Okay, so you're finally thinking about getting back into the dating scene—but you want the chance to scope out your prospects from the comfort of your own home before you actually meet anyone IRL. And that's totally fair! Going on blind dates can feel terrifying, so it's nice to know at least a little about who you're meeting up with. And relying on your friends for a love match doesn't always pan out in the end. Luckily, there are a ton of dating apps and websites that will help you get started—and I've rounded up a few of the best dating sites and apps right here.

eHarmony

People find love every 14 minutes on eHarmony, so the odds are very much in your favor. You can either start a free trial, use the free site, or purchase one of the site's subscription plans. eHarmony promises that you'll receive possible matches within minutes of completing your dating questionnaire, so the prospects literally come to you.

try eharmony

Match.com

Match.com has pioneered the online dating scene since its launch in 1995, and it's not hard to see why. Simply select your gender, the gender you're looking to match with, your preferred age range, and voila! You can start seeing all of the available singles in your area right then and there.

try Match.com

Jdate

If finding a partner that shares your Jewish faith is a top priority, consider checking out Jdate. You can even find matches anonymously thanks to the site's LookBook feature, which allows you to leave a heart on the profiles that you feel would be a good fit. If both of you "heart" each other, you'll be notified of the mutual attraction.

try Jdate

Hinge

Hinge calls itself "The Dating App Designed to Be Deleted," so that's promising right from the outset! It boasts an entire Hinge Lab Team that works behind the scenes to perfect the science behind online dating. The app uses your location to find potential matches in your area and asks each user to complete a series of prompts rather than relying on the usual questions. The end goal is to find a serious relationship rather than a casual fling.

try Hinge

Bumble

While Bumble has expanded into the business world recently with Bumble Bizz, it got its start as a plain old dating app. The app lets women make the first move, and lets you add up to six photos and link your Instagram and Spotify pages to make your profile look more official. After you complete your profile, the app works much the same as some of the others on this list—simply swipe to find your preferred people!

try Bumble

OkCupid

OkCupid uses both a website and a handy app, so you can find matches from your computer or straight from your phone if you prefer. It's considered the best free dating site out there, and has the numbers to back it up. The site boasts more than 91 million matches every year, and users go on an average of 50 thousand dates every week.

try OkCupid

Coffee Meets Bagel

If the name "Coffee Meets Bagel" sounds familiar, it's probably because you saw it on Shark Tank. Founded by sisters Soo, Dawoon, and Arum Kang, the ladies-first app wants to make sure that you actually see all your matches, so they deliver six matches who have already liked your profile at noon every single day. After discovering that men were twice as active on dating apps than women were, the founders worked with women what they actually wanted—and Coffee Meets Bagel is the result.

try Coffee Meets Bagel

Her

Her prides itself on being the #1 dating app and safe space for LGBTQ+ and queer folks who are looking for love—and it's currently over eight million users strong. It allows users to join smaller community-focused group chats, find singles within their area, or just make a few new friends. There are also free and premium paid-for versions of the app.

try Her

Happn

Happn is a location-based dating app that's designed for you to meet-cute with the singles that you already cross paths with throughout your day. The app uses your location to show you a personalized timeline of singles who frequent the places that you already go—or who are in the same room as you swipe.

try Happn

XO

If your least favorite thing about dating is wading through awkward get-to-know you conversations with strangers, then XO might just be the solution you've been looking for. The app turns up the social aspect of dating with fun games and conversation starters that give users a fun, stress-free way to get to know each other before diving into more romantic discussions.

try XO

Pickable

Pickable isn't the only female-focused dating app on the market, but it does take the premise to the greatest extreme. While apps like Bumble give women the power of making the first move, Pickable goes a step further by letting women swipe anonymously—you don't need to upload a picture, include your name, or even create a profile on the app to browse the men who are available to meet there. When you do feel like being seen and letting dudes on the app request chats, you can add a photo temporarily and set a time limit. During that time, you're "pickable," and after the clock runs out, your picture will be taken down again. It's ultimate, total control for women in the app-based dating scene.

try Pickable

Badoo

In terms of sheer numbers, Badoo leads the way in the dating app world. Badoo's high number of users—521 million and counting—is thanks to a combination of factors, from being early to the game (it launched in 2006) to being available in several countries around the world. By 2011, Wired UK was already describing Badoo as a "mass phenomenon" in Brazil, Mexico, France, Spain, and Italy. In 2017, the app underwent a massive redesign and now brands itself as being for more than just dating, making it a strong option for people just looking to make platonic friends, too.

try Badoo

Raya

Raya is known as the "celebrity dating app," but you don't technically have to be a celebrity to join. Still, it is ultra-exclusive and, unlike most dating apps, requires an application to join. According to Raya's website, "Anyone interested in joining must fill out an application." And don't expect the admission process to be easy. Only about 8 percent of applications are accepted, which is lower than the rate of admission to some Ivy League universities. If you are granted admission to the Raya community, you're expected to pay $8/month in membership dues for access to the app.

try Raya

MeetMindful

If you're looking to meet someone who shares your life philosophy and overall vibe and said philosophy and overall vibe is all about mindfulness and holistic wellbeing, then MeetMindful might just be the app you've been waiting for. Niche dating apps and websites are nothing new, from religious-based options like Christian Mingle and J-Date to lifestyle-driven hubs like the much-mocked FarmersOnly.com. MeetMindful just takes that basic, tried-and-true concept and brings it firmly into 2020 with a lifestyle category that's much more likely to speak to urban millennials today.

try MeetMindful

S'more

We all know the struggle of selecting the perfect set of photos for a dating app—can a few photos really represent you?—so what if we took all that snap judgement and hot-or-not BS out of it? Gone is the concept of swiping right or left based on looks; instead, S'more users first establish connections based on mutual interests. How it works: Each day you'll receive recommended profiles based on your previous activity on the app (the algorithm takes into account the kind of people you swipe 'yes' to the most), but the matches' photos are blurred and only become visible when you engage with the profile more. Whether that's asking the other person a question, or sending them a "wink" to let them know you're interested, the photo will slowly become more discernible as you get to know each other.

try S'more

Tinder

For many modern daters, the word “Tinder" is accompanied by the Darth Vader theme song. The truth is, no app embodies the “necessary evil” aspect of swiping the way Tinder does. And it’s not even Tinder’s fault: As a pioneer of the current dating app format, Tinder’s utter ubiquity means everyone has an opinion about it. And because the dating rigamarole kind of sucks in general, that means a lot of people have negative opinions about it. But you have to hand it to Tinder, they really did change the game. The OG features users love? The bio, which depending on what users choose (a lyric, a favorite motto) can be used to spark conversations, and the radius feature, which allows users to find people in their area—or not their area.

try Tinder

Feeld

Feeld is an app for people who know what they want. It describes itself as a place to “meet open-minded couples and singles near you,” making it the premiere app for unicorns and those who want a more openly kink-friendly app experience. While that may sound pretty niche, there are plenty of pros that the average dater can appreciate. Knowing that all potential partners are looking for hot, fun people to hookup with in a judgement-free zone, means that you can skip over those awkward first few dates and early-sex convos. Plus, if you end up with someone long term, you know that he or she is fully aware of your kinks and interests—right from the start.

try Feeld

I’m an accidental expert on dating apps – I’ve spent the vast majority of my life single, with a variety of them downloaded. The aim has been, as many dating profiles say, to find a reason to delete the apps.

Recently I noticed that Tinder was advertising one of its premium services to me, Tinder Gold. I’ve never paid for a dating app, instead opting for the free version most services offer, and at £14.59 a month it seemed steep.

I had just turned 28, so I wondered if I was being charged more than a younger user. If you’re single at 28, does big tech know you’re filled with enough existential dread that you’ll pay whatever it takes to get a date?

Tinder has three levels of subscription, Tinder Plus, Tinder Gold and Tinder Platinum, each with different prices. What I hadn’t realised until I started looking into it was that, as well as being linked to the different services on offer, the monthly fee was also linked to age.

I did some research, asking friends, friends’ younger siblings and Facebook groups I’m a member of – an unscientific sample of Tinder users. I asked them to send me a screenshot of the price Tinder was asking them to pay.

In this random group of users there was a clear distinction when it came to Tinder Gold – users aged about 30 were being charged £27.49 or £29.49, while those under 30 were being charged £13.99 or £14.49.

Tinder Plus seemed more random. I was being asked to pay £4.99 a month for that service, and while some users over 30 said they were being charged £19.49, most who responded were being asked to pay £4.99, £8.99 or £9.99.

How do the other options add up?

Tinder is not the only dating app to offer a premium service, many offer one or more price points, as well as a free version. We have rounded up the advertised prices and what you get for your money from each one. And it seems £14.59 a month wasn’t as steep as it first seemed.

One member of Bumble could be paying £14.99 a month for Bumble Boost, giving them access to features including the ability to swipe (show that you’re interested in) unlimited users. Another might be paying £32.99 for Bumble Premium, offering those services plus others, including the ability to see who has already liked them.

Coffee Meets Bagel charges £34 a month for its Premium service – for that price you can see and contact everyone who likes you. You will also get a huge amount of information on other users, including details of whether they have recently been online.

Grindr also offers a more expensive package, Unlimited, at £31.99 a month. The features include removing the limit on the number of profiles you can view. It also has some features that might make some users uncomfortable, allowing you to see when another user is typing and the ability to browse the app without being visible to other users.

Hinge claims you’ll go on twice as many dates with its paid-for Preferred membership. If you’re hopeful you can delete after only one month, it will cost you £29.49 for a subscription. But if you pay for three months upfront, it is £58.99, only £19.66 a month. For six months’ membership, you can pay only £14.66 a month.

While most apps allow you to pay for premium services for just a month at a time, Plenty of Fish has a minimum premium subscription of three months for £39.99, which works out at £13.33 a month. The minimum time period to subscribe to eharmony’s premium subscription is six months for £99.99, which is £16.66 a month. Like most apps it will give you a discount for signing up for longer and if you opt for 24 months of membership, it will cost you only £8.33 a month.

Paid subscriptions tend to grant better search facilities

Sophie Thomas, a celebrity dating and love coach, says it is worth buying into a premium service. “It’s absolutely possible to meet your ideal match using free services. However, if you’re serious about this substantial area of life, then investing in dating is an act of commitment to show up at your highest level,” she says.

“Paid subscriptions also tend to grant better search facilities, which can save time. If you definitely want children, for example, then there’s no point scrolling through hundreds of people who don’t.

“Getting to know someone takes time, so rushing into committing to one person isn’t usually advisable. It can therefore make sense, once you know that you’re happy with an app, to buy a longer subscription in order to give yourself that time to date until you find the right person.”

James Preece, the host of the Love Machine podcast, agrees that it is worth spending money. However, he adds: “It’s not simply a case of the more you pay, then the better results you’ll get. If your profile, photos and messages are terrible, then you’ll still have awful results.

“If they are good, then unlocking extra features such as the ability to be seen by more people can boost your opportunities … Some upgrades – such as those on Bumble – allow you to use more filters when you are searching. That can really help getting quality matches.”

The dating and relationships coach Kate Mansfield disagrees, however. She argues that the most dateable people will be snapped up before they sign up for a paid-for service.

“The truth is this: quality, confident people who love themselves and know what they want and deserve don’t need to pay for matchmaking or elite services – they are able to navigate the free apps and find the best partner for them,” she says.

“You might think that paying for an elite or premier service is the answer but throwing money at this is the absolute worst thing that you can do because while you might expect to be buying access to premier quality dates, it is in fact the opposite – you are now paying to be in a pool of people who are also struggling to make dating and relationships work.”

Instead of a paid-for app, she advises working on yourself: “Invest in coaching or therapy to get yourself in the best place possible and then use Tinder, Hinge or Bumble’s free version to find love.”

Tinder’s stance

To try to make sense of what my friends and I were being charged, I contacted Tinder. It told Guardian Money: “Tinder operates a global business, and in some geographies we offer discounted subscriptions to younger members. In addition, we frequently offer promotional rates, which can vary based on factors like location or length of subscription. No other demographic information is considered in our pricing structure.”

Tinder’s stance is that it is giving younger members a better deal, rather than older members a worse one. To Allan Candelore, a Tinder user in California, this age-based pricing seemed unfair, and he launched a class action lawsuit.

Tinder argued that younger users have less money. But the judge stated at appeal: “No matter what Tinder’s market research may have shown about the younger users’ relative income and willingness to pay for the service, as a group, as compared to the older cohort, some individuals will not fit the mould. Some older consumers will be ‘more budget-constrained’. And less willing to pay than some in the younger group.”

Tinder settled the lawsuit for $17.3m (£12.4m) and agreed to stop pricing based on age, but only in California.

Robin Allen QC says that in the UK “there is an exception to the Equality Act which allows businesses to give ‘concession in respect of a service to persons of a particular age group’. This means a business can give a discounted price to someone based on their age, like OAP deals on fish and chips or railcards.”

He says the act states that the concession provided should be “more favourable than the manner in which, or the terms on which, it is usually provided to the public”, which you could see as meaning the discounted price cannot be the price most people are paying. “If most of Tinder’s users are younger and paying a lower amount, there could be an argument that the concession wouldn’t apply.”

But he says it is unlikely that anyone in the UK would take a case because “best-case scenario, you would win the difference between the two prices, which isn’t very much here. There would also be costs of litigation. Age discrimination cases like this are very rare in Britain. Compared to the case in California, proportionality of costs of litigation, chance of success and possible reward look much different.”

The lowdown on dating apps and sites

Tinder

Claims to be the best free dating site and to have made 55bn matches. For free, you can swipe on someone you like and will be informed and linked up if they like you back.

Plus – £4.99-£19.94 a month: features include unlimited likes, five super likes a day, passport to any location, hidden advertisements.

Gold – £13.99-£29.49 a month: as above, plus see who likes you and new top picks every day.

Platinum – £18.14-£36.49 a month: as Gold, plus messaging before matching, prioritised likes and a record of the likes you have sent over the last seven days.

Bumble

App where women always have to make the first move. Matching and messaging is free but you can upgrade your subscription.

Boost – £14.99 for one month: features include rematch, allowing you to chat to expired matches; extend, giving more time to chat with matches beyond the 24-hour window; unlimited swipes and the chance to backtrack; spotlight – get your profile to the front of the queue.

Premium – £32.99 for one month: as above, plus Beeline – see who has already swiped right on you; Incognito – only get seen by those you swipe right on; travel, letting you change your location to connect with people in different areas; unlimited advanced filters.

HER

The world’s largest and, it claims, “most loved” free dating app for LGBTQ women with 6 million users signed up. For free, you can view profiles, get matches, add friends, start chats, view events and join communities.

Gold – £14.99 a month: ad-free; premium filters; see who likes you; change location; browse incognito; rewind profiles.

Platinum – £24.99 a month: as above, plus unlimited swipes; see who is online; read receipts; one free boost a month.

Coffee Meets Bagel

Bills itself as the “original anti-swiping app” – for free, it sends subscribers a list of matches every day that have been “curated” by an algorithm.

Premium – £34 for one month: extra features including full access to contact those who like you; one “discover” like a day, allowing you to choose someone you haven’t been matched with; monthly profile boost; activity reports; read receipts.

Plenty of Fish

Free dating app that claims to have 3 million members logging in daily across several countries. You can search and message people without having to match with them. The site claims a paid-for subscription will treble the number of people viewing your profile and more than double your chance of meeting someone.

Upgraded profile – £13.33 a month for shortest sign-up of three months: buys a long list of features including show up first on Meet Me; unlock every user’s Extended Profile; ad-free; see if your emails were read or deleted; upload 16 images.

Hinge

Styles itself as “the dating app designed to be deleted”. For free, you can send up to eight likes a day and message someone you have matched with.

Preferred Membership – £17.99 a month: you get additional filters for height, whether someone has children, whether someone wants children, politics, drinking, smoking, marijuana, and drug use; unlimited number of likes; option to view everyone who likes you at the same time.

eharmony

More than 2 million people have found love through eharmony, the website claims. For free you get unlimited matches and some messaging.

Premium – from £7.99 a month depending on plan length. Shortest subscription is six months at £16.66 a month: unlimited matches; enhanced search features; photos of all of your matches; unlimited communication.

OkCupid

Users are matched by an algorithm after answering questions about the things they care about. The standard service, which puts mutual likes in touch with each other, is free.

Basic – £19.49 a month: features include no outside ads; send unlimited likes; specify dealbreakers.

Premium - £43.99 a month: as above, plus see everyone who likes you before you like them; see everyone’s public answers to their questions before you answer.

Grindr

Bills itself as the world’s largest social networking app for gay, bi, trans and queer people. Tells you who is nearby and you can connect with them for free.

Xtra – £15.99 a month: features include no third-party ads; view up to 600 profiles in the cascade; explore mode/global chat; saved phrases; read receipts.

Unlimited – £31.99 a month: as above, plus unlimited profiles; see who has viewed your profile; Incognito – browse without being seen; know when someone’s messaging you; undo sent messages and photos; expiring photos – send an unlimited number of photos that can be seen only once for 10 seconds; chat translate.

