6 Best Queer Dating Sites in 2024
For a long time, it was difficult for queers and other LGBTQ+ singles to find…
11 Best Dating Sites & Apps for 2024
No matter your relationship preferences, dating sites can help you find your perfect match. However, with so many dating sites available online and the increasing number of romance scammers, finding a trustworthy dating site might be daunting.
After extensive research, we have found the 11 best dating sites & apps for 2024. We tested their features to ensure that they help users find and connect to compatible partners. We also tested how each of these dating sites performed on desktop and mobile, ensuring optimal user experiences.
In this online dating guide, you’ll find full details on pricing, matching algorithms, free membership, privacy and security features, inclusivity, and more.
Read our fact-checked reviews on the top 11 dating sites to guide you in choosing the most suitable dating site for you.
Top 11 Dating Sites & Apps in 2024
- eHarmony – Reputable online dating site, primarily for people looking for serious relationships.
- Zoosk – Diverse dating site for people seeking casual dates and serious relationships.
- Seeking.com – Luxury dating site for successful and attractive people.
- SeniorMatch – A dating site specifically for over 50 singles.
- EliteSingles – Meet professional singles looking for serious relationships.
- InternationalCupid – Meet international singles across the globe.
- Match – Use MatchPhone to reach out to singles looking for serious relationships.
- Dating.com – Meet international singles across 40+ countries.
- Tinder – Swipe-based dating site to meet singles across the world.
- OurTime – Connect to over 50 singletons.
- Bumble – A dating platform that empowers women.
eHarmony - Best for Serious Relationships
- Big member pool
- Efficient matching system
- Free version available
- Over 30 million users
- LGBTQ+ inclusive
- Free Membership
- Mobile apps for iOS and Android
In any list of the best dating sites, you have to mention eHarmony. Since its establishment in 2000, this platform has been responsible for many of the success stories of online dating.
eHarmony calculates that it has helped over two million people find meaningful relationships and it caters to almost all kinds of online dating, including but not limited to:
- Gay dating
- Positive dating
- Senior dating
- Christian dating
- Black dating
- Asian dating
- International dating
Getting highly compatible matches with a better likelihood of becoming long-term relationships is in part why people view eHarmony as one of the best dating sites. eHarmony uses a sophisticated matching algorithm to match compatible members.
All members must take the compatibility quiz while signing up. You are then matched with people based on the results of the quiz, so your suggested matches are only individuals with a high compatibility with your profile. Compatibility scores vary from match to match, and you can see the score, so you know who is your best match of all.
There are two types of memberships available at eHarmony:
- Free membership where users can sign up and take the compatibility quiz for free, send limited messages, browse profiles, see who viewed their profile, and send limited Likes and Smiles.
- Premium membership, where all features such as communication tools, messaging viewing profiles, and seeing who viewed your profile are unlimited.
You can sign up with your email, Facebook account, or Apple ID. The signup process might take 45 minutes or longer because of the questionnaire you’re required to complete, but spending some time creating your profile is worth it since it increases your chances of finding love.
Why We Choose eHarmony: An all-in-one dating site that matches the most compatible people.
Show eHarmony Features & Rating
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| User Base Size and Diversity | Large and Diverse |
| Age Range | 25-55 |
| Matching Algorithm | Personality Test, Compatibility Quiz, Search filter |
| Ease of Use and Interface | Easy, Moderate |
| Safety and Privacy Features |
|
| Communication Tools | Paid: SecureCall, VideoDate Free: Smiles, Likes, Icebreakers. |
| Price and Subscription Options |
|
| Mobile App Availability | iOS and Android |
| Special Features | Virtual Date |
| Customer Support | Contact Form, Email |
| Cancellation and Refund Policy | No refunds |
| Community and Social Aspects | Forums |
| Inclusivity | High; including LGBTQ+, over 50, Asian, Black and more. |
Pros
- ✅ Smiles and icebreakers to show interest
- ✅ Video Date
- ✅ Compatibility scores
- ✅ Detailed profiles
- ✅ Dating advice and tips by experts
- ✅ Dedicated customer care
- ✅ Diverse dating pool
Cons
- ❌ Must pay to have unlimited access to features
Zoosk - Best For Casual Dates and Serious Relationships
- Enormous dating pool
- Various types of matching
- Quick onboarding
- Over 40 million users
- LGBTQ+ inclusive
- Free Membership
Zoosk is a diverse dating site with users from all ages, races, and sexual orientations. This dating site uses a behavioral matching system to improve your chances of finding your perfect match, but you still have the freedom to search for matches yourself. Some of their unique features include Zoosk Live, Hide & Seek, Boost, Carousel, Gifts, and Zoosk Great Dates.
