Best Dating Sites
Looking for a dating site you can trust? Search no more.
Ranking dating sites by popularity is tricky because the numbers are constantly changing. Some new dating apps start trending for a couple months and then falter as the glamour wears off. Meanwhile, some dating sites have maintained a steady following for years but haven’t exactly broken online traffic records or become household names.
Our experts have used monthly member statistics to recognize the time-tested dating sites and apps that consistently keep singles matching, swiping, and dating online.
The following dating services have highly engaged membership bases and are an undeniably popular way to meet new people.
1. Badoo: 29M Monthly Users
Since it launched in 2006, Badoo has amassed a truly gigantic dating pool. This online dating site keeps a running tally of how many people have joined its membership base over the years, and it currently boasts over 491 million users — and counting!
More than that, Badoo supports over 29.3 million monthly active members, so it ranked at the top of our list of the most popular dating platforms.
Badoo connects daters in 47 languages and 190 countries.
Badoo has a huge total number of registrations, but that doesn’t tell the whole story about its popularity. We looked at monthly membership statistics to see how many online dating users actually use the Badoo site and app to find potential dates.
Every month, Badoo members add more than 300 million photos to its gallery and send more than 350 million messages via the dating platform. Our Badoo review goes into greater detail about how the dating site works and why it is so popular, particularly among young singles.
2. PlentyOfFish: 14.7M Monthly Users
gets its name from the saying “there are plenty of fish in the sea,” and the popular dating site definitely lives up to that mantra. The POF community includes over 150 million users in total, and it sees approximately 14.7 million monthly active users.
PlentyOfFish launched as a Canadian dating site in 2003. It is now available in 20 countries and has a companion dating app that is free to download.
The POF dating service creates over 57 million matches every week.
One of the reasons POF has become so popular is that it offers completely free chatting to all members. A single person can dive into conversations immediately after completing a POF dating profile and having their photos verified as genuine and appropriate.
In 2019, POF banned the use of face filters on online dating photos in an effort to reduce catfishing on the site.
3. Tinder: 11M Monthly Users
In 2012, Tinder rocked the online dating industry with its innovative swiping tools. The online dating app created a mutual matching system that put singles in the driver’s seat, and it fundamentally changed the way people mix and mingle on mobile dating apps.
Since its launch, Tinder has been downloaded over 400 million times and created over 55 billion matches. And its current statistics are just as impressive. Tinder sees about 11.7 monthly users and arranges 1.5 million dates per week.
Since its launch in 2012, Tinder has created over 43 billion matches.
Tinder users can swipe, match, and message for free on the dating app, and it’s entirely possible to pick up a date without upgrading to a Tinder subscription. However, over 6.6 million Tinder users have a paid membership, which gives them the ability to send unlimited likes and swipe outside their own city limits.
The Tinder app has been setting trends and breaking records since day one, and it continues to be among the most popular mobile dating apps of all time. Just be aware that not all singles on Tinder take their swiping that seriously. Over half of Tinder users are under 25 years old, and most of them are not looking for a committed relationship.
4. OkCupid: 3.1M Monthly Users
is a free dating site with some pretty impressive numbers. It creates more than 91 million matches per year, sees over 3.1 million visitors per month, and inspires 50,000 first dates per week.
It’s completely free to send and receive messages on OkCupid, so its messaging rates are off the charts as well. The dating platform sees over 7 million messages exchanged every day, and its smart matchmaking algorithm helps users connect over shared interests and values.
OkCupid uses a free personality test and dating profile prompts to calculate compatibility.
When ranking dating sites by popularity, free dating services tend to come out on top because they offer a great deal to a budget-conscious dater. OkCupid doesn’t charge a penny for its messaging features or match ratings, so it appeals to young singles, casual daters, and new online dating users who want to explore date possibilities without making a financial commitment.
5. Match: 2.4M Monthly Users
Match.com was launched in April 1995 and is currently the longest-running dating site on the market. Throughout its history, the Match user base has supported over 30 million members and facilitated more marriages than its competitors. Match.com now has over 2.4 million active users.
The online dating site is particularly popular among more mature singles seeking a relationship. In fact, over 75% of Match members are over 30 years old.
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
Match.com offers a free membership package that includes creating an online dating profile, uploading several photos, and unlimited browsing on the dating website and app. However, not all communication is free.
