Matchmaking Service Costs Rise 26%, Demand for Alternatives Grows

The average cost of personal matchmaking services in the United States increased by 26% between January 2025 and January 2026, according to new data from DateSpot Inc.

DateSpot, which positions itself as a lower-cost alternative, reported a threefold increase in signups over the past year. The company uses a pay-per-match model – start with a $299 video consultation. If accepted into the program, they pay $899 per mutually approved match during a four-month search period.

This rise in costs significantly outpaces the general inflation rate of 2.4% during the same period. The increase is driven largely by newer matchmaking firms entering the market, with companies less than three years old seeing 69% growth. Even established services raised their prices by an average of 15%.

The trend coincides with challenges in the broader dating app sector. Reports indicate that dating app sessions declined 7% year-over-year in 2025. Major platforms like Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge have expanded paid subscription tiers, with monthly costs ranging from $30 to $50, while limiting key features behind paywalls.

Many users appear to be seeking more personalized experiences as dating apps increasingly rely on automation and AI. Industry professionals note that human matchmakers offer discernment, emotional intelligence, and real-world judgment that automated systems currently cannot fully replicate.

While matchmaking services tend to be less widely-used than dating apps due to the costs involved, this potential rise in costs could lead to the industry unofficially splitting into higher-cost and lower-cost platforms – potentially splitting up the user base in the process.