How Much Does It Cost To Develop A Dating App?

Have you ever thought about making great dating apps like OkCupid, Tinder, Bumble, or Hinge? These apps provide useful functions, but innovation always has space. Including chatbots to improve user involvement seems to be one interesting approach. You can create your own dating app including chatbots.

If you want to stay creative and competitive, you need to keep adding the newest technologies. Still, such technologies demand a reasonable investment. Therefore, the first question most people ask is what is the cost to develop a dating app. 

Online dating in the USA is predicted to bring in $1.39 billion in sales by 2024. Estimated CAGR of 1.75% suggests that by 2028 this market volume will reach $1.49 billion. This statistics shows that demand for dating applications will rise in the next few years. For those like you who wish to create a dating app, this can be a perfect chance.

Thus, let's investigate the elements of a dating app and the dating app development cost affecting factors. 

Dating App Future Innovations

As mobile and internet technology has improved, the future of dating apps have turned into an effective company. Important market facts: 

Source: Statista 

• The market for online dating is expected to bring in US$3.15bn by 2024.

• The market is estimated to be worth US$3.56bn by 2029, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.48% for revenue.

• It is expected that the world market for online dating apps will grow at a rate of 7.6% per year from 2023 to 2030. In 2022, it was worth USD 7,939.2 million.

• By 2029, dating app trends are likely to be 470 million people using online dating sites.

• In 2024, 5.1% of people will be users, and by 2029, 5.8% of people will be users.

• We expect the average income per user (ARPU) to be US$7.91. 

What is Dating app?

Informally called a "dating app," an online dating application is a mobile phone app that lets you use an online dating service. These best dating apps often use a smartphone's GPS to find locations, the fact that it's always with you, and the ability to access mobile funds. These top dating apps are meant to make it faster to start chatting, flirting, and possibly meeting someone or getting romantically involved with someone online.  

Breaking Down the Cost to Build a Dating App

The extent, dating app features, and difficulty of the dating app determine the cost to develop it. A simple MVP dating app with profiles, matches, and chat might cost between $8,000 and $21,000. It could cost $21,000 to $30,000 or more for a more powerful app with more features.

The dating app development costs go up because of things like the technology stack chosen, the number of integrations needed, the amount of testing needed, the infrastructure needed, the position of the team, and programming languages for developing a mobile app and so on.. The cost to develop a dating app can go up by 15 to 25 percent if you develop directly for iOS and Android instead of cross-platform.    

It costs more to license and build third-party add-ons like payment gateways and SMS/push notification APIs.

Here is a list of estimated prices for the main stages of making a dating app:  

Want to know the cost to create a dating app? An iphone app development services provider can help you make the most cutting edge dating apps on the market. If you want a price right away, please contact us, and someone will get back to you right away.          

Cost to Maintain a Dating App 

The dating app maintenance cost relies on what kind of service you want after the app comes out. You can either fix bugs or add new features to your app. They can change the total cost to build a dating app in these ways: 

• Adding new features — costs can vary. The dating app development cost changes based on how hard a feature is to make. A developer, project manager, and UI/UX designer will need to work together on adding a new screen with its own style and user flow. On the other hand, it will cost less to make a small change.

• Getting rid of bugs — 20% of the initial price. This service after the game comes out is great if all you care about are bugs and other issues that make the experience worse for users. You can hire android app developers to keep the app from freezing or crashing all the time. Also, you should hire project managers to keep an eye on everything. But at this point, it won't be necessary to bring in artists.

What Are the Factors that Affect Dating App Development Cost? 

Worldwide, dating app popularity is growing as more people get cell phones. About 19% of people who use the internet use dating sites, which means there is a big market potential. A big investment is needed for a new business project. What cost affecting factors of dating app development cost?  

1. UI/UX Design

Making a dating app that people want to use depends on how well the interface looks and how easy it is to use. A simple design with a clean and easy-to-use interface, logos, and few animations will keep people interested for less money. It will cost more, but your app will stand out from the others if it has a more complicated design with things like 3D elements, motion graphics, and AR/VR integration. A mobile app development company making online dating more like a game also makes people spend more time on the app.  

