Single Mom Dating Sites And Apps

Women's Dating

7 Best Single Mom Dating Sites & Apps (2024)

Amber Brooks

Written by: Amber Brooks

Amber Brooks

Amber Brooks is the Editor-in-Chief at DatingAdvice.com. When she was growing up, her family teased her for being "boy crazy," but she preferred to think of herself as a budding dating and relationship expert. As an English major at the University of Florida, Amber honed her communication skills to write clearly, knowledgeably, and passionately about a variety of subjects. Now with over 1,800 lifestyle articles to her name, Amber brings her tireless wit and relatable experiences to DatingAdvice.com.

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Edited by: Lillian Castro

Lillian Castro

Lillian Guevara-Castro brings more than 30 years of journalism experience to ensure DatingAdvice articles have been edited for overall clarity, accuracy, and reader engagement. She has worked at The Atlanta Journal and Constitution, The Gwinnett Daily News, and The Gainesville Sun covering lifestyle topics.

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One of the biggest benefits of a single mom dating site or app is the ability to be upfront and honest about your family life. You don’t have to worry about how you’re going to bring up your divorce or your child(ren) because your dating profile will do that for you.

That can be a load off the shoulders of single moms who worry that they’ll scare off date prospects because they come with a package deal. However, motherhood doesn’t have to be a dealbreaker in the dating world. Single moms have many attractive qualities, and some guys are looking for a woman who has her act together and knows how to take care of someone other than herself.

Single mom dating sites and apps can back up women looking for a safe and private way to find romance and potentially build a relationship with the right person.

1. Match

★★★★★
4.9/5.0

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

Match is one of the longest-running dating sites and apps of all time, and it supports mature commitment-minded singles on their journey to love.

According to internal stats, over 75% of Match users are over 30, and about 44% say they have children. These singles are invested in the online dating process and hope to come away with a partner for the long run.

You can identify yourself as a single parent in your Match dating profile, and you can also search the database for single dads by using the advanced search filters. It’s free to browse the Match dating website and app, but you’ll need to subscribe to get full access to the live messaging features.

★★★★★
4.8/5.0

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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As its name suggests, EliteSingles is a dating platform for highly attractive and successful individuals in search of a perfect match. Its membership base is populated by doctors, executives, lawyers, and other busy professionals.

More than 82% of EliteSingles members have graduated from college, and the vast majority of them say they’re looking for a serious relationship. A sophisticated matchmaking algorithm works overtime to identify compatible matches and recommend promising dates in your area, and that can save single moms valuable time in the dating scene.

EliteSingles creates more than 2,500 love connections per month, and it can effectively raise the caliber of a single person’s dating experience.

3. Zoosk

★★★★★
4.7/5.0

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...” Full Review »

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Zoosk is a free dating site and app that connects more than 40 million members worldwide. Singles of all ages, orientations, and backgrounds are welcome here, and the platform offers a wide variety of search filters to help you find a person who is your type.

Zoosk uses behavioral matchmaking to determine which profiles to highlight in the Carousel and SmartPicks section. The algorithm identifies common traits in the dating profiles you like and chat with, and suggests similar profiles. For instance, if you’re chatting with a bearded and blue-eyed single father, Zoosk may focus on showing you dads with similar physical characteristics.

You can review your matches and send a limited number of greetings or replies for free on Zoosk, but some users find it’s worth upgrading to a monthly subscription plan to get access to premium features.

★★★★★
4.8/5.0

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...” Full Review »

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Since its launch in 2000, eharmony has delved into the human heart and mind to discover the secrets of loving relationships. This online dating site and app draws from proven psychological principles to create matches that have a lot of substance behind them.

The Compatibility Quiz is the foundation of eharmony’s matchmaking process. This lengthy questionnaire asks things like “why are you single” and “how would your friends describe you?” to get to the heart of who a person is. Your answers to these multiple-choice questions will factor into the compatibility ratings you’ll see on other profiles.

The eharmony matching system can help single moms find a potential partner who has strong family values and serious relationship goals.

