Men generally face higher costs and greater challenges securing dates on popular dating apps, according to recent global data analysis. Research from the data analytics firm PlayersTime indicates that men may pay as much as £40 per date on some platforms, a figure substantially higher than the equivalent cost incurred by women. The disparity in dating outcomes between genders is evident across multiple apps, with women consistently receiving more matches and dates.

On Bumble, for example, women averaged nearly 27 dates annually, compared to just under five for men—a fivefold difference. Tinder’s premium subscription services offered relatively better value, with women securing an average of 32 dates per year against 13 for men. However, even on Tinder, women receive approximately 81 matches monthly, while men typically get around 33.

PlayersTime attributed these disparities to the demographic imbalance on dating platforms, where men outnumber women significantly. Alexandra Dimitrova, a data scientist behind the study, explained that a smaller number of highly active and popular men gain a disproportionate share of matches and dates, while many men receive few or none. In contrast, women tend to attract more inbound interest across a broader segment of users, increasing their likelihood of securing dates.

Relationship psychologist Limor Gottlieb noted that women often approach dating apps with more strategic selectivity, whereas men generally employ a high-volume swiping tactic. This selective behavior aligns better with app algorithms, which tend to reward discernment and may penalize indiscriminate swiping. As a result, women’s interactions are often more targeted and more likely to convert into dates.

The dynamics reflect long-established evolutionary patterns, Gottlieb explained, where women have traditionally borne higher costs of poor mating choices and therefore evolved to be the choosier sex. This selectivity often focuses on traits signaling long-term investment potential, including status, ambition, intelligence, and emotional stability. Dating apps, by turning partner selection into a rapid marketplace, can further amplify these tendencies.

Individual experiences echo these findings. Declan Gray, a 35-year-old engineer from Bristol, observed that women’s dating experiences tend to be easier across both digital and real-life settings, citing social differences in how men and women approach courtship. Chad Teixeira, a 25-year-old PR executive in London, described dating apps as challenging for men, noting that even socially successful men often struggle to secure consistent quality matches.

Experts suggest that men might improve outcomes by focusing on cultivating deeper connections with a smaller pool of matches rather than attempting mass swiping. Some have even returned to traditional, in-person dating methods, which may offer a more balanced environment. "Dating ‘in real life’ is often far more balanced than the apps make it seem," Teixeira said.

Overall, the research underscores a persistent gender imbalance in online dating ecosystems, reflecting both demographic factors and entrenched social behaviors that influence user experiences on these platforms.