Grindr Statistics [Users, Revenue, Valuation]

Grindr, the world’s largest social networking app for gay, bi, trans, and queer people, has become an integral part of the LGBTQ+ community since its launch in 2009. With its unique geolocation-based interface, Grindr has revolutionized the way individuals connect, fostering both casual encounters and meaningful relationships.

This comprehensive statistical piece delves into various aspects of Grindr, offering insights into its financial performance, user demographics, activity levels, and its standing within the broader landscape of dating apps.

Table of contents:

Key Takeaways

  • Grindr’s revenue was $259.69 million in 2023 (up 31% from last year) but is estimated to reach over $300 million by 2025.
  • Grindr has an average growth of +70% year-over-year.
  • Grindr has 13 million monthly active users, of which 937.000 are paying subscribers (7%).
  • Grindr has 145 million registered users.
  • Grindr was valued at $2.1 billion in 2021 (has since dropped to $1.1 billion).
  • Grindr was temporarily owned by a Chinese company (Kunlun); they bought Grindr when it was worth $150 million and sold Grindr 4 years later for $608 million to SVA LLC after they were forced to sell by the US government.
  • 8.7% of Grindr users are HIV positive.
  • 52.2% of Grindr users also use Scruff

Grindr Financials: Revenue, Valuation, and EBITDA

  • Grindr turned over $141 million in revenue in 2022.
  • Grindr had the biggest EBITDA result in 2022 with $85 million in profits.
  • Grindr was valued at $2.1 billion in 2021, this valuation has since dropped to $1.1 billion.
  • Grindr has grown revenue by +70% on average year-over-year since its founding.
  • in 2022 Grindr had the first year of negative top-line revenue (-4%) and went from $146 million in 2021 to only turning over $141 million in 2022.
Grindr Revenue
YearRevenueCAGREBITDAValuation
2023$259.69 M31%$110 M
2022$190.02 M26%$85.2 M$1.1 B
2021$145.8 M33%$77.1 M$2.1 B
2020$104.5 M3%$24.7 M$608 M
2019$101.3 M22%$31.3 M
2018$83.2 M25%-$4.16 M
2017$66.4 M40%$13.7 M$394.8 M
2016$47.5 M25%-$22 M$151.2 M
2015$38.9 M19%$9 M
2014$32.1 M24%$4 M
2013$25.8 M95%$3 M$75 M
2012$13.2 M106%$3 M
2011$6.4 M220%$1 M
2010$2.1 M292%
2009$510,000
The calculation is solely based on publically announced acquires and other publicly available information. Post 2020 the valuation is based on the public traded value of the SPAC.

To answer how much Grindr is worth, we can take a look at some of the investments and purchases the company has undergone throughout the years. This gave us the exact valuation and thereby worth of Grindr at the specific time of the deals.

In 2013 an internal process was initiated to give employees warrents and share equity. This process valued Grindr at $75 million.

In 2016 Kunlun Tech Co (a Chinese gaming company) bought a majority stake in Grindr (65.5%) for $93 million, making Grindr’s valuation north of $150 million.

Just one year later, In 2017 Kunlun Tech Co bought the remaining 33.5% of the shares (1% still belonged to the founder and employees) for $152 million, valuing Grindr at $395 million.

In 2019, the Chinese owners of Grindr were forced by the US Government (CFIUS, The Committee on Foreign Investment) to sell their shares over privacy concerns. In 2020 Grindr was sold for $608 million to San Vicente Acquisition LLC. A SPAC (special purpose acquisition company) that shortly thereafter publicly listed Grindr.

Users

  • Grindr has 139 million registered users.
  • Grindr has 9.6 million monthly active users, which is -30% down from its former peak of 13.6 million monthly active users in 2019.
Grindr Users

From the data, we also find that:

