Our verdict
BLK is a dating app made for Black singles, introduced by Match Group in 2017. Swiping, matching and chat are free, and the Premium, Elite and Platinum tiers add unlimited likes, see who likes you and filters.
Bottom line: BLK is worth having if you want an app built for Black singles, ideally alongside one bigger mainstream app.
Great for: Black singles who want a community-focused swipe app
Not ideal for: People in small towns who need a big pool, and anyone who wants to date on a computer.
What is the BLK dating app?
BLK is a dating app made for Black singles. Match Group, the company behind Tinder and Hinge, introduced it in August 2017 (Match Group, 2021), and it’s run by Affinity Apps, a Match Group company in Dallas. The BLK app works like other swipe apps. You set up a free profile, choose who you want to see, and swipe right or tap the heart on the people you like. If the like is mutual, you match and can start chatting.
Each profile shows a dating intent under the name, so before you swipe you can see whether someone wants something casual, something more serious or is open to anything. You can change your own under I’m Looking For when you edit your profile.
Is there a BLK dating site?
Not in the usual sense. BLK is a phone app for iPhone and Android, and its website presents it as an app rather than a place to sign up in your browser. We didn’t find a desktop version for swiping or chat, so if you’re searching for a BLK dating website or BLK online dating on a laptop, the app is still where everything happens. If you’d rather date on a computer, Match and eHarmony both have full websites.
What you can do for free
Without paying, you can:
- create a profile, swipe and match;
- message your matches;
- join Communities, BLK’s moderated group chats (full access needs a verified video selfie);
- find in-person Events in select markets, such as happy hours and paint nights;
- send one free Gem a week to someone from Spotlight, a daily list of eight popular members, with a message before you’ve matched.
The free version shows ads and limits your likes. In late 2025, BLK said it was testing two more free features with some members: seeing everyone who liked you and sending a note from a profile. Our BLK pricing guide explains what the paid tiers add and cost.
Who uses BLK
BLK is for Black singles aged 18 and over. As of October 3, 2026, it had more than 5 million downloads on Google Play, a 4.2 rating from about 138,000 Google Play reviews and a 4.6 rating from about 555,000 App Store ratings. Match Group lists BLK among its affinity brands, which it says serve “communities defined by shared culture, values, or experiences” (Match Group, 2026). Intentions range from casual to serious, which is why the dating intent on each profile is worth reading.
Is BLK safe and legit?
Yes, BLK is a legitimate app owned by a listed company. Face Check asks for a short video selfie and adds a Photo Verified badge when your face matches your photos. BLK is rolling it out in phases and requires it in some regions. In chats, an Are You Sure? prompt asks you to rethink a message that looks offensive, and automated filters plus trained reviewers look into reported conversations.
One privacy setting is worth checking. Expanded Discovery & Interaction can show your BLK profile on other Match Group apps; to keep it on BLK only, turn it off under Settings → Your Privacy Choices → Match Group Data Sharing. Before meeting anyone, have a video call, and walk away from a match who asks for money, a common sign of romance scams.
BLK vs Bumble and Hinge
- BLK vs Bumble. Both now let either person send the first message after a match, since Bumble dropped its women-first rule in August 2026. Bumble is far bigger and requires photo verification in the US, while BLK is built for one community. See our BLK vs Bumble comparison.
- BLK vs Hinge. Hinge is built around prompts and detailed profiles and has a far bigger pool, but it isn’t made for one community. See our Hinge review.
Is BLK a good dating app for you?
BLK is a good fit if you like swiping and want an app where everyone chose a community built for Black singles. It’s a weaker choice in a small town, where any niche app runs short of profiles, or if you want to date on a computer. Many people keep BLK and add one bigger app for volume.
How to get more from the BLK app
- Verify early. Complete the video selfie so your profile shows as verified and Communities open up fully.
- Widen your distance if you run out of profiles. Tap your profile icon, then the gear icon, and change the distance and age range in your match preferences.
- Spend your free Gem well. Send it with a short message to the Spotlight profile you like most, so they hear from you before you match.
- Check your Likes tab before paying. If BLK already shows you who liked you, you may only need Premium, or nothing at all.
