Best Dating Sites
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When my aunts and uncles bring up the idea of dating again, my grandmother always shrugs and says, “Maybe some day I’ll join one of them senior dating sites and see what all the fuss is about. But not right now.”
Since my grandmother lost her husband, she hasn’t had the heart to date anyone else.
I know my grandmother would like to meet a new man and have a companion in her golden years, but it can be daunting to start again as an older dater with an entire lifetime of loving and living behind you.
Thankfully, plenty of dating websites have taken the needs of senior singles into consideration and created a friendly and accessible dating network just for them. I’ve reviewed the following six senior-friendly dating sites that are free to join and fun to use to let older adults know they’re not out of options, and it’s possible to meet someone new online.
1. Match
You don’t have to be a grandparent to become a member of Match. This dating site and app has long catered to mature relationship seekers. The in-depth profiles and personality-based match features allows singles to find genuinely compatible dates who have similar interests, values, and experiences.
The online dating site is easy to join and create a free dating profile, so you can connect to a potential match in your area in just a few clicks.
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...”
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 is our favorite matchmaker in the online dating scene because it identifies compatible dates who share a similar interest or similar life experiences. This is called the Top Picks list, and all communication between Top Picks is free.
Since 1995, Match has introduced mature singles to a world of romantic possibilities and facilitated more relationships and marriages than any other dating site or dating app in existence. As a serious relationship site, Match is an oldie but a goodie, and I highly recommend senior singles to sign up with a free membership.
2. DateMyAge
DateMyAge provides matchmaking services for older people who are looking for long-term love. The online dating site launched in 1993 for the express purpose of helping mature single people fall in love and get married — this isn’t a space for casual hookups.
Relationships: Serious Dating, Long-term Relationships, Pen Pals
Match System: Search filters, Suggested matches
Our Experts Say: “DateMyAge provides local and international matches for singles who are over 50 and hoping to entertain a long-term love interest…”
Browse Free: View Photos Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) |
Today’s Deal
|
| All Singles* |
43%*
57%*
|
128,000* | Browse Profiles FREE |
It’s free to join DateMyAge and browse online profiles to your heart’s content. The dating service has a pay-per-action model that ensures the people who are invested in the matchmaking process will be able to make themselves known. This affordable dating site is a good option if you’re tired of matching with flaky young singles on the mainstream apps.
3. eharmony
Made famous for its in-depth matchmaking model, eharmony takes a member’s personal information and relationship goals into careful consideration when suggesting potential dates. Senior singles can use the trademarked Compatibility Quiz to connect on a deeper level with single men and women in the same age range.
The eharmony dating service has become a widely respected virtual matchmaker for anyone seeking a serious relationship, and it’s particularly helpful to older adults with high dating standards.
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...”
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
Founded in 2000, eharmony has grown into a trusted dating resource for people of all ages and backgrounds. I recommend it for senior daters because its effective matching tools are straightforward and easy to understand. Plus, the online dating website has been responsible for more than 2 million love connections in the U.S., so you know it works.
4. Elite Singles
Elite Singles chose its name well. This upscale dating site targets the best and brightest of the dating world, and only the most elite single people mingle here. Over 90% of members are over 30 years old and interested in finding a potential partner who’s on their level.
Seniors don’t have to go out looking for date-worthy folks on this dating website because Elite Singles highlights suitable matches for members based on their specific relationship preferences, education, location, and age range.
Relationships:
Serious Relationships
Match System:
Search, Receive Partner Suggestions
Our Experts Say:
“EliteSingles caters to highly educated single men and women, and it uses an advanced Fraud Detection System to make sure everyone is who they say they are...”
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
Although this isn’t technically a senior dating platform, the Elite Singles network naturally appeals to older adults seeking a good person in the dating pool.
Each month, Elite Singles helps over 2,500 singles find love and enter first-class relationships with people who are interested in mature dating. If you’re tired of meeting superficial 20-somethings on mainstream dating sites and apps, you can upgrade your online dating experience on Elite Singles.
5. SilverSingles
On SilverSingles, mature dating is easier than ever before. The senior dating service helps single men and women start a conversation and find a senior match in the dating scene.
Senior daters can search for matches and mingle for free. With more than 85,000 visitors a month, and counting, the SilverSingles dating platform ensures that you never run out of senior people to meet.
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
Silver Singles is an online site and dating app geared toward older singles in their 50s, 60s, and 70s, and it doesn’t take much more than an email address and profile picture to complete your free dating profile.
As an added bonus, SilverSingles is a sister property of Elite Singles (more on that below), so you can rest assured that it’s trustworthy enough to get the job done.
