If you feel like everyone online is looking for sex, chances are, you’re swiping in the wrong places. Tinder with its superficial swiping might not be right for you.
Instead, you need a serious platform full of singles ready to find long-term love. But where do you go? We sought advice from five trusted experts in the dating field. Their recommendations for the best dating sites for relationships could change the game for love seekers.
“For those looking for long-term love and serious connections, these platforms have a range of features that can help them connect on a deeper level,” dating coach and relationship expert James Preece told our team. “All it takes is finding one that works for you and being a little patient.”
eharmony: “Very Popular”
When it comes to creating long-term connections, dating platforms would be hard-pressed to beat eharmony. Two out of five experts chose this as the top dating site for relationships.
- 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. Our Review »
- Browse Free: View Photos Now
Known for its psychologist-led personality tests, eharmony excels at pinpointing compatibility in lifestyle, temperament, and core values. It provides a match rating score and personality breakdowns to help singles make an informed choice about who’s good for them in the long run.
Recommended by Dating Coach James Preece
James Preece is a U.K. dating coach with over 20 years of experience. He named eharmony as the best dating app for finding love.
“eharmony is one of the longest-standing dating platforms, and it’s still very popular,” James said. “When you sign up, users must complete a detailed personality questionnaire, which helps the platform to find compatible matches.”
Pros
- Detailed profiles
- Compatibility information
- Serious date prospects
The compatibility test is required upon signup, and it involves answering dozens of multiple-choice questions like “why are you single?”
James said, “It’s quite a structured process, but it means those who aren’t serious about finding a connection are often filtered out.”
After the in-depth profile and personality test, singles will find matches that are based on true compatibility. “The platform’s algorithms ensure that members are introduced to profiles that suit them, which again makes it easy to find long-term connections,” James added.
Recommended by Matchmaker Lauren Sanders
Singles should note that while eharmony provides great matches, it doesn’t have the same level of personal agency in viewing profiles that singles have a more casual dating app. It’s more quality over quantity.
“eharmony has a decent track record of accurately pairing individuals based upon compatibility,” matchmaker Lauren Sanders said. “Many singles these days prefer to be more in charge during the candidate selection process. There are thousands of other apps available now that allow users to view profiles in a more independent manner, but they give no guidance.”
Meet the Experts
- As the UK’s leading dating coach, James Preece has devoted the last 20 years to helping his professional and celebrity clients find love.
- Matchmaker Lauren Sanders is the founder of The Love Crush Agency, a bespoke matchmaking organization
Match: “Quality Over Quantity”
If you’re hooking up with someone from a dating app, you may not care if you share the same hobbies or like the same types of vacations. But Match pays attention to those details that matter to relationships.
- 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. Our Review »
- Browse Free: View Photos Now
When you’re looking to share your life with someone, common interests are really important, and that’s where Match shines.
The Match profile includes a lot of great details (wanting kids, smoking habits, etc.) and prompts (my favorite places to hang out) that help users get to know one another. The app will even suggest icebreakers based on the profile info.
Recommended by Dating Expert Amber Brooks
“Match continues to be relevant to relationship seekers decade after decade because it puts common interests first,” Amber Brooks, DatingAdvice editor-in-chief, told me. “Singles have the ability to identify their hobbies, background, and goals in their profile and get a feel for matches at a glance. It’s a more serious dating experience.”
Pros
- Personality-driven matching
- Intentional dates
- Free chatting with matches
Cons
- Free members can’t see who’s liked or viewed them
- Fewer rural options
Amber shared that for people willing to pay for Match, it can be especially effective as a platform. But if you don’t want the subscription, it can still work because mutual matches can chat for free.
“As a user, I opted to stay free at first, and I still found several good dates in my inbox,” Amber said. “It just took a little more time and energy on my part. I’d say if you’re more interested in quality over quantity, and you don’t mind dates over 27 years old, then Match could serve you well.”
Meet the Experts
- Dating expert Amber Brooks is editor-in-chief here at DatingAdvice.com. Since she joined the team in 2015, Amber has written over 1,800 articles about love, sex, and relationships.
Hinge: “Unique Features”
Now we’re getting into popular apps as well as sites. Hinge has a lot of success stories behind it, and many experts sing its praises.
Since 2012, Hinge has risen in the rankings and become a popular option for seeking dates that are the real deal. It’s particularly popular among 20-somethings and 30-somethings.
Three of the experts we interviewed urged singles to download Hinge to upgrade their search for a loving relationship.
Recommended by Relationship Coach Angelika Koch
“Known as ‘the app designed to be deleted,’ Hinge is purpose-built for people looking to move beyond casual encounters,” Angelika said.
“The prompts and profile features facilitate deeper conversations, helping you connect on a more meaningful level right from the beginning,” she added. “If you’re ready for a serious relationship, Hinge’s user base is generally aligned with the same intentions.”
