Many dating apps only show prices inside the app, and some vary them by age, plan length or offer. Smooch publishes one monthly price per country:
Dating Site Prices UK: The Complete 2026 Pricing Guide
Updated October 2026 · By Smooch Editorial Team
Smooch costs £19.99 a month in the UK, one price with no tiers, and is free to join. Tinder, Bumble, Hinge, eHarmony and Match are also free to join; their paid tiers typically run from about £10 to £40 a month, but most show prices only in the app and some vary them by age and plan length.
How much does Smooch cost?
💡Smooch is free to join. Messaging needs one membership: £19.99 a month in the UK, with no tiers, credits or add-ons. The price is the same for everyone and is published before you sign up.
| Country | Smooch monthly price | Roughly per day |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | £19.99 | about 66p a day |
| United States | $19.99 | about 66¢ a day |
| Ireland | €19.99 | about 66c a day |
| Canada | CAD $24.99 | about 83¢ a day |
| Australia | AUD $29.99 | about $1 a day |
| New Zealand | NZD $29.99 | about $1 a day |
| South Africa | R299 | about R10 a day |
What's free on the big dating apps?
💡All the big apps are free to join. Plenty of Fish lets you message anyone free; Tinder, Hinge, Bumble, OkCupid, Badoo and Facebook Dating let you message free after a match, with limits.
Checked in October 2026. Paid prices on Tinder, Hinge and Bumble are shown in the app and can vary by age, plan length and location, so treat the price ranges further down this page as a guide only.
| App | Free messaging? | The catch |
|---|---|---|
| Plenty of Fish | Free, and you can message people without a match | Ads; paid upgrade for extras such as filtering your inbox |
| Facebook Dating | Free after a match | No paid tier, but you need a Facebook account |
| OkCupid | Free after a mutual match; one intro message before matching | Paid tiers to see who liked you and to rank higher |
| Badoo | Free | Paid credits and premium for visibility and extras |
| Tinder | Free after a match | Daily like limit; paid tiers to see who liked you |
| Hinge | Free after a match | About 8 likes a day on the free version |
| Bumble | Free after a match | Matches expire after 24 hours if no one replies; paid tiers for more |
How Much Do Dating Sites Cost in the UK?
💡Dating site prices in the UK range from £0 (basic free tiers) to £40+ per month (premium subscriptions). Most sites use a freemium model.
Most dating sites and apps operate on a "freemium" model: you can create a basic profile and browse matches for free, but unlocking key features requires a paid subscription.
Here's a general overview of dating site costs in the UK:
- Free tier: Create a profile, browse matches, send limited messages.
- Basic subscription (£10-£20/month): Unlimited messaging, see who likes you, extra profile filters.
- Premium subscription (£25-£40+/month): Boosts, super likes, travel mode, advanced filters.
Some sites also offer one-off boosts or credits to increase visibility.
What do paid tiers add on Tinder, Bumble, Hinge, eHarmony and Match?
💡Paid tiers mostly add more likes, see who liked you, and visibility boosts. The price bands below are typical guides; check the app for your own price.
| Platform | Free Tier | Basic (£10-£20/mo) | Premium (£25-£40+/mo) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tinder | Browse, limited swipes | Unlimited swipes, rewind | Passport, super likes, boosts |
| Bumble | Browse, limited swipes | Unlimited swipes, see beelines | Travel mode, advanced filters |
| Hinge | Browse, limited likes | Unlimited likes, see who likes you | Boosts, expert advice |
| eHarmony | Browse, limited communication | Unlimited messaging, see photos | Premium support, detailed personality profile |
| Match.com | Browse, limited communication | Unlimited messaging, see who's viewed you | Match Guarantee, profile pro |
What Do You Get at Each Price Point?
💡Free tiers let you browse. Basic unlocks messaging. Premium adds boosts, travel, and advanced filters.
Free Tier
The free tier is designed to give you a taste of the platform. You can create a profile, upload photos, and browse other members. However, communication is usually limited — you may only be able to send a few messages or have limited access to features like seeing who has liked you.
Basic Subscription (£10-£20/month)
A basic subscription unlocks the core functionality of the dating site. You'll typically get unlimited messaging, the ability to see who has liked you, and extra profile filters to narrow your search. This is the level where you can actually start connecting with people.
Premium Subscription (£25-£40+/month)
The premium tier is all about visibility and convenience. You'll get features like profile boosts (making you appear more often in searches), super likes (showing someone you're extra interested), travel mode (matching in other locations), and more advanced filters (e.g., education level, family plans).
Which Dating Site Offers the Best Value?
💡Hinge balances cost and features. Verified platforms like Smooch offer better value than 'free' apps due to higher-quality matches.
Value depends on your goals. If you just want to browse casually, a free tier might suffice. For serious dating, a basic subscription is essential.
Hinge strikes a good balance between cost and features. Its basic subscription unlocks unlimited likes and the ability to see who likes you — key for efficient matching.
However, remember that "free" apps aren't really free. You pay with your time and data, wading through countless profiles and dealing with potential scams. Verified platforms like Smooch offer better value by ensuring higher-quality matches and a safer experience.
Are There Hidden Costs to Watch Out For?
💡Watch for auto-renewal, limited-time offers, and features locked behind extra payments (boosts, super likes).
Be aware of these potential hidden costs:
- Auto-renewal: Most subscriptions automatically renew unless you cancel. Set a reminder to cancel if you don't want to continue.
- Limited-time offers: Introductory discounts often expire, and the price jumps up.
- Extra features: Boosts, super likes, and other visibility features can add up if you use them frequently.
Read the fine print and understand what you're paying for.
Is It Worth Paying for a Dating Site?
💡Paying increases match quality, unlocks communication, and saves time. But choose a platform aligned with your goals.
For serious daters, paying for a dating site is often worth it. You'll get better match quality, unlock communication, and save time by filtering out casual users. However, choose a platform that aligns with your goals and budget. A verified platform like Smooch can provide the best value by ensuring genuine connections.
Sources
- SwipeStats: dating apps with free messaging after you match (updated September 2026)
- SwipeStats: how many likes a day on Hinge
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