How Much Does It Cost to Develop an App Like Tinder?

Modern technologies have not only diversified the relationship between humans and machines but have also evolved the “love at first sight” concept. Dating apps like Tinder have gained immense popularity by allowing users to find love just with the swipe of a finger.

While dating apps give their users a chance to fall in love, it puts the parent companies on a direct route to profit and an escalated growth rate. And that’s the reason why the global market for dating applications is growing unprecedentedly and more and more companies are making huge investments in dating app development.

In this article, we will look into the answer for the most asked question, How much does Tinder-like dating app development cost and will also take you through the complete process of dating mobile app development. Further, we will also share different monetization strategies for Tinder-like app business.

So, without further ado, let’s get started with a rough cost estimate for Tinder-like app development.

How much does Tinder-like dating app development cost?

To give you a rough estimate, the development cost for an app like Tinder can be around $25,000 to $120,000. Factors like the app’s complexity, feature list, the hourly rate of the developers, the location of a dating mobile app development company, etc., further vary the total cost of the dating app.

Summarizing the Tinder-Like Dating App Development Cost

However, this is a very rough estimate. To know how much it costs to create a dating app like Tinder, you first need to understand the factors that affect the overall cost. Diving into their logistics can help you make better budgetary decisions, which can result in a guaranteed ROI.

Now, before diving deep into how the various factors mentioned above will hamper the cost of the dating app, let us first take a look at what makes Tinder stand apart from its competitors.

What makes Tinder stand apart from other dating apps?

Despite the competition from other popular apps like Bumble, Happn, and Hinge, Tinder is one of the most cherished dating apps that receives a whopping one billion swipes per day. There are several reasons behind this happening, and the prime one is the feature set that Tinder comes with.

Let’s take a good look at its feature list.

• The ”swipe” feature is excellent for indicating interest in a profile.
• Tinder also allows Instagram integration, making it easy to find someone’s Instagram profile.
• Allows chatting with a match and fixing a date.
• Tinder has unique plans like Tinder Gold, Tinder Plus and Tinder Platinum for users willing to pay extra to add some features.
• The geolocation feature is capable of finding perfect matches for the users in the vicinity.

Exploring Tinder’s swipe-right feature: Seeking a right match

After learning about the various features of the Tinder app, you must be curious to know how Tinder finds the perfect match for users. Most matches have common interests, locations, and age groups.

The Tinder dating apps show potential matches to its users based on the attractiveness of the profile. More the attractiveness of the profile, the more matches it gets and vice versa.

For the new users, the matches are showcased based on the most attractive profiles in the close vicinity. When a user regularly interacts after mutual liking, that activeness is also used to show matches to profiles.

Furthermore, integration with apps like Facebook helps the algorithm behind the app to showcase potential matches to the user based on similar interests, location, hobbies, etc.

Now that we have looked into the app’s feature list and how it lands itself as a unique player in the dating-app ecosystem, it is time to quickly understand the algorithm behind the dating app Tinder, before actually deep diving into the factors that affect the development cost.

How Tinder Works – Algorithm Behind the Tinder App

The working of Tinder or any other dating app is a complex process and a two-way algorithm.

The first part of the algorithm consists of real-time location mapping of the user to find a potential match. The geographic location-based algorithms allow the two users with the smallest distance to match, so there’s a possibility of meeting in real life. This match has to be ideal to work the second algorithm effectively.

The second part of the algorithm requires the user’s details and preferences to gain profile likes and more matches. If the user receives enough matches in a day, their profile is more likely to appear on the swipe screen.

Apart from these, there are other criteria for working with dating applications. The scoring system of the algorithm keeps everything into account, like how the user behaves and interacts online, how often he is active on the app, etc.

As we speak of the various possible algorithms in a dating app, it’s important to note that no dating app is perfect. It is challenging to predict a user’s behavior and preferences through a few details. However, you can incorporate many advanced features to keep your audience glued to their screens.

Factors that Affect Tinder-Like Dating App Costs – Features, Tech Stack & More

As mentioned above, there are multiple factors that affect the Tinder-like dating app costs such as the integrated feature list, the UI/UX design, wireframes, location of the development company etc.

Here is the infallible formula to get the exact dating app development cost:

Now, let’s understand how each factor affects the final costing in detail.

Feature-List

For an app like Tinder, the feature list is the ultimate factor affecting its overall cost. A simple Tinder-like app with a nominal feature list is expected to cost around $35,000 to $80,000.

However, the gross price will ultimately increase with the number of features and functionalities. A custom dating app can help you gain traction in an otherwise competitive world.

