With online dating now being the most popular way that couples initially meet [https://www.theknot.com/content/online-dating-most-popular-way-to-meet-spouse], it’s time to browse some profiles. Not every dating site is worth your time or your money, as many of them are used primarily by the younger crowd. 💡 Key Takeaways: * Match.com has a large pool of singles, and the 50+ age group is a rapidly expanding market for this dating site. However, users require a monthly subscription to communicate freely with fellow members. * Silver Singles is a niche dating site for singles 50+ that uses a mandatory personality test to determine compatibility, but there's a major drawback: you cannot search for matches on your own. * OurTime is user-friendly and designed for senior dating, however, a paid subscription is required to communicate freely with members. * EliteSingles is a niche dating site for career-oriented singles, with members receiving daily curated matches based on their answers to a personality test, but you can only see what they look like if you pay for your membership. * PlentyOfFish (POF) is free to use and has a wide dating pool. Because it is free, there is a higher % of members who aren't entirely serious about meeting someone. * eHarmony is a well-known dating site with one major drawback: you can ONLY rely on its algorithm for matches. * As you venture into the world of dating over 50, it's crucial to prioritize your safety and privacy [https://www.vidaselect.com/is-online-dating-safe/]. #1. MATCH: BEST DATING SITE OVERALL FOR 50S+ One of the longest-running dating sites out there, Match.com [/ultimate-guide-to-match/] is virtually synonymous with online dating and has the extensive, world-wide database to prove it. It’s regarded as one of the best dating sites for serious relationships, and the 50+ demographic is their most rapidly expanding market [http://match.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=30442]. In fact, a study recently found that 50% [https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/07/17/dating-at-50-and-up-older-americans-experiences-with-online-dating/] of online dating users who are 50+ have used Match.com. Basically, Match is a must when you’re dating over 50! Here are 3 things you should know about Match... YOU’LL NEED TO INVEST IN A MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION TO SEND OR READ MESSAGES. Paid dating sites generally attract singles who are committed to the process of online dating, which is a good thing for you. Communicating with other singles requires paying a monthly fee. So people are generally responsive when they’re interested in you, and less likely to flake out on plans to meet. Match costs between $16 and $28 monthly, depending on your subscription length, where you live and if you opt for the “Standard” or “Premium” level: Premium plans cost a few dollars more each month because you get additional features like message read receipts and a monthly profile boost. When you use your monthly boost, your profile will be showcased in your area for an hour. That means more people will get the chance to match with you. You can purchase additional boosts for $4.99 each, or if you buy 5 at once the price drops to $4 each. Purchase 10 at once and you’ll only pay $3 each. All paid members are able to send and receive messages, and see which members have viewed or “Liked” your profile. YOU CAN CONTROL WHO SEES YOUR PROFILE. Don’t want anyone on the site to be able to see your photos and bio? Once you’ve purchased a subscription you can activate Match’s “Private Mode.” This is an add-on feature, so it’s not free - you’ll pay an additional $9.99 per month. That means your profile will be invisible unless you choose to communicate with them. For instance, when you send a message, “like” that person’s profile, or add them as a “favorite,” you’ll become visible to them. If you’re nervous about giving your phone number out to members, you can purchase the “Match Phone” feature for an additional $3.33 per month. Communications are routed to your cell phone via a randomized number that’s unique to you and your match. You can read more about how to use dating sites discreetly in this short post [/hidden-private-dating-profiles/], and plenty of expert advice in our Ultimate Guide to Match [/ultimate-guide-to-match/]! MATCH HAS A GREAT MOBILE APP. You can download Match mobile for iOS [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/match-dating-app-chat-meet/id305939712] or Android [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.match.android.matchmobile&hl=en_US]. Want a peek at the app? Check out this Match mobile review [/match-mobile/]! #2. SILVERSINGLES: BEST NICHE DATING SITE FOR 50+ SINGLES Unlike Match where you’ll find members of all ages, Silver Singles is designed specifically for people 50 and over. While it's not as old as Match, Silver Singles is one of the oldest dating sites for seniors. It's been around since 2002 but it's gone through a few name changes over the years. SilverSingles