★★★★★
4.6/5.0

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...” Full Review »

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SilverSingles is a senior dating site geared toward sparking long-term connections between over-50 singles. A single woman can join this more experienced and mature dating pool to meet men who have raised families of their own.

It’s free to join the SilverSingles website (or mobile dating app) and take a personality test to complete your profile. The platform will recommend up to seven potential matches per day, and you can readjust your dating preferences to make sure only the most viable candidates show up in your inbox.

A free membership can give singles a head start in the senior dating world, but only premium SilverSingles members have the ability to view photos and send messages in this exclusive network.

★★★★★
4.6/5.0

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...” Full Review »

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People Media has powered many niche dating sites over the years, and OurTime is one of its most popular projects. The senior dating site empowers older singles to up their dating game and find companionship.

OurTime can offer a helping hand to a single mother wondering what’s next after her children have grown and left home. OurTime’s motto is “It’s your time,” and its matchmaking tools encourage individuals to reach their romantic potential.

This age-appropriate site can lead seniors to a new love connection, a new partner, or a new friend, and it’s totally free to browse, match, and send messages to premium users.

★★★★★
4.5/5.0

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...” Full Review »

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Since 2001, ChristianMingle has distinguished itself as the top dating platform for Christian singles looking for a relationship built on faith, love, and trust.

This online dating service is on a mission to introduce Christians to their ideal match and facilitate a long-term relationship. Its focus on common values has led to many heartfelt connections. According to a study, ChristianMingle is responsible for about one-third of Christian marriages that started online.

In terms of single parent dating, ChristianMingle is helpful because it allows single moms and dads to state “I have kids” and/or “I want kids” in their bio so a potential partner will know where you stand from the beginning.

★★★★
4.1/5.0

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...” Full Review »

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BlackPeopleMeet promotes a diverse dating pool where people of color can mingle freely. This Black dating site is open to singles of any ethnicity, but the majority of its users identify as African American.

A single parent can register a free account on BlackPeopleMeet to search for locals singles who share a common history and perspective. The site and app provide search filters and match suggestions to make it easy to meet someone who jibes with you.

BlackPeopleMeet shares the same network as Single Parent Meet, so its membership includes many single parents looking for a fresh start and a dark-skinned date.

9. Hinge

Hinge

is a serious dating app for serious daters. The team says the app was “designed to be deleted,” meaning its objective is to introduce users to that special person who makes them want to stop swiping for good.

This quality dating space can help single moms engage in interesting conversations that lead to promising first dates. Hinge boasts a 72% success rate at turning first dates into second dates, so it’s a good place to pursue a relationship.

Screenshot of Hinge

Hinge is a free dating app where people connect based on common interests.

Since its launch in 2012, Hinge has endeavored to become more than just another swiping app. That begins with the Hinge profile, which includes six photos, three personal prompts, and basic demographic details. Hinge users must like or comment on something specific on the dating profile to initiate a match.

10. Coffee Meets Bagel

Coffee Meets Bagel

takes pride in being a female-friendly dating app. Three women in California designed and developed CMB nearly a decade ago because they wanted to counteract pickup culture and restore civility to the online dating world.

To date, Coffee Meets Bagel has created over 50 million matches worldwide.

Screenshot of CoffeeMeetsBagel

Coffee Meets Bagel highlights a potential match list and limits how many likes you can send per day.

Every day at noon, Coffee Meets Bagel delivers a curated list of potential matches to its users and invites them to send likes to anyone they’d like to get to know better. If that person likes you back, you can chat for free on the app.

11. Bumble

Bumble

consistently puts women first in the dating scene, and that’s why it is known as the world’s first feminist dating app. When a man and a woman create a mutual match on Bumble, only the woman has First Move privileges, meaning she has to send a message within 24 hours to unlock the chat window.

Women have the power to shape their online dating experience on Bumble, and that’s particularly helpful for single moms who like to take the lead.

Screenshot of Bumble

Bumble has made headlines as the world’s leading feminist dating app.

The Bumble dating atmosphere allows singles to be selective and form relationships based on mutual interest as well as mutual respect.

