The top dating sites have large numbers of profiles so you have a good choice of potential matches. The more profiles there are the better your chances of finding someone with whom you’re truly compatible.
This also applies to dating apps, the best dating apps should offer more than just profiles – they have useful features like matchmaking algorithms that suggest matches for you actually helps streamline the process. Things like being able to see who likes you is real useful too.
Below I chose 6 dating sites that have the largest database of real users (not to say that there are no fake profiles), but the sites below have the highest rate of real users, so finding a match will have a much higher probability on any of these sites:
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Dating.com
Dating.com is one of the biggest and oldest dating sites out there. And it’s been around for so long because it actually works for a lot of folks. The user base is huge – like millions and millions of people. So chances are, you’ll find someone nearby no matter where you live.
User Demographics
The demographics on dating.com are pretty broad. Hopefully you won’t feel too old or too young compared to most folks there. It seems like most are between 25 to 45 years old. But there’s definitely some younger and older people too. As for what folks are looking for, it varies a lot. Some just want to chat, others are seriously trying to find a relationship or get married.
Compatibility Matching System
So dating.com has you fill out a pretty long questionnaire when you sign up. It asks about everything – your interests, what you’re looking for in a partner, your values, that kind of stuff. And then it uses those answers to match you with others they think are compatible. You can also search through profiles yourself if you want. Honestly the matches aren’t always perfect, but it gives you a lot of options to choose from at least.
User Interface
The site layout is pretty basic, nothing too fancy. But it gets the job done. You’ll see people’s profiles with their pics when you search or see your matches. Profiles have the usual info like age, location, a little bio. The messaging is easy to use too – you can just click to send a note. Only issue is, it feels a little dated. Some people say the mobile app could use an update. But overall it’s simple to navigate.
Dating App
Dating.com has a mobile app for both Andriod & iOS.
This is a great thing because Andriod app store shows you how many people have downloaded the app. This gives you an indication of how many users might be using the app. This is really important as some dating apps use Bots (fake) profiles. The one thing they cannot easily fake is app downloads .
According to the Andriod app store (Google Play), dating.com has over 10 million downloads and over 115,000+ reviews.
Success Stories
If you read the dating.com success stories, it seems like a lot of people find real connections there. I read about these two people who met on the site years ago, hit it off right away, and now they’re celebrating their 10th wedding anniversary. Others say it was a lot of bad dates but then they found someone special they’ve been with for a long time now. So while it takes work, people really do find relationships that last on dating.com.
eHarmony
eHarmony is actually probably the most well-known dating site, but is their compatibility method as good as they say? They’ve been around forever and their whole deal is this compatibility system where they aim to match users with people who are actually right for them based on things like religion, lifestyle, and what they want in the long run. Hopefully their system works better than just randomly swiping, right?
Compatibility Matching System
So eHarmony has people take this lengthy questionnaire to determine who they are actually compatible with long term. Their matches are all about finding your soulmate and gettin’ hitched, which isn’t what everyone’s lookin’ for. Plus the site looks kinda dated now compare to other dating sites.
Long-term Relationship Focus
Since that’s eHarmony’s whole deal, they say their matches are more likely to actually result in real, serious relationships rather than just casual dates. Their compatibility algorithm typically works out better for people lookin’ for somethin’ serious versus people who just wanna scope out options. Though long run doesn’t have to mean marriage like they push.
Success Rate
eHarmony claims they have a higher success rate than other sites. They say one out of three eHarmony members will find a long term relationship or get married through them. But who knows how good their numbers really are? Their standards for “success” are probably just findin’ someone, not being happily together forever like they make it sound.
Dating App
eHarmony.com has a mobile app for both Android & iOS.
There are over 5 million app downloads and over 61,000+ reviews.
User Experience
For a site that costs more than others, their design is pretty good, however it’s not the best. But I guess if the compatibility matching works out, it doesn’t matter. The algorithm actually helps you meet someone worth your time and money. Though some people say it felt too rigid or that they didn’t get many matches, so it’s not perfect.
