Chinese Dating App Offers Full Refund If You Don't Marry in 3 Years

A Chinese startup called Liangpei AI has launched a dating app with a bold promise: pay 2,000 yuan (about US$300) for a year's membership, and if you're not married within three years, you get every penny back. The offer is a direct challenge to traditional dating apps, which often profit by keeping users single and swiping. China's online dating market is massive—worth US$3.4 billion in 2024 with 280 million users—so this 'marriage-or-refund' guarantee is turning heads.

The app uses AI matchmaking to pair people based on compatibility, aiming to create lasting relationships. One observer notes that AI could help build happier marriages and reduce society's cynicism about romance. For users, the financial incentive is clear: if the app fails to find you a spouse, you lose nothing. That's a stark contrast to typical subscription services that charge monthly fees with no guarantee of results.

But there's a catch: the refund only applies if you remain unmarried after three years, and the app's definition of 'marriage' likely requires legal proof. Plus, the company's revenue depends on successful matches, so it has a strong motive to push users toward marriage—even if they're not ready. The service is still new, launched in July, so its track record is unproven. For now, it's an intriguing experiment that could pressure other dating apps to prioritize real connections over endless engagement.