Best Dating Sites

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Online Dating
Although online dating is still the subject of jokes for comedians and sitcoms, several studies indicate that marriages that start with an online relationship typically result in higher marital satisfaction. Studies also indicate that people who meet a spouse online are much less likely to divorce, compared to those who meet their partners through more conventional methods.
If you’re looking for long-term love, you should focus your efforts on the dating sites with the best marriage rates. After all, it wouldn’t make sense to try and find your perfect match on a platform dedicated to hooking up. Here’s a breakdown of the most successful dating sites and apps on the market.
Online dating can work for those seeking true love and marriage. These popular dating sites and apps bring people together based on compatibility, rather than physical attraction and a couple of sentences on your dating profile, so you’re much more likely to find the right potential partner.
Relationships:
Friends, Dates, and Relationships
Match System:
Browse by zip, age, appearance, more
Our Experts Say:
“Match has more “over 50” members any other dating site, and it has a simple matching process that is responsible for millions of romantic connections…”
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1. Match
User Base
Gender Ratio
Popularity (Visits/Mo.)
All Singles*
39.7 Million*
Try Match FREE
Match is the most popular online dating platform for long-term love, and the success rates demonstrate why that is so. Match is responsible for bringing 1 million babies into the world through the couples who found each other on the dating site, and nearly 50% of the success stories the platform publishes result in marriages.
The secret to the Match success story revolves around the thoughtful approach the dating platform takes to bring singles together.
Match launched in the 1990s, making it a veteran of online dating. And although the dating website and app both keep things fresh, the basic premise remains constant: Match people based on compatibility rather than just looks and a brief description on their dating profile. Signing up for Match takes less than five minutes, but the personality test helps guide the algorithm in suggesting good matches. Users can also adjust their personal date preferences, and Match will serve up top picks based on the criteria you set.
Relationships:
Casual Dates, Deep Relationships
Match System:
Personality test suggests matches
Our Experts Say:
“eharmony’s simple compatibility matching system makes the site a popular choice for seniors seeking deep, long-term relationships…”
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2. eharmony
User Base
Gender Ratio
Popularity (Visits/Mo.)
All Singles*
4.1 Million*
View Profiles FREE
The online dating site eharmony is dedicated to lasting love, so it should come as no surprise that the platform has excellent statistics when it comes to users getting married. According to a recent study, 4% of US marriages got their start on eharmony, and a Harris Interactive survey found that the online dating service tallies 542 marriages per day. The long-term success stories are even more impressive: eharmony users get divorced at a rate of 3.86%, according to the survey results.
Although eharmony’s marriage rate is staggering, it’s not all that surprising that the matrimony-focused platform sees a lot of its users get married. The dating service helps users find a compatible match based on insightful factors, pairing users based on the results of the platform’s signature Personality Test. The test looks at a wide range of variables, including lifestyle, goals and ambitions, and personality details like extroversion vs introversion.
The online dating site and app do require a higher-than-average membership fee for users to contact each other, but the team behind eharmony has plenty of evidence that the high fee means that only those who are serious about finding love will stick with the platform.
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.)
Christian Singles*
3.5 Million*
Try Now for $19.99/Month
If dating within the Christian faith is important to you, the success rates on Christian Mingle make it worth checking out. The dating site is one of the oldest faith-based platforms for singles, and its popularity and the consideration that goes into its features combine to create a staggering online dating statistic: Almost 30% of marriages that began in online dating started on Christian Mingle.
The popularity of Christian Mingle is impossible to deny: The site hosts 3.5 million users every month, and matches 16 million users from around the world. The platform is most popular in the US, but welcomes users of all faiths in multiple countries. Christian Mingle’s success is due, in part, to its combination of simple features and tools and a large audience. Signing up for Christian Mingle is easy, and takes only a few minutes (and it’s even faster if you sign up through Facebook).
As a free member, you can stick with the curated matches that Christian Mingle recommends, or browse user profiles using filters to set your preferences so you find the best potential matches. Communication options are limited for basic members, but 71% of users on the site recommend it to friends, so it’s clear that there’s some magic to the process.
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…”
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4. EliteSingles
User Base
Gender Ratio
Popularity (Visits/Mo.)
All Singles*
2 Million*
Browse Profiles Free
If you’re a high-value single seeking out long-term love, Elite Singles is a promising hunting ground. The dating site for the crème de la crème claims a high success rate in helping singles find compatible partners: 2,500 successful matches every month. The site is a bit secretive about its user marriage statistics, but it’s clear that with so many successful pairings, there are plenty of wedding bells also.
Part of the success that Elite Singles sees likely has to do with the membership. Most Elite Singles members are looking for a long-term romantic relationship, compared to the user bases on other sites and apps. The typical Elite Singles member is highly educated, and advanced enough in their career to be ready for a lasting connection. Most users are eager to make their personal lives a success in the same way their professional lives are.
Elite Singles sends daily curated matches based on compatibility, so users don’t have to spend hours swiping and chatting to find the right fit. The algorithm suggests the matches based on the results of an in-depth personality test, as well as custom filters and preferences in the detailed profile.
Free membership allows you to browse and even offers some limited communication options, but you’ll want the premium membership to make the most out of the dating service.
Not all senior singles are interested in making a lasting connection, but those who are can’t ignore online dating as a matchmaking option. Popular senior dating sites and apps have great success inspiring real relationships and friendships that change people’s lives.
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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5. OurTime.com
User Base
Gender Ratio
Popularity (Visits/Mo.)
Mature Singles (50+)*
8.9 Million*
Over 50? Try It FREE
While OurTime doesn’t steer users toward any one relationship type, it’s undeniable that the platform is successful in helping users find long-term love. In a survey conducted by OurTime, the platform discovered that around 40% of users want wedding bells in their future, and the site works hard to help make that happen for them, with plenty of success stories to back up the platform’s methods.
