Laura-jane Bradbury
22.02.2024
It’s never too late for love. If you think online dating may not be for you because of your age—think again. These days, the over 50 crowd is the fastest growing segment in online dating, and it’s easy to see why. Dating sites help you hone in on exactly what you like, and let your preferences be the guide.
Dating as a senior has its fair share of challenges. It can be difficult to meet like-minded senior singles who are in the same stage in life and looking for the same things.
Dating over 50 means you’re not as willing to waste your time on the wrong people, and that’s exactly what these dating sites for seniors are meant for – making sure you meet the right someone for you.
Whether you’re looking for your soulmate, companionship or just a bit of fun, we’re here to help.
Here are the best online dating sites for people over 50.
Free version: Yes
One month’s subscription cost: From $27.95
Number of members: 800,000 active
For people over 50 who are looking for a relationship or a serious connection, SilverSingles is definitely worth a shot. When you sign up for SilverSingles, you’re taken through a lengthy questionnaire that takes a long hard look at who you are, in order to help the site determine which users could be good matches for you.
With your “personality profile” squared away, you’ll receive 7-10 highly compatible matches every day. SilverSingles uses a handy system to help you find matches, putting a little heart on users’ profiles where there appears to be a shared interest. And when it comes to security, there are safeguards in place that filter out harmful messages, and every profile is checked by the site’s security team before approval.
Sign up, build a good dating profile and start using SilverSingles for free. Commit to a paid subscription when you’re ready to communicate with other members. Try a 1-month plan for $119.95, a 3-month plan for $57.95 per month, a 6-month plan for $44.95 per month, or a 12-month plan for $31.95 per month.
Why we chose SilverSingles: The easy-to-use platform is designed to be straightforward and intuitive, ensuring that even those who might not be as tech-savvy can navigate it with ease. Also, thanks to its compatibility matching algorithm, you won’t have to spend hours sifting through profiles and can instead focus on developing relationships with individuals who share your values and interests.
Free version: Yes
One month’s subscription cost: From $25.90
Number of members: 10+ million
eharmony really goes the distance when it comes to putting compatibility first, and it shows. For 50+ daters, who already have busy lives, this focus is something that is very unique and desirable for a dating app.
eharmony uses a scientific approach that, unlike any other sites/apps, creates success stories based on key dimensions of personality that can predict the most meaningful relationships. So, if you’re looking for real love then signing up for eharmony is a step in the right direction. Over 20% of eharmony’s subscriber base is over 55, so you’ve got a nice mix of compatibility features and a vast client base.
If you’re someone who is hesitant about giving too much information through apps, you’re not alone. But eharmony has a skilled and dedicated in-house Trust and Safety team that is constantly monitoring the platform to help ensure its members safety. eharmony also has secure in-product communication tools so you can chat and video date without providing any contact information like email address or phone number until you’re ready. In addition, you can see which users viewed your photos and profile, which adds both an extra level of security along with a little added fun.
You can sign up to eharmony for free, but to enjoy all of the site’s features and communication tools, you’ll need a paid membership. Join today and find the plan that fits your lifestyle.
Why we chose eharmony: They make finding you an accurate match their top priority. Using patented algorithms and a thorough personality assessment, eharmony makes it easy to find a compatible partner. Additionally, their satisfaction guarantee ensures that you’ll be satisfied with your matches, providing added reassurance in your search for meaningful connections.
Free version: Yes
One month’s subscription cost: From $19.99
Number of members: 1 million
Within a matter of minutes, you can sign up with DateMyAge and begin to connect with a wide spectrum of mature individuals. DateMyAge doesn’t provide much help with matchmaking, and the lack of sexual orientation options means the site is only suitable for straight people.
DateMyAge is an expensive option for mature dating over 50. That said, it does provide you with a global dating pool, matching users around the world, making it a great option for seniors looking to mix it up and connect with individuals they have yet to meet in their lifetime. If you are happy to rely on search filters to create a match, DateMyAge could be a good platform to try.
Why we chose DateMyAge: We particularly love the many communication methods that DateMyAge offers, making your experience as convenient as possible. You can choose from basic chat messages, email, sending photos and videos, live stream videos, or even sending virtual presents. This makes online dating fun and convenient, and all from the comfort of your own home.
