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An older woman has the experience, poise, and charisma to light up the local dating scene, and cougar dating apps can empower her to come into her own. Age isn’t a dealbreaker for a lot of young men and mature women, so exploring the world of cougar dating can be an exciting way to shake up a person’s love life.
Our experts have assessed today’s most popular adult dating apps and determined which ones are best suited to cougar singles looking for younger guys (and vice versa).
Online dating can unlock new doors to romance and bring singles that much closer to the object of their desire. Whether you’re looking for a casual hookup or a long-term love, your dating goals are achievable on the following cougar dating apps.
1. 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
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) | App Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Singles* |
49%*
51%*
|
13.5 Million* | Free Download |
Match has been in the online dating game since 1995, making it the longest-running internet dating service in existence. This well-established dating site and app has appealed to mature daters who know their worth and want to meet a highly compatible and successful partner.
An older woman can use Match’s search filters and Top Picks list to find the man of her dreams — even if he is years or decades younger than she is. All members can communicate with their Top Picks for free, and premium members can have access to unlimited chatting on the website and app.
According to the site, approximately three-quarters of Match users are over 30 years old, 44% have children, and 84% say they are selective when it comes to first dates. If you think you can make the grade in this premium dating environment, create a free Match profile and start your journey toward true love.
2. AFF.com
Available on: iOS, Android
- Relationships: Hookups Only
- Match System: Filter by distance, gender, encounter
- About the App: With 77 million members, Adult Friend Finder is one of the most popular apps for the sex community. It doesn't matter if you're single or part of a couple — you're welcome to search for sex buddies, threesomes, and other casual encounters. And you won't have to pay to do that as well as download the app, fill out a profile, and chat.
- Browse Free: View Profiles Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) | App Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Singles* |
65%*
35%*
|
25.5 Million* | Free Download |
Adult Friend Finder is an adults-only site where sex is always part of the equation. The cougar hookup service has an abundance of matching, chat, and video tools to turn up the heat in the online dating scene.
The Adult Friend Finder platform gets straight to business and doesn’t waste time with frivolities such as personality quizzes or lengthy bios. It takes less than five minutes to set up a hot cougar profile and start searching for dates by age, location, and appearance. Over 104 million people have joined the AFF community to date, so cougar women shouldn’t have a hard time finding local men who meet their qualifications and are open to casual encounters.
3. DateMyAge
Relationships: Serious Dating, Long-term Relationships, Pen Pals
Match System: Search filters, Suggested matches
Our Experts Say: “DateMyAge provides local and international matches for singles who are over 50 and hoping to entertain a long-term love interest…”
Browse Free: View Photos Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) |
Today’s Deal
|
| All Singles* |
43%*
57%*
|
128,000* | Browse Profiles FREE |
DateMyAge has been in the mature dating space since 1993, and it currently reaches 32 countries, including the U.S. and the U.K. The online signup takes only a few minutes and unlocks a world of flirtatious options because matches aren’t limited by location as they are on mainstream dating apps.
When single people join DateMyAge, they can search for potential matches by age range and appearance, so finding a cougar or cub profile shouldn’t take much effort. DateMyAge encourages older people to explore new romance, and that can be a wonderful opportunity for a woman to make her mark in the online dating scene.
Available on: iOS, Android
- Relationships: Serious Relationships
- Match System: Filter by age, height, and distance
- About the App: SilverSingles runs an exclusive dating community for single men and women over the age of 50. Its database includes recently divorced singles as well as singles who have never been married. The dating app matches people based on their similarities in age, lifestyle, hobbies, and relationship goals. If you want to show your interest in someone online, you can send a smile, message, or request that they upload a profile picture. Either way, they'll know you care.
- Browse Free: View Profiles Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) | App Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singles Over 50* |
41%*
59%*
|
800,000* | Free Download |
Technically speaking, Silver Singles is a senior dating app, not a cougar dating app. However, its database includes many attractive older women, and the app doesn’t put any age restrictions on members, so it’s possible to form an age-gap relationship here.
