The 10 best dating apps for singles over 40
Overview
Best paid dating app
Match
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Best dating app for 30s and 40s
Hinge
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Best dating app for women
Bumble
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Deciding to get back into the dating game can be nerve-wracking, regardless of age. But the stakes may feel a little higher if you’re in your 40s (or older).
You may assume that people in your age bracket either aren’t interested in dating or are already settled into long-term relationships. However, according to a recent Pew Research Center analysis of Census Bureau data, as of 2021, nearly 25 percent of 40-somethings in the U.S. have never been married. Additionally, only 22 percent of unmarried adults ages 40 to 44 were cohabiting couples.
So, have people in their 40s given up on finding love? Not at all. But unlike people in their 20s and 30s, they know what they want and aren’t afraid to wait a little longer to find the right person. In fact, according to the analysis, approximately one in four 40-year-olds who weren’t married in 2001 had tied the knot by age 60. So, if this trend continues, there’s still hope for finding a long-term partner, even if you’re starting later in life.
How to start dating again at 40Now, after that speech and spew of statistics, you’re probably wondering what our grand plan is to get you back on your feet and out on the dance floor. The answer? Online dating. Before you scoff, hear us out.
Online dating is a great way to meet new people in a low-pressure environment. It gives you a quick and easy way to connect with potential partners, filter through profiles, and find matches who share your interests and values. Imagine if you could do that when scanning the room at a bar or attending social events — it would save you a lot of time and effort.
But before you start swiping left and right, check in with yourself. Be honest about what you’re looking for in a partner and what you bring to the table, including any emotional baggage you might carry (which we all have to some extent).
Once you’ve touched base with your emotions, you should do the same with your dating profile. Are you interested in a serious relationship, a casual encounter, or a friendship that could evolve into something more? Whatever it is, be upfront. You don’t want to fall for someone only to realize they aren’t looking for the same thing.
My mom’s 60-something friend was set up with a 67-year-old guy who is “not looking for anything serious” in case you think that ever ends
— Sara K. Runnels (@omgskr) January 8, 2023
What are the best dating apps for over 40 singles?The best dating app depends on what you’re looking for. But because we’re data nerds, we’ve done a little research (and hands-on testing) to give you some options.
Match and eharmony have a large over-40 user base and comprehensive profiles and algorithms that match you with compatible partners based on your preferences and personality traits. Additionally, Elite Singles is a popular dating site for mature professionals looking for a serious relationship.
Tinder, Hinge, and Bumble are more popular among younger users, but it’s not impossible to find success on these apps if you’re over 40. OkCupid has a slightly higher number of older singles than Bumble and Hinge, and it caters to the liberal and LGBTQ+ communities, offering a space to be your most authentic self sans judgment.
Keep reading for a more in-depth look at each of these dating apps and what they have to offer for daters over 40. We considered affordability, accessibility (including user-friendly interfaces and availability on Google Play and the App Store), and overall success rate in helping users find meaningful connections.
Pro tip: Based on our in-depth reviews, we recommend steering clear of Zoosk and Our Time for singles over 40. (Full details on our testing methodology are in the “How We Tested” section.)
Our Pick
Read our full review of eharmony.
Who it’s for:If you’re 40 or older and ready to commit, like really commit, eharmony is where you want to be. It’s known for pairing people for life and has a strong reputation for its thorough matching process.
Most eharmony users are between 30 and 44 years old and are looking for a serious relationship or marriage — which is exactly why we ranked it as the No. 1 dating app for marriage-minded individuals over 40 (it’s also our top pick for finding serious relationships, period).
Why we picked this:Founded in 2000, eharmony has quite a reputation, especially for its in-depth compatibility matching system. (It was actually the very first dating app to introduce the concept of compatibility testing.)
Instead of relying on algorithms that think a shared love of cat memes is the key to compatibility, eharmony takes a more scientific approach. You’ll fill out a comprehensive compatibility quiz about your values, interests, and personality quirks — think of it like a Myers-Briggs test for your love life. It might take you 20 minutes to get through the quiz, but trust us; it’s worth it to filter out the potential dating disasters and find someone who actually gets you.
