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Finding your special someone is a huge step, and it's one of the most exciting parts of your life. While usually we'd say love is in the air, it's actually showing up online. Especially post-pandemic, one of the main ways couples are meeting is through online dating or dating sites. According to analytics from the last few years, almost 60 million adults in the US are using online dating services. And of those users, over 70% said that their experience on a dating app led to a romantic, exclusive relationship.
Dating sites are a growing feature of the dating world and can be used for all sorts of things such as finding romance, friendship, or maybe just meeting new people while traveling. Whether you're coming out of a recent relationship, exploring your romantic prospects, or looking for the Mr./Ms. Right to settle down ASAP, you can find a dating site out there to support your goals.
Wednesday, February 19th
Hinge is a popular, mobile-only dating site that learns your preferences through your swiping patterns. The setup is user-friendly and the free version includes a ton of filters and messages with other singles without ever needing to pay. While premium options are available for extra perks, many members report success with the free version of Hinge, making this app the best option for anyone seeking meaningful connections (and those elusive second dates).
Plenty of Fish is a popular dating site known for its casual and friendly approach. With over 170 million users worldwide, Plenty of Fish offers unique ways to connect with tons of singles near and far. Though it has a mid-tier rating on review sites, Plenty of Fish's interactive features and praise from those who found their "soulmates” make it a terrific choice for singles looking for a dating site that won't break the bank.
Short OkCupid is a highly inclusive dating app that's been around since 2003. With a thorough quiz and customizable filters, you can search for meaningful matches whether you're looking for a monogamous relationship or something else. While there's a mixed range of reviews, many users praise the platform's ease of use on desktop, and it stands out as a top choice for LGBT+ singles looking for a more personalized dating experience.
eHarmony is one of the world's most well-known dating sites, claiming to have over 2 million successful relationships to date. The platform has impressive quizzes and free browsing to help you find your special someone. However, there is a lot of price-blocking for standard features, meaning you may need to spend a decent amount to get things that are standard on other dating sites. So, while its match success rate is high, eHarmony isn't a fan favorite for its cost or difficulties navigating the platform. For this reason, it earns a good rating overall.
Match is one of the oldest and most well-known dating sites in our review, and it's best for connecting singles looking for serious relationships. With around 75 million users, Match offers plenty of search features to help you find your special someone on its platform. While its large user base and success with matches make it appealing, recent complaints about fake profiles and limited customer support have impacted its reputation, so it earns good rating rather than something higher in our review.
Tinder is a popular swipe-based dating site that is known for its casual vibe and is popular among younger singles (especially those in their 20s). It offers basic features for free with low-cost paid upgrades that help keep dating fun and your wallet happy. While it's mostly seen as a go-to for more casual daters, Tinder can still help you find a few quality matches for your dream partner. Best for those looking for a fun, low-pressure environment, Tinder earns an above-average rating in this review.
It's Just Lunch (IJL) is a matchmaking service designed to arrange real-life dates after a phone consultation. IJL focuses on curated introductions based on the number of dates you pay for in advance. While the service offers a hands-off dating approach, some users report inconsistent match quality for the high price point. For this reason, this dating site is more suited to those serious about a personalized and premium dating experience.
Friend Finder is a pretty basic online dating site that doesn't really stand out from the pack. While it's been around since 1996 and is LGBT+ inclusive, it has limited features for free and extremely low user activity. With only average reviews, Friend Finder may be better to put on the back burner until you've tried our top-rated dating sites first.
Zoosk is a dating site known for its behavioral matchmaking, which learns from your preferences to give you better matches. You can set up a profile quickly, but with mixed reviews and a recent increase in dissatisfaction from reviewers, we're not sure this dating site is worth your time. It doesn't have any standout features, and with nothing exciting going for it in terms of success stories, it earns a lower rating in our review.
Coffee Meets Bagel (CMB) is a dating app designed for those looking for a real, meaningful relationship. While it has unique features like narrowing by filters for free and sending virtual flowers, it has received some concerning reviews and an "F” rating from the BBB. With complaints regarding fake profiles and catfishing, we're a little concerned about the overall experience. However, it's free features are competitive (and worth checking out).
Bumble is a women-owned dating app known for letting ladies make the first move. Those seeking a partner can sign up with Google, Apple, or their phone numbers, and create custom profiles for free. While there are paid plans, Bumble's poor reputation (and "F” rating from the BBB) suggests it may not be worth your money to subscribe. You could try the free version if you like, but we recommend trying out one of our top-rated dating sites instead.
Elite Singles is designed for highly-educated singles to find long-term relationships. However, while the site claims an 80% effectiveness rating for individuals aged 30+, there are reports of inaccurate matches and difficulties canceling subscriptions. With almost no free features and concerning customer complaints about "scams”, we're wary to suggest this dating site. Check out our higher-rated services instead.
Chemistry is a premium dating site owned by Match that aims to make online dating easier with its fun personality quiz. However, while you can browse for free, the site is limited in chat and messaging if you don't subscribe. Plus, with extremely low ratings and an "NR” from the BBB, we're a little concerned about how much you can trust Chemistry. With mentions of malware from some previous users, it's better to choose one of our higher-rated dating sites instead.
Dating sites have some basic features that seem to be standard. Most require a certain number of photos - so you might want to start digging through your recent pics and finding the ones that really represent you - and a bio that helps prospective dates figure out who you are before they match with you. Many modern dating sites are either fully mobile (downloadable on your phone or tablet) or a combination of website and mobile, so you'll find a very streamlined experience for dating sites that you might not have found if you tried them a few years ago.
Inclusivity and advanced filtering features have also made a major update to the online dating sphere. Whether you want someone who has similar religious beliefs, the same music taste, or you want to be more detailed about your sexuality in your profile, modern dating sites offer filters and tags that allow like-minded individuals to find you (and you to find them) faster than ever.
If you're ready to jump into your next whirlwind romance, but don't know which dating site is right for you, don't sweat it. We've put together a list of factors to help you jump into the best online dating pool for your interests:
With a new dating site at your fingertips, you're on your way to your next romantic adventure. To help you find the feeling of love-struck butterflies, Top Consumer Reviews has researched and ranked the top dating sites available online today. This way you can leave the stress of trying to meet new people behind and jump right into your local dating pool. Who knows, your special someone might just be one swipe away!
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