Best Dating Sites
Looking for a dating site you can trust? Search no more.
Once upon a time, matchmaking was the most popular dating method aroundmost popular dating method around. When you came of age, you went to a wise old busybody and asked that person to hook you up with a lifelong partner. No pickup lines. No game playing. Just straight-up tell-me-who-to-marry matching.
Nowadays, most singles have upgraded from old-fashioned matchmaking though. When today’s eligible men and women want to date, they go to the wise old internet and ask a website to pair them up with someone special. Maybe for a lifetime; maybe for a single night. Everyone wants something different, so a lot of different matchmaking sites (aka dating websites) have cropped up to serve a variety of needs in the dating scene.
Whatever your age, orientation, religion, or background, we’ve compiled a full list of the 18 best niche dating platforms for single folks seeking a good match. All you have to do is create an account and get flirting!
Overall | Christian | Elite | Gay | Lesbian | Black | Senior | International | Adult
Best Free Matchmaker Sites (#1-2)
I’m a dessert-first kind of girl, so I’m going to go ahead and give you the best options right up top. If you’re eager to cut to the chase, you can’t go wrong on these renowned and time-tested dating platforms. Below, you’ll find our picks for the best overall matchmaking websites for men and women who know what they want.
1. Match
Since 1995, Match has set the standard for dating services everywhere. This platform has had unprecedented success in the dating scene, arranging more relationships and marriages than any other website.
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’s personality-based matching tools work like a charm and point you in the direction of dating prospects who meet your standards. Relationship-ready singles of all ages and backgrounds can find a compatible partner on this site.
2. OkCupid
promises a free and inclusive space for building friendships and relationships online. Founded in 2004 by four self-professed math nerds, OkCupid uses advanced algorithms to match up singles with similar values, interests, backgrounds, and goals.
The innovative site offers everyone free messaging and smart matching. Decades of hard data inform the matchmaking process and make the experience that much easier for online daters. Members on this popular platform currently send over 7.3 million messages every day. You can read our in-depth review of OkCupid’s features and mission here.
Best Free “Christian” Matchmaker Sites (#3-4)
Christians often have different dating standards than the general populace. For instance, I don’t typically inquire about my date’s religious views, but my old roommate made it a priority to see that her dates were comfortable going with her to church. It’s an important part of her life, and something she, understandably, wants to share with her love interests.
If you’re a Christian single interested in meeting a date who has similar values and beliefs, you can put your trust in the following Christian-friendly dating websites.
3. eharmony
Psychology-based compatibility matching tools have made eharmony a household name in online dating. An unbelievably accurate matching system draws from 29 personality dimensions to bring like-minded people together. Religion absolutely factors into this system, so we recommend Christian daters give eharmony a try.
Relationships:
Casual Dates, Deep Relationships
Match System:
Personality test suggests matches
Our Experts Say:
“eharmony's unique matching system is based on what it calls "Christian-based principles" and leads to 2% of all U.S. marriages annually...”
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
Today, eharmony serves singles in all 50 US states as well as 200 countries around the world. The efficient matching system is ideal for Christians with love on their minds.
4. ChristianMingle
ChristianMingle is a niche dating space for anyone attracted to Christian singles. People of all denominations (and even some outside the faith) have come to this matchmaking site to bond over what matters most to them.
Relationships:
Dates and Serious Relationships
Match System:
Search by gender, age, education, more
Our Experts Say:
“ChristianMingle is strictly for Christian singles, and it has a large user base that you can browse through by your individual preferences...”
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
The ChristianMingle community is grounded in faith, so believers often find it a welcoming place to fall for one another.
Best Free “Elite” Matchmaker Sites (#5-6)
I don’t enjoy going out with just anybody who happens to wander online. When I’m on a dating site, I’m looking for the cream of the crop. I’m not saying my dates have to be in Mensa, but I’m definitely more attracted to guys who know their way around an Oxford comma. If you’re choosy like me, run-of-the-mill dating websites can feel a little below your pay grade.
For those daters who set high standards and want someone on their level, we’ve highlighted two elite matchmaking sites where upper class singles feel at home.
5. Elite Singles
At the top of the pile, Elite Singles is an upscale dating site geared toward college-graduated professionals. The Germany-based matchmaking website hustles to ensure that its membership lives up to the name “Elite Singles.” Approximately 82% of members hold at least a bachelor’s degree, so you won’t find many dummies here.
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
A majority of Elite Singles members are educated and employed adults interested in finding the real deal. For those of us seeking some class in the dating world, Elite Singles is a breath of fresh air.
