Best Dating Sites
Looking for a dating site you can trust? Search no more.
Single parent dating sites can be there for people when they need a new beginning.
I have a close family friend whose parents divorced when she was young, and it was a tough experience for everyone. Their world was turned upside down as she went from a full household to living with just her mom and seeing her dad a couple of times a week. Eventually, though, the family healed, they all fell into a routine that worked for them, and my friend’s mom started to date again.
While online dating has become one of the most popular ways to meet people these days, single moms and dads want to be careful when choosing a dating site. This is why our experts did some extensive research and selected the top dating sites for single parents.
1. eharmony
We could go on and on about why eharmony is one of the best dating sites for single parents (that’s also free), but perhaps the most important reason is their dedication to serving commitment-minded online daters. If this is you, then you’ve come to the right place.
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:
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★★★★★
User Base
Gender Ratio
Popularity (Visits/Mo.)
Today's Deal
All Singles*
48%*
52%*
4.1 Million*
View Profiles FREE
Something else worth noting is eharmony uses a comprehensive relationship questionnaire to deliver like-minded matches directly to you, so you don’t have to do any searching — compatible local singles will come to you!
2. Match
Launched in 1995, Match is a time-tested dating platform that has plenty of numbers to support dating relationships — specifically, over 30 million members, more than 13.5 million visitors a month, and countless romantic connections.
Over 75% of Match users are more than 30 years old, and the majority of them identify as single adults seeking a serious relationship. We’ve listed Match among the best free dating sites for single parents because this dating service prioritizes mature singles. Its smart algorithm recommends most compatible people, so you really don’t have to look anywhere else.
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 excels at identifying compatibility and introducing singles who have strong relationship potential. A free member can create a dating profile, add photos, search for and receive matches, and communicate with Top Picks. You can do a lot of mingling without having to give Match your credit card information for a premium membership.
What’s more, in 2022, Match Group launched a single parent dating app called Stir to further support single moms and single dads interested in adding to their blended family.
3. EliteSingles
Education is often at the top of the list of dating preferences, and for those people who agree, there’s EliteSingles. With a focus on quality over quantity, we think this is a great dating website for single parents.
The EliteSingles platform is full of well-educated professionals who have their act together and want someone to share their life with.
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
Over 80% of users have a bachelor’s, master’s, and/or doctorate degree, over 381,000 new members join the dating website every month, and over 2,500 men and women find love on EliteSingles every month.
For $0, EliteSingles will allow you to register, fill out your information, view profiles, flirt, and receive expert advice to make the online dating process run as smoothly as possible.
4. OurTime
Not only is OurTime one of our favorite free single parent dating websites, but it’s also a go-to for mature single parents — as it’s just for those who are 50 and older. You won’t have to spend any money to use OurTime, and all the tools you need to land a first date and have a successful experience are right at your fingertips.
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 is a premium dating site where singles over 50 have the freedom to browse, search, and match with local dates their own age.
Another aspect of OurTime we love is its streamlined setup, which makes it easy for anyone, even those who aren’t that tech-savvy, to navigate the online dating site and figure out how everything works. It couldn’t be easier to find an age-appropriate date thanks to OurTime.
5. SingleParentLove
SingleParentLove isn’t one of those mainstream apps where swiping devalues every dating partner. Instead this leading free dating website works for single parents, and offers search tools to narrow the dating pool in a way that makes sense.
In this single parenting network, you’re around people who can all understand you and where you’re at in life. There are only three steps to join the online dating site: 1) Make an account. 2) Browse thousands of members from all over the world. 3) Start a conversation. No muss, no fuss.
With a free dating account, you could come on step closer to finding a new relationship and bringing a new person into your family. That’s what SingleParentLove is all about.
6. Stir
We’re halfway through our list of free online dating sites for single parents, and we’ve got to mention Stir. Even though it’s a relatively new dating app, it has a lot of promise for single moms and dads. Match Group developed this online dating app exclusively for moms and dads who are raising their kids on their own. The Stir app has a variety of helpful matchmaking features to take any dating stresses off a single parent’s shoulders.
7. Mums Date Dads
Mums Date Dads is a 100% free online dating site for single parents in the United Kingdom. With a regular membership, users gain access to features such as basic and advanced search, virtual winks, and various forms of messaging.
A single mum in the U.K. will feel right at home on Mums Date Dads, and she can use its tailored matchmaking tools to start her dating journey and meet a nice single man.
