Between
Between is a mobile and desktop application that provides romantic couples with a private, end-to-end encrypted space for messaging, photo and video sharing, free voice calls, anniversary tracking, and a shared calendar, serving over 35 million couples across Asia.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersSeoul, South Korea
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What Between does
Between is a mobile-first, couples-only relationship application operated by Seoul-based DLT Partners Inc. (CEO Jaemyung Shin) and historically associated with co-founders Lako Cho, Brad Kim, JungHaeng Lee, and KJ Woo. The product is purpose-built to give exactly two people — a romantic couple — a private, encrypted space for messaging, photo and video sharing, free in-app voice calls, anniversary and milestone tracking, and a shared calendar, distinguishing it from public social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. It is distributed globally through Apple App Store, Google Play (10M+ downloads, 4.4-star rating across 537K reviews), Microsoft Store, and the Mac App Store, with localization in English, Japanese, Korean, Simplified and Traditional Chinese, and Thai. Core technical components include end-to-end SSL-encrypted messaging, cloud-synced media storage in tier-one data centers, encrypted password handling, and cross-platform client applications across iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS.
Between firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Between
- Legal name
- DLT Partners Inc.
- Website
- https://between.us
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Between is a mobile and desktop application that provides romantic couples with a private, end-to-end encrypted space for messaging, photo and video sharing, free voice calls, anniversary tracking, and a shared calendar, serving over 35 million couples across Asia.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Between industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Couples Relationship App
- akta.pro primary industry
- Social/UGC Game Platforms with Integrated Stores (MPAFACAG)
Keywords
Where Between is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Seoul
- HQ country
- South Korea
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
Between business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Between Plus Subscription: Between Plus is a premium subscription that removes ads and unlocks exclusive features including colorful themes, love letters, longer videos and voice messages, and HD photo storage. Available as monthly ($2.99), 6-month ($12.99), annual ($13.99), or lifetime ($26.99) plans. Both partners in a couple need the subscription to access Plus features.
- In-App Purchases (Stickers & Hearts): Additional sticker packs (300 coins / ~$6 for a two-person pack) and virtual currency (Hearts) are sold as one-time in-app purchases, separate from the subscription. These are optional add-ons purchased within the app ecosystem.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Others | Free tier with core messaging, photos, calendar, and voice call features |
| Subscription | Monthly | Between Plus - Monthly subscription |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Between Plus - 6-month subscription |
| Subscription | Annual | Between Plus - Annual subscription |
| One time/ perpetual license | Others | Between Plus - Lifetime one-time upgrade |
| Unit Pricing | Others | Sticker packs (sold separately) |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels4 records
Between product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Between is a mobile application for couples that provides a private, encrypted communication and memory space for exactly two users. Its core offering combines private chat with stickers and emoticons, cloud-backed photo and video album storage, free in-app voice calls, anniversary and milestone tracking with countdowns, and a shared two-person calendar. The product is distributed freemium via iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac OS app stores and is monetized through a Between Plus subscription and in-app virtual currency (Hearts) for sticker packs.
Product overview
Between is a mobile-first relationship app for couples offered as a freemium model. The core product (Between Free) provides secure chat, photo/video storage, voice calls, anniversary tracking, and shared calendar features. Premium features are unlocked through Between Plus subscription ($2.99/month) or one-time Lifetime purchase ($26.99), adding ad-free experience, exclusive themes, love letters, longer media messages, and HD photo storage. Virtual currency (Hearts) is sold separately for purchasing sticker packs. A PC version for Windows and Mac extends the mobile experience to desktop.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Betweenメディア (Between Media): Japanese-language blog/media site providing couple-focused content including date spots, relationship advice, and app feature guides.
Products and services
- Between (Free Version) Free mobile app for couples providing private two-person chat with stickers, emoticons, and GIF Selfies; cloud-backed photo/video and notes storage; free in-app voice calls; anniversary and special day tracking with countdowns; and a shared two-person calendar. Available on iOS, Android, Windows, Mac OS, and Apple Vision, with ads supported.
- Between Plus Premium subscription for the Between app that removes ads and unlocks exclusive features including colorful themes, love letters, longer video and voice messages, and HD photo storage. Available as monthly ($2.99), 6-month ($12.99), annual ($13.99 / $24.99 on iOS), or lifetime ($26.99) plans. Both partners must subscribe to access Plus features.
