5 Members-Only Dating Apps That Make Raya Look Low Maintenance

The League is marketed as a dating app for people with very high standards — those who know what they do and do not want. Though the League’s founder and CEO, Amanda Bradford, has spoken out against the idea that the app is elitist, there are certain aspects of this platform that definitely lend themselves to that idea.

For starters, the League has a waitlist, but it’s for good reason. “Because we stress quality over quantity, each of the profiles on the app is personally reviewed prior to going live,” the website explains. Unfortunately, depending on your plan, it can take months to get your profile reviewed and get off that waitlist. To expedite that process (and ensure your profile will be reviewed within 48 hours, Monday-Friday), you can opt for a paid membership plan instead. Though there are still no guarantees you’ll be approved.

There’s also the fact that, per the League’s website, 50% of their users have attended a Top 40 college. Plus, once you actually make your way onto the app, you decide your preferences, and then your profile will only be shown to those who match the criteria that you are looking for. All in all, the app sets itself up to be a favorite among people who are highly selective.

Luxy has been around for a while, but not everyone was a fan when it first launched in 2014 with the tagline, “Tinder, minus the poor people.” Oof. The app’s reputation as a millionaire matchmaker has not changed much since then. According to the app’s website, 41% of their members claim to be millionaires whereas 60% report having a higher annual income than $200,000.

The application to join Luxy also involves a 24-hour vouching process in which members vote on your eligibility. If fewer than 50% approve your profile, you won’t make it onto the app.

Although the app is free to download and use (assuming you are approved), there are different tiers of membership that are pretty expensive: Luxy BLACK costs $99 per month, and Luxy PLATINUM costs $999 for three months. Compared to the free membership, both give you unique advantages — like more matches, profile invisibility and priority, and location filters.

Founded in 2020, Lox Club is literally marketed as “a private, membership-based dating app for Jews with ridiculously high standards,” per its website (though you don’t technically have to be Jewish to join). Like Raya, in order to get on Lox Club, you need to submit an application, which the app can take one to two weeks (or longer) to review and determine whether you’re “waitlisted” or “accepted.”

If you do get in, you have to choose one of three membership options: $36 for 3 months, $60 for 6 months, or $96 for 12 months. All in all, the process sounds a little bit like handing your ID to a bouncer and then waiting to see if you’ll make the cut and have to pay the cover.

The application, subscription model, and general exclusivity are not without purpose though. They are aimed at ensuring that “each member is joining for the right reasons.” (Umm, do they also give out roses at the end of each week?) That’s why, once you’ve been approved to join, you don’t enter a world of limitless matches; users are capped at a dozen swipes every eight hours.

Although this app has been nicknamed the “Jewish Raya,” Lox Club’s founder, Austin Kevitch, told Vogue that they had different criteria. “We don’t care about how many Instagram followers you have or your status or clout as much as we’re looking for down-to-earth, well-rounded, humble people,” he explained. “We’re not looking specifically for status or who you’d want to invite to a fancy dinner party; we’re looking for people who you’d bump into at a house party and end up talking with in a corner for hours.”

The Inner Circle is yet another dating app that requires you to submit an application first. According to their website, you have to link your account to either your Facebook or LinkedIn pages, which helps keep the app full of real (and non-catfish) profiles.

Each application is then carefully reviewed before being accepted. “We check every profile individually to help make sure every member is genuine and serious about getting together,” the website explains. Knowing someone who is already active on the app can also help speed up your application.

But, no matter who you know and who you know, the app has a pretty specific vetting process. “When somebody registers for The Inner Circle we look at whether they have a good picture. Are you the only person in it? Is it a selfie with 'duck face' in the mirror? We still have those unfortunately… that’s not the perfect fit,” the app’s founder, David Vermeulen, told Insider in 2018. Noted.

Lusso is technically not a dating app (although you can access it on mobile), but that’s only because it’s too expensive to be listed in the App Store. Seriously. Lusso membership costs approximately $1,000 per month. Not to mention, there are a limited number of VIP memberships available per country. Once that number fills up, potential members stay on the waitlist until a spot opens up. So yes, even if you want to drop a grand per month, you might not get the opportunity.

In the meantime, non-paying members can access the app, but they can’t really use it. Payment is required in order to communicate with potential matches and see profile pictures. IMO, a dating app without those two things isn’t really much of a dating app at all.