6. OurTime
Senior daters love OurTime because of its simplistic design and straightforward features. The senior dating site goes to great lengths to foster a beginner-friendly dating experience for older singles who may not feel comfortable using computers or navigating the internet or dating apps.
The modern dating scene can seem overwhelming at first, but a free membership on OurTime can turn a newcomer into a dating expert in no time.
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
It’s free to create a dating profile on this senior online dating site and search for a new person who has a lot in common with you, including being a single senior in the dating pool. Our dating experts recommend upgrading to a premium membership to get more benefits and up your odds of success on the OurTime platform.
OurTime welcomes senior daters with free browsing features on its mature singles network, so nothing stands between you and a new romantic relationship. You can also download the free OurTime app to access your account while on the go!
7. ChristianMingle
Interested in a God-centered relationship? Then ChristianMingle is the place for you. This niche dating site puts singles on a path to loving relationships based on Christian values and long-term compatibility. Mature singles of faith can turn to this dating service to meet a potential partner who shares similar beliefs and goals in life.
Relationships:
Dates and Serious Relationships
Match System:
Search by gender, age, education, more
Our Experts Say:
“ChristianMingle is a massive and beloved dating site for all kinds of Christian daters, and a good number of members are 50+...”
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
Over the years, ChristianMingle has helped man senior men and women land a first date, find companionship, and build a serious relationship based on a solid foundation of faith, love, and trust.
Dwight was a full-time pastor who’d lost his wife of 48 years when he joined ChristianMingle. He met Penny, a nurse who’d lost her soul mate of 38 years, and they bonded because they could relate to one another’s life experiences.
On their fourth date, Dwight proposed, proving it’s never too late to find love again. “It was love at first sight,” Penny said in a testimonial. “We never wanted our first date to end.”
FAQs: What Are Some Good Senior Dating Tips?
If you’re like my grandmother and have never joined an online dating site before, it’s only natural to have some questions and reservations about the whole thing. However, our dating experts can put your mind at ease because we’ve tested out the most popular dating sites and apps to figure out how they work and what people in the dating scene can expect.
Our senior dating advice section is full of helpful advice articles written by dating coach experts, but I thought it’d be nice to also include some specific dating tips to help you find your way.
1. Do Your Research & Read Lots of Reviews
Many singles join a dating site or app because of a recommendation from a friend, a TV commercial, or a random search, but they don’t always get the experience they were expecting because senior dating sites come in all shapes and sizes. Some are geared toward serious relationships, and others are more for finding a casual hookup.
Dating apps like Tinder cater to 20-somethings in the dating world. Such a fast-paced swiping scene that may not appeal to the average Baby Boomer (unless they’re an aspiring cougar or sugar daddy). On the other hand, dating sites like eharmony are different from Tinder because they cater to mature singles who may be coming out of a past relationship or may finally be ready to settle down in their golden years.
A single person should scope out the terrain by reading a lot of reviews so they know which is the best dating site for their specific needs and desires.
2. Add a Lot of Personality & Photos to Your Dating Profile
Now, it may be tempting to rush through the registration process and just put together a bare-bones dating profile, but a little patience could really pay off in the long run. A well-worded profile with lots of personal information and photos will receive more matches, messages, and positive attention from online daters.
Even the best senior dating site cannot deliver for a senior person if no effort went into the dating profile. A potential match may be disappointed by the lack of detail in a profile or fear it may be a fake profile and swipe onward — so it’s worth aiming for a premium membership with a full dating profile to make a good first impression.
The most important thing is to tell the story about who you are in an original and positive way. Make sure singles know what you have to offer in a romantic relationship.
3. Be Cautious When Chatting with a New Person
Safety is a common concern for seniors in the online dating scene. In fact, the majority of romance scams target the 60+ age demographic. In 2020, widow in Oregon lost over $200,000 to a romance scammer she met online, and she’s not the only victim.
It’s an extremely sad situation when an older person seeking love finds betrayal, deceit, and loss.
However, there are steps you can take to keep yourself safe and avoid potentially dangerous situations on a dating site or app. You can vet your online matches by doing some research on Google, Facebook, LinkedIn, and other social media platforms. You should also ask a lot of questions in your text conversations, phone calls, or video chats so you can establish a good rapport and get a feel for their background.
Be cautious when getting to know someone you met online because it’s so easy to lie on a dating profile, post fake pictures, and deceive potential matches on the platform.
Seniors should look out for certain warning signs that a person is an online scammer. If a person has very little detailed information on his or her profile and seems to be in a hurry to chat via Whatsapp or get your personal details, you should take a step back and question what their intentions truly are.
Asking for money (for any reason) is a huge red flag, and a senior person should immediately block and report any potential partner to make such a request.
Which Senior Dating Site Has the Most Success?