Find love (or casual sex) with the help of these dating sites.

Finding dating IRL is proving tricky after Coronavirus? Some people are understandably anxious about finding love after lockdown and dating face-to-face after two years of restrictions, while others just prefer being able to get to know someone virtually before spending time with them in person – which is where our round up of the best dating sites comes in.

Stats show that searches for dating site Bumble rose by 3,350% in September, and over half of all single people are now using some form of match-making site to find love (read our guide to the best sex apps, here—hi, Tinder). Long gone are the days when Internet dating was seen as a no-go. Now, e-dating is about as normal as Internet banking (just way more fun).

That said, scoping out the best dating sites in a market of very *meh* ones can be difficult, especially if you’re a newbie to the whole she-bang. So what is a guaranteed win?

We drafted in online dating expert Sloan Sheridan-Williams, who shared her pick of the fourteen best dating sites to find your perfect match. Read up on our guide to what to talk about on a first date, while you’re here – and if all goes wrong, remember: the best sex toys will always be your friend.

Video you may like:

Credit: Love Is Blind

14 best dating sites to try now

eharmony‘sRachael Lloyd says: “Maintain an open mind, and remember that being yourself is key to success. Treat online dating as an opportunity to meet new people and enjoy new experiences, rather than wondering if who you’re talking to is the love of your life. It’ll take the pressure off a little bit.”

And while you’re at it, read our guides to how to make your online dating profile stand out and tantric sex, too.

1. Best dating site for over 40s: eHarmony

How does it work? If you are serious about looking for that special thing called love, then this is the site for you. eHarmony take this match-making lark very seriously, making them one of the top sites to try. They’ve even patented The eHarmony Compatibility Matching System. That’s right. They’ve taken 35 years of research to come up with a Relationship Questionnaire and pride themselves on matching users with people who are actually compatible with them.

How much does it cost? £9.95 per month.

The experts say: This is one of the best dating sites for those who are looking for personality matching. eHarmony takes the hard work out of trolling through 100s of photos and delivers compatible dates directly to your inbox. This site provides quality over quantity and is great for those looking for a long term relationship.

Sign up with Marie Clarie’s unique eHarmony discount code and save 20% on any membership. Use Code: MC20

Try now: eHarmony

2. Best dating site for over 50s: Lumen

How does it work? Lumen is a modern dating app specifically designed for adventurous over 50s to meet genuine like-minded singles. Every profile includes at least three photos and a detailed bio, designed to spark interesting and meaningful conversation with your matches.

How much does it cost? It’s free!

The experts say: If you want good conversation with likeminded individuals in the age bracket, there’s no place better. There is a focus on good conversation and common interests so for people who want to chat away without the awkwardness, this is the app to download.

Try now: Lumen

3. Best dating site for over 60s: match.com

How does it work? match is the most widely-used dating site in the world and has nearly 1.8 million subscribers. It works in the most traditional way: Simply create a profile, check out your potential matches, send them a few messages and then arrange to meet for a date. There are also various off-shoots of match.com with microsites for gay and lesbian dating, Asian dating, Christian dating and Polish dating. The love-gods at match also arrange singles events and provide online dating advice, so it’s easy to see what makes them one of the top-drawer dating sites.

How much does it cost? £12.99 per month for a 6-month membership.

The experts say: For those nervous about dating, this is one of the best dating sites as it puts the control in your fingertips allowing you access to thousands of profiles and the ability to chat to potential dates at the rate which works for you. It is well known and therefore attracts a wide demographic, allowing you to widen your dating pool or limit it with their advanced matching facility.

Try now: Match.com from £12.99 per month

Credit: Love is Blind

4. Best dating site for busy people: Lovestruck

How does it work? Lovestruck helps you target potential partners according to location and it covers many of the major cities across the world. It’s aimed at time-starved professionals, who due to busy work and social lives simply don’t have the time to date. Lovestruck helps put you in touch with people who are near you – be it where you work or live – to save you precious minutes or hours travelling to and from a date. The site also hosts regular events which are a fun, relaxed way to meet people.

How much does it cost? A minimum of £16 per month.

The experts say: Perfect if you are looking for love in the city and want to approach dating with an informal first meet in your lunch break or after work. It takes the travel out of dating especially with its tube station search parameter.

Try now: Lovestruck from £16 per month

5. Best dating site for beginners: DatingDirect.com

How does it work? There are no gimmicks or USPs with DatingDirect. In fact, it’s fairly similar to our old friends Match, mentioned above. You can start looking at potential dates for free, then when you like the look of someone and fancy striking up a conversation, you need to subscribe. Like a lot of these highly-rated dating sites, it also has a handy instant messenger service which makes chatting to your matches easy and breezy.

How much does it cost? £12.99 per month for a 6 month membership.

The experts say: This site is owned by the dating giant MEETIC and gives you access to 20 million members across Europe and it also merged with Match.com in 2009. A daily email suggests six members you might be interested in, which is a useful feature that doesn’t feel like you’re being bombarded but provides you enough choice to find a compatible date.

Try now: DatingDirect from £12.99 per month

Credit: Love is Blind

6. Best dating site for finding long-term relationships: PARSHIP.co.uk

How does it work? This is sold as a serious online dating site for ‘discerning singles.’ A bit like eHarmony, PARSHIP uses a patented test, this time called The PARSHIP principle®, which analyses 32 personality traits and is based on an algorithm of 136 rules. It sounds complicated, but that’s not for you to worry about. Just sign up, do the test and get chatting to all those love-compatible people out there.

How much does it cost? Minimum of £14.90 per month.

The experts say: One of the best dating sites for those looking for long-term relationships with professional people, users complete a personality test to measure compatibility with potential dates using psychometric analysis. Functionality is limited as the site is more geared up to helping you find a long term partner rather than flirting randomly with people you like the look of. Members have similar incomes and education. There is also a specific gay version of the site for those looking for a serious committed relationship with a same sex partner.

Try now: PARSHIP from £14.90 per month

7. Best dating site for fussy people: PlentyofFish

How does it work? Plenty of Fish works by asking users to take a special POF Relationship Chemistry Predictor test, which measures self-confidence, family-orientation, self-control, social dependency and easygoingness. You’re then matched to those most compatible to you.

How much does it cost? It’s free!

The experts say: This is great if you want free access to a large database of single people. It has a compatibility matching system that includes areas such as self-confidence, openness and family. A great starting point for people who have not tried online dating before and want to try it for free. See – finding the best dating sites never looked so simple.

Try now: PlentyofFish for Free

Credit: Love is Blind

8. Best dating site for shy people: Mysinglefriend.com

How does it work? Mysinglefriend.com is the brainchild of TV presenter Sarah Beeny and it works by each member on the site being put forward and described by a friend. The site aims to get rid of the ‘cringe factor’ associated with having to big yourself up through your online profile and makes it more of a fun community, where like-minded people can chat, meet and potentially fall in lurve.

How much does it cost? £13 per month.

The experts say: For those who are at a loss as how to sell themselves in 500 words or less, this site offers the opportunity to be described by your friend. It works on the premise your friend can sell you better than you can but they can also embarrass you too. MSF has a more chatty style in the profile and gives you a greater insight into your potential date’s world.

Try now: Mysinglefriend from £13 per month

9. Best dating site for the aesthetically-orientated: BeautifulPeople.com

How does it work? This online dating site does exactly what it says on the tin and only people deemed beautiful enough will be allowed to join. To become a member, applicants are required to be voted in by existing members of the opposite sex. Members rate new applicants over a 48-hour period based on whether or not they find the applicant ‘beautiful’. It sounds harsh, but the site claims that by admitting people based on their looks they’re removing the first hurdle of dating, saying that because everyone on the site is a fitty, members can concentrate on getting to know people’s character and personalities. Beautiful People also promises access to exclusive parties and top guest lists around the globe. Now for that brutal 48-hour wait…

How much does cost? If you buy a 6-month membership, you’ll get a reduced price of £7.50 per month.

The experts say: This infamous dating site claims to have no unattractive members and is known for deleting members who gained weight. Aspiring members have to pass a 48-hour peer vote to be accepted as one of the ‘beautiful people’. They regularly host members’ events where allegedly you have to look as attractive as your profile photo otherwise entry to the venue is refused. This is the ideal site for those who want to bypass the usual filtering of profiles based on looks and focus on getting to know people they know they will be attracted to.

Try now: BeautifulPeople from £7.50 per month (6 month membership)

Credit: Love is Blind

10. Best dating site for people who hate first dates: Doingsomething

How does it work? Let’s face it, meeting up with a complete stranger for a first date can be awkward and hideously cringeworthy. But it’s less so when the date itself is a total riot. This is where Doingsomething.co.uk comes in. The site is all about the actual dating experience and let’s you pick a match based on the date idea they’ve suggested. And the more fun and unique the date the better. So, rather than nervously meeting someone for a luke warm coffee in a crowded chain, you could be trying out your culinary skills at a sushi-making masterclass or bonding over super-strong cocktails at a hipster speakeasy. It’s basically about finding someone who wants to do the same things as you at the end of the day, isn’t it?

How much does it cost? £10 per month.

The experts say: It’s a simple and unique approach to online dating which is great for those looking for fun and interesting ideas for first dates. Sign up is quick and easy without the usual numerous questions and sections to fill in, the hardest part is thinking what you would like to do on a date that might attract like-minded people.

Try now:Doingsomething from £10 per month

11. Best dating site for music-lovers: Tastebuds

How does it work? A similar taste in music can be a great indicator as to whether you’re compatible with someone, so the fine folks behind Tastebuds have struck gold with their music-based online dating site. Getting started is dead simple: pick three artists or bands that you’re interested in, the gender you’re looking to date and press ‘go’. It’s a fun and relaxed site, which can introduce you to new music, concert buddies and potentially even your own real-life Caleb Followill.

How much does it cost? It’s free for existing members, but £8 per month for new members.

The experts say: This is one of the go-to dating sites for those looking for love who also love music. It makes sense that if a potential partner shares your taste in music then you’re off to a good start and a favourite artist/band is a great ice breaker when approaching someone online for the first time.

Try now: Tastebuds from £8.00 per month for new members

12. Best dating site for parents: Playdate

How does it work? Not a site, but an app, and a good one at that. Playdate is the UK’s first dating app for single parents. Founder Nevine shares: “As a single mum myself, I struggled to meet people, so I spent the year of lockdown creating this app.”

With nearly three million single parents in the UK, she found that there wasn’t a dating app that caters solely to them, so… made one. Plus, fun fact: they’re partnered with Bubble, a babysitting app, to provide discounted childcare solutions, too.

How much does it cost? Free, but offers in store purchases.

Try it now:www.gotoplaydate.com

13. Best dating site for sporty people: Zeal

How does it work? Zeal is a new dating app that connects people based on a shared interest in sport, instead of matching people based on looks.

If you’ve ever joined a club run or cycled with friends, you’ll know that there’s normally a real sense of community. That’s what Zeal’s aiming to recreate – a sense of community but on the online dating space, in the hope to create ‘more genuine and meaningful relationships’, or so says the founder Izzy.

How much does it cost? Free.

Try it now:www.zealmatch.com

14. Best dating site for video-lovers: Qemistry

How dies it work? The new London-based, video-only dating app Qemistry was created in lockdown and had 11,000 on the waiting list before it even launched.

After becoming frustrated that online dating was looks driven and lacked personality, the founders launched video only profiles. Think Tinder, but for TikTok lovers. Sound up your street? Get downloading.

How much does it cost? Free

Try it now:https://www.qemistry.co/

Credit: Love is Blind

How to stay safe when using the best dating sites: 5 tips

We spoke to eHarmony UK’s resident relationship expert, Verity Hogan, on how to date online safely.

1. Be cautious with your personal information

‘When dating online or in person, be wary of anyone who seems to be asking for a lot of your personal informal early on. Don’t share any details such as your address, birth date or financial information. If a match is asking a lot of questions of this type, let them know that you’re not comfortable sharing that information and report them if you have any suspicions about their true motives.’

2. Arrange to meet in a public place

‘Even if they claim to make the best pasta in town, never meet someone for the first time at their home and don’t invite them to yours. Arrange to meet somewhere that’s busy and in public such as a restaurant or coffee shop that you’re comfortable in.’

3. Tell a friend

‘If you’re planning to meet an online date for the first time, be sure to tell a friend or family member who you’re meeting, when and where.  If you have an iPhone you could also share you location on the app Find My Friends. Check in with a friend during the date or ask them to call you at a specific time to check on you.’

4. Don’t be afraid to leave

‘If your date is making you feel uncomfortable, leave. It doesn’t matter whether you’ve just sat down or enjoyed a three-course dinner with them. If they do or say anything which makes you feel uneasy, walk away. This person is a stranger and you need to protect yourself, first and foremost.’

5. Travel there and back by yourself

‘If your date offers to pick you up at home, politely decline. Plan your own route to and from your date so that you remain completely in control at all times. This also means you’re not relying on someone else to dictate how long the date lasts if you need to make an early escape’

How to have a successful first date – 10 expert dating tips

Now you’ve read our round up of the best dating sites and geared yourself with all the appropriate safety tips to know pre-date night, we’ve picked the experts brains on how to have a good date.

Yes, much of it comes down to chemistry, but there are a few fail-safe tricks to navigating a first date that you should know about, according to Verity Hogan, an eHarmony relationship expert.

1. Avoid social media stalking

‘It’s always tempting to ‘accidentally’ check out a date’s social media accounts before meeting up. In fact, our research shows that over a third (38%) of us admit to a pre-date Google. Try to avoid it, if possible. In-depth social media stalking will make you form judgments before you’ve even sat down together so prioritise getting to know the real person, rather than their online persona.’

2. Choose comfort

‘A first date is your opportunity to get to know your date – and for them to get to know you. While we all want to present the best version of ourselves, dressing in a way that feels unnatural is guaranteed to make you feel uncomfortable and is likely to put a damper on your date. Wear something that you’re comfortable in and that reflects the real you.’

3. Try a confidence exercise

‘First date nerves are natural, but you can tackle them by employing a few confidence tricks. Visualise a great date – one where the conversation flows easily – and hold on to the positive feelings that the thought encourages. Affirmations are a useful tool too. Stand in front of the mirror, put your shoulders back, and say out loud ‘I can do this’. It may sound strange but it really works.’

4. Have a laugh

‘When we laugh we release endorphins, which can help us to relax. Sharing a laugh on a first date is a great way to break the ice as well as an effective bonding tool. You don’t need to start telling knock-knock jokes, but if you have a funny anecdote or two in your arsenal, don’t be afraid to share.’

5. Use open body language

‘Most of what we communicate is through our body language rather than words. Folded arms and legs creates a physical barrier that implies you’re closed off. Try to adopt open body language instead. And don’t be afraid to make eye contact – it’s a great way to show your date that you’re interested.’

6. Pay attention

‘There are few things more attractive than someone who gives us their undivided attention. And there’s nothing worse than spending time with someone who’s constantly looking over our shoulder at something or someone else. Make an effort to be engaged and present on your date and save checking your phone until they go to the bathroom!’

7. Ask questions

‘Asking your date questions not only shows that you’re interested in what they have to say but it also allows you to get to know them, which is what a first date is all about! Don’t stick to small talk. More intimate questions about your date’s hopes, dreams and passions will help you forge a closer connection – and it’s a lot more interesting than talking about the weather.’

8. Be positive

‘Nothing is as reassuring as a genuine smile. If you go into your date with a positive attitude, you’re much more likely to have a good time – and make your date feel good too.’

9. Split the bill

‘Who should pay the bill is one the most hotly debated aspects of first date etiquette. Traditionally, whoever initiated the date would pick up the bill but, these days, it’s much more common to split the bill. But if your date does insist on paying, it’s more polite to graciously accept than argue about it!’

10. Follow up

‘If you’ve had a great date, let them know. Trying to act aloof by waiting three days after a date to get in touch doesn’t work in today’s age of instant communication. In fact, only 4% of people think you should purposely wait before replying to a message from a date. If you enjoyed the date, don’t be afraid to send them a quick message and let them know that you’d like to see them again.’

We do hope this guide to the best dating sites was helpful—and happy dating.

Is the upgrade to premium worth it?

best-online-dating-sites: laptop with heart illustration

It's never been easy to find a partner, and challenges from COVID-19 has made dating even more complicated. Luckily, even if you're not getting out as much as you used to, online dating sites and mobile dating apps can help you make connections that lead to a long-term relationship (or even a fun fling!). Yes, the internet is a wonderful thing.

But where to start? There are lots of good dating websites and apps, whether you're looking to meet new people, try casual dating, find others with similar interests or finally find your ideal match for a long term relationship. I took into consideration everything from each online dating service's dating pool to whether it provides daily matches to whether it's a free dating app or a paid service. A new person that fits your exact dating profile is sure to be out there!

