Do you want to develop a dating app?

The first question that comes to mind when discussing this idea is “How much does it cost to build a dating app?”

The cost to build a dating app falls between $35,000 and $120,000. The cost to develop a mobile app actually depends on several different parameters. This includes location, type of team, complexity, type of dating app, complexity, and so on.

It’s next to impossible to predict accurate development costs without learning about project specifications and what exactly customers want.

Speaking of which, we shall be discussing all you need to know about dating app development costs in this blog, therefore, let’s get started with factors that affect cost.

StageDescriptionCost Range
1. Planning & ResearchDefine UVP, target audience, key featuresFree – $5,000
2. Design & UI/UXWireframes, prototypes, UI/UX design$5,000 – $30,000
3. Development & TestingBackend development, frontend development, testing$30,000 – $80,000
4. App Store SubmissionFees for Apple App Store & Google Play Store$100 – $200
5. Marketing & User AcquisitionApp marketing strategies$5,000 – $50,000+
6. Ongoing Maintenance & UpdatesServer costs, bug fixes, feature updates$15,000 – $40,000 per year

Factors That Affect Dating App Development Cost

The cost to develop an app can be a complex figure to calculate.

Reason being that there are various factors involved in the development process and project that affect the final cost.

Factors that Affect Dating App Development Cost

Therefore, in a bid to better understand how much it costs to build an app like Tinder. Let’s get right into it, starting with:

1) Type of Dating App Development Team

Granted that’s easy to find an app developer, but there are various ways you can do it.

Now, the way you choose to hire mobile app developers can actually affect the Tinder-like app development cost. Let’s see how this works below:

  • In-House team – $70,000 – $120,000

The name is quite self-explanatory. Keeping an in-house team can be expensive, very expensive, as you can see. As you why? The reason is simple.

Here, you are hiring a team of experienced developers who will be working in-house. This means you have to provide them with IT infrastructure, workplace, benefits, salary, and so on.

Well, this is expensive but there are benefits when it comes to building a dating app.

Moving on, people often compare in-house vs outsourced, let’s look at the latter one in this section.

  • Outsource App Development Company– $35,000 – $70,000

This is by far the most popular option on the list.

Whether it is a Fortune 500 company or someone with a small business idea, everyone loves outsourcing their work.

Why choose to outsource? Well, let’s see what these are:

  • Less responsibility for you
  • Cost-effective development
  • Fast time to market
  • Maintenance services
  • Experienced team of developers

These are some of the advantages you get with an outsourcing company. And the reason why everyone loves trends in outsourcing.

  • IT STAFF AUGMENTATION – $50,000 – $80,000

What if you don’t want to hire an entire custom on-demand app development firm but just a few developers as a fresh hands-on project?

Well, then you should go with IT staff Augmentation. This is a good and fairly cheap option that you should definitely explore.

In any case, this is how the type of team you hire affects the cost of developing a dating app. Now, let’s look at the effect of the developer’s location on the total Cost of a dating app.

2) Location of Development Team

The second factor the affects the answer to “how much does it cost to make a dating app” is the development team’s location.

One big effect of technology is globalization.

People and businesses are no longer limited by regional or national boundaries. With the help of the internet and IT tech, you can work with someone sitting on the other side of the world.

This means you can hire mobile application developers in Ukraine sitting in the United States of America.

However, when you want to create a dating app, the location of the development team can highly affect the cost of building a dating app. So, let’s look at the cost of developing a mobile app in different parts of the world.

This is shown in the Table below:

RegionAverage Hourly RateCost Range for Basic Dating App (1,000 hours)Cost Range for Complex Dating App (2,000 hours)
North America$60 – $120$60,000 – $120,000$120,000 – $240,000
Western Europe$40 – $80$40,000 – $80,000$80,000 – $160,000
Eastern Europe$20 – $50$20,000 – $50,000$40,000 – $100,000
Latin America$15 – $30$15,000 – $30,000$30,000 – $60,000
India$10 – $25$10,000 – $25,000$20,000 – $50,000
South Asia$12 – $20$12,000 – $20,000$24,000 – $40,000
Southeast Asia$10 – $18$10,000 – $18,000$20,000 – $36,000

Now that you know the cost of dating apps based on the developer’s location, let’s move to the next process.

