The best senior dating sites for finding love at any age
Overview
Best dating site for serious relationships
eharmony
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Best dating app for women
Bumble
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Best eharmony alternative
Match
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Table of Contents
Dating can be a challenge no matter your age, but the truth is that the older we get, the more in tune we become with our wants and needs.
While the over-50 dating pool might seem smaller, it’s actually getting bigger all the time. Thanks to online dating, you now have new opportunities to connect with people who share your interests and values. If youâre still hesitant, consider this: A 2023 survey conducted by Pew Research Center found that 26 percent of singles ages 50 and up now use dating sites and apps to find love, casual fun, and friendship.
What is the most successful dating site for seniors?While niche sites like SeniorMatch, Singles50, and Just Senior Singles might come to mind, we’ve found that these platforms can be expensive and sometimes even predatory, offering a poor user experience and limited matches. They’ve also been known to attract scammers.
Instead, we recommend looking to larger, more established platforms like eharmony, SilverSingles, and Match. These popular apps aren’t just for the younger crowd â they’re filled with singles of all ages, including a significant number of mature users. In fact, that Pew Research Center survey found that adults ages 30 to 49 and 50 to 64 are twice as likely to use Match compared to other age groups.
Whether you’re looking for something casual or a committed relationship, we’ve got you covered. We’ve tested the best dating sites for seniors, considering both age-specific options and mainstream apps with a large pool of singles over 50 and 60.
Below, youâll find our top picks for the best dating sites and apps for seniors based on our own experiences, hands-on reviews, and comparative research on the experiences of other online daters. Weâve also answered some FAQs to help you get the most out of your online dating experience, from setting up your profile to avoiding romance scams.
Note that prices for dating apps and sites are constantly changing. We update this guide regularly, but there might be minor price differences.
Our Pick
Who it’s for: SilverSingles is our top pick for the best online dating site for single seniors looking to make a meaningful connection with someone in their age bracket or older. This dating platform is exclusively tailored for singles aged 50 and above, meaning you’re only matched with other mature adults who share your commitment to finding a serious relationship.
Why we picked this: SilverSingles takes the stress out of online dating by bypassing the “swipe left, swipe right” charade. Instead, the algorithm works to handpick three to five potential matches for you every day so you can skip the scrolling and get straight to the good stuff.
But what truly sets SilverSingles apart is the depth of information you get about each match. Before you even say hello, you’ll have a good sense of your match’s personality, interests, and what they’re looking for in a partner.
SilverSingles uses the same proven five-factor personality model as their sister site, EliteSingles (our top pick for the best dating app for working professionals), to ensure you’re getting to know the real person behind the profile. Plus, you can customize your preferences, ensuring you only see matches that meet your standards.
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eharmony
Best dating site for serious relationships
Read our full review of eharmony.
Who it’s for: If you’re done playing games and ready to find someone to share life’s adventures with, then eharmony might be the platform you’ve been waiting for. As a popular dating site with millions of success stories spanning over two decades and multiple age ranges, eharmony gives hope to those holding out for a lasting connection.
Why we picked this: We chose eharmony as the best dating site for serious relationships because its success stories speak volumes. As Kiana Reeves, somatic sex educator and chief education educator at Foria, puts it, “eharmony’s personalized matchmaking system makes it a top pick for seniors looking for a committed partner.”
Its comprehensive questionnaire and mature user demographic set it apart as a premium option for older singles seeking lasting love. While eharmony does come with a slightly higher price tag, its proven track record and sophisticated matchmaking algorithm make it a worthwhile investment for those who are serious about finding a lifelong partner.
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Bumble
Best dating app for women
Read our full review of Bumble Premium.
Who it’s for: Bumble offers a less polarizing option (we’re looking at you, Tinder) for women who are tired of waiting for potential matches to make the first move. It’s also ideal for anyone who’s so over receiving inappropriate messages.
