Shaadi.com has been India's most trusted matrimonial platform for over 25 years. Founded in 1997, it holds a database of over 35 million profiles — the largest of any Indian matrimonial site. But in 2026, is it still the best option, or have newer platforms overtaken it?

This review is based on the app's features, its App Store India pricing and how it fits what Indian users want. Here's the honest verdict.

What makes Shaadi.com different from dating apps

Shaadi.com is not a dating app. It's a matrimonial platform — the distinction matters enormously. Where Tinder or Hinge optimize for casual interaction, Shaadi is built specifically for people seeking marriage. Profiles include family background, caste preferences, horoscope details, and income brackets. The entire infrastructure is designed around Indian family expectations of a "good match."

This makes Shaadi powerful for its intended purpose and completely inappropriate for casual dating. If you're not looking for marriage specifically, this is not the platform for you.

Scoring Shaadi.com across 6 categories

Database size
9.6
Profile quality
8.2
Verification
8.0
Free tier value
5.2
UI & experience
5.8
Value for money
7.2
Shaadi.com has a free profile + browsing
Create a free profile and browse matches before paying.

How Shaadi.com performs across Indian cities

Mumbai
★★★★★
Largest user base. Excellent for all communities. Very active profiles.
Delhi
★★★★★
Particularly strong for North Indian communities. NCR well-covered.
Bangalore
★★★★☆
Strong. Good for South Indian communities and IT professionals.
Chennai
★★★★☆
Strong Tamil community coverage. Good quality profiles.
Pune
★★★☆☆
Decent. Smaller but active Maharashtrian community.
Tier 2 cities
★★★☆☆
Smaller pool. Consider Jeevansathi as an alternative for North India.

Shaadi.com pricing — what the plans actually include

PlanPrice (App Store India)Contact membersMessagingBest for
Free₹0Limited✗Creating a profile and browsing
GoldStart here₹5,200 for 3 months✓✓Most families
Diamond₹6,900 for 6 months✓✓A longer search

Gold (₹5,200 for 3 months on the App Store in India) is enough for most families. Diamond (₹6,900 for 6 months) costs less per month if you expect a longer search. Shaadi.com also runs website offers and assisted plans, so check the price in the app or on the site before paying. Not sure it is worth it? See Shaadi.com vs Jeevansathi.

Shaadi.com vs Jeevansathi — which is better?

FeatureShaadi.comJeevansathi
Database size35M+ profiles15M+ profiles
Free tierLimitedLimited
Entry paid planGold ₹5,200 / 3 monthsPro Lite from ₹1,699
Best regionPan-IndiaNorth India
UI qualityAverageAverage
NRI matchingExcellentGood
VerificationStrongStrong

Our recommendation: start with Shaadi.com for its larger database. If you're primarily looking in North India and want to save on cost, add Jeevansathi as a secondary platform.

Shaadi.com — India's most trusted matrimonial platform
35M+ verified profiles across all Indian communities.

Frequently asked questions

Is Shaadi.com worth the price in 2026? +
Yes, for marriage-minded users in India. No other platform has a comparable database of verified Indian profiles. Gold is listed at ₹5,200 for 3 months on the App Store in India. That is expensive by dating app standards but reasonable for what it provides — direct access to 35M+ curated matrimonial profiles.
Can I use Shaadi.com for casual dating? +
No — and you shouldn't try. Shaadi.com is a matrimonial platform. Every user on it is looking for marriage. Using it for casual dating will result in wasted money, mismatched expectations, and potentially uncomfortable interactions. Use Tinder or Bumble for casual dating.
How is Shaadi.com different from Hinge or Tinder? +
Completely different product. Shaadi is matrimonial — built for families involved in the process, with caste, income, and horoscope filters. Tinder and Hinge are modern dating apps with no such structure. Shaadi is for those seeking a marriage partner within Indian cultural expectations. Hinge/Tinder are for those seeking a romantic partner on their own terms.
Does Shaadi.com work for NRIs? +
Yes — this is one of Shaadi's strongest categories. A significant portion of premium users are NRIs (Non-Resident Indians) looking for matches in India or within the diaspora. If you're in the US, UK, Canada, or the Gulf and looking for an Indian partner, Shaadi.com has no equal.

Ready to find your match on Shaadi.com?

India's largest matrimonial database. Create a free profile and browse matches before committing to Premium.

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