How To Get A Merchant Account For Your Online Dating App in 2026

Dating apps are a clear indicator of the times: fast-moving, complex, and at times, risky. The same can be said for the underwriting process. For dating app merchant accounts, it takes more than just good intentions to get approval. You need an expansive, readily available list of in-app processes like subscription models and processing gateways to show you're trustworthy.

While this all may feel intimidating, Adaptiv Payments' online dating industry experts can help you expedite the process using a few simple tools. Whether it's specialized notifications like chargeback risks or reliable payment processing solutions, we’ll help ensure you can serve your customers with a seamless experience.

Payment gateways, even with so many profiles, swipes, and upgrades available, doesn't need to be a headache. You should be able to easily accept and process payments of all kinds, even those with recurring billing. If you're in the market for an online dating app merchant account in 2026, read on to find out how to get a merchant account for your online dating app.

Dating Apps: The Natural Risks

It's not just fake profiles and careless swiping that make dating apps a gamble. For those behind the scenes, there are innate risks. Like gambling or firearms, merchants in the dating app space experience a higher number of chargebacks, fraud, and billing issues.

Why? Dating platforms are almost designed for emotionally-charged customer behavior. Some want their money back after a bad date, while others may be dissatisfied with their premium subscription, leading to more chargebacks and a tarnished reputation.

While these risks may not be completely avoidable, there are ways to lessen their impact. Simply tie your website or app to a payment processing platform with chargeback prevention technology. Before you can implement payment solutions that actually work, you need to know what you (and your app) are up against.

Fraud & Fake Profiles

Users know, there are plenty of fake profiles swimming around any given dating app. And most of the time, they aren't found out until they're reported. Even if these sketchy transactions only happen from person to person, your platform may still be considered high risk for hosting these fraudulent individuals.

These fake profiles can even go as far as to steal credit card information, creating a catfish culture that can be traced back to your app's lack of security. Bot accounts, romance scams, and other attempts to cheapen your platform are not only irritating but also tangibly harmful.

Higher Chargeback Risk

It's true that a large portion of dating app chargebacks happen for emotional reasons. Although these apps are designed to empower users, people still have a hard time living with the results.

This is why you'll see people try and charge back their subscription plans quickly, hoping to be reimbursed for something outside of the app's hands.

Even so, chargebacks occur for other reasons, such as forgotten auto-renewals and changes in app pricing.

Issues With Recurring or Subscription Billing

These "issues" with billing vary. Many times, they happen when users forget to cancel their subscription. If it's a real issue with the app's interface, underwriters could use this as a reason to consider your app risky. This is why taking a clear look at your subscription, billing model, and return policy can help make the application process that much easier.

How To Make Online Dating Merchant Account Underwriting That Much Easier

Person holding their phone up to show a dating app match.

Credit: Adaptiv Payments

Chances are, if you own or have just launched an app for an online dating service, you understand the hoops your company will have to jump through to get things rolling. While it isn't as simple as collecting the right information and putting together an application, the underwriting process doesn't have to prevent you from growing.

With experienced support, you can get a high-risk merchant account designed to protect you from common hurdles: fraud, hidden fees, increased chargebacks, and more. This way, you can keep your business license and help show banks that you're worth the risk.

Learn from Adaptiv Payment's comprehensive guide showing you how to get a merchant account for your online dating app. Here are some major steps to take to gain approval for your own account:

Step 1: Ensure Legality

First, get the right documentation. All processes (internal, external, as mandated by software) need to be clearly stated on your website. Either on the homepage or a dedicated "About" section, users need to know what they're getting into (banks, too).

Banks typically want to see the following processes displayed upfront:

• Billing & Subscription Information: How is it done and when?
• Cancellation Policies: What's the window? How can users start one?
• Customer Support: Where can users find it?
• Data Privacy & Security Processes: How is user data protected by the app?

If your users can trust you to keep them safe and deliver a joyful, stress-free experience, why shouldn't banks? After you've ensured these policies have been added, prepare your application documents. Not sure where to start? That’s where we come in.

Step 2: Choose a Payment Processor You Can Trust

Trust isn't just a feeling. It's the small actions that show that you hear, understand, and support your customer base. The same goes with payment processors. At Adaptiv Payments, we give merchants access to risk prevention tools that work in real-time. In this case, in-app barriers against sketchy behavior.

Think layered fraud prevention, international payment capabilities, and other major features that only those who know the industry can offer. Soon enough, your reputation will be as clean as the day you started your company. Other payment processors who offer high-value risk-prevention tools in 2026 include Corepay, PaymentCloud, and Zen Payments.

Step 3: Gather Your Application Materials

Another thing a good payment processor can do is help you collect the necessary application materials before you make any mistakes. Maybe you've got your business license hidden away somewhere, or maybe your bank statements are out of date.

With us, you can trust that every piece of essential information will be accounted for, down to your day-one processing history. Banks additionally love to see your:

• Government ID (For owners and directors)
• Monthly Transaction Volume Estimates
• App and Website URLs
• Business Registration Documents

Step 4: Survey & Reduce Chargeback Risk

If you're already aware that your app experiences a high number of chargebacks, it's best to make this clear to banks right away. Full transparency can help ease the burden of risk, even if it feels overwhelming.

Before you start your application, survey your chargeback risk by looking closely at recent numbers and your overall chargeback history. You should also check the features/areas in your app’s design that might be causing or aggravating the number of them.

Talk to a bank about your history without any surprises. You may be able to reduce your app's chargeback risk before applying by conducting these common surveys:

• Post-Cancellation Exit Surveys
• Failed Payments Surveys
• Dispute Intent Surveys
• In-App Pulse Checks
• Support Ticket Behavior Analysis

If you can't seem to suppress chargebacks, it may be time to take it from the bottom. Look at your app's structure, displays, and navigation tools. These may show you just where users get frustrated.

Step 5: Consider Global or International Processing

You may not want to dance around the complex world of international payment processing. Maintaining fear about the payment processing needs is fair, but not always true. Online dating merchant accounts, especially those hosted by a processor with experience, naturally support international payments by offering multiple gateways (including those that only accept local banks).

Easily accept alternative payment methods like PayPal, Apple Pay, and various cryptocurrencies when your online dating business partners with an eligible processor.

Adaptiv Payments: Your Online Dating Payment Processing Perfect Match

Shot of a phone screen with multiple dating apps displayed.

Credit: Adaptiv Payments

The natural processes of a dating app are high-risk. Why? They depend on chance, timing, and emotions, all things industry finds to be touchy. Whether it's the kind of payments accepted or multiple available in-app purchases that cause banks strife, Adaptiv Payments isn't afraid.

Bring your dating website or brand-new app to us, and we'll make sure you find a supportive place to land. This way, users won't need to worry about foundational risks, such as privacy concerns or being charged without consent.

Need a space that not only encourages user satisfaction but also offers tools like recurring payment support to get them there? Choose Adaptiv Payments for your online dating site.