3) Complexity To Make A Dating App

The complexity of the app development process greatly affects the Cost to build a dating app like Tinder.

It’s a simple concept.

The more complex it is to build a dating app, the higher the cost to build a dating app. On the flip side of the coin, the cost of creating a basic dating app is way cheaper.

The table below shows the same:

Complexity LevelEstimated Cost Range
Basic$35,000 – $50,000
Medium$50,000 – $80,000
Complex$80,000 – $120,000+

4) Dating App Development Platform

The first step of mobile app development is choosing a platform. And based on the platform you choose, the overall cost of dating app development can go up or down.

Let’s look at the different platforms and related costs to develop a dating app.

PlatformEstimated Cost Range
Native Development (iOS & Android)$50,000 – $90,000+
React Native$50,000 – $80,000
Flutter$40,000 – $70,000
Progressive Web App (PWA)$35,000 – $50,000

Did you know dating app development cost for Android is higher than iOS? Well, let us explain why.

Why Android App Development Is More Expensive?

FeaturesAndroidiOS
Development Cost$50,000 – $90,000$40,000 – $80,000
Development Time6-12 months4-8 months
Development LanguageJava/KotlinSwift/Objective-C
App Store Fees30% of in-app purchases30% of in-app purchases
Device FragmentationHigh (various screen sizes and OS versions)Low (controlled ecosystem)

Cost to hire Android app developers is actually higher than iOS app developers.

The reason, why it’s more expensive to develop an Android app, is that Android as an operating system suffers from fragmentation. This means Android users are using different versions.

Therefore, the Android app development company has to build the same app for different devices and Android versions. This takes more effort as well as time.

That’s why it’s more expensive to develop an Android dating app.

Moving on, let’s look at one of the most important factors that affect Online dating app development costs.

5) Tech Stack

Mobile App Tech Stack refers to the set of technologies being used for development.

And how can we speak of the tech stack, without mentioning MEAN Stack vs the MERN stack? Well, both of these are JS tech stack that is super popular in the development community.

Tech Stack ComponentDescriptionEstimated Cost Range
Front-EndProgramming Languages: React Native, Flutter, Kotlin (Android), Swift (iOS)$20,000 – $40,000
UI/UX Libraries: React Native Paper, Flutter UI Kit, Material Design for Android, UIKit for iOS$5,000 – $10,000
State Management: Redux, MobX, Context API$5,000 – $10,000
Back-EndProgramming Languages: Node.js (with Express or NestJS), Java (Android), Swift (iOS)$20,000 – $40,000
Databases: MongoDB, Firebase, PostgreSQL$5,000 – $10,000
APIs: Google Maps API, Facebook SDK, Push notifications$5,000 – $10,000
OtherCloud Hosting: AWS, Google Cloud Platform, Microsoft Azure$5,000 – $10,000
Payment Gateway: Stripe, PayPal$3,000 – $5,000
Analytics: Google Analytics, Firebase Analytics$2,000 – $5,000

Nevertheless, you can also build your custom tech stack. Depending on the technologies you are using, the cost to create a dating mobile app may vary.

6) Other Factors That Affect the Cost Of Build A Dating App

Apart from the factors that are discussed above, there are a number of other factors that can affect the dating application development cost.

Therefore, let’s discuss them below.

