How to Make a Dating App: Features, Steps, and Monetization Strategies

Before you start creating a dating app from scratch, it's vital to learn more about the overall online dating market picture. Research the most well-known apps on the market, and discover their features user ratings. Once market research is done, you’ll see that these apps are very popular since the number of downloads and testimonials can show you.

Let’s examine the interesting up-to-date takes about the dating apps:

• Global Data Insights states that the global dating app market was valued at over $6 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach nearly $9 billion by 2030.
• According to South Denver Therapy, about one in ten partnered adults in the U.S. say they met their current partner online.
• Business of Apps claims that Tinder remains the market leader, generating $1.94 billion in revenue in 2024, which represents about 30% of all dating app revenue for the year.
• Pew Research Center highlights that approximately 53% of U.S. adults under 30 have used a dating app, the highest percentage among all age groups.

All these indicate the huge popularity of digital dating and its potential in terms of creating your own dating app alternative. But how can you create a dating app like Tinder or Bumble that will be this popular? We’ll say that 50% of the jobs are already done since dating apps have undisputed benefits that make them popular among other apps.

Why do so many people turn to finding a significant other through dating applications? Let’s briefly overview the key benefits that such apps bring to users:

Over time, dating apps evolved to complex ecosystems that cater to various relationship goals. Most dating apps share similar features, but we can categorize them based on their primary function and user base. Let’s overview each dating app type in more detail below:

These are the most well-known types of dating apps, mostly popularized by platforms like Tinder. The core mechanic is simple: users view a photo and a brief profile summary, and then swipe right to indicate interest or left to pass. This model is often described as a "gamified" approach to dating, emphasizing quick, visual-first judgments and a large volume of potential matches. While considering dating app development, you can go with this approach if you’re looking for a large user base and a fast-paced dating experience.

​​Niche-oriented dating apps are targeted at specific communities, interests, or demographics. This category includes apps for people who share a common faith, a particular hobby, a profession, or a lifestyle. Examples include apps for vegans, dog lovers, gamers, or specific religious groups. The main benefit is the built-in common ground, which helps users bypass small talk and connect on a deeper level right from the start. Niche dating app development creates a focused dating pool.

So-called serious relationship apps are designed for users seeking a more meaningful, long-term commitment, in contrast with Tinder-like apps. Platforms in this category (e.g., Hinge, eHarmony, etc.) often require users to fill out detailed profiles or compatibility questionnaires.

The focus is on finding matches based on shared values, interests, and personality traits rather than just physical appearance. The process is typically slower and more deliberate, encouraging users to invest time in getting to know a potential partner.

​​Location-based apps primarily match users based on their real-world proximity. They track your location and show you profiles of people you have physically crossed paths with throughout the day. The idea is to bring a real-life element to online dating. This model is particularly effective in densely populated areas and for users who prefer to meet people who live or work nearby.

Here’s a comparison of types of dating apps regarding target audience, pros and cons:

Although you want to create a dating app to be a unique product that will not be similar to any existing apps, there is a range of features that should be integrated to make sure it meets the standards of an online dating site or app. You need to create a product that functions correctly.

A dating app requires careful planning and attention to detail, so pay attention to these features that will be listed below to see how to build a dating app like the successful ones on the market.

Dating app users expect a frictionless solution entry point. Social sign-in allows your users to create an account instantly using their existing social media profiles, such as Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn. Easy sign-in procedure significantly streamlines the onboarding process and provides a built-in mechanism for sharing and community growth.

A user profile is the digital representation of a user on your platform. On a profile, users can showcase their personality, interests, and hobbies. While automatically pulling key information from social media accounts, you save users time while providing potential matches with valuable insights, helping them understand a person beyond a single photo.

The ability to connect with people nearby is fundamental, and definitely has to be included while creating a dating app. Geolocation enables your app to identify and present potential matches based on their physical proximity. This feature is crucial for encouraging real-life meetings and makes the dating process more practical and convenient for users.

It’s impossible to start a dating app without these algorithms. The better the algorithms, the higher the chance that the user will stay with your app. After inputting valuable information about themselves, dating app users are ready to get down to business and do what they are supposed to do: find Mr. or Mrs. Right. The first step in this fairly delicate process is matching users. Dating apps may use a wide variety of matching techniques to match up partners who like each other. Let's explore some of them.

