Top 5 Best Dating Sites In Usa

1. Top 5 Best Dating Site In Usa
2. Top 5 Best Dating Sites In Usa And Canada
3. Top 5 Best Dating Sites In Usa

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Why? Because some people are looking for hookups, some are looking for love, and some are looking for something in between.

So what are the best dating sites? We’ve broken them down by category so that no matter what you’re looking for, you’ll find it in this list of the best sites to use in 2021.

The Best Dating Sites in 2021

1. Best for serious relationships – Eharmony
2. Best for university-educated singles – Elite Singles
3. Best hookup site – AdultFriendFinder
4. Best for busy professionals – Itsjustlunch.com
5. Best over 50 site – SilverSingles
6. Best casual dating app – Bumble
7. Best new dating app – Hinge
8. Best sugar dating site – Seeking
9. The best dating site for Jewish people – JDate
10. Best married dating site – Ashley Madison
11. Best catholic dating site – Catholic Match
12. Best international site – Zoosk
13. Best subreddit for dating – Reddit R4R
14. Best free dating site – OkCupid
15. Best Asian online dating in the US – AsianDate.com
16. Best for help with dates – Match.com
17. Best over 50 dating site in the UK – OurTime
18. Best site for Christians – Christian Mingle
19. Best for brief encounters – Tinder
20. Best for African American dates – BlackPeopleMeet
21. Best LGBTQA+ women dating app – HER
22. Best for intellectuals dating – CoffeeMeetsBagel
23. Best for gay hookups – Grindr
24. Best for Canadian dates – Plenty of Fish
25. Best luxury dating service – The League

1. Eharmony – Best for Finding a Serious Relationship

Eharmony has brought together millions of couples—in fact, 438 users get married to someone they met on the website every single day. The data backs this up: a 2018 study named eharmony as the site most likely to lead to a happy relationship.

On the site, you’ll answer extensive survey questions. This “Compatibility Matching System” uses more than twenty years of research to then present you with online dating options. This selective, data-driven approach makes eharmony a good choice if you’re looking for a serious relationship. You can read our full eHarmony Review here.

2. Elite Singles – 85% of Members Are University Educated

Elite Singles has a highly educated membership, so it’s a good choice if you’re looking for good conversations: 85% of its members have above-average education, while 90% are over 30, adding life experience into the mix.

The site uses an algorithm based on your answers to a questionnaire to match you with other singles. It’s primarily used by those looking for long-term relationships, including internationally – it operates in 25 countries.

3. Itsjustlunch.com – Best for Busy Professionals

It’s Just Lunch sets you up with a matchmaker when you sign up. In a phone call with them, you’ll answer questions about yourself and your goals for romance.

These matchmakers then find you a single match at a time, sharing only first names. They’ll arrange the time and place with your match (this can be for lunch, drinks, or brunch – depending on your schedule), and you just need to show up.

Afterward, you’ll give feedback to your matchmaker to get better dates in the future.

One benefit of the service is that it doesn’t waste your time. The people you date are hand-selected by a person who understands what you’re looking for, and the short dates are a good way to meet in person without spending too long with bad fits.

4. SilverSingles – Best Over 50 Dating Website

Among the dating sites for people over 50, SilverSingles has been around for 19 years. The service verifies each profile by hand, ensuring that its users are authentic and safe.

Based on a personality questionnaire and what’s important to you, you’ll receive matches based on your location, plans, goals, and personality.

You can use SilverSingles on their site or via their app. Basic memberships are free.

5. Bumble – Best Casual Dating App

Bumble is unique among the apps because it lets women make the first move. Men can’t contact women until the woman has already reached out.

The app connects well with social media, including Facebook, Spotify, and Instagram, so you can show different facets of your personality. You can also verify your profile so you can filter other users by who is verified as well.

Bumble’s best for casual hookups because the platform insists on quick contact. Once you match, you have 24 hours to make contact with that person, or the match disappears.

The same is true for messages, which expire after 24 hours if one person doesn’t write back. For those pressed for time, Bumble offers one free “Extend” for matches and messages each day.

6. Hinge – Best New Dating App

Relaunched in 2016, Hinge is the #1 primarily mobile dating app mentioned in the New York Times wedding section.

Their algorithm gets good reviews: 75% of Hinge users want to go on a second date once they’ve gone out with their matches. The app improves your matches as you give feedback after dates.

Hinge’s platform is unique because once you match, the app prompts you to like or comment on a specific part of the other person’s profile. This lack of generic messages makes Hinge an interesting new addition.

7. AFF – Best Hookup Site

This hookup app isn’t for people who want long-term relationships. It gives you two main options: flirt (on the app) or hookup.

A sex-positive app, Adult Friend Finder is well known for brief encounters. However, it also features a variety of ways to connect: messaging, video (“online dates“), live streams, group chats.

