How to Monetize Your Dating App- Unlock Key Strategies

Let’s explore key strategies to Monetize Your Dating App in 2025.

Online dating apps have revolutionized the way people make connections. Today the dating app perspective has evolved and goes beyond just making connections.

It now focuses on building a safe community for making reliable connections. It has raised the online dating app market and revenue, with around 30% of adults in the U.S. using dating websites or apps. 

Dating apps have become a profitable business globally. Millions of users relying on dating apps have turned businesses into a consistent revenue stream.

Thus, it is safe to say that entering into this growing and highly competitive market still has a scope for you to succeed and generate revenue.

However, it depends on what revenue strategy you choose to implement and how you would like to engage your audience. In this blog, you will learn different monetization strategies for your dating app to compete in 2025.

Understand the Dating App Market Growth

The dating app market is growing and offers many opportunities for businesses worldwide. As more people use digital platforms to make connections, dating apps have become a mainstream solution for businesses to invest and generate lucrative revenue.

But, what is making the dating app industry such a successful venture? Well, the rise of technologies like AI, ML, and features like AR/VR has not only improved the dating experience but also helped people find their exact match in less time- leading to market growth. This is why businesses are investing in developing dating apps like Tinder and others. 

As per Statista, the dating app industry has steady growth, with a rising user base expected to amount to 462.5m users by 2029. 

Other factors that drive the market growth are-

• Rise in AI-driven matchmaking, increased focus on niche dating platforms
• Demand for Community driven dating, like LGBQT
• More safety features to enhance user trust and experiences

Also, read- How to Create a Dating App (White Label) in 2025

How Do Dating Apps Make Money- Top Strategies Every Business Must Know

When we look around potential dating apps, Tinder, Bumble, and OkCupid-like brands surface, the dating app market is highly competitive, with thousands of platforms trying to attract users worldwide.

This makes it hard for any one app to stand out. As online dating grows in popularity, businesses must include unique features and personalized experiences to keep users engaged. 

But, this is not enough until they generate revenue from these integrations and development processes. This is why, they must also consider different monetization strategies to stay in competition. 

1. Freemium Subscription Model

In this model, businesses can provide access to basic app features without any cost. It will help them target a wide audience.

Businesses can target this user base to offer premium features, such as unlimited swipes, advanced calling features, tracking live locations, and more to make money. This helps businesses create a steady revenue stream.

• Tinder has 75 million active users each month, with 8 million paying subscribers, with many users upgrading to premium.
• Bumble works similarly but lets women start conversations. Free users can swipe and match, while premium members get features like Spotlight to make their profile more visible, and Bumble Boost for unlimited swipes and longer match times. These extras encourage users to upgrade for better results.

2. Paid Subscription Model

In this model, a user has to pay an upfront cost to access all the features of the dating app. If you as a business owner, succeed in providing an engaging dating experience, this user base will pay a subscription fee for many more months to go.

It will help you create a steady and recurring revenue for your business. Businesses can use this revenue to improve their operations and deliver an advanced dating experience. This is a very basic example of how dating app businesses make money.

Platforms like eHarmony and Match.com focus on users looking for deeper connections.

• eHarmony offers different subscription levels, giving access to features like personality tests and compatibility matching, with costs ranging from $35.90 to $65.90 per month, depending on the plan. 
• Match.com lets users try the app for free for a while, but after the trial, it requires payment to continue using it.

3. VIP Membership

This is a strategic monetization approach that businesses use for users willing to pay for more premium features- wide profile visibility, and access to potential and personalized matchmaking.

Their demand for exclusive dating experience results in revenue streams for businesses. 

If you think how much difference this model can make, you must think twice. There are over 300 million people who use dating apps worldwide, and 20 million paying for premium features. 

• Hinge offers a VIP option called Hinge Preferred, allowing users to see who liked their profile before matching for more meaningful interactions and makes dating easier. 

• Tinder uses paid plans- Tinder Gold and Tinder Platinum to deliver a more personalized experience.

4. Advertising 

Businesses can collaborate with other brands to advertise their brands on dating apps, targeting people based on age, location, or interests.