FactorDescriptionExample Cost RangeImpact on Cost
Feature Complexity
  • Basic: Profile creation, matching, messaging (up to 1,000 hours)
  • Medium: Advanced search, personality quizzes, video/audio calling (1,000-1,500 hours)
  • Advanced: AI-powered matching, location-based features, VR dates (1,500+ hours)
$50,000 – $75,000Significantly increases with complexity
Target Audience
  • Global audience: Localization for multiple languages and cultural considerations
  • Specific demographics: Tailored features and user interface, niche marketing strategies
$5,000 – $20,000This can increase due to additional development and marketing efforts
Mobile App Designing
  • Simple design: Standard layouts, minimal animations
  • Custom design: Unique graphics, interactive elements, custom animations
$10,000 – $30,000Significantly increases with complexity and design sophistication
App Security and Data Privacy
  • Basic security: Password encryption, user verification
  • Advanced security: Multi-factor authentication, data encryption at rest and in transit
$5,000 – $15,000Increases with additional security measures and compliance requirements
App Testing and Quality Assurance
  • Basic testing: Manual testing across key features
  • Comprehensive testing: Automated testing, cross-platform compatibility testing, rigorous security audits
$5,000 – $20,000Increases with testing depth and scope
Third-Party Integrations
  • Few integrations: Payment gateway, basic analytics
  • Numerous integrations: Social media platforms, location services, custom APIs
$5,000 – $30,000Varies depending on the number and complexity of integrations
Project Management and Communication
  • Basic project management: Email, spreadsheets
  • Dedicated project management tools: Collaboration platforms, communication tools, agile methodologies
$5,000 – $15,000Can improve efficiency and reduce development costs

Now that we are done with the various factors affecting the cost of creating a dating app, if you want to learn the accurate cost estimation, we recommend you consult a social media app development company.

They will be able to give you a closer cost estimation based on your project requirements.

Moving on, let’s look at the cost involved in app maintenance.

Generate-Revenue-With-Your-Own-Dating-App

How Much Does It Cost To Maintain A Dating App?

Mobile app maintenance and support services are essential if you want to make your app a market leader.

And this brings us to our question, how does maintenance affect total dating app cost?

On average, cost of app maintenance ranges between $15,000 and $40,000 per year for dating app. Moving on, let’s look at the breakdown below:

ComponentsEstimated Cost Range (per year)Description
Server and Cloud Hosting$5,000 – $20,000Cost of hosting your app’s database, backend services, and static content. Varies depending on traffic volume, database size, and chosen cloud provider.
Security and Data Privacy$5,000 – $15,000Maintaining server security, implementing vulnerability patches, and complying with data privacy regulations like GDPR.
Bug Fixes and Updates$10,000 – $30,000Addressing technical issues reported by users, fixing bugs, and implementing minor app updates.
Feature Enhancements and New Releases$20,000+Developing and integrating new features, designing UI/UX updates, and releasing major app updates.
Performance Optimization$5,000 – $10,000Monitoring app performance, optimizing database queries, and scaling infrastructure to handle increased traffic.
Analytics and Reporting$2,000 – $5,000Setting up and maintaining analytics tools, analyzing user data and app usage, and generating reports for insights.
Third-Party Integrations$5,000 – $15,000Maintaining existing integrations with payment gateways, social media platforms, or other APIs, updating as needed.
Customer Support$10,000 – $20,000Addressing user inquiries, handling complaints, and managing feedback through emails, live chat, or social media.

Popular Dating Apps and Cost To Develop Them

Are you inspired by the best dating apps and want to develop an app like Tinder or Bumble? Let’s look at the cost to build a dating app clone based on popular platforms below:

AppKey FeaturesEstimated Development Cost Range
Tinder
  • Swipe-based matching – Simple profiles – Basic chat
$50,000 – $70,000
Bumble
  • All features of Tinder – Women initiate conversations
$55,000 – $75,000
Hinge
  • Focuses on deeper connections – Prompts and icebreakers – Curated matches
$70,000 – $85,000
Coffee Meets Bagel
  • Limited daily matches – High-quality profiles – Curated recommendations
$65,000 – $80,000
OkCupid
  • In-depth personality quizzes – Compatibility scores – Diverse user base
$80,000 – $95,000
Match.com
  • Established a platform with diverse demographics – Advanced search filters – Paid subscriptions
$90,000 – $110,000
eHarmony
  • Utilizes in-depth psychological compatibility testing – Focuses on serious relationships
$100,000 – $120,000

How Long Does It Take To Build A Dating App?