Over 100 million people have jumped on the Bumble bandwagon since 2014, and the app sees about 11 million monthly views.

12. OkCupid

In 2004, OkCupid launched as a completely free dating site, and it has never charged users for its private messaging features.

It’s free to create an online dating profile on OkCupid and answer match questions in its relationship questionnaire. It’s also free to send likes and greetings to other members on OkCupid, and you can engage in conversations as soon as they send your profile a like in return.

Screenshot of OkCupid

OkCupid is a data-driven dating platform with free communication.

OkCupid tends to attract a young and casual dating crowd because of its $0 price tag, but it can also be useful for single parents looking for dates while on a budget. The platform has an intelligent match algorithm that calculates your compatibility percentage with a new person based on common values, interests, hobbies, and goals.

Each year, OkCupid is responsible for creating over 91 million new love connections and inspiring over 2.5 million first dates.

13. Plenty of Fish

Plenty of Fish

(or POF) is a free resource for singles who want to have a chat without a lot of hassle or commitment. This online dating site and app provide free messaging to all users with a valid profile picture, and it doesn’t require them to create a mutual match to say hi.

Screenshot of PlentyOfFish

Plenty of Fish welcomes single parents seeking love and romance.

Thanks to its free-for-all system, single parents can strike up a conversation with anyone who strikes their fancy. Plenty of Fish has advanced search filters as well as match suggestions, so users can find a potential date with relative ease.

If you look at the numbers, it’s clear that POF is at the top of its dating game. Plenty of Fish has over 150 million members in 20 countries, and it has been translated into 11 languages. Every week, POF members exchange millions of messages and grow their online connections into something real.

14. Happn

The Happn dating app has used the idea of serendipity to inspire its location-based matching system. The app facilitates personal relationships by literally finding common ground between users. It provides a map reference showing where local singles have crossed paths with one another as they go about their day.

Happn never reveals anyone’s real-time location, and it doesn’t allow unsolicited communication. Happn users must like each other’s profiles to start a conversation.

Screenshot of Happn

Happn sends users notifications when they have recently crossed paths with a potential match.

Every Happn profile provides insight into the person’s habits and lifestyle. The online dating profile can feature photos and a brief bio, and it can also include recent Instagram posts, Spotify playlists, and a map of where you’ve crossed paths with that person. You could see that they frequent the same coffee shop, bookstore, or daycare as you, and that could be a great icebreaker for your chat.

15. Tinder

In 2012, Tinder became the first online dating app to introduce swipe-based matching features and put local singles in the driver’s seat. And it’s been at the forefront of the dating world ever since.

Tinder is the dating app of choice for most 20-somethings and 30-somethings. Its fast and fun matching process appeals to single men and women who want to meet a lot of people as quickly as possible. Having access to such a large, diverse user base can tip the scales in your favor and lead to solid matches.

Screenshot from Tinder's website

Tinder can help single moms explore the dating field and keep things casual.

Tinder became famous because it gave singles a way to navigate the dating scene and focus on the potential matches they find most intriguing and attractive. This streamlined matchmaking process encourages local singles to be honest about what they want, skip the pleasantries, and start planning a first date with a person who is interested in the same type of casual relationship.

Since its launch, Tinder has been downloaded over 300 million times and created more than 43 billion matches across 190 countries.

Should Single Moms Online Date?

Yes, online dating is one of the most effective ways to meet someone new, and it can be especially useful for single parents who don’t have the time, energy, or inclination to patrol the bar and clubbing scene.

Single mom dating sites and apps can offer women a fresh start in the modern dating world and point them in the direction of a good man. All their romantic connections will start out as online chats, so women can take their time vetting and screening a potential date.

As a single mother, you may not meet many single men in your day-to-day life, but you can surround yourself with date opportunities simply by creating an online dating profile.

Which is the Best Dating Site & App for Single Moms?

It’s hard to pick a favorite dating site or app because each platform may appeal to different types of daters. Casual daters tend to prefer apps like Tinder while more serious daters may go for premium options like Hinge or eharmony.