Free members can only message Match members in their Top Picks list. This list is curated based on mutual compatibility and updates frequently to give active users some good date options. If you’re serious about getting into a committed relationship, you may want to commit to a paid Match membership so you can get in touch with anyone you fancy.
6. Zoosk: 2.1M Monthly Users
Zoosk has made a name for itself as a trendsetting dating and social networking site since 2007. Its membership base has surpassed 40 million members, and it sees over 2 million monthly users.
Whether you’re looking for a new friend or a romantic relationship, Zoosk can put you in touch with tons of local people in the dating scene.
★★★★★
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 »
Browse Free: View Photos Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) |
Today's Deal
|
| All Singles* |
48%*
52%*
|
28.9 Million* | Start Zoosk for FREE |
The Zoosk team has taken a page from social media’s playbook by creating many user-driven tools and an interactive newsfeed. The online dating service offers an intuitive registration through Facebook and Google to speed things along and verify a new user’s identity.
Zoosk has strict privacy standards that ensure the dating company will not post or share a member’s online dating activity. That means you can sign up through Facebook without your Facebook friends being the wiser.
7. Adult Friend Finder: 1.7M Monthly Users
Since launching in 1996, Adult Friend Finder has welcomed millions of horny singles and swingers year after year. The casual dating site promotes exciting opportunities to flirt, sext, and arrange a hot date on the down low.
The AFF community boasts having over 104 million members, but not all of them are actively browsing for sex. We estimate that the hookup site supports more than 1.7 million users per month, and a majority of them are male users seeking female companionship.
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...”
Browse Free:
View Photos Now
★★★★★
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 offers a large dating pool where talking about sex and sharing fetishes isn’t taboo. Its X-rated chat rooms can stimulate attraction and prompt a sexual awakening among adult singles of all types.
Our Adult Friend Finder review goes into more graphic detail about the site’s membership stats, cost, feature, and success rate.
8. Bumble: 826,000 Monthly Users
is a feminist dating app where single women come first. Its unique messaging system caused quite a stir when it launched in 2014, and many online daters have flocked to this dating app in hopes of finding fewer dick pics and more real relationship opportunities.
As of 2020, Bumble surpassed 100 million total members, which makes it one of only a handful of dating services to reach that milestone. Every month, Bumble sees nearly 830,000 users swiping and matching on the app.
The Bumble dating app is a popular way to get to know authentic singles.
Bumble has been hailed as the anti-Tinder because its main goal is to spark friendships and relationships, not hookups. In a recent poll, fewer than 1% of Bumble women said they’re interested in a hookup, and over 85% of respondents said they hope to find a boyfriend or girlfriend on the dating app.
All messaging on Bumble is free, but male users cannot send an unsolicited message to a woman. Instead, men must wait for her to say something and set the tone for the conversation.
9. AshleyMadison: 694,000 Monthly Users
Some people criticize or condemn Ashley Madison as a dating site for cheaters, but it has proven to be undeniably popular among single and not-so-single people around the world. In the last 20 years, Ashley Madison has attracted over 65 million members, and it sees more than 20,000 unique signups every day.
Ashley Madison welcomes almost 700,000 monthly users to an open-ended dating space where relationship status isn’t a dealbreaker. The dating platform has anonymous browsing features that ensure a user’s privacy as he or she explores local date options.
★★★★★
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 |
The Ashley Madison platform facilitates private conversations that can lead to low-key dates and affairs. Its members are free to make their own rules and explore the online dating scene under an alias and masked photo.
Ashley Madison provides free communication tools to all female users, and it does not require users to form a mutual match before sending a message. This full review can provide more intimate details about the married dating site to help newcomers get their footing.
10. eharmony: 653,000 Monthly Users
For over 20 years now, eharmony has been celebrated as one of the best dating sites for finding a serious relationship. This online dating website has used psychology to calculate long-term compatibility between singles. Its smart matchmaking formula has led to over 2 million marriages in the U.S.
When ranked by popularity, eharmony wins out by offering a good balance of quality and quantity. The site and app see a respectable 653,000 visitors per month.
★★★★★
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 »
Browse Free: View Photos Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) |
Today's Deal
|
| All Singles* |
48%*
52%*
|
4.1 Million* | View Profiles FREE |
The eharmony platform promises a more values-driven and slow-paced dating experience than the typical swiping app. Its registration and compatibility quiz are available for free, but only paid members can send messages, arrange video calls, and make the most of their online dating experience.