A free membership on Silver Singles is adequate for exploring the senior dating scene and identifying compatible profiles. However, single men and women can only view photos and send private messages if they upgrade to a premium membership.
5. BeNaughty
Available on: iOS, Android
- Relationships: Casual Encounters
- Match System: Sort profiles by zip code, appearance, more
- About the App: On BeNaughty, everyone is interested in finding sexual encounters with no strings attached. Within a couple of minutes, you can get a profile up for $0. Free membership includes unlimited photos, browsing, matches, winks, and chats. BeNaughty also has an advanced anti-fraud system to ensure your personal information stays private while you flirt online.
- Browse Free: View Profiles Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) | App Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Singles* |
48%*
52%*
|
13.3 Million* | Free Download |
BeNaughty is a casual hookup app where women can let their hair down and seek a young lover without facing a social stigma. The sexually charged atmosphere is ripe for older cougars on the hunt for a single guy in his 20s or 30s.
It’s easy to explain why BeNaughty ranks among the best free cougar dating services. Women chat for free, and men can subscribe to a paid plan for less than a dollar day. The platform offers unlimited free messaging to every woman who completes her dating profile by uploading a profile picture. That means nothing stands between a cougar woman and a hot date on BeNaughty.
6. OurTime.com
Available on: iOS, Android
- Relationships: Dating and Relationships
- Match System: Search by age as well as zip, gender, more
- About the App: Made just for single seniors, OurTime is one of the most well-known niche dating apps. It's a fun and straightforward app with simple swiping features. Once two people swipe right on each other, they can communicate. For more match options, visit the Connect and I'm Interested pages. Plus, if you sign up for OurTime, your profile will appear on its sister site, SeniorPeopleMeet, for free.
- Browse Free: View Profiles Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) | App Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mature Singles (50+)* |
48%*
52%*
|
1.4 Million* | Free Download |
OurTime caters to older people in the online dating scene. It doesn’t market itself as a cougar dating site, but plenty of age-gap romances have started in its private conversation windows.
Anyone who is turned on by maturity can join OurTime for free. Members do not have to be over 50 — they just have to be over 18. The site and app allow members to specify a desired age range and distance radius when searching for dates, and it allows some free messaging between highly compatible users.
OurTime is an affordable dating service that keeps costs low for mature singles. It’s a great place for cougars who are actively seeking short-term and long-term dating experiences.
★★★★★
Relationships: Hookups, Casual Dates, Affairs
Match System: Search by age, location, appearance, and more
Our Experts Say: “With its massive user base and advanced privacy features, Ashley Madison is the #1 site for discreet hookups, dates, or relationships...” Full Review »
Browse Free: View Photos Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) |
Today's Deal
|
| All Singles & Attached* |
71%*
29%*
|
65 Million* | Start Now for FREE |
Ashley Madison is well-known as a married dating app, but fewer people realize it can also be a great cougar dating app. The database includes over 80 million profiles created by open-minded and sex-driven people who are old enough to know what they want and deserve in a partner.
Contrary to popular belief, not all members of Ashley Madison are married. Some members are separated, divorced, or single and are drawn to Ashley Madison because they aren’t looking for a serious commitment. The affairs dating platform has unique privacy features that allow individuals to keep their identity anonymous while forming a romantic connection.
Cougars do not have to divulge their real name, job title, income, or any personal details in their Ashley Madison profile. Heck, they don’t even have to show their face in their photos. All a woman needs to do is supply a valid email address and username, and she can chat for free on the dating site and app.
8. Flirt
Available on: iOS, Android
- Relationships: Casual Dates & Hookups
- Match System: Search by age, distance, ethnicity, and appearance
- About the App: Flirt is a discreet hookup platform that has sparked millions of flirtatious connections in the casual dating scene. The Flirt network appeals to adult singles interested in enjoying a sexual encounter, including one-night stands, summer flings, and threesomes, and they're looking for a potential partner who wants the same sort of no-strings-attached relationship.
