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Dating can be awkward, scary, and just plain frustrating at any age. Sure, being in the over-60 group may mean that more people your age are already off the market, but there really are still so many fish in the sea. We're not just saying that — and if you want to see for yourself, online dating can introduce you to those fish that you may have never met otherwise.
To help you find your perfect match — whether you're interested in something casual or a long-term relationship — Mashable tested the best dating sites for seniors, considering both age-specific dating sites as well as more mainstream dating apps that have a large user base of mature users. Our goal? To demystify online dating as best we can through guidelines to help choose which dating site would be the right fit for you.
Is dating over 50 hard?
If you're hesitant about trying online dating as a senior, you're not alone. While using the internet to find love or a date is second nature to young folks, there's admittedly a bit of a learning curve for older users who are accustomed to meeting organically in person. But here's the thing: Seniors actually have tons of advantages when it comes to online dating.
For starters, many people in their 20s simply aren’t ready to settle down. But as a mature dater over 60, you’ve been figuring out this whole “love” thing for longer than millennials have been alive. You know the red flags that haven't worked for you in the past, and you know what you want going forward.
At any age, online dating gives you access to a wider pool of potential matches. When you’re limited to meeting local people in person, serendipitous moments can feel few and far between. The best online dating apps are like windows to the world, letting you connect both with people who live nearby or cuties from somewhere you've been thinking of visiting. Plus, you can't deny the convenience (or the rush) of the possibility of meeting your special someone even on the nights that you don't want to leave your couch.
We've gathered the best dating sites for seniors below based on our own experiences, hands-on reviews, and comparative research on the experiences of other online daters. We've also included some bulleted info to help you get the most out of a paid dating membership, like whether a platform has different paid tiers to access more in-depth features like multiple methods of communication or filters past age and location. (Note that prices for dating apps and sites are constantly changing. We update regularly, but there might be minor price differences.) From fun, easy-to-use apps to more serious dating websites, here’s to finding love later in life!
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 differs from traditional dating apps because it doesn't allow users to swipe left or right. Instead, SilverSingles does the legwork by sending you a set number (three to five) of matches daily.
Plus, with this app, member profiles are filled with information, so you'll know everything you need to know before making a move. SilverSingles uses the same five-factor model that EliteSingles uses to discover more about a user's personality, likes, dislikes, and desires, so you can rest assured these profiles are 100% real. What's more? You can rank how important certain qualities like age and education level are to you, so you won't end up with unsuitable matches.
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 millionsof 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:
According to the company's 2021 Married Couples by the Numbers Facts reports, nearly three-quarters of their members found their lifelong companions within just a year of joining the platform. We chose eharmony as the best dating site for serious relationships because, well, the app's success stories speak for themselves.
Its comprehensive questionnaire and the more mature, experienced user demographic set it apart as a premium option for older singles searching for their forever love. While eharmony does come with a slightly higher cost, the benefits of its experience in the industry and next-level matchmaking service make it a worthwhile investment for those with the budget.
Bumble offers an empowering option for senior women looking for a dating platform where they can steer the course of their conversations. If you're tired of waiting for someone to make the first move or sifting through countless unsolicited messages from creeps, Bumble puts the power in your hands.
Why we picked this:
Bumble is one of the best dating apps for senior women and nonbinary people who are nervous about the prospect of drowning in unwanted messages. With Bumble, women and nonbinary people make the first move, creating a safety net of sorts that filters out those people you wouldn't have wanted to engage with otherwise. Compatibility features like interests and favorite musical artists sit at the top of each Bumble profile for a quick common interests check, and there's generally a more laid-back feel here than there is on other dating platforms like eharmony and SilverSingles.
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 helps combat the massive match queues that make other full-fledged dating sites feel like they take forever.
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 undergone a thoughtful transformation to make the online dating experience smoother for everyone, especially seniors. The revamped questionnaire takes a more conversational approach to asking how you'd handle real-life scenarios — both with a partner and those around you. This shift highlights your values and even lets you set deal-breakers.
