Best Dating Sites
Looking for a dating site you can trust? Search no more.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard married people say things like “It must be so exciting to be single” or “Dating must be so easy now.” I know they mean well, but comments like that make me cringe.
Anyone who’s active in the modern dating scene knows that it’s not easy to find a great match — it takes a lot of time. Recently, dating app Badoo monitored user activity and found that the average 20-something single spent over 80 minutes per day using its service to swipe, match, and chat.
If you don’t have that kind of time, you should seek a top-tier dating service that’ll do the work for you. The best online dating services promise to provide a lot of options to make the romantic grind a little easier. Our dating experts have reviewed our favorite sites and apps in the business to help you maximize the fun and minimize the stress of finding a hot date in your area.
1. Match
★★★★★
Relationships: Friends, Dates, and Relationships
Match System: Browse by zip, age, appearance, more
Our Experts Say: “Match has facilitated the most dates and relationships of any dating site, and its large audience and high success rate make it our top review...” Full Review »
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| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) |
Today's Deal
|
| All Singles* |
49%*
51%*
|
39.7 Million* | Try Match FREE |
Launched in 1995, Match is the original online dating service, and it has stood the test of time because its matchmaking algorithm really works.
From the outset, Match took a personality-driven approach to online dating, and the site encourages singles to describe who they are in their own words and outline what they’re looking for in no uncertain terms. The dating site focuses on the things that matter most to singles (age, location, religion, income, family values, etc.) and uses those characteristics to power matches.
Match.com is free to join, and it allows members to browse the site (and companion app) and send unlimited likes without paying for a monthly subscription.
2. EliteSingles
★★★★★
Relationships: Serious Relationships
Match System: Search, Receive Partner Suggestions
Our Experts Say: “EliteSingles is a leading dating site just for busy, single professionals. More than 80% of members have earned a college degree, and most are looking for a serious commitment...” Full Review »
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| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) |
Today's Deal
|
| All Singles* |
44%*
56%*
|
2 Million* | Browse Profiles Free |
EliteSingles is a high-end dating service geared toward single professionals in search of a long-term partner. You don’t need a doctorate to join its ranks — but being well-educated certainly doesn’t hurt your chances of finding someone special here.
Over 85% of EliteSingles members have earned at least a bachelor’s degree, and over 90% say they want to get into a relationship with someone on their level.
EliteSingles doesn’t just throw dating profiles together at random either. The intelligent matchmaking system hinges on a personality assessment and personalized dating preferences that you can adjust at any time.
Relationships:
Casual Dates, Deep Relationships
Match System:
Personality test suggests matches
Our Experts Say:
“Accounting for 2% of U.S. marriages, eharmony's compatibility-based system and commitment-minded user base are ideal for those seeking a serious relationship...”
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3. eharmony
★★★★★
User Base
Gender Ratio
Popularity (Visits/Mo.)
Today's Deal
All Singles*
48%*
52%*
4.1 Million*
View Profiles FREE
Marriage-minded singles have found an ally and wingman in eharmony, a dating site that uses psychology to power new relationships.
Since 2000, eharmony has become known as one of the most trustworthy dating sites, and its online services create another love connection every 14 minutes. Many people are willing to invest in this quality-driven dating solution, and its paid members send more than 2.3 million messages a week.
Free eharmony members have access to the Compatibility Quiz, match ratings, and limited communication features, including Icebreaker questions, but only premium members can view photos and message anyone they want on eharmony.
Relationships:
Fun Dates, Serious Relationships
Match System:
Search and get match recommendations
Our Experts Say:
“Zoosk is integrated with social media sites, like Facebook and Google+, so it's very popular with singles on the go...”
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4. Zoosk
★★★★★
User Base
Gender Ratio
Popularity (Visits/Mo.)
Today's Deal
All Singles*
48%*
52%*
28.9 Million*
Start Zoosk for FREE
If we were organizing this list alphabetically, Zoosk would come in dead last. However, Zoosk consistently beats out the competition in terms of success and popularity, so we’re putting it on top of the heap.
Since 2007, the tech-savvy dating platform has offered an abundance of communication features and matching options. Zoosk’s founding principle is to make online dating more of a fun, social experience, and it has attracted a growing membership of over 35 million singles.
