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16 Best Dating Sites For People Over 40, According To Experts 2024
If online dating in your 40s (or, heck, at any age) feels intimidating, you’re not alone. With a seemingly endless array of dating sites to choose from, it can be overwhelming to figure out which will help you find what you’re looking for. To help break down all of options, we spoke with relationship therapists and experts experienced in the art of online dating. Whether you’re looking for a fling (or three), or hoping to fall in love, or, you know, both, here are the best dating sites for folks over 40.
How to choose a dating site for people over 40
Callisto Adams, PhD, AASECT-certified dating expert and founder of HeTexted, recommends reflecting on your ultimate relationship goal first. Do you want something casual, serious, or somewhere in between? Are you divorced, a single parent, widowed, and looking for someone whose been through similar? Or, have you thoroughly enjoyed being single, but would appreciate someone to grab pizza with on Sundays? There’s an app for that too.
“Pick the app that will allow you to meet people who have the same mentality as you and whose goals align with yours,” Adams says. Of course it’s not exactly a science, and there are exceptions to the popular apps and what they’re known for, but in general she says, “If you’re looking for a younger partner or something short-term, then Tinder or Bumble is a great choice.” For something serious or long-term, she recommends Match, eHarmony or Hinge. Once you’ve chosen the app or apps (there’s no harm in using a few), she suggests creating a detailed profile that clearly communicates your dating goals.
The best dating sites for people over 40, at a glance
- Best dating app for serious relationships: eharmony, OkCupid, Plenty of Fish, Match
- Best dating app for single parents: Stir
- Best for mature dating: SilverSingles, SeniorMatch, OurTime, EliteSingles
- Best for younger matches: Hinge, Bumble
- Best for LGBTQ+: HER
- Best for Christian dating: Christian Mingle
- Best for sober dating: Loosid
- Best for dating app education & support: Keepler
Match
This OG dating platform is a classic for a reason. If you’re over 40 and want a user-friendly app, top-notch algorithm, and ability to connect with serious, high-quality matches, this is a solid option. “Match continues to be one of the best dating apps—particularly for people over 40—if you’re looking for serious dating opportunities,” Nashira Kayode, LCSW, PhD, a licensed therapist in Eastvale, CA tells Glamour. Users are often financially invested in the app, and in turn, invest in finding a match.
According to the brand’s website, 44% of Match members are between 30 and 49, 37% are over 50, and 59% are single parents—making it a solid option for folks in the 40+ age bracket who want to find a compatible partner. Match also services 24 countries and territories, making it a helpful option if you’re not based in the U.S. (or searching for international love).
- Pros: Screening questions and icebreaker prompts, financial investment means potentially more committed matches
- Cons: Premium membership options and features can be pricey
- Cost: Paid plans start at $20/month.
- Available: Match.com, App Store, and Google Play.
eHarmony
This well-known dating site has been one of the most highly trusted platforms for over 20 years. Over two million people have found love on eHarmony, according to the brand—and according to the people we spoke to, eHarmony’s in-depth matching system and sophisticated algorithm pays off. “The app starts by asking you very detailed and thorough questions regarding your personality as well as what you desire in a partner,” says Dr. Kayode. “In order to get the full advantage, monthly fees are required which can be a plus if you’re looking for something serious. It’s a financial investment, so users will tend to be more dedicated about finding a partner for the long term.”
Although eHarmony members span various age groups, the platform has helpful tips and tricks for people who are specifically dating over 40, like how to incorporate dating into your busy schedule and encouraging reminders to know your worth.
- Pros: Thorough matching process, high success rate overall
- Cons: Free version is very limited, 6-month membership is the shortest paid option
- Cost: Plans range from $36/month to $66/month.