- Browse Free: View Profiles Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) | App Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Singles* |
48%*
52%*
|
1 Million* | Free Download |
Flirt.com is a hookup platform with tons of possibilities open for adult singles with a high sex drive. The website offers a combination of old-school searches and new-school swiping, so online daters can choose their own adventure in the cougar dating scene.
An older woman can chat up a younger man for free on Flirt.com. All women automatically have access to free messaging, while men can send five responses free of charge. Flirt.com also gives cougars the option to save time by sending a FlirtCast message to all guys who meet her dating standards and live near her.
Available on: iOS, Andriod
- Relationships: One-Night Stands, Threesomes, Affairs
- Match System: Search on your own, plus receive matches
- About the App: FriendFinder-X is "where good girls do bad things," so if you're looking for adult fun, you've come to the right place. Not to mention, the site has millions of guys doing bad things as well. Once you get the app (free for iOS and Android), you can fill out a profile, complete with your specific sexual desires, search, have compatible profiles sent to your inbox, and communicate.
- Browse Free: View Profiles Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) | App Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singles & Couples* |
64%*
36%*
|
1.2 Million* | Free Download |
FriendFinder-X could be the perfect cougar hookup app for a woman who enjoys romancing younger guys. The platform has location-based matching that puts singles in touch with attractive date prospects within the same city or ZIP code. It’s even possible to conduct a statewide search if you’re willing to travel a little farther for the right guy.
Men outnumber women on FriendFinder-X by almost a 2:1 ratio. This is actually great news for the typical female cougar because it means she will be in high demand and can have her pick of local men.
10. Zoosk
Available on: iOS, Android
- Relationships: Casual Dates, Relationships
- Match System: Search for and receive matches
- About the App: Zoosk is the number one app for finding dates, and if you sync up your Google+ or Facebook account, you can have a profile in seconds. The app has 38 million members and will deliver matches to your inbox on a daily basis based on your behavior such as who you search for, like or don't like, and message. The Carousel is another section for matching (tap the heart if it's a yes and the X if it's a no).
- Browse Free: View Profiles Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) | App Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Singles* |
48%*
52%*
|
3.8 Million* | Free Download |
Since 2007, Zoosk has offered its services as an international dating website and app for all types of singles, including cougars and cubs. The Zoosk membership base currently stands at 40 million members in 80 countries.
Zoosk has pioneered a behavioral matchmaking system that studies a person’s search, like, and chat history to determine what qualities attract them the most.
The Zoosk algorithm isn’t as interested in finding similarities between two users as it is in finding patterns in online browsing. For example, if a single woman tends to chat up younger men, Zoosk will keep to that youthful pattern and focus on featuring young bucks over silver-haired sugar daddies.
11. BlackPeopleMeet
Available on: iOS, Android
- Relationships: Dates, Relationships
- Match System: Browse by city, hobbies, age, etc.
- About the App: Since it was founded in 2002, BlackPeopleMeet has established the largest online dating community for black and biracial singles of all orientations. Every month over 1.4 million daters use this simple and safe platform to connect with African-American singles in their area. You can download the app and create a profile for free to find new friends, hot dates, and love interests online.
- Browse Free: View Profiles Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) | App Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Singles* |
47%*
53%*
|
1.4 Million* | Free Download |
BlackPeopleMeet has been a champion for Black love since 2002. This niche dating site boasts having the largest community of African American singles in the world, and it is particularly popular in large U.S. cities.
Cougar women can join the BPM network to diversify their dating prospects and meet men who identify as Black, biracial, mixed, or a person of color. BlackPeopleMeet does not segregate users nor block non-Black singles from creating a dating profile. Anyone who is attracted to dark-skinned dates can download the Black dating app and start sending likes to local singles.