Zoosk is available in 25 languages and in over 80 countries. The dating site employs four forms of verification to reduce the number of fake profiles:
- Photo verification
- Phone verification
If you verify your account with Facebook or Twitter, Zoosk will not post anything on these apps, so your privacy is protected. You can sign up through Facebook or Google or manually by providing your gender, gender of interest, birthday, email address, and password.
With a free membership, you can search for profiles, see who’s online in your area, and see who viewed your profile, but you can’t send or receive messages except from paid users. Premium users have unlimited access to all features. Zoosk also provides dating and relationship advice written by relationship experts.
Why We Choose Zoosk: SmartPick technology matches you with people based on your preferences.
Show Zoosk Features & Rating
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| User Base Size and Diversity | Large and Diverse |
| Age Range | 18-45 |
| Matching Algorithm | Behavioral matching |
| Ease of Use and Interface | Very easy |
| Safety and Privacy Features |
|
| Communication Tools | Chat |
| Price and Subscription Options |
|
| Mobile App Availability | iOS and Android |
| Special Features | Virtual Gifts, SmartPicks, Zoosk Live |
| Customer Support | Phone, Email |
| Cancellation and Refund Policy | Refunds available |
| Community and Social Aspects | Social events |
| Inclusivity | High: LGBTQ+ friendly |
Pros
- ✅ Send virtual gifts
- ✅ Go live with Zoosk Live
- ✅ Behavioral matchmaking
- ✅ Photo verification
- ✅ Zoosk Great Dates for dates with your match
- ✅ Dating advice and tips from experts
Cons
- ❌ Limited features for free membership
- ❌ Review incompatible profiles before meeting compatible members
Seeking.com - Best for Sugar Dating
- Profile Customization
- Verification options
- Detailed profiles
- Over 40 million users worldwide
- Available in 130 countries
- Mobile app for Android
This dating site was formerly known as SeekingArrangement.
According to them, “Seeking is the place where beautiful, wealthy, and successful people connect.” Seeking.com is a luxury dating website for sugar daddies or mummies to connect with their sugar babies
The subscription price is fairly high, discouraging scammers from using the site. With the free trial, you can:
- Search
- Browse through profiles and their photos
- Chat with matches
- Receive suggested matches
- Upload photos to attract other members
Paid users can access more features, including:
- Profile boosts
- Advanced search filters
- Hide last login date, time, and country
- Read receipts
- Increased visibility
- Priority status
Seeking.com requests wealthy members to voluntarily verify their annual income and net worth as one of the methods to confirm their authenticity.
Why We Choose Seeking.com: The dating platform uses a blend of human review and AI to get rid of scammers.
Show Seeking.com Features & Rating
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| User Base Size and Diversity | Diverse |
| Age Range | 25-50 |
| Matching Algorithm | Age, Location, Body Type, Income, Net Worth |
| Ease of Use and Interface | Easy |
| Safety and Privacy Features |
|
| Communication Tools | Chat |
| Price and Subscription Options |
|
| Mobile App Availability | Android |
| Special Features | Advanced Search Filters, Share Wishlist |
| Customer Support | FAQ, Email |
| Cancellation and Refund Policy | No refunds |
| Community and Social Aspects | None |
Inclusivity | High; including LGBTQ+ |
Pros
- ✅ Experience luxury dating with no strings attached
- ✅ Profile boosts for premium members
- ✅ Hide online status
- ✅ Background checks on members
- ✅ User-friendly interface
Cons
- ❌ Doesn’t cater to all types of dating goals
- ❌ No mobile app for iOS
SeniorMatch - Best for Over 50 Singles
- Lively community
- User-friendly interface
- Quick onboarding
- Over 1 million mature singles
- Free Membership
- Mobile app for Android only
SeniorMatch is a senior dating site that caters exclusively to singles over 50. The majority of the users are looking for serious relationships. Only individuals above 45 years of age will be allowed to sign up. SeniorMatch doesn’t use advanced matching technology like eHarmony but still matches members based on important details like age, location, interests, religion, ethnicity, and height.