Zoosk uses behavioral matchmaking to predict which couples will hit things off. Every time you like or view a profile on Zoosk, the algorithm learns a little more about your dating patterns and the qualities you find most attractive, and it uses that information to recommend similar profiles to the ones you’ve already taken an interest in.
Relationships:
Friendship, Casual Dates, Serious Relationships
Match System:
Search by age, location, height, education, ethnicity, and religion
Our Experts Say:
“SilverSingles is a fast-growing, easy-to-use niche dating site exclusively for active daters over the age of 50...”
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★★★★★
User Base
Gender Ratio
Popularity (Visits/Mo.)
Today's Deal
Mature Singles (50+)*
41%*
59%*
800,000*
Sign up for FREE
SilverSingles is a seniors-only dating site that was created by the same team that runs EliteSingles. You don’t have to worry about running into fake profiles on this trustworthy network.
Online safety comes first on SilverSingles. Only premium members can send messages and view photos on the site, and the SilverSingles profile verification system adds yet another layer of protection to users.
The SilverSingles team supports its members 24/7, and you can contact Customer Care with any questions or concerns that arise along the way.
Relationships:
Dates and Relationships
Match System:
Search by profiles by zip and more
Our Experts Say:
“OurTime is well-known in the over-50 dating crowd, particularly because it has a ton of helpful search features and an easy layout...”
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6. OurTime.com
★★★★★
User Base
Gender Ratio
Popularity (Visits/Mo.)
Today's Deal
Mature Singles (50+)*
48%*
52%*
8.9 Million*
Over 50? Try It FREE
Once you reach a certain age, you may find the mainstream dating world a little too intense or fast-paced for your liking. Thankfully, senior dating sites like OurTime can slow things down and promote a more mature dating atmosphere.
OurTime has millions of members in its database, and it introduces you to the cream of the crop in the Matches section. If you want to get to know someone better, click the Yes button to send a like and catch his or her attention. Premium members can see their likes and yeses, and they can send a message in return.
Many love stories have sprung from OurTime, and a lot of over 50 singles say they got a confidence boost from flirting with people in their age bracket.
Relationships:
Dates and Serious Relationships
Match System:
Search by gender, age, education, more
Our Experts Say:
“ChristianMingle is among the largest dating sites in the industry that only caters to single Christian men and women, and the site has some of the best search filters and safety features...”
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★★★★★
User Base
Gender Ratio
Popularity (Visits/Mo.)
Today's Deal
Christian Singles*
44%*
56%*
3.5 Million*
Try Now for $19.99/Month
ChristianMingle is the #1 Christian dating platform available, and its values-driven membership base can satisfy Christians looking for the real deal.
You can sign up to ChristianMingle by linking your Facebook account or by using your email address, and then you can start setting up your profile by adding pictures and personal responses to questions like “On a first date I prefer” and “How often do you attend church?”
Once you’re happy with your dating profile, go to the Matches section to look for date prospects who meet your standards and are online now. There are no search filters, so you’ll have to put your faith in ChristianMingle’s algorithm.
ChristianMingle caters to Christian singles, but it doesn’t shut its doors to people of other faiths. Anyone interested in dating or marrying a Christian can use this site to connect on a higher plane.
Relationships:
Deep Relationships or Just Casual Dates
Match System:
Search by location, age, more
Our Experts Say:
“BlackPeopleMeet.com is the one of the largest and most popular dating sites for black and biracial singles, and the site is used by more than 5 million people a month...”
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★★★★★
User Base
Gender Ratio
Popularity (Visits/Mo.)
Today's Deal
Black Singles*
47%*
53%*
5.7 Million*
FREE Trial for New Users
As you can tell from the name, BlackPeopleMeet is a friendly site where black, biracial, and multiracial singles can meet one another. The niche dating platform is all about keeping things real and sparking deep connections, and it has been quite successful so far.
“I found someone I’ve grown to love very much on this site,” said one BlackPeopleMeet member. “We will be meeting for the first time, and he’s moving to Florida.”
BlackPeopleMeet fosters a diverse dating community with premium chatting services available to anyone who’s serious about meeting someone special.
Relationships:
Hookups, Chats
Match System:
Search by encounter, location, and more
Our Experts Say:
“BeNaughty is a premier hookup app where you can feel comfortable expressing your desires. Plus, it's free to join, browse, and flirt...”