- Available: eharmony.com, App Store, and Google Play
Our Time
This dating app is designed specifically for single 50 year olds, but there’s no age restriction to join—so if you’re in your 40s and are interested in dating someone older than you, OurTime might be ideal. Whether you’re looking for romance, companionship, marriage, or even friendship, OurTime makes it easy to meet people and find matches that fit your interests. You can search for people based on specific criteria, or have the platform curate a list of potential matches for you and use the straightforward “like or pass” feature.
- Pros: Caters to adults 50+, simple profile setup and streamlined user dashboard
- Cons: Free members can’t communicate with other members
- Cost: Paid subscriptions range from $30-$100
- Available: OurTime.com, App Store, and Google Play
Plenty of Fish
This well-known dating website is designed to make dating less awkward and more welcoming. So, if you don’t have much dating experience or have simply been out of the game for a while, Plenty of Fish might be a good choice for you. The platform is available in many major cities around the world and has fun features, like Cue’d Up, a fill-in-the-blank game that helps you share your personality and get to know other members. POF lets you swipe, send messages, “super-like” potential matches, and even video chat.
- Pros: Free membership option, large user base, engaging features
- Cons: Limited functionality with free version, some inactive profiles
- Cost: Plans range from free to $60
- Available: POF.com, App Store, and Google Play
Stir
Dating as a single parent means you probably want to find someone who can relate—or at least be open-minded (better yet, excited!) about meeting your children. “Being in your 40s is a cusp where people either already have children or have decided that they don’t want kids,” Morgan Pommells a certified relationship coach and educator in Toronto, Ontario tells Glamour. “For people who have or want to have kids, they have to be very intentional and put in that extra effort of really stating their needs up front.”
Fortunately, Stir makes this conversation easier, since it’s a dating app designed specifically for single parents who want to find love. Although you technically don’t have to be a single parent to join, most people on the app are, and the clean interface makes it easy to find fellow single parents in your area, answer questions, and connect. Plus, the built-in scheduling feature makes it easy to coordinate with potential matches who probably also have to bring their kid to soccer practice every Tuesday. It’s a win-win.
- Pros: Designed specifically for single parents
- Cons: Pay to message potential matches and see who likes you
- Cost: One week for $20 and monthly plans range from $12-$30/month
- Available: App Store and Google Play
OkCupid
If you’re looking for a dating app that’s enjoyable, effective, and easy on your wallet, OkCupid might be a good option for you. The platform is great for singles over 40 who enjoy answering fun questions, expressing their personalities, and engaging with people who also want to share what genuinely matters to them. The brand reports that over 91 million meaningful connections are made on OkCupid every year and helps coordinate over 50,000 dates per week—so, clearly, something is working. The platform also strives to be inclusive, with many gender and sexual orientation options to choose from (which is notably different from other apps, which tend to offer binary options).
- Pros: Inclusive, many active users, includes fun questionnaires and prompts
- Cons: You have to answer a lot of questions, free version has ads
- Cost: Plans range from free to $60
- Available: OkCupid.com, App Store, and Google Play
SilverSingles
This dating site is designed for people 50+ who are looking for serious relationships. When you join SilverSingles, you’ll take an in-depth personality test to help the platform match you with folks who have similar goals, values, and interests. Kayode says the app is great for people 40+ who know they want to date older, or have specific interests in mind. “Starting with sites that cater to a specific factor that’s important to you can be a great way to ensure that at least one interest will be shared,” she says.
According to the brand’s website, you can also filter your search with specifics like “mature dating,” “gay senior dating,” and “older women dating” to find exactly what you’re looking for. Plus, the success stories on SilverSingles’ website are a testament to how well the platform works.
- Pros: Designed for adults 50+, can receive 3-7 compatible matches daily
- Cons: Basic membership can limit members’ ability to search for matches
- Cost: Premium plans range from $40 to $135
- Available: SilverSingles.com, App Store, and Google Play
Loosid
Dating in your 40s means that, by now, you’ve probably figured out what you like and don’t like—which often includes personal values and choices, like drinking. If maintaining a sober lifestyle is important to you (or you’re simply tired of happy hour dates), there’s a dating app for that. Loosid is a platform for people in the sober community who want to find romance without having to constantly have the awkward “I don’t drink” convo. You can match with fellow alcohol-free connections, find daily inspo and tips for sober living, and expand your network with sober events and meetups. No liquid courage required.
