SaaS for Dating App Startups: Core Backend & Monetization Engine
The user is actively building a dating app and seeking advice, indicating a market of aspiring dating app founders who need robust, scalable infrastructure. Building a dating app is complex, requiring specific functionalities like matching algorithms, secure messaging, moderation, and user management. Many founders have unique UI/UX ideas but struggle with the underlying technical complexities and scalability.
Possible Opportunities & Product Form:
- Dating App Backend-as-a-Service (BaaS): A specialized platform offering core dating app functionalities via APIs and SDKs. This would include user profiles, matching engines (swipe-based, preference-based), chat/messaging, push notifications, and basic analytics. This allows founders to focus on their unique 'vibe' and frontend design.
- Trust & Safety / Moderation Suite: A critical SaaS for dating apps to handle user verification, content moderation (AI-powered text and image analysis for inappropriate content), fraud detection, and reporting/blocking mechanisms. This addresses a major pain point and risk for any dating platform.
- Monetization & Engagement Toolkit: Tools for implementing various monetization strategies (e.g., premium subscriptions, in-app purchases, virtual gifts), engagement features (e.g., event hosting, icebreakers), and A/B testing specifically for dating app features to maximize user retention and revenue.
Expected Revenue: Dating app startups require reliable and scalable solutions, and they are often well-funded or seeking venture capital. Pricing could be based on active users, API calls, or tiered subscriptions, potentially ranging from $299 to $1,999+ per month for growing apps. Given the continuous influx of new dating app ideas, a strong BaaS could capture a significant portion of this market. For example, 30 active startups paying $500/month would generate $15,000 MRR, with potential for significant growth as their user bases expand.
Origin Reddit Post
r/startups
Working on a dating app startup looking for advice on my plan i will not promote
Posted by u/Secret-Classic-5644•07/22/2025
I am wrapping up vibe coding a dating app that I made. It’s a different swipe app but there’s a different way that users interact with each other. My hypothesis is that it will lead to more
Top Comments
u/CappuccinoKarl
Basically. But your best bet would be to market to a niche group rather than everybody, think like Farmers Only, or Our Time(for seniors), or a dating app for Latinos etc.
u/How2Transform
The market might be crowded with lots of different dating apps , and if you are able to identity the key gaps /complementing opportunities there, that might worth considering. You must have y
u/CappuccinoKarl
Basically. But your best bet would be to market to a niche group rather than everybody, think like Farmers Only, or Our Time(for seniors), or a dating app for Latinos etc.
u/com-dex
Hi
When you mentioned webapp, is it just some website? If so I recommend creating some android/ios app since it's pretty rare that users will be sitting infront of their computers to browse d
u/com-dex
Hi
When you mentioned webapp, is it just some website? If so I recommend creating some android/ios app since it's pretty rare that users will be sitting infront of their computers to browse d
u/Soft_Opening_1364
test your idea, gather feedback, iterate, and then scale. The dating app space is crowded, yeah, but a unique angle and real value can still break through. Focus on real user feedback early o
u/lakestreet35
Thirding/fourthing the advice about building an app vs web- not enough users to sustain a web based dating platform, no one uses the web for this function - def invest in an app if you can
B
u/MVNShastry
Web might not go well for a successful launch and it's expensive with more compliances associated with it. I would suggest going with the Android app (considering the user base) to launch.
u/newtarded
agree with this. perhaps you can think of some other community-based value you can create to accumulate users, then turn it into a dating app.
u/MVNShastry
Web might not go well for a successful launch and it's expensive with more compliances associated with it. I would suggest going with the Android app (considering the user base) to launch.
u/chritschi
Sorry Mate, but I doubt Web will work
u/andreflores87
Your plan is pretty solid actually, especially the part about launching lean and getting user feedback first. That's exactly what we did with WatsonTrack - launched in 2 weeks, got our first
u/chritschi
Sorry Mate, but I doubt Web will work
u/chritschi
Sorry Mate, but I doubt Web will work
u/andreflores87
Your plan is pretty solid actually, especially the part about launching lean and getting user feedback first. That's exactly what we did with WatsonTrack - launched in 2 weeks, got our first
u/andreflores87
Your plan is pretty solid actually, especially the part about launching lean and getting user feedback first. That's exactly what we did with WatsonTrack - launched in 2 weeks, got our first
u/Ok-Entertainer-1414
Whether people like a dating app is 10% "how good you made your product" and 90% "how many other people are on it".
