Is Hinge Hiding Better Matches Behind a Paywall? We Investigated

As someone who spends far too much time analyzing dating apps (occupational hazard, unfortunately), I’ve always been skeptical of paying for features that promise better matches. After all, if the goal of a dating app is to help you meet someone, shouldn’t the free version be enough? Between learning how the algorithms work, figuring out what actually makes a good dating profile, and testing the best conversation starters, I’ve seen plenty of premium features that sound impressive on paper but don’t always deliver in real life.

Still, after hitting Hinge’s like limit one too many times and wondering whether I was missing out on potential matches, I decided to try Hinge’s paid membership for myself. Formerly known as Hinge Preferred and now called Hinge+, the premium subscription promises perks like unlimited likes, advanced filters, and the ability to see everyone who has already liked your profile. For anyone tired of endless swiping, frustrated with dating app burnout, or simply wondering whether paying for a dating app can actually improve your odds of finding a relationship, those features can be pretty tempting.

But is Hinge+ actually worth paying for, or is the free version enough to find meaningful connections? After testing the premium membership and comparing it to both the free version and HingeX, here’s my honest review of what you get—and whether I’d spend the money again.

What is Hinge+?

If you’re new to Hinge, here’s the quick overview. Hinge is a dating app built around helping people create more meaningful connections through detailed profiles, personality prompts, and photos that give you something to actually talk about. Instead of endlessly swiping left and right, you can like or comment on a specific photo or prompt, making it much easier to start conversations naturally.

The app offers three membership tiers, with Hinge+ landing directly in the middle. The free version gives you access to the core experience, but limits how many profiles you can like each day. Hinge+ removes many of those restrictions by unlocking unlimited likes, showing you everyone who’s already liked your profile, and adding advanced preference filters so you can narrow your search based on factors like lifestyle, family plans, or dating intentions. Then there’s HingeX, the app’s highest-paid tier, which includes everything in Hinge+ plus extra visibility features designed to help your profile get seen more often and gather likes sooner.

Of course, those extra features come at a cost. Hinge+ starts at around $30-$35 per month if you pay monthly, though the price drops significantly if you commit to a longer subscription. That’s not exactly pocket change—especially when there are plenty of free dating apps competing for your attention—so it’s fair to ask whether the upgrade actually improves your chances of meeting someone compatible or just makes the app more convenient to use.

If you’re consistently running into the daily like limit, want more control over the types of people you’re shown, or are actively investing time into finding a relationship, Hinge+ may offer enough value to justify the cost. On the other hand, if you’re only checking the app occasionally or getting plenty of matches with the free version, you may not notice much of a difference.

READ: Hinge Prompts That Can Land You a Top-Tier Date

Why I decided to try Hinge+

I’d been using Hinge for years without ever feeling compelled to pay for it. Like most users, I stuck with the free version and assumed the premium features weren’t necessary. But after repeatedly hitting the daily like limit and seeing countless discussions online about whether Hinge+ leads to better matches, I decided to test the paid membership for myself. If you’re wondering whether the upgrade actually changes your experience or if the free version is enough, I’m getting into what happened when I tried it a little later.

How much does Hinge+ cost?

Hinge+ pricing varies based on your location and how long you’re willing to subscribe. Like most subscription services, the monthly plan is the most expensive option, while committing to a longer membership lowers the effective monthly price. As of this year, you can generally expect to pay the following:

• 1 month: $30 to $35
• 3 months: About $20 to $25 per month
• 6 months: Around $15 to $20 per month

Keep in mind that Hinge frequently tests different prices, so the exact cost you see may differ based on your age, region, device, or promotional offers. If you’re considering the top-tier membership, HingeX costs even more—typically $50 to $60 per month on a monthly plan. It includes everything in Hinge+, along with exclusive features like Priority Likes, which push your likes toward the front of someone’s queue, and Skip the Line, which surfaces your profile to more users sooner. These extras are designed for people who want maximum visibility, though they don’t necessarily guarantee more matches or better conversations.

“I had more matches and conversations during this experiment than I can remember having before.”