The chatting feature provides a secure and private space for users to get to know each other. A robust chat system, with in-built options for sharing stickers, GIFs, and images, makes conversations more engaging and expressive, helping potential couples build rapport and communication intimacy.

Push notifications will help you keep users engaged and informed. These are timely alerts that notify users of important events, such as a new match or a message, even when they are not actively using the app. This ensures that users don't miss out on potential connections.

The swiping mechanic is a classic and intuitive method for quickly sorting through potential matches. It simplifies the user experience by allowing them to express interest with a simple swipe to the right or to move on with a swipe to the left. A visual-first approach within dating app development is highly effective for quickly browsing a large volume of profiles.

A well-designed settings panel gives users complete control over their experience. It allows them to personalize various aspects of the app, from filtering their match preferences to adjusting notification alerts and managing privacy controls, making it more inclusive. This level of customization ensures that the app adapts to the user's needs, enhancing satisfaction and long-term engagement.

Protecting user data is your direct and critical responsibility while creating a dating app. Users trust you with their personal and usually sensitive information, and you must employ robust security measures to safeguard it from threats. To be more confident, it’s recommended to cooperate with an IT vendor familiar with implementing key data security and privacy standards. These usually include:

• GDPR
• PCI compliance
• ISO/IEC 27001:2013, etc.

Note: We at Cleveroad have vast experience in delivering digital solutions with alignment to key data security practices, meeting the essential regulatory landscape. Besides, our team is certified with ISO/IEC 27001:2013 for data security and ISO 9001:2015 for quality, promoting a safe, reliable approach for software development

The admin panel is your command center for managing the app. It provides a secure interface for you to monitor user activity, block malicious accounts, and address any technical issues that may arise. This control is vital for maintaining a safe and healthy community and for ensuring the app's overall integrity and performance. It is usually done in the web version of the dating app and the admin panel is separate from the rest of the application.

All the features we’ve listed above are basic and usually included within a Minimal Viable Product development. This is a version of your app only with core features, aimed at testing the project before a more tangible financial commitment.

Once you have a solid foundation, you can also consider including more advanced functionality to drive user engagement even more. Here’s what you may want to consider from a future perspective:

• AI-powered chatbots. AI chatbots can act as "icebreakers" and conversation assistants. They help users start a chat with their matches by suggesting opening topics. Chatbots can also provide helpful reminders about unanswered messages.
• Profile verification. By requiring users to verify their identity through a simple photo or other means, you can combat fake profiles and ensure that your users are connecting with real people. A verified badge on a profile gives other users confidence and security.
• Video calls. Taking communication a step further, an integrated video call feature allows matched users to interact face-to-face within the app's secure environment. This is a powerful tool for building a deeper connection before meeting in person.

To help you find the most appropriate approach to successful dating app development, here is a 6-step roadmap that may come in handy:

The first step is laying the groundwork for your project. This involves defining the specific niche your app will serve, which helps in identifying a clear target audience. You will also have to conduct a thorough competitor analysis to understand the strengths and weaknesses of existing dating apps, as well as identify opportunities to differentiate your product.

Once your plan is in place, you need a reliable partner to bring your dating app development vision to life. A robust tech partner will help you figure out key dating app functionality requirements, advise you on a relevant tech approach regarding your timeline and budget. Choose a development vendor with a strong portfolio and a proven track record, specifically in the dating and social media domain. Also, examine the vendor’s past clients reviews and testimonials, to learn more about their collaboration approach, ability to meet set requirements and timelines and so on.

At Cleveroad, we’ve an extensive portfolio of successfully delivered social media solutions. One of our recent cases is Deltasport – a solution for creators of sports activities.

For the DeltaSport, our engineers created a cross-platform social ecosystem that connected sports teams and spectators and provided a web-based admin panel for the client to manage users and events. The solution allowed the client to grow their audience, increase user retention, and monetize their business model by accepting events and promoting sponsors.

Here’s what John Salmon, owner of Deltasport, says about our collaboration:

​​After choosing a development partner, together you will determine the core features that your app will include. This is where you decide on the essential functionalities that will form the foundation of your product. At this stage, you’ll need to assess what your target audience may expect from a dating app, what you want to see, and what you are ready to deliver during an MVP. You can always add more advanced functionalities once the initial dating app concept has shown positive outcomes.