> launch the web app, market for free as best I can and hope to gain so
u/unclekarl_
Instead of another dating app where you will always have customer churn by design you should create a full stack “intimate relationship” app that ties in the dating app portion to find a part
u/Tetra546
Dating apps are definitely tough but not impossible if you've actually got something different
u/Secret-Classic-5644
Curious on the second part? Just believe in hook up culture?
u/lakestreet35
Thirding/fourthing the advice about building an app vs web- not enough users to sustain a web based dating platform, no one uses the web for this function - def invest in an app if you can
B
u/unclekarl_
Instead of another dating app where you will always have customer churn by design you should create a full stack “intimate relationship” app that ties in the dating app portion to find a part
u/CappuccinoKarl
Basically. But your best bet would be to market to a niche group rather than everybody, think like Farmers Only, or Our Time(for seniors), or a dating app for Latinos etc.
u/Secret-Classic-5644
The hurdle for iOS is to my knowledge seems more than I can do at the moment. Might be able to make it google play store. More just trying to get an MVP on the web to prove users will actuall
u/ramprass
I’ve spoken to a few founders that have tried such apps in the past. The real challenge is solving the marketplace supply. You might have built the best app, but you need to have enough quali
u/ramprass
I’ve spoken to a few founders that have tried such apps in the past. The real challenge is solving the marketplace supply. You might have built the best app, but you need to have enough quali
u/How2Transform
The market might be crowded with lots of different dating apps , and if you are able to identity the key gaps /complementing opportunities there, that might worth considering. You must have y
u/Secret-Classic-5644
The hurdle for iOS is to my knowledge seems more than I can do at the moment. Might be able to make it google play store. More just trying to get an MVP on the web to prove users will actuall
u/RapidXAi
We are here AI Agency !!
u/How2Transform
The market might be crowded with lots of different dating apps , and if you are able to identity the key gaps /complementing opportunities there, that might worth considering. You must have y
u/PersonoFly
Dating apps require a large user base for anyone to be interested. Catch 22.
The only way is to have a large marketing budget.
There is absolutely no way you can succeed unless you are ta
u/lakestreet35
Thirding/fourthing the advice about building an app vs web- not enough users to sustain a web based dating platform, no one uses the web for this function - def invest in an app if you can
B
u/CappuccinoKarl
Ditch this idea. Dating apps are dead, hell dating itself is dead. You’ve been warned.
u/Tetra546
Dating apps are definitely tough but not impossible if you've actually got something different
u/ramprass
I’ve spoken to a few founders that have tried such apps in the past. The real challenge is solving the marketplace supply. You might have built the best app, but you need to have enough quali
u/com-dex
Hi
When you mentioned webapp, is it just some website? If so I recommend creating some android/ios app since it's pretty rare that users will be sitting infront of their computers to browse d
u/Soft_Opening_1364
test your idea, gather feedback, iterate, and then scale. The dating app space is crowded, yeah, but a unique angle and real value can still break through. Focus on real user feedback early o
u/Tetra546
Dating apps are definitely tough but not impossible if you've actually got something different
u/com-dex
Hi
When you mentioned webapp, is it just some website? If so I recommend creating some android/ios app since it's pretty rare that users will be sitting infront of their computers to browse d
u/deepneuralnetwork
do something else. seriously.
or have millions of dollars to spend on marketing/advertising your apps.
i’d go with the former, but the latter works too.
u/Xenadon
Doesn't seem like it can compete
u/RapidXAi
We are here AI Agency !!
u/newtarded
agree with this. perhaps you can think of some other community-based value you can create to accumulate users, then turn it into a dating app.
u/unclekarl_
Instead of another dating app where you will always have customer churn by design you should create a full stack “intimate relationship” app that ties in the dating app portion to find a part
u/PersonoFly
Dating apps require a large user base for anyone to be interested. Catch 22.
The only way is to have a large marketing budget.
There is absolutely no way you can succeed unless you are ta
u/ramprass
I’ve spoken to a few founders that have tried such apps in the past. The real challenge is solving the marketplace supply. You might have built the best app, but you need to have enough quali
u/How2Transform
The market might be crowded with lots of different dating apps , and if you are able to identity the key gaps /complementing opportunities there, that might worth considering. You must have y
u/RapidXAi
We are here AI Agency !!
u/How2Transform
The market might be crowded with lots of different dating apps , and if you are able to identity the key gaps /complementing opportunities there, that might worth considering. You must have y
u/CappuccinoKarl
Ditch this idea. Dating apps are dead, hell dating itself is dead. You’ve been warned.
u/newtarded
agree with this. perhaps you can think of some other community-based value you can create to accumulate users, then turn it into a dating app.
u/andreflores87
Your plan is pretty solid actually, especially the part about launching lean and getting user feedback first. That's exactly what we did with WatsonTrack - launched in 2 weeks, got our first
u/Xenadon
Doesn't seem like it can compete
u/PersonoFly
Dating apps require a large user base for anyone to be interested. Catch 22.
