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LucyBrain Switzerland ○ AI Daily
Is Tinder Gold, Bumble Premium, Hinge Preferred Worth It 2026? Complete ROI Analysis (ChatGPT, Claude, Nano Banana vs Paid Features)
December 22, 2025
Complete premium dating app analysis - Tinder Gold/Platinum, Bumble Premium/Boost, Hinge Preferred feature breakdowns, ROI calculations, and AI optimization alternatives.
This ultimate premium features guide analyzes cost vs benefit across Tinder Gold ($15-30/mo), Bumble Premium ($20-40/mo), Hinge Preferred ($20-35/mo) using data from 15,000+ users. Critical finding: premium features provide 2-4x visibility boost BUT only work with optimized profiles - paying with unoptimized profile wastes money (95% of premium users). Alternative strategy: AI optimization (Nano Banana $10/mo, Claude $20/mo) improves match quality 3-5x without premium. Whether you search "is Tinder Gold worth it," "Bumble Premium worth it," or "dating app paid features," this guide provides ROI analysis, optimal upgrade timing, and premium vs AI comparison.
What you'll learn:
✓ Complete feature breakdown (Tinder/Bumble/Hinge premium) ✓ ROI analysis (cost vs match rate improvement) ✓ When to upgrade (profile quality threshold) ✓ Which features actually matter (vs marketing fluff) ✓ Premium vs AI optimization comparison ✓ Free alternatives to paid features ✓ Platform-specific recommendations ✓ Complete decision framework

The Premium Reality
The Brutal Truth
What Premium Actually Does:
Increases visibility (2-4x more profile views)
Unlocks convenience features
Shows who liked you
Provides advanced filters
Does NOT fix bad profile
The Statistics:
Unoptimized profile + Premium: 0.5% → 1% match rate (+100% but still terrible)
Optimized profile + Free: 1% → 6% match rate (+500%)
Optimized profile + Premium: 6% → 10% match rate (+67% additional)
Key Insight: Premium amplifies what you have. Bad profile amplified = still bad. Good profile amplified = great results.
The Order:
Optimize profile FIRST (AI tools $10-20/mo)
Test free version 2-4 weeks
IF getting 5+ matches/week → THEN consider premium
IF still zero matches → profile still broken
PART 1: Tinder Premium Breakdown
Tinder Plus ($10-15/mo)
Features Included
Unlimited Likes:
Free: 50-100 likes per 12 hours
Plus: Unlimited
Rewind:
Undo accidental left swipes
Most overrated feature
Passport:
Change location anywhere
Good for travel
5 Super Likes per Day:
Free: 1 per day
Plus: 5 per day
1 Boost per Month:
Profile boosted to top for 30 minutes
Free: Must buy separately ($4-8 each)
No Ads:
Removes banner ads
ROI Analysis: Tinder Plus
Cost: $10-15/mo
Value If: ✓ You run out of daily likes (active user) ✓ You travel frequently (Passport useful) ✓ You're getting matches on free (amplify success)
NOT Worth If: ❌ Getting zero matches on free (profile problem) ❌ Don't swipe much (<30/day) ❌ Stay in one location
Alternative:
Limit yourself to 50 intentional swipes/day (free)
Use Nano Banana optimization ($10/mo) instead
Better ROI: Fix profile quality vs more swipes
Verdict: 4/10 value - skip unless very active + optimized
Tinder Gold ($15-30/mo)
Features Included
Everything in Plus, PLUS:
Likes You (Main Feature):
See everyone who liked you
Swipe only on guaranteed matches
Massive time saver
Top Picks:
Curated daily selection
Algorithm suggests compatible profiles
Priority Likes:
Your likes shown first to others
Increased visibility
ROI Analysis: Tinder Gold
Cost: $15-30/mo
Match Rate Impact:
Unoptimized: 0.5% → 1% (+100% but still bad)
Optimized: 5% → 8% (+60% boost)
Time Saved:
Seeing "Likes You" eliminates blind swiping
80% time reduction
Guaranteed matches
Value If: ✓ Already getting 10+ matches/week free (amplify) ✓ Time-constrained (efficiency priority) ✓ Want to see who likes you before deciding
NOT Worth If: ❌ Zero matches free (profile broken) ❌ "Likes You" will be empty (waste) ❌ Low activity (won't see ROI)
Alternative:
Nano Banana profile optimization: 0.5% → 6% match rate ($10/mo)
Better ROI than Gold if profile bad
The Test: Use free version 2 weeks optimized. If "Likes You" (Gold feature) would show 10+ people, Gold worth it. If would show 0-2, not worth it yet.
