Is Raya Actually Worth Its Hefty Price Tag?
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Let's face it: Dating apps aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. And by now, many daters have tested them all, from the tried-and-true classics (think: Tinder) to the relationship-focused apps (Hinge) to the kink-friendly options (Feeld, I’m looking at you). While most of these just take a minute to download on the app store, there’s another dating app that has a reputation for being a little more discerning with its membership. Whether you’ve already exhausted all your other options or are simply curious about the swipers who aren’t on Bumble and OkCupid, you might be intrigued by Raya.
Although the ultra-exclusive app is marketed towards celebrities and influencers, you don’t need to be one to get on it. At least, not anymore. “While it started with a focus on the creative and famous, Raya has evolved to include non-celebrities who share similar values,” says Rebecca Marcus, LCSW, a dating coach and relationship therapist based in New York. “Users are typically admitted based on a curated selection process that considers factors beyond just fame.”
Interested in this exclusive dating app? Ahead, relationship experts explain what Raya is, how it works, and which celebs have it on their phone (yep, even Simone Biles has opened up about being a Raya user).
Meet the experts: Rebecca Marcus, LCSW, is a dating coach and relationship therapist based in New York. Deana Panza, LPC, is a licensed mental health counselor and relationship coach based in Georgia.
What is Raya, exactly?
Raya touts itself as a private, membership-based community for people all over the world to connect and collaborate. At its conception in 2015, Raya was filled with musicians, actors and influencers looking for love (and platonic relationships, too). However, as time passed, the app slowly started expanding to include entrepreneurs and other creatives, making it more accessible to everyday individuals while still staying exclusive.
Today, Raya is also used as a platform for networking and connecting with other creatives and professionals. “Raya is more than just a dating app; it's a space for cultivating meaningful connections with people who share common values,” including a sense of ambition and an interest in creative fields, says Marcus. “It's not solely for celebrities, and non-celebrities can find a place here, too.”
But your chances of getting on the app are still difficult: As of 2018, only about eight percent of applicants were accepted to Raya, per The New York Times.
How much does Raya cost?
Raya operates on a subscription basis: Once accepted, members have the option to purchase a one, six, or 12-month auto-renewing membership. A standard Raya membership starts at $24.99 per month and a Raya+ membership starts at $49.99, according to the app store. You can save a few bucks by paying for an annual membership instead of going month-by-month, but the difference isn't too drastic.
With a Raya+ membership, you'll get to enjoy additional features including unlimited likes, access to more profiles, and the ability to see who's already swiped on you.
The full price breakdown:
Raya
$24.99 for one month
$113.99 for six months ($18.99 per month)
$155.99 for one year ($12.99 per month)
Raya+
$49.99 for one month
$239.99 for six months ($39.99 per month)
$349.99 for one year ($29.16 per month)
What’s so great about Raya?
Aside from the exclusivity, there are several reasons you might want to send in your Raya application.
First off, it’s an ideal place to potentially meet people within your field or those with similar interests. “From my understanding and client feedback, Raya provides a unique environment for meeting interesting and accomplished individuals,” says Marcus. “It fosters a sense of community, and its curated approach often results in more meaningful connections compared to mainstream dating apps.”
It’s also more discreet than other dating apps. Once accepted, users must agree to a code of silence. Exposing other people’s profiles and screenshotting within the app is strictly prohibited, according to a 2021 article in The New Yorker. Users who publicly mention another member, or even post too often about Raya, can also be at risk of getting banned. So, if privacy is a priority for you, Raya might be the app of your dreams.
Another pro of Raya: It’s great for someone interested in dating within a very specific niche. “Most people appear to be professionally successful. [There are] lots of C-suite level and tech entrepreneurs,” says Deana Panza, LPC, a licensed mental health counselor and relationship coach based in Georgia. This can help users potentially find matches with similar interests, skill sets, and backgrounds.
Are there any cons to Raya?
Although Raya provides a space for users to meet like-minded individuals with similar careers and passions, it does shrink the size of the dating pool compared to other dating apps—which may give you a slight disadvantage when seeing who's out there.
In the same vein, a majority of users reside in New York City, Los Angeles, or other parts of California, according to Panza. So, while this is a great app for bi-coastal jet-setters and city dwellers, you may have a harder time finding someone—or bringing your relationship offline—if you don't live in a larger metropolitan area.
Another con is that Raya is more appearance-based compared to other dating apps, which can make it harder to foster authentic connections. “You’re being shown people that fit a specific level of criteria from the outside; what they produce, their appearance, and how they want to be perceived by the world,” says Panza.
Many users might think that these kinds of characteristics would make for a great match, but compatibility tends to be more complicated than that. Raya profiles "are typically missing the parts of the person that actually help build deep connections," Panza says, "like their beliefs, values, personality, and how they like to be cared for and communicated with." Something to keep in mind as you swipe!
Are there any celebrities on Raya?
The rumors are true—celebs are on Raya, from actors and singers to athletes and entrepreneurs. For example, Simone Biles met her NFL star husband on the app, and it's widely believed that Amy Schumer met her ex there, too.
Other celebs who have reportedly used Raya include Liza Koshy, Channing Tatum, and Drew Barrymore, to name a few. At the end of the day, this is about your dating life—not that of celebrities—so it's probably not a great idea to shell out the money for Raya in the hopes of finding a famous match. But, it's safe to say you'll probably see some familiar faces if you’re accepted.
How do I get onto Raya?
First, you’ll need to submit an application with some basic personal information—your name, email, date of birth, and Instagram handle. Then, you’ll be prompted to provide information about your location and career. Lastly, you’ll need to provide a referral from your contact list.
After these steps are completed and you submit your app, you’ll be placed in a queue. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis; potential users can check the status of their application and see if they’ve been “waitlisted,” “pending” or “accepted” at any time.
“The wait time for acceptance is long; six or more months,” says Panza. “I’ve been told that women are accepted at a much faster rate.”
If you don’t get onto Raya (or you’re not interested in shelling out that hefty subscription fee), don’t fret. At the end of the day, Raya isn’t the only dating app, and there’s nothing wrong with sticking to Hinge or Bumble when looking for that special someone—after all, just as there are plenty of fish in the sea, there are plenty of apps, too.
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