Although eharmony is historically known for catering to heterosexual couples, the company has been making headlines for its efforts to become more inclusive and welcoming to the LGBTQ+ community. However, not everyone is happy about this change.
Some religious groups have come after eharmony for their decision to allow same-sex matching, and have criticized the platform for straying from their traditional values. There’s a petition circulating online demanding that eharmony remove its LGBTQ+ advertisements.
Christian Mingle may be a better fit if you’re looking for a more religious or Christian dating site. Other religious dating sites include JDate for Jewish singles and Muslima for Muslim singles.
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Match
Best paid dating app
Read our full review of Match.
Who it’s for:Match is a reliable dating site (with receipts) for singles of all ages, with a large user base that includes a significant number of people in their 40s and 50s. According to Match’s website, 48.6 percent of Match members are between 30 and 49, and 26.5 percent are 50 and up.
Whether you’re divorced, widowed, or have yet to tie the knot, Match is a good option for anyone interested in dipping their toes in the dating pool.
Why we picked this:Match isn’t just about throwing up a selfie and hoping for the best. It’s about creating a profile that showcases your unique personality, interests, and passions. You can share up to 26 photos (including your profile photo), craft a bio that gives potential matches insight into who you are, and answer a variety of questions to help the algorithm understand what you’re looking for in a partner.
Match also takes the guesswork out of compatibility by asking you to specify the qualities you look for in a partner and rank their importance to you. This ensures that your inbox isn’t flooded with mismatched profiles but rather filled with potential matches who genuinely resonate with you.
Something else we love about Match is its top-notch security features. Fake profiles get flagged and removed quickly, and the site has a team dedicated to reviewing and approving new profiles to ensure people are who they say they are. Once a phone number is flagged, it’s banned from the site, protecting users from potential scams or harassment.
Even with Match’s success rate and popularity, it’s not immune to controversy. In February, Match Group was sued for violating state and federal consumer protection, false advertising, and defective design laws. Here’s a snippet from the class action suit: “Match intentionally designs the platforms with addictive, game-like features using powerful technologies and hidden algorithms that lock users into a perpetually pay-to-play loop prioritizing corporate profits over its marketing promises and customers’ relationship goals.”
We’re continuing to monitor that suit, but we still think Match is one of the top destinations for singles over 40, especially if you’re hoping to find something serious — just beware of the addictive UX features.
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Hinge
Best dating app for 30s and 40s
Who it’s for:Hinge is a popular dating app known for its focus on meaningful connections. While the app is popular with Gen Z and young professionals, it’s equally suitable for older singles looking for a compatible partner and prefer to steer clear of the casual hookup culture of other apps.
Hinge’s detailed profiles and conversation-starting prompts make it easy to get to know potential matches on a deeper level before meeting in person. And with its free membership option, you can start exploring without commitment.
Why we picked this:Hinge’s “designed to be deleted” philosophy means that the app is focused on helping users find love and eventually get rid of the app for good. (But you can use it for casual dating, too.)
Unlike Tinder (which is seeing declines in paying users, according to TechCrunch) and other swipe-based dating apps, Hinge incorporates fun prompts and personal information to help users get to know each other better. Hinge also continuously learns your preferences and follows up on your dating experiences to provide better recommendations in the future.
With a premium membership, you can send out as many likes as you want and get full visibility into who’s liked your profile. You can also purchase “roses” to send to other users to stand out and show interest (Bachelor vibes).
We don’t love that Hinge isn’t desktop-friendly; it’s just a mobile app. But you don’t need to pay to use the app if you’re looking to browse and connect with potential matches. Once you match, you can chat and get to know each other through the app’s messaging feature (for free).
If you feel like a “young 40,” give Hinge a shot.
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Bumble
Best dating app for women
Read our full review of Bumble vs. Tinder.
Who it’s for:With its women-first philosophy, Bumble empowers women and non-binary individuals to take the lead and initiate conversations. This women-first philosophy creates a less skeevy space that’s easier to navigate than Tinder.
If you’re a woman or non-binary individual over 40 who’s tired of receiving unsolicited messages, Bumble is the app for you. It reduces unwanted advances, allows outgoing people to take control of their dating experience, and is a pretty good way for shy men to meet women, too.
