Is Bumble Premium Worth It? [2026 Review]

Is Bumble Premium worth it? For most guys, probably not. Bumble Premium costs $39.99/month for advanced filters, incognito mode, and unlimited swipes — but it won't boost your profile or improve your match rate.

Out of Bumble's 50+ million monthly active users (Backlinko, 2025), only about 4.1 million pay for a subscription (Bumble FY2024 SEC filing). That's roughly 8% — and the paying users aren't seeing dramatically better results.

If you're getting zero matches now, Premium won't fix that. If you're getting decent matches, Premium might speed things up slightly, but it's not game-changing.

Whitney Wolfe Herd, Bumble's founder, has said the app is designed so that "women make the first move." Premium features don't change that dynamic — only a stronger profile does.

That said, there are specific scenarios where it makes sense. Let's break down exactly when Bumble Premium is worth it and when you're wasting money.

What You Get With Bumble Premium

Bumble Premium includes:

• Unlimited Swipes – No daily limit (free users get limited swipes)
• Beeline Access – See everyone who liked you (no blurring)
• Advanced Filters – Filter by height, education, politics, exercise, drinking, smoking, etc.
• Travel Mode – Swipe in other cities before you visit
• Incognito Mode – Hide your profile unless you swipe right on someone first
• SuperSwipe – 5 per week (notify women you're extra interested)
• Rematch – Reconnect with expired matches
• Extend Matches – Give women an extra 24 hours to message
• Backtrack – Undo accidental left swipes

That's a lot of features. But most of them aren't very useful.

When Bumble Premium Is Actually Worth It

Bumble Premium is worth it if you're already getting matches and want to save time. It makes the most sense for active users in large cities who consistently hit their swipe limit and have a full Beeline.

1. You're Hitting Your Swipe Limit Daily

If you live in a big city and you're running out of swipes every day, unlimited swipes can help. You can keep swiping without waiting for the reset.

This is most useful if you're already getting matches. More swipes = more potential connections.

But if you're in a smaller area where you run out of profiles entirely, unlimited swipes won't help. There's no one left to swipe on.

2. You Have a Full Beeline (Lots of Incoming Likes)

If you're getting lots of likes and you want to skip the guessing game, seeing your full Beeline can save time.

Instead of swiping through hundreds of profiles hoping to find who liked you, you can see them all immediately.

This is valuable for guys with strong profiles who get consistent likes. If your Beeline is empty, paying to see it is pointless.

3. You Travel Frequently for Work or Leisure

Travel Mode lets you start swiping in a city before you arrive. You can line up dates in advance.

This is useful if you travel often and want to meet people in new locations. For most people who travel occasionally, it's not worth $35/month.

4. You Value Privacy (Incognito Mode)

Incognito Mode hides your profile from everyone except people you've swiped right on. This is useful if:

• You're in a small town and don't want everyone knowing you're on Bumble
• You're a public figure or work in a professional field where privacy matters
• You want to be selective about who sees you

But here's the catch: Incognito Mode drastically reduces your matches.

You're invisible to everyone until you swipe right on them first. Most women won't see your profile, so you're relying entirely on your outbound swipes. If you're not getting matches now, Incognito will make things worse.

5. You Have Very Specific Deal-Breakers

Advanced filters let you screen for:

• Height
• Education level
• Political views
• Exercise frequency
• Drinking and smoking habits
• Whether they have/want kids

If these are non-negotiable for you, filters can prevent wasted time on incompatible matches.

But most of this information is already visible in profiles. You're paying for automatic filtering rather than checking manually.

When Bumble Premium Is NOT Worth It

Bumble Premium is not worth it if you're getting zero matches, live in a small town, or expect premium features to boost your algorithm ranking. Research published in Evolutionary Psychological Science found that less than 2% of dating app matches result in an in-person meetup — and paying for premium doesn't change that ratio.

1. You're Getting Zero Matches

If you're barely getting matches on free Bumble, Premium won't change that.