Zoosk
Zoosk actually has some pretty cool behavior matchmaking. Their whole thing is that they use behavioral science and look at how you act on the site – like who you contact and who contacts you, who you message back and who you don’t. Apparently this helps pair you with people who are more likely to be a good match for you based on your actual interests not just what you wrote on your profile.
User Interface
The interface is pretty basic but that’s not a bad thing. It’s clean and uncomplicated so it’s not a total cluster to navigate. You can pretty much always tell where you’re at and find what you’re looking for. It’s not the fanciest site for sure but it gets the job done.
Diverse User Base
There’s definitely a large number of people on Zoosk from all over so you have more options for meeting someone close by or further away. Whether you’re looking for something casual or serious, their big user base gives you a good chance of finding people who want the same things as you.
Dating App
Zoosk.com has a mobile app for both Android & iOS.
Zoosk has over 10 Million Downloads (and according to them they have over 70 million members worldwide). This would make Zoosk one of the largest dating sites available.
It also has 627,000 reviews (the most reviews I’ve seen for any dating app).
Sucess Rate
From what I’ve heard, Zoosk has around 70 million users worldwide. Now that’s a big pool of people to choose from! With that many members, your chances of meeting someone with similar interests is pretty good. The site claims that over 1 million dates happen every week thanks to Zoosk. While I can’t verify those exact numbers, it’s clear a lot of loitering goes on through their platform.
As for actual relationships, Zoosk says 20% of its users end up in long term relationships. And another 20% will go on repeat dates with the same person. So in total, nearly half of folks who use the site seem to find at least some success. Not too shabby if you ask me! Of course, your own mileage may vary – dating success takes some effort.
I should note those stats don’t necessarily mean marriages. But developing a connection with someone, whether it turns into something serious or just a good time, is still a win in my book. At the end of the day, online dating is really what you make of it. As long as you’re willing to put yourself out there and meet new people, sites like Zoosk can definitely help fix your loitering ways.
Mobile App Experience
Their app works well and makes it easy to check messages, see who liked your profile, and browse matches when you’re on the go. Honestly the mobile experience is better than some other sites I’ve tried. You get all the important features without any issues like freezing or crashes. Makes online dating more convenient.
EliteSingles
EliteSingles is actually a site for more serious relationship minded singles. They focus on pairing people based on a personality test that looks at things like how open people are to new experiences. And while chemistry matters, so do things like your values and life goals. A lot of their users are college educated professionals who might be looking for someone on the same page when it comes to education and career.
Professional User Base
Since EliteSingles targets busy working professionals, you can be sure most people there actually have their stuff together. Probably not too many people just lurking around without a real plan. Members tend to be established in their careers, which hopefully means they can take care of themselves and aren’t just hanging around. It also means that most users are older – late twenties to forties typically. So if you’re on the younger side, it might not be the best fit. But if you want someone reliable with ambition, this could be a good option.
Personality Test
This site really leans into this personality test to try and make quality matches. You answer lots of questions about yourself to help give insight into your characteristics and what sort of person you’re hoping to meet. They analyze it to pair you with folks who share similar attributes that research shows often lead to long term compatibility, like wanting kids, being adventurous versus homebodies, extroverted or not. While filling out a test isn’t a guarantee, it shows they put effort into understanding how personalities fit together.
International Reach
Membership is actually worldwide which could open up possibilities if you’re open to finding love abroad. A lot of major cities are represented, so if you live somewhere with a big population center there could be options nearby. But you may need to broaden your search if you’re in a smaller area. It’s nice they give the option to connect beyond just local matches.
Success Stories
Since this site has been around awhile, there’s no shortage of folks who met their match through EliteSingles. A quick search brings up lots of happy couples sharing how they went from filling out that personality quiz to walking down the aisle. While no guarantees, seeing real people attribute finding “the one” to this site is reassuring it actually leads to meaningful connections for plenty of users. Gives hope there could be someone out there for you too.
User Interface
Actually the UI is top-notch. Everything is neatly organized and laid out, so you never feel confused. The main sections like browsing profiles, messages, and settings are always there without being cluttered. Plus there are fun little touches like tapping a heart when you like someone that makes using it feel lighthearted.