Why we picked this:Bumble’s laid-back environment is a major draw. Profiles feature witty and personalized bios that you write yourself (here are some tips to help your profile stand out), eliminating the need for lengthy compatibility quizzes to get started.
The app operates on a swiping system that’s similar to Tinder. If both individuals swipe right, it’s a match, and in straight pairings, it’s up to the woman or non-binary individual to initiate the conversation.
This unique feature is what Bumble has been known for since its inception in 2014. However, in April 2024, the company revamped its “First Move” feature with something it’s calling “Opening Moves,” a function that gives women and non-binary users the option to set a question for their matches to respond to. (They can also write their own.)
The app also added to its “Dating Intentions” badges to include “fun, casual dates,” “intimacy without commitment,” “life partner,” ethical non-monogamy,” and “marriage,” so you know who’s interested in settling down and who’s ready to get down.
With matches expiring in 24 hours, Bumble encourages active engagement and prompts users to make a meaningful connection before the opportunity disappears. The one downside is that you might find a lot of the same people on Tinder on Bumble.
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The Stir
Best dating app for single parents
Who it’s for: The Stir is a dating app designed for single parents who are looking to get back out there and find their special someone without worrying whether or not their kids’ soccer practice conflicts with their date night.
Why we picked this: Single parents deserve to have fun, too. That’s why the company is asking them to “break every single rule” and rethink how they view themselves and their dating lives. This new campaign came with a design refresh as well, which includes a more user-friendly interface, a new logo, and a new color scheme.
“At Stir, we want to break the rules of what people think dating as a single parent should be,” Jennifer Spector, VP of Brand at Stir, said in a press release. “Most importantly, we’re asking that people give themselves a well-deserved break on Stir because having kids isn’t a dealbreaker; it’s a conversation starter.”
This app is specifically for single parents who’ve been out of the dating scene for a while and are ready to start again in a nonjudgemental and supportive environment with other parents who just get it.
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OkCupid
Best dating app for LGBTQ folks
Read our full review of OkCupid.
Who it’s for:OkCupid is a dating platform that embraces diversity and inclusivity, making it a solid pick for singles within the LGBTQ+ community. It’s like the modern-day version of Facebook Dating but with a more liberal-leaning user base and a focus on thought-provoking conversations.
OkCupid’s algorithm helps you find your match by looking into core topics (such as your views on feminism and other important social issues) and aligns you with singles who share these key values.
Why we picked this:Owned by Match Group, OkCupid is a popular dating website that’s credited with making 91 million connections annually. It’s also highly inclusive, offering profile options for 22 different gender identities and 12 different sexual orientations.
While swiping is still part of the OkCupid experience, it’s not the main event. OkCupid prioritizes true matchmaking with in-app matching questions that ask about the important stuff, like how you balance your needs with your partner’s and your stance on important social and political issues.
According to Michael Kaye, Director of Brand Marketing and Communications at OkCupid, the company also started using generative AI in early 2023 to improve its matching algorithm. OkCupid used ChatGPT to write its matching questions, and so far, these questions have been answered almost 4 million times.
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Who it’s for:SilverSingles is a mature dating site for singles 50 and above. Thanks to its minimum age requirement, SilverSingles is the perfect place to connect with older singles looking for love and companionship.
If you’re in your 50s, 60s, or beyond and ready to find love, SilverSingles could be the dating site for you.
Why we picked this:Mashable recently recognized SilverSingles as the best dating site for seniors, and for good reason. SilverSingles (a sister site of EliteSingles) is one of the best dating sites for people over 50 because of its focus on compatibility and its success rate. But don’t just take our word for it: One of our reviewers surprised their mom with a SilverSingles subscription, and now she’s happily partnered with someone she met on the platform.
Unlike superficial swiping, SilverSingles takes the time to understand you through a comprehensive personality test. It may take a bit longer, but it’s worth it for truly compatible matches who are also looking for a meaningful relationship. You’ll then receive three to seven matches each day.
A note on inclusivity: While you can specify your preference for a same-sex match, the app currently doesn’t offer the option to receive matches from both genders.
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Read our full review of EliteSingles.
Who it’s for:EliteSingles (a sister site to SilverSingles) caters to those who value their professional pursuits and are looking to make a meaningful connection with potential partners who are similarly driven and successful.