Recommended by Dating Coach James Preece
Hinge is also James’s top choice for his relationship-seeking clients. “It has unique features like video, polls, and voice prompts, which mean you can showcase your personality in a way that goes beyond text and photos,” he explained.
Pros
- Voice message features
- Many interesting prompts to spark conversation
- Swipe-based matching
Cons
- Not great for older daters
- Requires 6 pictures
James shared that the voice prompt feature “adds an extra layer of depth to your profile and creates more opportunities for genuine connections. Being able to hear someone’s voice and watch a video about them allows users to get a sense of their personality and can make those first conversations more engaging.”
Recommended by Dating Expert Amber Brooks
At the same time, Hinge is less curated than some dating sites like eharmony or Match.
“I met my husband on Hinge, so I can verify that the app is legit life-changing,” Amber shared. “The hunt can take time, though. You have no real control over when you meet someone. Hinge was my go-to dating app for about two years before I found someone I wanted to stick with long-term.”
Meet the Experts
- Angelika Koch is a Certified Relationship Coach. She’s an author of several self-help books and has over 330,000 followers on Instagram.
- James has published 15 books on how to succeed at online dating and attract partners.
- Amber’s dating advice has been featured in The Washington Times, Cosmopolitan, The New York Post, Bustle, Well+Good, and AskMen, among others.
The League: “For High Achievers”
The League shines for ambitious and successful singles who want to meet the other half of their future power couples. The app uses LinkedIn to verify that members are truly as successful as they claim.
Originally created for Ivy League grads, The League is now open to successful graduates from other universities. Still, you’ll need to apply and be vetted to join, so it may take a bit of waiting to gain entry to this exclusive club.
Recommended by Lauren Sanders
“The best dating site for serious relationship dating is The League,” Lauren said. “Not only is it a dating site full of professional singles, it’s full of individuals who have achieved their career goals and are now in a place in their lives where they are ready to fulfill the only void they have left: finding a soulmate.”
Pros
- Highly desirable dating pool
- Curated matches
- Profiles verified by LinkedIn
Cons
- Pricey subscriptions
- A bit snobby
Lauren described the members of The League as “high achievers who are very successful in life.” It’s an app made for high earners and relationship seekers.
The League is all about efficiency, so don’t expect to be swiping through an endless sea of profiles. Each day, you’ll get a “batch” of profiles that meet your preferences, and you can take it from there!
Meet the Experts
- Lauren is the author of “You Deserve the World,” a relationship self-help book guiding women to seek the love they deserve.
Bumble: “A More Intentional Approach”
If forming an equal partnership is important to you, I highly recommend checking out Bumble. This progressive dating app is famous for backing feminist and egalitarian values.
Bumble has positioned itself as a more values-driven alternative to Tinder, and that has caught a lot of interest among young relationship seekers.
Plus, in recent weeks, Bumble announced its plan to get rid of swiping in 2026. What does that mean? We will all be staying tuned to find out!
Recommended by Relationship Coach Angelika Koch
Angelika believes that Bumble’s philosophy can make it easier for singles to connect deeply.
“For those ready to embrace a more intentional approach to dating, Bumble is a standout option,” she said.
Pros
- Simple swiping interface
- Women set the tone
- Voice messaging
Cons
- Mixed intentions
- Time-consuming to vet matches
Angelika told us, “The app’s unique feature of letting women make the first move empowers users to create more meaningful conversations from the start. The 24-hour response window ensures that those engaging on the platform are genuinely interested and actively looking for a serious connection.”
FAQs: Which Dating App Has the Best Marriage Success Rate?
According to The Knot, Hinge has introduced 36% of married couples who met online. That was the highest success rate in the survey. Given that Hinge markets itself as being for relationships, this makes a lot of sense.
The survey data also (somewhat surprisingly) ranked Tinder and Bumble among the most common matchmakers for newlyweds.
- 36% met on Hinge
- 25% met on Tinder
- 20% met on Bumble
- 19% met on other dating apps
Of course, our team has seen real-life evidence of Hinge’s high success rate.
Amber met her husband on Hinge, where they connected over their shared interests. “Our profiles both contained Marvel references, so that gave us something to talk about,” she told me. “We started chatting on the app in August 2019 and got married in 2022.”
At the same time, you might find a higher rate of marriages on more mature dating platforms like eharmony or Match, which put more focus on compatibility matching. It took Amber a few years of swiping to meet her husband on Hinge. A more targeted niche site could likely connect compatible singles a bit faster.
Which Dating Apps Work Best for Queer Relationships?
Queer daters may find that general dating apps have fewer partners for them. And if they’re love-driven, they might become frustrated with the hookup-oriented philosophy of certain popular queer apps (cough Grindr cough).
Angelika recommends Taimi for singles wanting queer relationships. “If you’re part of the LGBTQIA+ community and seeking a serious, long-term connection, Taimi is an excellent choice,” she told us.
