The Inner Circle is a dating app with an intimidating name. After all, half the time you hear that phrase is when you’re being told that someone is not in the inner circle. So what’s the deal with this dating app, and is it really as elitist as it sounds? 

We found out everything there is to know about The Inner Circle and gathered all that info in one place. If you’re curious about trying out The Inner Circle—or, more accurately, trying out for The Inner Circle—read on. 

The Inner Circle Dating Site Reviews: As Elitist as it Sounds, Pros, Cons, Cost

What is The Inner Circle?

The Inner Circle is a dating app for iPhones and Androids that’s based out of the Netherlands. After a successful start in Europe, they expanded to the United States in 2017. The Inner Circle is only available in select American cities, though they’ll probably expand over time. They describe themselves as a “dating community” that brings together “like-minded people with shared lifestyles and interests.” 

While you don’t need to be a celebrity or an influencer to score a spot on The Inner Circle, you do need to be employed and attractive. Similar to The League and other posh dating apps, you may find yourself stuck on a waitlist before you can proceed in your search for love. 

What are The Inner Circle’s Reviews like? 

Any dating app will have its share of fans and its share of haters. Read on to see what The Inner Circle users are saying about their experiences with this dating app. 

The Inner Circle Reviews on Reddit

There isn’t much Reddit activity about The Inner Circle, which implies that they may still be building up their American clientele. That said, Reddit users are generous with their Inner Circle invitation codes, often sharing them with complete strangers who are interested in trying the app. 

The Inner Circle Reviews on Trustpilot

There isn’t much love lost for The Inner Circle on Trustpilot. Eighty-six reviews plus 1.5 stars equals not a lot of happy customers. Interestingly, many Trustpilot reviewers complained that the other Inner Circle members weren’t that good-looking, smart, or exciting. It seems that The Inner Circle’s exclusivity could be backfiring, as its members expect matches that are curated for their own tastes. 

The Inner Circle Reviews on App Store:

The Inner Circle scored 4.3 stars on the App Store, with 9.1K reviews. Common complaints were that the free version of the app is too limited and that the app itself didn’t work well. 

The Inner Circle Reviews on Google Play:

Google Play reviewers weren’t as sold on The Inner Circle, giving it 3.5 stars across 69.4K reviews. As usual, those with the worst experiences had the most to say. Most unhappy reviewers complained that they never even made it off the waitlist.

Does The Inner Circle have any complaints, lawsuits, or scandals? 

Although it’s been around since 2012, The Inner Circle has so far avoided any major complaints, lawsuits, or scandals related to its app. 

So is The Inner Circle Legit or a Scam? 

The Inner Circle is a legitimate dating app with a large user base worldwide. They want to make sure their users are legit, too—they ask everyone to use face verification technology to keep out scammers and catfish. 

How does The Inner Circle Work? 

While The Inner Circle says that they’re “less like a dating app, more like a member’s club made for dating,” they still function very much like a dating app. Similar to Tinder or Hinge, you create a profile that reflects your personality, swipe on other users, and chat with matches—all with the hope of finding love. 

Unlike most dating apps, however, The Inner Circle limits the number of conversations you can have with matches. They call this “Quality Conversations,” and it’s meant to encourage thoughtful exchanges and prevent ghosting. Free members can only talk to one match at a time—talk about pressure! Paid members can access five conversations at a time, a perk that free members can also access by referring two friends. In addition, when a match messages you, you must choose to either reply or decline, in which case you’ll no longer be matched. This, too, is meant to encourage members to actually interact instead of accruing matches that go nowhere. 

Other features of the Inner Circle include IRL parties and events, the ability to share your favorite bars and other spots in your city, and even something called “trips” which allows you to meet up with other Inner Circle members abroad. You’ll also periodically be shown a “secret match,” in which The Inner Circle will show you a few people and you can guess which one liked you. If you guess correctly, you’ll be matched. 

How hard is it to get accepted into The Inner Circle? 

The Inner Circle doesn’t advertise what percentage of how many applicants make it onto the app. That said, it’s likely pretty competitive. Their ideal user is between ages 25 and 45, is conventionally attractive, and has a successful career. The alchemy of being accepted is also a mystery. The company refuses to explain why some people get accepted, others get rejected, and others are stuck on the waiting list. 

Can I be rejected from The Inner Circle? 

The Inner Circle wouldn’t be the Inner Circle if it was open to everyone. Many people who try to create a profile are refused entry or kept on the waitlist. 

Apparently, some photos will get you nixed right off the bat—and not just lewd ones. In a 2018 article, The Inner Circle founder David Vermeulen said that people who post a duck-face selfie are not “the right fit” for this exclusive dating app. 

Does The Inner Circle have a waitlist? 

When you apply to be on The Inner Circle, you’re automatically placed on a waitlist. There’s no set length of time that you might languish on the waitlist before being accepted or rejected. You may want to download a few other dating apps while you wait. 

Is The Inner Circle just for relationships? 

While matching on The Inner Circle could likely lead to a variety of situations, the people who sign up for this dating app tend to be looking for something a little more serious than a fun date or summer fling. The Inner Circle advises its users to swipe intentionally and only lets them maintain a small number of chats at any given time, which hints that they’re trying to help their users find lasting love. 

How much does The Inner Circle Cost? 

Curious about the cost of joining The Inner Circle? Read on to find out just how much it costs to use this exclusive dating app. 

Is The Inner Circle free? 

There is a free version of The Inner Circle. While it’s pretty limited compared to full membership, you still have access to IRL event invites and other features. 

If you want to invest a little more in your love life, you can pay for a “full membership.” This will allow you to send and read unlimited messages, use more specific filters, and more. Most recently, monthly membership costs $39.99 and varied by location. 

Is The Inner Circle Worth the Money? 

If you’re ambitious, career-oriented, and love to travel, yet are still struggling to find love, it may be worth paying for a few months of The Inner Circle to see what’s out there. If they accept you, that is. 

The Inner Circle vs. Elite Singles

Both The Inner Circle and Elite Singles are exclusive dating apps that won’t just let anybody join. While they probably attract a similar clientele, The Inner Circle seems more geared toward wealthy, cosmopolitan singles who love to travel. Elite Singles, on the other hand, seems more traditionally focused on attracting intelligent people who are successful in their careers. 

What is The Inner Circle’s success rate? 

The Inner Circle claims that so many of their users end up happily married that they have an entire wall dedicated to baby cards. In spite of that, they don’t advertise a success rate. It makes sense that an app based on exclusivity might keep their numbers under wraps. On the other hand, it would be helpful to know just how often The Inner Circle leads to love.