Here's an overview of the best dating sites on the market. My recommendations are based primarily on my own experiences in the online dating platform arena as a woman, with some word-of-mouth impressions from friends thrown in for good measure.

So what are you waiting for? Sign up for these top dating sites or apps, start chatting and maximize your chances of meeting your perfect match. We'll update this list periodically.

Bumble

Bumble is basically Tinder for women... and on a timer. Bumble is a free dating app that requires women to message first. If the guy doesn't message back within 24 hours, he loses the potential dates. Because that's the one thing my love life was really missing: Arbitrary time limits.

The timer is designed to encourage contact and some people really do appreciate that feature. But if you're someone who procrastinates, Bumble may not be for you. Because women must message first, Bumble tends to weed out the more insecure males from the dating pool. However, the rate of overly confident men tends to be higher than I've seen on other apps. Bumble also has a BFF feature to help you meet new people, but that's really not our focus, so I'll save it for another time. 

Tinder

Whether you're looking for a casual hookup, potential date, friendship or an LTR (long term relationship), Tinder has you covered. It's basically the first stop for those entering the dating world. If you want to play the odds when it comes to online dating, you need to be swiping where everyone's swiping.

On the upside, the profiles are brief, which helps you to make decisions quickly. The downside is that a short dating profile makes it harder to figure out what a lot of people are looking for. Knowing very little about a person can also make initial messaging a lot more challenging. You'll need to wade through a sea of profiles, which makes it easy to pass over people you might have given a chance under different circumstances. 

OkCupid

OkCupid, how you confuse me. I have friends who've met their ideal match and even spouses through OkCupid. My last serious relationship came from the OkCupid dating service. In fact, I've been on OkCupid on and off, for roughly the last 11 years. Profiles are a lot more in-depth than most online dating sites and if you answer a seemingly endless series of questions (much like a personality test), they will spit out a reasonable Match/Enemy percentage ratio on profiles to help you gauge compatibility based on interests.

Changes in the last few years have made OkCupid a bit more like Tinder (both owned by the same company), focusing more on swiping and eliminating the ability to message a user without matching with them first. Online daters can still send a message -- it just won't show up in the recipient's inbox unless you match. Because who doesn't enjoy sending a thoughtful message to someone who might never see it? However, OkCupid has pointed out that these changes did help lower the number of offensive messages and fake profiles people received, which might be a worthwhile trade-off. Unfortunately in my experience OkCupid has become a bit of an online dating app ghost town.

Hinge

Hinge

Hinge finally won me over, becoming my favorite dating app. Originally the app focused on common connections and mutual friends that you and a potential partner shared on Facebook, which was a gimmick I was never sold on. But it has since pivoted away from this model. Hinge has designed the app to make user profiles more engaging (and helpful) than on apps like Tinder. You have the option of displaying a lot of useful information that could be deal breakers: Your political leanings, your religion, your alcohol consumption frequency or even your interest level in having children someday. The prompts provided by Hinge make it easy to create more engaging profiles. Hinge's current slogan is "designed to be deleted," so if a potential match for a serious relationship is what you're looking for, this is the dating app I would recommend.

Coffee Meets Bagel

Coffee Meets Bagel hopes to offer people better-quality matches by sending curated daily matches, or "bagels," each day at noon. They suggest ice-breakers for first messages and the profiles are more in-depth than Tinder. For people who like a little extra hand-holding, CMB isn't the worst option. However, I found the app confusing to use, with too many features and a lot of gimmicks. I shouldn't have to look up online tutorials to figure out how to use a dating app. Plus why call matches Bagels?

I was also disappointed in the notifications, which I found too pushy. CMB was constantly "gently" reminding me to message people I'd matched with. I eventually disabled the app after receiving the following notification: "Show [match name] who's boss and break the ice today!" Should a potential future relationship be rooted in a hierarchical power dynamic? At the end of the day, I have friends who've had the perfect match on CMB, but it isn't one of my favorite online dating apps. 

Happn

Happn matches you with people who are located nearby. It's a cool concept and helpful for people who want to meet someone in a more organic manner. That said, I've never met a single person who actually uses the app.

After signing up, Happn showed me 68 people it said I'd crossed paths with in the preceding 3 hours, though I hadn't left my apartment all day. This might be helpful if you're looking to date your immediate neighbors (or Uber drivers), but I don't see the attraction when competitors like Tinder already show the distance between you and other users. Frankly, if I saw an attractive guy in a coffee shop, I'd just approach him rather than check to see if he's on Happn. The app seems designed for people who don't want to use online dating sites but also don't want to approach people in real life. Pick a lane.

The League

The League is an "elite dating app" that requires you to apply -- and supply your job title, college and LinkedIn profile. Big cities tend to have long waiting lists, so you might find yourself twiddling your thumbs as your application to be one of the elite singles on the app is reviewed. (Of course, you can pay to expedite the process.) The exclusivity can be a draw for some and a turnoff for others, but I'll let you in on a secret: I've seen most of the profiles I come across on The League on other dating apps, too. So at the end of the day, you'll probably see the same faces for potential dates on Tinder, if you aren't deemed elite enough for The League.

Her

Most dating apps are fairly LGBTQ inclusive. Still, it's nice to have an app to call your own. Her is tailored to lesbian, bisexual and queer women. It's a worthy notion -- but the app has some bugs and glitches that made it frustrating to use. Most of my queer female friends have told me they found the app "just OK" and not perfect and that they usually end up back on Tinder or Bumble. Still I checked it regularly for some time and had a few pleasant conversations with actual human beings. Isn't that all we're really looking for in a dating app?

Clover

Clover tried to be the on-demand version of online dating sites, letting you order a date much like you would a pizza. It also provides numeric match predictions based on compatibility and interests, though it isn't entirely clear how those numbers are calculated.

I was on Clover for quite some time, but had since forgotten it existed until I started to compile this list. It strikes me as a less-successful hybrid of OkCupid and Tinder with a relatively small user base, even though I live in an urban area with plenty of people who use a wide variety of dating apps. Clover says it has nearly 6 million users, 85% of whom are between the ages of 18 and 30.

Find love (or casual sex) with the help of these dating sites.

Finding dating IRL is proving tricky after Coronavirus? Some people are understandably anxious about finding love after lockdown and dating face-to-face after two years of restrictions, while others just prefer being able to get to know someone virtually before spending time with them in person – which is where our round up of the best dating sites comes in.

Stats show that searches for dating site Bumble rose by 3,350% in September, and over half of all single people are now using some form of match-making site to find love (read our guide to the best sex apps, here—hi, Tinder). Long gone are the days when Internet dating was seen as a no-go. Now, e-dating is about as normal as Internet banking (just way more fun).

That said, scoping out the best dating sites in a market of very *meh* ones can be difficult, especially if you’re a newbie to the whole she-bang. So what is a guaranteed win?

We drafted in online dating expert Sloan Sheridan-Williams, who shared her pick of the fourteen best dating sites to find your perfect match. Read up on our guide to what to talk about on a first date, while you’re here – and if all goes wrong, remember: the best sex toys will always be your friend.

Video you may like:

Credit: Love Is Blind

14 best dating sites to try now

eharmony‘sRachael Lloyd says: “Maintain an open mind, and remember that being yourself is key to success. Treat online dating as an opportunity to meet new people and enjoy new experiences, rather than wondering if who you’re talking to is the love of your life. It’ll take the pressure off a little bit.”

And while you’re at it, read our guides to how to make your online dating profile stand out and tantric sex, too.

1. Best dating site for over 40s: eHarmony

How does it work? If you are serious about looking for that special thing called love, then this is the site for you. eHarmony take this match-making lark very seriously, making them one of the top sites to try. They’ve even patented The eHarmony Compatibility Matching System. That’s right. They’ve taken 35 years of research to come up with a Relationship Questionnaire and pride themselves on matching users with people who are actually compatible with them.

How much does it cost? £9.95 per month.

The experts say: This is one of the best dating sites for those who are looking for personality matching. eHarmony takes the hard work out of trolling through 100s of photos and delivers compatible dates directly to your inbox. This site provides quality over quantity and is great for those looking for a long term relationship.

Sign up with Marie Clarie’s unique eHarmony discount code and save 20% on any membership. Use Code: MC20

Try now: eHarmony

2. Best dating site for over 50s: Lumen

How does it work? Lumen is a modern dating app specifically designed for adventurous over 50s to meet genuine like-minded singles. Every profile includes at least three photos and a detailed bio, designed to spark interesting and meaningful conversation with your matches.

How much does it cost? It’s free!

The experts say: If you want good conversation with likeminded individuals in the age bracket, there’s no place better. There is a focus on good conversation and common interests so for people who want to chat away without the awkwardness, this is the app to download.

Try now: Lumen

3. Best dating site for over 60s: match.com

How does it work? match is the most widely-used dating site in the world and has nearly 1.8 million subscribers. It works in the most traditional way: Simply create a profile, check out your potential matches, send them a few messages and then arrange to meet for a date. There are also various off-shoots of match.com with microsites for gay and lesbian dating, Asian dating, Christian dating and Polish dating. The love-gods at match also arrange singles events and provide online dating advice, so it’s easy to see what makes them one of the top-drawer dating sites.

How much does it cost? £12.99 per month for a 6-month membership.

The experts say: For those nervous about dating, this is one of the best dating sites as it puts the control in your fingertips allowing you access to thousands of profiles and the ability to chat to potential dates at the rate which works for you. It is well known and therefore attracts a wide demographic, allowing you to widen your dating pool or limit it with their advanced matching facility.

Try now: Match.com from £12.99 per month

Credit: Love is Blind

4. Best dating site for busy people: Lovestruck

How does it work? Lovestruck helps you target potential partners according to location and it covers many of the major cities across the world. It’s aimed at time-starved professionals, who due to busy work and social lives simply don’t have the time to date. Lovestruck helps put you in touch with people who are near you – be it where you work or live – to save you precious minutes or hours travelling to and from a date. The site also hosts regular events which are a fun, relaxed way to meet people.

How much does it cost? A minimum of £16 per month.

The experts say: Perfect if you are looking for love in the city and want to approach dating with an informal first meet in your lunch break or after work. It takes the travel out of dating especially with its tube station search parameter.

Try now: Lovestruck from £16 per month

5. Best dating site for beginners: DatingDirect.com

How does it work? There are no gimmicks or USPs with DatingDirect. In fact, it’s fairly similar to our old friends Match, mentioned above. You can start looking at potential dates for free, then when you like the look of someone and fancy striking up a conversation, you need to subscribe. Like a lot of these highly-rated dating sites, it also has a handy instant messenger service which makes chatting to your matches easy and breezy.

How much does it cost? £12.99 per month for a 6 month membership.

The experts say: This site is owned by the dating giant MEETIC and gives you access to 20 million members across Europe and it also merged with Match.com in 2009. A daily email suggests six members you might be interested in, which is a useful feature that doesn’t feel like you’re being bombarded but provides you enough choice to find a compatible date.

Try now: DatingDirect from £12.99 per month

Credit: Love is Blind

6. Best dating site for finding long-term relationships: PARSHIP.co.uk

How does it work? This is sold as a serious online dating site for ‘discerning singles.’ A bit like eHarmony, PARSHIP uses a patented test, this time called The PARSHIP principle®, which analyses 32 personality traits and is based on an algorithm of 136 rules. It sounds complicated, but that’s not for you to worry about. Just sign up, do the test and get chatting to all those love-compatible people out there.

How much does it cost? Minimum of £14.90 per month.

The experts say: One of the best dating sites for those looking for long-term relationships with professional people, users complete a personality test to measure compatibility with potential dates using psychometric analysis. Functionality is limited as the site is more geared up to helping you find a long term partner rather than flirting randomly with people you like the look of. Members have similar incomes and education. There is also a specific gay version of the site for those looking for a serious committed relationship with a same sex partner.

Try now: PARSHIP from £14.90 per month

7. Best dating site for fussy people: PlentyofFish

How does it work? Plenty of Fish works by asking users to take a special POF Relationship Chemistry Predictor test, which measures self-confidence, family-orientation, self-control, social dependency and easygoingness. You’re then matched to those most compatible to you.

How much does it cost? It’s free!

The experts say: This is great if you want free access to a large database of single people. It has a compatibility matching system that includes areas such as self-confidence, openness and family. A great starting point for people who have not tried online dating before and want to try it for free. See – finding the best dating sites never looked so simple.

Try now: PlentyofFish for Free

Credit: Love is Blind

8. Best dating site for shy people: Mysinglefriend.com

How does it work? Mysinglefriend.com is the brainchild of TV presenter Sarah Beeny and it works by each member on the site being put forward and described by a friend. The site aims to get rid of the ‘cringe factor’ associated with having to big yourself up through your online profile and makes it more of a fun community, where like-minded people can chat, meet and potentially fall in lurve.

How much does it cost? £13 per month.

The experts say: For those who are at a loss as how to sell themselves in 500 words or less, this site offers the opportunity to be described by your friend. It works on the premise your friend can sell you better than you can but they can also embarrass you too. MSF has a more chatty style in the profile and gives you a greater insight into your potential date’s world.

Try now: Mysinglefriend from £13 per month

9. Best dating site for the aesthetically-orientated: BeautifulPeople.com

How does it work? This online dating site does exactly what it says on the tin and only people deemed beautiful enough will be allowed to join. To become a member, applicants are required to be voted in by existing members of the opposite sex. Members rate new applicants over a 48-hour period based on whether or not they find the applicant ‘beautiful’. It sounds harsh, but the site claims that by admitting people based on their looks they’re removing the first hurdle of dating, saying that because everyone on the site is a fitty, members can concentrate on getting to know people’s character and personalities. Beautiful People also promises access to exclusive parties and top guest lists around the globe. Now for that brutal 48-hour wait…

How much does cost? If you buy a 6-month membership, you’ll get a reduced price of £7.50 per month.

The experts say: This infamous dating site claims to have no unattractive members and is known for deleting members who gained weight. Aspiring members have to pass a 48-hour peer vote to be accepted as one of the ‘beautiful people’. They regularly host members’ events where allegedly you have to look as attractive as your profile photo otherwise entry to the venue is refused. This is the ideal site for those who want to bypass the usual filtering of profiles based on looks and focus on getting to know people they know they will be attracted to.

Try now: BeautifulPeople from £7.50 per month (6 month membership)

Credit: Love is Blind

10. Best dating site for people who hate first dates: Doingsomething

How does it work? Let’s face it, meeting up with a complete stranger for a first date can be awkward and hideously cringeworthy. But it’s less so when the date itself is a total riot. This is where Doingsomething.co.uk comes in. The site is all about the actual dating experience and let’s you pick a match based on the date idea they’ve suggested. And the more fun and unique the date the better. So, rather than nervously meeting someone for a luke warm coffee in a crowded chain, you could be trying out your culinary skills at a sushi-making masterclass or bonding over super-strong cocktails at a hipster speakeasy. It’s basically about finding someone who wants to do the same things as you at the end of the day, isn’t it?

How much does it cost? £10 per month.

The experts say: It’s a simple and unique approach to online dating which is great for those looking for fun and interesting ideas for first dates. Sign up is quick and easy without the usual numerous questions and sections to fill in, the hardest part is thinking what you would like to do on a date that might attract like-minded people.

Try now:Doingsomething from £10 per month

11. Best dating site for music-lovers: Tastebuds

How does it work? A similar taste in music can be a great indicator as to whether you’re compatible with someone, so the fine folks behind Tastebuds have struck gold with their music-based online dating site. Getting started is dead simple: pick three artists or bands that you’re interested in, the gender you’re looking to date and press ‘go’. It’s a fun and relaxed site, which can introduce you to new music, concert buddies and potentially even your own real-life Caleb Followill.

How much does it cost? It’s free for existing members, but £8 per month for new members.

The experts say: This is one of the go-to dating sites for those looking for love who also love music. It makes sense that if a potential partner shares your taste in music then you’re off to a good start and a favourite artist/band is a great ice breaker when approaching someone online for the first time.

Try now: Tastebuds from £8.00 per month for new members

12. Best dating site for parents: Playdate

How does it work? Not a site, but an app, and a good one at that. Playdate is the UK’s first dating app for single parents. Founder Nevine shares: “As a single mum myself, I struggled to meet people, so I spent the year of lockdown creating this app.”

With nearly three million single parents in the UK, she found that there wasn’t a dating app that caters solely to them, so… made one. Plus, fun fact: they’re partnered with Bubble, a babysitting app, to provide discounted childcare solutions, too.

How much does it cost? Free, but offers in store purchases.

Try it now:www.gotoplaydate.com

13. Best dating site for sporty people: Zeal

How does it work? Zeal is a new dating app that connects people based on a shared interest in sport, instead of matching people based on looks.

If you’ve ever joined a club run or cycled with friends, you’ll know that there’s normally a real sense of community. That’s what Zeal’s aiming to recreate – a sense of community but on the online dating space, in the hope to create ‘more genuine and meaningful relationships’, or so says the founder Izzy.

How much does it cost? Free.