AFF is also good for hookups because of its quick registration process. Unlike other sites, which may include long questionnaires, AFF features a 30-second registration process that will let you start browsing almost right away.

8. Seeking – Best Sugar Dating Site

This website connects younger people (“Sugar Babies”) with older, wealthier people (“Sugar Daddies/Mommas”).

With over 20 million users, the site features 8 million Sugar Babies and 2 million Sugar Daddies/Mommas. It allows these users to connect “without false pretenses,” each person stating their terms before connecting.

If you’re a young person looking for relationships with older people (or vice-versa), this site has users who are looking for the same types of encounters, eliminating the need for lengthy sifting through profiles and awkward conversations. It’s also one of the few sites with a large ratio of women to men.

9. JDate – The Best Dating Site for Jewish People

JDate is one app for Jewish singles. Founded in 1997, JDate is now available around the world, letting you connect with Jewish users in five different languages (English, Hebrew, French, German, and Spanish).

For those looking for a Jewish match with people who share your faith, JDate provides the widest selection of users. In fact, JDate is responsible for 52% of the Jewish marriages that started online.

With both free or premium subscriptions to JDate (at $59.99 per month), you can message anyone. Customer care reviews each profile, ensuring authentic users.

10. Catholic Match – Best Catholic Dating Site

One of several services for Christians, Catholic Match, helps you find love with a member of the Catholic faith specifically.

With more than 1 million users, Catholic Match promotes “faith-focused dating.” In other words, its users are primarily seeking long-term relationships with other Catholics.

Memberships cost $29.95 per month, but they come with a guarantee. If you meet certain qualifications during the first six months, the site guarantees your next six months free.

Endorsed by various Catholic leaders, Catholic Match has more than 20 years of experience bringing Catholics together.

11. Zoosk – Best Free International Dating Site

The best site for dating international people, Zoosk features 40,000,000 singles worldwide. These users send 3 million messages daily in 25 different languages. Available in over 80 countries, Zoosk is a truly global platform.

Established for more than 14 years, Zoosk uses “Behavioral Matchmaking technology” to match its users with compatible singles.

Free to try, a Zoosk subscription then costs $29.99 per month.

12. Reddit R4R – Best Subreddit for Dating (Online Personal Ads)

R4R is a subreddit where people connect. “R4R” stands for “Redditor for Redditor,” and the site does not have a matching system. Instead, this is one of the best online places to post personals.

These personals vary widely depending on what users are looking for. This can be anything from activity partners to groups, dating, hangouts, soulmates, and other relationships.

Because it is a subreddit, R4R only has post and messaging features. However, it also has fewer rules and restrictions than apps (though it does have some related to age, privacy, legality, and conduct). For example, NSFW posts are allowed, but they must be tagged so that other users can avoid them if they desire.

Reddit is also a good place for advice specific to your situation and dating advice in general. Check out the subreddits OnlineDating, r/DatingOverThirty, r/dating_advice. r/relationships, r/dating, r/DatingApps, r/ForeverAloneDating, r/RelationshipsOver35, or r/CatholicDating.

13. OkCupid – Best Free Dating Site

With a lot of dating apps, you get what you pay for. OkCupid is the best free service because of its detailed profiles: you can find out much more about users before you connect, leading to better matches.

Available both on the desktop site and as an app, OKCupid offers literally thousands of profile questions, so you can find a match for what’s important to you.

Offering 22 gender and 13 orientation options, OkCupid is also inclusive.

14. Ashley Madison – Best Married Dating Site

A dating site for affairs, Ashley Madison connects users for discreet encounters. Unlike other apps, the site is not linked to other social media profiles, so you’re less likely to connect or be seen by people you already know. It’s among the best date sites for married users, as both people understand the situation.

Ashley Madison also offers traveling features for those visiting other cities. This lets you contact users in that area ahead of time, setting up dates for when you arrive.

Best Online Dating Apps: 2021 Runners-Up

15. AsianDate.com – Best Asian Online Dating in the US

AsianDate connects people from around the world with Asian singles. With more than ten years of experience, the site’s staff verifies each member to ensure authenticity. Once you are verified, you can chat, call, or send letters or presents.

16. Match.com – Best for Help with Dates

One of the oldest dating sites, Match.com, began in 1995. It features detailed profiles, get-togethers for members, and a virtual dating coach to help members do anything from break the ice to come up with date ideas.

17. OurTime – Best 50+ Dating Site In the UK

A site for 50+ singles, ourtime.com offers options not only for those seeking marriage and long-term relationships but also for those looking for friendship and platonic relationships. The site features email and flirting capabilities, allowing you to see who has viewed your profile.