There’s also a premium membership available if you want to upgrade and don’t mind spending some money, but we’d say you’re good to go without it.
8. Local Single Moms
One of the hottest dating websites for single parents is Local Single Moms. This casual hookup space takes online dating to the next level by offering instant messaging, forums, video and audio chat rooms, and a newsfeed with your top matches. Every dating profile is also verified, so you can rest assured that everyone is who they say they are.
This dating site can help you meet local single parents at your convenience, and it’s completely free to join and try it out.
9. Single Parent Meet
If the conversation is about online dating sites for single parents, Single Parent Meet is always in the mix. Here, you’ll be in a secure, welcoming environment where you can be yourself and not have to worry about someone seeing your life as “baggage.”
Single Parent Meet was built by the parent company People Media, which owns and operates several niche dating sites that unite like-minded people. Single Parent Meet is free to join, and it can help you find a potential match with advanced filters and daily matches.
10. SingleParentMatch
SingleParentMatch has been in this industry for more than 20 years and says they’re the world’s first free dating site for fathers and mothers who are jumping back into the dating pool. Whether you’re looking for friends, casual dates, or a lifelong partner, you’ll be sure to find it.
The team behind SingleParentMatch provides helpful single parent news and dating advice articles as well, including “Find Sunshine After the Divorce Storm” and “7 Tips for Making an Attractive First Contact.”
SingleParentMatch has all the bells and whistles you’d expect from a niche dating site, including a Quick Search option that’ll let you look for dates within a certain age range and location.
11. Single Parent Passions
Single Parent Passions is a single parent dating website and social network, so there’s no pressure if you aren’t ready for romance yet. Share your interests and needs on your dating profile, view the Activity Stream to see what other users are up to, join chat groups, and send and receive emails — no wallet needed!
As a Single Parent Passions member, a single mother or father can chat with people who share similar life experiences and build relationships in a way that feels natural and easy.
12. First Met
First Met made a name for itself as a dating website for grown-ups. The online dating service has an old-school website, and is also available as a dating app for iPhone and Android users. First Met is an offshoot of the Are Your Interested network, and its funny icebreakers and free matching tools can quickly get something going.
Single parents can create a Fire Met account by providing their email address or Facebook account, and they must upload a photo to make their profile appear in local searches and potential match lists.
If you’re primarily interested in dating other single moms and single dads, you can select “has children” as a search filter and see what the database has to offer you.
“FirstMet fills an important void in helping single adults seek new relationships,” said the First Met team, “while minimizing the effort and stress of getting back in the dating game.”
FAQs: When Is the Right Time to Date as a Single Mom?
Honestly, that’s something every single mother has to decide for herself. Some young mothers feel it’s best to date and find a potential partner while their child is an infant. Others decide to take a break from the dating world and focus on their kid for years and years. These moms may not decide to date again until their kids are teenagers or young adults.
Dating as a single mom isn’t easy, and it can involve more than a little frustration and family strife, so this isn’t a decision to take lightly. If you’re over your previous relationship and feel ready to open your heart again, then maybe it’s time to start exploring the dating scene a little. Just make sure to talk to your child(ren) about what you’re doing and what that means for your little family.
What’s the Best Dating Site for Finding a Serious Relationship?
If you’re entering the dating world with serious intentions, then you need a relationship-oriented dating site that will honor your wishes and support your goals. Fortunately, that’s what eharmony was made for.
Over 20 years ago, a group of psychologists and dating experts got together to create a matchmaking system that could inspire love and lead to marriage, and it has been a rousing success. To date, eharmony is responsible for matching over 2 million American couples in a serious relationship. You could be next!
Available on: iOS, Android
- Relationships: Long-Term Relationships, Marriages
- Match System: Get daily match suggestions
- About the App: Responsible for 4% of marriages in the U.S., eharmony is among our top picks for relationship-minded heterosexual singles. To become a member, add the app to your phone (iOS or Android) and then take its 29 Dimensions® of Compatibility Matching Quiz. It's absolutely free to do both these things — as well as receive matches and communicate during other special events.
- Browse Free: View Profiles Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) | App Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight Singles* |
48%*
52%*
|
4.1 Million* | Free Download |
The eharmony platform provides an in-depth personality assessment, icebreaker quizzes, compatibility ratings, and other quality-driven matching tools to help single people find a good potential partner who shares similar values, interests, and dreams.
Plus, if you’re a parent, you can state that you have children and indicate if you’d prefer a potential partner who also has a kid.