The only way is to have a large marketing budget.
There is absolutely no way you can succeed unless you are ta
u/Ok-Entertainer-1414
Whether people like a dating app is 10% "how good you made your product" and 90% "how many other people are on it".
> launch the web app, market for free as best I can and hope to gain so
u/MostlyRocketScience
>you can either build something a large number of people want a small amount, or something a small number of people want a large amount. Choose the latter. Not all ideas of that type are
u/Secret-Classic-5644
Curious on the second part? Just believe in hook up culture?
u/Secret-Classic-5644
Curious on the second part? Just believe in hook up culture?
u/Individual_MBA
How much it will cost you to make MVP app ?
u/Individual_MBA
How much it will cost you to make MVP app ?
u/Xenadon
Doesn't seem like it can compete
u/Tetra546
Dating apps are definitely tough but not impossible if you've actually got something different
u/CappuccinoKarl
Basically. But your best bet would be to market to a niche group rather than everybody, think like Farmers Only, or Our Time(for seniors), or a dating app for Latinos etc.
u/unclekarl_
Instead of another dating app where you will always have customer churn by design you should create a full stack “intimate relationship” app that ties in the dating app portion to find a part
u/MVNShastry
Web might not go well for a successful launch and it's expensive with more compliances associated with it. I would suggest going with the Android app (considering the user base) to launch.
u/Individual_MBA
How much it will cost you to make MVP app ?
u/unclekarl_
Instead of another dating app where you will always have customer churn by design you should create a full stack “intimate relationship” app that ties in the dating app portion to find a part
u/PersonoFly
Dating apps require a large user base for anyone to be interested. Catch 22.
The only way is to have a large marketing budget.
There is absolutely no way you can succeed unless you are ta
u/Xenadon
Doesn't seem like it can compete
u/ramprass
I’ve spoken to a few founders that have tried such apps in the past. The real challenge is solving the marketplace supply. You might have built the best app, but you need to have enough quali
u/Secret-Classic-5644
Curious on the second part? Just believe in hook up culture?
u/Secret-Classic-5644
The hurdle for iOS is to my knowledge seems more than I can do at the moment. Might be able to make it google play store. More just trying to get an MVP on the web to prove users will actuall
u/Secret-Classic-5644
Curious on the second part? Just believe in hook up culture?
u/Tetra546
Dating apps are definitely tough but not impossible if you've actually got something different
u/RapidXAi
We are here AI Agency !!
u/Ok-Entertainer-1414
Whether people like a dating app is 10% "how good you made your product" and 90% "how many other people are on it".
> launch the web app, market for free as best I can and hope to gain so
u/com-dex
Hi
When you mentioned webapp, is it just some website? If so I recommend creating some android/ios app since it's pretty rare that users will be sitting infront of their computers to browse d
u/MVNShastry
Web might not go well for a successful launch and it's expensive with more compliances associated with it. I would suggest going with the Android app (considering the user base) to launch.
u/unclekarl_
Instead of another dating app where you will always have customer churn by design you should create a full stack “intimate relationship” app that ties in the dating app portion to find a part
u/Soft_Opening_1364
test your idea, gather feedback, iterate, and then scale. The dating app space is crowded, yeah, but a unique angle and real value can still break through. Focus on real user feedback early o
u/Secret-Classic-5644
The hurdle for iOS is to my knowledge seems more than I can do at the moment. Might be able to make it google play store. More just trying to get an MVP on the web to prove users will actuall
u/MVNShastry
Web might not go well for a successful launch and it's expensive with more compliances associated with it. I would suggest going with the Android app (considering the user base) to launch.
u/newtarded
agree with this. perhaps you can think of some other community-based value you can create to accumulate users, then turn it into a dating app.
u/Soft_Opening_1364
test your idea, gather feedback, iterate, and then scale. The dating app space is crowded, yeah, but a unique angle and real value can still break through. Focus on real user feedback early o
u/CappuccinoKarl
Basically. But your best bet would be to market to a niche group rather than everybody, think like Farmers Only, or Our Time(for seniors), or a dating app for Latinos etc.
u/Tetra546
Dating apps are definitely tough but not impossible if you've actually got something different
u/Ok-Entertainer-1414
Whether people like a dating app is 10% "how good you made your product" and 90% "how many other people are on it".