BLK at a glance
| Audience | Black singles 18+, mainly in the US |
|---|---|
| Typical goal | Dating and relationships |
| Free version | Yes — Swiping, matching and messaging matches, Dating intent on every profile, Communities group chats and local Events (select markets), 1 free Gem a week to message before a match |
| Paid from | ≈ $9.99 (US App Store) (see all plans) |
| Platforms | iOS, Android |
Pros and cons
Pros
- Built for Black singles
- Free swiping, matching and chat
- Dating intent shown on every profile
- Video-selfie verification and message filters
Cons
- Phone app only, no desktop version
- Much smaller pool than mainstream apps
- Seeing who likes you usually needs Elite
- Ads in the free version
Key features
- Swipe and match
- Swipe right or tap the heart; a mutual like is a match and opens the chat.
- Dating intent
- Profiles show whether someone wants something casual, more serious or is open to anything.
- Spotlight and Gems
- A daily list of eight popular members; a Gem lets you add a message before you match.
- Communities and Events
- Moderated group chats, plus in-person events in select markets.
- Face Check
- A video selfie that adds a Photo Verified badge; required in some regions.
How much does BLK cost?
| Plan | Indicative price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Swiping, matching and messaging matches, Dating intent on every profile, Communities group chats and local Events (select markets), 1 free Gem a week to message before a match |
| Premium | From ≈ $9.99 (US App Store); 1 week to 6 months | Unlimited likes and rewinds, 5 Super Likes a week, 1 Boost a month, No ads |
| Elite | ≈ $17.99–19.99 a week or $19.99–29.99 a month (US App Store) | Everything in Premium, See who likes you, Sort your likes |
| Platinum | Shown in the app (weekly to six-month plans) | Everything in Elite, Read receipts, Priority Likes, Filters for active, new or subscribed members |
| One-off extras | Pay as you go, no subscription needed | Super Likes in packs of 5, 25 or 60, Boosts, single or in 5- and 10-packs, Gems in packs of 3, 15 or 30 |
Prices are indicative, in US dollars unless another currency is shown, and were checked October 3, 2026. Apps often charge different amounts by country, age, platform and plan length — confirm the final price in the app before paying.
Want the full breakdown and ways to save? Read our BLK pricing guide and free trial options.
Is BLK safe?
Face Check asks for a video selfie and adds a Photo Verified badge, an “Are You Sure?” prompt flags offensive messages before they’re sent, and you can block or report anyone. Turn off Expanded Discovery & Interaction if you don’t want your profile shown on other Match Group apps.
Before meeting anyone, follow our verification checklist.
Not sure BLK is right for you?
These alternatives may suit you better depending on your goals. See all BLK alternatives.
Best for: Finding a relationship in your 20s and 30s
- Detailed, conversation-friendly profiles
- Strong focus on real relationships
- Free version is usable, with free faith and ethnicity filters
- Free version
- Yes
- Paid from
- ≈ $16.99 (US App Store)
Best for: A big, well-moderated swipe app
- Big pool, with 100M+ Google Play downloads
- Photo verification required in the US
- Free in-app voice and video calls
- Free version
- Yes
- Paid from
- ≈ $2.99 for Boost (US App Store)
Best for: Meeting lots of people fast
- Huge, active user base almost everywhere
- Free version lets you match and chat
- Very fast and easy to use
- Free version
- Yes
- Paid from
- ≈ $9.99 (US App Store)
Best for: Serious daters who like to search
- Large, relationship-minded community
- Free members can chat with their matches
- Strong search, on the web and in apps
- Free version
- Yes
- Paid from
- ≈ $19.99 (US App Store)
Compare BLK
BLK FAQ
Who owns BLK?
BLK is owned by Match Group, the company behind Tinder, Hinge and Match. Match Group introduced it in August 2017, and the app is run by Affinity Apps, a Match Group company based in Dallas. Match Group lists BLK among its affinity brands for communities with a shared culture.
Can I use BLK on a computer?
How do I change the distance on BLK?
Change it in your settings. Tap your profile icon, then the gear icon, and scroll to your match preferences, where you can set the distance and the age range of the people you see. If you keep running out of profiles, widening the distance is the quickest fix.
Does BLK still have live streaming?
No. BLK ended livestreaming on August 19, 2024. The app now centers on swiping and chat, plus free extras such as Communities, its moderated group chats, and in-person Events in select markets, where you can find happy hours and similar meetups near you.