- Between Hearts (Virtual Currency) In-app virtual currency used to purchase sticker packs and other premium content within the Between app. Sold in bundles ranging from $0.99 (50 Hearts) to $8.99 (500+ Hearts).
- Between PC Version (Windows and Mac) Desktop client for Windows and Mac that allows couples to continue their Between chat, photo album, calendar, and anniversary tracking from their computers, providing cross-device continuity with the mobile app.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 35 million couples have used Between as their relationship tracker and private connection space
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Between
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Between technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Feature5 records
Between partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- UberminorAccording to 36Kr (36氪), Uber chose to partner with Between because Between had strong brand recognition in Asian countries. This was a marketing/partnership collaboration where Between served as Uber's local brand partner in Asia.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Between competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Avocado: Avocado was a direct competitor to Between, offering private messaging, shared lists, and couple-specific features. While Avocado was shut down in 2015, it represented the same niche — couples-only communication app — and illustrates the competitive dynamics Between has navigated.
- Couple (formerly Pair): Couple is a direct competitor offering a private messaging and shared experiences app for couples. It is the closest US-based analog to Between, with similar feature sets including chat, shared calendar, shared lists, and intimate couple communication.
Broad incumbents
- Signal: Signal is a privacy-first messaging app with end-to-end encryption, voice/video calls, and disappearing messages. Couples concerned about privacy (a key Between value prop) may choose Signal as a more general-purpose alternative.
- WhatsApp: WhatsApp is the dominant global messaging app that provides free messaging, voice calls, and photo sharing — features that overlap with Between's core offering. While not couples-specific, WhatsApp is the primary substitute couples consider when deciding whether to use a dedicated app like Between.
- Telegram: Telegram offers encrypted messaging, voice/video calls, and Secret Chats with end-to-end encryption. It serves as a privacy-focused general-purpose alternative to Between for couples who want secure private communication.
- Snapchat: Snapchat offers private ephemeral messaging, photo sharing, and Bitmoji-based couple interactions, serving a younger demographic that values private communication. It overlaps with Between's use case especially for younger couples seeking intimate digital spaces.
- Facebook Messenger: Facebook Messenger offers free messaging, voice/video calls, and Secret Conversations with end-to-end encryption. With massive existing user base, it represents a default communication channel for many couples that Between competes against.
Emerging players
- Tinybeans: Tinybeans is a private photo and memory sharing app for families and close circles. It shares Between's product DNA of private memory storage and intimate sharing, though it targets families rather than couples, making it a comparable model for relationship-based private sharing.
- Honi: Honi is a couples relationship app focused on communication, intimacy, and relationship improvement. It targets a similar niche as Between but with more emphasis on relationship health content and AI-driven insights, representing a modernized version of the category.
- Bumble (Date, BFF, Bizz): Bumble is a relationship-focused platform expanding from dating into multiple relationship modes. While primarily known for dating, Bumble's expansion into friendships and business networking and its private messaging features place it as an adjacent player in the couples relationship space.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Between social profiles
Digital presenceBetween financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Between leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Between funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors7 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Between M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Between
What does Between do?
Between is a mobile application for couples that provides a private, encrypted communication and memory space for exactly two users. Its core offering combines private chat with stickers and emoticons, cloud-backed photo and video album storage, free in-app voice calls, anniversary and milestone tracking with countdowns, and a shared two-person calendar. The product is distributed freemium via iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac OS app stores and is monetized through a Between Plus subscription and in-app virtual currency (Hearts) for sticker packs.
Is Between a public or private company?
Between is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Between founded?
Between was founded in 2014. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Between based?
Between is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, in the Asia region.
How does Between make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Between Plus Subscription is the primary driver. The others are in-App Purchases (Stickers & Hearts).
Who are Between's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Avocado and Couple (formerly Pair). Broad incumbents are Signal, WhatsApp, Telegram, Snapchat and Facebook Messenger. Emerging players are Tinybeans, Honi and Bumble (Date, BFF, Bizz).
Does Between have an API?
No public API is recorded for Between.
What industry is Between in?
Between's product category is Couples Relationship App. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAFACAG, Social/UGC Game Platforms with Integrated Stores.