Fact Checked by: Dr. Nicolette Natale
Before we jump into our most recent reviews of The League dating app, let’s paint a picture for you:
You spent a lot of years getting to where you are in life. You have a place to live, a great job, and you live comfortably. Everything is great, except you are lonely. So, you sign up for the first popular dating app you come across, hopeful that you’ll find someone who matches your energy and priorities.
Instead, you find a sea of young singles that seem more interested in notching their bed post than they do in finding a compatible match. Where are all the grown ups? That’s where The League dating app comes in.
The League is an app that realizes that elite singles have a hard time finding compatibility on most standard apps. Their private, member-only approach to online dating sounds great, but is it really worth it?
Today, we’re going to take you on a journey through our recent The League dating app reviews—its features, costs, members, the waiting list, and so much more. Ready to get the real scoop? Just read on!
Important Highlights of Our League Dating App Review
People tend to be scared away from The League because it’s quite exclusive. You’re required to get on a waiting list to join, you have to be voted onto the platform by an internal team, and then it costs a few bucks more than some other options out there.
Trust us, we understand how frustrating and off-putting this might be at a quick glance. However, it’s all done with good reason and actually achieves the purpose it set out to.
By making it harder for people to get in, The League is able to keep one of the highest quality groups of singles anywhere on the web (that is if you define quality by success, influence, and having your life together—which are perfectly acceptable ways to define that).
And frankly, the process works. If you’re looking for the movers and shakers, the influencers, and people who have or are on their way to crushing it in life—you’re going to love The League dating app.
And as for the waiting list? You can always hop on the list by signing up for The League today, and try out another great dating app while you wait. There are also ways to expedite your review process but it will cost you a few bucks extra if you’re accepted.
Here are a few more specifics about who this dating app may or may not be best for.
Who The League Is Good For
- Singles who live closer to bigger cities as userbases are much larger there than in rural areas
- Anyone who has ever been told they are too picky when it comes to dating.
- Singles who don’t mind waiting a little longer to ensure they only get great matches.
- Well-established, career-driven people who can get approved for a membership.
Who The League Might Not Be Best For
- Those looking for immediate access to singles.
- Singles who aren’t willing to go through the approval process.
- People looking for lower-cost dating apps.
Pros and Cons of The League
Pros
- You can avoid wasting time on singles that aren’t at the same life-level as you.
- The private-membership style of dating can protect you from falling victim to singles who lie about their life achievements and goals.
- No standards are too high for dating on The League.
Cons
- Can be pricey to expedite your membership approval.
- You may be on the waitlist for a few weeks or more.
- Verification is a lengthy process and requires linking to socials and lots of photos.
Awards and Accolades for The League
| Category | Ranking | Testing Score |
|---|---|---|
| For 30s | #3 | 8.45 |
| For Wealthy Singles | #4 | 8.52 |
| For Serious Relationships | #3 | 7.95 |
| For NYC Dating Apps | #2 | 8.44 |
Overview of Testing Results – Raw Data
Below, we share the overall results of our most recent testing of The League dating app. You’ll find what our experts found including screenshots, videos, and quotes based on the experience.
| Factor | Results (out of 10) | Weight | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safety and Security | 9.0 | 20% | Extensive profile vetting, social verification, and removal of inactive/flaky users. Few fake profiles compared to typical apps. |
| Profile Engagement | 8.0 | 15% | Users tend to be high-quality and responsive, but smaller user base outside big cities limits match variety. |
| Feature Effectiveness | 8.5 | 15% | Unique features like video speed dating, multi-city dating, and concierge support. Some features gated behind higher tiers. |
| Pricing | 5.5 | 15% | Very expensive compared to most apps. Value is solid for some but not accessible for everyone. |
| UX and Usability | 9.0 | 10% | Clean, modern design, intuitive navigation, and efficient daily match system. |
| Popularity | 7.5 | 10% | Popular in urban areas but limited presence in smaller cities or rural regions. |
| External Reviews | 7.5 | 10% | Mostly positive app store ratings, but complaints focus on high costs and waitlists. |
| Feature Growth | 8.0 | 5% | Some strong new features added over the past few years. Review notes also show updates and bug fixes consistently (video below) |
| Overall | 7.85 | ~ | ~ |
Learn more about how we test and score here.