Why we picked this: Bumble is one of the best dating apps for women over 50 who are tired of receiving unwanted messages. With Bumble, women and nonbinary people make the first move, filtering out no-gos from the get-go.
Compatibility features like interests, favorite musical artists (which you can even link to your Spotify), and expanded dating intentions are front and center on each Bumble profile, making it easy to find common ground and ensure you’re on the same page from the start. Plus, the overall vibe is more laid-back than on some other dating platforms like eharmony and SilverSingles.
Bumble’s new “Opening Moves” feature gives women even more control over how they initiate conversations. Now, they have the option to either send a personalized message or choose a question for their match to answer. So, it’s less awkward than sending a meager “hello” while hoping for the best.
Bumble also has one unique feature most dating apps don’t: a 24-hour chat limit that kicks in once you’ve matched. This means that someone has to initiate the conversation, and their potential match must respond within this time frame, or the connection expires. It’s a quick turnaround, but it helps eliminate the endless match queues that can make other dating sites feel overwhelming.
As a bonus for safety and authenticity, Bumble has also introduced an AI photo verification tool that helps to identify and filter out fake profiles.
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Match
Best eharmony alternative
Read our full review of Match.
Who it’s for:If you’re navigating the senior dating scene and on the lookout for a dating platform that offers an alternative to eharmony’s commitment-heavy approach, then match might be more your speed.
According to a recent survey on the Match website, 37% of match members belong to the 50-and-over age group, and a substantial eight in 10 members have pursued higher education or hold a degree. This dating site is clearly for those who know what they want and aren’t afraid to go out and find it.
Why we picked this: Match has thoughtfully transformed its online dating experience to be smoother for everyone, especially seniors. The revamped questionnaire takes a more conversational approach, focusing on how you’d handle real-life scenarios â both with a partner and those around you. This shift helps highlight your values and even lets you set deal-breakers, ensuring better compatibility from the start.
Over the years, Match has maintained a well-balanced user base with a diverse pool of potential partners, no matter where you live. Notably, the 50+ age group is one of the site’s fastest-growing demographics, making it a prime destination for seniors looking to find that special someone.
Match is also known for being vigilant about taking down fake profiles (around 44 spam accounts per minute, in fact), providing a safer and more authentic dating environment.
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Who it’s for:If you’re a mature professional who values your career but still wants to find a meaningful connection, EliteSingles is worth checking out. This platform is designed for singles 50 and older who are looking for a partner who understands the challenges and rewards of a fulfilling career.
Why we picked this:Differences in work ethic and professional schedules can strain even the most passionate relationships. For those who prioritize finding a partner with similar educational values and career goals, EliteSingles offers more specificity related to where a person is career-wise and family-wise than eharmony and Match.
Beyond that professional focus, EliteSingles uses a super in-depth personality test based on the “Big Five” personality traits to match you with people who are compatible on a deeper level, like your attachment style and personal values. But it’s not all serious stuff. The questionnaire also asks some fun get-to-know-you questions about your preferences, like if you sleep with the window open or what kind of food you like.
Some users have mentioned that not all profiles are filled out completely, and there might be a few spammy ones here and there. And, if you’re using the free version, you can’t see photos or send messages until you upgrade, so it could get a little pricey.
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Who it’s for: If you’re curious about online dating but not quite ready to download the apps, Facebook Dating is a low-pressure way to dip your toes in the water. Since it uses your existing Facebook information to create a dating profile, getting started is quick and painless, and you can even connect with potential matches based on shared interests or groups.
Why we picked this: Facebook Dating offers a wide pool of potential matches that skews a bit older than other apps. Itâs free, easy to set up, and allows you to leverage your existing connections and interests to find potential matches without leaving the comfort of an app you already know.
While it might not have all the bells and whistles of dedicated dating apps, it’s a simple and accessible option for older adults who are curious about online dating but don’t want to deal with the hassle of setting up a whole new profile.