Well, Match isn’t a seniors-only dating platform, but it has the longest track record of success in the dating scene, so I’d say it’s the best senior dating site if you’re serious about settling down with a long-term partner.
Since 1995, Match has honed its matchmaking technology and algorithms to put personal compatibility first. The dating service works hard to give singles easy access to a compatible date. Match is currently responsible for more relationships and marriages than any other dating service.
As someone who has used the platform myself, I feel confident that Match can work for singles of all ages and backgrounds. Just look at its stats:
★★★★★
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...” 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 is easily the top online dating site for finding a perfect match in terms of age, location, interests, education, and background. Plus, it’s completely free to join, so you can browse the online site and app without making any big commitments.
The time-tested matchmaking system on Match has worked for millions of singles in over 50 countries worldwide, so I have every reason to hope it’ll work for you as well.
Is JDate a Good Senior Dating Site?
JDate is a niche dating site for Jewish singles looking to date within their faith and culture. This is often important for single men and women who want to carry on their family traditions, share their religious beliefs with a loving partner, and pass on their cultural heritage to their children.
★★★★★
Relationships: Casual Dates and Long-Term Relationships
Match System: Search and receive matches
Our Experts Say: “JDate is a go-to dating site for single Jewish men and women, and the site doesn't charge for browsing and flirting...” Full Review »
Browse Free: View Photos Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) |
Today's Deal
|
| Jewish Singles* |
46%*
54%*
|
2 Million* | Try 6 Months $19.99/Mo. |
The JDate dating service recognizes the important role religion plays in people’s dating decisions, and it provides an avenue to find a Jewish date that leads to a healthy Jewish marriage.
Over the last 20 years, JDate has provided a relationship solution for Jewish singles as young as 18 and as old as 80. There are no age restrictions to love, and JDate welcomes people who are in their senior years and want to find companionship.
JDate fosters a values-driven dating space, so it is a good option for senior men and women in the Jewish community.
What’s the Best Online Site for Meeting Catholic Singles?
If you’re Catholic, you may prefer to date a person who understands your faith and traditions, and you may have difficulty finding that person on a mainstream dating website for people of all faiths. Fortunately, a Christian dating site can help Catholic singles find their way to a devoted and compatible partner.
Christian Mingle is our favorite dating site for Catholic seniors because it has the largest concentration of Christian singles on the web. This faith-driven dating pool is perfect for mingling with people who believe in God and go to church regularly.
★★★★★
Relationships: Dates and Serious Relationships
Match System: Search by gender, age, education, more
Our Experts Say: “ChristianMingle is a massive and beloved dating site for all kinds of Christian daters, and a good number of members are 50+...” 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 |
Christian Mingle has millions of Christian profiles available to browse for free, and even it offers some free communication tools to help get the ball rolling. Pretty much all the singles on this dating site are interested in having a Christian dating experience and entering into a Christian marriage, and that’s good news for Catholics seeking a steady partner for life.
Singles should note that Christian Mingle is open to singles of all religious backgrounds and belief systems, including Jewish singles and atheist singles — but the vast majority of Christian Mingle users identify as some type of Christian.
What’s the Best Dating Site for Widows & Widowers?
After the loss of a loved one, some widows and widowers feel nervous about the prospect of starting again with someone new. They need a patient partner who will be there with words of comfort and understanding for the challenges of opening one’s heart again. That’s why dating sites for widows can be such a blessing because everyone can relate to the struggles of grief and starting over.
WidowsorWidowers is a trusted dating resource for grieving singles because it was launched by a widow and her son. The dating site has thousands of members, and its heartfelt blog acts as a dating coach and offers guidance every step of the way to a new match and a new chapter in life.
Certain senior dating networks like Stitch and OurTime can also be helpful for creating a new social circle and finding people who understand where you’re coming from — and where you’d like to go.
Do Dating Sites for Older People Really Work?
I’ve listed a lot of popular dating websites for seniors in this article, but you may be wondering if they can really lead to good conversations and first dates with authentic people. The good news is that there is definite evidence that senior dating works for online daters who are willing to invest in the process and pursue a good match.
SeniorMatch is a top-rated site with over 36,000 success stories to its name — and counting. The senior site and app boast facilitating over 1.6 million conversations every month, so you can put your trust in this active dating platform.
SeniorMatch is a great example of a dating site that works for seniors, but it’s hardly the only one. Many dating websites have led to serious relationships and marriages, not to mention casual hookups. You can scan the web to find many online dating resources that offer new opportunities with every swipe and senior match.
OurTime has shared hundreds of its success stories and testimonials on the site as proof that it has touched hearts in many countries around the world.
Which Senior Dating Sites Are 100% Free?