Registering on SeniorMatch is very fast. You can sign up through Facebook or by stating your age, gender, email address, and username. Also, you must upload a photo as soon as you sign up. If you sign up through Facebook, you can select photos from your Facebook profile for your dating profile, which simplifies the registration process.
Free members can send winks and reply to messages from premium users, but can’t send messages or comment on photos. Also, you can only swipe through 50 profiles daily. Paid members have access to features like:
- Unlimited Likes
- Unlimited Winks
- See who viewed your profile
- Advanced search criteria
- Account manager
- Unlimited Rewinds
- Change chat themes
- Customize profile privacy
Why We Choose SeniorMatch: Both free and paid users can post first-date ideas, but only paid users can respond to other members’ first-date ideas.
Show SeniorMatch Features & Rating
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| User Base Size and Diversity | Low |
| Age Range | Above 45 |
| Matching Algorithm | Age, Location, Similar Interests |
| Ease of Use and Interface | Easy |
| Safety and Privacy Features |
|
| Communication Tools | Chat, Wink, Likes |
| Price and Subscription Options |
|
| Mobile App Availability | Android |
| Special Features | Account Manager, Reverse Match, Chat Room |
| Customer Support | Email, Phone |
| Cancellation and Refund Policy | Refunds available |
| Community and Social Aspects | Blog |
Inclusivity | Low |
Pros
- ✅ User-friendly and easy to navigate
- ✅ Free membership
- ✅ Unlimited Likes and Winks for paid users
- ✅ Customize profile privacy
Cons
- ❌ No iOS app
- ❌ Bans singles under 45
EliteSingles - Best for Professional Singles
- Personality test to support matching
- Information rich
- Smart design
- Over 13 million users
- LGBTQ+ inclusive
- Free Membership
- Mobile apps for iOS and Android
EliteSingles is an online dating site for professional singles looking for high-quality and meaningful relationships. This dating website uses a personality test to match like-minded professionals. You’ll receive three to seven recommended matches daily, based on the answers to your personality test.
Most users are looking for serious relationships rather than casual ones. About 85% of the users have bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate degrees and are between the ages of 30 to 55.
Like most dating sites, EliteSingles offers basic and premium memberships. Basic membership is free, with limited features such as sending Smiles and Likes and uploading photos. Users can also take the personality test at no cost.
However, premium users have unlimited access to features like:
- Messaging
- See who viewed your profile
- Comment on profiles and photos
- Read receipts
- ‘Have You Met’ feature to meet up to 20 singles daily
- View members’ photos
Why We Choose EliteSingles: The site considers your personality to match you with similar professional singles.
Show EliteSingles Features & Rating
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| User Base Size and Diversity | Large and Diverse |
| Age Range | 30-55 |
| Matching Algorithm | Psychological Traits, Personality Test |
| Ease of Use and Interface | Very easy |
| Safety and Privacy Features |
|
| Communication Tools | Smiles, Message |
| Price and Subscription Options |
|
| Mobile App Availability | iOS and Android |
| Special Features | Have You Met? |
| Customer Support | Contact Form |
| Cancellation and Refund Policy | Refund available |
| Community and Social Aspects | Social events |
Inclusivity | High; LGBTQ+ friendly |
Pros
- ✅ Detailed personality test
- ✅ Three to seven daily suggestions
- ✅ ‘Have You Met’ feature for premium users
- ✅ Send Smiles and Likes to show interest
Cons
- ❌ Sign-up process is lengthy
InternationalCupid - Best for International Dating
- Large multinational audience
- Advanced search options
- Quick registration
Ø Useful experience for matching people from abroad
Visit InternationalCupid- Over 4 million users
- Available in 32 languages
- Free Membership
- Mobile app for Android only
InternationalCupid is an international dating platform where singles can search for their perfect match using over 30 search filters. This website is available in over 200 countries and supports 32 languages.
