11 months ago
Indian Dating Apps Thrive as Global Rivals Scale Back Operations
Imagine dating apps like Tinder and Bumble, but for India.
They're having a bit of a tough time.
Some Indian dating apps are becoming popular because they understand what people in India are looking for in relationships.
These apps are also designed to consider Indian cultural needs.
They have special features like income checks or language options.
Instead of just swiping, some apps are using AI to match people or creating fun ways to connect.
Some Indian apps are also doing better with pricing and keeping a good balance of men and women.
This is why they're growing while some of the bigger apps are slowing down.
Global dating apps are scaling back in India due to factors like poor monetization and cultural differences.
Homegrown dating apps are growing, focusing on Indian cultural nuances and expectations.
Features like income verification and AI-driven matching are being used by local apps.
Apps like Aisle and Fluttr are showing strong growth, with innovative pricing and features.
Experts suggest the Indian dating market has room to grow, provided execution and user trust remain high.
- Who
- Homegrown dating apps and global apps such as Tinder and Bumble.
- What
- Homegrown dating apps are gaining ground in India as international apps scale back due to poor monetization and other issues.
- Where
- India.
- When
- Currently.
- Why
- Homegrown apps cater to Indian cultural nuances and expectations, unlike global apps, leading to increased growth.
Key facts
- Number of Active Indian Dating Apps
- 174
- Notable Homegrown Apps
- Aisle, TrulyMadly, Fluttr, Elevn, and Schmooze
- Aisle's FY23 Growth
- 123%
- Fluttr Acquisition Cost
- Rs 11
- Fluttr Target Audience
- 500 million non-English speakers
- Schmooze Users in India
- 3.5 million
Quotes
Rohit Krishna
General partner at WEH Ventures
“This is a network-effects business. When the female-to-male ratio declines, the entire experience begins to break down, and that’s when a majority of users look at new options. In India, global apps haven’t always managed to maintain novelty or gender balance at scale, which explains why they are pulling back”
financialexpress.com
“Subscriptions and paid features can scale if users feel that match quality is improving. The real moat here is a defensible network which is aimed at driving retention, willingness to pay, and word-of-mouth, a sure-shot indicator of user trust.”
financialexpress.com
Arjun Malhotra
General partner at Good Capital
“In India, where marriage is the primary goal and family considerations matter significantly, the value propositions offered by global apps miss the mark.”
financialexpress.com
Chandni Gaglani
Head of Aisle Network
“Today’s users seek meaningful connections and genuine companionship, not fleeting encounters.”
financialexpress.com
Kaushik Banerjee
Co-founder and CEO of Fluttr
“We have achieved 20% paying users and will turn profitable next month.”
financialexpress.com
Vidya Madhavan
Founder and CEO of Schmooze
“Simply copying global peers with minor tweaks won’t work. Women, in particular, feel more comfortable with content-led formats.”
financialexpress.com
