In a world where algorithms rule our lives and what we see on our feed is a carefully curated construction of content, I couldn’t help but wonder whether I was being conned out of my perfect match and whether putting up a fee would pay off. So I put all the premium dating app subscriptions to the test.

As someone who has been on and off dating apps for the best part of the last eight years, one single question has continuously plagued me for almost a decade: are all the hot people being hidden behind a paywall?

So when I was given the chance to try out paid memberships for three of Australia’s most popular dating apps, I leapt at the opportunity to put my scepticism to bed once and for all.

Because if there is anyone who has given up on the personal success of these platforms, it’s me. Burnt out by years of swiping, likes that go unmatched, and conversations that go nowhere, I’ve almost reached my final threshold.

So, with no better single suited for the job, here I am, ready to test out whether a dating app really is worth entering your credit card details for.

Tinder Platinum 

I’m going to preface this review with two things. One,: Tinder is my most disliked platform for exactly the reason you’re all thinking, that it’s just seen as a hookup app, and as a girlie looking for the real thing and not just a good time, I rarely have Tinder downloaded on my phone.

Two: according to the Body+Soul 2024 Sex Census, Tinder is the most successful dating app. Yes, that’s right, out of all the survey respondents who met their current or most recent partner online, 26 per cent swiped right on Tinder, which it claims is the “world’s most popular dating app” with 55 billion matches to date. 

So, with a conflicted mind, I entered Tinder Platinum, the highest of the app’s subscription tiers, and here’s what you get. 

Cost

$39.99 for a week, $24.75 per week for a month, $12.08 per week for six months.

Discovery settings

Preferences show you people who match your vibe and holy moly the options for Tinder Platinum are extensive! From the number of photos on profiles to having a bio, as well as what you’re looking for and what you’re open to (ie ethical non-monogamy and polyamory), as well as languages, zodiac, education, family plans, personality type, community-style, love style, pets, drinking, smoking, cannabis, workout, dietary preferences, social media and even sleeping habits. 

Unlimited Likes

Call me greedy, but I love options, and when I go on a swiping rampage I don’t want to run out of Likes so for me this is a big tick. 

Unlimited rewinds

As an accident-prone person, accidentally swiping the wrong way on a potential partner happens all too often, so having the unlimited ability to rewind my hasty choices gets a big thumbs up. 

Passport Mode

For those who want to hook up while on holiday, sure this option is great, but as someone looking for a partner on the homefront, I don’t need this feature and probably wouldn’t swipe on anyone using it either.  

Hidden advertisements

Yay! 

Go incognito 

I guess the ability to swipe while invisible is a benefit to some people, but not something I need. 

Five Super Likes a day

According to the app, a Super Like increases your chances of matching by three times and convos “last 70 per cent longer”. But to me they’re just a giant ick. All members get one free Super Like a month, but Platinum users get five a day. 

One free boost a month 

Cheat the algorithm with a Boost which gets you up to 10 times more profile views. I tried this out though, and according to the result, got two times more views and 59 Likes. Also, this function is only available with subscriptions of one month or longer. 

See who likes you 

You'd think this would be the selling point. Like surely it would be easier to sort through the masses if you knew who was keen. But right now I’ve got 3,528 Likes and I reckon about 99 per cent of them are from profiles I would never swipe on. 

New Top Picks every day 

I actually love when an app thinks it knows me and puts forward a list of candidates. Tinder Platinum throws up a handful every 24 hours and let me tell you, they are definitely my type! Also, I just gave a Top Pick a swipe right for the authenticity of this article and he sent me a message within 60 seconds! How’s that for a success?!

Three messages before matching 

Now here is a feature I adore because while Likes and Super Likes can fly by in an instant, you’re far less likely to skim over a message. Not only does it give you the chance to make your best first impression and stand out in the Tinderverse, but by making the first move it also kicks off the conversation.  

Prioritised Likes 

Apparently this means your Likes and Superlikes get seen by more people, upping your chances of a match, which can only be a good thing. 

See the likes you’ve sent over the last seven days 

I cannot for the life of me work out why I would want to see all the people who have rejected me in the last week. Ok, so maybe they just haven’t seen my Like yet, but it doesn’t help knowing exactly who I am missing out on. 

My verdict

When it comes to paying for a dating app, if it means paying someone to do the hard work for me, I’m all in, so Tinder’s Top Picks feature is a real winner for me. However, this element is also included in Tinder’s Gold package ($34.99 per week, $72.99 per month, $144.99 for three months, $224.99 for six months, $289.99 per year) which is exactly the same as the Platinum membership, just without messages before matching, prioritised Likes, and seeing who you’ve Liked (none of which I’m too fussed about). 