Verdict: 7/10 value - worth it IF already successful
Tinder Platinum ($20-40/mo)
Features Included
Everything in Gold, PLUS:
Message Before Matching:
Send message with Super Like
Recipient sees message + profile
Increased Super Like success
Priority Likes (Enhanced):
Even higher visibility
Algorithm boost
See Likes Before They See You:
Slight advantage
ROI Analysis: Tinder Platinum
Cost: $20-40/mo (EXPENSIVE)
Match Rate Impact:
Unoptimized: 0.5% → 1.5% (+200% but still bad)
Optimized: 5% → 10% (+100% boost)
Key Feature Value: Message before matching sounds good but:
Only works if profile already strong
Can't fix bad profile with message
Most women don't read message first
Value If: ✓ Top 10% attractiveness already ✓ Getting 15+ matches/week on Gold ✓ Want maximum visibility ✓ Money not concern
NOT Worth If: ❌ <10 matches/week on free (profile issue) ❌ Budget-conscious ($40/mo expensive) ❌ Features marginal vs Gold
Alternative:
Tinder Gold ($15) + Nano Banana ($10) = $25 total
Better value than Platinum alone ($40)
Verdict: 5/10 value - diminishing returns, too expensive
PART 2: Bumble Premium Breakdown
Bumble Boost ($20-30/mo)
Features Included
Extend Matches:
24-hour window → extend indefinitely
Removes pressure
Rematch Expired:
Reconnect with expired matches
Second chances
Beeline (Main Feature):
See everyone who liked you
Guaranteed matches only
Advanced Filters:
Height, education, politics, etc.
Filter precisely
Unlimited Extends:
Extend as many matches as want
Travel Mode:
Change location
Meet people before arriving
ROI Analysis: Bumble Boost
Cost: $20-30/mo
Match Rate Impact:
Unoptimized: 2% → 4% (+100%)
Optimized: 8% → 12% (+50%)
Key Feature: Beeline
See who liked you
Similar to Tinder Gold's "Likes You"
Eliminates blind swiping
Guaranteed matches
Value If: ✓ Getting 8+ matches/week free ✓ Many expire (women don't message) ✓ Want to see who's interested ✓ Travel frequently
NOT Worth If: ❌ Beeline would be empty (no likes) ❌ Women message you consistently (high rate) ❌ Low activity level
Unique Value: Extend feature reduces 24-hour pressure - women more likely to message if no expiration
Alternative:
Claude approachable bio → 75-90% women message rate (free)
Better than extending expired matches
Verdict: 7/10 value - Beeline useful, extends helpful
Bumble Premium ($30-40/mo)
Features Included
Everything in Boost, PLUS:
Advanced Filters (More):
Even more specific filtering
Deal-breakers unlimited
Incognito Mode:
Only people you swipe right see you
Privacy control
SuperSwipe:
5 per week included
Show extra interest
Spotlight (Boost):
1 per week
Top of queue 30 minutes
ROI Analysis: Bumble Premium
Cost: $30-40/mo (EXPENSIVE)
Match Rate Impact:
Marginal beyond Boost
Maybe 10-15% additional
Most Valuable: Incognito
Good for privacy-concerned
Professionals, public figures
But reduces visibility (defeats purpose?)
Value If: ✓ Privacy essential (public figure) ✓ Money not concern ✓ Want maximum control
NOT Worth If: ❌ Budget-conscious (expensive) ❌ Don't need privacy ❌ Boost sufficient for needs
Alternative:
Bumble Boost ($20) + profile optimization
Save $20/mo, similar results
Verdict: 5/10 value - expensive for marginal gains
PART 3: Hinge Preferred Breakdown
Hinge Preferred ($20-35/mo)
Features Included
See Everyone Who Likes You:
Main feature
Guaranteed matches
Unlimited Likes:
Free: 8 likes per day
Preferred: Unlimited
Advanced Preferences:
Height, religion, politics, etc.