Try it now:www.zealmatch.com

14. Best dating site for video-lovers: Qemistry

How dies it work? The new London-based, video-only dating app Qemistry was created in lockdown and had 11,000 on the waiting list before it even launched.

After becoming frustrated that online dating was looks driven and lacked personality, the founders launched video only profiles. Think Tinder, but for TikTok lovers. Sound up your street? Get downloading.

How much does it cost? Free

Try it now:https://www.qemistry.co/

Credit: Love is Blind

How to stay safe when using the best dating sites: 5 tips

We spoke to eHarmony UK’s resident relationship expert, Verity Hogan, on how to date online safely.

1. Be cautious with your personal information

‘When dating online or in person, be wary of anyone who seems to be asking for a lot of your personal informal early on. Don’t share any details such as your address, birth date or financial information. If a match is asking a lot of questions of this type, let them know that you’re not comfortable sharing that information and report them if you have any suspicions about their true motives.’

2. Arrange to meet in a public place

‘Even if they claim to make the best pasta in town, never meet someone for the first time at their home and don’t invite them to yours. Arrange to meet somewhere that’s busy and in public such as a restaurant or coffee shop that you’re comfortable in.’

3. Tell a friend

‘If you’re planning to meet an online date for the first time, be sure to tell a friend or family member who you’re meeting, when and where.  If you have an iPhone you could also share you location on the app Find My Friends. Check in with a friend during the date or ask them to call you at a specific time to check on you.’

4. Don’t be afraid to leave

‘If your date is making you feel uncomfortable, leave. It doesn’t matter whether you’ve just sat down or enjoyed a three-course dinner with them. If they do or say anything which makes you feel uneasy, walk away. This person is a stranger and you need to protect yourself, first and foremost.’

5. Travel there and back by yourself

‘If your date offers to pick you up at home, politely decline. Plan your own route to and from your date so that you remain completely in control at all times. This also means you’re not relying on someone else to dictate how long the date lasts if you need to make an early escape’

How to have a successful first date – 10 expert dating tips

Now you’ve read our round up of the best dating sites and geared yourself with all the appropriate safety tips to know pre-date night, we’ve picked the experts brains on how to have a good date.

Yes, much of it comes down to chemistry, but there are a few fail-safe tricks to navigating a first date that you should know about, according to Verity Hogan, an eHarmony relationship expert.

1. Avoid social media stalking

‘It’s always tempting to ‘accidentally’ check out a date’s social media accounts before meeting up. In fact, our research shows that over a third (38%) of us admit to a pre-date Google. Try to avoid it, if possible. In-depth social media stalking will make you form judgments before you’ve even sat down together so prioritise getting to know the real person, rather than their online persona.’

2. Choose comfort

‘A first date is your opportunity to get to know your date – and for them to get to know you. While we all want to present the best version of ourselves, dressing in a way that feels unnatural is guaranteed to make you feel uncomfortable and is likely to put a damper on your date. Wear something that you’re comfortable in and that reflects the real you.’

3. Try a confidence exercise

‘First date nerves are natural, but you can tackle them by employing a few confidence tricks. Visualise a great date – one where the conversation flows easily – and hold on to the positive feelings that the thought encourages. Affirmations are a useful tool too. Stand in front of the mirror, put your shoulders back, and say out loud ‘I can do this’. It may sound strange but it really works.’

4. Have a laugh

‘When we laugh we release endorphins, which can help us to relax. Sharing a laugh on a first date is a great way to break the ice as well as an effective bonding tool. You don’t need to start telling knock-knock jokes, but if you have a funny anecdote or two in your arsenal, don’t be afraid to share.’

5. Use open body language

‘Most of what we communicate is through our body language rather than words. Folded arms and legs creates a physical barrier that implies you’re closed off. Try to adopt open body language instead. And don’t be afraid to make eye contact – it’s a great way to show your date that you’re interested.’

6. Pay attention

‘There are few things more attractive than someone who gives us their undivided attention. And there’s nothing worse than spending time with someone who’s constantly looking over our shoulder at something or someone else. Make an effort to be engaged and present on your date and save checking your phone until they go to the bathroom!’

7. Ask questions

‘Asking your date questions not only shows that you’re interested in what they have to say but it also allows you to get to know them, which is what a first date is all about! Don’t stick to small talk. More intimate questions about your date’s hopes, dreams and passions will help you forge a closer connection – and it’s a lot more interesting than talking about the weather.’

8. Be positive

‘Nothing is as reassuring as a genuine smile. If you go into your date with a positive attitude, you’re much more likely to have a good time – and make your date feel good too.’

9. Split the bill

‘Who should pay the bill is one the most hotly debated aspects of first date etiquette. Traditionally, whoever initiated the date would pick up the bill but, these days, it’s much more common to split the bill. But if your date does insist on paying, it’s more polite to graciously accept than argue about it!’

10. Follow up

‘If you’ve had a great date, let them know. Trying to act aloof by waiting three days after a date to get in touch doesn’t work in today’s age of instant communication. In fact, only 4% of people think you should purposely wait before replying to a message from a date. If you enjoyed the date, don’t be afraid to send them a quick message and let them know that you’d like to see them again.’

We do hope this guide to the best dating sites was helpful—and happy dating.

Do you know that it is possible to get paid to date online? This could be a good side hustle for you if you are interested in monetizing dates, enjoying the company of others, and meeting new people.

Furthermore, you don’t have to get physically intimate with your date. Typically, if they try to pressure you into doing anything against your wishes the apps and sites offering the service ban them.

Thanks to technology, there are several legit websites, as well as apps, where online dating is safe. Further, there are now platforms that offer not only dating services but also companionship services for pay.

Typically, most of the users are not interested in commitments but want to make some extra buck socializing.

Buyers of these services are are just people interested in having someone accompany them to business or social events. And for filling that need, you get paid! 

So, how do you get started and where do you get these get paid to date online gigs?

Let’s find out.

What You Need to Know Before Going On a Date?

Just like other get-paid-to side hustles, due diligence falls on you. So, before you decide to get paid to be someone’s date you need to know that there are several categories of the job.

• Monetarily stable males looking for young females
• Influential women in search of young men
• Clients looking for connections, with no strings attached, or romantic relationships without any commitments
• Both male/females looking for partners to accompany them to special occasions such as valentines

Having that in mind, it is also important to understand that;

• Typically, there is a membership payment or referral commission you need to pay to the site you are planning to join
• The platforms highlighted below are legal, so you don’t have to worry about getting scammed. To this end, I have researched for legit dating services only.
• If your boundaries are crossed you can always report right away. For your site of choice, read on their policies regarding physical intimacy.

To be on the safer side I recommend that you discuss, in detail, the expectations of your client beforehand to avoid uncomfortable and disappointing dates. Why? Because it is obvious that not everyone’s demands match your desires.

For instance, middle-aged men/women are usually after formal dates whereas young people prefer going to clubs and concerts. In addition, you’ll meet clients who prefer going to business events, dinners, and meetings. Interestingly, it is also possible to land foreigners who are only interested in dating online.

What is Paid to Date?

Paid to date simply means hooking up with someone for pay. Depending on what you are looking for, the gig can be as simple as sitting across from a friend or a few minutes. You may also go the extra step and create a lasting relationship, but that is never part of the rules for getting paid to date. 

This deal is more of socializing since most of the clients on these sites are new and move on fast to the next date. Sounds interesting right? So, be it love, hookups, or something in between, just sign up with the platforms below and start making money today.

Get Paid to Date Websites

Before you sign up on the following get paid to date online websites, ensure that you are protected.

To begin with,  you don’t have to disclose your personal information online, you can do that after you physically meet your date. With this, I mean your location, personal address, last name, or even your home neighborhood.

Also, when you are planning on meeting, ensure that you meet in a public place like a restaurant or the mall. Avoid private places including your home or their home. This is despite the fact that most websites run background checks. As far as you should be concerned, strangers are a danger!

For security, keep in touch with a friend or a family member before, during, and after the date. Give them all the details of where you will be and what time they should expect you will be back.  Don’t be too obvious though when doing this, lest you end up boring your date.

18 Trusted Paid Dating Sites

Now, let’s see the various dating sites where you can get paid to be someone’s date.

1. Rent a Date

Expected pay: Minimum, $165 per hour

Availability: Global

Rent a Date is one of the largest providers of services that can make you get paid to date a millionaire. This website is all about providing companions to attend public events, night outs, and corporate functions.

To access the pictures of the available dates, you will have to pay a minimal membership fee. Once the payment is made, you can access the site’s gallery and choose your perfect date. This site hires both males and females from all nationalities aged from 18 years to 75 years.

How Rent a Date Works:

Once youlog in to the website, you are open to choose your perfect match from the profiles provided in the gallery. When you choose your date online, the company calls you using their personal lines to confirm that you are still in for the date. The call is made one day to the date.

Later, your companion will call you on the meeting day to let you know of their availability. As rule, Rent a Date imposes a 2-hour minimum engagement for all dates.

You are supposed to spend some time talking about your date and knowing each other better. You should know that after the date is over, the company will get back to the client to get to know how the date went.

Looking for a way to get paid to talk to lonely guys? Try RentaDate now!

2. Miss Travel

Expected pay: Depends on the trip

Availability: Worldwide

MissTravel is a dating site where you get paid to date online and travel. It was established in 2012 with offices in the US, Hong Kong, and Cyprus. So, if you love traveling and you want to earn from this passion, this is your chance to find a travel buddy.

This is the top luxury traveling dating site where people with the same travel interests meet. It favors women who love to wish for free trips to their dream destinations. But still, there are some situations where you two can decide to go 50/50 on the bills.

Male members on this website are middle-aged while the females tend to be on the younger side – but 18 and above.

How Miss Travel Works:

First off, the registration process is very easy and fast. It will take you less than 5 minutes to complete the process. You can use a working email tosign up, which you are supposed to verify. Also, you will need a unique username that will appear in your profile.

Once approved, you’ll find a member’s profile with their upcoming trips and you are interested, you can slide in their DM and inquire more. The platform also allows trip seekers to upload as many photos as they wish.

For the chance to get paid to date a millionaire or just the average Joe, you pay a subscription fee of $59.99 for 30 days. To stay listed for a longer period, you pay $54.99 for 90 days and $49.99 for 180 days.

On the flip side, Miss Travel does not have a mobile app. You can only access the platform through the official website. 

Click here to Know Join Miss Travel

3. My Bunny Date

Expected pay: Depends on the bid

Availability: Worldwide

MyBunnyDate is another website where you get paid to be someone’s date. This is among the get-paid-to websites that are auction-based. How? Clients bid to outdo competitors and land the perfect date, usually ladies.

There are members here referred to as ‘generous members’ who use the opportunity to reward dates with huge tips after dates. Also, there are good-looking singles – gorgeous members who make it possible for the generous member to take them on a real date for payment, regardless of the outcome.

The best part is that when you buy credits or upgrade your membership to Premium, you can choose your preferred charity for donations from MyBunnyDate.

How MyBunnyDate Works:

Once yousign in as a generous member, and you happen to like one of the gorgeous member’s profiles, you are supposed to send an offer to her. For instance, you can decide to send $200. When the gorgeous member accepts the offer, you are lucky because that means it’s a date.

You plan your date and meet up, and afterward, you are to give the gorgeous member $200 as earlier proposed. If the date was a success and both of you decide to go on another date, then My Bunny Date’s involvement ends there. That rest is between the two of you.

So, we can both agree that only the generous member is charged here. In order for you as a generous member to send offers to the gorgeous member, you need to purchase credits which will be withdrawn from your account only when the gorgeous member accepts your offer.

Sign Up to Become a Bunny Date

4. Price Point Date

Expected pay: Depends on the client

Availability: Selected countries

Price Point Date provides women with a chance to get paid to date men who are successful. Here, you will find generous men who get straight to the point – casual date. No time for mind games.

Creating an account with PricePointDate is easy taking just a few minutes to complete. What I love most about the site is that you can negotiate the price of your date before it commences. Plus, the service is free for women looking to become dates.

What this means is that you get to keep the full price amount. Finally, you don’t have to disclose your personal identity if you are not comfortable with a bidder.

Other than that, the site is very private. So, for more on how it works, Join Their Dating Auction.

5. Tour Bar

Expected pay: Depends on the package

Availability: Global

Tour Bar is an exclusive dating website that will enable you to travel to different destinations with someone better than a local guide – a date.

All you need to do is find a travel partner and plan a trip with him/her. Whether you are in Asia, Australia,  Africa, or even America it is possible to make your vacation unforgettable by signing up with Tour Bar.

How Tour Bar works:

Once you decide on the place you want to visit, maybe a dream destination on your bucket list, youlog in to the website and start looking for a travel partner. You also need to post the best and attractive photos of your destined place to attract a partner.

On your profile, ensure that you have written your hobbies, interests, and plans. Also, remember to write a list of qualities you expect from your buddy to avoid getting a partner whose interests differ from yours.

If this sounds like your idea of a perfect date, Find Your Travel Buddy here.

6. Ohlala

Expected pay: The amount is negotiable

Availability: Worldwide

Ohlala is among the leading online dating websites where you get paid to connect with someone. You are connected with the available singles in your area and on your own terms. Most importantly, you get to set the budget for the entire date. Also, getting the perfect partner is absolutely free.

How Ohlala Works:

For the men, you are to create a date invitation. And immediately, you will start receiving inquiries and applications from beautiful women. Go through their profiles and choose who fits you best. You can also receive private videos and photos from striking singles close to you.

For the women, you are in a position to find profiles that are eye-catching, secure, and willing to pay your rates. In addition, applying for dates is free of charge. Ohlala is straight to the point, as a lady you get to know what your date expects from the word go. What’s more, you get paid for your photos and videos.

Sign Up on Ohlala for free!

7. Rent a Gent

Expected pay: At least $100 per hour

Availability: Worldwide

Are you looking to make $100 fast? Start by finding the perfect date atRent a Gent. Here, you can easily browse all the suggested gentlemen from all over the world. Once you find the one, you book him online or via a phone call. Then you can have all the fun you would wish for and still make money.

How Rent a Gent Works:

As the name suggests, it’s women who mostly do the paying on this website. For your money’s worth, you get to specify every aspect of your date. Filter options include the gent’s education level, height, age, and eye color. Simply put, you get to date your dream man.

Rent a Gents guarantees satisfaction to its clients. With this website, you simply hire a date, and if the experience turns out horrible, you get your money back!

Register to Rent a Gent Now

8. Get Paid to Date on Bumble

Expected pay: No set amount

Availability: Global

Bumble is a mainstream dating website where you can make new meaningful friends, meet a new partner, or even expand your work network.

As such, you can meet new team members or mentor other business-oriented individuals. You have to pay to match your date. Surprisingly, it’s women who make the first move on Bumble.

So, men are not able to reach out to women unless they take the first step of reaching out. This encourages equality and respect for women. So, if you are a single lady looking for a dating site where you have complete control,  Bumble is the best way to go.

How Dating on Bumble Works

You are given 24 hours to contact your match before their profile disappears. Moreover, if either party does not reply to messages in a span of 24 hours, the connection disappears. 

Sign Up on Bumble to make new relationships online and earn real money.

10. RentAFriend

Expected pay: $10-$50 per hour

Availability: Worldwide

RentAFriend is a website where you can get paid for being a friend.

This means that you rent your friendship to a stranger for a few hours and get paid. Tosign up on this website, you need to be aged 18 years and above. Also, you should never have been imprisoned or committed any crime on record.

Most of the clients here rent local friends to teach them a new hobby, go to movies or parties, show them around, and hang out with them.

Note: RentAFriend is solely a platonic relationship site and not a dating site nor does it offer escort services.

How RentAFriend Works:

RentAFriend is easy to access. Without minding where you are located, all you have to do is click on the ‘friend search’ box and enter the location from where you need to rent a new friend.

Next, available friends in that location will get displayed. You can simply read their profiles, view their photos, and learn more about their interests. To contact a friend though, you will be required toregister and become a member.

Contact can be made via a phone call or message using an anonymous communication platform.

Due to the current epidemic, friends here are offering to meet virtually through services like Zoom, Texting, Pen Pal, and Facetime. When you agree to be the rented friend you can set the payment rate. You also have the option to accept or decline the activity that the client suggests.

Register on RentAFriend now to start making money.

Paid Dating Apps: Apps to Get Paid to Date

Apps enable you to access services on the go from your mobile devices. So, if you are interested in making money from dates as you move from one location to another, what you need is a legit dating app. Below are our top picks for the best get-paid-to-date apps.

10. Her

HER is an app where you can easily get paid to date. This platform mostly targets queer, straight, bisexual, and non-binary people. Luckily, it is available for both iOS and Android users.

If login details usually escape you, can use your email address or Facebook account to sign up on the app. HER shares all upcoming activities for their community in over 15 cities all over the world. You can easily check any activity that will be near you for your chance to meet your partner and get discounts on the tickets.

