Dating apps: the strange digital portals where love, heartbreak, and awkward first dates come together in a romantic perfect storm. But here’s the catch—finding ‘the one’ (or, let’s be real, just someone) isn’t as cheap as you’d think. Sure, downloading the app is free, but the cost of using it? That’s another story…

Step 1: The freemium trap

The basic version of every dating app is free… if you’re okay with swiping endlessly and praying the algorithm smiles upon you. But then they dangle the ‘Premium’ features in front of you, and suddenly you’re convinced your soulmate is hiding behind that paywall.

  • Tinder Plus/Gold/Platinum: For a small fee of $15–$30 a month, you can swipe in other cities, undo those accidental left swipes (doesn’t it seem like it’s way too easy to accidentally swipe left?), and see who’s already liked you. (Because who has the patience to wait for matches anymore when your whole future’s at stake?)
  • Bumble Boost/Premium: Want to extend your matches or see who’s been buzzing around your profile? That’ll be $20–$40 monthly, please.
  • Hinge Preferred: Hinge claims it’s ‘designed to be deleted,’ but not before you shell out $30 a month to up your dating game.

Step 2: the profile glow-up

You can’t just slap a selfie on your profile and hope for the best. No, you need the photo—the one that says it all: ‘I’m attractive, fun, and totally normal.’ That usually involves:

  • Professional photos: Yep, people actually do this. Expect to drop $100–$500 for the perfect pics.
  • Wardrobe upgrades: Gotta look good in those photos, right? (You shouldn’t even have to ask.) A new outfit can easily set you back a couple of hundred dollars.

Step 3: the meet-ups

Congrats, it’s a match! Now comes the part where your bank account starts to take notice.

  • Drinks: a couple of cocktails at a nice bar? That’s $30–$50 per date.
  • Dinner: if you’re going fancy, you’re looking at $100+ for two people.
  • ‘Casual’ coffee dates: even ‘low-key’ dates add up at $5–$10 a pop. Multiply that by how many first dates you’ve been on this month.

Step 4: the subscription spiral

You’re on 3 apps at once because it’s a numbers game, right? Suddenly, your $15 Tinder subscription, $20 Bumble Premium, and $30 Hinge Preferred add up to $65 a month. Throw in a new one like The League or Raya? Boom—your dating app habit is rivaling your Netflix-and-HBO-Max spend.

Step 5: the emotional cost

Let’s not forget the hidden expense: your time and energy. Endless swiping, witty banter, and strategizing your opening lines—it’s practically a part-time job. And when you finally meet someone who ghosts you after one date? Or you have incredible repartee via text, but when you meet in person, there’s zero chemistry. Those are things you can’t put a price on.

The bottom line

Between subscriptions, meet-ups, and keeping your profile on point, looking for love (or something like it) is an investment.But whether you end up finding ‘the one,’ a few good stories, or just a better idea of what you don’t want, maybe it’s all worth it. At least until next month’s credit card bill shows up.

Brigit is not affiliated or partnered with any brands or companies mentioned in this article.