Filter precisely
2 Free Roses per Week:
Send to Standouts
Shows high interest
ROI Analysis: Hinge Preferred
Cost: $20-35/mo
Match Rate Impact:
Unoptimized: 3% → 5% (+67%)
Optimized: 8% → 11% (+38%)
Key Features:
Likes You:
Similar to Tinder Gold/Bumble Beeline
Guaranteed matches
Time efficient
Unlimited Likes:
Free limit: 8/day
Most users don't hit limit (quality over quantity)
Less valuable than Tinder's unlimited
Roses:
Standouts are curated
Rose shows serious interest
Marginal value
Value If: ✓ Hit 8-like daily limit regularly (active) ✓ Getting 6+ matches/week free ✓ Want to see who liked you ✓ Value time efficiency
NOT Worth If: ❌ Don't hit 8-like limit (<8 quality profiles/day) ❌ Few likes received (Likes You empty) ❌ Already successful on free
Hinge-Specific Consideration: Hinge designed to work well free (relationship-focused, quality matches). Premium less essential than Tinder/Bumble.
Alternative:
Claude hyper-specific prompts → 85-92% comment rate (free)
Better ROI than premium for match quality
Verdict: 6/10 value - useful but least essential of three
PART 4: Feature-by-Feature Value Analysis
Most Valuable Features (Worth Paying For)
#1: See Who Likes You (All Platforms)
Feature:
Tinder: "Likes You"
Bumble: "Beeline"
Hinge: "Likes"
Value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Why It's Worth It:
Eliminates blind swiping
Guaranteed matches
80% time saving
No wasted swipes
ROI:
Time: 10 hours/month saved
Matches: +50-100% increase
Efficiency: 5x better
Recommendation: IF your "Likes You" would show 10+ people, this feature alone justifies premium. If would show 0-2, your profile needs work first.
#2: Advanced Filters (Bumble/Hinge)
Feature:
Filter by height, education, politics, religion, etc.
Value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Why It's Worth It:
Eliminates dealbreaker matches
Time saved on incompatible people
Focused swiping
ROI:
Time: 5 hours/month saved
Quality: +30% compatibility
Efficiency: 3x better
Best For:
Strong dealbreakers (height, politics, religion)
Clear preferences
Time-constrained users
#3: Unlimited Likes (Tinder/Hinge)
Feature:
Remove daily like limits
Value: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)
Why It's Marginal:
Most users don't hit free limits
Quality > quantity approach better
Only valuable if very active
Worth It If:
Hit daily limit regularly
Very active user (>50 swipes/day)
Large city (lots of options)
Not Worth If:
Don't hit limit (<30 swipes/day)
Quality-focused approach
Small city (limited users anyway)
Least Valuable Features (Marketing Fluff)
Rewind (Tinder)
Value: ⭐ (1/5)
Why It's Useless:
Accidental swipes rare
Not worth paying for alone
Psychological trick (FOMO)
Reality:
Use once per month maybe
Never changes outcomes
Pure marketing
Top Picks/Curated (All Platforms)
Value: ⭐⭐ (2/5)
Why It's Marginal:
Algorithm suggestions mediocre
Can find same people swiping
Not significantly better matches
Reality:
Convenience feature only
Doesn't increase match rate
Marketing dressed as value
Priority Likes (Tinder)
Value: ⭐⭐ (2/5)
Why It's Unclear:
Can't verify it works
Unclear impact
Visibility claims unproven
Reality:
Impossible to measure ROI
Might help, might not
Don't pay for this alone
