More singles over 50 are going online to find love or a long-term relationship. For those looking to enter the online dating scene, here are reviews of the top dating sites and apps for those over 50.
If you’re single and looking for love, a long-term relationship or companionship, dating can seem overwhelming. When you’re younger, it is easier to meet other singles through school, work or socializing. But, according to relationship expert Pepper Schwartz, “the pool is online when you are over 50.” According to a 2018 AARP survey, “one in five internet users 55 to 64 have said that they have used a dating app or service.” But how do you know which one is right for you? We reviewed the top dating sites and apps for over 50’s to come up with a top ten list, based on number of members, ratio of male to female users, ease of use, security features and pricing. (Pricing listed based on information as of April 2020.)
OurTime – Best Overall 50 Dating Site
# of Users: 8.9 million
Ease of Use: Excellent
Features: Excellent
Senior Only: Yes
M-F: 48-52%
Pricing: $$
Overview – OurTime is the leading dating site for those over 50 for everyone from those looking for a travel buddy to the marriage-minded and everyone in-between. The site asks for wants, deal-breakers, hobbies – walking you through the process of setting up a profile. Once set-up, you can search for your own local matches, filtering by gender, location, type of relationship you want and even by religion and blood type. You can chat, send messages, and ‘flirt’ through the site. You can also have OurTime suggest compatible matches that you can like by clicking ‘yes’ and asking OurTime to ‘match me,’ notifying you if the match likes you back.
Pros
+ Lots of members, options to communicate
+ Good for those looking for more casual
+ Lower cost than other sites security features
Cons
x No compatibility tests
x Almost too many options
x Although you can block relationships members, not a lot of
Pricing
Free to join but, to be able to access all the features, you need to become a member.
1-Month Membership $23.99 per month
3-Month Membership $17.99 per month
6-Month Membership $11.99 per month
Bottom Line – Offering the most options at the lowest cost per month, OurTime is the best dating site for those over 50. However, with so many matches to review, the site may require a bit more effort on the part of the user to find what they are looking for.
Match.com– Best Site for Those That Want Lots of Options
# of Users: 39.7 million
Ease of Use: Good
Features: Excellent
Senior Only: No
M-F: 49-51%
Pricing: $$$
Overview – The largest dating site with nearly 40 million members, Match.com offers lot of options, whether you are looking for a chat buddy, friend or a long-term relationship. It is fairly easy to create your own profile, add a photo and browse singles for free or you can sign-up through Facebook. However, if you want to message members or take advantage of Match’s features, you need to join. Once you fill out the lengthy questionnaire, Match will send you five to seven daily matches or you can do your own browsing. Match also offers “Reverse Match” that gives users a list of profiles of those looking for someone like them or “Missed Connections” that allow users of the app to find local date prospects that they may have crossed paths with. Match also offers six month guarantee – if you don’t meet someone in the first six months of membership, the next six are free.
Pros
+ Huge pool of singles
+ Lots of features and filters
+ Verification tools for members
Cons
x Baby boomers only 27% of matches
x Site and features can overwhelm
x Cost
Pricing
Free to join but need to become a member to see/send messages
3-Month Membership $31.99 per month
6-Month Membership $26.65 per month
12-Month Membership $23.99 per month
If you want to try Match, look for their “free weekends” where you can read or send messages for a limited time (usually 3-5 days).
Bottom Line
If want lots of singles to pick from and/or have more control over which profiles you want to review, while having privacy/security vetting and site features, Match.com is a good middle ground between sites that hand serve you their matches and some of the free sites where it can be a bit ‘buyer beware’.
eHarmony – Best Site for Long-Term Relationships/”Guided Dating”
# of Users: 4.1 million
Ease of Use: Average
Features: Good
Senior Only: No
M-F: 48-52%
Pricing: $$$$
Overview – eHarmony claims they are responsible for 4% of all new marriages – if you are looking for a long-term relationship and compatibility is important, this site is for you. New users complete a 150-question “Dimensions of Compatibility” quiz which measures such items as “inner energy” or “desire for relational closeness”. After completing the survey and building your profile, you receive a list of compatible matches along with their “compatibility score” on an easy to use dashboard. You have fewer matches to review and eHarmony even provides icebreaker questions and conversation starters if you need help figuring out what to say to a desired match. For those unsure about the online dating thing, eHarmony screens for sex offenders, monitors user activity, allows you to block or report ‘scammers’ and only allows subscribers to view profiles.
Pros
+ Provides you with compatible matches
+ Lots of great safety features
+ Cost dissuades those looking for something
Cons
x Cost
x Extensive process to get going
x No option for LGTBQ casual
Pricing
Free to join but membership required to send messages
3-Month Membership $56.95 per month
6-Month Membership $29.95 per month
12-Month Membership $17.95 per month
As with Match, there are frequent “free weekends” to allow you to test the site.
