People are increasingly using the internet to find love. This is why people are using and enjoying chatting and dating apps more than ever. Grand View Research expects market revenue to exceed $12 billion by 2030, up from $8 billion in 2022.
Entrepreneurs & startup owners are paying attention to the dating industry.
If you're intrigued and have a great dating app idea, you may question how much it will cost. Let's examine dating app components and select vital features and explore the best option for Dating app development company in UAE.
Dating App Market Size Overview
The potential of the dating app market is evident, as highlighted by Grand View Research. The global market for online dating apps achieved a valuation of $7.5 billion in 2021 & is anticipated to experience a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.5% from 2022 to 2030.
According to PR Newswire, projections indicate that the dating app market size could reach $11.03 billion by 2028, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.6% from 2021 to 2028. These statistics underscore the increasing online dating trend, particularly among millennials, presenting a dynamic array of opportunities for mobile app developers.
Business enthusiasts aspire to see the intelligent implementation of their mobile app ideas at a reasonable cost. The expenses associated with creating a dating app vary based on several factors, and the cost to hire a mobile app developer in 2025 will be discussed later.
How Much Does it Cost to Build a Dating App?
A dating app's development costs vary depending on several criteria, the most important of which are complexity and functionality. An estimation of the expenses related to varying degrees of complexity is shown below:
Stage | What We Are Doing | Estimation in Hours | Estimation in Weeks | Approximate Costs |
| Project Estimation | Discuss the idea, estimate costs and time needed | 20 | – | No Costs |
| UI/UX Design | Map users' journey, create design concepts, and present | 140 | 5 weeks | $6,100 |
| Development Stage | Work on architecture, interface, and admin panel | 820 (app) + 200 (admin panel) | 10 weeks (app) + In parallel with app for admin panel | $40,800 (app) + $4,500 (admin panel) |
| QA Testing | Search for bugs and fix before launch | 250 (in parallel with development) | 10 weeks (in parallel with development) | $4,500 |
| Project Management | Assign tasks, control deadlines, and resolve issues | In parallel with project | In parallel with project | $500 (design) + $2,500 (dev) + $3,000 |
Factors Affecting Dating App Development Cost
Many people worldwide use dating apps as smartphone use rises. Statistics reveal that 19% of internet users utilize a dating app. You can still acquire a vast market. Creating a new firm requires a large investment. Dating app development costs depend on the following aspects.
Size and type of app
In this competitive market, apps aim to enhance user traction and income. Thus, the program must be unique and target a certain group of consumers. The goal of dating apps is to match users well. Four methods of matchmaking exist:
- Geolocation-based matching app – A geolocation-based matching app matches users by location. This software matches users by location and displays the best matches from surrounding locales.
- Algorithm-based matching – The match is suggested based on surveys and algorithms depending on the user's preferences.
- Traditional matching – The mobile app uses the basic dating algorithm.
- Niche dating app – As the name implies, a niche dating app targets specific groups. This group accepts users with comparable profiles. The creation of the app can include gender-specific privileges. It helps prevent harassment.
Choose either type of application or include numerous configurations to make it more robust and enhance user traction. Since each feature is difficult and requires development time, the cost will vary by type.
Features and functions
No matter what software you build, it must have some essential functions. A basic dating app may be created for $25,000. However, it must have unique qualities to stand out, increasing the cost.
The cost of an application increases proportionally with its functionalities. Start by knowing the application's essential features.
- Registration and sign-in — Allow users to register on the app & login using social media and email.
- User profile creation — Sync profile information and photo submission via social media login and app.
- Security — User security is their biggest concern when matched with phony profiles. User identity verification must be possible with the technology. Failing this functionality means the app fails. Thus, it is a crucial dating app development pillar.
- In-app chat — It is a convenient way to communicate.
- Location — GPS should be used to prioritize close matches, but authorization should be obtained for security concerns.
A dating app must include the above qualities. Later in the article are several "good to have" features that will keep the end users interested and boost app traffic.
Design
The user interface matters most. It is the most important dating app function—the prototype and design focus on navigation. As one of the main aspects affecting your dating app's success, it should be given adequate time to grow. A good design might take 90–120 hours and affect app development costs.
App testing
It must be rigorously tested to ensure the application meets the criteria and works properly. The dating app may take 120-150 hours to test. An analytical testing team is needed to identify any flaws so they may be fixed before the app's debut.
Why Choose Mayankal to Build a Dating App?
Dating apps are garnering well-deserved popularity, particularly in today's fast-paced world, where individuals seek an escape from their daily rat race. The surge in the prevalence of dating apps over the past few years is attributed to the positive outcomes experienced by users.
In light of this, engaging an experienced and professional Dating app development company in UAE like Mayankal to create a dating app becomes a mutually beneficial decision. The associated costs in various development scenarios have been discreetly outlined earlier in this discussion.
We are prepared to assist you in developing your dating app, providing guidance on the stages involved and offering insights into the associated costs.
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