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9. BeNaughty
★★★★★
User Base
Gender Ratio
Popularity (Visits/Mo.)
Today's Deal
All Singles*
48%*
52%*
13.3 Million*
Browse Profiles Free
BeNaughty is a sex-positive dating space where finding a hookup buddy is no problem at all.
As a free member, you can view members on the homepage or in the Like Gallery. BeNaughty has search filters by gender, age, location, body type, and ethnicity to help users find someone who’s exactly their type and available to meet immediately.
If you want to speed things along, then you can use the mass text messaging feature to send a flirty greeting to everyone who meets your search criteria.
Relationships:
Hookups Only
Match System:
Search by location, interest, more
Our Experts Say:
“Make no mistake: this site isn't about making friends, it's about finding hookups and casual encounters. No adult site has a larger or more active user base of those seeking discreet fun...”
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★★★★★
User Base
Gender Ratio
Popularity (Visits/Mo.)
Today's Deal
All Singles*
65%*
35%*
25.5 Million*
3 Months @ $19.95/Mo
Adult Friend Finder has over 97 million members, and that makes it one of the largest sex and swinger communities on the web. Singles, couples, and groups seek out Adult Friend Finder because they want to get laid, and they trust the discreet services offered by this site.
Since 1996, the AFF community has welcomed people with a variety of kinks, fetishes, and desires. Some enjoy reading erotic stories, others are turned on by the video strip teases, and still others want to engage in online sexting with anonymous hotties. Of course, one of the main reasons people join AFF is to have sex in the real world, and you never know when a flirty chat will turn into an X-rated encounter.
11. Tinder
may not be everyone’s all-time favorite dating app — I definitely know a few friends who dislike it with a passion — but it fundamentally changed the online dating scene and is a powerhouse in the business. To date, Tinder has created over 30 billion matches, so it deserves a shout-out on this list.
Swiping put Tinder on the mobile map in 2012, and that continues to be its secret sauce to relationship building. Singles are in the driver’s seat on this app. They have the power to decide who to like, and only singles who like them back will show up in their inboxes.
Tinder is responsible for facilitatng more than 1 million dates per week.
The Tinder database encompasses 190 countries, but the app uses a smartphone’s location data to make sure your date prospects are within a certain mile radius. You can upgrade your account to get a Tinder Passport and match with someone in another state or another country.
Tinder supports the Swipe Life, which means singles choose to stay available and explore their options. In an internal survey, 72% of Tinder users under 25 said they have made a conscious decision to stay single for a certain period of time. More power to them.
12. Bumble
A former Tinder executive named Whitney Wolfe-Herd founded Bumble in 2014 because she wanted to make the online dating world more female-friendly. She decided to put women’s interests first by empowering women to send the first message and set the tone for every new connection on the app.
“Having had this app for almost two years, I can say that it’s an absolute game changer,” said one Bumble user in a review. “It has taught me to be brave and creative when starting conversations with strangers.”
Bumble gives women 24 hours to send a first message to the guys they match with on the app.
Bumble became known as the world’s first feminist dating app because it challenged women to make the first move and woo men. This upends the traditional dating norm of men always asking women out, and it has been quite successful so far.
In December 2018, Bumble reported having over 47 million users and brought in $175 million in annual revenue.
13. Hinge
Over the last decade, Hinge has positioned itself as one of the top relationship apps on the market, and it has countless success stories to back its services. Presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg met his husband, Chasten, on Hinge, and these power couples started out as mutual matches on the dating app. I also met my boyfriend on Hinge, so I’m a pretty big fan.
Hinge boasts having the highest success rate at turning first dates into second dates. In an internal survey, 90% of Hinge users said their first dates were great, and 72% said they would go on a second date with that person.
Hinge is a relationship app where users can get to know one another on a deeper level.
Hinge has revolutionized online dating by changing the way you match with someone. Instead of sending an impersonal like, singles have to take the time to like or comment on a specific photo or prompt on the dating profile. This helps daters break the ice and show off their personalities from the very beginning of the match.
Every Hinge profile is packed with good information to spark conversations. You’ll include six photos and three prompts ranging from silly questions about your favorite karaoke song or first date activity to serious questions about your family values or future goals.
