Best dating sites for people over 40 (and one we hate)

Who it's for:

If you're 40 or older and looking for a serious, potentially marriage-bound relationship, eharmony is a platform worth considering. Although this legacy dating site is known for its history of successful matches, eharmony has a more conservative atmosphere and primarily caters to heterosexual couples.

However, as of December 2022, eharmony expanded its reach by allowing users to explore profiles of both men and women (without creating a second account). It also reduced its focus on religious compatibility (eharmony is less religious-focused than apps like Christian Mingle but still an option for Christian singles).

While this makes eharmony more inclusive, it may not be the top choice for queer singles looking for love.

Why we picked this:

Eharmony is one of the most popular dating sites out there, and for good reason. It's been around for over 20 years and has helped millions of singles looking for love find their soulmates.

Eharmony uses a scientific approach to matching, which involves taking a comprehensive compatibility quiz that asks you about your values, interests, and personality. The quiz takes about 20 minutes to complete, but it's worth it to get the most accurate matches possible.

The free membership of eharmony lets you browse profiles, see your compatibility scores, and send smiles and icebreakers. However, you'll need to upgrade to a paid membership to send custom messages and see potential matches who've viewed your profile.

Read our full review of eharmony.

Who it's for:

Match is a reliable dating site (with receipts) for singles of all ages, with a large user base that includes a significant number of people in their 40s and 50s. According to Match's website, 48.6% of Match members are between 30 and 49, and 26.5% are 50 and up.

Whether you're divorced, widowed, or have yet to tie the knot, Match is a good option for just about anyone interested in dipping their toes in the dating pool.

Why we picked this:

Match is a dating site designed to help you find a compatible partner for a long-term relationship without the pressure to get married right away. You can add up to 26 photos, write a bio, and answer questions about yourself to create a well-rounded profile that showcases your interests and values. Match also asks you to specify the qualities you're looking for in a partner and rank their importance to you.

One of Match's standout features is its curated approach to matchmaking. Instead of overwhelming you with hundreds of matches, Match presents one profile at a time, allowing you to focus on getting to know the person in depth. Match also prioritizes user privacy through its secure messaging system. You can chat with potential dates within the platform, ensuring your personal information remains protected until you're ready to disclose it.

Read our full review of Match.

Read our full review of AdultFriendFinder.

Who it's for:

SilverSingles is a dating site for singles 50 and above. Thanks to its minimum age requirement, SilverSingles is the perfect place to connect with other mature singles looking for love and companionship.

If you're in your 50s, 60s, or beyond and ready to find love, SilverSingles could be the dating site for you.

Why we picked this:

Mashable recently recognized SilverSingles as the best dating site for seniors, and for good reason. SilverSingles (a sister site of EliteSingles) is one of the best dating sites for people over 50 because of its focus on compatibility and its success rate.

When you sign up for SilverSingles, you'll take a comprehensive personality test that will be used to match you with compatible singles. The test may take some time to complete, but it's worth it to give SilverSingles more ammo to find you someone truly compatible. Once you're done with the test, SilverSingles will curate three to seven new matches for you each day, so you won't be overwhelmed by swiping through endless profiles.

While you can specify your preference for a same-sex match, the app currently doesn't offer the option to receive matches from both genders.

But don't let that deter you! SilverSingles is still one of the best ways for singles over 50 to find love. In fact, one of our reviewers' friends signed her mom up for SilverSingles as a surprise Christmas gift, and now her mom is happily living with a man she met on the site.

Who it's for:

OkCupid is a dating platform that embraces diversity and inclusivity, making it a solid pick for mature daters within the LGBTQ+ community. It's like the modern-day version of Facebook Dating, but with a more liberal-leaning user base and a focus on thought-provoking conversations.

OkCupid's algorithm helps you find matches by looking into core topics (such as your views on feminism and other important social issues) and aligns you with singles who share these key values.

Why we picked this:

Owned by Match Group, OkCupid is a popular dating website that's credited with making 91 million connections annually. It's also highly inclusive, offering profile options for 22 different gender identities and 12 different sexual orientations.

While swiping is still part of the experience, OkCupid offers a more comprehensive approach to matchmaking. Instead of relying solely on a brief bio and a few photos, OkCupid prompts users to answer intellectually engaging questions and provides a platform for meaningful conversations.