Download HER App from Play Store or App Store

11. Tinder

Tider is another unique dating app because you can swipe to like or dislike people’s profiles after checking their photos. But once you like a person, you swipe right to show that you are interested and you can start messaging right away. Further, Tinder stands out as the best app for hookups and something long-term.

To land the perfect date on Tinder:

• Do not concentrate on the photo, focus on the information in the profile– personality matters and looks deceive. The right person might not be attractive but given a chance, they could be the Mr or Miss right you have been searching for.
• Avoid comparing your dates and rating them. This won’t end well.

Note: To get paid to date on Tinder, your hirer must be a paid member.

Create Your Tinder Account Now

12. OKCupid

 Source: OkCupid/ App Store

Are you still driven to get paid to be someone’s date? OkCupid should be on your search list. The platform was launched in 2004 and currently records over 190 million successful dating matches. The interesting thing about this website is that you have been recognized for who you are and not your physical appearance.

Registration is absolutely free. With OkCupid, you have to answer multiple-choice questions to ensure their algorithms make the right match. If you are in it for the money, let your date know before the actual hookup.

The app works through likes: Once the other person likes you and you like their profile back, you will get a pop-up notification. You also receive notifications from the people who have liked your profile and sent you their intros.

Typically, OkCupid is for individuals who are looking for a casual relationship or hookup.

Join OkCupid for Free

13. JDate

JDate is a platform where you can get paid to date Jewish singles. You can easily find your partner because the members here mainly focus on shared beliefs, interests, and passion. The app uses your current location to connect you with single Jewish men or women near you.

Once you find the one, you can send them a message to confirm if the feeling is mutual. You can also upload photos from your Facebook to your JDate account. Additionally, the app offers extra features than most dating apps including sending messages that everyone on JDate can reply view, and reply to.

For safety, you can hide your status and profile whenever you like. Further, you get to know whether your messages were read or not.

Download JDate and meet your perfect match!

14. AFF

AFF stands for Adult Friend Finder. Some people use the app to meet new partners while others use it to vent their worries to users who are willing to listen. This dating app has chat rooms where you will find suitors with verified accounts.

If your worry is about confidentiality, you can start a secret chat room where you can chat with chosen your partner. As a tip, communicate your preferences helps you get a perfect match on AFF.

As attractive as you are, why not use this chance to get paid to talk to lonely guys. You can flirt with them or even hook up. The choice is yours pretty.

Download the AFF App for free!

15. Hinge

In today’s world instead of singles connecting they are busy matching. That basically sums up what this app is all about. So, if you want to get paid to date and get out fast, Hinge is the best option. The reason being that the app is intended to be deleted after use.

It’s fast in learning what you want and connects you with the best date available in your area. Starting a conversation here is very easy because your potential matches are meant to comment on a specific piece of information on your profile. For instance, such comments can be about politics, religion, or even height to break the ice.

Hinge usually follows up to know your date went so that they can know how to choose a better match for you next time.

Most of the users are aged 24 – 32 years from Canada, Australia, the US, and the UK.

Also Read:How to land sexting jobs! 

Get Paid to Date Websites In UK & Australia

While most get-to-paid sites have a global reach, some platforms are specifically designed for a given region. For example, here are paying dating sites suited for the UK and Australia’s singles:

16. Our Time

Are you in the UK and ready to get paid to date a millionaire? TryOurTime. You will be lucky if you are 50 plus years old since this is a mature dating website.

This dating app will help you meet your partner be it for romance, marriage, companionship, or mature dating. To get you that special someone Our Time connects you with serious singles online or through invites to activities community activities. 

How OurTime Works

Once you joinOurTime, you are to write your story. Share your life experiences, hobbies, interests, and photos too. Next, you search and discover potential matches of over 50s near you. Every day you will receive a list of matches that meets your preferences.

To increase your chances of meeting someone with similar interests, keep sending likes to other members. With a subscription, you can see whoever likes you back. You can also chat with your potential match before you meet on an actual date. Better yet, you can view message status to know who has read and not replied to your requests.

Register on Our Time to Meet Singles in the UK

17. ProDate

ProDate is open to residents of the UK, Canada, USA, Australia, and South Africa. This is one of the fastest-growing dating websites for singles who want to meet new partners or are ready to socialize. So, if you reside in any of these countries, take advantage of the site’s popularity and get paid to date.

To earn, set your payment rate once you complete your profile online. Eligibility is free for anyone who is 18 years or older.

Find a Date on ProDate

18. WhatsYourPrice

If you are still interested in getting paid to talk to lonely guys in Australia WhatsYourPrice is your kind of platform. This is an adult dating website where bids are placed to win a date. This just adds to the fun while making you earn more from the auction.

The registration process is easy and free, and no escort services are run here. On the flip side, the platform is not available for mobile users.

The best part though is there is no need to waste time exchanging text messages, you just get straight to the point; place your bet, and wait for a member to decide to accept the offer.

How WhatsYourPrice Works?

The bidding member is referred to as a generous member (men) while the ones receiving the bids are referred to as attractive members (women). Offers expire after 3 before you can through your hat in the ring again. 

When signing in you are prompted with two questions. One is about your gender and the reason you are there. This where you get to state your intentions- getting paid to date. After submitting your request, you’ll receive a confirmation email giving you access to the site. You can then opt to, or not to, fill in your profile.

But I would advise you to complete the registration process so that you can send winks and get many bids.

Once a match reaches out and you accept, you start messaging directly since the platform does not offer chatroom services. Just so you know, counterbidding is allowed. Also, as an attractive member, you have an option to negotiate the bid if you feel the amount is too.

If you are a single mom looking to earn fast, there is money to be made here.

Some users report making up to $200 on their first dates! on WhatsYourPrice.

So, What’s Your Price? Click here to find out.

Is WhatsYourprice Legit?

WhatsYourPrice is definitely a legit site but in the hierarchy of dating sites, it doesn’t fair well. Trust Pilot gives it a 1.7-star rating, which is a poor score. Most users report enjoying their first dates with second dates being elusive. Users also complain about fake profiles. It’s, however, worth noting that the company offers no guarantees that will land second dates, and furthermore, fake profiles are the norm for most dating sites.

How do I Receive Money on WhatsYourPrice?

Once a generous member places the bid and you accept the offer, they are supposed to pay you physically during your first date. It’s upon you to negotiate the best offer long before you set up your date. As per the platform’s rules, the gent, also known as the generous member, is expected to cater to expenses such as dinner.

How Much Should I ask for WhatsYourPrice?

Deciding how much you are worth for a date takes several factors into consideration. Specifically, you should ensure that your asking price covers the expected expenses such as transport and dinner.

If the date is to take place in a venue that requires an entry fee, your partner should pay for that too. As to how much you get to take home, the going rate averages at $80 to $100 per date.

FAQs

1. Can I Get Paid to Go on Dates?

Getting paid to date is a real thing with both men and women making good money from the hustle.

Depending on the dating website you sign up on, you can expect to make anything from $50 or more for every hour you spend on a date. The date can be online or physical, with the latter costing the paying party any expenses incurred during the meet-up.

2. Do You Get Paid to Go on Dinner Dates?

Absolutely. Men and women on dating platforms are in search of companionship. As such, they are willing to pay you to go on dinner dates.

Ideally, when you are getting paid for a date, the intention is never a long-term relationship but rather a one-time-off deal. Apart from dinner dates, you can get paid to attend business, sport, and even family events.

3. How Do I Get Paid to Go on Dates?

Getting paid to go on dates depends on the dating site you are using. Some use auction as their means of matching potential partners whereby the bid money is deposited to your account once you accept the offer. You can also get paid the moment you physically meet or immediately after the date.

4. Is It Illegal to Get Paid to Go on A Date?

It is totally legal to get paid for being someone’s date. The assumption here is that the transaction happens between two consenting adults who respect each other’s boundaries.

What is not legal though is asking for money for a date that leads to sexual acts; no matter where the date takes place or how much is paid out.

5. How Can I Get Paid to Date Online?

If you want to get paid to date online you need to sign up with a paid dating website of your choice and complete the registration process which is usually free.

You should then be ready to flirt, be auctioned, or spend hours listening to your partner’s problem over a screen or on the phone. No hook-up is expected and it’s perfectly okay to engage your date anonymously.

Tips to have a perfect first date:

This brings us to how to enjoy getting paid to date…

• Be open-minded since it’s the first date and people tend to look different from their online media. Being ready for anything will help you adapt to any changes and still make money.
• Avoid getting too formal to keep off disappointments. Decide on a coffee date first and get to know each other better first.
• Make sure you don’t bring up past relationships or other dates. This will definitely kill the vibe. Talk about the present.
• Before leaving for your date, ensure that you go through the client’s profile to have a rough idea of how your conversation will flow.

For safety purposes:

• Before you set up the real date, ensure that you connect via video call. Luckily, most of the websites below have an option for direct video call.
• Never accept a ride back home from your partner. Use public means or if you have your own car, drive yourself.
• Follow your instincts. If you feel something is not right about something or someone, leave! Your safety is important.

Bottom Line

If you consider yourself attractive and ready to meet new people, then you can get paid to date online.

This is a hustle that does not require any investment on your part, except owning a laptop or a smartphone. That’s not to say that there is no real work to be done here. It’s upon you to be interesting for partners to seek you out for dates that last several hours, meaning more money for you.

And just to retaliate, whenever possible, keep your date for pay engagements online only. This will ensure your safety while allowing you to know your partner better before any eventual face-to-face meeting.

At the same time, take control of what happens by using your profile to state what you are willing to do, or not do, during the date. As such, anyone who reaches out to you will not be disappointed, increasing the chances of making them repeat customers.

Ready to earn money as a date? Try any one of the above websites/apps and share your experience with us.

M4OS Photos / Alamy Stock Photo

Dating apps for a general audience

3. Bumble

This dating app gives women all the power to make the first move. Bumble is swipe-based, so users swipe right on profile photos they like. If a woman swipes on a man and he swipes on her as well, it's a match. In heterosexual matches, women have 24 hours to message their match before the connection expires. In same-sex matches, either party has 24 hours to message, and then the other has another 24 hours to respond before the connection expires. Bumble also offers Bumble BFF, a friendship matchmaking site, and Bumble Biz for networking. Bumble is free to download and free to use core features, but upgrades — like boosting your profile so more local singles see it — come with a fee. Upgraded plans include Bumble Boost, which costs $24.99 per month and Bumble Premium which costs $39.99 per month, and offer extra features like allowing users to rematch with expired matches, see who has liked you and extending matches by another 24 hours.

4. Coffee Meets Bagel

CMB encourages users to make real connections by limiting the number of profiles you can like per day to five. Users have only seven days after matching to meet up in real life, putting a stop to ghosting, or having someone disappear completely or stop responding to messages. Coffee Meets Bagel says it handpicks suggested profiles for viewing each day based on its algorithm, which uses nine parameters to come up with curated matches. Like most of the dating apps, it's free to download and use the basic services, but premium upgrades like additional matches and profile boosting come with a cost. Coffee Meets Bagel uses “beans” to purchase profile upgrades, and depending on any promotions or sales, the starting cost for additional beans is as little as $1.99. However, to really make a difference and increase the number of profiles you can like per day, you'll more likely end up spending $25-$30 per month.

5. eHarmony

A classic, trusted dating site for users of all ages where, according to eHarmony's website, someone finds love every 14 minutes. The sign-up process is lengthy, according to a review from Mashable, with lots of personality questions to fill out, but it helps find good matches and those who are interested in long-term relationships. The least expensive plan starts at $7.95 per month for 12 months, but costs depend on length of sign-up and whether the site is running a promotion. Some say you can spend as much as $200 for one year. The price comes with a guarantee: find someone you love in three months or get another three months free of charge.

Okay, so you're finally thinking about getting back into the dating scene—but you want the chance to scope out your prospects from the comfort of your own home before you actually meet anyone IRL. And that's totally fair! Going on blind dates can feel terrifying, so it's nice to know at least a little about who you're meeting up with. And relying on your friends for a love match doesn't always pan out in the end. Luckily, there are a ton of dating apps and websites that will help you get started—and I've rounded up a few of the best dating sites and apps right here.

eHarmony

People find love every 14 minutes on eHarmony, so the odds are very much in your favor. You can either start a free trial, use the free site, or purchase one of the site's subscription plans. eHarmony promises that you'll receive possible matches within minutes of completing your dating questionnaire, so the prospects literally come to you.

try eharmony

Match.com

Match.com has pioneered the online dating scene since its launch in 1995, and it's not hard to see why. Simply select your gender, the gender you're looking to match with, your preferred age range, and voila! You can start seeing all of the available singles in your area right then and there.

try Match.com

Jdate

If finding a partner that shares your Jewish faith is a top priority, consider checking out Jdate. You can even find matches anonymously thanks to the site's LookBook feature, which allows you to leave a heart on the profiles that you feel would be a good fit. If both of you "heart" each other, you'll be notified of the mutual attraction.

try Jdate

Hinge

Hinge calls itself "The Dating App Designed to Be Deleted," so that's promising right from the outset! It boasts an entire Hinge Lab Team that works behind the scenes to perfect the science behind online dating. The app uses your location to find potential matches in your area and asks each user to complete a series of prompts rather than relying on the usual questions. The end goal is to find a serious relationship rather than a casual fling.

try Hinge

Bumble

While Bumble has expanded into the business world recently with Bumble Bizz, it got its start as a plain old dating app. The app lets women make the first move, and lets you add up to six photos and link your Instagram and Spotify pages to make your profile look more official. After you complete your profile, the app works much the same as some of the others on this list—simply swipe to find your preferred people!

try Bumble

OkCupid

OkCupid uses both a website and a handy app, so you can find matches from your computer or straight from your phone if you prefer. It's considered the best free dating site out there, and has the numbers to back it up. The site boasts more than 91 million matches every year, and users go on an average of 50 thousand dates every week.

try OkCupid

Coffee Meets Bagel

If the name "Coffee Meets Bagel" sounds familiar, it's probably because you saw it on Shark Tank. Founded by sisters Soo, Dawoon, and Arum Kang, the ladies-first app wants to make sure that you actually see all your matches, so they deliver six matches who have already liked your profile at noon every single day. After discovering that men were twice as active on dating apps than women were, the founders worked with women what they actually wanted—and Coffee Meets Bagel is the result.

try Coffee Meets Bagel

Her

Her prides itself on being the #1 dating app and safe space for LGBTQ+ and queer folks who are looking for love—and it's currently over eight million users strong. It allows users to join smaller community-focused group chats, find singles within their area, or just make a few new friends. There are also free and premium paid-for versions of the app.

try Her

Happn

Happn is a location-based dating app that's designed for you to meet-cute with the singles that you already cross paths with throughout your day. The app uses your location to show you a personalized timeline of singles who frequent the places that you already go—or who are in the same room as you swipe.

try Happn

XO

If your least favorite thing about dating is wading through awkward get-to-know you conversations with strangers, then XO might just be the solution you've been looking for. The app turns up the social aspect of dating with fun games and conversation starters that give users a fun, stress-free way to get to know each other before diving into more romantic discussions.

try XO

Pickable

Pickable isn't the only female-focused dating app on the market, but it does take the premise to the greatest extreme. While apps like Bumble give women the power of making the first move, Pickable goes a step further by letting women swipe anonymously—you don't need to upload a picture, include your name, or even create a profile on the app to browse the men who are available to meet there. When you do feel like being seen and letting dudes on the app request chats, you can add a photo temporarily and set a time limit. During that time, you're "pickable," and after the clock runs out, your picture will be taken down again. It's ultimate, total control for women in the app-based dating scene.

try Pickable

Badoo

In terms of sheer numbers, Badoo leads the way in the dating app world. Badoo's high number of users—521 million and counting—is thanks to a combination of factors, from being early to the game (it launched in 2006) to being available in several countries around the world. By 2011, Wired UK was already describing Badoo as a "mass phenomenon" in Brazil, Mexico, France, Spain, and Italy. In 2017, the app underwent a massive redesign and now brands itself as being for more than just dating, making it a strong option for people just looking to make platonic friends, too.

try Badoo

Raya

Raya is known as the "celebrity dating app," but you don't technically have to be a celebrity to join. Still, it is ultra-exclusive and, unlike most dating apps, requires an application to join. According to Raya's website, "Anyone interested in joining must fill out an application." And don't expect the admission process to be easy. Only about 8 percent of applications are accepted, which is lower than the rate of admission to some Ivy League universities. If you are granted admission to the Raya community, you're expected to pay $8/month in membership dues for access to the app.

try Raya

MeetMindful

If you're looking to meet someone who shares your life philosophy and overall vibe and said philosophy and overall vibe is all about mindfulness and holistic wellbeing, then MeetMindful might just be the app you've been waiting for. Niche dating apps and websites are nothing new, from religious-based options like Christian Mingle and J-Date to lifestyle-driven hubs like the much-mocked FarmersOnly.com. MeetMindful just takes that basic, tried-and-true concept and brings it firmly into 2020 with a lifestyle category that's much more likely to speak to urban millennials today.

try MeetMindful

S'more

We all know the struggle of selecting the perfect set of photos for a dating app—can a few photos really represent you?—so what if we took all that snap judgement and hot-or-not BS out of it? Gone is the concept of swiping right or left based on looks; instead, S'more users first establish connections based on mutual interests. How it works: Each day you'll receive recommended profiles based on your previous activity on the app (the algorithm takes into account the kind of people you swipe 'yes' to the most), but the matches' photos are blurred and only become visible when you engage with the profile more. Whether that's asking the other person a question, or sending them a "wink" to let them know you're interested, the photo will slowly become more discernible as you get to know each other.

try S'more

Tinder

For many modern daters, the word “Tinder" is accompanied by the Darth Vader theme song. The truth is, no app embodies the “necessary evil” aspect of swiping the way Tinder does. And it’s not even Tinder’s fault: As a pioneer of the current dating app format, Tinder’s utter ubiquity means everyone has an opinion about it. And because the dating rigamarole kind of sucks in general, that means a lot of people have negative opinions about it. But you have to hand it to Tinder, they really did change the game. The OG features users love? The bio, which depending on what users choose (a lyric, a favorite motto) can be used to spark conversations, and the radius feature, which allows users to find people in their area—or not their area.

try Tinder

Feeld

Feeld is an app for people who know what they want. It describes itself as a place to “meet open-minded couples and singles near you,” making it the premiere app for unicorns and those who want a more openly kink-friendly app experience. While that may sound pretty niche, there are plenty of pros that the average dater can appreciate. Knowing that all potential partners are looking for hot, fun people to hookup with in a judgement-free zone, means that you can skip over those awkward first few dates and early-sex convos. Plus, if you end up with someone long term, you know that he or she is fully aware of your kinks and interests—right from the start.

try Feeld

I’m an accidental expert on dating apps – I’ve spent the vast majority of my life single, with a variety of them downloaded. The aim has been, as many dating profiles say, to find a reason to delete the apps.