OurTime meets singles over 50 where they are, providing a safe, comfortable space and a judgment-free atmosphere for members to explore the type of relationship they’re seeking. Where most mainstream dating sites cater to younger crowds, OurTime combines safety and privacy features, including identity verification and private phone numbers, with ease of use so senior singles can securely look for the right compatible match.
OurTime has no fancy bells and whistles to navigate, just intuitive features and tools, and ready customer support to help you set up your profile, browse other user profiles, and make contact.
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.)
Mature Singles (50+)*
800,000*
Sign up for FREE
The online dating site SilverSingles may not be the biggest senior dating service out there, but the site and online dating app that goes with it have plenty of success stories and testimonials to prove that both work well. The service is part of the Spark Network group of dating sites, and the experience and expertise that come with the network are doubtless part of why the platform sees such a high degree of success.
SilverSingles brings users together based on their personalities, and it recommends three to seven curated matches every day. Signing up for SilverSingles is easy, but you’ll want to take a little time on the free personality test the site uses to match you up with other users., Make sure you’re being honest and real with your answers for the best results.
In addition to the suggested matches, you can browse user profiles on an unlimited basis, although free members are limited in communication options. If you stumble across a suspicious platform, the SilverSingles customer support team is easy to contact, and are happy to help you. If you’re confused about how to use the site, the FAQ section is easy to find and provides answers to almost any question you can think of.
LGBTQ+ dating sites and apps have become more prevalent over the last decade – and same-sex marriages have flourished at the same time. Our experts don’t see that as a coincidence. Online dating is a safe and convenient way for LGBTQ+ daters from all walks of life to come together and find meaningful connections.
Grindr may be known as a gay hookup app, but many users have found long-term love on the platform, even with partners they originally intended to only see casually. That jibes with a survey finding from 2019 that 56% of Grindr users said they were confident that they could find love — not just casual sex — on the platform.
Although the exact number of Grindr-inspired marriages is hard to pin down, Grindr’s status as the top dating app for the gay community and the increase in marriages between gay men are definitely related.
Grindr’s massive following is a big reason for the successful marriage rates behind the dating service. Grindr encourages a sense of community through forums and chat areas on the platform, so users can get to know each other before taking the plunge to meet in person. The judgment-free atmosphere that Grindr extends to men of every sexual orientation makes it a great space to look for more than just a casual hookup.
Because HER respects the privacy of its members, the dating app doesn’t publish all of the success stories that come from the platform. The inclusive queer dating app connects woman-loving femmes around the world, and the community atmosphere makes a happily ever after a common occurrence. HER boasts a high App Store rating, with plenty of testimonials from users who have found love and connection on the dating app, so it’s definitely a strong contender.
Because HER takes an inclusive approach to queer dating, the app welcomes all femme-identified people, whether you’re a cis lesbian woman or a nonbinary pansexual femme. The dating app is more of a social network than a dedicated dating platform, with forums and chats open to all members. The low-pressure atmosphere makes it easier for women and femmes to connect, and in finding that connection, to find love and marriage.
Online dating statistics can be tricky to pin down, but by far the most successful casual dating platform out there is Ashley Madison. This is probably because the affair dating site hits the sweet spot for audience and features. While Tinder is massively popular, the sheer volume of users and the fast-paced swiping method means that each match tends to be a little more disposable.
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…”
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User Base
Gender Ratio
Popularity (Visits/Mo.)
All Singles & Attached*
65 Million*
Browse FREE
Ashley Madison is certainly a big platform, with more than 80 million members around the world, but it isn’t so huge that online dating users find themselves buried in an avalanche of potential matches. The dating site and app both include features designed to steer users to the relationship they’re looking for. Thos features include privacy and security filters to prevent being discovered on the service and flexible communication tools to help users connect.
Given Tinder’s reputation as a hookup app, it may come as a surprise to learn that the swipe-based dating platform has a lot of successful marriages under its belt. The Tinder subreddit has lots of posts from happy couples, and some successful pairings have even spoken to journalists about how well the app worked for them.
It’s probably less surprising to hear that Bumble has a strong success rate, too, given that the platform takes a women-first, relationship oriented approach. The Bumble subreddit features plenty of success stories, and the website for the app includes success stories submitted by users who want to testify to the app’s help in their love stories.
Finding a romantic relationship as a single parent is challenging, in general, and it’s no different on mainstream dating sites and apps. Most mainstream online dating services cater to younger singles, who have fewer responsibilities and more free time than single parents typically have. Even if you’re under 30, a parent has to be more careful and more prudent when seeking out love.
For the best odds at finding a supportive, understanding partner, your best options are usually dating apps and sites that cater to a slightly older audience. Match and Christian Mingle are geared toward long-term love and true relationship compatibility.
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…”
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User Base
Gender Ratio
Popularity (Visits/Mo.)
All Singles*
39.7 Million*
Try Match FREE
Match Group recently launched the Stir dating app to cater specifically to single parents seeking a fresh start in the dating world.
When you join a popular and proven dating app, you’re more likely to find a potential partner who shares your values and understands your perspective as a single parent. You’ll avoid having to swipe over and over again on young, partying singles who are more interested in going out to drink than in getting a cup of coffee or having a playdate in the park.
If you want to hear wedding bells in your future, focus your online dating efforts on the dating sites with the best marriage rates. These online dating sites and apps offer the best possible circumstances for finding long-term love: users who are also looking for a quality match instead of a casual hookup combined with tools to help compatible singles find each other.
Get online and find your perfect match anywhere in the world!
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