is now part of the Spark Network SE [https://www.spark.net/] family of dating sites. Memberships are open to seniors in the US, Canada, UK, Australia, France, and Germany. Creating a profile is free, and the 3 to 7 daily matches you’ll receive are based on the results of the personality test you take when you sign up. The test is part of the process, so it’s mandatory - as are all the questions. Plan on spending about 20 minutes to answer the 150+ questions, broken into 10 sections. But it’s easy enough to complete. The test mostly consists of choosing answers from a menu. You also have the option of saving and completing it later. Once you’ve completed the test, you’ll be able to see how compatible you are with each of your matches: And personality traits you have in common: One thing to be aware of with Silver Singles, though - you can’t search for matches on your own. You’ll have to rely on the algorithm to pair you with like-minded people. That’s a plus in some ways, as you won’t feel like you’re overwhelmed with choice. Having too many options when it comes to matches has been proven to create feelings of dissatisfaction overall. [http://news.wisc.edu/online-dating-study-shows-too-many-choices-can-lead-to-dissatisfaction/] On the other hand, you’re also relying on an algorithm to determine compatibility - and they aren’t proven to be reliable [http://faculty.wcas.northwestern.edu/eli-finkel/documents/2012_FinkelEastwickKarneyReisSprecher_PSPI.pdf]. SILVERSINGLES COST SilverSingles also requires a paid subscription to access most features of the site, including sending/reading messages and seeing photos. You can purchase a 1, 3 or 6-month subscription, which ranges in price from $18.95 to $49.95. The longer the subscription, the lower the monthly fee. These features are included: * Unlimited communication * View your personality profile * View all member photos * See all profile visitors * Use the mobile app * Message read receipts * Up to 20 extra matches per day The SilverSingles dating app is also available for both iOS [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/silversingles-mature-dating/id6448954405] and Android [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.spark.com.silversingles.app&hl=en_US]. #3. OURTIME: BEST DATING SITE FOR SINGLES OVER 60 OurTime is owned by the same parent company that runs Match.com, which means the site is well designed with a friendly, intuitive user interface. Like SilverSingles, OurTime is specifically designed for senior dating. It’s a great place to start if you are 60s and up. You’ll also need a paid subscription to communicate freely with other members. But the monthly price is just a bit less expensive than Match. You can get a 6-month subscription for $15/month, or slightly more if you get all the bells & whistles like read receipts and a highlighted profile to help stand out. A single month’s worth of use is $32.96. All paid members can read and send messages, see who’s “flirted” with you (i.e. liked your profile), added you as a favorite, and use the mobile app. When it comes to searching for matches, you can filter your results by zip code, which is handy if you’d like to search for matches nearby or in a city you visit often. You can download the OurTime dating app on iOS [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ourtime-meet-50-singles/id1009499048] or Android [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.peoplemedia.ourtime&hl=en_US]. Want to learn more about this 50+ dating site? Check out this in-depth OurTime review [/ourtime-reviews/]! #4. ELITESINGLES: BEST DATING SITE FOR PROFESSIONALS OVER 50 If you’re in your early to late 50s and finding someone with a similar educational background is important to you, EliteSingles is a great place to look for fellow career-oriented professionals. One potential downside is it’s not as popular as some of the other dating sites on this list. So you may not find many potential matches if you live in a smaller city or rural area. And like SilverSingles, you can’t just search the database of members. Your daily matches are curated based on your answers to their personality test. You’ll also need a paid membership to see what your matches look like, and exchange messages with them. Memberships range from $99.95 for a single month to $39.95 monthly if you purchase a 6-month membership. It’s one of the more expensive options on this list, but this dating site also tends to attract high-caliber matches. Because you’re limited in terms of matches and the membership pool is smaller in general, it’s wise to use Elite Singles in conjunction with another dating site if it’s in your budget. You can download the Elite Singles app on iOS [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/elitesingles-serious-dating/id6444870384] or Android [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.affinitas.za.co.elitesingles.and]. Want more details about this elite dating site? Check out this Elite Singles review [/elite-singles-reviews-cost/]! #5. PLENTY OF FISH: