Gay hook-up app Grindr is trialing a new ultra-premium subscription that could cost users up to $500 a month. The plan, called EDGE, is currently being tested with select users in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, with prices ranging from $349.99 to $499.99. Grindr says EDGE will not replace its existing Grindr Unlimited subscription, but instead sit above it. In a post on its website, Grindr announced it is becoming an AI-first company, promising “a faster, smarter, more personalised app that helps you connect with less effort and makes every conversation count”.
Powered by gAI, Grindr’s in-house AI system, EDGE is embedded across the entire user experience. New features include AI-generated recaps of past conversations, daily personalized profile recommendations, and profile insights designed to highlight potential compatibility. Online reaction to the price has been skeptical. One user wrote, “$500 a month? At that point just hire a matchmaker and a therapist.” Another added, “You can spend as much money as you want on Grindr to increase your presence on the grid, expand your reach, and whatever else, but if you’re chopped, you’re chopped.”