6. Luxy
is a millionaire matchmaker operating as an online service. The team verifies the income of premium members, and, according to their internal data, 41% of income-verified members earn over $1 million per year. And one out of every two members makes over $500k. Members can vouch for their friends to give them access to this premium clientele of wealthy and privileged individuals
Best Free “Gay” Matchmaker Sites (#7-8)
While most dating websites are open to people of all orientations, it can be frustrating to wade through a sea of straight singles to find the handful of gay men on a general dating site. On gay dating websites and apps, you’re not in the minority. You run the show. For men seeking men online, we recommend the following two gay-friendly dating websites.
7. Zoosk
Based out of San Francisco, Zoosk is a fabulously welcoming and open-minded dating community. The platform has over 35 million members of all sexual orientations and is constantly expanding to better serve gay singles everywhere. Currently, this dating site has been translated into 25 languages and is available in over 80 countries worldwide.
Relationships:
Fun Dates, Serious Relationships
Match System:
Search and get match recommendations
Our Experts Say:
“Gay, bisexual, and curious single men love Zoosk because it's quick, easy, and really successful...”
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 site’s Behaviorial Matchmaking technology learns what you like from your browsing habits, so you don’t have to fill out lengthy questionnaires or in-depth profiles to receive compatible match recommendations in your inbox.
8. CompatiblePartners
The LGBTQ community is well served on Compatible Partners. The Relationship Questionnaire lends insight into the matchmaking process, so your recommended matches fit your personality.
“We are compatible in every way,” said Amir about his partner Brian. They met on Compatible Partners in 2009. “Brian is the living, breathing embodiment of my dreams — right down to his cute little dog!”
Best Free “Lesbian” Matchmaker Sites (#9-10)
Lesbian singles sometimes need a little help finding one another. In everyday life, women don’t go around holding up easy-to-read signs that profess their sexual orientation and relationship statuses — but, on dating websites, they do. You can join the following two dating networks to encounter eligible lesbian, bisexual, and bi-curious women.
9. Zoosk
Zoosk makes a point to include singles of all orientations. Lesbians can use the site’s advanced search features to narrow down the dating field to a few lucky ladies. Over 40 million singles around the world have joined this global network so singles have no shortage of people to talk with online.
Relationships:
Fun Dates, Serious Relationships
Match System:
Search and get match recommendations
Our Experts Say:
“Zoosk is a go-to for busy lesbian women because the site will do all the work for them. All they have to do is upload some information and photos...”
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
Another upside to Zoosk is the real-time matching and chatting features that help singles get off the couch and onto a date. The global dating site can help lesbian singles put themselves out there and meet viable date prospects in no time.
10. PinkCupid
Begun in 2006, PinkCupid offers premium dating services for lesbians from all walks of life. The matchmaking site has an active base in the US, UK, Australia, and Canada. You can describe your ideal partner on your personalized profile and then go out and search for that single gal using customizeable search filters. It’s free to sign up and try your luck, but you will need to subscribe to start chatting with lesbian women on PinkCupid.
Best Free “Black” Matchmaker Sites (#11-12)
If you’re a black or bi-racial dater, you may not be satisfied by the typical white-bread dating site. According to OkCupid’s data analysis, on average black daters don’t get as many messages or likes as daters of other ethnicities. A pervasive bias seems to make people more attracted to those who look more like them.
Fortunately, black dating websites offer a place where dark skin is the norm and everyone agrees that black is beautiful.
11. BlackPeopleMeet
Founded in 2002, BlackPeopleMeet has grown into the largest online black singles community in the US. It only takes a few minutes to set up your free profile, and then you can browse thousands of African-American singles in your area.
Relationships:
Deep Relationships or Just Casual Dates
Match System:
Search by location, age, more
Our Experts Say:
“BlackPeopleMeet is a large dating site, and its user base is growing every day. If you're only interested in black or biracial daters, you've come to the right place...”
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
BlackPeopleMeet is more than a typical matchmaking site — it’s a dating community built upon an appreciation and celebration of a common heritage.
12. BlackPlanet
With the motto “The world is yours,” BlackPlanet.com empowers black daters to meet people who share similar interests and backgrounds. You can chat up singles on members-only forums, groups, private messages, and blog spaces. The black matchmaking sites is terrifically suited to anyone seeking friendship, romance, or love on the web.