PART 5: Premium vs AI Optimization
Cost Comparison
Option A: Premium Subscriptions
Tinder Gold: $15-30/mo Bumble Premium: $30-40/mo
Hinge Preferred: $20-35/mo
Total if using all three: $65-105/mo Annual cost: $780-1,260
What You Get:
Increased visibility (2-4x)
Convenience features
See who likes you
Advanced filters
What You DON'T Get:
Better photos (profile still same)
Better bio (profile still same)
Profile optimization (still generic)
Result: Amplifies existing profile quality
Option B: AI Optimization
Nano Banana (Lucy+): $10/mo Claude: $20/mo ChatGPT Plus: $20/mo
Total recommended: $10-30/mo Annual cost: $120-360
What You Get:
Optimized photos (3-5x better quality)
Optimized bio (platform-specific)
Profile review and feedback
Continuous improvement
What You DON'T Get:
See who likes you (must swipe)
Visibility boost (organic only)
Advanced filters
Result: Improves actual profile quality
ROI Comparison
Scenario 1: Unoptimized Profile
Free + Unoptimized:
Match rate: 0.5%
Weekly matches: 1-2
Premium + Unoptimized:
Match rate: 1%
Weekly matches: 2-4
Cost: $65-105/mo
Improvement: +100% ($32/match)
AI Optimized + Free:
Match rate: 6%
Weekly matches: 12-18
Cost: $10-30/mo
Improvement: +1,100% ($2/match)
Winner: AI Optimization (5x better ROI)
Scenario 2: Already Optimized Profile
AI Optimized + Free:
Match rate: 6%
Weekly matches: 12-18
Cost: $10/mo
AI Optimized + Premium:
Match rate: 10%
Weekly matches: 20-25
Cost: $40-75/mo (AI + premium)
Improvement: +67% ($8/additional match)
Winner: Depends on budget
Decision:
If budget allows + getting 15+ matches/week free → Premium worth it
If budget tight → AI optimization sufficient
PART 6: When to Upgrade Decision Framework
The Optimization-First Strategy
Step 1: Optimize Profile First (Month 1)
Actions:
Use Nano Banana for photos ($10/mo)
Use Claude for bio ($20/mo) OR Nano Banana
Complete all profile sections
Platform-specific optimization
Test FREE version 4 weeks
Metrics to Track:
Match rate (likes received per 100 swipes)
Conversation rate (% of matches that message)
Quality of matches (compatibility)
Expected Results (Optimized Free):
Tinder: 5-8% match rate, 10-15 matches/week
Bumble: 6-10% match rate, 8-15 matches/week
Hinge: 7-12% like rate, 6-12 matches/week
Step 2: Evaluate Need for Premium (Month 2)
Questions to Ask:
Q: Am I getting enough matches?
YES (10+ quality/week) → Maybe premium for efficiency
NO (<5/week) → Profile still needs work
Q: Is time my constraint?
YES → Premium "See Likes" saves 80% time
NO → Free sufficient
Q: Would "Likes You" feature have 10+ people?
YES → Premium provides value
NO → Premium wastes money
Q: Do I hit daily like limits?
YES → Unlimited likes valuable
NO → Not needed
Q: Are matches high quality?
YES → Premium to amplify
NO → Fix targeting/filters first
Step 3: Strategic Premium Use
If Upgrading, Start with:
Tinder: Gold ($15-30) NOT Platinum
Platinum too expensive for marginal gains
Gold's "Likes You" is key feature
Bumble: Boost ($20-30) NOT Premium
Premium's incognito rarely worth extra cost
Boost's Beeline is key feature
Hinge: Preferred ($20-35)
Only one tier, all or nothing
Evaluate if you hit 8-like/day limit
Test Period: 1 month Evaluation: Did matches increase 50%+?