Most common features of a Tinder-like dating app include:

User Profile

Users can sign up on the dating app simply by using their contact details or social media profiles. The dating app algorithm allows the extraction of essential information from the user’s social media profile, thus, making the form-filling process easier.

User Authorization

After officially registering on the dating app, users must authenticate their profile by clicking on the email notification. After the process, the users can change their profile picture, upload their bios, add hobbies and interests, etc.

Geolocation

The geolocation functionality makes it easy for the users to connect with people in close vicinity. The matches shown to the users are based on their location, interests, etc. The dating app developers at Appinventiv often use Geolocation API and Core Location API to integrate the geolocation feature in the app.

Matching Functionality

The users of dating apps have a choice to swipe right and left on the matches they receive. They can only chat with each other when they have mutually swiped right on each other’s profile. Thus, using the Restful API can help you quickly implement this functionality on your app.

Notifications

Dating apps use the push-notifications feature to ensure maximum user engagement and retention. The app offers notifications on new matches in their area, user requests, and chat requests.

Communication

Communication in the dating app is a two-way street, and a user can only text another user if they have mutually liked each other’s profiles. The user can use the chat box to start a conversation with their match, set dates, etc.

Settings

The setting features allow users to update their profile picture, add images, change their biographies, location, etc. They can further enable or disable the push notifications, check the number of profiles they match, and much more.

UI/UX Design

An interactive UI design can highlight the brand’s essence while offering a seamless experience to the user base, further making way for imminent app success. A seamless UI/UX design usually goes through multiple testing procedures, thus, the app development cost can vary according to the testing techniques used and the changes required.

An aesthetically pleasing dating app will cost more than an app with a dull interface. To make an app like Tinder, it is advisable to choose an attractive user interface design that helps in increasing sign-ups and longer user interactions.

Wireframe

The wireframe of an app usually showcases an extensive map of the software development process. If you want the development team to create a wireframe for you, its cost can be added to the total cost of the dating app.

A wireframe is designed with the help of tools like PhotoShop, Figma, etc. Thus, its total cost can be affected based on the wireframing tool and the testing techniques to check its reliability. The wireframing cost to create an app like Tinder can vary between $1,000 and $4,000.

App Platform

The underlying platform for dating app development also affects its overall cost. The cost to develop an Android-based application is comparatively higher than developing an iOS app. The former platform is further preferred considering its hefty user base.

Since creating an app for Android and iOS can increase the impending development cost, it is usually advised to pivot with a single platform while switching to both as the app progresses.

Development Process

Different mobile application development service providers have different development processes. The time taken to write extensive code and the hourly rate of developers further impact the app’s cost. The app cost can be defined easily by sorting out the coding hours and working on the backend statistics.

Location of the Development Company

One of the most vital factors that affect the Tinder app cost is the location of the app development company. For instance, if the hired development company chosen to create an app like Tinder is located in a region like Asia, the hourly rate of Tinder app developers will be less compared to the ones in the US or UK. Furthermore, the currency exchange rate will also affect the dating app costs.

Here is the rough estimate of the hourly app development costs in multiple regions:

Team Size

Team size is another notable factor that affects the dating-app development cost. Suppose you are looking to hire a freelancer. In that case, the app development cost will be less when compared to hiring a full-fledged team consisting of project managers, developers, designers, quality analysts, and more. Choosing the latter comes at an increased cost but is completely worth it if you wish to develop a strong product and gain a trajectory in the market.

A standard team for Tinder-like dating app development includes the following:

• 1 Project Manager
• 2 Backend Developers
• 2 iOS/Android Developers
• 1 Designer
• 1-2 Quality Analysts

Maintenance

How much does a dating app cost? The answer to the question also lies in the kind of app maintenance required. The maintenance cost of an app can sneak up at any time. From accommodating the latest platform updates to changing requirements per the market demand, the maintenance cost of the dating app can vary accordingly.

Tech-Stack

The tech stack used by the Tinder app developers can also affect the overall cost of the app. A robust dating app capable of handling a more extensive user base while offering them a seamless communication mode requires spending some additional bucks compared to a simple app with a standard interface.

Here is the Tech-Stack Used to Create a Tinder-Like App

Tinder app developers can use the tech stack mentioned above to create an exclusive dating app custom to client requirements. While the above tech stack is specific to Tinder, it is not always necessary to rely on it.

[Read: How to Choose the Best Tech Stack for your Mobile App]

Now that you have gained an exclusive insight into the Tinder price and how various factors affect it, let us tell you the timeframe and the steps to create an app like it.