Bumble Premium 

Bumble has always tickled my fancy with its unique approach to dating apps in empowering women to make the first move. The quality of potential partners also feels a step above the traditional Tinder users in that they’re looking for more meaningful connections, and I’ve had varying success over the years. 

So, what does Bumble Premium include?

Cost: $27.99 for a week, $12.83 per week for a month, $8.55 per week for three months, $269.99 for a lifetime 

Beeline 

Just like with Tinder, Bumble Premium shows me everyone who has Liked me. Currently the number sits on “400+”, and currently I don’t want to swipe on any of them. It is helpful, however, that it breaks the numbers down into new, nearby and recently active. 

Advanced Filters 

Exactly this is what it’s all about for me. Being able to be very specific with the kind of person I’m looking for. While basic filters allow you to put in your dream date’s gender, age range, distance and interests, the next level enables you to search for a soulmate by height, religion, education, political views, exercise frequency, and even star sign, as well as what their family plans are, whether they already have kids, and if they smoke or drink. 

Travel Mode

This allows you to swipe in other locations which isn’t something I need, and when I see people using it, I’m less likely to swipe on them. 

Backtrack 

Yes to bringing back those accidental left swipes! It really was made for us with slippy fingers. 

Unlimited Extends

Sometimes I just need a little longer to craft a witty opener so having the ability to whack on another 24 hours to the clock really helps. 

Rematch 

As a busy girl who sometimes gets so lost in her weekends that a whole 24 hours goes by before she even gets the chance to check a dating app, being able to rematch with an expired connection is a total lifesaver.

One Spotlight a week

This feature allows you to jump the queue and puts your profile in front of more people. Activating it can instantly show you ahead of everyone else for up to 150 minutes, meaning the algorithm is doing all the leg work for you. 

Five SuperSwipes a week

Cringe. Thanks but no matches. 

Incognito Mode 

Great for if you’re a boss. Not so great if you’ve already got a partner. 

My verdict: 

I love that Bumble Premium is less than the cost of Tinder Platinum, and considering nearly everyone is on the same three dating apps, it might be the more cost-effective option. And while I don’t dig SuperSwipes, I’m obsessed with Advanced Filters and being able to better pick my dates, and would buy a subscription solely for this.

Also, Backtrack, Unlimited Extends and Rematch are fantastic features for clumsy swipers like me. 

HingeX

Call me Goldilocks but if Tinder is too expensive and you don’t get enough with Bumble, maybe Hinge is exactly where it’s at. Through extensive market research (aka harassing friends for details), I’ve come to understand that this platform not only has better profiles, but also the most success stories. 

So, here’s how to take Hinge – which describes itself as the dating app designed to be deleted – up a notch. 

Cost

$39.99 for a week, $17.49 per week for a month, $11.27 per week for three months, $8.74 per week for six months. 

10 Standouts a day 

Skim my Standouts and it’s pretty clear that I have a type and the app has got me nailed down. And what’s great is that I get to see 10 of them, rather than just one a week with a plain old membership, and I can just send them a like inside of a cringe-worthy rose. What I will say however, and it pains me to say this because Hinge is my favourite, but I don’t know if I’ve ever got a match through a Standout. Maybe it’s just me, or maybe the app is showing these Standout hotties to everyone because it knows these profiles are the most popular and it wants us to keep playing the game. 

Skip the line

It’s straight to the front of the queue for HingeX subscribers 24/7. This feature allows your profile to be recommended sooner to potential matches and it’s always on so you aren’t limited to a set time or frequency. 

Priority likes

This means your likes stay towards the top of their list, and again, it’s always on, so you can just sit back and relax, knowing that the app is doing the run around for you. 

Send unlimited likes

This is a huge one for me because honestly you’ve got to be in it to win it and I like to keep my fingers busy. 

See everyone who likes you 

Again, handy, and I don’t know what it is about this app (maybe it’s just me) but I’m not inundated in the hundreds so when likes come through I feel like they’re more genuine attempts at connection. 

Fine-tune your preferences

Yet again, this is one of my favourite aspects of a premium membership – being able to get real picky about what I’m looking for. With HingeX, not only do you get to refine your search by gender, distance, age range, ethnicity, religion and relationship type (which are options available to all), but you can add in your preferences for height, dating intentions, children, family plans, drugs, smoking, marijuana, drinking, politics, and education level, and whether any of those are deal breakers. You can also browse by who’s new or nearby.

My verdict

My eight years of dating app experience tells me that I get the most dates out of Hinge. Somehow the quality just feels better, I love how the app looks, and I feel like people use it to genuinely find a partner. I just don’t know if the paid membership is worth it. I do love my dating preferences though so I could see myself taking a gamble and putting up the cash for a month.