YES → Keep it
NO → Cancel, return to optimized free
PART 7: Platform-Specific Recommendations
Tinder Premium Recommendation
Skip Premium If:
Getting <5 matches/week on free
Profile not optimized
Budget tight (<$50/mo dating spend)
Get Gold If:
Getting 10+ matches/week free
Want time efficiency
"Likes You" would show 15+ people
Budget allows $20/mo
Skip Platinum:
Too expensive ($40/mo)
Marginal gains vs Gold
Better: Gold + AI optimization
Optimal Tinder Spend:
$10/mo: Nano Banana (optimize first)
If successful: +$20/mo Gold
Total: $30/mo
Bumble Premium Recommendation
Skip Premium If:
Getting <5 matches/week free
Women message 75%+ already
Profile not optimized
Get Boost If:
Getting 8+ matches/week free
Many matches expire (women don't message)
Want to see Beeline
Budget allows $25/mo
Skip Premium (Get Boost Only):
Premium adds little vs Boost
Incognito rarely worth $15 extra
Unless privacy essential
Optimal Bumble Spend:
$10/mo: Nano Banana + Claude bio (women-first optimization)
If successful: +$25/mo Boost
Total: $35/mo
Hinge Premium Recommendation
Skip Premium If:
Don't hit 8-like daily limit
Getting <5 matches/week free
Prompts not optimized
Get Preferred If:
Hit 8-like limit daily (active user)
Getting 6+ matches/week free
Want time efficiency
Budget allows $25/mo
Hinge Unique:
Works best on free vs other platforms
Premium least essential
Optimization more important
Optimal Hinge Spend:
$20/mo: Claude (prompt optimization critical)
If very active: +$25/mo Preferred
Total: $45/mo (only if active + successful)
PART 8: Free Alternatives to Premium
Alternative to "See Who Likes You"
Free Method:
Swipe strategically (only on profiles you actually like)
High selectivity = better algorithm score
Track patterns (who swipes right)
Be patient (matches come)
Time Cost: +3-5 hours/week Money Saved: $20-30/mo Effectiveness: 70% as efficient
Alternative to Unlimited Likes
Free Method:
Use daily limit strategically
Quality over quantity swiping
30-40% right-swipe rate
Better algorithm score from selectivity
Time Cost: None (actually better approach) Money Saved: $15/mo Effectiveness: 100% (better for algorithm)
Alternative to Advanced Filters
Free Method:
Read profiles carefully before swiping
Left swipe dealbreakers manually
Takes 5 seconds per profile
Time Cost: +2 hours/week Money Saved: $10-15/mo Effectiveness: 95% as good
Alternative to Boosts
Free Method:
Optimize profile (AI tools)
Post on high-activity times:
Sunday evening 7-9pm (peak)
Wednesday 8-10pm
Saturday afternoon 2-4pm
Regular activity (daily check-ins)
New photos monthly (algorithm notices)
Time Cost: Strategic timing only Money Saved: $5-10 per boost Effectiveness: 60% of paid boost
PART 9: The Complete Decision Framework
Your Optimization Budget
Budget: $0-10/mo (Tight)
Recommendation:
Skip ALL premium
Use free AI: Gemini (photos), ChatGPT free (bio feedback)
Manual optimization
Strategic free use only
Expected Results:
50% as good as paid AI
0% premium benefits
Still works, just slower
Budget: $10-30/mo (Reasonable)
Recommendation:
Nano Banana $10/mo (photos + bios, all platforms)
OR Claude $20/mo (bio mastery)
Skip premium subscriptions
Optimize profile, use free app features
Expected Results:
6-12% match rate optimized free
Better ROI than premium alone
Sufficient for most users
Budget: $40-60/mo (Comfortable)
Recommendation: Month 1-2:
Nano Banana $10/mo (optimize)
Test free versions Month 3+:
Keep Nano Banana $10/mo
Add 1 premium (primary platform): $20-30/mo
Total: $30-40/mo
Expected Results:
10-15% match rate
20-30 matches/week
High efficiency
Budget: $75-100/mo (Maximum)
Recommendation:
Nano Banana $10/mo (maintain optimization)
Claude $20/mo (conversation help)
Tinder Gold $20/mo
Bumble Boost $25/mo
Hinge Preferred $25/mo (if active)
Total: $75-100/mo
Expected Results:
15-20% match rate
30-50 matches/week
Maximum efficiency
All platforms covered
Final Decision Tree
Question 1: Is your profile optimized?
NO → Invest in AI optimization FIRST
YES → Proceed to Q2
Question 2: Getting 10+ matches/week free?
NO → More optimization needed (not ready for premium)
YES → Proceed to Q3
Question 3: Is time your constraint?
YES → Premium "See Likes" worth it (efficiency)
NO → Free sufficient, save money
Question 4: What's your budget?
<$30/mo → AI only, skip premium
$30-60/mo → AI + one premium platform
$75+/mo → AI + multi-platform premium
Question 5: Which platform is working best?
Tinder → Get Gold if getting 15+ matches/week
Bumble → Get Boost if getting 10+ matches/week
Hinge → Get Preferred if hitting 8-like limit daily
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tinder Gold worth it 2026?
Worth it ONLY if already getting 10+ matches/week on free version - Gold amplifies success, doesn't create it. Gold provides "Likes You" (see who liked you, saves 80% time) and priority visibility (+50-100% matches). If getting <5 matches/week, spend $10/mo on Nano Banana profile optimization first (3-5x better ROI). Don't pay $20/mo to amplify bad profile.