Matching Algorithm
Hopefully the algorithm does a good job, cuz that’s kinda the most important thing on a dating site, right? Supposedly it takes a ton of stuff into account like interests, dealbreakers, your type of personality based on questions you answer. So with any luck, it should fix you up with people who you actually click with. Kinda hard to really know how well it works though without wasting a bunch of time on bad dates!
Dating App
elitesingles.com has a mobile app for both Android & iOS.
elitesingles.com only has 50,000 downloads so it has a much smaller user base. However, it’s a good dating for those over 40+. Thier dating app only has 347 reviews, again indicating that the user based is much smaller compared to other sites.
Membership Options
Luckily their paid memberships aren’t too expensive, like you can usually do one month at a time which takes pressure off. And if you aren’t sure yet if online dating is for you, they offer a free version so you can get a sense of it. So no matter what your situation is money-wise, you’ll probably be able to find an option.
Loveme
This site is great for international dating, actually. With Loveme, you can meet people from all over the world! It’s a big dating pool. They have cultural exchange events too, which is cool. Hopefully you can find someone interesting to chat with from another country.
International Dating
The cultural exchange part is really where Loveme shines. So many people use it to meet someone from a different culture. Maybe you want to learn about what life is like in Germany or Taiwan. This is a fertile field to do that, and fix what you don’t know. You can ask questions and get to know how other people live. It’s a chance to make friends globally and potentially go on a fun trip!
User Safety
Safety is still important with any online site. Loveme works to keep people safe. They do ID verifications so you know users are who they say. There’s also a way to flag inappropriate behavior. Hopefully that means less creeps lurking around. The moderators stay on top of problems too. So as long as you use common sense, it’s not a bad place to try international dating.
Success Stories
The success stories are inspiring. A lot of people find real love through Loveme. One cool story I read was about a guy from Texas who met a girl in Spain. After chatting for months, he finally took a chance and visited her. Now they’re married with a few kids. Who knows, maybe you’ll get a happy ending like that too if you give Loveme a try!
Dating App
Loveme.com has no dating app.
FriendFinder
FriendFinder is great for finding casual connections. It’s got a really big user base, so it’s easy to find people. It’s not too intense like some sites – you can just browse without signing up. But, you do need to pay more for certain features, so it can get pricey if you want to message lots of people.
Casual Connections
FriendFinder is good if you just want casual connections. Community Features are pretty basic, and there aren’t specialized interest groups. It’s more about hooking up than long-term dating. The profiles don’t show a lot about people’s personalities either. So it works well for just browsing and getting a quick chat going.
Niche Interests
You won’t find many niche interest groups on FriendFinder. It’s not focused on connecting people with similar hobbies or lifestyles. The categories are pretty general, like “music” or “outdoors”. So if you’re into something obscure, it may be hard to find matches. There’s not much opportunity to filter down and find your people.
User Engagement
Engagement can vary a lot on FriendFinder. Some people are just browsing casually and only respond to direct messages. Others update their profiles regularly and are active in chatting. It takes some wandering around to get a feel for who’s really looking to connect. The interface makes it easy to like profiles, so that’s a low-commitment way to browse. You’ve just got to wade through the lingerers!
Dating App
FriendFinder.com does not have a dating app, however, its website is mobile optimized. This means that the site automatically detects if you are using a mobile device and will change the way the site looks so that is easy to use on your mobile device.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Both me and my friend are looking to meet new people, which dating site do you think would be best to use?
Hm, well it really depends on what you’re both looking for. If the priority is forming serious relationships that could potentially lead to marriage or long term partnerships, eHarmony or Match are good options. They use personality compatibility questionnaires and match people based on similarities. If you’re more open to casual dating and hanging out, OKCupid or Tinder give you more chances to connect with a wide range of folks nearby. You can always choose what works for each of your situations!
Do you have to pay for the premium memberships to have a chance at finding love on a dating site?