The problem isn't your swipe limit or lack of filters. The problem is your photos aren't attracting interest.

Bumble Premium doesn't boost your profile algorithmically. It doesn't make you more attractive. It just unlocks features you can't effectively use without matches. Research shows the average man's match rate on dating apps is roughly 3% (Tinder Experiment, Ogury data) — and Premium doesn't improve that number.

Fix your photos first. Better photos will get you more results than any premium feature ever will.

2. You Live in a Small Town

If your area has limited users, unlimited swipes and advanced filters are pointless. You'll run out of profiles regardless.

Filters might even narrow an already small pool, leaving you with zero options.

3. You're Expecting an Algorithm Boost

A lot of guys assume paying for Premium gives them better visibility. It doesn't.

Bumble's algorithm ranks profiles based on engagement, profile completeness, and user preferences—not subscription status.

You won't show up higher in the stack just because you paid. Premium is about convenience, not competitive advantage.

4. You're Not Active on Bumble

If you only check Bumble once or twice a week, you're not maximizing Premium features.

Unlimited swipes, Beeline, and travel mode are most valuable for daily users. Occasional users are better off with the free version.

Bumble Boost vs Bumble Premium: Which Is Better?

Bumble offers two main paid tiers (plus Premium+ at the top):

For most users, Bumble Boost is better value.

The core benefit—seeing who liked you—is available in Boost. Advanced filters, travel mode, and incognito mode are nice-to-haves, not essentials.

Unless you specifically need those extra features, save ~$20/month and get Boost instead.

How Much Does Bumble Premium Cost?

The 6-month plan offers the best value per month, but only commit if you're sure you'll use it consistently.

If you're testing whether Premium helps, start with one month. Cancel if you don't see improvement.

Alternatives to Bumble Premium

Before spending $40/month, try these alternatives:

1. Improve Your Photos

Your photos are 90% of your results. If you're not getting matches, new photos will help far more than Premium.

Focus on natural lighting, genuine smiles, and variety (full body, close-up, activity shots). Avoid common photo mistakes like mirror selfies and gym pics. If you don't have great photos, GetMatches generates realistic, natural-looking dating photos tailored to what women actually respond to.

2. Optimize Your Bio

Bumble bios matter more than Tinder bios because women message first. Give them something interesting to reference.

Good bios are specific, playful, and invite conversation. Avoid common bio mistakes like generic lines ("I love to travel and try new food").

3. Be Selective With Swipes

Bumble's algorithm rewards selectivity. If you swipe right on everyone, your profile gets deprioritized.

Being intentional with your swipes (even with free limits) can improve your visibility more than unlimited swipes.

4. Verify Your Profile

Verified profiles get better visibility in the algorithm. It's free and takes 30 seconds.

Bumble prioritizes verified users because it improves trust and reduces fake profiles.

Final Verdict: Is Bumble Premium Worth It?

Yes, if:

• You're already getting matches and want to speed things up
• You're hitting your daily swipe limit regularly
• You have a full Beeline and want to see who liked you
• You travel frequently and want to line up dates in advance
• You need privacy (Incognito Mode) for professional or personal reasons

No, if:

• You're getting zero matches (fix your profile first)
• You live in a small town with limited users
• You're expecting Premium to boost your algorithm ranking
• You only check Bumble occasionally (not worth the cost)
• You can get the same value from cheaper Bumble Boost (~$17/month)

Bottom line: Bumble Premium is a luxury, not a necessity.

If your profile is strong, Premium can make things slightly faster. If your profile is weak, Premium won't help at all.

Wondering about premium subscriptions on other apps? See our breakdowns of Tinder Gold and Hinge Plus.

Most guys are better off with Bumble Boost or investing that money in better photos. If you're not sure where to start with photos, GetMatches can help—our AI generates natural, realistic dating photos optimized for what women actually find attractive.

Frequently Asked Questions