12. LesbianPersonals
Available on: iOS, Andriod
- Relationships: Casual Sex
- Match System: Browse by area, appearance, and other identifiers
- About the App: LesbianPersonals is the self-touted world's largest lesbian dating app, with over 30 million lustful members and counting. It's iOS and Android friendly, totally free, and successful for lesbian singles and couples. Once you complete your profile, start interacting with potential sex partners via chat rooms, photos, videos, and live webcams.
- Browse Free: View Profiles Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) | App Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singles & Couples* |
10%*
90%*
|
500,000* | Free Download |
LesbianPersonals offers a female-friendly dating zone where an older woman can connect with a younger woman and arrange a casual first date or sexting experience. Anything goes on this lesbian hookup platform, and women of every age, sexual orientation, and relationship status can join in the fun.
LesbianPersonals is ranked among the top lesbian cougar dating sites because it has millions of adult members seeking sex and offers kinky chat rooms to get something going. The platform is open to single women, lesbian couples, and straight couples looking for female companionship, and age is not a dealbreaker for many of these sex-driven individuals.
13. CougarD
CougarD is a legit cougar dating app powered by smart matching technology. The app sees over 150,000 monthly active users and welcomes about 5,000 new users per day.
“This is a very cool milf dating app,” said Saurabh S. in a Google Play review. “I use the Local Flirt and Moments function to help me get fast and accurate user matching.”
The CougarD team understands that a person’s romantic allure goes beyond his or her age, so its matches don’t have to be within a certain age range. CougarD encourages its older women to get to know men in the younger generation and build confidence with every new conversation and mutual match.
14. CougarLife
CougarLife is a free cougar dating site that has been matching older women with younger men since 2008. The platform features detailed dating profiles where men and women can be honest about their dating intentions and desires.
Members browse CougarLife under a unique username and without a profile picture, so there is a layer of personal privacy built into the interface. Our CougarLife review can tell you everything you need to know about how the dating site works and what its success rate is.
In addition to being an expert matchmaker, CougarLife has positioned itself as a niche dating coach for singles entering cougar relationships. The CougarLife blog addresses misconceptions and answers questions about cougar dating in a positive and encouraging way.
15. Tinder
As one of the biggest names in online dating, Tinder deserves a spot on this list of best cougar apps. Since 2012, Tinder has been downloaded over 630 million times and sparked more than 97 billion matches around the world.
Tinder is easily one of the most popular dating apps on the market, and it’s also free to download on Android or iOS devices. Don’t let the swiping scene intimidate you. It has a lot of eye candy available, and the only way a guy will be able to contact you is if you like his dating profile first.
According to Tinder’s internal stats, over half of Tinder users are under 25 years old. That could be a great opportunity for cougar women to impress younger date prospects. An older woman’s maturity and experience will definitely stand out on this fast-paced, photo-based dating app.
While Tinder isn’t explicitly for cougar dating, some members find it’s a good portal to age-gap relationships, and it could be the best dating app for you if you’re hoping to meet a lot of people in a short amount of time.
16. Plenty of Fish
Plenty of Fish is a dating service that gained popularity by giving away free stuff. The website and app offer totally free communication to all users with zero hidden fees or mutual matching requirements.
Mature singles can save money by downloading the POF app and using it as their go-to wingman.
The POF community has over 150 million members ranging in age from 18 to 80. The vast majority of POF users are either young adults or middle-aged singles, so it’s a prime environment for cougar dating.
What’s a Cougar?
In the context of dating, cougar is a slang term for a woman who prefers to date younger guys and gals. She may be a recently divorced single mom in her 40s, or she may be a sexually active retiree in her golden years. If she has children, her date prospects may also refer to her as a MILF (mother I’d like to f***). Some cougars who are financially well-off may also be called sugar mommas.
How Do Cougar Dating Apps Actually Work?
The online dating process boils down to three essential steps. First, you download the app and follow the instructions to set up your dating profile. Typically, this will require you to write at least a sentence about yourself and upload a photo where your face is clearly visible.