  • 745,500 users on Grindr pay for features or subscriptions on the dating app.
  • Grindr turned over $141 million from their 745,500 paying subscribers, which means each paying subscriber on average pays $189 annually for the dating app ($16/mo).
  • The average paying user on Grindr spends $16 per month on services and subscriptions.
  • The average monthly active Grindr profile pays $14.7 a year ($1.2/mo).
  • 7% of the monthly active users on Grindr are paying subscribers.
  • Just 0.05% of all registered users on Grindr are currently paying subscribers.
Grindr Paying Users
YearRegistered usersMonthly active usersPaying users
2022139.4 M9.6 M745,500
2021138.8 M10.8 M723,000
202099.5 M13.0 M769,231
201997.4 M13.6 M526,507
201880.0 M12.0 M481,928
201752.3 M8.4 M335,958
201637.4 M6.6 M265,400
201530.0 M5.3 M212,900
201416.1 M5.0 M173,000
20137.8 M2.2 M71,900
20124.0 M1.1 M31,500
20113.1 M1.4 M41,000
20101.3 M600,00013,400
2009200,000170,0008,500

Demographic

  • 80% of Grindr users are under the age of 35. And the mean age of Grindr users is 31.7 years old.
Grindr Demographics%
Sexual orientation: Gay77.2
Sexual orientation: Gay: Bisexual21.7
Sexual orientation: Gay: Bisexual: Other1.1
Current relationship: Yes25
Current relationship: No75
Ethnicity: White (non-Hispanic/Latino)63
Ethnicity: Black (non-Hispanic/Latino)19.6
Ethnicity: Hispanic/Latino (any race)9.8
Ethnicity: Asian/Pacific Islander3.3
Ethnicity: Multiracial4.3
Education: Less than 12th Grade2.2
Education: High School, or equivalent12
Education: Some college22.8
Education: Some college4.3
Education: Bachelor’s degree7.6
Education: Master’s degree35.9
Education: Masters’ degree12
Education: Doctoral degree3.3
Employment status: Working full time56.5
Employment status: Working part-time16.3
Employment status: Not working13
Employment status: Student12
Employment status: Unable to work2.2
Individual yearly income: Under $10,00017.4
Individual yearly income: $10,000 to $24,99918.5
Individual yearly income: $25,000 to $39,99918.5
Individual yearly income: $40,000 to $54,99921.7
Individual yearly income: $55,000 to $69,9998.7
Individual yearly income: $70,000 to $84,9996.5
Individual yearly income: $85,000 to $99,9994.3
Individual yearly income: $100,000 or more2.2

Activity

  • Grindr profiles send 855 million photos every month (10.3 billion photos each year).
  • Grindr profiles send 654 million taps every month (7.85 billion taps each year)

Sexual Activity and HIV status

HIV status%
Negative84.8%
Positive8.7%
Unknown/never tested6.5%
Engaged in Insertive Anal Intercourse (IAI) in past 6 months%
Yes70.7%
No29.3%
Engaged in Receptive Anal Intercourse (RAI) in past 6 months%
Yes58.7%
No41.3%

Grindr Popularity in the Gay Community

When looking at the age groups in the gay community, who currently report being on Grindr we find that:

  • 23% of gay men aged 18-24 are currently on Grindr.
  • 19% of gay men aged 25-34 are currently on Grindr.
  • 16% of gay men aged 35-44 are currently on Grindr.
  • 7% of gay men aged 45-54 are currently on Grindr.
  • 1% of gay men aged 55-74 are currently on Grindr.
  • 2% of gay men aged 75+ are currently on Grindr.
Age% of all gay men
18-2423%
25-3419%
35-4416%
45-547%
55-641%
65-741%
75+2%

Other Dating Apps

Grindr users also use other dating services, sites, and apps.

  • 52.2% of Grindr users also use Scruff
  • 45.7% of Grindr users also use Jack’d
  • 21.7% of Grindr users also use Hornet
  • 18.5% of Grindr users also use GROWLr
  • 10.9% of Grindr users also use Guy Spy
  • 8.7% of Grindr users also use MISTER
  • 7.6% of Grindr users also use Boy Ahoy
  • 7.6% of Grindr users also use Skout
  • 4.3% of Grindr users also use Bender
  • 3.3% of Grindr users also use Planet Romeo

Facts

  • Grindr was created by Mr. Simkhai in 2009.
  • Grindr is no longer a Chinese-owned company, as of 2020. It was formerly owned by Kunlun Tech Co (a Chinese gaming tech company) from 2016 to 2019 when they were forced to sell the company – which took effect in 2020.
  • Grindr is available in 196 different countries.
  • Grindr’s Headquarters are located in West Hollywood, California.
  • The current CEO (Chief Executive Officer) is Jeff Bonforte.