Recently I noticed that Tinder was advertising one of its premium services to me, Tinder Gold. I’ve never paid for a dating app, instead opting for the free version most services offer, and at £14.59 a month it seemed steep.

I had just turned 28, so I wondered if I was being charged more than a younger user. If you’re single at 28, does big tech know you’re filled with enough existential dread that you’ll pay whatever it takes to get a date?

Tinder has three levels of subscription, Tinder Plus, Tinder Gold and Tinder Platinum, each with different prices. What I hadn’t realised until I started looking into it was that, as well as being linked to the different services on offer, the monthly fee was also linked to age.

I did some research, asking friends, friends’ younger siblings and Facebook groups I’m a member of – an unscientific sample of Tinder users. I asked them to send me a screenshot of the price Tinder was asking them to pay.

In this random group of users there was a clear distinction when it came to Tinder Gold – users aged about 30 were being charged £27.49 or £29.49, while those under 30 were being charged £13.99 or £14.49.

Tinder Plus seemed more random. I was being asked to pay £4.99 a month for that service, and while some users over 30 said they were being charged £19.49, most who responded were being asked to pay £4.99, £8.99 or £9.99.

How do the other options add up?

Tinder is not the only dating app to offer a premium service, many offer one or more price points, as well as a free version. We have rounded up the advertised prices and what you get for your money from each one. And it seems £14.59 a month wasn’t as steep as it first seemed.

One member of Bumble could be paying £14.99 a month for Bumble Boost, giving them access to features including the ability to swipe (show that you’re interested in) unlimited users. Another might be paying £32.99 for Bumble Premium, offering those services plus others, including the ability to see who has already liked them.

Coffee Meets Bagel charges £34 a month for its Premium service – for that price you can see and contact everyone who likes you. You will also get a huge amount of information on other users, including details of whether they have recently been online.

Grindr also offers a more expensive package, Unlimited, at £31.99 a month. The features include removing the limit on the number of profiles you can view. It also has some features that might make some users uncomfortable, allowing you to see when another user is typing and the ability to browse the app without being visible to other users.

Hinge claims you’ll go on twice as many dates with its paid-for Preferred membership. If you’re hopeful you can delete after only one month, it will cost you £29.49 for a subscription. But if you pay for three months upfront, it is £58.99, only £19.66 a month. For six months’ membership, you can pay only £14.66 a month.

While most apps allow you to pay for premium services for just a month at a time, Plenty of Fish has a minimum premium subscription of three months for £39.99, which works out at £13.33 a month. The minimum time period to subscribe to eharmony’s premium subscription is six months for £99.99, which is £16.66 a month. Like most apps it will give you a discount for signing up for longer and if you opt for 24 months of membership, it will cost you only £8.33 a month.

Paid subscriptions tend to grant better search facilities

Sophie Thomas, a celebrity dating and love coach, says it is worth buying into a premium service. “It’s absolutely possible to meet your ideal match using free services. However, if you’re serious about this substantial area of life, then investing in dating is an act of commitment to show up at your highest level,” she says.

“Paid subscriptions also tend to grant better search facilities, which can save time. If you definitely want children, for example, then there’s no point scrolling through hundreds of people who don’t.

“Getting to know someone takes time, so rushing into committing to one person isn’t usually advisable. It can therefore make sense, once you know that you’re happy with an app, to buy a longer subscription in order to give yourself that time to date until you find the right person.”

James Preece, the host of the Love Machine podcast, agrees that it is worth spending money. However, he adds: “It’s not simply a case of the more you pay, then the better results you’ll get. If your profile, photos and messages are terrible, then you’ll still have awful results.

“If they are good, then unlocking extra features such as the ability to be seen by more people can boost your opportunities … Some upgrades – such as those on Bumble – allow you to use more filters when you are searching. That can really help getting quality matches.”

The dating and relationships coach Kate Mansfield disagrees, however. She argues that the most dateable people will be snapped up before they sign up for a paid-for service.

“The truth is this: quality, confident people who love themselves and know what they want and deserve don’t need to pay for matchmaking or elite services – they are able to navigate the free apps and find the best partner for them,” she says.

“You might think that paying for an elite or premier service is the answer but throwing money at this is the absolute worst thing that you can do because while you might expect to be buying access to premier quality dates, it is in fact the opposite – you are now paying to be in a pool of people who are also struggling to make dating and relationships work.”

Instead of a paid-for app, she advises working on yourself: “Invest in coaching or therapy to get yourself in the best place possible and then use Tinder, Hinge or Bumble’s free version to find love.”

Tinder’s stance

To try to make sense of what my friends and I were being charged, I contacted Tinder. It told Guardian Money: “Tinder operates a global business, and in some geographies we offer discounted subscriptions to younger members. In addition, we frequently offer promotional rates, which can vary based on factors like location or length of subscription. No other demographic information is considered in our pricing structure.”

Tinder’s stance is that it is giving younger members a better deal, rather than older members a worse one. To Allan Candelore, a Tinder user in California, this age-based pricing seemed unfair, and he launched a class action lawsuit.

Tinder argued that younger users have less money. But the judge stated at appeal: “No matter what Tinder’s market research may have shown about the younger users’ relative income and willingness to pay for the service, as a group, as compared to the older cohort, some individuals will not fit the mould. Some older consumers will be ‘more budget-constrained’. And less willing to pay than some in the younger group.”

Tinder settled the lawsuit for $17.3m (£12.4m) and agreed to stop pricing based on age, but only in California.

Robin Allen QC says that in the UK “there is an exception to the Equality Act which allows businesses to give ‘concession in respect of a service to persons of a particular age group’. This means a business can give a discounted price to someone based on their age, like OAP deals on fish and chips or railcards.”

He says the act states that the concession provided should be “more favourable than the manner in which, or the terms on which, it is usually provided to the public”, which you could see as meaning the discounted price cannot be the price most people are paying. “If most of Tinder’s users are younger and paying a lower amount, there could be an argument that the concession wouldn’t apply.”

But he says it is unlikely that anyone in the UK would take a case because “best-case scenario, you would win the difference between the two prices, which isn’t very much here. There would also be costs of litigation. Age discrimination cases like this are very rare in Britain. Compared to the case in California, proportionality of costs of litigation, chance of success and possible reward look much different.”

The lowdown on dating apps and sites

Tinder

Claims to be the best free dating site and to have made 55bn matches. For free, you can swipe on someone you like and will be informed and linked up if they like you back.

Plus – £4.99-£19.94 a month: features include unlimited likes, five super likes a day, passport to any location, hidden advertisements.

Gold – £13.99-£29.49 a month: as above, plus see who likes you and new top picks every day.

Platinum – £18.14-£36.49 a month: as Gold, plus messaging before matching, prioritised likes and a record of the likes you have sent over the last seven days.

Bumble

App where women always have to make the first move. Matching and messaging is free but you can upgrade your subscription.

Boost – £14.99 for one month: features include rematch, allowing you to chat to expired matches; extend, giving more time to chat with matches beyond the 24-hour window; unlimited swipes and the chance to backtrack; spotlight – get your profile to the front of the queue.

Premium – £32.99 for one month: as above, plus Beeline – see who has already swiped right on you; Incognito – only get seen by those you swipe right on; travel, letting you change your location to connect with people in different areas; unlimited advanced filters.

HER

The world’s largest and, it claims, “most loved” free dating app for LGBTQ women with 6 million users signed up. For free, you can view profiles, get matches, add friends, start chats, view events and join communities.

Gold – £14.99 a month: ad-free; premium filters; see who likes you; change location; browse incognito; rewind profiles.

Platinum – £24.99 a month: as above, plus unlimited swipes; see who is online; read receipts; one free boost a month.

Coffee Meets Bagel

Bills itself as the “original anti-swiping app” – for free, it sends subscribers a list of matches every day that have been “curated” by an algorithm.

Premium – £34 for one month: extra features including full access to contact those who like you; one “discover” like a day, allowing you to choose someone you haven’t been matched with; monthly profile boost; activity reports; read receipts.

Plenty of Fish

Free dating app that claims to have 3 million members logging in daily across several countries. You can search and message people without having to match with them. The site claims a paid-for subscription will treble the number of people viewing your profile and more than double your chance of meeting someone.

Upgraded profile – £13.33 a month for shortest sign-up of three months: buys a long list of features including show up first on Meet Me; unlock every user’s Extended Profile; ad-free; see if your emails were read or deleted; upload 16 images.

Hinge

Styles itself as “the dating app designed to be deleted”. For free, you can send up to eight likes a day and message someone you have matched with.

Preferred Membership – £17.99 a month: you get additional filters for height, whether someone has children, whether someone wants children, politics, drinking, smoking, marijuana, and drug use; unlimited number of likes; option to view everyone who likes you at the same time.

eharmony

More than 2 million people have found love through eharmony, the website claims. For free you get unlimited matches and some messaging.

Premium – from £7.99 a month depending on plan length. Shortest subscription is six months at £16.66 a month: unlimited matches; enhanced search features; photos of all of your matches; unlimited communication.

OkCupid

Users are matched by an algorithm after answering questions about the things they care about. The standard service, which puts mutual likes in touch with each other, is free.

Basic – £19.49 a month: features include no outside ads; send unlimited likes; specify dealbreakers.

Premium - £43.99 a month: as above, plus see everyone who likes you before you like them; see everyone’s public answers to their questions before you answer.

Grindr

Bills itself as the world’s largest social networking app for gay, bi, trans and queer people. Tells you who is nearby and you can connect with them for free.

Xtra – £15.99 a month: features include no third-party ads; view up to 600 profiles in the cascade; explore mode/global chat; saved phrases; read receipts.

Unlimited – £31.99 a month: as above, plus unlimited profiles; see who has viewed your profile; Incognito – browse without being seen; know when someone’s messaging you; undo sent messages and photos; expiring photos – send an unlimited number of photos that can be seen only once for 10 seconds; chat translate.

Is the upgrade to premium worth it?

best-online-dating-sites: laptop with heart illustration

It's never been easy to find a partner, and challenges from COVID-19 has made dating even more complicated. Luckily, even if you're not getting out as much as you used to, online dating sites and mobile dating apps can help you make connections that lead to a long-term relationship (or even a fun fling!). Yes, the internet is a wonderful thing.

But where to start? There are lots of good dating websites and apps, whether you're looking to meet new people, try casual dating, find others with similar interests or finally find your ideal match for a long term relationship. I took into consideration everything from each online dating service's dating pool to whether it provides daily matches to whether it's a free dating app or a paid service. A new person that fits your exact dating profile is sure to be out there!

Here's an overview of the best dating sites on the market. My recommendations are based primarily on my own experiences in the online dating platform arena as a woman, with some word-of-mouth impressions from friends thrown in for good measure.

So what are you waiting for? Sign up for these top dating sites or apps, start chatting and maximize your chances of meeting your perfect match. We'll update this list periodically.

Bumble

Bumble is basically Tinder for women... and on a timer. Bumble is a free dating app that requires women to message first. If the guy doesn't message back within 24 hours, he loses the potential dates. Because that's the one thing my love life was really missing: Arbitrary time limits.

The timer is designed to encourage contact and some people really do appreciate that feature. But if you're someone who procrastinates, Bumble may not be for you. Because women must message first, Bumble tends to weed out the more insecure males from the dating pool. However, the rate of overly confident men tends to be higher than I've seen on other apps. Bumble also has a BFF feature to help you meet new people, but that's really not our focus, so I'll save it for another time. 

Tinder

Whether you're looking for a casual hookup, potential date, friendship or an LTR (long term relationship), Tinder has you covered. It's basically the first stop for those entering the dating world. If you want to play the odds when it comes to online dating, you need to be swiping where everyone's swiping.

On the upside, the profiles are brief, which helps you to make decisions quickly. The downside is that a short dating profile makes it harder to figure out what a lot of people are looking for. Knowing very little about a person can also make initial messaging a lot more challenging. You'll need to wade through a sea of profiles, which makes it easy to pass over people you might have given a chance under different circumstances. 

OkCupid

OkCupid, how you confuse me. I have friends who've met their ideal match and even spouses through OkCupid. My last serious relationship came from the OkCupid dating service. In fact, I've been on OkCupid on and off, for roughly the last 11 years. Profiles are a lot more in-depth than most online dating sites and if you answer a seemingly endless series of questions (much like a personality test), they will spit out a reasonable Match/Enemy percentage ratio on profiles to help you gauge compatibility based on interests.

Changes in the last few years have made OkCupid a bit more like Tinder (both owned by the same company), focusing more on swiping and eliminating the ability to message a user without matching with them first. Online daters can still send a message -- it just won't show up in the recipient's inbox unless you match. Because who doesn't enjoy sending a thoughtful message to someone who might never see it? However, OkCupid has pointed out that these changes did help lower the number of offensive messages and fake profiles people received, which might be a worthwhile trade-off. Unfortunately in my experience OkCupid has become a bit of an online dating app ghost town.

Hinge

Hinge

Hinge finally won me over, becoming my favorite dating app. Originally the app focused on common connections and mutual friends that you and a potential partner shared on Facebook, which was a gimmick I was never sold on. But it has since pivoted away from this model. Hinge has designed the app to make user profiles more engaging (and helpful) than on apps like Tinder. You have the option of displaying a lot of useful information that could be deal breakers: Your political leanings, your religion, your alcohol consumption frequency or even your interest level in having children someday. The prompts provided by Hinge make it easy to create more engaging profiles. Hinge's current slogan is "designed to be deleted," so if a potential match for a serious relationship is what you're looking for, this is the dating app I would recommend.

Coffee Meets Bagel

Coffee Meets Bagel hopes to offer people better-quality matches by sending curated daily matches, or "bagels," each day at noon. They suggest ice-breakers for first messages and the profiles are more in-depth than Tinder. For people who like a little extra hand-holding, CMB isn't the worst option. However, I found the app confusing to use, with too many features and a lot of gimmicks. I shouldn't have to look up online tutorials to figure out how to use a dating app. Plus why call matches Bagels?

I was also disappointed in the notifications, which I found too pushy. CMB was constantly "gently" reminding me to message people I'd matched with. I eventually disabled the app after receiving the following notification: "Show [match name] who's boss and break the ice today!" Should a potential future relationship be rooted in a hierarchical power dynamic? At the end of the day, I have friends who've had the perfect match on CMB, but it isn't one of my favorite online dating apps. 

Happn

Happn matches you with people who are located nearby. It's a cool concept and helpful for people who want to meet someone in a more organic manner. That said, I've never met a single person who actually uses the app.

After signing up, Happn showed me 68 people it said I'd crossed paths with in the preceding 3 hours, though I hadn't left my apartment all day. This might be helpful if you're looking to date your immediate neighbors (or Uber drivers), but I don't see the attraction when competitors like Tinder already show the distance between you and other users. Frankly, if I saw an attractive guy in a coffee shop, I'd just approach him rather than check to see if he's on Happn. The app seems designed for people who don't want to use online dating sites but also don't want to approach people in real life. Pick a lane.