Hinge account options: Free vs paid

When it comes to Hinge, you have two main options: the free version and the two premium memberships: Hinge+ and HingeX. The free version of the app allows you to create a Hinge profile, browse through potential matches, and send likes and comments. However, free users have a daily limit on likes, which can be a bit frustrating if you’re on a roll.

On the other hand, Hinge+ offers premium features that can enhance your online dating experience. With a Hinge+ membership, you get unlimited likes, so you can keep the momentum going without any interruptions. You also gain access to advanced filters, allowing you to narrow down potential matches based on specific criteria like height, politics, and lifestyle choices. (No smoking, please!) Additionally, you can see who has liked your profile, making it easier to connect with people who are already interested in you. HingeX offers all of these features, plus more, including enhanced recommendations, priority likes, and profile boosts.

Here is how each of the Hinge plan features differs at a glance:

Should you use Hinge+ or HingeX?

If you’ve decided the free version of Hinge isn’t cutting it anymore, the next question is whether Hinge+ is enough or if it’s worth splurging on HingeX. The good news? Most people don’t need the most expensive subscription. The right choice depends on how often you use the app, where you live, and what you’re hoping to get out of online dating. If you’ve already optimized your profile, use strong photos, and know how to start engaging conversations with prompts, a paid membership can help remove some of the app’s limitations—but it won’t magically create chemistry.

Here’s who I think each membership is best suited for:

Choose Hinge+ if…

Hinge+ is the sweet spot for most serious daters. It unlocks the features that make the app noticeably easier to use without paying extra for visibility boosts.

It’s a good fit if you:

• Regularly hit the daily like limit and find yourself wanting to keep browsing.
• Want to see everyone who’s already liked your profile instead of waiting for them to appear naturally in your feed.
• Have specific dealbreakers, such as wanting children, not wanting children, certain lifestyle habits, religion, or relationship goals, and want access to additional filters.
• Are intentional about dating and actively looking for a long-term relationship rather than casually browsing.
• Prefer quality over quantity and want more control over who you’re matching with.
• Live in an area with a healthy number of Hinge users, where you’ll naturally have plenty of profiles to choose from.
• Want a better experience without spending tons of money on every premium feature Hinge offers

Hinge+ probably isn’t worth it if: you only check the app occasionally, rarely run out of likes, or you’re still working on improving your profile. In those cases, you’ll likely get more value from updating your photos, prompts, and bio before paying for premium features.

Choose HingeX if…

HingeX is designed for people who want maximum exposure on the app. It includes everything in Hinge+, plus visibility-focused features like Priority Likes and Skip the Line, which are intended to get your profile in front of more people more quickly.

It may be worth the extra cost if you:

• Use Hinge every day and spend a significant amount of time actively dating.
• Live in a large or highly competitive dating market where thousands of people are using the app, making it harder to stand out.
• Want your likes to be seen sooner through Priority Likes.
• Feel like your profile isn’t getting enough visibility, even after optimizing your photos and prompts.
• Value saving time and want every possible advantage while searching for matches.
• Don’t mind paying significantly more for convenience and increased exposure, even if the results aren’t guaranteed.

HingeX probably isn’t necessary if: you’re a casual user, live in a smaller city, or haven’t yet optimized your profile. Premium visibility can only do so much—your photos, prompts, and messaging still have the biggest impact on whether someone matches with you.

My experience testing Hinge+

I’ll be honest: Since joining Hinge in… Wait, for it… 2017, I’ve only gone on three dates from the app. So, naturally, I haven’t always been its biggest fan. I hated having to send likes without knowing whether someone was interested in me first, so I’d usually just wait for likes to come in rather than actively swipe.

That changed when I started using Hinge+. With unlimited likes, I felt more comfortable engaging with the app instead of treating it like a passive inbox. The more I liked profiles, sent roses, and started conversations, the more matches I received. In fact, I had more matches and conversations during this experiment than I can remember having before.

One feature I unexpectedly loved was the ability to change my location. I’ve used it in the past when considering a move and even while planning trips with friends to get recommendations from locals. Before Hinge+, I’d quickly run out of likes while exploring a new area. Having unlimited likes made the experience much more useful—and a lot more fun.

“Hinge+ gives you more opportunities, but it’s still up to you to send thoughtful likes, start engaging conversations, and actually go on dates.”