With a focus on maturity and sophistication, EliteSingles attracts a more discerning and established audience. Over 90 percent of users are 30 or older, and most hold advanced degrees. EliteSingles is a community of intellectually curious individuals who value personal, financial, and career development.
Why we picked this:Elite Singles caters to singles interested in serious relationships with educated and successful partners (however you define success). Their in-depth personality test and tailored matching system are designed to connect you with people who share your interests and drive. You’ll receive a limited number of daily matches, allowing for more focused attention, and you can even filter by profession to find your ideal type.
If the cost of Elite Singles is a concern, Coffee Meets Bagel offers a similar focus on quality matches without the high price tag. And, if you’re looking for a dating app that offers a more exclusive, executive-level dating experience, The League might be a better fit.
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Who it’s for:If you’ve tried other dating apps and haven’t reeled in a catch, you may want to consider Plenty of Fish (POF). The site has over 150 million members worldwide, so it’s likely you’ll find a compatible match.
That said, POF also plays host to its fair share of shady accounts, including bots and catfish. So it’s essential to cast your net wide and watch for impostors. If you encounter any fishy business, be sure to report it.
Why we picked this:POF offers a vast sea of potential matches over 40, ensuring you’ll have plenty of options to explore. It also provides a range of communication features to keep the conversation flowing.
In March, Busch Light and POF partnered up to help singles who love fishing and beer find their perfect match. The campaign, called “Reel Love,” gives users the option to add a Fish Pic badge to their profile (a la OkCupid) to show off their angling skills and hook other singles who prefer to cast their lines in the great outdoors.
Whether you prefer video chat, private messaging, chat rooms, or even voice calling, POF has you covered. The app’s commitment to offering multiple avenues for connection makes it easier to get to know potential matches — if you can get past the fake bot accounts.
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Finding love after 40 requires the right tools, and we’re here to make sure you’ve got them. We didn’t just skim surface-level reviews – we dove in headfirst. Mashable testers signed up, built real profiles, and actively used each dating app on this list. Our mission was to figure out:
User Experience: Is the app easy and enjoyable to use, from setting up your profile to browsing potential matches?
Match Quality: Can you find meaningful connections, or is it all about looks?
Profile Authenticity: Are you talking to real people, or is it a land of catfishes?
Safety & Security: We need to know that your data and your well-being are top priority.
Inclusivity: Does everyone feel welcome and respected, no matter who they are?
Frequently Asked Questions
OurTime While OurTime seems like a good choice for 40+ daters, there are a few reasons why it might not be the best fit. OurTime doesn’t really focus on helping you find deep compatibility. You might be matched with people based on their responses to basic questions, ignoring important aspects of who you are. Additionally, too many dormant accounts and pesky bots can get in the way of finding real connections. This can make using the site feel like a waste of time.
ZooskZoosk feels like a time capsule from the early days of online dating. Their idea of “matching” involves tossing winks and hearts around like it’s still 2007. If you want actual conversation and meaningful connection? Get ready to open your wallet. Zoosk’s free version is like walking into a party and not being allowed to talk to anyone. It might have been the place to be back in the day, but now there are way better options that actually understand how modern dating works.
Read our full review of Zoosk.
Deputy Editor, Shopping and Reviews
Based in New York City, Miller Kern is the Deputy Editor, Shopping and Reviews at Mashable, where she writes and edits reviews, roundups, and deals about tech products including headphones, skincare devices, laptops, sex toys, e-readers, robot vacuums, and more. She has five years of experience writing buying guides, gift guides, and deals, and covering shopping holidays like Prime Day and Black Friday. Miller can tell you which products are actually worth your money. She also explores trends in the shopping sphere, such as dupes and viral TikTok moments.
Tabitha Britt is a freelance writer, editor, SEO & content strategist. Aside from writing for Mashable, Tabitha is also the founding editor-in-chief of DO YOU ENDO — a digital magazine by individuals with endometriosis, for individuals with endometriosis. She has a Master’s degree in Creative Publishing and Critical Journalism from The New School of Social Research and is a grad of Sextech School. You can find more of her work in various online pubs, including National Geographic, Insider, Kinkly, and others.