(20%) – Safety and Security score quite well with testing.
| Factor | Score (0-10) | Weight | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Privacy Policy Protections | 8.5 | 15% | Clear privacy policies, minimal unnecessary sharing of private data. |
| Third-Party Data Usage | 6.5 | 15% | Some data sharing for marketing purposes, though minimal compared to free apps. |
| App and Data Encryption | 9.0 | 15% | Standard HTTPS and encryption protocols in place. |
| Block and Report Options | 9.0 | 15% | Strong reporting tools; fake accounts rarely slip through. |
| Account Verification Options | 9.5 | 10% | Rigorous approval process, LinkedIn/social integration helps reduce catfishing. |
| Data Minimization Practices | 7.5 | 10% | Collects a fair bit of personal info for screening but kept internal. |
| 2FA Available | 0.0 | 10% | No two-factor authentication available at this time. |
| TOS Acknowledges Safety | 9.0 | 5% | Terms explicitly address privacy and scam protections. |
| Strong Password Requirements | 8.5 | 5% | Solid modern password practices enforced. |
| Overall | 9.0 | ~ | ~ |
When we went back in to test this most recent time, we found that our account was actually removed for ‘flakiness’. This certainly demonstrates that the company is quite proactive in the process of weeding out accounts that don’t need to be there, which reflects in the higher security testing score.
(10%) – Popularity is decent, but was stronger around launch
Popularity within major cities and the younger professional communities is quite strong with The League. Outside of that? Not so much. However, that’s probably not really a negative as much. If you are selling dog treats and cat owners don’t know about it, that’s okay.
Here are our testing results looking at the popularity as a whole and less solely for the niche. In other words, don’t let the slightly lower score feel too impactful in your decision making.
| Factor | Testing Score | Weight | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Search Trends | 7.4 | 25% | Strong buzz in elite urban circles; overall trend is stable but niche-limited. |
| Internal Testing | 7.6 | 25% | Clean design and professional branding, but perceptions of exclusivity limit broader appeal. |
| Search Volume | 7.3 | 15% | Moderate search interest — high in big cities, lower elsewhere. |
| Traffic | 7.8 | 15% | Active user base in metropolitan hubs; less presence in smaller markets. |
| News Coverage | 7.2 | 10% | Known for buzzy headlines early on due to its exclusivity model, but media attention has cooled. Most coverage now comes from user reviews or listicle mentions rather than major feature stories. |
| Social Reach | 7.0 | 10% | Instagram and LinkedIn presence is solid, but engagement is modest in non-urban areas. |
| Total | 7.50 | ~ | ~ |
(5%) – Feature Growth is strong with consistent updating.
The feature growth at The League has been strong over the years. The App Store listing doesn’t really reflect when they add new features (could just be developers who don’t feel like writing something fancy or wanting to treat it like a changelog), but you’ll notice a very active list of performance enhancements and bug fixes, which shows an engaged and active development team.
What We Think of the Features Available
Let’s talk features! When it comes to the features of this dating app, they’re (as you might expect) quite different from everything else that’s out there. Sure, the “see matches and send messages” premise is still the same, but there are quite a few other things you can do to enhance you chances of success.
Let’s get into them.
The League Membership Tiers
With The League, there are four different membership tiers. Guest is the “free” version you get when you are first accepted into the app. With this, you’ll be able to do some responding to other members and have minimal access to a few features. In order to really see results, though, you’ll probably need to upgrade to one of the paid tiers.
The paid tiers are in three levels—Member, Owner, and Investor. As you move up the tiers, the price does increase but so does the features you get. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect at each level.
| Feature | Member | Owner | Investor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Matches | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Bonus Sign Up Matches | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Weekly Video Dates | Waitlist | 6 | 7 |
| Multi-City Dating | 2 cities | 3 cities | 4 cities |
| Friend Requests | 5 daily | 6 daily | 7 daily |
| See Past Prospects | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Read Receipts | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Profile Stats | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hide Your Age | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Undos and Rematches | X | Yes | Yes |
| See If They Liked You | X | Yes | Yes |
| See Everyone Who Likes You | X | X | Yes |
| Hide Profile | X | Yes | Yes |
| Power Moves | X | Yes | Yes |
| Power Move Notes | X | X | Yes |
| Prescreen Live Dates | X | X | Yes |
Daily Matches
Your daily matches are the new users you’re shown each day that the app thinks are best for you. Each day you’ll get the number that corresponds to your membership level. This is the most basic function of the app. If you’re a free guest member you’ll get three per day.