18. Christian Mingle – Best Dating Site for Christians

With over 15 million Christian singles, this Christian dating site helps users looking for a “God-centered relationship.” Their members are primarily focused on finding serious relationships. The site offers a free trial, after which they charge $49.99 per month.

19. BlackPeopleMeet – Best for African American Dates

For more than 18 years, BlackPeopleMeet has provided a platform for African American singles looking for love. The site’s 100,000+ users can exchange flirts or emails, as well as see who has viewed their profiles.

20. Tinder – Best Free App for Casual Dating

This dating app has a reputation that likely precedes it. With quick registration, Tinder is easy to use for hookups, though the large number of users means that many are also looking for relationships.

Top 5 Best Dating Site In Usa

21. CoffeeMeetsBagel – Best for Intellectuals Dating

96% of users on Coffee Meets Bagel have a Bachelor’s degree, while over a third have a Master’s. The extensive profiles also make this a good site for intellectuals, as you can see who shares interests with you in many different areas.

22. HER – Best LGBTQA+ Women Dating App

HER is a dating app exclusively for LGBTQA+ women, created by queer women. Their 4 million users get access to in-person events, communities within the app, and app moderators to ensure they have a good experience.

23. Grindr – Best for LGBTQA+ Hookups

With mostly male users, Grindr focuses on the gay, bi, trans, and queer community. The app changed how gay dating sites and apps work with its location-based services. Now the most popular gay mobile app, Grindr, allows you to sort users by distance based on GPS position.

24. Plenty of Fish – Best Free Site for Canadian Dates

This Canadian site is offered in nine languages, ensuring you can connect with users from around the world. Founded in 2003, the site provides detailed profiles for its large pool of members.

25. The League – Best Luxury Dating App

The League provides connections with singles in select cities. The site provides members with 3 “prospects” every day and lets you video chat with them for dating online. It also allows you to connect your profile to LinkedIn and Facebook to block connections, ensuring your privacy.

Best Dating Sites: FAQs

Why Use Online Dating Sites?

Sites for dates give you the chance to encounter far more potential matches than you would in everyday life. Whether you have a small social circle, are looking to expand your connections, or simply have needs that aren’t being met in your community, using these sites can widen your world.

Furthermore, using a site or an app to meet a romantic partner allows you to be more selective. If it’s important to you to have a partner with similar interests, many apps allow you to select for this.

Finally, it’s common to use these sites to find love: around 2/5 of Americans meet their long-term partners on date sites.

Are Apps for Dating Safe?

Apps are only as safe as their users. Stay careful.

Being careful on apps means engaging with verified users; some apps have members of their staff verify members by hand, giving you more safety.

However, it’s still crucial to follow safety guidelines when you date someone you met online.

How to Stay Safe While Online Dating?

Never give out your personal information to someone you have met online, particularly before you meet in person. This includes your last name, employer, address, and even your neighborhood.

When you meet someone you have met online, ensure that your first few dates take place in public locations. This could be a café, a restaurant, a movie theater, or anywhere else where others are around. Avoid secluded places such as parks, and never invite someone you don’t know to your home.

Finally, check-in with a friend before your date to let them know where you’ll be and when you anticipate coming home. Let them know when you arrive back home. For extra security, ask them to call or text during the date to verify you are all right.

How Do I Decide Which Dating Site Is Right for Me?

Are you looking for something long-term or casual? First, consider what you are looking to gain from a new relationship.

If you’re hoping to find something serious, you should definitely steer clear of hookup apps and sites like Tinder or Ashley Madison. On the other hand, if a no-strings-attached fling is what you’re searching for, a dating site like eHarmony that boasts a high marriage success rate won’t be the one for you.

Where are you located? It’s all well and good choosing the number one dating site on the internet but if it’s not popular where you live, you’re going to have a hard time finding local matches. Look up dating sites that people are using in your area—unless, of course, you’d prefer to start off long distance.

What’s your budget like? Some dating sites charge monthly, others are 100% free to use. Think about how much you’re willing to spend. Free sites can be a good way to get started if you’re new to online dating. But if the weeks are flying by and you haven’t had a single successful match, you might want to consider signing up for a site with a subscription fee.

First Date Tips

First dates can be intimidating! Follow these tips to stay safe and get to know your match in person:

• Keep your mind open. People can appear very different in person than they do online, so know that your expectations may need to change.
• Don’t go too formal right away. Setting up something casual, like a coffee date, lets you get to know each other without any pressure to spend hours together.
• Stay focused on the present. Avoid bringing up past relationships or other matches on a first date.
• Review your conversations before you go. Look at the person’s profile again and check over what you’ve talked about to have general topics of conversation prepared.

Is It Possible to Find a Serious Relationship While Online Dating?

Absolutely. In fact, a large number of Americans find their partners this way. A 2017 survey showed that 39% of heterosexual couples met online—that’s 2 out of every five couples.