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Zoosk may have a large user base, but it didn’t make our list of the best dating apps for over 50 singles and senior daters. Here’s why:
Fake profiles: Zoosk has a reputation for having a lot of fake profiles. This can be frustrating for senior daters who are looking for genuine connections.
Pricey: Zoosk is pricey for what it offers. This can be a barrier for daters who are on a budget.
Not specifically designed for daters over 50 and 60: Zoosk isn’t designed for older adults. This means that you may run into younger users who aren’t a good fit.
Why we didn’t like it: Zoosk is a last-resort pick for us. While the SmartPick and Super Send features may help some users find a potential match, there are more than a few things we wish we could change.
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Finding love and companionship in your 60s (or even your 70s) can be challenging, but it’s hardly impossible. With the right senior dating site, you can connect with other sophisticated singles.
We tested out a bunch of dating sites with robust user bases of people over 50, keeping the following criteria in mind:
Ease of use: We made sure that the sites were easy to navigate, even for less tech-savvy folks. For senior dating sites with apps to use on your smartphone, we also confirmed that the app was intuitive to use and didn’t have a major learning curve.
Active user base: We looked for sites with a large and active user base of seniors to give you the best chance of coming across and interacting with the most matches possible.
Matching system: We evaluated the matching systems of each site to see how they took answers to compatibility questions into consideration (when applicable), as well as whether the site followed selected filters and only put potential matches into the pool that fell under our preferred age range, distance, and more.
Communication tools: Knowing that the person on the other end of the screen is who they say they are is crucial when dating online, so we kept tabs on how these dating sites allow you to interact with other users, whether that’s through instant messaging, email, video calls, and voice chat â and when applicable, how much the site charges to unlock these features.
Safety and security: We ensured each site had measures to protect users’ privacy and safety.
Bang for your buck: We compared what you pay with what you get, ensuring it’s a fair deal.
All of the apps and sites in this guide have been thoroughly tested by Mashable’s team and experienced freelance contributors (who know a thing or two about finding relationships online).
Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our research and testing, OurTime isnât worth your time. Even though setting up an account is easy, the overall user experience is pretty abysmal. Eharmony is a much better option â it has a large user base, proven compatibility matching, and an intuitive interface.
Absolutely, though you may not find as many active users as the under-35 demo. According to the Pew Research Center, Tinder users tend to be younger. Only 19 percent of daters aged 50 to 59 and 6 percent of those aged 60 to 69 reported using the app.
Unfortunately, not everyone online is looking for a real connection. You can also find heartless scammers who are only interested in luring in seniors and stealing their hard-earned money. These scammers use false information to create a fake profile and pose as someone they’re not (such as a member of the military or a worker on an oil rig). They may also pretend to be interested until you’ve formed an emotional bond â and then the requests for money start coming.
The Department of Homeland Security has a guide for spotting romance scams online. Here are some additional tips for avoiding online dating scams:
Beware of excuses to avoid in-person meetings; scammers often make and break dates.
Never send money to someone you meet online for any reason, including “loans.” Be especially wary of anyone who claims to have a sick child in need of expensive treatment.
Protect your personal information like social security, bank, and credit card details.
Meet in public for your first date.
Trust your instincts; if it doesn’t feel right, walk away or block the person.
If you think you’ve been scammed, report the scammer to the dating site or app you’re using and file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). You can also place a fraud alert on your credit report in case your personal info is compromised.
Leah Stodart is a Philadelphia-based Senior Shopping Reporter at Mashable where she covers essential home tech like vacuums and TVs as well as sustainable swaps and travel. Her ever-growing experience in these categories comes in clutch when making recommendations on how to spend your money during shopping holidays like Black Friday, which Leah has been covering for Mashable since 2017.
Leah graduated from Penn State University in 2016 with dual degrees in Sociology and Media Studies. When she’s not writing about shopping (or shopping online for herself), she’s almost definitely watching a horror movie, “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” or “The Office.” You can follow her on X at @notleah or email her at [email protected].
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 â 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.