Bonus Sign Up Matches
When you sign up for a paid account, you’ll get a bonus batch of matches on your first day. So, if you’re Investor level, you’ll get 14 matches on your first day to get you started.
Weekly Video Dates
This is a weekly feature the site runs (usually on Sundays) where you can do video speed dating through the app. You can quickly go on a bunch of mini-dates with users from the app. And if you’re the highest tier of membership, you can actually prescreen and select who you go on your mini dates with.
Multi-City Dating
If you’re someone who travels a lot, this might be a great feature for you. Instead of being locked down only to matches who live in your city of residence, you can add in extra locations that you want to see matches from.
Friend Requests
There’s a fairly robust group and events area of The League that gives you more opportunities to get involved and meet people. If you happen to see someone you like, you can get connected to them further with a friend request.
See Past Prospects
Each day you get a new batch of prospects from The League. What happens if you want to go back to someone from yesterday or earlier? This is where this feature comes in.
Read Receipts
When you send a message, this feature lets you know that your message was received and when it was read. It’s a nice peace of mind feature that we love seeing in reviews.
Profile Stats
For our data folks out there, these stats will help you to know how your profile is performing. If it’s not doing as well as you’d like, this can give you the nudge to try something new and compare results to maximize performance.
Hide Your Age
The League dating app mentions they believe there can be a bias when it comes to age (and we don’t think they’re wrong in a lot of situations). With this feature, you can choose to hide your age from other users.
Undos and Rematches
If you make a mistake with removing a match or you want the chance to go through some options again, these features will give you that.
See If They Like You
At the Owner level and up, you’ll be able to see if certain members have indicated an interest in you. If you’re the highest level Investor, you’ll get to see a full list of everyone who has indicated interest in you!
Hide Profile
This feature allows you to keep your profile hidden from everyone unless you use the power move feature. It’s great if you only want interest at a certain time or if you’ve found someone that you want to explore things with first.
Power Moves
This is a feature you can access from the Owner Tier and up. This allows you to push your profile to the top of the results of other singles. It is a quick way to boost the amount of people who see and are interested in your profile!
Concierge Support
The Concierge is another VIP feature that essentially boils down to live customer support. If you’ve read any of our dating app reviews before, you likely know how strongly we feel about live customer service options for dating apps. Even if it is only available for top-level members, we are just happy it is an option.
Approval Algorithm
What you may not see as a user is the intense amount of process going on in the backend of the app. In a recent interview with Google, the founder of The League discussed the challenges and methods the company uses to vet its waiting list to find the top tier singles it promises. In tech towns, it’s easier through the company’s connection with LinkedIn. However, there are challenges in cities and areas where there are a lot of creatives who are high performers who might not use LinkedIn.
While we’re not going to dig into the technical backend of The League dating app during this review (and it’s proprietary knowledge we don’t know), we can say this. The app is leveraging a ton of technology to manage it’s quality userbase and keep the cream of the crop rising to the top. As you’ll see in the next section of The League dating site review—they crush it when it comes to quality.
Party Scout
It looks like The League is working on rolling out a new feature where you can anonymously see where a lot of other people on the app are congregating (if they choose to share that information). We don’t have a lot of details about how this works just yet but it’s interesting enough for us to mention during this review.
Higher Echelon of Singles? Here’s what to know.
The League’s wait listing practice and intense verification may be a bit frustrating, but it results in there being nothing but top-notch profiles and high quality singles on their app. They take away the need to pick apart profiles for red flags in an attempt to avoid duds. If you are a part of The League, you know the singles will be good.
Additionally, something we really liked during our reviews of The League dating app is the ability to link your socials (and even your LinkedIn) for verification. No, the app won’t post on any of those, so don’t worry about that. What it does do, though, is use those to make sure the single men and women you’re chatting with are real people. Bye bye catfishing and fake profiles.
We also noticed during our testing that if you’re not active for a while on the app as a guest, you will get removed for flakiness! This is another great way they keep the quality cranking!
