Free vs paid dating apps
All eight apps we cover can be downloaded and used for free. Paying mostly buys reach and shortcuts: more likes, seeing who already liked you, better filters, boosts. The exception to watch for is messaging: on eharmony, sending messages requires Premium.
What each paid tier adds
| App | Free to use | Paid tiers and what they add |
|---|---|---|
| Tinder | Yes | Tinder Plus: Unlimited Likes, Unlimited Rewinds, No ads while swiping, Passport (browse other locations), Incognito mode Tinder Gold: Everything in Plus, See who likes you, Weekly Super Likes, One Boost per month Tinder Platinum: Everything in Gold, Prioritized Likes |
| Hinge | Yes | Hinge+: See everyone who has liked you, Unlimited likes HingeX: Enhanced recommendations, Priority likes |
| Bumble | Yes | Bumble Boost: Unlimited swipes, Rematch with expired connections, Extend matches by 24 hours, Backtrack on left swipes, 1 Spotlight per week, 5 SuperSwipes per week Bumble Premium: details not published on the pages we read Bumble Premium+: details not published on the pages we read |
| Match | Yes | Premium: Unlimited profiles, Advanced filters, Reconnect with profiles you passed on, Profile boosts, Premium dating advice |
| OkCupid | Yes | OkCupid Premium: See who likes you without liking them first, Send unlimited likes |
| Coffee Meets Bagel | Yes | Premium: Unlimited Suggested likes and passes, See all your likes, 8 flowers a month, 1 Boost a month, Premium Preferences, Activity Reports, Read Receipts, Unlimited Rewinds Platinum: details not published on the pages we read |
| eharmony | Yes | Premium: Unlimited messaging with all members, See all member photos, See who has viewed you, Distance search, Personality Profile, Dedicated Customer Care |
| Zoosk | Yes | Subscription: Search filters (religion, children, education, smoking), See who has viewed you Premium Messaging: details not published on the pages we read Zoosk Coins: Profile boosts, Delivery confirmation |
When paying can make sense
- You have used the free version for a couple of weeks and you keep running into the same limit (likes, filters).
- The feature you would pay for is one the paid tier actually lists, not something you assume it includes.
- You have worked out the cost per month with the cost calculator, including what a long plan charges up front.
- You have a reminder set to cancel before it renews, if you only want it for a while.
When it usually does not
- In your first days on an app, before you know whether you like how it works.
- To fix a profile problem: better photos and prompts cost nothing (see profile tips).
- On more than one app at once, before you know which one you use most.
Sources:tinder.com/feature/subscription-tiers · apps.apple.com/us/app/hinge-dating-relationships/id595287172 · bumble.com/en-us/the-buzz/bumble-boost · apps.apple.com/us/app/bumble-dating-app-meet-date/id930441707 · apps.apple.com/us/app/match-dating-app-chat-meet/id305939712 · apps.apple.com/us/app/okcupid-dating-app/id338701294 · apps.apple.com/us/app/id6502307144 · eharmony.com/tour/faq/what-is-eharmony-premium · apps.apple.com/us/app/id349160522. Last checked October 25, 2026.