Online Dating Sites: Key Takeaways

The key to online dating is knowing what you want and finding the site that’s most likely to provide good matches in this area.

As you explore your options, stay safe, but keep an open mind: you never know who might turn out to be your soulmate or an ideal hookup!

What have you found the best sites for dating to be? Share your favorite dating sites and experiences in the comments!

Popularity isn’t everything. But it’s pretty dang important for dating sites and apps.

Singles have the best chance of meeting someone on dating apps with the largest and most diverse user bases. But finding the most popular dating apps can be tricky because the dating world is in a constant state of flux. Fortunately for you, our job is to keep tabs on the comings and goings of today’s single population.

Dating platforms are notoriously tight-lipped about exactly how many users they have, but we’ve done our homework to find the most recent and accurate stats we can regarding daily active users and overall membership numbers. That way, you can get a sense of just how popular these industry leaders are.

1. Badoo — 480M Users

The top app may surprise you. Badoo was one of the first dating apps on the scene, and it has amassed a large following around the world. Badoo boasts having over 480 million users — and counting!

Every day, the Badoo database adds about 300,000 new members, its photo gallery grows by over 10 million photos, and its members send more than 350 million messages.

The Badoo dating site connects singles in 47 languages and across 190 countries.

Badoo has the largest singles database in the world, and these aren’t all inactive profiles. The dating platform has over 60 million monthly active users, and it sees over 12 billion swipes per day. You can download the Badoo app for free on Google Play or the App Store.

2. Tinder — 300M Users

Tinder is truly a monster dating app with a lot of impressive stats to its name. The Tinder app reached and then surpassed 100 million downloads in 2016. It now has been downloaded over 300 million times, and it is currently available in 190 countries.

In 2019, Tinder reported having 5.2 million paid subscribers and seeing over 2 billion views per day, so it’s safe to say people are pretty busy here.

Since 2012, the Tinder dating app has inspired over 30 billion matches worldwide.

Tinder users go on over 1 million dates per week, and 95% of Tinder users say they arrange first dates with their online crushes after just a week of chatting.

3. Plenty of Fish — 150M Users

Plenty of Fish has been topping lists like these since its launch in 2003. The dating site and app offer free, unlimited messaging, so it has an undeniable appeal to singles exploring the dating scene.

The POF community has over 150 million members total, and it sees over 4 million daily active users.

As a free dating platform, Plenty of Fish adds 65,000 new users every day.

In the average week, Plenty of Fish makes about 57 million love connections by using a smart matchmaking algorithm.

“We recommend POF to any and all singles looking for their perfect match,” said Camille and Nigel in a POF success story. “We can’t wait to continue to share our love story and wedding with you all!”

4. Bumble — 100 M Users

Bumble began in 2014 with a simple idea: Ladies first. A former Tinder executive named Whitney Wolfe Herd decided it was time to take online dating into the 21st century and empower women to make the first move (by sending the first message) in an online match.

In 2020, Bumble surpassed 100 million users in 150 countries, leaving no doubt that it is one of the most popular independent dating apps out there.

Bumble, aka the feminist dating app, has over 11 million monthly active users.

Bumble has been hailed as the fastest growing dating app because it saw 70% year-over-year growth in its first three years. People also know it as the feminist dating app because of its progressive values and female-friendly policies.

5. Adult Friend Finder — 99M Users

What can we say? Sex sells. Since 1996, Adult Friend Finder has dominated the online hookup scene and established the world’s largest sex and swinger community.

According to the hookup site, Adult Friend Finder has over 99 million members around the world, and it sees about 1 million views per day.

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Hookups Only

Match System:Search by location, interest, more

Our Experts Say:“Make no mistake: this site isn't about making friends, it's about short-term 'hookups' and affairs only. Note that a basic account costs $14.95/month, but it's well worth it if casual sex is your goal...”

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The AFF community is all about owning your sexuality and getting laid. Adult Friend Finder has created over 4.5 million love connections thanks to its live chatting, discussion forums, and video broadcasts.

6. MenNation — 99M Users

MenNation supports one of the largest gay hookup sites on record, and it doesn’t take much to get into the swing of things here.

In terms of popularity, MenNation has 99,462,356 active members — and counting — and it has over 67,000 men mingling online at any given moment.

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Daters & Hookups

Match System:Search by age, zip code, more

Our Experts Say:“MenNation is a well-established gay dating and hookup brand, having been founded in 1996. It's totally free to join, view profiles, receive matches, and flirt...”

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MenNation is an adult dating site for men only, and it works great for local guys seeking a hot date. It’s free for singles and couples to create an account on MenNation and anonymously browse its personals section.