BEST FREE DATING SITE FOR SINGLES OVER 50 PlentyOfFish [/pof-ultimate-guide/] (POF) is one of the best totally free and most popular dating sites for singles over 50. (There’s a premium subscription available, but you won’t need it since you can do all the important things, like see photos and exchange messages, without paying a cent). While it’s open to daters of all ages, the huge user pool ensures it's one of the best dating sites for over 50. The sheer number of singles using it makes POF a go-to dating site if you live in a less populated area. That being said - the fact that it’s free means you’ll find the match quality ranges from “no way, ever” to “total package.” And because you don’t have to jump through many hoops to create a profile, you’ll find a higher percentage of people who aren’t serious about meeting someone. It’s also a bit of a haven for scammers and prostitutes looking for a one-night stand, unfortunately. POF’s detailed advanced search functions [/pof-advanced-search-url/] will help you meet like-minded people who meet your standards, and the entire site is incredibly user friendly. You can download the POF dating app on iOS [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/pof-dating/id389638243] or Android [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pof.android&hl=en_US]. Want more details about getting started on POF, plus some expert POF profile tips? Check out this Plenty Of Fish review [/pof-review/]! CURIOUS ABOUT EHARMONY? eHarmony [/eharmony-reviews/] is well-known among older singles, so you may be wondering why it isn’t included on this list. That’s because eHarmony has one major drawback. eHarmony does not allow you to search its database of singles on your own. Instead, you’re at the whim of the algorithm, which limits who you see based on your compatibility test results and other factors. The problem with this is predicting long-term compatibility based on eHarmony’s metrics is difficult, if not impossible. Real life is full of unprecedented variables that the algorithm simply can’t account for. That’s why VIDA’s dating experts believe it’s better to use a dating site where you have full search capabilities, allowing you to vet potential matches and make your own decisions. STAYING SAFE AND PROTECTING YOUR PRIVACY Knowing what to look out for and recognizing the most common red flags [https://www.vidaselect.com/how-to-spot-fake-dating-profiles/] for scammers can help you stay safe while dating online. Be on the lookout for these warning signs: * Watch out for those who want to get emotionally involved quickly. Scammers often profess strong feelings very quickly to try to manipulate victims. * Be wary of anyone who asks for money, regardless of the reason. * Be cautious of anyone who is inconsistent with their stories. Pay attention to details that don’t add up in their background or current situation. * Take note if you connect with someone but they are always reluctant to meet in person. Constant excuses to avoid face-to-face meetings can be a red flag. * Be careful if there’s pressure to move communication off the dating platform since scammers prefer less monitored channels of communication. WANT TO MAKE ONLINE DATING EASY & STRESS FREE? Whether online dating is a brave new world or you’re ready to start swiping again after a divorce, get ready to put in some hard work and effort. Figuring out which are the best dating sites for over 50 is the easy part! You can’t just upload your most recent Facebook photo, write a few lines describing yourself, and call it a day. Whether you’re looking for a casual or a serious relationship, if you want to attract quality matches, you need to make yourself shine online. You also need to be careful of who you contact and what information you divulge, because unfortunately romance scams are a booming business. According to the FBI, victims reported losing $736 million to romance scammers in 2022 [https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/memphis/news/beware-of-romance-scams-dont-let-scammers-break-your-heart-and-your-bank-account]. And that’s just the victims who were willing to admit they were scammed! Older singles are commonly targeted, so you definitely need to proceed with caution. If you’re not sure how to write an attractive dating profile, or what pictures you should use - or even what dating sites and apps would be best for someone in your specific situation, you may feel a bit overwhelmed by the process. VIDA is here to help [https://www.vidaselect.com]! Our online dating and matchmaking experts can work with you hand in hand to develop a dating strategy that works. Or we can do everything from creating your profiles and screening your matches to sending your messages for you! In other words, you can totally outsource your online dating. Leave all the time-consuming, tedious parts to us, and just go on dates with highly compatible, incredible singles. Want to learn how it all works? If you’re ready to meet your ideal partner, get started here [https://www.vidaselect.com]!