As for whether Hinge+ actually showed me better matches, the answer is less clear. I did come across more people I was interested in, but that may have been because I was finally using the app the way it was intended. So, it’s hard to say whether paying for Hinge+ improved my results or if being more active on the app did. Either way, I got significantly more matches, conversations, and potential dates than I had before.

Is Hinge+ worth it?

If you’ve tried a handful of dating apps and Hinge is the one you keep coming back to, I do think upgrading to Hinge+ can make the experience noticeably better. The biggest benefits aren’t necessarily that you’ll get more matches overnight, but that the app becomes less frustrating to use. Unlimited likes, the ability to see who’s already interested in you, and more detailed filters make it easier to spend your time on people you’re actually compatible with instead of feeling limited by the free version.

That said, I wouldn’t call Hinge+ a necessity. If you’re already getting quality matches on the free plan, only use the app a few times a week, or if you’re still fine-tuning your profile, I’d save the money. In many cases, updating your photos, rewriting your prompts, or learning how to start better conversations will have a bigger impact than paying for premium features.

At the end of the day, I still prefer other dating apps like Bumble for the area that I live in, but I know if I ever move to a place where Hinge is more popular, I won’t be stuck single forever. My biggest takeaway is this: no paid subscription can make up for a weak profile or a lack of effort. Hinge+ gives you more opportunities, but it’s still up to you to send thoughtful likes, start engaging conversations, and actually go on dates. If paying for the app motivates you to use it more consistently—as it did for me—there’s a good chance you’ll get enough value to justify the cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can people tell if you have Hinge+?

No. Hinge doesn’t display a badge or otherwise indicate that you have a Hinge+ subscription. Other users won’t know whether you’re using the free version, Hinge+, or HingeX based on your profile alone.

How much does Hinge+ cost?

Hinge+ typically costs $30 to $35 per month if you choose the monthly plan. Longer subscriptions, such as three or six months, reduce the monthly price, though you’ll pay the full amount upfront. Pricing can vary based on your location, device, and any promotions Hinge is running.

Does Hinge+ give you unlimited likes?

Yes. One of the biggest benefits of Hinge+ is unlimited likes, so you won’t run into the daily limit that free users experience. If you regularly exhaust your likes before you’ve finished browsing, this is definitely one of the most valuable premium features.

Does Hinge+ show you who liked you?

Yes. Hinge+ lets you see everyone who has already liked your profile, allowing you to match with interested users without waiting for them to appear in your Discover feed. This can save time and make matching feel much more efficient.

Do you get more matches with Hinge+?

Not necessarily. Hinge+ gives you more opportunities to match by removing daily like limits and adding advanced filters, but it doesn’t guarantee more matches. Your photos, prompts, location, and how active you are on the app still have the biggest impact. If you’re looking to improve your results, it’s often worth optimizing your profile first.

What are the downsides of Hinge+?

The biggest downside is the cost. At around $30 or more per month, Hinge+ is one of the pricier dating app subscriptions. It also doesn’t guarantee better matches or more dates. If you only use Hinge occasionally or already get plenty of matches with the free version, you may not get enough value to justify the upgrade.

Can you use Hinge successfully for free?

Absolutely. Plenty of people meet long-term partners using Hinge’s free version. You’ll still be able to create a profile, send likes, match with people, and chat. The biggest limitations are the daily like cap and fewer filtering options. If you’re patient and use the app consistently, the free version is enough for many users.

Can you cancel Hinge+ anytime?

Yes. You can cancel your Hinge+ subscription at any time through the app store or platform where you originally subscribed. After canceling, you’ll continue to have access to Hinge+ features until the end of your current billing period, and your subscription won’t automatically renew.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Beth Gillette, Former Editor

Beth Gillette is a former editor at The Everygirl, where she specialized in beauty content and covered the latest trends in sex and relationships. Beth spent four years as part of The Everygirl’s editorial staff and is currently a beauty editor at Cosmopolitan.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jenna Piotrowicz, Editorial Assistant

Jenna began working as an Editorial Assistant for The Everygirl in 2024. With her eye for detail, she assists the team with content creation, sourcing products and images, and works behind the scenes to support The Everygirl in uploading and updating content.

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