Over the years, match has maintained a well-balanced user base with a generous pool of potential partners, regardless of whether you're searching in a bustling city or quieter locales. Notably, the 50+ age group is one of the site's fastest-growing demographics, making it one of the best dating sites for seniors looking to find that special someone.
Elite Singles is a dating app for educated singles over 30 who are looking for long-term relationships.
Why we picked this:
Differences in work ethic and professional schedules can throw a wrench into even the most head-over-heel relationships. For those unwilling to budge on their partner's educational values and career goals, EliteSingles attempts to offer more specificity related to where a person is career-wise and family-wise than eharmony and match.
Elite Singles' matching system utilizes 29 algorithms rooted in the Five Factor Personality Test, ensuring compatibility in attachment style and personal values. And don't worry; the process includes engaging questions like "Do you like sleeping with the window open?" and "Which of these foods do you like the best?" to add some fun to the mix. Unfortunately, you may not get many open-ended answers about a person past how they've answered these questions, as several Reddit users have noted that many profiles appear unfinished (or even seem downright spammy).
Ourtime is a dating app designed for users 50 and older, but there's no real matching algorithm. While the site does take age, location, and gender into account, there's no personality test or robust profile features.
You might be tempted to start using Ourtime immediately — it’s quick to set up and easy to use — but the seniors-only dating site tends to match users with a lot of dormant accounts or bots, which can cut into your time spent looking for love and make the experience very discouraging and unpleasant, especially if it’s your first attempt at looking for a match online.
Why we picked this:
For us, Ourtime is a last-resort senior dating site. You can keep an Ourtime profile in your back pocket as a backup if you’re struggling to find like-minded folks on other apps and websites but don't make this your go-to dating site.
Finding love and companionship in your golden years can be challenging, but it's not impossible. With the right senior dating site, you can connect with other mature singles who share your interests and values.
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 seniors. 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 — 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.
Based on our testing, we believe that the dating sites on this list offer the best possible experience for seniors. We focused on features important to older adults, such as a large and active user base, communication tools, and safety features.
All apps and sites listed above have been thoroughly tested by Mashable's team and experienced freelance contributors (who know a thing or two about finding relationships online).
Apps we tested that didn't make the cut
Zoosk may have a large user base, but it didn't make our list of the best dating apps for 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 senior daters who are on a budget.
Not specifically designed for senior daters: Zoosk isn't designed for senior daters. This means that you may run into younger users.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
In our dating sites reviews, we've included some dating sites with free membership options such as SilverSingles and Match. However, for the best results and the most serious dates, you may want to consider a paid membership. As one person in the Reddit thread datingoverfifty suggests, if you want commitment, a site with a high barrier to entry — like eharmony, Match, or Elite Singles — could help to weed out people who aren't serious (as well as potential scammers).
Senior dating sites like Silver Singles and Our Time might seem like the obvious choice for finding mature singles over 50, but that's not necessarily the case. Many singles in their 50s and 60s have found more success (due to the sheer number of people) on apps with heavy millennial influence, like the swiping apps Tinder and Bumble.
If you're not into the idea of joining a community center or attending senior meet-ups, online dating sites offer an alternative option for connecting with others on your own terms. In fact, according to a recent study by the Pew Research Center, an estimated one in six Americans aged 50 and older say they've used a dating site or app. And around 19% of online daters aged 50 to 59 say they've used Tinder.
So, the short answer is yes, dating sites can definitely work for seniors. Of course, like any dating experience, there are a few challenges that come with online dating. For example, it can be difficult to tell if someone is being genuine or looking for a quick fling. It's also important to be aware of the risks of online dating, such as catfishing and identity theft.
Despite the added layer of seriousness, butterflies are still in your cards. And if you want to skip the heavy, emotional stuff, say that in your bio. Plenty of other mature singles are looking for anything from a casual hookup partner to a traveling companion or workout buddy. With a little patience, you can find what you're looking for in a partner.
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). They may also pretend to be interested until you've formed an emotional bond — and then the demands for money start coming.
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."
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 was compromised.
Leah Stodart
Senior Shopping Reporter
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].
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