Shaadi.com has been India's most trusted matrimonial platform for over 25 years. Founded in 1997, it holds a database of over 35 million profiles — the largest of any Indian matrimonial site. But in 2026, is it still the best option, or have newer platforms overtaken it?
We spent 45 days testing Shaadi.com with real profiles across Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore, and interviewed 12 couples who found their partners through the platform. Here's the honest verdict.
Shaadi.com is not a dating app. It's a matrimonial platform — the distinction matters enormously. Where Tinder or Hinge optimize for casual interaction, Shaadi is built specifically for people seeking marriage. Profiles include family background, caste preferences, horoscope details, and income brackets. The entire infrastructure is designed around Indian family expectations of a "good match."
This makes Shaadi powerful for its intended purpose and completely inappropriate for casual dating. If you're not looking for marriage specifically, this is not the platform for you.
Database size9.6
Profile quality8.2
Verification8.0
Free tier value5.2
UI & experience5.8
Value for money7.2
Shaadi.com has a free profile + browsingCreate a free profile and browse matches before paying.
MumbaiLargest user base. Excellent for all communities. Very active profiles.
DelhiParticularly strong for North Indian communities. NCR well-covered.
BangaloreStrong. Good for South Indian communities and IT professionals.
ChennaiStrong Tamil community coverage. Good quality profiles.
PuneDecent. Smaller but active Maharashtrian community.
Tier 2 citiesSmaller pool. Consider Jeevansathi as an alternative for North India.
| Plan | Price/mo | Contact views | Messaging | Photo visibility | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | ₹0 | Limited | ✗ | Blurred | Browse only |
| StandardBest value | ₹2,500 | Unlimited | ✓ | ✓ | Most users |
| Select | ₹4,000 | Unlimited | ✓ | ✓ | + Astro & privacy |
| Elite | ₹6,500 | Unlimited | ✓ | ✓ | Personal matchmaker |
The Standard plan at ₹2,500/month is sufficient for most users. Elite includes a personal matchmaker — worth considering if you've been searching for 6+ months without success. Monthly billing is available but the 3-month plan gives better value.
| Feature | Shaadi.com | Jeevansathi |
|---|---|---|
| Database size | 35M+ profiles | 15M+ profiles |
| Free tier | Limited | Limited |
| Price (standard) | ₹2,500/mo | ₹1,800/mo |
| Best region | Pan-India | North India |
| UI quality | Average | Average |
| NRI matching | Excellent | Good |
| Verification | Strong | Strong |
Our recommendation: start with Shaadi.com for its larger database. If you're primarily looking in North India and want to save on cost, add Jeevansathi as a secondary platform.
Is Shaadi.com worth the price in 2026?
Yes, for marriage-minded users in India. No other platform has a comparable database of verified Indian profiles. The Standard plan at ₹2,500/month is expensive by dating app standards but reasonable for what it provides — direct access to 35M+ curated matrimonial profiles.
Can I use Shaadi.com for casual dating?
No — and you shouldn't try. Shaadi.com is a matrimonial platform. Every user on it is looking for marriage. Using it for casual dating will result in wasted money, mismatched expectations, and potentially uncomfortable interactions. Use Tinder or Bumble for casual dating.
How is Shaadi.com different from Hinge or Tinder?
Completely different product. Shaadi is matrimonial — built for families involved in the process, with caste, income, and horoscope filters. Tinder and Hinge are modern dating apps with no such structure. Shaadi is for those seeking a marriage partner within Indian cultural expectations. Hinge/Tinder are for those seeking a romantic partner on their own terms.
Does Shaadi.com work for NRIs?
Yes — this is one of Shaadi's strongest categories. A significant portion of premium users are NRIs (Non-Resident Indians) looking for matches in India or within the diaspora. If you're in the US, UK, Canada, or the Gulf and looking for an Indian partner, Shaadi.com has no equal.
Ready to find your match on Shaadi.com?
India's largest matrimonial database. Create a free profile and browse matches before committing to Premium.
Compare Shaadi with all 12 apps
Our free cheat sheet shows which platform is right for your specific goals.
Ready to find your match on Shaadi.com?
India's largest matrimonial database. Create a free profile and browse matches before committing to Premium.
Compare Shaadi with all 12 apps
Our free cheat sheet shows which platform is right for your specific goals.