This kind of advertising works well for industries like travel, luxury items, and dining, which match the interests of dating app users.

• Tinder uses video ads, banner ads, and sponsored profiles, so users see them as they browse. Premium users will not see these ads as they pay for an ad-free dating experience. It will help dating app businesses make money from subscriptions and ads.

5. Dating App Affiliate Marketing 

In this monetization approach dating apps partner with other companies to promote their products. It helps dating apps earn commission on each sale done via affiliate links integrated within the dating apps. 

• Brands like OkCupid use an affiliate referral scheme that generates 75% for each sale. This type of affiliate marketing helps businesses generate revenue with their collaboration with top brands.

6. In-App Purchases 

This approach allows users to buy items or features directly from the app. For dating apps, this may include features like- super likes, boosting profile visibility, and sending gifts to your match.

This is a highly customizable model where users pay for required features, improving the dating experience and generating additional revenue for the app.

• Tinder makes a lot of money from these one-time purchases.
• Apps like Bumble and Hinge also have their own items to buy, like Bumble Coins and Hinge Roses. These let users personalize their experience without paying for a subscription. 

7. Offline Promotions

Some dating apps also make money through offline events, which help users connect in person and keep them engaged with the app.

This involves partnering with local businesses or services to target relevant audiences and create brand awareness. Businesses can generate revenue from users paying for events and their partnership with other brands.

• Tinder organizes exclusive events that build a sense of community and encourage more app usage. These events also attract sponsors and brand partnerships, providing another way to earn money beyond just subscriptions.

8. Reward-based Ads

Reward-based ads in dating apps let users watch ads in exchange for free perks like Boosts, extra swipes, or SuperLikes.

Users can choose to watch a short ad and, in return, get these rewards to enhance their experience. This helps the app make money from advertisers while giving users a way to access extra features without paying.

9. Ecommerce Store Integration 

If your brand is scaling and has a high user base, you can opt for Ecommerce integration. You can sell products like merchandise, gifts, and event tickets for better dating experiences.

It keeps your users engaged without leaving the app and making relevant purchases from the app directly. Selling products that align with the audience, results in generating revenue. 

10. Partner with Social Media Content

Dating apps can make money by partnering with social media influencers or content creators. They work with popular social media personalities to promote the app through posts, videos, or stories.

These influencers promote your dating app, and share app demos, or success stories, encouraging their followers to sign up. 

Businesses can pay influencers for their promotion, and in return, the app gets more users and earns revenue through subscriptions or in-app purchases. 

11. Gamification and Fun Elements

Dating apps can make money through gamification and adding fun features to improve user engagement. Users might get challenges, rewards, or points for completing certain actions like sending messages, getting matches, or using special features. 

Users can then pay to unlock extra game-like benefits, such as more chances to win rewards or access premium features. This keeps users engaged and encourages them to make in-app purchases, helping the app make money.

12. Virtual Gifting

Virtual gifts are another way dating apps make money. Users can buy digital items like virtual flowers, chocolates, or other tokens to send to people they’re interested in.

Apps like Tinder and Bumble let users send these gifts, making the experience more personal and interactive. This encourages users to spend money on these gifts, which helps the app earn revenue.

Also, read- How to Create a Dating App (White Label) from Scratch in 2024

Understanding this monetization approach helps you integrate the best approach for your dating app to generate revenue.

You can also consult with a leading dating app development company to know which approach works well based on your target audience and features. 

If you are not sure how it turns out. Let us explain with real-world examples where popular dating apps have implemented multiple monetization strategies to grow and scale on revenue. 

How Leading Dating Apps Generate Revenue- Real-World Examples

As per our study and exploration, top dating brands have common revenue-generating approaches tailored to their unique audiences. 

1. How does Tinder Make Money?

Tinder has 75 Million People and 9.2 million subscribers. They combine multiple strategies to generate revenue.

2. How does Bumble Make money?

Users can download the Bumble app for free and access its primary features. Bumble users three monetization approaches to generate revenue.

