A friend of mine recently tested her hand at online dating later a couple of years away from the scene. She became a member of one of the largest dating sites out there and, like many others, found herself swamped by messages and unscreened matches. It quickly became work, not fun, and she gave up before she even met anyone. She’s not alone: Roughly 1/3 of Americans say they know a couple who met online. The good news is that there are loads of other sites and apps out there click this site to try. The key is discovering one that aligns with your dating goals and meets your needs.
The following 8 dating sites are some of the most popular in the U.S. and are targeted at different audiences. Some, such as eharmony and Match, are intended for those looking for serious relationships; others, such as Tinder and Bumble https://www.businessinsider.com/psychological-reasons-people-fall-in-love-2017-2, are more focused on casual hookups. Some sites have a cost-free membership that lets you create a profile and view matches, while others require a paid subscription for messaging and other features.
OkCupid
The platform says it makes over 90 million matches a year and boasts that it’s “the best scientifically proven dating site on the planet.” It has a questionnaire that helps find compatible mates, but isn’t as long as the one on eharmony. It also prompts users to answer questions about things they’re devoted about, ranging from climate change to cilantro (it’s not for the faint of heart).
Coffee Meets Bagel
After a successful launch in New York City and a stint on Shark Tank, this app has quickly extended beyond its home base in the Big Apple. The app claims to eliminate endless swiping by only showing you one match a day, and requires women to make the first move in heterosexual matches. It also offers a subscription-based version that provides more potential matches and eliminates ads.
HER
This dating app targets lesbian, bisexual, and queer people. It’s free to join and browse profiles, but a subscription is required to contact matches and send gifts. The app uses location data to show you potential matches in your area. It also has a mobile-friendly chat room and a feature that allows you to see who has viewed your profile.
Ourtime
Owned by Match, this site caters geared toward adults over 50 who are interested in serious relationships and companionship. Its members must have a minimum of 25 years’ experience to join, and it offers a dedicated customer service team to help with any issues. The site has an extensive library of articles about dating and relationships, and members can upload as much as ten photos.
While Ourtime doesn’t have as many active users as some of the other options on this list, it is a firm choice for those who are over 50 and are serious about finding a romantic partner. Its user base is fairly diverse and the site includes a significant number of active senior singles.