The good news is most dating sites like OKCupid, Tinder and Hinge have free versions that let you browse profiles, send likes or messages. While premium memberships on sites like eHarmony do give you extra features to contact more people, I’ve known folks who found real relationships without ever paying a dime. It takes some patience and bravery messaging different singles, but putting yourself out there is the biggest part. Don’t get discouraged if it takes some time – your perfect match could be looking for you too!
Do dating apps and sites work better for finding casual dates or serious relationships?
From my experience and hearing others’ stories, the dating apps and sites can be used for finding either casual dates or serious relationships – it just depends moreso on the person using them. Apps like Tinder are popular for just meeting up, while eHarmony or Match focus more on compatibility for long term partnerships. But folks have found everything from casual flings to husbands/wives on every platform. I’d say be upfront about what you’re looking for in your profile, and pay attention to how dates make you feel – that’ll help determine which direction things go!
Are online dating sites still worth using if you're over 40?
You know, online dating can absolutely work at any age! While some apps may skew younger, sites like eHarmony, OurTime and Match have plenty of users in their 40s, 50s and above looking to meet a partner. As long as you take good photos showing your personality, write an honest profile sharing your interests and what you’re about, you’ve got as much of a chance of meeting wonderful singles as anyone else. Don’t count yourself out before even giving it a shot – you never know, your perfect match could be browsing profiles right now!
Is there a legit totally free dating site without any premium upgrades or subscription costs?
There are a few dating sites that offer basic features without any fees involved. OKCupid lets you set up a profile, search matches and message others free of cost. Plenty of Fish also doesn’t require payment. Of course, subscription sites often provide analytics like matching algorithms or more filters that can potentially help facilitate connections. But like I said, it’s absolutely possible to find real relationships on the free platforms – it’s more about the effort you put into conversing with quality matches and seeing where real feelings develop.
Which dating site is best for finding casual dates versus serious relationships?
It’s true that some sites and apps have a better reputation than others depending on what you’re seeking. From my experience and hearing opinions from family and members, I’d say: If you just want casual dates without commitment, apps like Tinder and Bumble work well since you can quickly match, meet up and keep things light. But if you’re searching for a serious relationship towards marriage or a long term partnership, websites like eHarmony, Match or OKCupid give you a better chance at finding compatibility through personality profiles.
What has been your experience using dating apps - any good stories to share?
You know, I’ve gone on some fun adventures from using different dating apps over the years. Made some friends along the way too. One time I matched with a girl on Tinder who was really into similar outdoor activities. We chatted for a bit and really hit it off, so we decided to meet up for a hike one Saturday. Ended up talking the whole time and loved getting to know each other’s perspectives. It was so chill and comfortable, we made plans for more lowkey outdoorsy dates. No romance blossomed like that, but I’d say we became good buddies, and you never know – you never know!
Do dating sites have filters to find dates with certain values, lifestyles, interests etc.?
Most online dating sites these days have pretty robust options for filtering your searches based on important things like values, priorities, interests and lifestyles. Whether it’s a site like eHarmony with a big focus on personality profiles, Match which lets you indicate dealbreakers, or apps like Hinge and Bumble that encourage showing your full personality – they aim to give you multiple ways to fine tune matches. Things like religious beliefs, family plans, diet preferences, recreational hobbies are commonly selectable filters. The theory is, the more accurate your criteria, the better chances of attracting compatible partners!
What makes a dating profile stand out in a positive way?
One thing I’ve noticed from my own dating experience as well as advising others, is that profiles which show a person’s actual personality tend to resonate more. Instead of generic bios, have a witty headline or share funny, self-aware anecdotes that give a real sense of who you are – even better if they demonstrate your interests and values. Clear, well-lit photos where you look relaxed and like you’re having a good time also make an impact. Don’t underestimate the importance of grammar and spelling too. Taking pride in how you present yourself online can go a long way towards attracting others looking for an authentic partner to connect with.
I’m Kary Walters, a wedding planner, life coach, and writer with a passion for helping couples stay together and achieve their relationship goals. With over a decade of experience, I specialize in self-improvement and have worked with individuals & couples facing challenges.