7. Match — 96M Users

Launched in 1995, Match.com is the longest running dating site in existence, so it makes sense that it would have one of the largest membership bases as well.

Top 5 Best Dating Sites In Usa And Canada

According to the internet’s best estimate, Match has over 96 million registered users, most of whom live in the U.S. While Match is available in 25 countries, it is by far most popular in the States, and Match Group’s headquarters are in Dallas, Texas.

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Friends, Dates, and Relationships

Match System:Browse by zip, age, appearance, more

Our Experts Say:“Match has facilitated the most dates and relationships of any dating site, and its large audience and high success rate make it our top review...” Full Review»

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Top 5 Best Dating Sites In Usa

Match has over 7.7 million paid subscribers, the majority of whom are serious about meeting someone special. Match has positioned itself as the premium alternative to free swiping apps. About 75% of Match members are over 30 and have clear relationship goals.

“This is definitely a great app for dating,” said Santana S. in a review. “I really appreciate that you have to pay for things to take off.”

8. Ashley Madison — 65M Users

Ashley Madison is an undeniably scandalous dating site — and it’s also undeniably popular. Over 65 million people have created dating profiles on Ashley Madison, the dating site where not-so-single folks can explore romantic relationships.

The motto at Ashley Madison is “Life is short. Have an affair.” And, if that piques your interest, you’re not alone.

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Hookups, Casual Dates, Affairs

Match System:Search by age, location, appearance, and more

Our Experts Say:“With its massive user base and advanced privacy features, Ashley Madison is the #1 site for discreet hookups, dates, or relationships...” Full Review»

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Ashley Madison encourages men and women to explore their desires in the discreet and safe online setting. After a 2015 data breach, Ashley Madison has cracked down on security and put a vast amount of resources into protecting the secrets of millions of users.

9. Happn — 50M Users

Happn is a unique dating app that uses location-based data to create serendipitous matches. The app will tell you where you cross paths with singles in your city, and you can discover matches who share similar tastes, interests, and lifestyles.

In 2018, Happn reached 50 million users and became one of the all-time most popular dating apps.

Happn claims to have over 6.5 million monthly users.

Happn is currently available for singles in 50 major cities spread across 40 countries, and it has plans to grow its reach in other urban areas in the coming years.

10. Zoosk — 40M Users

The Zoosk nation extends around the world, reaching over 80 countries and including over 40 million users. This highly effective dating site is among the top 10 largest dating sites available, and it allows singles to search for love all over the globe.

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Fun Dates, Serious Relationships

Match System:Search and get match recommendations

Our Experts Say:“Zoosk is integrated with social media sites, like Facebook and Google+, so it's very popular with singles on the go...” Full Review»

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Zoosk members exchange over 3 million messages in a single day, and many of those messages lead to IRL meetings and relationships.

It’s free to set up a profile on Zoosk and browse profiles by age, distance, and online activity. You can also read and respond to certain free greetings to get your flirt on.

11. eharmony — 37M Users

Since 2000, eharmony has distinguished itself as a serious dating site on a serious mission to strengthen marriages in the U.S. and beyond. The eharmony algorithm uses a 32-factor questionnaire to identify long-term compatibility between two heart-driven individuals.

BusinessInsider reported that eharmony has over 10 million active users and 750,000 paid subscribers, a number that has held steady for the last few years. Taken as a whole, the eharmony database exceeds 37 million users.

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Casual Dates, Deep Relationships

Match System:Personality test suggests matches

Our Experts Say:“Accounting for 2% of U.S. marriages, eharmony's compatibility-based system and commitment-minded user base are ideal for those seeking a serious relationship...” Full Review»

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The eharmony dating site and app have inspired over 2 million relationships so far, and the platform creates a new love connection every 14 minutes.

12. OkCupid — 30M Users

In 2004, OkCupid launched on a mission to create a sure-fire formula for love, and it began collecting a wealth of personal data to measure compatibility. Over the years, OkCupid’s free dating services and personality-driven matchmaking has attracted millions of users.

Today, OkCupid has over 30 million active users, and it sees more than 1 million unique views on an average day.

OkCupid’s free matchmaking services facilitate over 91 million love connections a year.

OkCupid offers free, unlimited messaging to anyone feeling flirty, horny, or chatty. Its users exchange over 7.3 million messages per day and go on over 50,000 dates per week.

13. Grindr — 27M Users

Grindr has been a leading gay dating app since 2009, and many single men have given it a whirl. To date, Grindr has over 27 million men in its database, and it sees around 3.6 million daily active users.

Grindr has an international membership base in 234 countries and territories.

Grindr puts gay singles in touch with the most viable date prospects in the area by using the smartphone’s GPS data to prioritize profiles that are close by.

Thanks to Grindr, men can find dates who are in the same bar, club, or neighborhood, and they don’t have to put in much effort to pick up a date.