The majority of the members are looking for long-term relationships, so if you’re after casual hookups, this one is probably not for you.
Registration is quick and easy. You can sign up using your email address or by providing your gender, gender of interest, first name, country, email address, and password.
InternationalCupid offers standard and paid membership. The standard membership is free but limited. You can browse and match with profiles, send messages to paid members, upload up to five photos, engage in the Chatroom, and send Hearts.
The paid membership has three tiers:
- With a Gold membership, you get to browse anonymously, send unlimited messages, and browse without ads.
- Platinum members have all the perks of a Gold membership plus a translator and exclusive search features.
- Diamond members get all Gold and Platinum features plus profile highlights, premium customer support, and more.
Why We Choose InternationalCupid: Profiles have a compatibility indicator showing whether you’re compatible with them or not.
Show InternationalCupid Features & Rating
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| User Base Size and Diversity | Diverse |
| Age Range | 20-50 |
| Matching Algorithm | Age, Location |
| Ease of Use and Interface | Moderate |
| Safety and Privacy Features |
|
| Communication Tools | Message Board, Sending Hearts |
| Price and Subscription Options | Gold, Platinum, Diamond |
| Mobile App Availability | Android |
| Special Features | Chat Room, Message Translator, Cupid Tag |
| Customer Support | Email, Phone |
| Cancellation and Refund Policy | Refunds Available |
| Community and Social Aspects | None |
Inclusivity | Moderate |
Pros
- ✅ Free registration
- ✅ Engage in chat rooms for free
- ✅ Easy sign-up process
- ✅ Hide profile
- ✅ Ad-free browsing for paid users
Cons
- ❌ Must pay to get a better experience
Match - Best Paid Dating Site
- Plenty of matches
- Flexible matches
- Free trial version
- Over 39 million members
- Free membership (limited)
- LGBTQ+ inclusive
- Mobile apps for Android and iOS
Since its establishment in 1995, Match has helped millions of people find partners and commit to serious relationships, most times leading to marriage. Most of the members are seeking serious relationships, but there are reports of some users trying to find hookups.
Getting started at Match is easy. You’ll state your gender, the gender you’re looking for, birthday, zip code, first name, and email address. You can then take the detailed personality quiz or return to that later. After that, you’ll need to add your photos and you upload a maximum of 26 images.
Match will then suggest matches based on the results of your personality quiz. You can also search manually for matches based on age, zip code, interests, and username.
Match offers free and paid memberships. Free membership is usually limited but allows members to match with profiles, send limited messages, send Likes, browse through profiles, and receive daily match suggestions.
The paid membership is available in two tiers: Standard and Premium. On both tiers, you can:
- Send unlimited messages
- Send unlimited Likes
- See who viewed your profile
- See who likes you
- See Mutual and Reverse Match
- View read receipts
Premium members also have access to weekly Super Likes, monthly boosts, and unlimited Rewinds.
Why We Choose Match: MatchPhone feature generates a phone number that members can use to call and text their matches, without sharing their personal contact information.
Show Match Features & Rating
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| User Base Size and Diversity | Large and Diverse |
| Age Range | 20-55 |
| Matching Algorithm | Zip codes, Interests, Physical Appearance |
| Ease of Use and Interface | Very easy, Very easy |
| Safety and Privacy Features |
|
| Communication Tools | Wink, Email, Video Chat |
| Price and Subscription Options |
|
| Mobile App Availability | iOS, Android |
| Special Features | Privacy Mode, Reverse Matches, Personalized Match Suggestions, Voice Call |
| Customer Support | Live Chat, Email |
| Cancellation and Refund Policy | No refunds |
| Community and Social Aspects | Forum |
| Inclusivity | High; including LGBTQ+, over 50, single parent, and more. |
Pros
- ✅ Attend in-person events
- ✅ Privacy mode
- ✅ MatchPhone to call matches privately
- ✅ Detailed personality quiz
- ✅ Runs background checks on users
Cons
- ❌ Not all users have detailed profiles
- ❌ Limited features for free members
Dating.com - Best for International Dating
- Over 10 million members
- Available in over 40 countries
- LGBTQ+ inclusive
- Mobile apps for Android and iOS
Dating.com is an international dating site for travelers and people who don’t mind long-distance relationships. It has a broadcasting feature that shows you real members and their photos.