Free version: Yes
One month’s subscription cost: From $19.95
Number of members: 13 million
EliteSingles is the rare dating site that focuses on people who are maturely aged, so you’re already in good hands. A big draw of the site is that the vast majority of the user-base is educated (82% of members are university graduates), and the site verifies each and every profile to make sure its genuine.
If you’re a bit worried about how to find somebody in your age range with your interests, EliteSingles should be able to put some of your fears to rest. The site requires every user to go through an extensive personality test in order to match users with people like them.
Once you’re up and running, the site will send you 3-7 matches per day, which have been selected based on your answers to the personality test. The bottom line? EliteSingles is tailor-made for people who are old enough to want to cut through the games and find someone they click with on a real level.
You can start using the site for free, but to communicate with other members you’ll need a paid subscription. A 1-month membership costs $99.95, while a 3-month plan is $59.95 a month, and 6-month plans cost $39.95 a month.
Why we chose EliteSingles: We appreciate how EliteSingles caters to a very specific dating pool that values intellectual conversations and sophisticated matches. As a senior seeking like-minded individuals, this unique approach can save you a lot of time compared to using a more general dating app.
Free version: Yes
One month’s subscription cost: $17.96-$29.96
Number of members: 1,500,000+
With OurTime, singles over 50 aren’t just part of the community, they’re the whole community. The site is geared specifically toward people your age, and specifically ones who might not have much experience with dating sites.
OurTime keeps things simple, with an interface that’s quite simple to navigate, and customer service that is helpful and responsive. Additionally, since the site is dedicated to mature men and women, you won’t have to spend your time sifting through completely incompatible profiles of younger members who aren’t on the same page as you.
This is one of the best dating apps for women that allows you filter your search results based on your preferences, and the site has also incorporated the swipe action made famous by Tinder (why should the young folk have all the fun?). It also lets you know when others visit your profile and shows you who they are.
OurTime provides you with extensive tips on dating safety and has invested a great deal in securing customer data. Also, it puts an emphasis on real-world interactions and facilitating offline meetups. Since you didn’t grow up with the internet, this should be right down your alley.
Signup to OurTime is free, though you’ll need to pick a paid subscription to communicate with other members. Choose a 1-month plan for $29.95 or a 6-month plan for $17.96 per month.
Why we chose OurTime: OurTime’s swipe feature is a fun and low-pressure way to explore singles from your generation. It makes the platform an enjoyable and user-friendly option if you want to have some lighthearted fun while dating.
Free version: Yes
One month’s subscription cost: From $12.49
Number of members: 40 million
First things first, if this is your first time testing out online dating and you’re a bit worried about what’s on the other side of the computer, Zoosk is a good place to start. The site only lets you see other members’ profiles after you’ve set up a profile, so you know the other people are serious about being there.
One of Zoosk’s standout features is its “behavioral matchmaking” algorithm that learns what you like and what you don’t like. In time, the system gets to know you, and sends you matches that you are more likely to be interested in. This makes the process less daunting, as you know that the system has put some thought—and data—into the matches it’s sending you.
Not only that, but you can also filter your search criteria based on parameters like age group, religion, distance from where you live, hobbies, and interests. If you’re in your 50s and ready to meet the person you’ve been looking for, Zoosk can help you get there.
You can get a 6-month membership for $12.49 per month, 3 months for $19.98 per month, or 1 month for $29.95. You can sign up to Zoosk for free today.
Why we chose Zoosk: The platform uses a variety of measures to ensure user safety, such as profile verification and the ability to report suspicious behavior. Zoosk also provides safety tips and resources for its users to help navigate the online dating world safely. For seniors who may be more vulnerable to online scams or fraud, this emphasis on safety and security can provide an added layer of protection and peace of mind while using the platform.
Free version: Yes
One month’s subscription cost: From $17.49
Number of members: 1 million
Match is one of the most trusted and successful dating sites out there, with tens of millions of members across the globe. For the over 50 set, the site has more potential matches than any other, simply due to the sheer size of the Match user-base.
If you’re looking for true compatibility, Match lets you narrow down your searches to people who match your specific preferences, and you can plug this into your daily set of 5 matches sent to you by Match.
If you really want to nail down deep compatibility, you can set up a quiz of up to 20 questions which you can put on your profile for other users to answer. Match also organizes meetups in cities across the country, for when you’re ready to mingle in person.
Match’s site offers a free 7-day trial so you can try out the site before committing to a paid membership. Paid memberships costs $12.99 a month for 12 months, $21.99 a month for 6 months, or $23.99 a month for 3 months.