14. Coffee Meets Bagel — 21M Users

Three women founded Coffee Meets Bagel because they were disappointed and frustrated with online dating, and they decided to change it.

From the beginning, Coffee Meets Bagel has prioritized quality over quantity, but that doesn’t mean the dating app doesn’t have a large user base. Over 21 million users have joined the CMB community seeking a better dating experience.

Coffee Meets Bagel has made over 50 million matches since 2012.

In 2015, the Coffee Meets Bagel team turned down $30 million from “Shark Tank” investor Mark Cuban because they wanted to maintain control over the direction of the app and the user experience.

Coffee Meets Bagel curates a list of matches for singles and slows down the swiping process, so users can really take their time and consider each dating profile.

15. ChristianMingle — 16M Users

In the last 20 years, ChristianMingle has built a faith-driven community that reaches 29 countries and is available to English, French, German, and Spanish speakers.

ChristianMingle has over 16 million members, making it one of the largest niche dating sites in the world.

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Dates and Serious Relationships

Match System:Search by gender, age, education, more

Our Experts Say:“ChristianMingle is among the largest dating sites in the industry that only caters to single Christian men and women, and the site has some of the best search filters and safety features...” Full Review»

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ChristianMingle is a subsidiary of Spark Networks, a German dating company with over 1 million paid subscribers.

16. BeNaughty — 13.3M Users

BeNaughty is an extremely popular hookup site full of sexy profiles organized by distance, age, online activity, and popularity.

In the average month, BeNaughty sees over 13 million users, and over 433,000 people flirt there on a daily basis.

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Hookups, Chats

Match System:Search by encounter, location, and more

Our Experts Say:“BeNaughty is a premier hookup app where you can feel comfortable expressing your desires. Plus, it's free to join, browse, and flirt...” Full Review»

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BeNaughty catches people’s attention with its free messaging tools, and you can even save time by mass messaging everyone who meets your dating criteria.

17. EliteSingles — 13M Users

The name says it all. EliteSingles is a highly selective dating site for singles who are successful, desirable, and serious about making a quality match.

EliteSingles isn’t a dating site for the masses, but it has attracted a massive number of educated and wealthy individuals. The site has over 13 million users, and it adds over 381,000 per month.

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Serious Relationships

Match System:Search, Receive Partner Suggestions

Our Experts Say:“EliteSingles is a leading dating site just for busy, single professionals. More than 80% of members have earned a college degree, and most are looking for a serious commitment...” Full Review»

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EliteSingles helps over 2,500 singles find love each month, and it is the perfect wingman for busy professionals seeking high-quality dates.

18. OurTime — 8.9M Users

OurTime has drawn attention as the leading senior dating site with a large population of over-50 singles.

As a People Media site, OurTime has access to a massive database of singles. Currently, OurTime hosts nearly 9 million monthly active users, and it adds almost 20,000 members in the typical week.

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Dates and Relationships

Match System:Search by profiles by zip and more

Our Experts Say:“OurTime is well-known in the over-50 dating crowd, particularly because it has a ton of helpful search features and an easy layout...” Full Review»

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OurTime is free to join, and it has led to many success stories in the U.S. and abroad. “I’ve found my soul mate,” said a single woman from Illinois. “We are in a serious relationship. He is one of the nicest, sweetest men I have ever met.”

19. BlackPeopleMeet — 5.7M Users

BlackPeopleMeet is a niche dating site where black and biracial singles can enjoy being in the majority.

Since 2002, BlackPeopleMeet has built the world’s largest network of African-American singles with over 5.7 million monthly active users.

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Deep Relationships or Just Casual Dates

Match System:Search by location, age, more

Our Experts Say:“BlackPeopleMeet.com is the one of the largest and most popular dating sites for black and biracial singles, and the site is used by more than 5 million people a month...” Full Review»

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BlackPeopleMeet allows singles to find dates who share similar backgrounds, values, and perspectives, and that has inspired many love stories in the U.S. and Canada.

20. Hinge — 5.5M Users

Hinge has been around since 2012, and it has recently gained traction as the “dating app designed to be deleted.” Hinge’s goal isn’t to rack up a lot of swipes and active users who aren’t finding what they want — the team wants its users to find dates, get in relationships, and delete the app ASAP.

Hinge has been downloaded 5.5 million times worldwide, and about 4 million of those users are in the U.S.

Hinge is a quality-driven app where users can get to know one another on a deeper level online.

Hinge users arrange 200,000 dates a week, and it has a remarkably high success rate when it comes to turning first dates into second dates. In fact, three out of every first dates between Hinge users lead to second dates.