Single moms typically lean more toward the serious side, but they may want to start out slow and keep things casual early on. They need a dating site that won’t rush them and will give them the space to grow a relationship. In that regard, Match is the best option available.

Match.com

★★★★★
4.9/5.0
Match.com

Available on: iOS, Android

  • Relationships: Fun Dates, Serious Relationships
  • Match System: Browse by location, age, interest, and more
  • About the App: Available via the App Store and Google Play, Match is a fantastic app for dates and relationships. With a user base of 30 million singles, Match is where you'll have a high chance of success. It's free to download, create a profile, search for date prospects, and receive compatible matches based on personalized preferences. Free members can also chat with select members and send unlimited likes.
  • Browse Free: View Profiles Now

Match has been creating matches for nearly three decades, and it has honed its matchmaking system to put the needs of single people first. The dating site and app won’t pressure you to make a snap judgment based on a photo or push you to ask someone out because the chat is about to expire.

The Match dating platform offers dating opportunities and messaging options without too many rules or games. Plus, because only premium members can send an unsolicited message, single moms won’t be overwhelmed by pickup lines and first date invites. Match is more about quality than quantity, so users can be choosy and take their time.

Why Should I Use a Dating Site or App to Meet Single Moms?

Whether you’re a single dad or just a single man who wants to date a single mom, you can rely on dating sites and apps to match you with single women with similar family values and experiences.

Single parent dating sites can offer a smart match algorithm that takes into account what you’re looking for in a potential partner. If you prefer to date someone who has a kid, then you can put that in your dating preferences and attract someone who is your type.

The online dating scene allows singles to be selective and pursue dates based on mutual attraction, so it’s a great way to up your dating game. Perhaps you’ll even find your Mrs. Right online. In a 2019 survey, 12% of U.S. adults reported getting into a relationship because of a dating website or app.

What are the Safety Features on Single Mom Dating Sites & Apps?

Safety is a big concern for many single moms for obvious reasons. Opening her heart and introducing her family to a stranger can be nerve-wracking for a woman of any age, but reputable dating sites and apps go to great lengths to foster a positive and safe online dating experience.

For example, Bumble and Hinge require new users to sign up via a phone number or Facebook account. This adds a higher tier of security that verifies a person’s identity and stops scammers from creating multiple fake profiles.

Photo of a computer keyboard

Dating companies can implement security measures to keep singles safe.

Most online dating platforms will also have some sort of block tool and reporting system to help mitigate online harassment. Typically, the moderators will ban anyone found causing trouble and breaking the community rules.

If someone you meet online is giving you bad vibes or displaying any red flags, don’t hesitate to hit the block button and remove yourself from a toxic situation. Dating sites and apps cannot police every interaction that goes on, but they can empower individuals to use good judgment and shut the door on liars, creeps, jerks, and just plain bad guys.

What are the Search Filters on Single Mom Dating Sites & Apps?

Every dating site and app will have different search filters and preference filters to help singles find a compatible match. Some dating sites stick to the basics of age, location, gender, and orientation, while others include filters for physical characteristics, educational background, relationship status, family situation, hobbies, and other important factors.

Recently, there has been a debate about whether dating sites and apps should have search filters based on race. In response to the Black Lives Matter protests of 2020, the Grindr app pledged to remove its ethnicity filters and foster an even playing field for all races. However, the Match Group has stated that race filters can empower singles in minority communities to find one another, create solidarity, and date according to their values, so it will keep its race filters for the time being.

Single Moms Can Find a New Start on a Dating Site

Single parent dating can be difficult because you have less free time and more serious commitments than the average single person. You have your own little family to look after, and trying to add a new person to your life could cause some emotional and logistical conflicts.

Fortunately, single mom dating sites and apps have provided a straightforward and safe way to reenter the dating scene. You can browse through dating profiles and chat with matches while waiting for your kid in the pickup line after school or after you’ve tucked everyone in and clocked out for the night. It’s pretty easy to establish an online crush on a dating platform, and then you can see if the chemistry is there in real life on your first date.

Whether you’re looking for a fling or a serious relationship, you can create an online dating profile to get one step closer to romance. Good luck!

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