14. OkCupid
is a forever free dating site and app with a great track record in the dating scene. In 2004, a group of Harvard math nerds challenged themselves to create a formula that could predict relationship compatibility and romantic chemistry. That formula has become the foundation of OkCupid’s matchmaking service, which creates over 91 million connections a year.
As a data-driven dating platform, OkCupid asks a lot of its users — and I mean that literally. The site has a lot of profile questions and survey questions that get to the heart of who you are and what you’re looking for in a partner. You can answer questions like, “What’s more interesting to you right now: love or sex?” and also rate how important your partner’s answer to that question is to you.
OkCupid is responsible for more than 50,000 dates each week.
Everything you say and do on OkCupid becomes part of its personalized match algorithm, and the more information you provide, the more accurate your compatibility ratings will become.
“Human relationships are one of the most fascinating topics to study,” said OkCupid CEO Ariel Charytan. “Every day I get to spend my time thinking about how we can create more love in the world and stronger relationships; our product only works when we’re creating meaningful connections.”
15. CoffeeMeetsBagel
People say necessity is the mother of invention, and that certainly rings true for the dating app CoffeeMeetsBagel, which started because three single women were unhappy with the online dating experience.
“We wanted to create a great experience for everyone,” explained Dawoon King, Co-Founder of CoffeeMeets Bagel. “We care about safety and quality. And that was the genesis of CoffeeMeetsBagel.”
CoffeeMeetsBagel began as a passion project of three entrepreneurial sisters.
CoffeeMeetsBagel’s founding mission is to bring greater authenticity and kindness to the space by requiring singles to slow down and give each dating profile the consideration it deserves. This app is about quality over quantity, and it limits the number of likes and matches a person can send in a day.
To date, CoffeeMeetsBagel has created more than 50 million matches and led to thousands of relationships around the world.
16. Plenty of Fish
It’s exciting to launch a dating profile on Plenty of Fish because there are so many date options at your fingertips, and messaging them doesn’t cost a thing. POF doesn’t put limits on its users. You can send as many messages to as many people as you want without first subscribing or establishing a mutual match.
Plenty of Fish has over 150 million members in its database, and over 4 million of them visit the site on a daily basis.
POF offers an open-ended dating space where singles can communicate for free.
Daters can use Plenty of Fish to practice their flirting, pick up dates, and maybe even find a lasting relationship. There’s no telling who you’ll meet once you set up your account and start searching, matching, and chatting.
If you want proof that Plenty of Fish works, take a look at its success stories, which include engagement and wedding photos from happy couples.
17. Happn
has capitalized on the power of serendipity with its fast-working dating service. The app uses a mobile device’s built-in location data to find date prospects who frequently cross your path. Maybe you visit the same coffee shop, or maybe you hang out at the same brewery after work.
Thanks to Happn, you can find dates in close proximity to you and enjoy a second chance at a first impression. Happn does not reveal anyone’s exact physical location, but it displays a map with pins on places that person has recently visited.
Happn users can discover shared interests thanks to its smart matchmaking system.
After receiving over 1.4 million reviews, Happn has a 4.2-star rating on Google Play. Many users say they love the app’s concept, and it seems to work best in busy cities where singles are active, social, and outgoing.
“I met my partner on this a year and a half ago,” said one Happn user. “We are still going strong.”
18. HER
Pretty much every dating site and app today is open to lesbian singles, but these mainstream spaces tend to be dominated by straight people, and that’s frustrating for women seeking women — not invitations to threesomes.
HER is the queer womxn’s dating solution. A lesbian entrepreneur named Robyn Exton founded the all-womxn dating app (it was originally called Dattch) to make sure that lesbian, bisexual, trans, and queer ladies can escape the creeps and find solidarity among people like them.
HER is a social dating app with an active newsfeed and events calendar.
Today, HER has over 4 million members, all of whom have been verified as authentic. The moderators maintain a strict no-men-allowed policy and remove profiles deemed fake or inappropriate.
According to the app’s Community Guidelines, the team’s goal is to “make HER a place where everyone can unapologetically be themselves, feel safe and build wonderful relationships that are based on trust, identity and community.”
19. Grindr
Last but not least, Grindr is a popular gay dating app that began as a men-only network and has become a global phenomenon. In 2017, Grindr invited trans people and women to join the fun and create Grindr accounts. The app also added gender-neutral language to make sure no one felt left out or discounted.