To sign up, you need to state your gender and the gender you’re interested in, the age group you’re looking for, address, name, birthday, and hometown. You’ll also be asked to write interesting details about yourself and what you’re looking for in a partner. A list of interests will appear and you can select options according to your preferences. The next step is to upload a photo of yourself.
Free users can view profiles, search for profiles, send winks, and post photos. There is no premium membership, as subscriptions are in the form of credits, and you’ll use them to view videos, send stickers, and access the ‘Let’s Mingle’ feature. The cost of credits depends on what you’re using them for. For example:
- Chat will cost you 1 credit per minute
- Two-way video chat will cost 6 credits per minute
- Sending stickers will cost 5 credits per sticker
Why We Choose Dating.com: The Let’s Mingle tool allows you to send an introductory message to multiple members as a way to start a conversation.
Show Dating.com Features & Rating
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| User Base Size and Diversity | Medium |
| Age Range | 18-55 |
| Matching Algorithm | Age, Gender, Location, Similar Interests |
| Ease of Use and Interface | Easy |
| Safety and Privacy Features |
|
| Communication Tools | Chat, Video Chat, Stickers, Winks |
| Price and Subscription Options |
|
| Mobile App Availability | Android and iOS |
| Special Features | Let’s Mingle, Webcam, Gifts |
| Customer Support | Email, Phone |
| Cancellation and Refund Policy | Refunds available |
| Community and Social Aspects | Chat Room |
Inclusivity | High; including LGBTQ+ |
Pros
- ✅ Modern communication tools
- ✅ Diverse dating pool
- ✅ Send gifts to your matches
- ✅ Unlimited live streams
Cons
- ❌ Pricey compared to other dating sites
- ❌ Can’t chat if you don’t buy credits
Tinder - Best for Casual Dating
- Large user base
- Very user-friendly
- Informative profiles help find relevant matches
- Over 75 million users
- Free Membership
- LGBTQ+ inclusive
Tinder is a popular dating website/app and pioneer of the swipe feature. It’s mostly used by people seeking casual dating and hookups, and is not usually recommended for people seeking serious relationships. Tinder has a very diverse user base and is available in 190 countries.
You can sign up with your email, Google account, or Facebook. You’ll be asked to state your gender, interests, and what type of relationship you’re looking for. You also need to upload at least two photos and write a short bio about yourself. Tinder will then recommend some profiles to you, and you can swipe right or left, based on whether you’re interested or not.
Tinder offers free and paid memberships. Free members can send limited messages, swipe for free, and send limited Likes. You can also send one Super Like per day to tell the other person that you really like them.
The paid membership options include Plus, Gold, and Platinum, with each one being for a different period, from six months to two years. Paid users get access to benefits like:
- Rewind feature
- 5 Super Likes
- 1 Monthly Boost
- Passport
- New Top Picks
Why We Choose Tinder: Platinum users get a Weekly Like Recap to see who liked them in the last 7 days.