11. OurTime: 612,000 Monthly Users
Powered by People Media, OurTime is a popular senior dating site with a network reaching over 1 million singles worldwide. Over 20,000 new members create a dating profile here every week.
The OurTime dating website sees about 612,000 monthly users on average, and it has thousands of success stories to back its time-tested matchmaking tools.
★★★★★
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 »
Browse Free: View Photos Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) |
Today's Deal
|
| Mature Singles (50+)* |
48%*
52%*
|
8.9 Million* | Over 50? Try It FREE |
OurTime allows senior singles to search for like-minded dates in their age range, and it also recommends local date prospects based on dating profile information. OurTime users can send likes and respond to certain messages for free, but they will need to upgrade to a paid membership to have full access to the senior dating site’s communication features.
12. Grindr: 335,000 Monthly Users
is hands down one of the most popular gay dating apps on the scene. Since 2009, the app has grown its user base to include over 27 million men in 192 countries and territories. It now boasts over 335,000 monthly active users.
Something guys seem to love about this free dating app is that it uses real-time location data to spark matches that lead to same-day dates and hookups.
The Grindr app facilitates a lot of swiping and matching between single men.
Grindr is open to gay men, bisexual men, trans men, and other men who are questioning their sexual orientation. The dating app doesn’t out guys by requiring them to use their full name. Men can even crop out or blur their faces in photos and show only their six-pack or bicep muscles to start things off on a flirtatious note.
Grindr’s photo rules expressly forbid pictures of minors, weapons, drugs, or violence, and nude photos are not allowed to be public on a dating profile. However, Grindr Xtra members can exchange graphic photos as long as both members identify as Accepts NSFW in their settings.
13. Elite Singles: 325,000 Monthly Users
Elite Singles has raised the caliber of the online dating world by prioritizing quality above quantity. This dating site and app may be smaller than swiping apps like Tinder, but it boasts a more mature and well-educated following.
Over 80% of Elite Singles members have earned at least a bachelor’s degree, and over 90% are 30 or older. The dating platform sees over 325,000 monthly users, most of whom have paid for the privilege of mingling in this upper-class dating club.
★★★★★
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 »
Browse Free: View Photos Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) |
Today's Deal
|
| All Singles* |
44%*
56%*
|
2 Million* | Browse Profiles Free |
Elite Singles has established a paywall to keep the online dating riffraff away. Only premium members can view photos, send messages, and arrange video calls. Free members can only browse profiles, take the personality quiz, and send winks on the platform.
14. Hinge: 180,000 Monthly Users
is a free dating app that has recorded the best first-date success rate in the business. According to its user feedback, over 90% of Hinge users say they had a good time on their first dates, and over 70% say they would go on a second date.
Since its launch in 2012, Hinge has been downloaded over 5.5 million times. The app has around 180,000 monthly active users, and it has seen significant traffic spikes during the coronavirus pandemic.
Hinge automatically sets broad distance parameters when searching for a potential partner.
Hinge markets itself as the dating app that was “designed to be deleted.” That means the team works hard to update its swiping and matching tools to get fast results and meet singles where they’re at. During the summer of 2020, Hinge rolled out a Date From Home feature to help single people arrange a video date and follow social distancing guidelines.
15. ChristianMingle: 165,000 Monthly Users
Since 2001, ChristianMingle has created a faith-driven dating network that encompasses more than 15 million singles in the U.S. and abroad. The Christian dating site sees over 165,000 and ranks among the most popular niche dating platforms on the market.
It’s free to join the ChristianMingle site or download the app on any iPhone or Android device. Free members can send unlimited likes on the platform, and they can respond to messages sent by premium members.
★★★★★
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 »
Browse Free: View Photos Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) |
Today's Deal
|
| Christian Singles* |
44%*
56%*
|
3.5 Million* | Try Now for $19.99/Month |
ChristianMingle particularly appeals to marriage-minded singles who want to connect over shared interests, values, and goals. Singles of all religious backgrounds can join the Christian dating site to get serious about finding a life partner.
16. Happn: 136,000 Monthly Users
put online dating on the map in 2014 when it launched as one of the first mobile dating apps to integrate smartphone GPS data into its matchmaking process. Busy singles embraced the app because it provided a shortcut to romantic relationships.
By 2018, Happn had grown to encompass over 50 million members in 40 countries. The online dating app currently sees about 136,000 visitors per month.
Happn was designed to improve the dating life of singles in big cities.