2. Features of the App 

It takes a lot of time to make a dating app, so the number and variety of features have a direct effect on the cost to develop a dating app. It will cost less for a simple app with basic features like signing up, making a profile, watching, and messaging. Adding more advanced features will make making a Tinder-like app take longer and cost more.  

3. Type and Size of the Application

The price depends a lot on the type of dating app and how big it is. It will be easier to make a simple app with few features than a complex one with lots of features. One simple app might cost between $8,000 and $21,000 to make. But an app with more tools and more complexity could cost more than $30,000. The app's design also has a big impact on a dating app working. 

It will cost less to make a dating app that only works on phones than one that needs to be built on the web and have a service. The dating app development cost depends on size too. The amount of server space and hardware needed depends on the number of target users and profiles. This can make development costs go up.  

4. Platform Type  

To make a dating app, the cost is directly related to the mobile app creation platform you choose. Creating a native app for both iOS and Android costs a lot more than making one app for just one device. You can save up to 60% of the cost, though, if you use cross-platform app creation services that use tools like Flutter or React Native. With these tools, hire ios app developers who can use the same code to make apps that working process of dating app on both platforms. This cuts down on costs and lets them reach more people.  

5. Development Team 

The people on the team have a big impact on the cost to make a dating app. How much a dating app project costs depends on how many pros are working on it and how much experience they have.

The following is an example of a normal team for making a dating app:

• Analysts of business

• Architect of solutions

• UI and UX designers

• dating app developers for hire

• Web designers and QA testers

6. Technology Stack

The choice of technology stack has a big effect on dating app development cost. It has databases, computer languages, frameworks, and other tools for building and maintaining apps. For instance, using well-known platforms can cut down on the time and money needed for development. But for systems that get a lot of use, more expensive technologies and cloud services may be needed. Picking the right stack makes the process of making a dating app run more smoothly. But remember that this is just an example. A mobile application development company helps you choose tools and technologies you use to make your own Tinder app depending on your goals and wants.  

7. Third-party Integrations

When making a relationship app, there are some features that you might not need to start from scratch. Instead, you can add APIs that are already out there to your app. Such integration can be seen in the use of geolocation and in-app payments. If you want to add these features, you don't have to build them from scratch; you can just use APIs that are already out there, like those from Google Maps and Stripe. In two ways, third-party integrations change the cost to develop a dating app. 

• Number of APIs: Your app will cost more if you want to include more connections. You have to spend time and money to add them to your app, even if it's cheaper to do so than to start from scratch.

• Integrating third-party apps: Not all of them work with all APIs. Some might work perfectly with your app, while others might make it run much more slowly or not at all. If you want to add a feature that doesn't work with your app, you'll have to pay extra to fix it.

8. Application Testing

It is important to do a lot of testing and quality assurance (QA) when making a dating app, but it also adds to the cost to develop a dating app. Testing needs committed resources and time. Different devices and platforms must be used to test the app's features, usability, speed, security, and more. Apps with more features need to be tested more thoroughly and in more than one way.

Various types of testing, such as automated testing, unit testing, integration testing, and human testing, also come with their own set of costs. Cutting corners on testing hurts the standard of the app and the experience of the end user. Giving thorough testing enough time, money, and resources guarantees better results and lowers the risk of long-term problems.  

Leading Dating Apps and their Development Costs 

• Cost to develop a dating app like tinder

Although Tinder hasn't said out loud the cost to develop a dating app, our experts think it was probably between $5,000 and $10,000 in total. This is because when Tinder first came out in 2012, it was just a simple MVP that let you swipe and match.

Its lightweight tech stack helped keep the costs of development low at first. But as Tinder grew quickly and added more advanced features, the costs of developing and maintaining the app would have gone up in the same way.

According to dating app development services providers, 75 million or more daily users, complicated algorithms, and need for strong infrastructure, it would cost millions of dollars to make a dating app like theirs today. 