Once you have defined the final MVP feature list to make a dating app, the focus shifts to designing the user experience. Your IT vendor’s design team works on creating wireframes to outline the app’s structure and user flows. This helps to map out how users will navigate through the application. Then, the team creates high-fidelity UI/UX prototypes to visualize the final design and ensure a smooth, intuitive, and engaging interface.

During the dating app development stage, the expert team starts actual coding. The team selects a technology stack that is suitable specifically for your dating app solution. For example, here’s a tech stack Cleveroad’s team uses to deliver dating and social media solutions:

During the active development stage, your team creates the backbone of your dating app (backend) and transforms design prototyping outcomes to actionable app screens that operate smoothly (frontend). A very important part of this stage is rigorous testing, which involves multiple rounds of quality assurance. The QA team specialists identify and fix any bugs, ensuring the app is stable and performs as expected.

Once the app is fully developed and tested, it’s time to launch. The launch involves deploying the application to major app stores like the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. The final phase is centered on marketing and user acquisition to attract your target audience and build a loyal user base. You’ll need to assemble particular promotional activities to encourage user growth.

Almost every dating app is free to cover a larger audience. However, there are several opportunities for you to generate revenue. You need to pick monetization strategies before you start dating app development. To make you aware of them, we’ve made a short list of ways you can monetize your app:

Subscription-based model provides users with a recurring subscription that unlocks premium features for a set period, monthly or yearly. The features often include unlimited likes, the ability to see who has liked your profile, and advanced search filters. The tiered subscription model allows apps to offer different levels of access and value.

Real-world use case: Tinder is a prime example with its tiered subscriptions, including Tinder Plus, Gold, and Platinum. Each tier offers progressively more features, such as "Passport" for matching with people in other cities (Plus) and the ability to message a person before matching (Platinum).

An in-app purchase strategy for dating app development involves selling one-time-use features or virtual goods. These items are typically designed to provide an immediate boost to a user's profile visibility or to enhance communication with matches without requiring a full subscription.

Real-world use case: Bumble uses this model with "SuperSwipes" and "Spotlight." A SuperSwipe allows a user to show a heightened level of interest in a profile, while Spotlight makes a user's profile visible to more people for a short period of time, similar to a "boost."

Dating apps can earn revenue by displaying ads within the platform. These ads can be placed natively within the user experience, such as between profiles in the swipe stack, or through sponsored profiles that promote a brand or product. This model is most effective for apps with a large, active user base.

Real-world use case: OkCupid and Plenty of Fish often utilize this model, showing targeted banner ads or full-screen advertisements to non-paying users. Brands also partner with apps like Tinder to run branded content campaigns, creating sponsored profiles that users can interact with.

These are two distinct and the most common business models for a dating app development.

• The freemium model provides a basic, free version of the app with limited features, and users can pay to unlock a more complete experience.
• The premium model, on the other hand, requires users to pay a subscription fee from the very beginning to access the app's services.

Freemium pros and cons: The freemium has a lower barrier to entry, which allows for rapid user acquisition and growth. However, only a small percentage of users will convert to paying customers.

Premium pros and cons: The premium model provides a more predictable revenue stream and attracts a more serious, committed user base, but its upfront cost can deter many potential users, leading to slower initial growth. Most successful dating apps today, such as Tinder and Bumble, operate on a freemium model.

It’s a brilliant time to create a dating app as the industry is only starting to immerse into tech-savvy development tendencies. Below, let’s unpack the 3 of the most engaging dating app development trends to look for in 2026:

Artificial Intelligence, or AI, has now penetrated into the technical industry, and dating is definitely not an exception. According to Skimai, over 54% of dating app users prefer the assistance of AI algorithms when finding matches, which proves an enormous demand for this technology.

AI is transforming dating apps by personalizing matchmaking based on user behavior, preferences, and past interactions, creating a high-quality and personalized dating experience. These algorithms analyze vast amounts of data to provide smarter, more compatible matches that are beyond basic filters like age and location. AI can even predict potential relationship success by learning from user interactions, creating a more customized experience that improves over time.