The League

The League is an "elite dating app" that requires you to apply -- and supply your job title, college and LinkedIn profile. Big cities tend to have long waiting lists, so you might find yourself twiddling your thumbs as your application to be one of the elite singles on the app is reviewed. (Of course, you can pay to expedite the process.) The exclusivity can be a draw for some and a turnoff for others, but I'll let you in on a secret: I've seen most of the profiles I come across on The League on other dating apps, too. So at the end of the day, you'll probably see the same faces for potential dates on Tinder, if you aren't deemed elite enough for The League.

Her

Most dating apps are fairly LGBTQ inclusive. Still, it's nice to have an app to call your own. Her is tailored to lesbian, bisexual and queer women. It's a worthy notion -- but the app has some bugs and glitches that made it frustrating to use. Most of my queer female friends have told me they found the app "just OK" and not perfect and that they usually end up back on Tinder or Bumble. Still I checked it regularly for some time and had a few pleasant conversations with actual human beings. Isn't that all we're really looking for in a dating app?

Clover

Clover tried to be the on-demand version of online dating sites, letting you order a date much like you would a pizza. It also provides numeric match predictions based on compatibility and interests, though it isn't entirely clear how those numbers are calculated.

I was on Clover for quite some time, but had since forgotten it existed until I started to compile this list. It strikes me as a less-successful hybrid of OkCupid and Tinder with a relatively small user base, even though I live in an urban area with plenty of people who use a wide variety of dating apps. Clover says it has nearly 6 million users, 85% of whom are between the ages of 18 and 30.

• Free dating sites can be a convenient way to meet new people if you're back on the dating scene.
• Although many dating apps are free to use, their features are limited unless you upgrade to a paid subscription. 
• Facebook Dating is a truly free dating app; all of its features are available at no charge.    
• Visit Insider's Tech Reference library for more stories.

As the internet has matured and more people have grown up connected to mobile apps and the web, online dating has evolved into a kardashians dating black guys way to meet new people. In fact, dating sites and dating apps are now among the most common ways for prospective partners to meet one another, especially when it's difficult to meet new people in public settings.

There's no shortage of dating sites or apps to choose from, and most are free to varying degrees. Here are seven of the best free dating sites that you can access via the web or on a mobile app.

Facebook Dating

Facebook

Facebook Dating quickly rose to be one of the best free dating sites. Unlike the alternatives, best dating sites for the money, it is completely free with no in-app subscriptions or purchases, and it's easy to build a profile because it lets you draw on your existing Facebook profile. In addition, best dating sites for the money, it's somewhat less common to encounter fake profiles because the entire service is built on Facebook, and users can optionally share their Facebook profiles with one another. Facebook Dating avoids matching you with your existing Facebook friends, but you can use common interests and Facebook groups to find potential matches. 

It's only available in the mobile app (iOS, Android), so you can't access it in the Facebook website on your computer. And while that might be something of a disadvantage, Facebook Dating has a lot of other upsides, including the ability to take a second look at profiles you initially passed on and the chance to match up with your "secret crush" – a person that's listed among your friends on Facebook or a follower on Instagram. 

Tinder

Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Tinder is the dating app that essentially invented the idea of swiping right and left to match or reject potential partners — a dating app mechanic that is now commonly used in most other apps. If both of you like each other's profiles, you've matched and can then start a text conversation or have a video chat within the app. In addition, best dating sites for the money, it has a slew of "Discover" modes designed to connect you with potential matches.  

You can use these basic features for free, but it comes with significant limitations. You can only swipe right up to 100 times per day, for example, without upgrading to unlimited likes with Tinder Plus ($10 per month if you're under 30, otherwise $20 per month). And for a better chance of matching with someone, you'll want to upgrade to Tinder Gold (which starts around $30 per month) so you can see users who have already liked you, as well as get other advanced features like the ability to message users before liking them and "rewinds," which are essentially swiping undos.  

OKCupid

Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via Getty Images

OKCupid is part of the same dating app family as Match, best dating sites for the money, Tinder, and Hinge — they are all owned by the same parent company, best dating sites for the money. Even so, OKCupid tries to differentiate itself by collecting a lot of information about you when you create a profile and giving you the opportunity to answer a lot of optional questions to create a more nuanced profile. The site also gives you a wealth of ways to self-identify your gender and sexuality, more so than most others. Once your profile is set up, the app tracks users who like your profile as well as potential matches who have a high percentage of interests and answers in common with you.

But while the app can be used for free, with an upgrade to OKCupid Premium — which starts at $39.99 per month (it's cheaper if you subscribe for more than a month at a time) — you can see people who have liked you so you can like them back. In addition, best dating sites for the money, upgrading buys you unlimited likes and an ad-free experience. 

Bumble

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Bumble is distinctive among dating apps. While the basic mechanism is the same as many other dating services (you swipe to like or dislike profiles), Bumble is a women-first dating experience in its heterosexual matching iteration. Once a man matches with a woman, the woman has to make the first move, so a man can't message a potential match until she's already started the conversation, and if that doesn't happen within 24 hours of a match, the connection disappears. That's a great feature that scottish dating app women in control of the meeting tempo, but some guys best dating sites for the money be less than thrilled with that arrangement. 

Most of the site's basic features are available for free, though like with most dating apps, it's a limited experience. Messaging is completely unlocked even using the free app, but you can only see who has already liked you if you upgrade to Bumble Premium, which is offered in a variety of subscription lengths. Those paid options also include a one-time lifetime fee or even a daily and weekly subscription. 

Hinge

Hinge

Like Facebook Dating, Hinge is only available as a mobile app (iOS and Android), not on the web. The trade-off is that the app has some of the most clever profiles around, which makes it more fun, if not necessarily easier, to find a good match. Aside from the usual basic stats, Hinge profiles encourage you to match photos with captions and answer written "prompts," and you can record audio clips which lets you actually hear your potential date. It's all very charming. 

But the app offers a limited suite of features for free. You only get a dozen free likes per day, and you'll need to subscribe to see everyone who has liked you (your latest like is the lone visible person for a free subscription). Subscriptions start at $29.99 per month (it's cheaper if you purchase longer subscriptions). 

Plenty of Fish

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Plenty of Fish might not have the same audience size as sites like Tinder and Bumble, but it's still a very popular option — and it has the advantage of being a free dating site with the least expensive subscription rate if you choose to upgrade to a paid plan. While the free version lets you take advantage of the app's standard features like viewing profiles and sending and receiving messages, you can upgrade your membership for as little as $10 per month if you sign up for a full year, but even a three-month plan is a $20 per month. Upgrading nets you the ability to see which users have liked you as well as expedited access to the site's newest users, who might be more likely to respond to you.

Match

Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Match is one of the oldest online dating services, long predating mobile apps, and it collects a lot of information about you to create profiles you can use to find a good connection. Like many dating sites, Match in its premium version lets you stand out with boosts (to put your profile at the top of the heap) and super likes (which let you get the attention of someone you really like. 

But the free aspects of Match are fairly limited. You can only like or dismiss potential partners and send best dating sites for the money few messages to people you have paired with. To really communicate with anyone within the app or website, you must pay to upgrade to Match Premium, which starts at $35 per month for a minimum of three months. The per-month rate drops with six- and 12-month plans, but either way, it's an investment. You can sign up for a single month, but Match doesn't make it easy to find that option. 

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Dating apps for a general audience

3. Bumble

This dating app gives women all the power to make the first move. Bumble is swipe-based, so users swipe right on profile photos they like. If a woman swipes on a man and he swipes on her as well, it's a match. In heterosexual matches, women have 24 hours to message their match before the connection expires. In same-sex matches, either party has 24 hours to message, and then the other has another 24 hours to respond before the connection expires. Bumble also offers Best dating sites for the money Best free butch dating sites, a friendship matchmaking site, and Bumble Biz for networking. Bumble is free to download and free to use core features, but upgrades — like boosting your profile so more local singles see it — come with a fee. Upgraded plans include Bumble Boost, which costs $24.99 per month and Bumble Premium which costs $39.99 per month, and offer extra features like allowing users to rematch with expired matches, see who has liked you and extending matches by another 24 hours.

4. Coffee Meets Bagel

CMB encourages users to make real connections by limiting the number of profiles you can like per day to five. Users have only seven days after matching to meet up in real life, best dating sites for the money, putting a stop to ghosting, or having someone disappear completely or stop responding to messages. Coffee Meets Bagel says it handpicks suggested profiles for viewing each day based on its algorithm, which uses nine parameters to come up with curated matches, best dating sites for the money. Like most of the dating apps, it's free to download and use the basic services, but premium upgrades like additional matches and profile boosting come with a cost. Coffee Meets Bagel uses “beans” to purchase profile upgrades, and depending on any promotions or sales, the starting cost for additional beans is as little as $1.99. However, to really make a difference and increase the number of profiles you can like per day, you'll more likely end up spending $25-$30 per month.

5. eHarmony

A classic, trusted dating site for users of all ages where, according to eHarmony's website, someone finds love every 14 minutes. The sign-up process is lengthy, according to a review from Mashable, best dating sites for the money lots of personality questions to fill out, but it helps find good matches and those who are interested in long-term relationships. The least expensive plan starts at $7.95 per month for 12 months, but costs depend on length of sign-up and whether the site is running a promotion. Some say you can spend as much as $200 for one year. The price comes with a guarantee: find someone you love in three months or get another three months free of charge.

It's never been easy to find a partner, and challenges from COVID-19 has made dating even more complicated. Luckily, even if you're not getting out as much as you used to, online dating sites and mobile dating apps can help you make connections that lead to a long-term relationship (or even a fun fling!). Best dating sites for single parents internet is a wonderful thing.

But where to start? There are lots of good dating websites and apps, best dating sites for the money you're looking to meet new people, try casual dating, find others with similar interests or finally find your ideal match for a long term relationship. I took into consideration everything from each online dating service's dating pool to whether it provides daily matches to whether it's a free dating app or a best dating sites for the money service. A new person that fits your dating a guy the same height as you dating profile is sure to be out there!

Here's an overview of the best dating sites on the market. My recommendations are based primarily on my own experiences in the online dating platform arena as a woman, with some word-of-mouth impressions best dating sites for the money friends thrown in for good measure.

So what are you waiting for? Sign up best dating sites for the money these top dating sites or apps, start chatting and maximize your chances of meeting your perfect match, best dating sites for the money. We'll update this list periodically.

Bumble

Bumble is basically Tinder for women. and on a timer. Bumble is a free dating app that requires women to message first. If the guy doesn't message back within 24 hours, he loses the potential dates. Because that's the one thing my love life was really missing: Arbitrary time limits.

The timer is designed to encourage contact and some people really dating guy that has teenager appreciate that feature. But if you're someone who procrastinates, Bumble may not be for you. Because women must message first, Bumble tends to weed out the best dating sites for the money insecure males from the dating pool. However, the rate of overly confident men tends to be higher than I've seen best dating sites for the money other apps. Bumble also has a BFF feature to help you meet new people, but that's really not our focus, so I'll save it for another time. 

Tinder

Whether you're looking for a casual hookup, potential date, friendship or an LTR (long term relationship), Tinder has you covered. It's basically the first stop for those entering the dating world. If you want to play the odds when it comes to online dating, you need to be swiping where everyone's swiping.

On the upside, the profiles are brief, which helps you to make decisions quickly. The downside is that a short dating profile makes it harder to figure out what a lot of people are looking for, best dating sites for the money. Knowing very little about a person can also make initial messaging a lot more challenging. You'll need to wade through a sea of profiles, which makes it easy to pass over people you might have given a chance under different circumstances. 

OkCupid

OkCupid, how you confuse me. I have friends who've met their ideal match and even spouses through OkCupid. My last serious relationship came from the OkCupid dating service. In fact, I've been on OkCupid on and off, best dating sites for the money, for roughly the last 11 years. Profiles are a lot more in-depth than most online dating sites and if you answer a seemingly endless series of questions (much like a personality test), they will spit out a reasonable Match/Enemy percentage ratio on profiles to help you gauge compatibility based on interests.

Changes in the last few years have made OkCupid a bit more like Tinder (both owned by the same company), focusing more on swiping and eliminating the ability to message a user without matching with them first. Online daters can still send best dating sites for the money message -- it just won't show up in the recipient's inbox unless you match. Because who doesn't enjoy sending a thoughtful message to someone who might never see it? However, OkCupid has pointed out that these changes did best dating sites for the money the number of offensive messages and fake profiles people received, which might be a worthwhile trade-off, best dating sites for the money. Unfortunately in my experience OkCupid has become a bit of an online dating app ghost town.

Hinge

Hinge

Hinge finally won me over, becoming my favorite dating app. Originally the app focused on common connections and mutual friends that you and a potential partner shared on Facebook, which was a gimmick I was never sold on. But it has since pivoted away from this model. Hinge has designed the app to make user profiles more engaging (and helpful) than on apps like Tinder. You have the option of displaying a lot of useful information that could be deal breakers: Your political leanings, your religion, your alcohol consumption frequency or even your interest level in having children someday. The prompts provided by Hinge make it easy to create more engaging profiles. Hinge's current slogan is "designed to be deleted," so if a potential match for a serious relationship is what you're looking for, this is the dating app I would recommend.

Coffee Meets Bagel

Coffee Meets Bagel hopes to offer people better-quality matches by sending curated daily matches, or "bagels," each day at noon. They suggest ice-breakers for first messages and the profiles are more in-depth than Tinder. For people who like a little extra hand-holding, CMB isn't the worst option. However, I found the app confusing to use, with too many features and a lot of gimmicks. I shouldn't have to look up online tutorials to figure out how to use a dating app. Plus why call matches Bagels?

I was best dating sites for the money disappointed in the notifications, which I found too pushy. CMB was constantly "gently" reminding me to message people I'd matched with. I eventually disabled the app after receiving the following notification: "Show [match name] who's boss and break the ice today!" Should a potential future relationship be rooted in a hierarchical power dynamic? At the end of the day, I have friends who've had the perfect match on CMB, but it isn't one of my favorite online dating apps. 

Happn

Happn matches you with people who are located nearby. It's a cool concept and helpful for people who want to meet someone in a more organic manner. That said, I've never met a single person who actually uses the app.

After signing up, Happn showed me 68 people it said I'd crossed paths with in the preceding 3 online dating men of scotland, though I hadn't left my apartment all day. This might be helpful if you're looking to date your immediate neighbors (or Uber drivers), but I don't see the attraction when competitors like Tinder already show the distance between you and other users. Frankly, if I saw an attractive guy in a coffee shop, Best dating sites for the money just approach him rather than check to see if he's on Happn. The app seems designed for people who don't want to use online dating sites but also don't want to approach people in real life. Pick a lane.

The League

The League is an "elite dating app" that requires you to apply -- and supply your job title, college and LinkedIn profile. Big cities best dating sites for the money to have long waiting lists, so you might find best dating sites for the money twiddling your thumbs as your application to be one of the elite singles on the app is reviewed. (Of course, you can pay to expedite the process.) The exclusivity can be a draw for some and a turnoff for others, but I'll let you in on a secret: I've seen most of the profiles I come across on The League on other dating apps, too. So at the end of the day, you'll probably see the same faces for potential dates on Tinder, if you aren't deemed elite enough for The League.

Her

Most dating best dating sites for the money are fairly LGBTQ inclusive. Still, it's nice to have an app to call your own. Her is tailored to lesbian, bisexual best dating sites for the money queer women. It's a worthy notion -- but the app has some bugs and glitches that made it frustrating to use. Most of my queer female friends have told me they found the app best dating sites for the money OK" and not perfect and that they usually end up back on Tinder or Bumble. Still I checked it regularly for some time and had a few pleasant conversations with actual human beings. Isn't that all we're really looking for in a dating app?

Clover

Clover tried to be the on-demand version of online dating sites, letting you order a date much like you would a pizza. It also provides numeric match predictions based on compatibility and interests, though it isn't entirely clear how those numbers are calculated.

I was on Clover for quite some time, but had since forgotten it existed until I started to compile this list. It strikes me as a less-successful hybrid of OkCupid and Tinder with a relatively small user base, even though I live in an urban area with plenty of people who use a wide variety of dating apps. Clover says it has nearly 6 million users, 85% of whom are between the ages of 18 and 30.

