Perhaps you’ve heard of The League—a dating app whose very name implies exclusivity and privilege. While some people might balk at that idea, for others, it could be just what they’re looking for. 

If you’re a successful single hoping to meet someone living at your level, The League might be right for you. But is it really worth the time and energy to give The League a try before knowing more about how it works and what its users are saying? 

Fortunately, we’ve compiled all the information you need to figure out whether you should make an account with The League. Continue reading to learn about The League’s waitlist, pricing, user reviews, and more. 

The League Dating Site Reviews: As Elitist as It Sounds – Pros, Cons, and Cost

What is The League?

Founded in 2015, The League is an online dating app that’s geared toward successful, well-educated singles. It’s often called “the Harvard of dating apps” and markets itself as a goal-oriented and intentional way to date. If you’re looking to be one-half of a power couple, The League is probably up your alley. 

In spite of its elite facade, it operates much like the “big three” dating apps: Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge. You create a profile, add photos and interests, and swipe on other users with the goal of finding a match. 

What are The League’s Reviews like? 

Despite its exclusivity, The League has had hundreds of thousands of users—and lots of them have an opinion they’d like to share about their experience on the app.  

The League Reviews on Reddit

Reddit is a land of extremes, yet when it comes to The League, Reddit users have a very “meh” attitude toward it. People say it’s fine, worth trying, and kind of expensive. More than one Reddit user found it funny that they were listed as several thousand people down the waitlist only to be accepted into The League the next day, increasing their opinion that the waitlist is a marketing ploy. 

The League Reviews on Trustpilot

With only 1.7 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot, The League earned a stamp of “bad.” A few good reviews stood out, but most users said The League was a waste of time, money, or both. 

The League Reviews on App Store

The League has over 42.7K reviews on the App Store, earning an average of 4.2 stars. In spite of the positive reviews, one of the most common complaints was about the low match rate due to the slim daily batches that users are given. 

The League Reviews on Google Play

Google Play reviewers are a bit harder on The League, giving it an average of 3.1 stars. Several people complained about being stuck on the waitlist, while others bemoaned the cost of membership. 

The League Reviews on Publishers

Mindbodygreen Review

Mindbodygreen, a wellness media brand, gave The League a glowing review. Saying that the app is “absolutely worth it” and “a breath of fresh air,” they noted that the League is best for singles who are looking for a serious relationship and value quality over quantity. Among the pros they noted are the option to video chat with matches and attend IRL events—all as part of The League’s free membership. Plus, the LinkedIn integration means there’s a lower risk of catfishing. 

The Daily Targum Review

The Daily Targum, the official newsletter of Rutgers, published a middling review of The League back in 2021. The review noted that The League makes users jump through a lot of hoops and offers a pretty homogenous group of singles. Among the positive features mentioned were the lack of catfishing and the support of career-driven women. Among the negatives? Pricy paid memberships, a lack of diversity, and a general sense of demoralization that comes from a stranger deciding if you’re good enough to make it onto the app. 

The League Reviews on Influenster

The League has an extremely average 2.53 out of 5 stars on Influenster, a site that offers free reviews. A recurring theme is the opinion that The League is a “waste of money,” with several reviewers saying they wished they could have given it zero stars. 

The League Reviews on BBB

The Better Business Bureau ranks The League as an A+ business, but its customer reviews are more on the D- level. Users wrote about prices being jacked up, bugs in the app, and bad quality matches. There were also seven complaints leveled against The League on BBB, ranging from refund requests gone wrong to inappropriate comments made by other users. 

Does The League have any complaints, lawsuits, or scandals? 

Calling The League elitist is low-hanging fruit—with a name that alludes to Ivy League colleges and an application process that screens out 70% of prospective users, it seems built to attract that kind of criticism. In addition, when The League first launched in 2015, it was called out for being racist because users were required to declare their ethnicity. 