• Cost to develop a dating app like bumble

When it first came out, Bumble had a more advanced profile style than Tinder. It had emoji reactions, linked Instagram and Spotify accounts, and icebreaker questions. Complex formulas had to be made in order to add features like women-message-first and timed matches.

Bumble also has paid special modes that give you access to extra features. Because Bumble has so many advanced features, integrations, and complicated algorithms, we think the original cost to develop a dating app is probably between $5,000 and $10,000.

With ongoing improvements like video talking, global growth to over 100 million users, and the need for infrastructure, it would easily cost more than $1 million to build a dating app like Bumble today. 

• Cost to develop a dating app like OKcupid

Significant funds are needed to create a relationship app with advanced features similar to those found in OKCupid. When OKCupid first came out, it had a more advanced profile system than Tinder. It had integrations with Instagram and Spotify, as well as special features like women-message-first and timed matches, which took a lot of work on the algorithm. As per the mobile app development services provider, the first cost of making OKCupid was probably between $5,000 and $10,000.

But that's not the end of the costs. With ongoing updates like video calling, growth to over 500 million users around the world, and the need for strong infrastructure, it would easily cost more than $5 million to build and run a dating app like OKCupid today. OKCupid needs to keep putting money into the business to stay competitive, keep users, and keep up with changes in the dating app market.  

• Cost to develop a dating app like Hinge

It can cost a lot to make a dating app like Hinge, based on things like the features, the tech stack, where the developers are located, and how complicated the backend algorithms are. But because Hinge is so big and complicated, a rough estimate for making such an app could be anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000 or more, based on many factors.

To sum up, the initial MVP of a dating app like Hinge might cost around $30,000. However, it could easily cost several hundred thousand to millions of dollars over time to build and run an app as complicated and large as Hinge.

• Cost to develop a dating app like Coffee Meets Bagel

From $5,000 to $10,000, based on how complicated it is, designed, and what features it has. To begin, it would be possible to make a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) version for around $5,000 to $20,000 that had basic features like user accounts, swiping, and chat. It would cost to develop a dating app with more advanced features, like location-based matching, in-app purchases, complicated algorithms, and strong security.

For the app to be successful, it also needs ongoing infrastructure, upkeep, and marketing which a mobile application development services provider suggested. In order to stay competitive in the dating app market, Coffee Meets Bagel, like many others, would need constant updates, server management, user support, and marketing. This would add up to hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars in long-term costs. 

• Cost to develop a dating app like Happn

The cost to develop a dating app like Happn can vary a lot based on things like the features, how complicated they are, and where they are being made. At first, it might cost between $5,000 and $10,000 to make a basic version with basic features like geolocation-based matching, profiles, messages, and a simple swipe interface. The cost of development can go up, though, if an android app development services provider adds more advanced features like AI-driven suggestions, real-time notifications, in-app payments, and premium features.

For an app like Happn to grow and stay stable, it needs to keep spending money on computer infrastructure, security, and regular updates. Make money with dating apps to be spent on getting new users, promotion, customer service, and adding new features as the app grows. Because of this, the long-term costs of making and maintaining such an app could easily reach millions of dollars. 

• Cost to develop a dating app like Her

It would cost a lot of money to make a dating app like Her in today's market. The first cost of making a minimal viable product (MVP) with basic features like user accounts, swiping, and matching could be between $5,000 and $10,000. This price includes planning, writing code, and checking, and it uses a simple set of technologies to keep the cost to develop a dating app low.

But as the app grows and adds more advanced features like real-time chat, algorithms for finding the best matches for each user, and stronger security, the costs of making it can go up a lot. Building a full-fledged dating app with millions of users could easily cost several million dollars, since it needs strong infrastructure, customer service, and marketing. In the competitive dating space, ongoing investments would also be needed for server upkeep, new feature updates, and strategies to keep customers coming back. 

