People are spending hundreds a month on dating apps as free versions turn ‘borderline unusable'

A recent report from Pew Research Center revealed that 35% of Americans who have used dating websites or apps have paid for such services at some point. Morgan Stanley's findings earlier this year showed that the average paying dating app user spends approximately $19 per month.

While the majority may spend within this range, some individuals are willing to pay much higher amounts for premium dating services. The League offers a VIP membership priced at $999 per week or $2,499 per month. This membership provides users with features such as matching with prospects in multiple cities, priority visibility for new singles, and access to a concierge service designed to enhance the dating experience.

Tinder introduced a $499 monthly subscription for some of its most active users in September, and Hinge recently launched a $600-per-month membership.

Blaine Anderson, a men's dating coach in Austin, Texas, noted that her clients are spending hundreds of dollars monthly on dating apps, emphasizing that the era of venture capital-subsidized swiping is ending. The shift towards paid options has made free tiers "borderline unusable" for some users, according to Anderson.

Despite concerns about app fatigue and a slowdown in user growth for dating apps, companies in the industry assert that there is a demand for premium features. Grindr Chief Product Officer AJ Balance stated, "There's a group of users who are eager to use our premium features." Officials at Match Group, Inc., the parent company of popular dating apps like Tinder, Hinge, and The League, declined to comment on the trend.