Bottom Line
eHarmony is the next best thing to having a personal matchmaker, but at a price. But if you are looking for a long term relationship and want to find others similarly invested in that search, the higher membership fee and extensive vetting process is worth it.
Zoosk – Best Site for If You Are Easing Into Dating or Want Something Casual
# of Users: 40 million
Ease of Use: Excellent
Features: Average
Senior Only: No
M-F: DND
Pricing: $$
Overview – If you are easing back into the dating world and aren’t ready to make a huge commitment of time or dollars, Zoosk is for you. Simple to get started – just upload a photo, enter your location and answer a few basic questions – no questionnaire required. Zoosk then uses its behavioral ‘SMART PICK’ algorithm to find users it thinks you’ll like and then it serves them to you, one at a time. You can either say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ and Zoosk will then adjust the matches it sends you moving forward. Zoosk also has a feature that serves you matches that share your passions and goals.
Pros
+ No questionnaire needed
+ Site does the matching for you x Have to spend more than basic
+ Site is geared towards seniors membership fee to send messages
Cons
x Limited ability to do your own search
x No customer service, limited security
Pricing
1-Month Membership $29.95 per month
3-Month Membership $19.98 per month
6-Month Membership $12.49 per month
These fees are deceptively low because, to read and send messages or be able to use the “carousel” option that allows you to view numerous profiles quickly, you need to purchase “Zoosk coins” which is a minimum of $19.99 (for 180 coins) in addition to the monthly fee.
Bottom Line – If you want simple online dating and the convenience of receiving compatible matches without the higher cost of eHarmony, Zoosk is for you.
SilverSingles – Best Site for Commitment Minded Seniors
# of Users: 800,000
Ease of Use: Good
Features: Good
Senior Only: Yes
M-F: 41-59%
Pricing: $$$
Overview – The fastest growing online dating sites for over 50’s, SilverSingles caters to the relationship-minded. You can create a profile in a few minutes before taking a personality test which goes in-depth to discover who you are, your lifestyle and what you want in a partner. Based on the test, SilverSingles then recommends 3-7 compatible matches per day. You also have the ability to filter matches yourself by age, height and how local they are. The site feature security features allowing users to hide or block others from seeing their profile and to report any user that is acting inappropriately. “Basic membership” is free and allows you to set up your profile, take the test and view member profiles but you need to pay for “premium membership” to view photos or send messages.
Pros
+ Caters specifically to seniors
+ Good security features
+ Men – Many more females on site
Cons
x Smaller membership base
x Sign-up process is lengthy
x More expensive than other sites
Pricing
3-Month Membership $49.95 per month
6-Month Membership $37.95 per month
12-Month Membership $27.95 per month
Bottom Line – If you want a site that will find compatible, relationship-minded singles 50+ for you without having to do a lot of swiping through profiles or filtering, SilverSingles is for you. It will require a bit of time and money commitment on the front end, but the security features and ease of use make it worth the higher membership fees.
EliteSingles – Best Site for Serious Relationship with Educated Singles
# of Users: 2 million
Ease of Use: Good
Features: Excellent
Senior Only: No
M-F: 44-56%
Pricing: $$$$
Overview – Elite Singles is “the leading dating site for busy professionals” – 80% of members are looking for a serious relationship and 80% have college degrees. The sign-up process is simple but requires a 200 question personality test to get started. Based on your answers, relationship preference, education level, location, etc., EliteSingles will suggest three to seven “highly suitable matches”. You can then reach out by sending smiles, messages or icebreaker questions. Security minded singles will appreciate the “Security Fraud Protection System” that requires ID authentication and profile verification.
Pros
+ Members are commitment-minded
+ Privacy safety tools expensive and fewer members
+ More compatible matches
+ Customer care team
Cons
x Like eHarmony but more
x Time consuming to sign-up
x Not good for casual dating
Pricing
3-Month Membership $59.95 per month
6-Month Membership $44.95 per month
12-Month Membership $31.95 per month
.
Bottom Line – If you are a busy, upscale professional that doesn’t have a lot of time to spend with online dating, EliteSingles is a good compromise between paying for a matchmaking service and some of the larger dating sites.
SeniorMatch – Best Site for Finding Activity Companions/Fans of Meet Up
# of Users: 260,000 US
Ease of Use: Good
Features: Average
Senior Only: 30+
M-F: DND
Pricing: $$
Overview – Senior Match is for those looking for “mature singles” with similar interests. The majority of members are over 55 and the site has a whole section dedicated to finding travel companions plus filters that allow you to find friends to partake in an activity such as hiking or skiing. Although free to sign up, that only allows you to send winks and instant message. However, there is no time limit on free membership and you can view an unlimited number of profiles. Once you find someone you are interested in, pay for a “premium membership” that allows you to chat and send messages to other premium members. .