Best Free “Senior” Matchmaker Sites (#13-14)
Once you reach a certain age, swiping among 20-somethings just doesn’t cut it anymore. Most adults outgrow that sort of thing pretty quickly. Instead, mature daters often seek out people in the same age range because they have similar life experiences and values. Problem is, the older you get, the harder it is to meet available singles. That’s where matchmaking websites for seniors can come in handy.
13. OurTime
So many dating apps act like young people are the only ones looking for love — but OurTime breaks the mold by letting singles over 50 know there’s still time for romance and excitement. The user-friendly dating site connects men and women using a personality-based matching system.
Relationships:
Dates and Relationships
Match System:
Search by profiles by zip and more
Our Experts Say:
“OurTime is just for men and women who are 50 or older, and it's one of the most popular dating sites in this niche because of its size...”
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
You don’t have to be tech savvy to enjoy using OurTime. The site’s layout is easy to decipher, which levels the playing field for anyone new to online dating — or online anything.
14. SilverSingles
SilverSingles represents a vast network of singles living all over the world. If you’re over 50 and single, this site was built for you. Millions of singles come together on this site to make genuine connections with people close in age.
Relationships:
Friendship, Casual Dates, Serious Relationships
Match System:
Search by age, location, height, education, ethnicity, and religion
Our Experts Say:
“SilverSingles caters to relationship-minded singles over 50 with simple, safe, and effective online dating tools...”
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
On SilverSingles, anyone can sign up and browse for free, searching by age, gender, location, or interest for your perfect match, but only premium members can view photos and send messages. The site’s user-friendly features facilitate fast connections between seniors in the dating scene, and many singles have come away with new friends, pen pals, hot dates, and significant others.
Best Free “International” Matchmaker Sites (#15-16)
Maybe love isn’t in your backyard. Maybe it’s abroad. Thanks to the internet, human connections have no boundaries or borders, and you can meet people living all over the world without getting on a plane. An international affair can be an exciting opportunity to broaden your horizons, and international matchmaking websites can make it happen.
For international daters, we’d suggest checking out the following websites with broad global bases.
15. Match
Match.com is active in 24 countries and territories across the globe. You can search the site by location for date prospects in your area or halfway around the world. Then you can start chatting and making connections. Wherever you live, it’s much easier to meet that special someone when you have dedicated matching tools at your disposal, so that’s why we recommend Match.
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
I know I listed Match twice on this list, but it seriously is a top-notch platform. Whether you live in the States or abroad, Match is a reliable dating network known for its far reach and quality membership. Worldly singles would do well to create a free profile.
16. InternationalCupid
encourages you to “find your foreign beauty” by creating a premium account. The site has over 1 million members and is always growing as more singles are drawn to the idea of falling for someone abroad.
“The first woman who sent me a message on this site turned out to be who I had been looking for,” wrote Jay in a testimonial. “I believe it was meant to be.”
Best Free “Adult” Matchmaker Sites (#17-18)
Not everyone is looking for white-picket fences and one-true loves. Some people just want to get laid. For sex-driven singles, online dating offers an anonymous and targeted means to find a quick hookup. Check out these two adult-only matchmaking sites to get your flirt on and make plans for a sexy date.
17. BeNaughty
Whether you want a one-night stand or a threesome, BeNaughty doesn’t judge. This uninhibited dating network grows by 40,000 members a week and boasts an 89% success rate for singles who’re looking for no-strings-attached sex.
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
Something that makes BeNaughty stand out in the online hookup community is the ability to set your own personal filters and blur out nudity in photos. Naked pictures are allowed on BeNaughty, but the site’s admins let users decide if they want to see someone’s dick pics or if they’d rather have the naughty bits blurred out. With such assurances, singles can feel more comfortable browsing for promiscuous dates.
18. XMatch
Since 1996, XMatch has been titillating singles, couples, and swingers in search of adult entertainment and companionship. It’s a fast-paced platform for sex-driven dating. Making an online booty call is easy when you have a profile on XMatch because everyone on this platform is up for pretty much anything.
A Special Connection Is Just a Click Away!
Thanks to the internet, singles don’t have to rely on guesswork and tea leaves to make a match — they can go online and search for a date themselves. Whether you’re old or young, gay or straight, international or local, you have plenty of niche websites to match you up with someone seeking a partner just like you.
In the olden days, your dating prospects were limited by who you knew and where you lived. Those barriers fall away before real-time chatting, online searches, and matchmaking algorithms on dating websites.
We’ve come a long way from traditional matchmaking. Instead of asking someone what they think you want, you can actually input exactly what you’re looking for and browse profiles who fit your standards. Singles have all the tools at hand to make a date, so flirtation has never been so easy — or so fun!
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