The Happn app analyzes location data and shows its users where they cross paths in everyday life. The reference map does not reveal anyone’s real-time location — it’s just a fun way to break the ice and discover common ground.
17. SilverSingles: 122,000 Monthly Users
SilverSingles is a senior dating site where a personality quiz powers the potential match list and compatibility ratings. Senior singles can customize their dating preferences in their profile, and the SilverSingles algorithm will prioritize their interests when recommending compatible dates.
★★★★★
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 »
Browse Free: View Photos Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) |
Today's Deal
|
| Mature Singles (50+)* |
41%*
59%*
|
800,000* | Sign up for FREE |
SilverSingles was created by the same team that launched Elite Singles, so it has a massive database to back its smart matchmaking features.
More than 122,000 senior singles visit this niche dating site in the average month.
18. Coffee Meets Bagel: 119,000 Monthly Users
began as the passion project of three Asian sisters in San Francisco, and now it is one of the most celebrated dating apps for finding a romantic relationship. With over 50 million matches to its name, Coffee Meets Bagel has some serious street cred in the dating scene.
More than 21 million users have downloaded Coffee Meets Bagel, and the dating app supports almost 120,000 users a month.
Coffee Meets Bagel is a relationship-oriented dating app founded by three sisters.
The founding principle of Coffee Meets Bagel is to slow the online dating process down and encourage single people to be more thoughtful when making a new match. For that reason, the dating app actually limits the number of dating profiles a single person can like and message in a day.
19. BlackPeopleMeet: 106,000 Monthly Users
BlackPeopleMeet has looked out for African American singles since 2002. The niche dating website flourished by promoting Black love and interracial relationships, and it is now the largest Black dating platform available in the U.S. and Canada.
We broke down the numbers and found that BlackPeopleMeet has over 106,000 active members (who visit the site or app at least once a month). Plus, the website has published hundreds of BPM success stories from people who fell in love or got married thanks to its networking tools.
★★★★★
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 »
Browse Free: View Photos Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) |
Today's Deal
|
| Black Singles* |
47%*
53%*
|
5.7 Million* | FREE Trial for New Users |
When you join BlackPeopleMeet, you can immediately jump on the advanced search tools to explore the diverse dating pool. Free members can view profiles, upload photos, send likes, and even respond to some messages on the BPM platform.
20. BeNaughty: 100,000 Monthly Users
If casual dating is your thing, then BeNaughty may be the right dating site for you. The site is open to sexually active men and women in 10 countries, including the U.S. and Canada.
BeNaughty has well over 100,000 monthly users and around 13 million valid dating profiles. An additional 20,000 new members join the dating pool every day, so there is always something new to discover on the hookup website.
★★★★★
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...” Full Review »
Browse Free: View Photos Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) |
Today's Deal
|
| All Singles* |
48%*
52%*
|
13.3 Million* | Browse Profiles Free |
to send messages and meet new people on your terms. All messaging is free for women, but men have to pay their way into romantic conversations. If any person gives off bad vibes or sends harassing messages, you can hit the block button and report the offending dating profile to make sure bad actors are held accountable.
21. FriendFinder-X: 28,500 Monthly Users
FriendFinder-X can locate short-term dating opportunities within any ZIP code in the United States. The hookup site offers a fast solution for horny adults of all types. According to our research, FriendFinder-X sees over 28,500 monthly users prowling the site for dates and sext chats.
Relationships:
Hookups Only
Match System:
Search by location, interest, more
Our Experts Say:
“A hookup site specializing in casual encounters, secret affairs, live chats, and member videos, FriendFinder-X skips the awkward "dating" stage of a relationship and fast-forwards straight to the sex...”
Browse Free:
View Photos Now
★★★★★
User Base
Gender Ratio
Popularity (Visits/Mo.)
Today's Deal
Singles & Couples*
64%*
36%*
1.2 Million*
Browse Members Free
New users must provide a valid email address and some basic profile information to join the FriendFinder-X dating pool. Photos are not required. Free members have the run of the hookup site and can conduct kinky searches or read erotic blogs for as long as they want. However, only a paid subscriber on FriendFinder-X can unlock private messages and video streaming.
22. Flirt.com: 21,500 Monthly Users
Flirt.com is a casual dating site for adults who want to skip the small talk and get laid. The site has millions of profiles in its database, and it fosters instant connections between 21,500 monthly users.