Show Tinder Features & Rating
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| User Base Size and Diversity | Large and Diverse |
| Age Range | 18-55+ |
| Matching Algorithm | Similar Photos, Location |
| Ease of Use and Interface | Very easy, Very easy |
| Safety and Privacy Features |
|
| Communication Tools | Swipe, Speech Bubble, Heart Tap |
| Price and Subscription Options | Tinder+, Tinder Gold, Tinder Platinum |
| Mobile App Availability | iOS and Android |
| Special Features | Super Like, Super Boost, Rewind, Passport |
| Customer Support | |
| Cancellation and Refund Policy | No refunds |
| Community and Social Aspects | Social events, Group chats |
Inclusivity | High: including LGBTQ+ |
Pros
- ✅ Diverse dating pool
- ✅ Mobile apps for iOS and Android
- ✅ Passport features for daters on the go
- ✅ Super Likes to tell the other person you’re very interested
Cons
- ❌ Not for serious relationships
- ❌ Complaints of many fake profiles
OurTime - Best for Over 50 Dating
- Big dating pool
- Quick onboarding
- Many search options
- Over 8 million users
- Free Membership
- LGBTQ+ inclusive
- Mobile apps for iOS and Android
OurTime is a dating site specifically designed for singletons in their 50s, 60s and older to help them find meaningful relationships and friendships. Whether you’re divorced, widowed, or haven’t dated in a long time, OurTime is a relevant site to try.
To get started, select your gender, the gender you’d like to meet, date of birth, postal code, first name, email address, and password. OurTime will either recommend matches or allow you to search for matches based on age, location, gender, interests, and more. Free members can receive daily matches and browse through profiles, but you can’t send messages. A paid membership allows you to send virtual gifts to your matches, see read receipts, and get profile highlights. You also get access to the PromoteMe, NotifyMe, MatchMe features, and more.
Why We Choose OurTime: Paid members can call or text other members using a private number.
Show OurTime Features & Rating
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| User Base Size and Diversity | Large and Diverse |
| Age Range | 50 and above |
| Matching Algorithm | Age, Location, Personality traits |
| Ease of Use and Interface | Easy and Moderate |
| Safety and Privacy Features |
|
| Communication Tools | Message Board, Video Call |
| Price and Subscription Options | Standard Membership
|
| Mobile App Availability | iOS and Android |
| Special Features | Digital Gifts, Highlighted Profile |
| Customer Support | |
| Cancellation and Refund Policy | No refunds |
| Community and Social Aspects | Group chat, Social events |
Inclusivity | Moderate; LGBTQ+ friendly |
Pros
- ✅ Host in-person events
- ✅ Affordable prices
- ✅ Known for serious relationships
- ✅ Designed for over 50 singles
Cons
- ❌ Very limited free membership
Bumble - Best Dating App for Women
- Women make the first step
- Detailed profiles
- Funny interest badges
- Free Membership
- LGBTQ+ inclusive
- Mobile app for Android and iOS
Bumble is a dating platform that aims to change outdated gender norms and empower women to make the first move. Women have to send the first message, giving them full control of who they want to connect with. If a match consists of two women, anyone can send the first message.
Bumble has a free and paid membership, including Premium or Boosts subscription plans. Free users can swipe, match, and send messages. You also get an extended match time per day.
With a Boost subscription, you’ll get access to unlimited swipes, profile boosts, video chat, extended match time, one weekly spotlight, and 5 weekly Super Likes. Premium users get all Boosts perks plus enhanced searches, Incognito Mode, Travel Mode, and the ability to see who viewed your profile.
Why We Choose Bumble: The platform allows you to seek three types of relationships: Bumble Date, Bumble Bizz (business connections), and Bumble BFF (Friendships).
