Do you believe in happily ever after? For 3 million Indians, it seems the answer is no. Gleeden, an extra-marital dating app, has reported an astonishing rise in its user base across India.
According to the company, Gleeden witnessed a 270% surge in 2024. Among these, women users increased by 128%. The platform now sees women accounting for 58% of its users, with 40% spending up to 45 minutes daily on the app.
Most users fall in the 30–45 age bracket. City-wise, Bengaluru leads with 20%, followed by Mumbai at 19%, Kolkata at 18%, and Delhi at 15%. Smaller cities like Bhopal, Vadodara, and Kochi are also showing fast growth.
Ybil Shiddell, Country Manager for India at Gleeden, stated that the rise in women users shows the growing need for safe, discreet platforms offering freedom of choice in relationships.
Social media is divided. Some argue that such apps promote infidelity, calling it “new-age prostitution,” while others suggest it reflects deeper issues in Indian marriages.
Experts note that many women are dissatisfied due to unmet emotional or physical needs, or marriages entered into under pressure. This growing dissatisfaction may be fuelling the app’s popularity.
The significant surge is not just about curiosity but indicates changing urban lifestyles. Since Gleeden is a paid platform, its reach appears more significant among wealthier segments of society.