Time Frame for Tinder-Like Dating App Development

Here is a rough estimate of the number of hours taken for various development processes.

How to Create a Dating App Like Tinder?

Step 1: Find Your Niche

Multiple dating apps exist in the market, but choosing a unique niche can help you stand apart from the crowd. For instance, you can choose to design an app for people with similar food preferences, singles that are pet lovers, or people of the same community.

Step 2: Choosing a Business Model

The next step of the Tinder-like dating app development is choosing a suitable business model. From a premium business model to one that offers in-app purchases and other advertising opportunities, your business model will help you monetize effectively from the dating app.

Step 3: Choosing the Right Tech-Stack

If you are also wondering about how to make an app like Tinder, choosing the right tech stack is the next step on the list. The right tech stack for developing a dating app is one of the most critical steps to help you set the right foot ahead in the online dating app ecosystem. The app needs a tech stack capable of handling an increasing database and offering optimum performance.

Step 4: Choosing the Right App Development Team

An excellent app development team is the most notable factor that can help you define the success of your app. Choosing the right app development company with an immersive portfolio of social media apps is advisable. One must also remember that the hourly cost of the organization’s developers will vary per the company’s location.

Step 5: Developing and Launching the MVP

The last stage of creating a Tinder-like app is transforming the breakthrough idea into an MVP which will further help determine the product’s potential in the market. This stage includes finalizing the project requirements with the help of scoping sessions, targeting the key features, and creating a viable product prototype.

Once the MVP is successfully launched in the market, changes and additions are done based on the initial feedback and the product is released with more enhanced features.

Now, in the last leg of our article, let us also quickly check how you can earn from a Tinder-like application.

How to monetize from Tinder-like app development?

Dating app monetization relies on infinite factors such as affiliate marketing, sponsored profiles, in-app purchases, advertisements, etc. Advertising is one of the most common ways to monetize through your dating app. Most online dating applications allow native advertisements, video ads, and banners to increase app engagement.

Subscription:

Some apps give users a free trial period to use the app, and after that period is over, a subscription fee is needed to be paid to continue the usage of services. This is one of the most common ways to make money. The subscription fee for those under 30 years is $19 monthly and for people above 30 years is $29 monthly.

Ads:

Ads are spaces for third-party companies. Advertisers have to pay a reasonable sum for advertising on apps like Tinder, which has a vast audience. Although Tinder hasn’t officially disclosed the charges it takes for displaying ads on its interface, they are expected to be exceptionally hefty.

In-app purchases:

Users can make the in-app payment integration to access certain special features such as emojis, icons, etc. This is a way of earning when you make an app like Tinder.

Premium plans:

When companies build an app like Tinder, they lock certain unique features. These features can only be unlocked after paying a certain sum. Premium plans include the Tinder Plus Gold plan and Tinder platinum, where you also get the benefit of sponsored profiles.

Others:

Dating apps have other features as well. For example, in the Bumble dating app, female users only see the matches for 24 hours, after which the match disappears. So if the male users want females to see their request for longer, they will need to buy the extended time of 24 hours.

How can Appinventiv help you with dating app development?

Now that you are completely familiar with the Tinder-like dating app market potential and the costs associated with the app development, it is time to find a reliable social media app development company to power your app with social capabilities.

Appinventiv’s team of experts can make your social media app stand out by using the most advanced technology stack and integrating modern connectivity elements. For instance, for our client, Innovative Eyewear, we created a robust voice-assistant app, Vyrb, for transforming social media experiences through wearables. Our efforts led to the client receiving a funding of $1 Million.

Contact our team of mobile app development experts now and get a feature-rich Tinder clone app made that can create a difference.

FAQs

Q. How much does it cost to create a dating app like Tinder?

A. Tinder-like dating app development costs around $25,000 to $120,000. The app cost further varies according to the feature list, app complexity, UI/UX design, location, and hourly rate.

Q. How to make an app like Tinder?

A. To understand how to create a dating app like Tinder, you must first decide on the app niche. After finalizing the business model, development team, and professional organization, launching the MVP is the most viable idea as it will help you get valuable user feedback that can be used as a reference for a full-fledged application development in the future.

Q. How to make a dating app like Tinder profitable?

A. A dating app like Tinder can be made profitable by offering multiple subscription models for the users to choose from. In addition to this, the app can be monetized by allowing in-app purchases, native-advertisements and premium plans. Connect with our experts for more detailed insights.

THE AUTHOR

Prateek Saxena

DIRECTOR & CO-FOUNDER