• Cost to develop a dating app like Raya

Today, making a dating app like Raya would probably cost a lot of money, a lot more than the $5,000 to $10,000 that early apps like Tinder may have needed for their MVP stages. Raya, which is known for having a small group of exclusive users, would need to add more advanced algorithms, better security, and personalized features for its most famous users.

Because these apps could be used all over the world, it would cost a lot to build scalable infrastructure, servers, and a nice user experience. The android app development company

Add the user verification systems, registration apps, and unique matching algorithms, the total cost of development could be in the millions.  

• Cost to develop a dating app like Plenty of fish

It can cost anywhere from $50,000 to $150,000 to make a dating app like Plenty of Fish (POF), based on how complicated it is and how many features it has. On the lower end of the range could be a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) with only the most basic features, like user accounts, matching algorithms, and messaging systems. The price can go up a lot, though, if you add advanced features like video calling, AI-based match suggestions, better security measures, and in-app purchases.

Along with development costs, it's also important to think about ongoing costs like server upkeep, customer service, and regular feature updates. To draw and keep users, marketing also needs a lot of money, especially in the very competitive dating app market. The final cost to develop a dating app will depend on how well the app can grow and what features it has, so it's important to plan for both short- and long-term spending.

• Cost to develop a dating app like Match

The cost of making a dating app like Match.com can vary a lot based on things like features, design, and how hard the app is to make. Costs may start at $5,000 to $10,000 for a simple app. This includes simple features like user profiles, search filters, messages, and safety measures. But it can cost $30,000 or more for a more advanced app with features like live chat, matchmaking powered by AI, and a strong backend service. Some extra costs could be ongoing promotion, maintenance, and updates. How much it costs varies on where the developers are located, whether the app is made for iOS, Android, or both, and how much it needs to be customized.  

• Cost to develop a dating app like eHarmony

As a result of many things, making a dating app like eHarmony is very expensive. The first investment could be anywhere from $100,000 to $500,000 or even more, based on how complicated and full of features the app is. Design and development, which includes user interface and user experience (UI/UX) design, backend development, and adding advanced methods for matchmaking, are two of the most expensive parts. There are also costs for server infrastructure, data security, and following the rules that add to the total budget. The cost to develop a dating app goes up even more when you add in marketing, ongoing upkeep, and customer service. The total cost also changes when you hire mobile app developers, and project managers. And finally, the total cost will be different depending on the project's needs, size, and scope.  

• Cost to develop a dating app like SilverSingles

It usually costs between $5,000 and $10,000 to make a dating app like SilverSingles. This estimate covers a number of steps, such as planning, designing, developing, and testing. The initial costs cover researching the market and figuring out what users need. Design costs include making a system that is easy to use and an experience that keeps people interested. During development, the app's main features are built, such as profiles, messages, security, and algorithms for matching people. Testing makes sure that the app works on all systems and devices. Some extra costs could be licensing, marketing, and regular upkeep. The total cost to develop a dating app can change if you hire dating app developers, designers, and project managers. Adding more complicated features or meeting higher security standards could also make the budget go up. It's also important to think about the ongoing costs of running the business, like computer hosting and customer service.  

• Cost to develop a dating app like BLK

The cost to develop a dating app like BLK varies a lot based on the features and how hard they are to make. Prices for basic versions start at around $5,000 to $10,000 and include basic matching algorithms, user profiles, and messages. The price may go up for more advanced tools like geolocation, better search filters, video chat, and strong security. Costs can go up even more if you need custom UI/UX design, connection with third-party services, or high-end development. You should also think about the ongoing costs, which are usually between 15 and 20 percent of the initial development cost per year. These costs include upkeep, updates, and server costs. The final budget can change depending on where the development team is located, how much experience they have, and the unique needs of the project.  

• Cost to develop a dating app like Feels

The cost to develop a dating app like Feels a lot of different amounts depending on features, difficulty, and where the developers are located. A basic form of this kind of app could cost between $5,000 and $10,000 and include messaging, user profiles, and matching algorithms. Costs might go up even more for a more advanced app with premium features, better protection, and a personalized user experience. Maintenance, marketing, and growing as the number of users grows are all extra costs. Costs might go down if you outsource to places where development costs are lower, but they might go up if you choose mobile app developers for hire and do a lot of tests. Overall, it costs a lot of money to make sure that a well-designed and safe app meets user needs and industry standards.  

