Our verdict: the best PHP dating script in 2026
Our top pick is MooDatingScript, the best PHP dating script for most founders in 2026 at a $149 one-time licence with full source code. We ranked six self-hosted dating script PHP platforms on price, source-code access, mobile app options and monetization features. This guide helps you pick the right PHP dating software for your budget and launch timeline.
If you are new to the category, start with our plain-English explanation of what a dating script is before comparing options below.
Ranked comparison table
| Rank | Product | Starting Price | Mobile App | Best For | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | MooDatingScript | $149 one-time | PWA (+$100 optional) | Best value, full source code | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| #2 | SkaDate | $799 one-time | Native iOS + Android | Established native app at scale | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| #3 | Dating Pro | $199 one-time | Native + Flutter + PWA | Source ownership at multiple tiers | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| #4 | WPDating | $149 one-time | PWA (all tiers) | WordPress site owners | ⭐⭐⭐½ |
| #5 | Chameleon | $247 one-time | Native iOS + Android | Low-cost all-in-one | ⭐⭐⭐ |
What a PHP dating script costs
Here is the live MooDatingScript pricing in full, because it anchors every cost comparison on this page.
| Item | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| mooDating Licence | $149 one-time | Full source code, 1 domain, free first-time install, 3 months support, 1 year downloads |
| PWA add-on | +$100 one-time | Optional, not bundled |
| Professional managed hosting | from $59/month | Requires the licence first |
Self-hosted still needs a server or VPS on top of the licence. For context on the wider build-versus-buy question, see our dating website development cost breakdown.
Which PHP dating script should you pick?
| Your situation | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Self-host on your own VPS with full control | MooDatingScript | $149 one-time, full source code, one domain |
| Want managed hosting, no server work | MooDatingScript Professional | from $59/month, requires the licence first |
| Need full source code to modify | MooDatingScript or Dating Pro | Both ship source; MooDatingScript $149 vs Dating Pro from $199 |
| Need CCBill, Stripe and PayPal gateways | MooDatingScript | All three gateways built in |
| Need a native iOS + Android app | SkaDate or Dating Pro | Native apps; SkaDate from $799 |
| Building on WordPress | WPDating | WordPress plugin with PWA |
#1 MooDatingScript — Best Overall
MooDatingScript wins on price and completeness: $149 one-time for full PHP source code, three payment gateways and an actively developed feature set. Version 1.7 adds AI-powered matching and AI-powered profile management, with monthly releases and a published 1.8 roadmap. A new 1.8 build is already shipping smarter matching and better monetization.
Pros:
- Full source code on every plan at $149 one-time
- CCBill, Stripe and PayPal payment gateways built in
- Free first-time installation and basic branding change included
- Monthly updates with AI-powered matching and profile management
- PWA for iOS and Android available
Cons:
- PWA is a +$100 add-on, not bundled
- Self-hosted means you manage your own VPS
- Support renewal price after 3 free months is not published
Pricing: $149 one-time licence; +$100 optional PWA; managed hosting from $59/month (licence required first).
Best for: founders who want full control and the lowest total cost.
Before you buy, run through the checks in our dating script licence and source-code checklist.
#2 SkaDate — Best for Native Mobile Apps at Scale
SkaDate ships native iOS and Android apps plus website source code and installation, aimed at established operators with real budget. Its licence is a one-time fee, not a subscription. Recurring charges are optional add-ons: Prime support at $99/month and SkaDate hosting at $29/month.
Pros:
- Native iOS and Android apps
- Ships website source code and installation
- One-time licence, not a subscription
Cons:
- $799 entry is more than five times MooDatingScript
- Optional recurring costs stack up (Prime $99/month, hosting $29/month)
Pricing: $799 Silver / $1,599 Gold, one-time.
Best for: operators who need native apps and have a larger budget.
Thinking of leaving SkaDate? See the best SkaDate alternatives for 2026.
#3 Dating Pro — Best for Source Ownership at Multiple Tiers
Dating Pro ships full source code ownership on every plan and markets itself as open source, with native iOS and Android, Flutter and PWA codebases. Entry at $199 keeps it competitive, though the top Plus tier runs to $2,990.
Pros:
- Full source code ownership on every plan
- Native, Flutter and PWA options
- $199 entry point
Cons:
- Top Plus tier is $2,990 one-time
- Revenue-share alternative at $99/month
Pricing: $199 Basic / $599 Pro / $2,990 Plus, one-time.
Best for: teams that want source ownership across multiple codebases.
#4 WPDating — Best for WordPress
WPDating is a one-time purchase, not an annual fee, starting at $149. Every tier includes a Progressive Web App with source code, and the top three tiers add a native Android app.
Pros:
- One-time pricing from $149
- PWA with source code on all tiers
- Native Android on the top three tiers
Cons:
- Tied to WordPress
- Optional $49/month support extension
Pricing: $149 to $999, one-time.
Best for: WordPress site owners.
For a direct comparison of the standalone route, read why a standalone PHP dating script beats WPDating for many founders.
#5 Chameleon — Best Budget All-in-One
Chameleon Dating costs $247 as a one-time permanent licence with no annual or monthly fees. Native iOS and Android apps were bundled free at the time of check.
Pros:
- $247 permanent licence
- No annual or monthly fees
- Native iOS and Android apps bundled
Cons:
- Source-code inclusion is not stated, so verify before buying
Pricing: $247 one-time.
Best for: budget founders who want bundled native apps.
Other options: phpFox and vldPersonals
phpFox (from $149/month) combines a social network with dating and offers no mobile app. vldPersonals is a free or budget open-source option with limited features. We describe both qualitatively because we have not re-verified their pricing recently.
How to choose the right PHP dating script
If your budget is under $1,000
Pick MooDatingScript at $149. It includes full source code, three payment gateways and free installation, leaving budget for your VPS and marketing.
If you need to launch in under two weeks
Pick MooDatingScript and use the free first-time installation, or take the Professional managed hosting plan from $59/month so mooDating handles setup and hosting for you.
If you need full source code ownership
Pick MooDatingScript or Dating Pro. Both ship source code; MooDatingScript does it at $149 versus Dating Pro from $199.
If you are building for a niche audience
Pick MooDatingScript and lean on its configurable matching, advanced filters and lifestyle tags to serve a specific community.
What to look for in a PHP dating script
- Full source code access and licence terms
- One-time versus recurring pricing
- Mobile app options: PWA versus native
- Payment gateways: CCBill, Stripe, PayPal
- Matching and discovery features
- Monetization tools: subscriptions, credits, boosts
- Support length and update frequency
- Server requirements, confirmed with the vendor
Start with the live demo and pricing, then compare the shortlist against these criteria.