Read our full review of OkCupid.

Who it's for:

Hinge is a popular dating app that's known for its focus on meaningful connections. While the app is popular with millennials and young professionals, it's equally suitable for older singles who are looking for a compatible partner and prefer to steer clear of the casual hookup culture of other apps.

Hinge's detailed profiles and conversation-starting prompts make it easy to get to know potential matches on a deeper level before meeting in person. And with its free membership option, you can start exploring without any commitment.

Why we picked this:

What sets Hinge apart is its unique approach to profiles. Unlike Tinder and other swipe-based dating apps, Hinge incorporates fun prompts and personal information to help users get to know each other on a deeper level. Hinge also continuously learns your preferences and follows up on your dating experiences to provide better recommendations in the future.

Hinge's "designed to be deleted" philosophy means that the app is focused on helping users find love and eventually get rid of the app for good.

The free membership lets users send up to eight likes per day. This limitation encourages a more thoughtful and selective approach to liking profiles, increasing the chances of finding a compatible match. Hinge also notifies you when someone has liked your profile, which can help to eliminate the guesswork of dating.

If you feel like a "young 40, " give Hinge a shot.

Who it's for:

Whether you're working or retired, EliteSingles (a sister site to SilverSingles) caters to those who value their professional pursuits and are looking to make a meaningful connection with potential partners who are similarly driven and successful.

With a focus on maturity and sophistication, EliteSingles attracts a more discerning and established audience. Over 90 percent of users are 30 or older, and most hold advanced degrees. EliteSingles is a community of intellectually curious individuals who value personal, financial, and career development.

Why we picked this:

We picked Elite Singles because it's a dating site specifically designed for singles looking for a serious relationship with someone who's educated and successful (which can mean different things to different people, and that's the beauty of it).

First, you'll take a personality test and receive three to seven daily matches based on your results and preferences. You can even filter by profession if that's important to you. EliteSingles has a variety of ways to find a potential partner, so you're sure to find someone you really click with.

EliteSingles is one of the pricier dating apps out there, but it's worth the investment if you're serious about finding love. Fake profiles and scam accounts are minimal thanks to the fraud detection system EliteSingles uses to verify every profile manually.

Sure, EliteSingles may have a bit of a snobbish air about it, with its emphasis on users with a Bachelor's degree or higher. But if finding someone with at least a four-year college degree and a career is your top priority, then EliteSingles is the dating site for you.

Read our full review of EliteSingles.

Who it's for:

With its women-first philosophy, Bumble empowers women and non-binary individuals to take the lead and initiate conversations. This women-first philosophy creates a less skivvy space and is easier to navigate than Tinder.

If you're a woman or non-binary individual over 40 who's tired of receiving unsolicited messages, Bumble is the app for you. It reduces unwanted advances, allows outgoing people to take control of their dating experience, and is a pretty good way for shy men to meet women, too.

Why we picked this:

The laid-back environment of Bumble is a major draw. Profiles feature witty and personalized bios that you write yourself (here are some tips to help your profile stand out.), eliminating the need for lengthy compatibility quizzes to get started.

The app operates on a swiping system that's similar to Tinder. If both individuals swipe right, it's a match, and in straight pairings, it's up to the woman or non-binary individual to initiate the conversation. With a 24-hour expiration time for matches, Bumble encourages active engagement and prompts users to make a meaningful connection before the opportunity disappears. The one downside is that you might find a lot of the same people on Tinder on Bumble.

Read our full review of Bumble vs. Tinder.

Who it's for:

If you've tried other dating apps and haven't reeled in a catch, you may want to consider Plenty of Fish (POF). The site has over 150 million members worldwide, so it's likely you'll find a compatible match.

That said, POF also plays host to its fair share of shady accounts, including bots and catfish. So it's essential to cast your net wide and watch for impostors. If you encounter any fishy business, be sure to report it.

Why we picked this:

POF offers a vast sea of potential matches over 40, ensuring you'll have plenty of options to explore. It also provides a range of communication features to keep the conversation flowing.

Whether you prefer video chat, private messaging, chat rooms, or even voice calling, POF has you covered. The app's commitment to offering multiple avenues for connection makes it easier to get to know potential matches — if you can get past the fake bot accounts.