Why Is It Important To Fix A Budget For Your Project? 

As we go through the specifics of the cost to develop a dating app, we will first talk about how crucial it is to set a budget. Setting a budget helps you understand how everything fits together and helps you take the right steps to develop your dating app. That's why you should remember these things before you start working on the growth of your business: 

• Helps you figure out what people really want: the budget you set for the growth of your dating app helps you think about what people really want, so you can give them what they need right now. This will make it easy for you to understand what features your app needs and help you make the right choices.

• It helps with market study: when you think about your budget, you have to go out and do a lot of research on the market to find out what the going rates are.

• You need the MVP: What you need is the MVP, or minimum viable product. This is what will get you through those investor talks. To figure out how much and how long an MVP will take, you need to have a budget.

• You should save money for promotion: it's naive to think that your work and costs will end when the app is finished. The production process has a few steps left. The big challenge is getting the app out there, marketing it, and getting it to the right people. You can figure out the cost to develop a dating app, but what really matters is how much it costs to keep the app running after the app has been made.  

How Long Does it Take to Develop a Dating App?

The timeline to develop a dating app varies on many things, such as the operating system you choose, the number of features you want to include, and the time needed to make each one. Here is how long it takes to make each part of the app on average:    

• Personal Profile: 160+ hours

• Onboarding: 95+ hours

• Matching: 80+ hours

• Finding people: approximately 150 hours

• Chatting: 130+ hours

• Settings: 60+ hours

• Push notifications: 40+ hours

• Security issues: around 55 hours

Along with developers, all of the above traits and dating app development time frames involve other experts. You will also need a skilled tester, a UX/UI designer, and a good project manager to make sure everything runs smoothly. So, it will take at least 1400 hours to make a date app and get it out there. What it is, though, may make it different.  

How Do Dating Apps Make Money?

Before we answer, keep this in mind: the Google Play Store and the Apple Store have about 4.83 million apps, and every day, more will be added. That's why the battle is tough and can't be avoided. And it's clear that most of these apps are trying to make money. Users are smart, and if you don't think about the right ways. The monetization of dating apps, your app could look pushy, greedy, and not at all appealing. Stay away from this. Don't let your app plans go down with the Titanic. Before you even think about dating app monetization, here are some things you should think about: 

1. Freemium

Give all users the basic services for free and charge extra for the ones they don't need. It could mean getting ahead in the search results, not seeing ads, or being able to swipe as much as you want (though basic users may have a daily cap), among other things.

2. Membership Fee

Once you have a strong following, you can do this. People who own apps can charge people to download them. Yes, it will only let you reach a certain group of people, but your app will be more of a premium offering. This means that there will be no fake people or fraud. It will also help your users trust you and earn money with dating apps.

3. Subscription

Also, this might not be the best choice when you're just starting out, but most dating apps offer it. Apps can charge regular users a fee every week or month. It's more of a selling point for serious users, but make sure you add this feature once you have a lot of users and a good name in the market. 

Why Choose IMG Global Infotech To Build An Amazing Dating App At Affordable Rate! 

For those who want to make a relationship app, you need professionals to help you make it happen. Now is the time when IMG Global Infotech, the best dating app development company.

Our specialty is creating interesting user experiences, building strong back-end systems, and putting in place effective ways to make money.

We offer a wide range of services, from ideation to start, such as market research, UI/UX design, development, testing, and support. Let's work together to make a cheap date app that brings people together and gets results.  

Conclusion

Creating a dating app—what could be more useful in this hectic world? Even more so if you know how to help users with their issues, like making matches safe, easy, and accurate. We can help you make a dating app and are happy to talk to you about the steps and cost to develop a dating app. Get in touch with the best iphone app development company or fill out the form below, and we'll call you back soon.