She continued, “What sets Taimi apart is its emphasis on creating detailed, thoughtful profiles, which encourages deeper, more authentic connections. The platform fosters a supportive and inclusive environment, making it ideal for those who want to be understood and appreciated for who they truly are.”
Taimi isn’t the only app for same-sex relationships. Amber highly recommends HER, which was created specifically for the needs of lesbian and bisexual daters. With over 15 million members, it’s a great place for sapphic daters looking for a lady love.
What’s the Best Dating Site for Seniors?
While some seniors are happy to date younger, many prefer partners within their age group. OurTime is the top dating site option for senior singles looking to date their peers.
Our online dating expert Julie Spira tested OurTime and gave it high praise.
“OurTime, a niche dating app for singles 50+, is designed to ensure that messages and matches come from age-appropriate singles,” Julie said. “This unique feature makes it an ideal platform for seniors in the dating world.”
Amber also mentioned eharmony as a great option for senior-friendly dating. Its user base tends to be older and more conservative. Not only are its safety features among the best in the industry, but the curated list of matches can also help seniors focus on people who fit their lifestyle.
Does Online Dating Really Work?
Yes, it can definitely work. Just ask the 10% of couples who, according to the Pew Research Center, met online. As online dating has grown in popularity, the apps have become the default places to meet partners.
Some singles struggle with it because they have a hard time making a real connection in such a crowded and competitive space. Others don’t like describing themselves or trying to come up with icebreakers.
Filling out a dating profile isn’t the same as flirting with someone at a party. That’s why Lauren emphasizes the importance of marketing yourself online.
“Broadcast your personality,” she said. “Be as authentic as possible. Presenting your true personality as early as possible can increase your chances of matching with [someone] who is comfortable with you and likes you for who you are.”
“Be as authentic as possible.” — Matchmaker Lauren Sanders
“Be genuine,” Lauren said. “Women want to know the REAL you. In today’s world, many women are faced with men who are dishonest about their intentions and mislead them regarding their level of interest. Therefore, women appreciate a man who is genuine and presents the best version of himself.”
Online dating may offer a ton of matches, but that doesn’t mean every pairing will be a perfect fit. You need to use good judgment and look for green flags like consistency and emotional vulnerability. That’s important when trying to find a partner.
“Inconsistency is a huge turnoff,” Lauren said. “Most women have experienced their fair share of inconsistency and breadcrumbing. It confuses them and can make them unsure about themselves and the relationship itself. Therefore, if you can show consistency, you’ll be lightyears ahead of other men.”
What Dating App Will Work Best for Me?
Everyone is different. When we talk about “dream dates,” each person pictures someone slightly different. That’s why mainstream dating apps don’t always cut it…sometimes people want to find a niche that’ll suit them better. Here’s a quick if/then chart:
| Who It Helps | Best Dating Site | Why It’s Good |
|---|---|---|
| If you’re over 35 | Match | Compatibility ratings |
| If you’re over 50 | OurTime | Free chatting with matches |
| If you’re Christian | Christian Mingle | Search for specific denominations |
| If you’re Jewish | Jdate | Profiles discuss cultural norms |
| If you’re Black | BlackPeopleMeet | Largest pool of Black daters |
| If you’re Hispanic | Chispa | Community-driven |
| If you’re on a budget | OkCupid | Free chatting, no need to upgrade |
| If you’re privacy-conscious | Ashley Madison | Photo blurring, no identifying details required |
| If you’re a single parent | Stir | Date scheduling tools |
Keep in mind that your mileage may vary based on where you live. Niche dating sites tend to have less coverage in small towns and rural areas. If you don’t live in a populated area and you’re not willing to do long-distance, then you may be better off in more general dating pools like Tinder and Bumble.
Our Methodology: How We Ranked These Sites
We interviewed dating coaches, matchmakers, and online dating experts to get their insights on which dating sites best serve relationship-driven singles. Then we organized their picks based on our expert testing and ratings.
Our team has tested hundreds of online dating sites and scored them according to five key criteria:
- Popularity
- Features
- Ease of Use
- Value
- Safety
We evaluate how likely a person is to be successful on the dating platform and categorize the best of the best based on our experience testing the match features and messaging tools.
For a list like this geared toward relationship seekers, we only rank apps with impeccable reputations, personality-driven matchmaking tools, and ironclad profile verification that will keep the catfish, scammers, and time wasters away.
Meaningful Connections Can Start With an Online Match
Once you get into a relationship, it doesn’t matter where you met. Couples who meet at the club are often just as happy and serious as couples who meet at church. It’s possible to find love on Tinder, but it’s more likely to happen on a relationship-geared space like eharmony.
Singles looking for a relationship will have a much easier time in spaces designed for those looking for deeper connections. If you know you want a relationship, set yourself up for success and look in the right places.
“For anyone serious about finding the perfect match, choosing the right dating platform can make all the difference,” James said.