> launch the web app, market for free as best I can and hope to gain so
u/chritschi
Sorry Mate, but I doubt Web will work
u/ramprass
I’ve spoken to a few founders that have tried such apps in the past. The real challenge is solving the marketplace supply. You might have built the best app, but you need to have enough quali
u/RapidXAi
We are here AI Agency !!
u/Alarmed-Mix-242
👍
u/Soft_Opening_1364
test your idea, gather feedback, iterate, and then scale. The dating app space is crowded, yeah, but a unique angle and real value can still break through. Focus on real user feedback early o
u/MVNShastry
Web might not go well for a successful launch and it's expensive with more compliances associated with it. I would suggest going with the Android app (considering the user base) to launch.
u/Secret-Classic-5644
The hurdle for iOS is to my knowledge seems more than I can do at the moment. Might be able to make it google play store. More just trying to get an MVP on the web to prove users will actuall
u/RapidXAi
We are here AI Agency !!
u/CappuccinoKarl
Ditch this idea. Dating apps are dead, hell dating itself is dead. You’ve been warned.
u/chritschi
Sorry Mate, but I doubt Web will work
u/andreflores87
Your plan is pretty solid actually, especially the part about launching lean and getting user feedback first. That's exactly what we did with WatsonTrack - launched in 2 weeks, got our first
u/Ok-Entertainer-1414
Whether people like a dating app is 10% "how good you made your product" and 90% "how many other people are on it".
> launch the web app, market for free as best I can and hope to gain so
u/MostlyRocketScience
>you can either build something a large number of people want a small amount, or something a small number of people want a large amount. Choose the latter. Not all ideas of that type are
u/Individual_MBA
How much it will cost you to make MVP app ?
u/lakestreet35
Thirding/fourthing the advice about building an app vs web- not enough users to sustain a web based dating platform, no one uses the web for this function - def invest in an app if you can
B
u/Individual_MBA
How much it will cost you to make MVP app ?
u/CappuccinoKarl
Basically. But your best bet would be to market to a niche group rather than everybody, think like Farmers Only, or Our Time(for seniors), or a dating app for Latinos etc.
u/PersonoFly
Dating apps require a large user base for anyone to be interested. Catch 22.
The only way is to have a large marketing budget.
There is absolutely no way you can succeed unless you are ta
u/Secret-Classic-5644
The hurdle for iOS is to my knowledge seems more than I can do at the moment. Might be able to make it google play store. More just trying to get an MVP on the web to prove users will actuall
u/CappuccinoKarl
Ditch this idea. Dating apps are dead, hell dating itself is dead. You’ve been warned.
u/Xenadon
Doesn't seem like it can compete
u/Soft_Opening_1364
test your idea, gather feedback, iterate, and then scale. The dating app space is crowded, yeah, but a unique angle and real value can still break through. Focus on real user feedback early o
u/chritschi
Sorry Mate, but I doubt Web will work
u/Ok-Entertainer-1414
Whether people like a dating app is 10% "how good you made your product" and 90% "how many other people are on it".
> launch the web app, market for free as best I can and hope to gain so
u/How2Transform
The market might be crowded with lots of different dating apps , and if you are able to identity the key gaps /complementing opportunities there, that might worth considering. You must have y
u/CappuccinoKarl
Ditch this idea. Dating apps are dead, hell dating itself is dead. You’ve been warned.
u/lakestreet35
Thirding/fourthing the advice about building an app vs web- not enough users to sustain a web based dating platform, no one uses the web for this function - def invest in an app if you can
B
u/CappuccinoKarl
Ditch this idea. Dating apps are dead, hell dating itself is dead. You’ve been warned.
u/Alarmed-Mix-242
👍
u/com-dex
Hi
When you mentioned webapp, is it just some website? If so I recommend creating some android/ios app since it's pretty rare that users will be sitting infront of their computers to browse d
u/Individual_MBA
How much it will cost you to make MVP app ?
u/Secret-Classic-5644
Curious on the second part? Just believe in hook up culture?
u/Xenadon
Doesn't seem like it can compete
u/PersonoFly
Dating apps require a large user base for anyone to be interested. Catch 22.
The only way is to have a large marketing budget.
There is absolutely no way you can succeed unless you are ta
u/lakestreet35
Thirding/fourthing the advice about building an app vs web- not enough users to sustain a web based dating platform, no one uses the web for this function - def invest in an app if you can
B