• Freemium model
• Optional in-app purchases for advanced features
• Subscription model

3. How Does Hinge Make Money? 

Like Tinder and Bumble, Hinge also uses multiple monetization strategies for this successful growth and market.

OkCupid is growing with 70 million users. Around 5 million users pay for a subscription. At its basic, it offers a freemium model where users can access basic features for free. 

Choosing the right monetization strategy is the key to success and earning from various opportunities. Let’s take expert guidance to choose the right strategy.

Things to Consider While Implementing Monetization Strategy

Understanding what your customer demands and how to turn that demand into opportunity is the key to sustained growth and loyalty. 

Here are some expert tips for implementing a dating app monetization strategy.

• User Experience and Engagement: Monetization features like ads or subscriptions should not interfere with the user experience. Too many ads or annoying features can upset users and cause them to leave.
• Market Fit and Audience Needs: Tailor your monetization strategy to your audience. For example, a professional app might focus on subscriptions, while a social app may rely more on small purchases (like in-app coins).
• Transparency: Be clear about the benefits and limitations of paid features. If users suddenly find valuable features hidden behind paywalls, it can harm trust.
• Balance Between Free and Paid Features: Offer enough free features to attract users, but also provide value through paid options. If free features are too limited, users might feel forced to pay, which could backfire.
• Ad Fatigue Management: Avoid too many ads or ads placed in annoying ways. If users see too many ads, they might stop using the app. Ads should be less frequent and placed thoughtfully for better results.
• Testing and Optimization: Experiment with different monetization strategies to see what works best. For example, try A/B testing with new features or pricing to understand what users like and what generates more revenue.
• User Data Privacy: Make sure user data is protected, especially in apps with ads. If users feel their privacy is compromised, it can lead to mistrust and legal issues.

How to Choose the Best Combination of Monetization Strategies for Dating Apps?

Many dating apps have multiple monetization strategies for generating revenue. So, how do you choose the right monetization strategy for your dating app in 2025?

Let us help you understand what factors play behind this decision.

Follow these steps to understand what strategies to combine for optimum results.

1. Understand Your Audience

Find out what your users are willing to pay for, which features they like most, and how they use the app. Use surveys to gather this information. This helps you decide the best ways to make money from your app.

2. Identify Important Features

Figure out which features users value the most, like special profiles or better search options. These features can be offered as part of a premium plan and help encourage users to pay.

Many free dating apps make money by selling in-app purchases, subscriptions, and ads.

3. Offer Different Pricing Options

Create different subscription plans to suit various budgets. Giving users choices helps more people decide to pay for extra features.

4. Test Different Ways to Make Money

Try using a mix of income sources, such as ads, in-app purchases, and subscriptions. Combining these helps you earn more while giving users flexibility.

5. Keep Basic Features Free

Make sure basic features are free so new users can easily start using the app. This helps attract users who may later decide to pay for premium features.

6. Learn From Successful Apps

Study top dating apps to see how they make money. This gives you ideas about what works well for similar users and how you can apply it to your app.

7. Use Data to Improve

Track user activity using analytics to understand what works. Metrics like how long users stay on the app or how many become paying customers can help you improve your strategy.

8. Listen to Feedback

Ask users for their opinions and adjust your monetization strategy based on their feedback. This can help improve user satisfaction and increase revenue.

9. Keep the App Fresh

Regularly update the app with new features or improvements to keep users interested. Offering new content can encourage users to buy premium options.

Considering all these factors helps you decide which monetization strategy works well for your dating app.

If you do not want to spend months in the dating app development process, consider a white-label dating app solution for instant market entry and revenue generation. 

How Can OnGraph Expertise Lead to Advanced Dating App Development?

Building an advanced future-ready dating app requires expertise that OnGraph can bring to the table through its transparent app development services.

With more than 10+ years of experience in developing dating apps, we now deliver the best white-label dating app solution for businesses seeking to enter the market in two days.

From ensuring a high-end dating experience to implementing the right monetization strategy, we help businesses monetize their dating app effectively. We aim to deliver-

• Effective monetization approach
• Comprehensive dating app development
• User experience with security at its core
• Trend and customer-focused approach