’s audience.
• Stunning Design & User Experience – We create sleek, intuitive interfaces that keep users engaged and coming back.
• Growth-Driven Approach – With built-in analytics, user engagement strategies, and monetization models, we help you maximize revenue from day one.
• Scalable Cloud Infrastructure – Whether you’re serving a thousand users or a million, your app stays fast, reliable, and ready to grow.

Building a successful dating app takes more than just an idea—it requires the right technology, features, and expertise. With Apptunix, you get an end-to-end solution that turns your concept into a revenue-generating platform.

Let’s discuss your app idea today and turn it into the next big thing in online dating. We as one of the top dating app development companies has done it in the past, and can do it for you.