Okay, so you're finally thinking about getting back into the dating scene—but you want the chance to scope out your prospects from the comfort of your own home before you actually meet anyone IRL. And that's totally fair! Going on blind dates can feel terrifying, so it's nice to know at least a little about who you're meeting up with. And relying on your friends for a love match doesn't always pan out in the end, best dating sites for the money. Luckily, there are a ton of dating apps and websites that will help you get started—and I've rounded up a few of the best dating sites and best dating sites for the money right here.

eHarmony

People find love every 14 minutes on eHarmony, so the odds are very much in your favor. You can either start a free trial, use the free site, or purchase one of the site's subscription plans. eHarmony promises that you'll receive possible matches within minutes of completing your dating questionnaire, so the prospects literally come to you.

try eharmony

Match.com

Match.com has pioneered the online dating scene since its launch in 1995, and it's not hard to see why. Simply select your gender, the gender you're looking to match with, best dating sites for the money, your preferred age range, and voila! You can start seeing all of the available singles in your area right then and there.

try Match.com

Jdate

If finding a partner that shares your Jewish faith is a top priority, consider checking out Jdate. You can even find matches anonymously thanks to the site's LookBook feature, which allows you to leave a heart on the best muslim dating apps that you feel would be a good fit. If both of you "heart" each other, you'll be notified of the mutual attraction.

try Jdate

Hinge

Hinge calls itself "The Dating App Designed to Be Deleted," so that's promising right from the outset! It boasts online dating without registration entire Hinge Lab Team that works behind the scenes to perfect the science behind online dating. The app uses your location to find potential matches in your area and asks each user to complete a series of prompts rather than relying on the usual questions. The end best dating sites for the money is to find a serious relationship rather than a casual fling.

try Hinge

Bumble

While Bumble has expanded into the business world recently with Bumble Bizz, it got its start as a plain old dating app. The app lets women make the first move, and lets you add up to six photos and link your Instagram and Spotify pages to make your profile look more official. After you complete your profile, the app works much the same as some of the others on this list—simply swipe to find your preferred people!

try Bumble

OkCupid

OkCupid uses both a website and a handy app, so you can find matches from your computer or straight from your phone if you prefer. It's considered the best free dating site out there, best dating sites for the money has the numbers to back it up. The site boasts more than 91 million matches every year, and users go on an average of 50 thousand dates every week.

try OkCupid

Coffee Meets Bagel

If the name "Coffee Meets Bagel" sounds familiar, it's probably because you saw it on Shark Tank. Founded best dating sites for the money sisters Soo, Dawoon, and Arum Kang, the ladies-first app wants to make sure that you actually see all your matches, so they deliver six matches who have already liked your profile at noon every single day. After discovering that men were twice as active on dating apps than women were, the founders worked with women what they actually wanted—and Coffee Meets Bagel is the result.

try Coffee Meets Bagel

Her

Her prides itself on being the #1 dating app and safe space for LGBTQ+ and queer folks who are looking for love—and it's currently over eight million users strong. It best dating sites for the money users to join smaller community-focused group chats, find singles within their area, best dating sites for the money, or just make a few new friends. There are also free and premium paid-for versions of the app.

try Her

Happn

Happn is a location-based dating app that's designed for you to meet-cute with the singles that you already cross paths with throughout your day. The app uses your location to show you a personalized timeline of singles who frequent the places that you already go—or who are in the same room as you swipe.

try Happn

XO

If your least favorite thing about dating is wading through awkward get-to-know you conversations with strangers, then XO might just be the solution you've been looking for, best dating sites for the money. The app turns up the social aspect of dating with fun games and conversation starters that give users a fun, stress-free way to get to know each other before diving into more romantic discussions.

try XO

Pickable

Pickable isn't the only female-focused dating app on the market, but it does take the premise to the greatest extreme. While apps like Bumble give women the power of making the first move, Pickable goes a step further by letting women most popular free dating apps anonymously—you don't need to upload a picture, include your name, or even create a profile on the app to browse the men who are available to meet there. When you do feel like being seen and letting dudes on the app request chats, you can add a photo temporarily and set a time limit. During that time, you're "pickable," and after the clock runs out, your picture will be taken down again. It's ultimate, total control for women in the app-based dating scene.

try Pickable

Badoo

In terms of sheer numbers, Badoo leads the way in the dating app world. Badoo's high number of users—521 million and counting—is thanks to a combination of factors, from being early to the game (it launched in 2006) to being available in several countries around the world. By 2011, Wired UK was already describing Badoo as a "mass phenomenon" in Brazil, Mexico, France, Spain, and Italy. In 2017, the app underwent a massive redesign and now brands itself as being for more than just dating, making it a strong option for people just looking to make platonic friends, too.

try Badoo

Raya

Raya is known as the "celebrity dating app," but you don't technically have to be a celebrity to join. Still, it is ultra-exclusive and, unlike most dating apps, requires an application to join. According to Raya's website, best dating sites for the money, "Anyone interested in joining must fill out an application." And don't expect the admission process to be easy. Only about 8 percent of applications are accepted, which is lower than the rate of admission to some Ivy League universities. If you are granted admission to the Raya community, you're expected to pay $8/month in membership dues for access to free video dating app.

try Raya

MeetMindful

If you're looking to meet someone who shares your life philosophy and overall vibe and said philosophy and overall vibe is all about mindfulness and holistic wellbeing, then MeetMindful might just be the app you've been waiting for. Niche dating apps and websites are nothing best dating sites for the money, from religious-based options like Christian Mingle and J-Date to lifestyle-driven hubs like the much-mocked FarmersOnly.com. MeetMindful just takes that basic, tried-and-true concept and brings it firmly into 2020 with a lifestyle category that's much more likely to speak to urban millennials today.

try MeetMindful

S'more

We all know the struggle of selecting the perfect set of photos for a dating mexican women dating a few photos really represent you?—so what if we took all that snap judgement and hot-or-not BS out of it? Gone is the concept of swiping right or left based on looks; instead, S'more users first establish connections based on mutual interests. How it works: Each day you'll receive recommended profiles based on your previous activity on the app (the algorithm takes into account the kind of people you swipe 'yes' to the most), but the matches' photos are blurred and only become visible when you engage with the profile more. Whether that's asking the other person a question, or sending them a "wink" to let them know you're interested, the photo will slowly become more discernible as you get to know each other.

try S'more

Tinder

For many modern daters, the word “Tinder" is accompanied by the Darth Vader theme best dating sites for the money. The truth is, best dating sites for the money, no app embodies the “necessary evil” aspect of swiping the way Tinder does. And it’s not even Tinder’s fault: As a pioneer of the current dating app format, Tinder’s utter ubiquity means everyone has an best dating sites for the money about it. And because the dating rigamarole kind of sucks in general, that means a lot of people have negative opinions about it. But you have to hand it to Tinder, they really did change the game. The OG features users love? The bio, which depending on what users choose (a lyric, a favorite motto) can be used to spark conversations, and the radius feature, which allows users to find people in their area—or not their area.

try Tinder

Feeld

Feeld is an app for people who know what they want. It describes itself as a place to “meet open-minded couples and singles near you,” making it the premiere app for unicorns and those who want a more openly kink-friendly app experience. While that may sound pretty niche, there are plenty of pros that the average dater can appreciate. Knowing that all potential partners are looking for hot, fun people to hookup with in a judgement-free zone, means that you can skip over those awkward first few dates and early-sex convos. Plus, if you end up with someone long term, you know that he or she is fully aware of your kinks and interests—right from the start.

try Feeld

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I’m an accidental expert on dating apps – Dating websites for women spent the vast majority of my life single, with a variety of them downloaded. The aim has been, as many dating profiles say, to find a reason to delete the apps.

Recently I noticed that Tinder was advertising one of its premium services to me, Tinder Gold. I’ve never paid for a dating romanian dating app, instead opting for the free version most services offer, and at £14.59 a month it seemed steep.

I had just turned 28, so I wondered if I was being best dating sites for the money more than a younger user. If you’re single at 28, does big tech know you’re filled with enough existential dread that you’ll pay whatever it takes to get a date?

Tinder has three levels of subscription, Tinder Plus, Tinder Gold and Tinder Platinum, each with different prices. What I hadn’t realised until I started looking into it was that, as well as being linked to the different services on offer, the monthly fee was also linked to age.

I did some research, asking friends, friends’ younger siblings and Facebook groups I’m a member of – an unscientific sample of Tinder users. I asked them to send me a screenshot of the price Tinder was asking them to pay.

In this random group of users there was a clear distinction when it came to Tinder Gold – users aged about 30 were being charged £27.49 or £29.49, while those under 30 were being charged £13.99 or £14.49.

Tinder Plus seemed more random. I was being asked to pay £4.99 a month for that service, and while some users over 30 said they were being charged £19.49, most who responded were being asked to pay £4.99, £8.99 or £9.99.

How do the other options add up?

Tinder is not the only dating app to offer a premium service, many offer one or more price points, as well as a free version. We have rounded up the advertised prices and what you get for your money from each one, best dating sites for the money. And it seems £14.59 a month wasn’t as steep as it first seemed.

One member of Bumble could be paying £14.99 a month for Bumble Boost, giving them access to features including the ability to swipe (show that you’re interested in) unlimited users, best dating sites for the money. Another might be paying £32.99 for Bumble Premium, offering those services plus others, including the ability to see who has already liked them.

Coffee Meets Bagel charges £34 a month for its Premium service – for that price you can see and contact everyone who likes you. You will also get a huge amount of information on other users, including details of whether they have recently been online.

Grindr also offers a more expensive package, Unlimited, at £31.99 a month. The features include removing the limit on the number of profiles you can view. It also has some features that might make some users uncomfortable, allowing you to see when another user is typing and the ability to best dating sites for the money the app without being visible to other users.

Hinge claims you’ll go on twice as many dates with its paid-for Preferred membership. If you’re hopeful you can delete after only one month, it will cost you £29.49 for a subscription. But if you pay for three months upfront, it is £58.99, only £19.66 a month. For six months’ membership, you can pay only £14.66 a month.

While most apps allow you to pay for premium services for just a month at a time, Plenty of Fish has a minimum premium subscription of three months for £39.99, which works out at £13.33 a month. The minimum time period to subscribe to eharmony’s premium subscription is six months for £99.99, which is £16.66 a month. Like most apps it will give best dating sites for the money a discount for signing up for longer and if you opt for 24 months of membership, it will cost you only £8.33 a month.

Paid subscriptions tend to grant better search facilities

Sophie Thomas, a celebrity dating and love coach, says it is worth buying into a premium service. “It’s absolutely possible to meet your ideal match using free services. However, if you’re serious about this substantial area of life, then investing in dating is an act of commitment to show best dating sites for the money at your highest level,” she says.

“Paid subscriptions also tend to grant better search facilities, which can save time. If you definitely want children, for example, then there’s no point scrolling through hundreds of people who don’t.

“Getting to know someone takes time, so rushing into committing to one person isn’t usually advisable. It can therefore make sense, once you know that you’re happy with an app, to buy a longer subscription in order to give yourself that time to date until you find the right person.”

James Preece, the host of the Love Machine podcast, best dating sites for the money, agrees that it is worth spending money. However, he adds: “It’s not simply a case of the more you pay, then the better results you’ll get. If your profile, photos and messages are terrible, then you’ll still have awful results.

“If they are good, then unlocking extra features such as the ability to be seen by more people can boost your opportunities … Some upgrades – such as those on Bumble – allow you to use more filters when you are searching. That can really help getting quality matches.”

The dating and relationships coach Kate Mansfield disagrees, however. She argues that the most dateable people will be snapped up before they sign up for a paid-for service.

“The truth is this: quality, confident people who love themselves and know what they want and deserve don’t need to pay for matchmaking or elite services – they are able to navigate the free apps and find the best partner for them,” she says.

“You might think that paying for an elite or premier service is the answer but throwing money at this is the absolute worst thing that you can do because while you might expect to be buying access to premier quality dates, it is in fact the opposite – you are now paying to be in a pool of people who are also struggling to make dating and relationships work.”

Instead of a best dating sites for the money app, she advises working on yourself: “Invest in coaching or therapy to get yourself in the best place possible and then use Tinder, Hinge or Bumble’s free version to find love.”

Tinder’s stance

To try to make sense of what my friends and I were being charged, I contacted Tinder. It told Guardian Money: “Tinder operates a global business, and in some geographies we offer discounted subscriptions to younger members. In addition, we frequently offer promotional rates, which can vary based on factors like location or length of subscription. No other demographic information is considered in our pricing structure.”

Tinder’s stance is that it is giving younger members a better deal, rather than older members a worse one. To Allan Candelore, a Tinder user in California, this age-based pricing seemed unfair, and he launched a class action lawsuit.

Tinder argued that younger users have less money. But the judge stated at appeal: “No matter what Tinder’s market research may have shown about the younger users’ relative income and willingness to pay for the service, as a group, as compared to the older best dating sites for the money, some individuals will not fit the mould. Some older consumers will be ‘more budget-constrained’. And less willing to pay than some in the younger group.”

Tinder settled the lawsuit for $17.3m (£12.4m) and agreed to stop pricing based on age, but only in California.

Robin Allen QC says that in the UK “there is an exception to the Equality Act which allows businesses to give ‘concession in respect of a service to persons of a particular age group’. This means a business can give a discounted price to someone based on their age, like OAP deals on fish and chips or railcards.”

He says the act states that the concession provided should be “more favourable than the manner best dating sites for the money which, or the terms on which, it is usually provided to the public”, which you could see as meaning the discounted price cannot be the price most people are paying. “If most of Tinder’s users are younger and paying a lower amount, best dating sites for the money, there could be an argument that the concession wouldn’t apply.”

But he says it is unlikely that anyone in the UK would take a case because “best-case scenario, you would win the difference between the two prices, which isn’t very much here. There would dating much younger women be costs of litigation. Age discrimination cases like this are very rare in Britain. Compared to the case in California, proportionality of costs of litigation, chance of success and possible reward look much different.”

The lowdown on dating apps and sites

Tinder

Claims to be the best free dating site and to have made 55bn matches. For free, you can swipe on someone you like and will be informed and linked up if they like you back.

Plus – £4.99-£19.94 a month: features include unlimited likes, five super likes a day, passport to any location, hidden advertisements.

Gold – £13.99-£29.49 a month: as above, plus see who likes you and new top picks every day.

Platinum – £18.14-£36.49 a month: as Gold, plus messaging before matching, prioritised likes and a record of the likes you have sent over the last seven days.

Bumble

App where women always have to make the first move. Matching and messaging is free but you can upgrade your subscription.

Boost – £14.99 for one month: features include rematch, allowing you to chat to expired matches; extend, giving more time to chat with matches beyond the 24-hour window; unlimited swipes and the chance to backtrack; spotlight – get your profile to the front of the queue.

Premium – £32.99 for one month: as above, plus Beeline – see who has best dating sites for the money swiped right on you; Incognito – only get seen by those you swipe right on; travel, letting you change your location to connect with people in different areas; unlimited advanced filters.

HER

The world’s largest and, best dating sites for the money, it claims, “most loved” free dating app for LGBTQ women with 6 million users signed up. For free, you can view profiles, get matches, best dating sites for the money, add friends, best dating sites for the money, start chats, view events and join communities.

Gold – £14.99 a month: ad-free; premium filters; see who likes you; change location; browse incognito; rewind profiles.

Platinum – £24.99 a month: as above, plus unlimited swipes; see who is online; read receipts; one free boost a month.

Coffee Meets Gay dating sites best for michigan itself as the “original anti-swiping app” – for free, it sends subscribers a list of matches every day that have been “curated” by an algorithm.

Premium – £34 for one month: extra features including full access to contact those who like you; one “discover” like a day, allowing you to choose someone you haven’t been matched with; monthly profile boost; activity best dating sites for the money read receipts.

Plenty of Fish

Free dating app that claims to have 3 million members logging in daily across several countries. You can search and message people without having to match with them. The site claims a paid-for subscription will treble the number of people viewing your profile and more than double your chance of meeting someone.

Upgraded profile – £13.33 a month for shortest sign-up of three months: buys a long list of features including show up first on Meet Me; unlock every user’s Extended Profile; ad-free; see if your emails were read or deleted; upload 16 images.

Hinge

Styles itself as “the dating app designed to be deleted”. For free, you can send up to eight likes a day and message someone you have matched with.

Preferred Membership – £17.99 a month: you get additional filters for height, whether someone has children, whether someone wants children, politics, best dating sites for the money, drinking, smoking, marijuana, and drug use; unlimited number of likes; option to view everyone who likes you at the same time.

eharmony

More than 2 million people have found love through eharmony, the website claims. For free you get unlimited matches and some messaging.

Premium – from £7.99 a month depending on plan length. Shortest subscription is six months at £16.66 a month: unlimited matches; enhanced search features; photos of all of your matches; unlimited communication.

OkCupid

Users are matched by an algorithm after answering questions about the things they care about. The standard service, which puts mutual likes in touch with each other, best dating sites for the money, is free.

Basic – £19.49 a month: features include no outside ads; send unlimited likes; specify dealbreakers.

Premium - £43.99 a month: as above, plus see everyone who likes you before you like them; see everyone’s public answers to their questions before you answer.

Grindr

Bills itself as the world’s largest social networking app for gay, bi, trans and queer people. Tells you who is nearby and you can connect with them for free.

Xtra – £15.99 a month: features include no third-party ads; view up to 600 profiles in the cascade; explore mode/global chat; saved phrases; read receipts.

Unlimited – £31.99 a month: as above, plus unlimited profiles; see who has viewed your profile; Incognito – browse without being seen; know when someone’s messaging you; undo sent messages and photos; expiring photos – send an unlimited number of photos that can be seen only once for 10 seconds; chat translate.