Still, gay men comprise a vast majority of Grindr’s audience, and it is most famous for helping gay men hookup on the down-low. “Apps like Grindr are designed to make finding sex easy,” said a mental health expert on Vox.
Grindr has approximately 3.8 million active users spread across 234 countries and territories.
Grindr uses location data to point you toward hotties in your immediate vicinity. Many gay men use the dating app as a real-time wingman when they’re at a bar or club. All you have to do is swipe, match, chat, and you’re that much closer to a romantic encounter.
If you’re interested in more than just sex, Grindr can help with that, too. In a survey, 84% of Grindr users said they’d fallen in love with someone they met on the app.
What is the Best Dating Site for Long-Term Relationships?
Our dating experts consider eharmony to be the best dating site for someone seeking a long-term relationship. That’s literally what the site (and now the app) was made for. If you’re serious about settling down, eharmony can offer a helping hand and a diverse membership base.
Relationships: Casual Dates, Deep Relationships
Match System: Personality test suggests matches
Our Experts Say: “eharmony's unique matching system is based on what it calls "Christian-based principles" and leads to 2% of all U.S. marriages annually...” Full Review »
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| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) |
Today's Deal
|
| All Singles* |
48%*
52%*
|
4.1 Million* | View Profiles FREE |
In 2000, a Christian theologian and psychologist named Dr. Neil Clark Warren decided to create a matchmaking system that would bring quality singles together and spark long-lasting relationships. Today, eharmony claims responsibility for over 2 million love connections.
What is the Most Successful Dating Site?
Match.com is by far the most successful dating site around. Not only has it been around the longest, but it also has the most success stories to its name. Here are some stats about Match.com that we think are relevant to today’s users:
★★★★★
Relationships: Friends, Dates, and Relationships
Match System: Browse by zip, age, appearance, more
Our Experts Say: “Match has facilitated the most dates and relationships of any dating site, and its large audience and high success rate make it our top review...” Full Review »
Browse Free: View Photos Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) |
Today's Deal
|
| All Singles* |
49%*
51%*
|
39.7 Million* | Try Match FREE |
Since 1995, Match has perfected its matchmaking system and defined what it means to be an upstanding dating site. It has worked for countless couples, and it could work for you, too.
Is Bumble Better Than Tinder?
That depends on how you define “better.” Tinder definitely has more members than Bumble does — with nearly 3 million more active users — and it has been around longer, but that doesn’t mean everyone is happy with their experience on this looks-driven dating app. Tinder tends to be better at short-term dating and hookups, while Bumble is better at building relationships, friendships, and other meaningful connections.
Fewer than 1% of women on Bumble say they want to find a hookup. This app is designed to help singles go beyond superficial pickup lines and have genuine interactions that lead to something serious.
If you just want to get laid, then Tinder is better. If you want to get in a relationship, then Bumble is the way to go.
How Much Does It’s Just Lunch Dating Service Cost?
is one of the most popular and successful matchmaking firms in the U.S., and many singles praise its affordable pricing model. The matchmakers offer a free consultation to get to know you and discuss how the process will work. You can get in touch with the IJL team by phone or via an online form.
As an It’s Just Lunch member, you are guaranteed to receive matches and go on dates arranged by a specialist. The prices for an IJL membership can range from $2,000 to $4,000 depending on your dating needs, expectations, location, and timeframe. You can read our full review of It’s Just Lunch to find out more details.
It’s Just Lunch is a high-end matchmaking service with monthly membership packages.
Over the last 29 years, It’s Just Lunch has arranged over 2 million dates and seen thousands of couples walk down the aisle, so you can rest assured you’re in good hands.
The Best Dating Services Do the Hard Work For You
Some folks imagine online dating is this incredibly fun experience where singles can go online and pick up dates as easily as they order a pizza. The reality is more complicated.
Sure, dating can be fun if you meet the right people, but it can also be taxing to continually search for compatible dates and filter out the rejects on your own. Fortunately, dating sites and apps never seem to run out of options, and they’re constantly upgrading their services to make the matching system more enjoyable and effective for everyone.
Popular dating services can streamline the dating process by vetting dates on your behalf, and that can save you valuable time in the search for romance and love. We’d recommend trying multiple dating sites and apps at once to see which one works best for you. Happy hunting!
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