The best part? Match has a 6-month guarantee. If you don’t meet a suitable partner within 6 months, you’ll receive another 6-month membership for free.
Why we chose Match: Match’s longstanding reputation as a trusted and reliable dating site can provide you with the confidence you need to take the plunge. With its large pool of singles, you have a higher chance of finding a compatible match. Plus, the site’s established track record of success and commitment to safety can help ease any concerns you may have about online dating.
Free version: Yes
One month’s subscription cost: From $49.99
Number of members: 15 million
If you’re Christian and looking to settle down, Christian Mingle could be for you. Its platform has advanced filters that can let you refine your search by denomination, church attendance, marital status, and more.
You get a fair deal of matches for potential partners per day based on your preferences and profile. The limited free version lets you chat with a match only if they have a premium membership and write to you first. The platform may be a pricey option, but totally worth it if dating inside your faith is important to you.
Why we chose Christian Mingle: Christian Mingle is designed specifically for those looking to find matches based on shared religious beliefs and values. This unique approach is a great option for someone who highly prioritizes spirituality when starting a new relationship. Just using this site as opposed to the others on this list can help narrow down your search.
Free version: Yes
One month’s subscription cost: From $34.99
Number of members: 10,000,000
Coffee Meets Bagel is an interesting dating app for both straight and LGBTQ+ seniors to actively date. Swiping apps may get overwhelming and very chat-heavy. With Coffee Meets Bagel, you answer prompts and then get algorithm-selected matches every day at specific times.
Though the app has a built-in routine for matchmaking, the amount of matches provided are limited. Designed in a way to get you out of the house and meet in person with people, Coffee Meets Bagel is a unique solution for seniors who don’t want tech to take over.
Why we chose Coffee Meets Bagel: CMB’s slow dating system is the perfect way to introduce yourself to the online dating scene. The site believes in quality over quantity, which means fewer matches and a more curated matching experience. This approach allows you to take your time getting to know each match and avoid feeling overwhelmed by too many potential partners.
Free version: Yes
One month’s subscription cost: Free – $89.99
Number of members: 20 million
Finding meaningful connections in the dating scene can be a challenge for older individuals, given the prevalence of superficial encounters among the younger crowd. Hinge, a dating app, features concise and engaging prompts in its profiles, as well as photos and voice recordings as options. These prompts can serve as icebreakers for initiating conversations with someone who reciprocates your interest through likes and comments. By using Hinge, you can experience a more conventional form of courtship that prioritizes genuine connections and lasting commitments.
Why we chose Hinge: With unlimited messages, eight daily likes, and the ability to see who liked you, Hinge’s Free accounts give you plenty of opportunities to connect with potential matches. Plus, with the ability to undo previous selections, you can take your time and carefully choose who you want to engage with, ensuring a more meaningful and enjoyable dating experience.
In collaboration with experts in senior dating and relationships, guided by our seasoned editorial team, we’ve crafted a detailed methodology to evaluate the best dating sites and apps for senior singles.
Our goal is to ensure that our reviews accurately mirror authentic user experiences, incorporating feedback from users, insights from the industry, and relevant research. We’ve tailored specific criteria to offer an in-depth analysis, pinpointing the platforms that are most effective and user-friendly for seniors. Here’s a summary of our evaluation criteria:
Online dating websites are a great way to find love, but many are geared towards young people who have different interests and needs than older daters. Senior dating, however, is aimed at mature singles who are looking for friendship, companionship, or a long-term partner.
Geared towards singles 50+, online senior dating can help you find like-minded people who are at a similar stage in life. Whether you are a single parent, have recently divorced, or have spent many years by yourself, there are lots of options in the senior dating world to help you get back out there.
After signing up to a site, you will typically complete an in-depth personality quiz to help find the best potential suitors for you. Lots of senior dating platforms provide conversational tips to get you started when talking with potential matches. In addition to this, many also feature strong security measures, so you can stay safe and connect with others in a relaxing environment.
Ultimately, senior dating sites can provide the perfect space for mature singles wanting to meet individuals of a similar age.
Absolutely! Senior dating sites are growing in popularity and for good reason. As a mature adult, you may be going out less, and even though you might love spending quality time with family and friends, perhaps you are starting to feel that you would like to date again, but don’t know where to start. It can be hard to meet other singles seeking the same things.