For example, Tinder has already successfully integrated AI algorithms into its app. Their algorithm assesses user behavior, preferences, and interactions to enhance match recommendations. It considers factors such as swiping patterns, mutual likes, and overall user activity, refining its suggestions to offer more relevant matches as time goes on.

To add more entertainment and engagement to a search for a significant other, dating platforms implement gamification elements. By incorporating interactive elements like quizzes, challenges, or icebreaker games, you can make a dating app more fun and memorable for users. This helps users connect more naturally, encouraging interaction and reducing awkwardness in initial conversations.

Gamification also increases user retention by creating a sense of achievement and progress, turning the dating process into an enjoyable, dynamic experience rather than a chore.

Video-based features allow users to connect through video chats before meeting in person. This trend offers a safer and more intimate way to interact. Virtual dates, live video streaming, and video profiles let your dating app users achieve a more authentic experience. It allows users to assess chemistry early on, reducing the pressure of in-person meetings.

Of course, you probably want to know how much money you will need to invest in the development of your dating app. This section will highlight everything concerning the price.

First of all, the cost of dating app development may range significantly depending on the solution's complexity. Here’s a brief breakdown:

• Basic dating app: These apps typically include MVP features like user registration, swiping, and basic messaging. The estimated cost for a basic app ranges from $25,000 to $50,000.
• Medium complexity dating app: An intermediate app builds on the basic features by adding elements like advanced search filters, geolocation, and push notifications. The cost can range from $40,000 to $70,000.
• Advanced dating app: These are feature-rich applications that often include AI-powered matchmaking, video calls, premium subscription tiers, etc. Development costs for an advanced app can start at $70,000 and go well over $120,000.

For further estimations, we’ll take iOS and Android versions of the dating app for our approximate estimate and include each MVP feature development time and Backend work. As for platform type, there is almost no difference in iOS and Android app costs.

First, we will show you the time required to develop each basic feature for the mobile platform.

Considering the average European hourly rate of $50, the development cost of the dating app for the two platforms will be $60,000-$ 200,000+. It is an approximate dating app development cost since development time always includes DevOps, QA, designer services, release sequence, and so on.

Note: Feel free to contact us to receive a quick and transparent estimate for your dating app.

Cleveroad is an experienced social media app development company with over 13 years of experience in the IT market. We create a wide range of social media projects, dating solutions, and other custom-made software to boost businesses of different scales and enhance their internal pipelines.

Cleveroad in numbers:

• 13 + years on the market
• 280 + in-house engineers
• 75% of our development team are senior and middle-level
• 250+ successful projects
• 8+ expertise industries

What benefits will you receive from your cooperation with us?

• All-around IT assistance. We offer full-cycle development and services like the Discovery phase, Design, QA, DevOps, CTO-as-a-Service, etc.
• Confidential cooperation. If required, we sign an NDA agreement to ensure all project data is robustly safeguarded, and you won’t face intellectual property safety risks.
• Certified partnership. Cleveroad is certified with ISO 9001:2015 (quality management) and ISO/IEC 27001:2013 (security management), ensuring the integrity and quality.
• Transparent pricing. We calculate costs transparently and flexibly, and they are always reasonable. Our sales managers will make a rough estimation of your project for free.
• Flexible cooperation models. You can choose to hire a dedicated development team or utilize IT staff augmentation services to access necessary expertise.

To prove our expertise in dating app development, we’d like to present you with one of our success stories – a social network for dating Greenlight.

Our US-based client contacted us to develop a unique dating app tailored to the US market, aiming to outperform competitors like Tinder. The app's core concept was based on a "traffic light" system, allowing users to indicate interest with a Green (Superlike), Yellow (Like), or Red (Dislike) light.

Our team successfully met challenges such as adhering to a tight deadline and ensuring compliance with stringent data protection regulations. We crafted a high-performance, bug-free app and developed comprehensive Terms of Use and Privacy Policies to safeguard user data.

As a result, we delivered an app that enables dynamic user matching based on mutual Green or Yellow lights, prioritizes Green matches, and features an advanced chat system with message read receipts, photo sharing, and deletion. Additionally, the app fosters engagement through daily questions, providing an interactive user experience aligned with the client's business objectives.

Here's a feedback from our client about cooperation on on dating application development: