Is Match Worth Trying In 2024? A Full Review Of The Classic Dating App

When it comes to online dating, Match has been there since the beginning. Arguably the first dating site ever, it launched in 1995, well before Tinder graced our smartphones.

Since then, Match has evolved to keep up with the world of online dating. Now the brand offers both easy-to-use website and mobile app aimed at making deeper connections. But how does it really hold up to its modern day competitors?

In the early 1990s, entrepreneur Gary Kremen started Match in San Francisco as a digital version of classified personal ads. In fact, this idea was inspired by his own dating perils, as he struggled to find his own partner from newspaper ads, which were the norm back then.

Since then, the online dating service has only grown in popularity and is now part of Match Group, INC., which also owns other dating services like Tinder, OKCupid, Hinge, and many others. 

Currently over 39 million people use Match, with a majority of members being ages 30 to 49 years old. However, per a 2018 report, the site's fastest-growing demographic is the 50+ age group, and 59% of Match users are single parents using the site to find love.

These statistics all make sense and align closely with Match's mission to be different in an "industry full of superficial games and detached behaviors," as the website states. From my experience on the app, people seem less into hookups, and I didn't receive any crude or hookup-y opening messages (compared to when I use Tinder, for example).

It's easy and straightforward to set up your profile on Match, but it will take some time to fill everything out—and the more you fill out, the better your matches will be.

You're given various prompts to follow to help with describing yourself, including details like your body type, if you have pets, your stance on cannabis, and how often you exercise. You also fill out a short summary and have the chance to answer three "topics," which are questions or prompts (e.g., "My best scar story was when…")

Staying true to its origins, the website offers many ways to match with folks. The mobile app resembles Tinder in some ways, where you can "like" and mutually match or pass on someone. You can also use the search feature and add filters (such as age or distance) to browse profiles, or you can just wait and see who "likes" you.

Match also allows you to search for potential matches based on interests, looks, marital status, education, lifestyle habits, and more, which is helpful so you don't feel like you're wasting your time sifting through deal-breakers.

There's a little sidebar called "You're their type," which shows users who are looking for matches like your profile states. Both of these features are available for free, which is nice. 

Overall, it's easy to see all your matches and chat conversations on both the app and website. Unfortunately, the free version doesn't allow you to message more than one person a day.

Match has many subscription package options to choose from. The Standard Plan costs $19/month for a one-year subscription, which is their cheapest monthly rate. You can also purchase a single month for $46, though you'll save more per month if you buy months in bulk.

The free version of Match is honestly just not worth it, in my opinion, but the paid version could be worth trying out for people who are willing to invest. On the free version, my overall experience was very OK.

You get very limited features and abilities if you don't pay, while you can message many more people for free on Hinge, Bumble, Tinder, and other dating apps. With the paid version, I felt like I could use the app more freely and browse many more folks, plus actually be able to message them.

About half of my matches responded to my messages, and all seemed friendly and excited to chat—though notably, there wasn't a big selection. (For what it's worth, I was swiping in both Hawaii and Los Angeles.)

From my personal experience and from speaking with others, it seems like many matches aren't that responsive. So, depending on where you live, the process may be slow; but it could definitely be worth it if you're wanting to invest in your dating journey and try a new pool of people. 

A counterpoint to that: "In my experience, the subscription model and the cost of Match does deter people from using it," says Chloe Ballatore, dating expert and owner of Chloe's Consciousness Training.

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