No matter what time of day or night it is, Flirt.com users can always find a chatty companion in this sex-positive network.
★★★★★
Relationships: Hookups, Casual Dating, Chats
Match System: Search by age, location, gender, orientation, and other factors
Our Experts Say: “Flirt.com frees singles to chat with attractive locals and pick up dates on the spot. This hookup site is always open to horny and sexy people seeking one-night stands, casual dating, threesomes, and other sexual encounters...”
Browse Free: View Photos Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) |
Today's Deal
|
| All Singles* |
48%*
52%*
|
1 million* | Browse Profiles Free |
Flirt.com offers free chat tools to all single women who have created a dating profile and uploaded at least one profile picture. Male users can send up to five free messages; after that, they have to upgrade to a premium membership (which costs less than a dollar a day) to get in touch with flirtatious ladies.
23. HER: 12,200 Monthly Users
A lesbian woman came up with idea for HER in 2013 because she was tired of running into creepy men and fake profiles on traditional dating sites and apps. HER is a women-only dating app where real romances can blossom. HER promises no BS and no stereotyping as it matches women on the platform.
The HER community encompasses over 5 million verified members, and the app sees more than 12,000 monthly visitors.
The HER dating app welcomes adult singles who identify as female.
HER is a tremendously popular and successful dating app for lesbian, bisexual, and queer women. You can look up #WeMetOnHER stories on Twitter or Instagram for proof that HER can help a single woman find a loving relationship or marriage.
24. MenNation: 4,400 Monthly Users
With over 100 million profiles in its database, MenNation has the reputation as one of the largest gay hookup sites in the world. However, not all its members are actively prowling the network every month.
MenNation hosts around 4,400 users in the average month. All its members are men seeking men, and they tend to skip the small talk and get straight to arranging sexual encounters.
Relationships:
Daters & Hookups
Match System:
Search by age, zip code, more
Our Experts Say:
“MenNation is a well-established gay dating and hookup brand, having been founded in 1996. It's totally free to join, view profiles, receive matches, and flirt...”
Browse Free:
View Photos Now
★★★★★
User Base
Gender Ratio
Popularity (Visits/Mo.)
Today's Deal
Singles & Couples*
95%*
5%*
780,000*
Start for Free
MenNation has been a wingman for tons of guys seeking a sexual release. Its adult chat room and video streams can certainly make a raunchy impression, and it has millions of X-rated pics in its photo gallery to tempt and tantalize male users.
25. LesbianPersonals: 1,300 Monthly Users
Finally, LesbianPersonals is a female-friendly hookup site that facilitates one-night stands, casual dating, threesomes, and other sexual experiences. Thousands of female users visit the site every month in search of a hot date.
Relationships:
Hookups Only
Match System:
Search by location, interest, more
Our Experts Say:
“LesbianPersonals provides a fun, quick, and easy experience for gay and bisexual women looking for sex online. Join for free, and you'll be able to search and communicate immediately...”
Browse Free:
View Photos Now
★★★★★
User Base
Gender Ratio
Popularity (Visits/Mo.)
Today's Deal
Singles & Couples*
10%*
90%*
500,000*
View Profiles Free
LesbianPersonals gives singles, couples, and groups the opportunity to flirt without judgment or restraint. Members typically exchange nude pics or sexting messages to kick off an online relationship and arrange meetups with a secret crush when they’re ready to heat things up in real life.
Any adult over the age of 18 can create a dating profile, upload a sexy photo, and explore kinky forums and video streams on this NSFW dating site.
How Do the Most Popular Dating Sites Actually Work?
The online dating registration process can take anywhere from one minute to 15 minutes, and it usually requires at least one photo, some demographic information (age, location, sexual orientation), and a bio.
Relationship-centered dating sites like eharmony often have unique dating profile prompts or questionnaires to help online daters discover shared interests. On the other hand, dating apps like Tinder focus more on photo-based swiping to spark mutual attraction.
Pretty much all dating sites and apps use a smart algorithm to power a matchmaking system based on either profile information or user behavior. Online dating is more efficient than walking into a local bar or nightclub because single people can search for potential dates by specific criteria and block unwanted contact with the click of a button.
How Should I Choose the Best Dating Site Among the Most Popular?
When choosing a dating site or app, it’s a good idea to do some research by reading reviews and looking at the demographics, statistics, and costs of the most prominent platforms. Dating site reviews can help clarify how online dating works and how it can work for you — and you can also ask your friends and family members for their tips and experiences.
