Imagine swiping right not just on looks or hobbies, but on financial responsibility. It sounds like a plot twist in a rom-com, but it’s real—and it’s back. Two years ago, Luke Bailey introduced Score, a dating app that sparked both fascination and fury by requiring users to have a credit score of at least 675. Now, after a brief disappearance, Score is returning—this time, with a promise to stay. But here’s where it gets controversial: Is this a genius way to foster financial compatibility, or an elitist approach that excludes those who’ve faced economic challenges? Let’s dive in.
Back in 2024, Bailey launched Score just before Valentine’s Day, framing it as a tool to encourage open conversations about money—a topic many couples avoid until it’s too late. ‘Financial compatibility is one of the most overlooked relationship factors,’ Bailey told TechCrunch. ‘Yet, 54% of people cite a partner’s debt as a reason to consider divorce.’ His solution? A dating app that puts financial responsibility front and center.
The app quickly became a lightning rod for debate. Critics labeled it classist, arguing it favored the financially privileged. Yet, despite the backlash, Score gained 50,000 users and global attention during its initial six-month run. When it shut down, Bailey assumed the conversation would continue without him. And this is the part most people miss: It didn’t. Instead, users clamored for its return, and even academics reached out to study its impact on relationship dynamics. ‘It became clear this wasn’t just a viral moment,’ Bailey said. ‘It tapped into something unresolved in relationship culture.’
This time, Score is back with a few tweaks. Available on the iOS App Store (unlike its rushed mobile-only debut), the app now offers two tiers: a basic, no-verification option for anyone to browse and connect, and a verified tier where users must confirm their identity and credit score to unlock premium features. Bailey emphasizes that the app uses a ‘soft pull’ via Equifax, ensuring no impact on credit scores. ‘We don’t store full credit reports or sensitive data,’ he clarified. ‘We simply confirm eligibility.’
The verified tier includes perks like seeing nearby matches, viewing profile saves, sending video intros, and messaging before a match. But the real question remains: Is using credit scores as a dating metric fair? Bailey argues it’s not about wealth but consistency. ‘Banks look for reliability in customers, and we look for the same in relationships,’ he said. ‘Dating apps measure attrition; we measure attrition plus accountability.’
Here’s where it gets even more intriguing: Score’s data revealed fascinating generational trends. For instance, millennial men had credit scores 11% higher than women, while Gen Z men’s scores were only 3% higher. With its global expansion starting in Canada, Bailey plans to track how these dynamics evolve. ‘Financial behavior is one of the strongest predictors of life stability,’ he said. ‘Compatibility algorithms should reflect that.’
But is this approach inclusive, or does it perpetuate financial bias? Bailey insists this version is more inclusive, addressing past criticism. Yet, the debate rages on. What do you think? Is Score a step forward in dating transparency, or a step back into financial elitism? Let’s discuss in the comments—and maybe, just maybe, find love (or a lively debate) along the way.