There’s a trade-off in the online dating scene between free services and respectable services, and that can be a tough line to walk if you’re on a budget. Free dating sites can offer easy access to potential dates, but you may have to sift through some fake profiles or inactive accounts along the way. Conversely, some legit dating sites put up a paywall so that you have to get a paid subscription if you want to chat with anyone on the site.
If you want a completely free dating site for seniors, then we’ve found Senior Friends Date to be a good option with a Fraud Detection System in place to remove unsavory characters while still supporting 100% free chatting for everyone.
SeniorFriendsDate.com is part of the Friends Date Network, and it pays the bills through ad revenue, not user subscriptions, so there’s no pressure to become a premium member or pay for any of its dating services, including communication features.
Stitch is another wonderful site where single seniors can find a warm welcome and a supportive friend or love interest online. Its free membership offers a lot of leeway for social discovery and meaningful connection.
Whichever dating site or app you go with, be sure to start with the free services and explore local profiles before you decide to commit to a monthly payment plan or any type of subscription. Experiences will vary based on where you live, so don’t assume that because your friend in New York City found love that you’ll fare as well.
Which Senior Dating Service is for Finding Relationships?
A lot of senior dating sites offer companionship, friendship, and great date opportunities, but not all of them promise to lead to love and marriage. Dating sites for serious relationships have to dig a little deeper and provide a quality dating pool of genuine people.
Our dating experts recommend creating a free profile and subscribing to eharmony if you want to meet relationship-minded folks online. The eharmony site and app rely on a psychology-driven personality test to determine which couples have true relationship potential.
This senior dating service can provide many good insights into the human heart, and its compatibility ratings have led to over 2 million relationships in the U.S. alone.
★★★★★
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 |
When it comes to sparking serious relationships, eharmony has been leading the way for well over two decades, and it continues to wow users with its psychology-based matching system.
While not everyone on the site and app is over 50, eharmony has a much larger senior following than the typical dating platform, and it has age filters to make sure users only see date prospects within their desired age range.
How Do I Turn a Potential Match Into a Real First Date?
Many senior singles stumble when it comes to taking the promising profiles in their match list and turn them into exciting dates on their calendars. Sometimes asking a person out too soon can lead to a premature end to the conversation, and other times they can wait too long, so that their online crush moves on to someone else or loses interest entirely. What is the proper senior dating etiquette?
Typically, online daters should aim to ask their matches out on a date (in real life or via video) within the first week or two of chatting. This is something you’ll have to learn by doing. The good news is that seniors tend to have more patience with online communications, so as long as you’re polite and persistent, you should get a positive response to your messages, even if it takes you a little while to work up the courage to go on a date in real life.
Most of the time, seniors are worried about their personal safety on first dates with a stranger, so you should always recommend date activities that are in public places and involve a fun activity for the other person to look forward to. If your date is a dog person, maybe suggest meeting up at the local dog park on a Sunday afternoon.
If you’re feeling adventurous and the weather is nice, you can suggest a nature hike, a picnic on the beach, or some other outdoor date activity. Even an invitation to try a new coffee shop or bar could be appealing under the right circumstances. Whatever it is, go into your romantic conversations with a plan and then see what the other person says.
What’s the All-Time Best Senior Matchmaker?
Easy one. The best senior matchmaker is an online dating site known as OurTime. This online site has made a name for itself in the U.S., the U.K., and beyond by letting senior singles know they don’t have to enter their golden years alone. There is no better time than the present to get back in the dating scene and meet someone special, and OurTime is full of romantic possibilities for seniors.
OurTime has a lot of great free features to help seniors get acclimated to dating again. It starts with a simple signup process that takes less than five minutes to finish, and free members can even send a limited number of greetings and responses to paid members on the site and app.
★★★★★
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 |
If you’re looking for the perfect senior partner to ride off in the sunset with you, take a look online. A popular dating site will give you the best odds of creating an online connection that could lead to a real-life romance.
OurTime is a time-tested matchmaker for seniors who want to meet date prospects and build a relationship one message at a time. This online dating website’s guidance could make a lasting difference in your love life, and all it takes is a free membership to check it out.
Join a Grandmother-Approved Dating Website For Seniors
Whether you’re a widower, divorced, or never married, you can benefit from a fresh start in the dating scene by becoming a free member of a well-reputed dating site.
Online dating is a growing trend among single adults. According to the Pew Research Center, the percentage of people between ages 55 and 64 who used a dating site or app has increased from 6% to 12% in just three years.
Today, thousands of older singles, like my grandmother, have found consolation, communication, and connection on senior dating platforms. It’s become the new normal, and senior loneliness is shrinking as a result. The senior dating sites on our list are all totally free to join, so it won’t cost you anything to log in and see if the online community is right for you. Good luck!
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