21. HER — 4M Users

The HER dating app was built to help LGBTQ+ womxn overcome the challenges of dating as lesbian, bisexual, or queer single. A lesbian named Robyn Exton quit her job to create a female-friendly space for flirting, mingling, and making friends.

Today, the HER community encompasses 4 million womxn of all ages, orientations, and backgrounds. All profiles have been verified as authentic females — the moderators remove men and delete fake profiles to ensure a positive dating experience.

HER is a social dating app where lesbian, queer, and bisexual womxn can find their perfect match.

HER offers an events calendar and an engaging newsfeed to help LGBTQ+ womxn feel comfortable socializing with one another. It’s free to download HER and start swiping on ladies who catch your eye.

22. SilverSingles — 800,000 Users

When singles reach a certain age, they often feel isolated from or ostracized by the mainstream dating scene. Fortunately, SilverSinglesis there to offer a helping hand and a senior-friendly dating zone.

SilverSingles has over 800,000 monthly active users, and it maintains a sure-fire Fraud Detection System to keep the fakers and frauds at bay.

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Friendship, Casual Dates, Serious Relationships

Match System:Search by age, location, height, education, ethnicity, and religion

Our Experts Say:“SilverSingles is a fast-growing, easy-to-use niche dating site exclusively for active daters over the age of 50...” Full Review»

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As of 2019, SilverSingles had over 50,000 monthly subscribers in the 50+ demographic. “The success of SilverSingles is not only great news for our business, but also represents an outstanding new opportunity for singles,” CEO Jeronimo Folgueira said.

23. LesbianPersonals — 500,000 Users

LesbianPersonals invites singles, couples, and groups to find the woman of their dreams with a simple online search.

This naughty hookup site sees over 500,000 visits per month, and it claims the title as the largest lesbian dating site in existence.

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Hookups Only

Match System:Search by location, interest, more

Our Experts Say:“LesbianPersonals provides a fun, quick, and easy experience for gay and bisexual women looking for sex online. Join for free, and you'll be able to search and communicate immediately...”

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LesbianPersonals offers live chat and video messaging to help women get the ball rolling, and it encourages local singles to explore their sensuality and arrange a no-strings-attached hookup, threesome, or orgy.

24. FriendFinder-X — 40,000 Users

Finally, FriendFinder-X is a popular hookup site that’s open to singles, couples, and groups seeking hot dates.

FriendFinder-X deserves a spot on this list because it sees over 40,000 daily active users — which means it has a larger population than Monaco.

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Hookups Only

Match System:Search by location, interest, more

Our Experts Say:“A hookup site specializing in casual encounters, secret affairs, live chats, and member videos, FriendFinder-X skips the awkward 'dating' stage of a relationship and fast-forwards straight to the sex...”

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As you can see, FriendFinder-X has a lot to offer sexually active singles, and this discreet dating environment can help men and women come out of their shells.

Which Dating Site is Best for Serious Relationships?

If you’re ready to settle down, the swiping scene may not be quite your style. It can be exhausting to match, chat, and ghost on loop just to find one compatible person to go out with you. Fortunately, singles with swiping fatigue can switch things up by joining a more quality-driven dating site or app.

Match.com can offer a premium dating experience for singles in search of a loving relationship.

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Friends, Dates, and Relationships

Match System:Browse by zip, age, appearance, more

Our Experts Say:“Match has facilitated the most dates and relationships of any dating site, and its large audience and high success rate make it our top review...” Full Review»

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Since 1995, Match has paired up countless couples and made a difference in the dating scene. You can search the Match database by age, location, looks, interests, lifestyle, and other personal factors to find the most compatible profiles within seconds.

What are the Top 5 Dating Sites?

We have reviewed the top dating sites in detail and ranked them according to our own editorial standards. We consistently rank Match.com as the cream of the online dating crop because of its user-friendly interface and time-tested features.

Match is responsible for more relationships and marriages than any other dating service, and we think that’s worthy of the #1 dating site spot.

1. Match.com

• Relationships: Fun Dates, Serious Relationships
• Match System: Browse by location, age, interest, and more
• About the App: Available via the App Store and Google Play, Match is a fantastic app for dates and relationships. With a user base of 30 million singles, Match is where you'll have a high chance of success. It's free to download, create a profile, search for date prospects, and receive compatible matches based on personalized preferences. Free members can also chat with select members and send unlimited likes.
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Next, we have EliteSingles, the dating site for the well-to-do. Singles with high standards and serious intentions will feel right at home here.

2. EliteSingles

• Relationships: Deep Relationships
• Match System: Search by education, lifestyle habits, age
• About the App: Commitment-minded, professional daters will feel at home with EliteSingles, which can be downloaded for free in the App Store or Google Play. Not only is everyone looking for a long-term partner, but 80% of members hold a bachelor's, master's, or doctorate degree. EliteSingles sees 210,000 visitors and 2,500 users finding love every month, so it's one of the fastest growing and most reputable apps.
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In the #3 spot, we have eharmony, which became popular thanks to its heartfelt commercials and psychology-driven matchmaking system. To date, over 2 million couples have found love here, and you could be next!