Senior dating apps and sites use advanced tools and communication features to make it easier to meet like-minded people. You can use features such as video calling, chat messages and chat rooms to talk to matches to see how you get on before hopefully venturing out on an exciting first date together.
Dating services such as eharmony and Match boast millions of members, so you have a high chance of meeting someone. There are also many dating sites designed specifically with older singles in mind, meaning you have lots of options to narrow down your search further. For instance, if you are interested in dating sites over 50 for professionals, EliteSingles might be perfect. However, if you want to meet Christian singles, then Christian Mingles could be the right site for you.
Moving from chatting online with someone to talking in person with them can feel daunting. However, with these tips, you can make the transition much easier.
Firstly, trust your instincts and do not feel pressured to meet anyone if you feel that you are not quite ready. To help you decide, it might be worth arranging a phone call or a video chat to see how you would get on during a first date. You should also consider whether the conversation you have had online feels in-depth enough to move things further. If you have yet to discuss meaningful topics, perhaps you should wait a while.
When you are ready to ask someone out, suggest a public place such as a coffee shop or a restaurant. It is best to meet in a busy location where you can feel safe if you realize your date is not for you. Consider choosing somewhere casual as well so that there is less pressure on deciding who should pay or how much you should dress up.
Many senior dating apps such as SilverSingles have online dating safety guidelines with tips for planning your first meeting. Reading through these guides can help you feel safe, confident, and excited when moving forward.
The most important thing to expect from a dating site is a platform with genuine, real people. In the dating world, many sites—such as the ones we have listed above—provide safety and security features to help remove fake accounts. For instance, eharmony has an ID verification system that cuts down on imposters.
Besides providing tools to help you stay safe, a dating site should have lots of features to assist you in finding, matching and communicating with other users. To see what features are available, you might want to read reviews of a site in addition to browsing their webpages.
While most dating apps give you the option to email or instant message someone, some platforms offer more advanced options. This could include video chat and flirty prompts. OurTime, for example, lets you send a flirt to another profile, which is a fun, system generated email. You can also check compatibility based on your zodiac sign.
For older singles who may not be confident with online dating, some apps such as Coffee Meets Bagel include conversational cues to help break the ice. If you are looking for commitment or a serious relationship, you will often find personality tests and advanced matchmaking technology included with the dating site you join.
You might be wondering what happened to the days of the blind date, of the cousin-who-knows-someone, of serendipity, slow-dances, neighborhood socials.
Don’t worry.
Yes, things have changed. And yes, dating technology might be a bit less personal than what you remember. But there are many upsides to online dating, and for the 50-and-up club in particular, it can be a safer, more efficient, and more nuanced means of meeting Mr. or Ms. Right.
Of course, online dating can seem intimidating at first. So here are 5 hacks to create a profile, finding the right photos, and getting back out there.
Writing a dating profile can be overwhelming. How can you possibly sum yourself up in so little space? Especially such a rich, well-lived life? What should you include? What should you leave out?
It’s easy to get stuck in your own head. A good solution is to ask those closest to you for their impressions. Sometimes our friends and family members know us better than we know ourselves, and the answers they give us can not only help, but surprise us (and let’s be honest, the compliments wouldn’t hurt).
Embracing your age doesn’t have to mean resigning to it. In fact, quite the opposite. Chances are you have a long list of life experiences to draw from, and they can serve as a launching pad to express your current attitudes, life’s philosophy, and even your sense of humor.
Use your experiences to your advantage. With age comes more experience. With loss comes gratitude for life. By no means feel pressured to put a happy spin on your hardships. But to whatever extent you’re comfortable with, remind yourself of the things you’ve learned from the experiences in your life and think about how they have informed the person you are today.
When it comes to choosing photos for your profile, of course it’s important to look good: make sure you’re smiling, well-groomed, etc etc. But pay attention to what’s going on behind you, too.
The backgrounds of your photos will tell a story even your smile can’t. Think of them as telling a story without words: where you like to eat, where you like to travel, where you like to relax.
Try to diversify your photos so that they capture a wide spectrum of experiences. Whether you’re strolling the beaches of Costa Rica, heading into the symphony for the new Dvorak performance, or grilling in the backyard, try to portray yourself in a variety of settings.
It’s an unfortunate truth that with age comes stories of loss, health problems, and other hardships. At some point or another, a date will likely share difficult stories with you, so it’s important to be attentive to them so that you can move forward with thoughtfulness and sensitivity.