The League is not a cheap dating service
Yes, The League dating app is expensive. It’s actually one of the most expensive dating app options out there. The weekly price is even more than most monthly pricing out there.
That being said, The League is clearly not for everyone. If you are able to afford it, though, you are paying for quality—and they do deliver on it. Pricing is billed weekly or monthly (your choice), and is set to auto-renew (but you can cancel that at anytime and still get the rest of your time).
And, as mentioned, you have three different tier levels (technically four with the Guest level) to choose from. Here’s the most up to date pricing we’ve seen.
| Membership Type | Membership Length | Membership Cost (Weekly) | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guest | Unlimited | Free (Requires Waitlist) | Free (Requires Waitlist) |
| Member | 1 Week | $99.99 | $99.99 ($399.96 monthly*) |
| Member | 1 Months | $74 | $299.99 |
| Member | 3 Months | $33 | $399.99 |
| Owner | 1 Week | $199.99 | $199.99 ($799.96 monthly*) |
| Owner | 1 month | $99 | $399.99 |
| Owner | 2 Months | $62 | $499.99 |
| Investor | 1 Week | $399.99 | $399.99 ($1,599.96 monthly*) |
| Investor | 1 month | $249 | $999.99 |
| VIP | 1 Week | $999.99 | $999.99 ($3,999.96 Monthly*) |
| VIP | 1 month | $625 | $2499.99 |
Member, Owner, Investor, and VIP-level Membership Options
- By agreeing to a longer term of membership you will see substantial weekly savings on the cost of The League membership. (For example 66% off in the case of 3 month Members – or $41 off weekly)
- By prepaying two months of Owner-level membership you get the second month for only $100. This is a significant discount and, in our opinions, the best value available.
- Paid members get to skip the line, but free members will always have to wait longer than premium members for access to The League dating app.
- Member, Owner, Investor, and VIP-level subscribers receive priority profile review and advancement.
- All subscription plans renew automatically until canceled.
- Every member can purchase and use League tickets to override the algorithm or boost their profile (This will be around $25 for 5 tickets)
- As seen in their terms of service (section 8), The League frequently offers promotional rates to bring down the cost of membership. If you’re interested in trying The League you’ll want to make sure you have a free guest account so that you hear about these promotions when they hit.
Comparing The League Premium Memberships
| Benefits | Guest | Member | Owner | Investor | VIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Cost | Free | $33/week | $62/Week | $249/week | $625/week |
| Daily Prospects | 3 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| Weekly Speed Dates | 3 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| Read Receipts | ❌ | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Customize Your Bio | ❌ | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hide Your Age | ❌ | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| See Past Prospects | ❌ | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Custom Opener | ❌ | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Create Groups and Promote Events | ❌ | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-City Dating | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 10 |
| Free Power Moves | ❌ | ❌ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Free Rematches | ❌ | ❌ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Free Undos | ❌ | ❌ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| X-Ray Vision (Know if Someone Already “Liked” You) | ❌ | ❌ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Private Profile | ❌ | ❌ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Daily Friend Requests | 3 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| Free Power Move Notes | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | Yes | Yes |
| Preview Video Dates | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | Yes | Yes |
| See Who Likes You | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | Yes | Yes |
| Warm Intros | ❌ | ❌` | ❌ | ❌ | Yes |
| Instant Match | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | Yes |
| VIP Badge | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | Yes |
| Dedicated Concierge Support | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | Yes |
Buying League Tickets
In addition to the three premium membership plans, The League allows users to purchase tickets. So, if The League cost is a bit out of your price range or you want to bump up your presence even more, you can purchase blocks of tickets.
What do The League tickets get you?
- Override the algorithm to expand your potential matches
- Boost your profile for three-times the visibility
- Power Move one of your prospects, so you’re at the top of their match list
You can buy as few as five tickets in the $5 apiece range, and it’ll be a one-time purchase until you decide to buy more.
Do The League Memberships Auto-Renew?
Yes. If you read the app’s terms of service, you will see clearly stated that all memberships at The League auto-renew at the rate you chose until you opt to switch plans or cancel.
So, for example, if you opted for the one-week Investor membership but then decide to go monthly, you have to make the change before you’re charged at another weekly rate.
If you buy a small block of League tickets, though, it’s a one-time purchase and will not
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