If you want our recommendation, we consistently rank Match.com among the best dating sites for getting into a real relationship. Not only has it been around longer than every other online dating service, but it has more success stories to its name as well.
Available on: iOS, Android
- Relationships: Fun Dates, Serious Relationships
- Match System: Browse by location, age, interest, and more
- About the App: Our reviewers love Match because it has such a diverse and large membership base of over 30 million singles of all races and orientations. The dating app maintains a large and active African-American user bases, seeing about 1.2 million visits from Black singles each month. Match’s streamlined matching system can help Black singles find eligible date prospects in no time.
- Browse Free: View Profiles Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) | App Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Singles* |
49%*
51%*
|
13.5 Million* | Free Download |
It can be difficult to choose a single online dating service because so many of them have millions of users and solid reputations. Our definitive list of dating sites has 100 top-notch options categorized by size, price, and niche to help people find the right platform for their needs.
Individuals should consider what type of online dating experience they want — casual vs serious, fast vs slow, free vs paid — and create a dating profile on the platforms that best represent their interests.
What Keywords Can I Search for on Popular Dating Sites?
Not every dating website and app will have keyword search options. In fact, most swiping apps don’t have search options at all. Instead, these platforms rely on learning algorithms and customized date preferences to generate potential match recommendations.
OkCupid is one of the most popular dating sites with a keyword search option. Online daters can go to the Questions section to type in any keyword they like and discover compatible profiles that way. It’s best to choose words that reflect your dating type. For instance, a dog person may search by “dog” or “rescue shelter,” while an outdoorsy person may search “camping” or “rock climbing” to find a new companion.
Is It Really Safe to Use Popular Dating Sites?
Yes, the most popular dating sites also tend to be among the safest dating sites — and not just because there’s safety in numbers. An online dating service attracts more users when it offers profile verification and efficient matchmaking tools that get results.
Legit dating sites and apps have to be proactive about removing fake profiles and scam accounts to keep online dating users happy. Word travels fast when an online dating app doesn’t have the profiles to back its promises, and user reviews hold the bad actors accountable.
The online dating industry has grown in popularity over the last decade because today’s singles are more open and less wary about the prospect of meeting a potential partner online.
Fake profiles typically feature a stock photo or no photo and are written in broken English.
Dating sites without bots can introduce a dater to authentic matches, but it’s always a good idea to vet a new love interest before meeting in person or establishing a serious relationship. Singles can make sure they’re not falling for a scam by searching for the person on social media, asking for a selfie, or arranging a video call or phone call before their first date.
Remember that it’s easy to lie or give a false impression online, so online daters should exercise caution when getting to know a new person.
Online dating is an overall safe way to explore local date prospects and start conversations, and it can spark real-life romances and relationships as well.
Dating Sites With More Users Typically See More Success Stories
Online dating is a numbers game, so selecting dating sites by popularity is a common strategy among proactive and chatty singles. A common assumption is that the more options you have at your fingertips, the more likely you are to meet a compatible partner.
This list of popular dating sites and apps can offer a snapshot of a platform’s monthly membership activity, but it’s by no means the end-all, be-all of the online dating world. Thousands of dating services have risen and fallen in popularity over the last 30 years, and there may be a local dating site making waves in your ZIP code that didn’t quite make the cut here.
Remember that popularity is a matter of perspective, and it depends greatly on who you are and what you’re looking for. Whether you’re mingling on a mainstream dating site or a niche dating app, the important thing is to surround yourself with promising matches and put your best foot forward. Good luck!
Advertiser Disclosure
DatingAdvice.com is a free online resource that offers valuable content and comparison services to users. To keep this resource 100% free, we receive compensation from many of the offers listed on the site. Along with key review factors, this compensation may impact how and where products appear across the site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). DatingAdvice.com does not include the entire universe of available offers. Editorial opinions expressed on the site are strictly our own and are not provided, endorsed, or approved by advertisers.
Our Editorial Review Policy
Our site is committed to publishing independent, accurate content guided by strict editorial guidelines. Before articles and reviews are published on our site, they undergo a thorough review process performed by a team of independent editors and subject-matter experts to ensure the content’s accuracy, timeliness, and impartiality. Our editorial team is separate and independent of our site’s advertisers, and the opinions they express on our site are their own. To read more about our team members and their editorial backgrounds, please visit our site’s About page.
Discuss This!