Is There a Chat Room for Single Parents?
There’s a chat room for just about everything, and that includes single parent dating. The Bump has a community forum where a single mom or single dad can ask questions, share their experiences, and build close bonds with people who can relate to them.
This chat room is full of single parenting tips and advice, and it could be a good way to take baby steps into the dating world without having to create a dating profile or sign up to a premium service.
Which Single Parent Dating Sites are Completely Free?
All of the dating sites we’ve ranked and reviewed in this article are free to join, but they don’t all offer free communication, and that’s an important distinction. Sometimes singles can get frustrated when they take the time to create an online dating profile only to find themselves in a look-but-don’t-chat environment.
For the single parent on a budget, a completely free dating site like OkCupid could be a more convenient and satisfying option. OkCupid stands out from other online dating services because it provides 100% free unlimited communication to everyone who creates an account.
The main downside of free dating sites and apps is that they can sometimes offer more quantity than quality. It’s like opening the floodgates and inviting absolutely anybody to chat. Some people create a dating profile because they’re serious about finding a partner, while others are just bored and are in no hurry to go out on an actual date.
If you’re a single dad or mom, this low-pressure atmosphere may be all right at first, but it’s not the most effective way to find a new partner and build a serious relationship. For that, you’re better off choosing a more mature dating ground where a single person much invest in the dating process in order to send messages online.
Can I Join an Online Dating Site Without Facebook?
Yes, plenty of dating sites work perfectly well without Facebook, and it’s rarely required to link your dating profile to a social media account. This is usually an optional recommendation that can speed up the registration process and add a little more personality and accountability to your dating profile — but it’s not necessary.
A single mother or single father may have privacy concerns or reservations about mixing their online dating life with their personal life, so they may not a dating site or app to pull information from their Facebook. In that case, they can sign up via an email address or phone number and then manually complete their profiles.
How Do I Spot Fake Profiles or Scam Accounts?
Fake profiles are an unfortunate hazard in the online dating scene. Even the most respectable dating platforms may sometimes house inactive, outdated, or outright deceitful profiles, and it’s up to a single person to be able to spot when something is a little off.
Typically, a dating site will require users to upload at least one photo of themselves, but some singles hide or blur their faces so that it’s not clear who you’re looking at. That’s one warning sign that this new person isn’t very trustworthy or honest.
Singles should also be wary if the profile uses generic language, lacks any meaningful details, or uses broken English, as in “I’m single father looking new partner or amazing girls, interested?” In the best case scenario, this person doesn’t care enough to carefully edit and proofread his online dating profile. In the worse case scenario, this is a bot looking to deceive and take advantage of people on the dating service.
Trust your instincts when looking for potential dates online, and don’t be afraid to block or report a new person if you have any concerns. Better safe than sorry!
What’s the Best Dating Site for a Single Father?
As a dad, your job is to be the problem-solver, the fixer, the skinned-knee bandager, and the protector, perhaps even the sole provider, for your kids. That’s a lot of responsibility, and it’s perfectly natural to wish that you had a partner to help or to fantasize about dating again and embracing your singlehood.
Matchis a dating site run by parents who understand the importance of love and family. This quality-driven platform is there to lift single men up and give them the chance to connect with local singles on a deep personal level.
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 |
Since 1995, Match has provided a strong support system for single men and women with high dating expectations and serious relationship goals. The match algorithm bases its compatibility ratings off the information in your dating profile, and that includes details about your background, career, family, education, religion, and personal interests or hobbies.
Thanks to its personality-driven matching, Match is currently responsible for creating more relationships and marriages than any other dating service ever. If that’s not impressive, I don’t know what is.
Anyone can create a free account on Match to see what all the fuss is about, and the basic membership includes unlimited browsing as well as some communication features. However, only people with a monthly subscription can send messages to anyone on the dating site.
Single Parent Dating Sites Put Your Needs First
My friend’s parents were nervous about dating again — just like so many other divorcees are. But they went into it with honest intentions and positive outlooks, and they found opportunities to grow along the way.
Your journey to a new relationship, deep friendship, or true love could begin with setting up an online dating profile and searching for matches, and single parent dating sites can help you get your footing and meet local singles who have similar life experiences and priorities.
The online dating websites on this list can help men and women get back out there without going too far outside their comfort zone. Take your time looking through each dating site, choose wisely, and then take the leap. You won’t regret it!
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