Score, the dating app for people with good credit, is back

A dating app with a unique screening process is making a return to the market. Score, the app requiring a minimum credit score of 675 for registration, is relaunching after a six-month run in 2024 garnered significant attention and a user base of 50,000.

The Premise Behind Score

The app’s creator, Luke Bailey, initially launched Score to address what he saw as a significant, yet often avoided, aspect of relationship compatibility: financial responsibility. He noted that 54% of people cite a partner’s debt as a potential reason for divorce. Bailey believes financial compatibility is a crucial factor in long-term relationships, and that existing dating platforms largely ignore this element.

Did You Know? The original iteration of Score operated for six months, exceeding its initially planned 90-day availability due to its unexpected popularity.

The initial launch of Score faced criticism, with some labelling it as classist. However, the app’s premise resonated with enough users to generate global headlines. After a period of inactivity, Bailey reported receiving continued inquiries about the app’s status, and even requests from academics interested in studying its impact.

A Two-Tiered Approach

This relaunch features a more inclusive structure than its predecessor. While a “verified” tier will still require ID and credit score verification through Equifax – a “soft pull” that won’t impact credit scores – a basic tier will be available to all users without verification. The verified tier unlocks premium features, including the ability to see nearby members, view who has saved their profile, send video introductions, and message users before they swipe back.

Bailey emphasized that Score does not store full credit reports or sensitive financial data, and utilizes an encrypted infrastructure to secure user information. He maintains that the app doesn’t sell personal data.

Expert Insight: The reintroduction of Score highlights a growing, though often unspoken, awareness of the role financial compatibility plays in relationship success. By offering a tiered system, the app attempts to balance its core premise with broader accessibility, potentially mitigating earlier criticisms.

Looking Ahead

The app’s creator intends to expand beyond the U.S. Market, beginning with a launch in Canada. He also hinted at potential partnerships. Data collected during the first run of Score revealed generational differences in credit scores, with millennial men holding an 11% advantage over women, while that gap narrowed to just 3% for Gen Z. Bailey plans to continue monitoring these trends.

Bailey believes that financial behavior is a strong indicator of life stability and that dating algorithms should reflect this. He frames the app’s approach as measuring “attrition plus accountability,” contrasting it with traditional dating apps that focus solely on attrition rates.

Frequently Asked Questions

What credit score is required for the verified tier?

Users must have a credit score of at least 675 to access the verified tier of the Score app.

Does Score store sensitive financial data?

According to Bailey, Score does not store full credit reports or sensitive personal and financial data. It only receives confirmation of verification criteria.

What features are included in the verified plan?

The verified plan includes features such as seeing nearby members, viewing who has saved your profile, sending video intros, and messaging users before they swipe back.

As Score re-enters the dating app landscape, will a focus on financial compatibility prove to be a successful differentiator, or will it remain a niche offering?