Next, online daters have the ability to swipe or search through a list of potential matches organized by the algorithm’s secret sauce. Dating apps tend to prioritize local dates, but you can go into your settings to widen the distance parameters if you’d like to explore date prospects in neighboring cities or states.
Finally, the most important step in the online dating experience is communication. You can take action to get an online crush to notice you. That means hitting the like button, swiping right, sending a link, or writing a personal message. Some apps require users to create a mutual match or pay for a VIP membership service before they can chat online. Look for totally free dating sites to avoid unnecessary fees and subscription costs.
How Do I Know How to Choose the Best Cougar Dating App?
The best cougar app isn’t necessarily the one with the biggest membership base or the most free services. Sometimes a niche site with premium features is more appealing to individuals with particular tastes. You have to dig a little deeper to discover which dating sites can actually work for you.
Reading dating site reviews can help singles get a sense of a particular platform’s success rate, match tools, and members stats. No dating site or app can promise to deliver results, but they can offer more opportunities to meet new people than you’d find in real life. Ultimately, it’s up to a single person to take those potential matches and online flirtations and turn them into something real.
Choose a dating site or app with a free registration process, a solid reputation, and enough matchmaking features to suit your romantic ambitions. Then start swiping!
Is eharmony a Good Dating Site for a Cougar Woman?
No, our experts do not consider eharmony to be ideal for cougar dating for several reasons. First of all, most of its members are serious about finding a partner and getting married, so they are less likely to be open to a casual hangout with an older or younger suitor.
Another issue is the eharmony matchmaking algorithm, which determines compatibility based on similar lifestyles and backgrounds. Age factors heavily into that calculation, and cougars can have a difficult time finding local singles outside their age range.
Even though eharmony is a legit dating site, it doesn’t work for everyone. The typical eharmony member is an experienced dater looking for something real, not just a fling or some eye candy. Cougar singles are better off seeking romance on a Tinder hookup app or anonymous chat site where date prospects are a little more open-minded and sexually liberated.
Can You Search for Cougars on Mainstream Dating Apps?
The search filters on every dating site and app are different, but they will usually include categories for age, location, and gender. That may be enough to meet a woman who could potentially be a cougar, but you’ll have no way of knowing if she’s open to age-gap dating until you start chatting.
Some mainstream apps allow for more specific and targeted searches for dates, and that can greatly improve the likelihood of encountering local cougars.
OkCupid is a free dating platform that has a lot of search filters, including a keyword search option, so singles can actually type in “cougar” or “sugar momma” or even “milf” to find dating profiles that fall into the cougar dating category.
Are Cougar Dating Apps Safe to Use?
Online dating is perfectly safe as long as singles keep their wits about them. While swiping on matches, online daters should be on the lookout for fake profiles and potential scams. It’s hard to believe, I know, but not everyone you meet on the internet is going to be honest with you, so consider carefully before giving your heart to someone new.
It’s a good idea to Google or Facebook search any potential love interest to make sure they are the real deal. Some scammers may try to pose as a rich woman or a young model, but they won’t have a digital footprint or any evidence of their identity beyond perhaps a photo and generic name.
Online daters can learn to spot fake profiles and weed out undesirable dates to keep themselves safe online.
Legit dating sites can help protect users by offering filtering and reporting tools to stop unwanted contact. A person can always hit the block button to end all interactions with a dating profile that seems suspicious, inappropriate, or threatening.
Cougar Singles Can Up Their Dating Game Online
Older women who embrace their inner cougar can open themselves up to new experiences and perspectives. Not to mention hot dates! The online dating world is rapidly expanding to include middle-aged and senior daters seeking a fresh start in the romance department, so it has never been easier for an older woman to strike up an online flirtation.
The best cougar dating apps can help a mature woman meet a younger man and establish an age-gap relationship on her terms. The journey begins with a free membership, and a few minutes of swiping could have a life-changing impact on a single person’s life.
Many men and women fantasize about cougar dating experiences because they want to get out of their comfort zone and meet someone who brings out their best self. That’s what the cougar lifestyle is all about!
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