Show Bumble Features & Rating
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| User Base Size and Diversity | Large and Diverse |
| Age Range | 18-35 |
| Matching Algorithm | Age, Location |
| Ease of Use and Interface | Easy, Moderate |
| Safety and Privacy Features |
|
| Communication Tools | Swipe, Video Chat, Voice Call |
| Price and Subscription Options |
|
| Mobile App Availability | iOS and Android |
| Special Features | Backtrack, SuperSwipes |
| Customer Support | |
| Cancellation and Refund Policy | No refunds |
| Community and Social Aspects | Social events |
| Inclusivity | High; LGBTQ+ Friendly |
Pros
- ✅ Hosts in-person events
- ✅ User-friendly interface
- ✅ Encourages fast conversations
- ✅ Find friendships, relationships, or business connections
Cons
- ❌ Match disappears after 24 hours if no connection is made
Dating Sites and Apps: Detailed Comparison
| App/Site | Best for | Registered Users | Men/Women Ratio | Focus | Free Version | Subscription | Mobile friendly? | Verified Profiles | Social Media Integration | Matching System |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| eHarmony | All Singles | Over 30 million | M: 48% F: 52% | Serious relationships, Casual dates | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Compatibility quiz |
| Zoosk | All Singles | Over 40 million | M: 48% F: 52% | Serious relationships, Casual dates, Friendships | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Behavioral matching |
| Seeking.com | Successful and Attractive Singles | Over 40 million | M: 40% F: 60% | Sugar relationships | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Age, Location, Body Type, Income, Net Worth |
| SeniorMatch | Over 50 Singles | Over 1 million | M: 40% F: 60% | Long-term relationships | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Age, Gender, Country, State |
| EliteSingles | Professional Singles | Over 13 million | M: 44% F: 56% | Serious relationships | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Personality test |
* Note: Stats are aggregated via SimilarWeb, extracting data from trusted websites including Online Dating Statistics by Forbes Health, Pew Research Center and FinancesOnline
How We Rate Dating Sites and Apps
We rate each dating site after an in-depth review process that includes fact-checking and to align with our editorial policy, our feedback is based on real-life testing of each platform. We do have advertising partners, which is explained in our advertising disclosure, but we deliver unbiased information and update content regularly. For your peace of mind, learn more about our process in our detailed ranking guide.
Main Features to Consider When Choosing a Dating Site
If you’re searching for a dating site, there are key features that the site should have to improve user experience. Use these when you’re vetting and comparing dating sites:
- Suitable Matchmaking: Many people are on dating sites to find serious relationships while others want casual hookups. The dating website you use must have features and member pools that align with the type of relationship you’re seeking. Also, for serious relationships, it’s best to use platforms that use sophisticated matching algorithms to match users based on personality traits, interests, location, age, etc. This would ensure that you’re getting matched to compatible individuals. For example, eHarmony uses a compatibility match system to match you with other compatible users.
- In-App Chat, Voice & Video Chat: Consider a dating site that has modern in-app chat features with a user-friendly interface. The in-app chat should include features like emojis, GIFs, and the option to send photos and videos to make conversations fun and engaging. The dating site should also have voice and video chat/call features so you can hear and see your matches.
- Advanced Search Filters: Most sites will give you the chance to find matches on your own, even if they have a matching algorithm that recommends matches. Consider dating sites that provide advanced search filters to help users find their perfect match faster, based on zodiac signs, education level, religion, income, net worth, physical appearance, and more. For example, at Seeking.com, users can search for profiles based on body type, income, and net worth.
- Advanced Security and Privacy Features: Romance scams have become rampant on dating sites. Consider a dating site that prioritizes users’ safety by including safety and privacy features such as email/phone/photo/profile verification, blocking of users, privacy mode, and advanced algorithms to weed out fake profiles.
- Customer Support: The dating site should have a responsive and reliable customer support team that can be reached via email, live chat, phone, or contact form.
- Easy Navigation: Make sure that the dating site has a user-friendly interface and easy navigation so it’s convenient to use. Finding your match should be paired with a positive user experience.
- Large User Base: The larger the user base, the higher the chances of meeting your perfect match. Consider sites that not only have a huge user base, but a large number of real and verified profiles.
- Relationship Assistance: Consider a dating platform that offers dating tips and advice. You can refer to the information to improve dating experiences and stay safe throughout the process.
Important Tips for Safety & Success in Dating Sites
Like many online interactions, there are risks associated with online dating. Here are some important tips to ensure your safety on dating sites.
- Don’t Share Personal Information: Protect your personal information such as your bank details, home or work address, places you constantly visit, or information about your children and where they go to school.
- Keep Conversation on the Platform: Don’t move your conversation from the dating site to a messaging app unless you officially start dating someone in person. When someone wants to chat using other platforms, it’s a red flag. For example, Tinder monitors messages with their Safe Message Filters. Scammers would suggest taking the conversation off-site to avoid these filters.
- Don’t Send Money to Anyone: Never send money to anyone on the platform, even if they claim it’s an emergency. Most of the time, these are scammers who prey on vulnerable individuals after gaining their trust.