In 2024, Match Group—which owns The League, as well as several other popular dating apps—was sued in a class action lawsuit. The plaintiffs claimed that Match Group’s apps use predatory algorithms that ensnare users and keep them trapped in a cycle of paying for premium. 

So is The League Legit or a Scam?

The League is a legitimate dating app that could very well lead to your next relationship. While being on the waitlist is a pain, it means that each and every one of The League’s users is vetted—so they’re legit, too. 

How does The League Work? 

Signing up for The League is fairly easy: for a free membership, you connect your LinkedIn profile, submit some photos that clearly show your face, and write a bio that’s 190 characters or less. Getting accepted into The League is another matter entirely. You have to hang out on a waitlist until you get vetted or rejected. 

If you’re lucky enough to be accepted into The League, you get a “concierge” to guide you through the bells and whistles of the app. Every day at “Happy Hour,” A.K.A. five p.m., you’re presented with your “batch” of potential matches. If you heart someone who hearts you back, it’s a match, and you can go on to chat with one another. You’ll have 21 days to chat with a match before they expire. 

In addition to swiping through your daily batch, you can also participate in IRL meet-ups for League members in your city. 

How hard is it to get accepted into The League? 

The League is a very competitive dating app, with its acceptance rate hovering around 20% to 30%. You’ll need an active, updated LinkedIn profile to be considered for a free membership, which will already rule out some folks. 

There are some things you can do to increase your chances of being taken off the waitlist and accepted into The League. You can upload three photos or more, complete your profile, and connect your Instagram. The real hack is to pay for a membership, though, if you’re serious about getting on The League.

Can I be rejected from The League? 

Yes, you can be rejected from The League. The majority of people (over 70%) who apply to be on The League never make it on. The League’s exclusivity is part of their brand, so it makes sense that potential users could be rejected. 

Does The League have a waitlist? 

When you sign up with The League, you are automatically placed on a waitlist while their team reviews your information. Some users report making it off the waitlist within a day while others wait months to make the cut. It seems that if you are referred to The League by a friend, you may be able to skip the waitlist completely. The same goes for its paying customers. If you join The League as a Member or Owner, you could be off the waitlist in under 48 hours. 

Is The League just for relationships? 

Given its emphasis on selectivity and intentionality, The League is geared toward people looking for long-term relationships. That said, a fair share of users have probably engaged in short-term fun with matches they met on The League. It’s all about what you and your date bring to the table! 

How much does The League Cost? 

Curious if joining The League will break your bank? Read on to learn all about The League’s pricing structure.

Is The League free? 

You can join The League for free as a “Guest.” If you want to get more daily prospects in your batch, though, or enjoy some of the other premium features of The League, you can pay to become a Member, Owner, Investor, or VIP. Each of those tiers will get you more features. For example, Members can hide their ages, Owners get 180 prospects per month, Investors can see everyone who likes them, and VIPs can date in up to 10 cities at the same time. Each of these levels costs a different amount and may vary depending on your city. Generally speaking, the cost of a monthly membership is $299 for a Member, $399 for an Owner, $999 for an Investor, and $2,499 for a VIP. 

Is The League Worth the Money? 

Given that The League has a free membership option with plenty of features included, we think that it’s worth applying for if you’re curious. As for its paid options, whether or not it’s worth the money will depend on how much effort you’re going to put into your dating life and how much disposable income you have to spare. 

The League vs. Elite Singles vs. Inner Circle 

Elite Singles and Inner Circle are two other dating apps known for their exclusivity. Whereas The League is geared toward educated, ambitious people who have lofty goals, Inner Circle is more vibey, aimed toward singles who have shared lifestyles and interests. Elite Singles leans even more heavily into the education angle, even claiming that they offer “Intelligent Matchmaking” to users. 

What is The League’s success rate? 

The League doesn’t advertise a success rate, but they claim to be 1,082 times more efficient than the leading dating app based on the New York Times wedding database.