What Is Tinder Select? [& Is It Worth $499 A Month?]

Curious about Tinder’s most expensive membership tier? Get all the details in this Tinder Select review!

Our team of dating experts has been using Tinder daily since it launched way back in 2012, swiping, matching, and messaging on behalf of the thousands of clients we represent. 

We’ve logged hundreds of thousands of hours on this popular dating app, giving us a front row seat to its evolution over the years. Keep reading for all the details on Tinder’s newest membership tier!

Let’s dive in!

What Is Tinder Select?

Promising “unrivaled access to the best of Tinder,” Tinder Select is the most expensive of the app’s four membership tiers. It rolled out as an upgrade option in September 2023.

But this isn’t the first iteration of Tinder Select. It’s actually been around for a few years as an invitation-only version of the app reserved for celebrities, influencers, and other VIPs. 

This time around, Tinder Select is still invite only, at least for now. It’s being offered to less than 1% of users, with invitations extended to the “most active” people on the platform. 

As Tinder CPO Mark Van Ryswyk explained, this premium upgrade targets the “high-intent users”, aimed directly at those looking for more efficient ways to make connections.

Tinder Select users can access features that aren’t included with Tinder Plus, Tinder Gold, or Tinder Platinum, such as a “VIP” search and matchmaking experience. 

Here are the features that come with a Tinder Select membership:

• Direct Messages: This feature allows you to send a DM to someone you haven't matched yet with via the "Likes Sent" tab. But there are a few catches: some users can opt out of receiving DMs, and you can only do it twice a week.
• Skip The Line: As a Tinder Select user, your profile will be unblurred in a potential match's "Likes You" feed - even if they aren't Tinder Gold subscribers. It also gets priority placement for a full week.
• SELECT Mode: This is where you can 'see and be seen' by Tinder's most popular users.
• Tinder Select Badge: You can opt to display a "SELECT" badge on your profile, if you want. (If you don't want to advertise you sprung for Tinder's most expensive upgrade, simply opt out in the Settings.)
• Access New Features First: Select users will get to test some new features in advance.

One thing to note: Tinder Select features are only accessible on the app, not Tinder Online.

How Much Does Tinder Select Cost?

Tinder Select is currently being offered at $499 for one month. To put that in perspective, the other Tinder memberships run between $24.99 and $49.00 for a single month.

The Tinder Select price tag makes it more expensive than The League, one of the most exclusive dating apps in the Match portfolio. The League’s “Owner” option costs $399.99 per month.

How Do I Get Tinder Select?

There are two ways to get Tinder Select: be issued an invitation by the app, or apply via Tinder.com/select.

To get selected for an invitation, you need to be one of the most active users on the app, so get busy! Log in daily, start some conversations, you know the drill. 

Per the app, Tinder will be extending application invitations on a rolling basis.

The second route, applying via the website, isn't always available. You may be greeted with a notification that Tinder isn't currently accepting Select applications.

You'll also need to get your profile in order, because Tinder Select has certain requirements. They even have a name for it - the 5-Point Select Screen.

To be considered for Tinder Select membership, your profile needs to have:

• 5 interest badges selected
• At least 4 photos
• A bio with a minimum of 15 characters
• A Relationship Goal selected
• Been photo verified

Tinder says they will grant some accounts immediate access to Tinder Select (provided you pay for the upgrade, of course). Others will require a "full account review". If your profile is approved for the Select membership, you'll receive an email with an access code.

To unlock Tinder Select via the notification email:

• Click "Unlock SELECT"
• Enter the code
• Complete payment

You can also unlock Tinder Select from within the Tinder app:

• Tap the Settings icon from the profile screen
• Scroll down to Select and tap "Enter unlock code"
• Enter the code you received in the email
• Tap "Continue"
• Complete the payment

Is Tinder Worth $499 A Month?

Match Group President Gary Swidler has openly said they expect only a “tiny” amount of singles to opt in to Tinder Select, adding that those who do will significantly impact revenue for the app.

It’s worth noting that the majority of Tinder users are under 26 years old, which may affect the number of presumably highly curated matches you receive if that’s not your dating demographic.

While Tinder hasn’t released all the features of the Select upgrade, one thing will stay the same - your profile still needs to intrigue your potential matches! So if you’re thinking that $499 might solve your “no Tinder matches” problem, you may want to fix your profile first.

And if you’re just looking for the most efficient way to meet truly high-quality matches on Tinder, or any other dating app you’re using, why not consider upgrading your dating life with VIDA Select?

VIDA’s team of experts handles every aspect of modern dating for you, from optimizing your profile to appeal to exactly the kind of singles you want to meet, to curating your matches and even handling all your messaging! 

You jump straight to the dates with highly compatible matches who can’t wait to meet you. Discover how easy meeting your ideal partner can be with VIDA Select - go here to see if you qualify!