Much like people asking approx cost of dating apps, there’s another trending question.

How long does it take to develop an app?”

An average mobile app development time can range from 5 months up to 12 months and more.

Just like development cost, development also depends on a range of factors. Nevertheless, let’s look at the development time breakdown covering everything from app research, to MVP app development, and deployment.

Deployment

Time

Research1-2 Weeks
Idea validation1 week approx
Planning2 weeks
Strategy1 week
MVP App Development2-3 weeks
Designing Process2-3 months
Dating App Development4-6 months
Testing2 – 4 weeks
Deployment2 weeks at most

This is the development time breakdown for an average dating development.

Nevertheless, if you want to learn more about it, we recommend that you consult on demand app development company.

Is It Profitable To Make A Dating App?

People who inquire about the cost to build a dating app are usually the ones who consider developing it.

And that’s why there is an important question we must answer first.

Should you Invest in Dating App Development?

Yes, you should!

Most Popular Dating App in the USA

As per Statista, there are over 25 million dating app users in 2023. Here, the most popular online dating app by audience size is Tinder, followed by POF and Bumble.

If this isn’t the reason for you to invest in dating apps, the revenue will. You see, the market was already attracting around $ 9 Billion in revenue in 2021, with an expected CAGR of 6.9% from 2022 to 2030.

This is what attracts businesses from across the world to build a dating app of their own. After all, who doesn’t want to make millions in the market with minimal investment? You heard that right, using the right app monetization strategies, you can generate some good revenue.

The best part is, that there are lots of dating app trends that you can benefit from, for instance creating a dating app for LGBTQ or targeting a specific niche.

So, if you have an idea for a dating app, this is high time to turn it into reality.

Want-to-Create-A-Dating-App-Like-Tinder

Collaborate with Nimble AppGenie – A Leading Dating App Development Company

Do you want to develop a dating app like Tinder?

Nimble AppGenie is a renowned dating app development company offering innovative app development services at affordable rates.

With hands-on experience working on some popular dating platforms, our dating app developers and designers know what it takes to create the next best. We have the right technology and tools to give your idea a digital life.

When you work with Nimble, you don’t have to worry about the cost to build a dating app. So, contact us today, it’s high time to make a dating app of your own.

Conclusion

The dating app industry is one of the largest ones. Companies are generating millions in profit with the industry being valued in trillions.

That’s why a lot of businesses want to develop their own dating apps. And thus, asking the question “How Much Does It Cost to Make a Dating App?”

Well, on average, it ranges anywhere from $35,000 to $120,000. Nevertheless, there are various factors that can dating app development costs. Therefore, if you want to learn more about it, consult a mobile app development company

FAQs

On average, it ranges anywhere from $35,000 to $120,000. Nevertheless, various factors can dating app development costs including complexity, app size, feature set, development team’s location, and so on. If you want to learn more, contact a dating app development company.

Dating app development difficulty entirely depends on the project. For instance, developing a basic app isn’t difficult. However, custom dating app development can be very difficult based on its feature set and complexity.

An average dating app development can take from 5 months up to 12 months +. However, it highly depends on the type of app you are developing, its complexity, development platform, and so on. Consult our team if you want to learn detailed time estimation for a custom project.

The ideal team for developing a dating app typically includes:

  • Project Manager
  • UI/UX Designer
  • Mobile App Developers
  • Backend Developers
  • QA/Testers

To create a reasonable dating app:

  • Conduct Market Research
  • Finalize Feature Set
  • Design a User-friendly UI
  • Create App’s Back-End
  • Implement Security
  • Deploy The App

The development cost of a dating app is influenced by factors such as:

  • Complexity of Features
  • Design
  • Platform
  • Integration
  • Development Team Location

Outsourcing is often a cheaper and much more reliable option when it comes to developing a dating app. It provides cost savings by accessing skilled developers in regions with lower labor costs. While in-house offers direct control, outsourcing offers a more economical option, especially for startups or businesses looking to optimize development expenses without compromising quality and expertise.