If your date confided in you about a past heart issue, for example, that’s information you’ll want to consider when choosing a restaurant, or brainstorming an outdoor date activity. Or take somebody who was recently divorced; maybe they’re not ready for that new Oscar-winning drama about a failed marriage everyone else is talking about.
Or perhaps a widow/widower has painful associations with certain date spots, foods, or music. Being attentive and sensitive to the stories your date shares can help you be more thoughtful to their needs and keep you both from uncomfortable situations.
Seniors are often chosen as targets by scammers due to their stage of life, where they may have built up a secure financial base, and may also be lonely and looking for someone who understands them.
Some seniors might be less experienced with online safety etiquette and therefore less suspicious of certain warning signs, however ‘smart’ they are in other aspects of their lives.
1. What Sort of Picture(s) Are on Their Profile? Take a careful look at profile pictures before getting drawn into a conversation with any member of a dating site.
2. Where Are They Really Based? A trick often used by scammers is to pretend that they are on military deployment in another country. Alternatively, they might always seem to be ‘away on business.’ If they are looking for a partner in a certain location, but never actually seem to be in that location, then that should be a major warning sign.
3. Are They Avoiding Meeting in Person? Once you have met somebody online and exchanged the first few messages, you really should be gearing up for a first meeting. Try to avoid long phone conversations that might lead you to share too much personal information, and set-up that first real-life meeting as soon as possible, in a neutral location like a coffee shop.
4. Money, Money, Money. Every online dater knows they shouldn’t be sending money to strangers they meet on the internet. But human nature is susceptible to exceptional circumstances that make you override your natural instinct. Scammers are always coming up with new and inventive ways to get you to part with your money.
5. Keep Your Personal Data Personal. Some scammers might be after information rather than straightforward cash. If your online suitor (who has gained your trust in a short amount of time, loves you deeply but can’t meet up) sends you a link to a mobile app, game, or service that they want you to ‘try out’, this is often a trick to get you to give out financial information, or download malware that will steal your personal data.
Assuming you’ve taken reasonably good care of yourself, there’s little that’s out of your reach, and that includes falling in love with someone you meet online. Your activity level typically reflects your energy and verve for life. If you’re incredibly active then you’re on a good path, and if you’re not, it’s never too late to get on that path.
There are lots of activities you probably enjoy, but you’ll enjoy them more with someone you met and fell in love with. Sharing activities with a lover is one definition of joy.
While television is filled with commercials for Viagra and Cialis that typically portray younger couples, their products do in fact work for seniors. Sex takes many forms, from cuddling to intercourse, and everything in between. Sex is the glue that holds relationships together on a physical level, and no matter how old a couple, it still brings lots of physical and emotional benefits.
And since very few seniors are interested in casual sex, it’s likely that dating online is your best chance to meet a life partner with whom you can enjoy sex. For many seniors sex is reason enough to date.
The older seniors become the fewer their chances to be introduced to someone special by friends. Seniors have to assume the responsibility for meeting a life partner, and online dating is the fastest, easiest, most direct method for accomplishing this.
There are men and women dating online that are 80 plus, and many are meeting new love interests. It doesn’t happen every day, but it happens often enough to make it a real possibility. What’s certain is that if you don’t try, you won’t find love.
If you’re spending much of your time at home alone you might want to consider building up the courage to put yourself online to date. In a recent survey, 60 percent of seniors over fifty reported they’re lonely, but this can be remedied with a little effort.
Few over-50s are still uncomfortable going online, and most have at least basic computer skills, which is all that’s needed to date online successfully.
It’s emotionally unhealthy to sit at your kitchen table eating dinner alone every night. If you join a dating site, your chances of dining out at a restaurant or at your date’s home increase exponentially. No one is too old to share a dinner with a sweetheart.
Our picks for the 10 best senior dating sites are SilverSingles, eharmony, DateMyAge, EliteSingles, OurTime, Zoosk, Match, Christian Mingle, Coffee Meets Bagel and Hinge.
Being a senior dater doesn’t mean you have to settle. You can find a potential match on dating apps, whether it’s for having casual fun or for finding a lifelong connection.
From dating sites that cater to specific niches to senior dating apps that allow you to specify your hobbies and interests, it’s never been easier to find the right platform for you.
So why not get out there and interact with singles who share a similar outlook on life? If you’ve never tried online dating before, keep in mind our tips for dating safely and avoiding dating scams. And most importantly, remember to have fun.
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