3. eharmony

• Relationships: Long-Term Relationships, Marriages
• Match System: Get daily match suggestions
• About the App: Responsible for 4% of marriages in the U.S., eharmony is among our top picks for relationship-minded heterosexual singles. To become a member, add the app to your phone (iOS or Android) and then take its 29 Dimensions® of Compatibility Matching Quiz. It's absolutely free to do both these things — as well as receive matches and communicate during other special events.
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Zoosk has over 40 million users, so we’d be remiss to leave it out of this list. Conversation rules the day on Zoosk, and its members exchange over 3 million messages in the average day.

4. Zoosk

• Relationships: Casual Dates, Relationships
• Match System: Search for and receive matches
• About the App: Zoosk is the number one app for finding dates, and if you sync up your Google+ or Facebook account, you can have a profile in seconds. The app has 38 million members and will deliver matches to your inbox on a daily basis based on your behavior such as who you search for, like or don't like, and message. The Carousel is another section for matching (tap the heart if it's a yes and the X if it's a no).
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Last but not least, SilverSingles has done a great job of making online dating more approachable and senior-friendly. Over 120,000 members join the SilverSingles network every month, and you can mingle with them for free.

5. SilverSingles

• Relationships: Serious Relationships
• Match System: Filter by age, height, and distance
• About the App: SilverSingles runs an exclusive dating community for single men and women over the age of 50. Its database includes recently divorced singles as well as singles who have never been married. The dating app matches people based on their similarities in age, lifestyle, hobbies, and relationship goals. If you want to show your interest in someone online, you can send a smile, message, or request that they upload a profile picture. Either way, they'll know you care.
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Those five dating sites and apps have won us over, but plenty of other sites and apps can also work well for singles seeking dates. Our dating experts have reviewed hundreds of dating sites, and more crop up all the time, so you should never run out of options in the online dating world.

Which Dating App Has the Most Success?

Success is in the eye of the beholder, but Tinder beats the competition in most metrics. Not only does it see over 2 billion views per day, but it also arranges over 1 million dates per week.

Tinder is the most successful dating app in terms of sheer size; however, the #SwipeLife isn’t for everyone. When it comes to inspiring relationships, Hinge has been a great success — and I’m not just saying that because it’s where I met my boyfriend.

Hinge has changed the swiping system to allow singles to get to know each other on a deeper level.

Hinge is one of the few dating apps that checks in with its users and asks how their first dates went. The We Met feature allows singles to give feedback on the quality of their experience. According to its internal stats, 90% of Hinge members enjoyed their first dates, and 72% said they would go out with that person again.

Are Paid Dating Sites Better?

That depends on what you’re looking for. Some singles say paid dating sites are better because they offer a more serious dating crowd. Everyone there has paid a cover charge to get in, so you don’t have to worry as much about spammers, scammers, and fakers getting in touch with you. In fact, the members on paid dating sites tend to be more educated and career-minded folks who can afford to pay for a subscription.

Paid dating sites, like eharmony, also tend to have better security features and more hands-on matchmaking tools, and that can help singles who are new to the online dating scene.

eharmony

• Relationships: Long-Term Relationships, Marriages
• Match System: Get daily match suggestions
• About the App: Responsible for 4% of marriages in the U.S., eharmony is among our top picks for relationship-minded heterosexual singles. To become a member, add the app to your phone (iOS or Android) and then take its 29 Dimensions® of Compatibility Matching Quiz. It's absolutely free to do both these things — as well as receive matches and communicate during other special events.
• Browse Free:View Profiles Now

Of course, if you’re on a tight budget, then you may be better off on a dating site or app with unlimited free messaging. OkCupid doesn’t charge a cent for its private chatting features, and it offers a world of romantic opportunity free of charge.

It’s up to you to decide what you can afford. Don’t worry, though, because you can join just about any dating site for free and see if you like it before paying for its dating services.

The Most Popular Dating Sites & Apps Keep Growing & Matching

You never really know what a dating site or app is like until you create a profile and discover it for yourself. Sometimes you take the time to set up an account only to discover the membership base is too small to have any viable options in your area, and that’s just plain disheartening. However, if you choose a dating site with millions of active users, you won’t be disappointed by your prospects and matches.

Popular dating sites have a lot to offer today’s singles. These high-grade platforms have a virtually endless list of potential love interests just waiting to be contacted and wooed. All you need is a free membership and the right pickup line (nothing fancy — just say hi and ask an icebreaker question) to land a hot date on a site or app. Good luck!

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