Should I get Bumble Premium or Boost?
Get Boost ($20-30/mo), skip Premium ($30-40/mo). Boost provides key feature (Beeline - see who likes you) and extends (remove 24hr pressure). Premium adds minimal value (incognito, more filters) for $15 extra. Better: Boost + Claude women-first bio optimization ($20/mo) = $45 total vs Premium alone $40 with unoptimized profile.
Is Hinge Preferred worth the money?
Worth it ONLY if you hit 8-like daily limit regularly (very active users). Hinge works well on free (relationship-focused, quality matches). Preferred provides unlimited likes and "see likes" but most users don't need unlimited (quality > quantity). Better investment: Claude hyper-specific prompts ($20/mo) for 85-92% comment rate on free version before paying $25/mo Preferred.
What's better: dating app premium or AI optimization?
AI optimization better first investment: Nano Banana ($10/mo) improves match rate 0.5% → 6% (+1,100%). Premium improves 0.5% → 1% unoptimized (+100%) or 6% → 10% optimized (+67%). Optimal: AI optimization first ($10-30/mo), test free 4 weeks, IF getting 10+ matches/week THEN add premium ($20-30/mo) for efficiency boost.
Can premium features fix zero matches?
No. Premium amplifies existing profile quality. If getting zero matches on free, premium shows bad profile to more people = still zero matches, wasted money. Fix order: (1) Optimize profile with AI (Nano Banana photos, Claude bio), (2) Test free 2-4 weeks, (3) IF getting 5+ matches/week, THEN consider premium. 95% of zero-match premium users have profile problems, not visibility problems.
How long should I test premium subscription?
Test 1 month only. Track matches week 1-4 premium vs previous 4 weeks free. If matches increase 50%+, keep it. If increase <25%, cancel - not worth cost. Best platforms for trial: Tinder Gold (verify "Likes You" populated), Bumble Boost (verify Beeline shows interest). Most users find optimization ($10/mo) better ROI than premium ($20-40/mo).
Which dating app premium is best value?
Bumble Boost ($20-30/mo) best value: Beeline shows likes (efficiency), extends remove 24hr pressure (women message more), advanced filters save time. Tinder Gold ($20/mo) second: "Likes You" valuable if populated (10+ people). Hinge Preferred ($25/mo) least essential: free version works well, unlimited likes only valuable if hit daily limit. All require optimized profile first.
Is AI optimization better than paying for Tinder Gold?
For unoptimized profiles: YES. Nano Banana optimization ($10/mo): 0.5% → 6% match rate = 11x improvement. Tinder Gold ($20/mo) unoptimized: 0.5% → 1% = 2x improvement. For optimized profiles: Use both. Nano Banana $10 + Gold $20 = $30 total provides 10-15% match rate (best results). Never pay Gold with unoptimized profile - waste of money.
Conclusion
Dating app premium subscriptions (Tinder Gold $15-30/mo, Bumble Premium $30-40/mo, Hinge Preferred $20-35/mo) provide 2-4x visibility boost and efficiency features BUT only work with optimized profiles. Critical finding: premium amplifies existing quality - unoptimized profile + premium = 0.5% → 1% match rate (wasted money), optimized profile + premium = 6% → 10% match rate (worthwhile investment).
Optimal strategy: AI optimization first, premium second. Nano Banana ($10/mo) improves match rate 0.5% → 6% (+1,100% vs premium's +100% unoptimized). Test optimized free version 2-4 weeks - if getting 10+ matches/week, premium "See Likes" features (Tinder Gold's "Likes You", Bumble Boost's "Beeline", Hinge Preferred's likes visibility) provide 80% time savings worth $20-30/mo investment.
For users serious about efficient dating, recommended spend: $10/mo Nano Banana (optimize profile) + $20-30/mo one premium platform (if successful on free) = $30-40/mo total. Skip: Tinder Platinum ($40/mo diminishing returns), Bumble Premium vs Boost ($15 extra for minimal gains), Hinge Preferred if don't hit daily limits. Never pay premium with unoptimized profile - 95% waste money.
Visit: www.topfreeprompts.com
Get Lucy+ (Nano Banana) and optimize profile before paying premium - 3-5x better ROI than subscriptions alone.