- Request Video Call: Use video call to confirm that it’s not a fake profile and that the person resembles their profile photo. Be careful of anyone who constantly refuses your video call request, as they may try to avoid being caught managing fake profiles.
- Report Suspicious Accounts: If the other person is continuously requesting money, sending threats and inappropriate messages, regularly asking for nude photos, and sending suspicious links, report that account.
- Meet and Stay in a Public Place: When you decide to meet someone, do it in a public place and stay there throughout the date. If the person is pressuring you to move somewhere private, find an excuse to end the date and go home.
- Tell Someone Your Plans: Before you head out on that date, tell a friend or family member where you’re going. Make sure your phone is charged, so you can contact someone if the need arises.
- Don’t Leave Your Drink Unattended: Make sure that all your drinks are served directly by the waiter, in your presence. If the person ordered a drink even before you arrived, turn it down. Also, finish it before you head to the restroom, so there’s no chance of someone spiking your drink.
- Keep Your Purse With You: Make sure your purse or wallet stays with you at all times. If you have to go to the restroom, take it with you.
Is a Free Dating Site Legit?
Most dating sites will offer two kinds of membership: free and premium. A free dating site can be legit, but has many limitations when compared to paid dating memberships.
With a free membership, you usually get limited messaging, browsing of profiles, uploading a limited number of photos, and sending limited Likes. eHarmony and Zoosk have these features available for free.
However, to be able to use the dating site to its fullest and increase your chances of making a match, it’s advisable to pay for a subscription. You will then have more resources for tasks like comparing profiles and initiating conversations.
Resources for All Singles Seeking Love
While it’s possible to find love on dating sites, you can also find love in the most unexpected places. Take a look at some of the top resources below:
- Reddit Dating Advice: It is a trusted forum on Reddit for dating advice from people across the globe.
- Quora Space: This is a safe space with 400k+ subscribers following dating questions and answers.
- Chat Avenue: A shared space to discuss dating and relationship issues, ask for advice, share experiences and more.
Conclusion: What is the Best Dating Site?
The best dating site depends on your preference, the type of relationship you’re looking for, and the demographic you belong to. For example, if you’re looking for a more diverse dating site, eHarmony and Zoosk are great options. If you’re over 50 and looking for singles of a similar age, SeniorMatch might be the perfect pick.
Whatever it is you’re looking for, you will surely find one or two relevant platforms from these recommendations. Register for an account on any of them, stay open-minded, and you may soon find the connection you’ve been hoping for!
FAQ
What is the Best Dating Site?
The best dating site depends on your preferences. Some dating sites are very diverse, for example, eHarmony and Zoosk. Others cater to a specific demographic, for example, SeniorMatch for over 50 singles and InternationalCupid for international dating.
How Do I Choose the Right Dating Site?
To choose the right dating site for you, make a budget, and read reviews of various sites that cater to your demographic. Check out the features they provide, and subscription options to see if they meet your budget.
How Do I Match With Someone on a Dating Site?
Dating sites have different matching systems. Reputable dating sites will use a matching algorithm to match you with other members based on the information you provide when signing up, for example, age, gender, location, interests, etc.
Some will require you to take a personality test or a compatibility quiz. You’ll be matched with people based on the results of these tests. Others allow you to use the swipe feature to pick your own matches.
Are Dating Sites Worth It?
Dating sites provide a convenient way to find and connect with singles from all over the world based on age, gender, location, interests, and lifestyle. You can connect with individuals outside your current network, which increases the chances of finding someone you want to have a relationship with. Also, dating sites are convenient because you can use features wherever you have online access.
All dating sites recommended in this article are worth giving a try.
Which Dating Sites Have the Most Successful Relationships?
eHarmony, Match, and Bumble are known to have the most successful relationships. They’re also known to be the best dating sites for serious relationships. For hookups, platforms like Tinder are more appropriate.
Are Paid Dating Sites Better?
Whether paid dating sites are better than free versions depends on your preference and budget. People who pay for subscriptions gain access to more tools, which can increase the odds of finding a perfect match.
It’s very possible to meet someone on a free dating site. But for a much better experience, it’s advisable to pay for a subscription plan.