Pros
+ Good for finding friends/travel buddies
+ SeniorMatch team reviews all profiles
+ Less expensive than other sites
Cons
x Limited messaging without paying
x Can only send back and forth before making them visible messages with premium members
Pricing (premium)
1-Month Membership $29.95 per month
6-Month Membership $19.98 per month
12-Month Membership $15.99 per month
.
Bottom Line – Whether you are looking for someone to travel with or a long-term relationship, SeniorMatch offers different options without paying for a pricier membership.
OKCupid – Best Site for LGTBQ/Casual Dating/Fans of Tinder
# of Users: Millions
Ease of Use: Excellent
Features: Average
Senior Only: No
M-F: DND
Pricing: $
Overview – One of the world’s biggest dating sites, OKCupid is great for dating newbies or those looking for something casual. It is free to join and profiles can be quickly set up. Although you can complete a personality test (not required) or use filters to help you find matches, the advantage to the site is that the user can browse hundreds of matches easily. There is even a “swiping function”, much like Tinder. However, because anyone can easily and freely get on the site and there are no security features, OKCupid attracts a number of scammers and individuals looking for a hook-up. The sexual nature of the some of the test questions lends itself towards that as well. OKCupid allows you to identify yourself and who you are looking for from 12 identities and 20 sexual orientations making it a good fit for the LGTBQ community
Pros
+ Free x No security or spammer protection
+ Wide browsing functions
+ Good for LQTBG
Cons
x Hard to block members/stalkers
x Not for the conservative-minded
Pricing
While users have full functionality for free, you can purchase “A-List Basic Plan” for as low as $6.95 monthly for six months or an “A-List Premium Plan” for $19.90 per month for six months that gives you additional perks.
Bottom Line – If you are looking for something casual, want to dip your little toe into online dating and have the time to browse profiles, you’ll like OKCupid.
Plenty of Fish – Best Site for Seniors on a Budget
# of Users: 80 million
Ease of Use: Excellent
Features: Average
Senior Only: No
M-F: DND
Pricing: $
Overview – One of the biggest free dating sites, Plenty of Fish has a web and app interface that is easy to use and gives you the option to browse hundreds of profiles or take a “chemistry test” and get sent matches. Although it caters to all ages, there is app available for those over 50+. As with OKCupid, it is a free site with no barrier to enter so you may have to weed through a fair amount of fake profiles or folks that don’t have the same relationship goals to find compatible matches.
Pros
+ Free to browse, send/receive messages
+ Can sort profiles by specific criteria
+ Huge user pool
Cons
x No security or spammer protection
x Lots of dating competition
x Not everyone is older/looking for LTR
Pricing
While users have full functionality for free, you can purchase features for as little as $5.95 per month that allows your profile to appear higher in search results.
Bottom Line – If you want access to thousands of dating profiles without spending money, Plenty of Fish is a great way to meet other singles.
Christian Mingle – Best Site for Faith-Minded Seniors
# of Users: 3.5 million
Ease of Use: Good
Features: Excellent
Senior Only: No
M-F: 44-56%
Pricing: $
Overview – “Christian Mingle is a beloved dating site for all kinds of Christian daters.” With its user-friendly interface, you can enter occupation, whether or not you drink, church attendance, first date suggestions, etc. and the site will send you compatible matches or you can browse through the database on your own for free. Depending on your membership, you can have access to who’s viewed your profile, when your message was opened, etc. Security and privacy-minded singles appreciate that photos need to be approved before posting, inappropriate content is flagged and that you don’t have to use your real name on your profile. The site features a prayer wall, daily verses and other faith-based perks.
Pros
+ 3-5 minute sign-up process
+Customer service/security features members
+One million monthly visitors
Cons
x Limited communication for free
x Site doesn’t conduct background checks
x Most members are under 50
Pricing (premium)
1-Month Membership $49.95 per month
3-Month Membership $34.99 per month
6-Month Membership $24.99 per month
Bottom Line – Christian Mingle is perfect for singles looking for a partner that shares their Christian faith.
Tips for New Online Daters
Dating online can seem intimidating at first; here are a few tips:
- Post a current picture of yourself, preferably one that shows your face, pictures of you participating in your favorite pastime are great as well – profiles with photos get more responses.
- Learn the lingo – FWB (friends with benefits), LTR (long-term relationship) – helps you better find the match you are looking for.
- Watch for red flags – someone who immediately wants to contact you by phone rather than communicating on the site (where there are more protections), someone asking for money, someone immediately professing their love before you’ve met, someone unwilling to meet or talk on the phone – all can be red flags that the person is a scammer or at, best, someone that has something to hide.
- Meet in a public place initially – coffee shops, restaurants, etc. rather than having the date come to your home.
- Be careful about giving out personal information such as your address, last name, specific place where you work until you trust the person.
Most of all – HAVE FUN!