- Pros: Inclusive, encouraging platform specifically for the sober community
- Cons: App isn’t exclusively focused on dating and might be better suited for friendship for some users
- Cost: Plans range from $20 to $80
- Available: App Store and Google Play
EliteSingles
This dating platform prides itself on having well-educated, successful singles who are focused on finding long-term relationships. According to EliteSingles, the average age of the app’s US members is 44, making it a helpful option for people in this age range. The initial questionnaire features 200 questions to help capture your personality, which is central to the app’s matchmaking process, and you’ll be given a curated list of potential matches to help you find what you’re looking for.
- Pros: Intelligent matchmaking, geared toward professionals
- Cons: Must upgrade to a premium plan for unlimited messaging
- Cost: Paid plans start at $32/month
- Available: App Store and Google Play
HER
If you’re a queer person over 40 looking for an inclusive dating app, HER might be worth a try. The platform has over 13 million users in over 125 countries, and it welcomes lesbian, bisexual, queer, non-binary, trans, and gender non-conforming folks who want to find romance or simply find community. The app also welcomes users who may not be out yet, and allows you to join niche groups like “newly out” and “travelers” so you can connect with like-minded matches. HER describes itself as an “ever-growing, safe space to be your authentic self.”
- Pros: Free to get started, inclusive LGBTQIA+ community and events
- Cons: Must upgrade to paid plan to filter your searches
- Cost: Paid options range from $10 to $25
- Available: Free to download on the App Store and Google Play.
SeniorMatch
Being 40 years and older is a requirement to join SeniorMatch, making it a solid choice for mature singles who are looking for love. Whether you’re interested in companionship, romance, or even finding a travel mate, SeniorMatch ensures that you’ll find someone in your age range who has similar interests. The brand recognizes that dating in your 40s comes with its own set of unique factors, like having a busy schedule, preparing for retirement, dealing with breakups later in life, and even the passing of a former partner. “Let us assist you in finding someone special, no matter what your circumstance,” is brand’s motto.
- Pros: Easy to navigate, registration is limited to users 40+
- Cons: Some reviewers mention glitches and potentially fake profiles
- Cost: A premium membership plan costs $30/month, $20/month for a 3-month plan, and $16/month for a 6-month plan
- Available: SeniorMatch.com and Google Play
Hinge
Since this well-known dating app tends to be popular for millennials and Gen Z, you might be wondering, “Is Hinge okay for over 40?” According to some experts, the answer is yes. “Hinge is a great cost-effective option for casual dating since they have a free option,” Kayode says. “But Hinge is also viewed as more serious than other apps that are known for hookups, so the pressure to meet in person quickly is less likely.”
Although Hinge may not be exclusively designed for 40+ daters, you can still find success if you’re looking for fun dates and engaging conversations through creative prompts. Plus, if you don’t mind dating younger people, the app can be a great fit. It can also be great if you’re based in (or visiting) a big city like New York City or Los Angeles, but some users say it’s tough to find new matches in smaller cities with limited dating pools.
- Pros: Engaging prompts and conversation-starters, large user base
- Cons: Free version is limited, might not be best for finding older matches
- Cost: Plans range from free to $30
- Available: App Store and Google Play
Tinder
This popular dating app has 55 billion matches to date, making it one of the most successful platforms around. Although there have been many success stories of users finding long-term love from using the app, Tinder is widely known for being a fun platform for hookups and casual dating. The app has a massive user base spanning 190 countries around the world, making it a smart option for frequent travelers and international daters. If you’re in your 40s or up, the app can also help you connect with younger singles and fun flings.
- Pros: Well-known, large user base, easy to set up and swipe
- Cons: May not be best suited for 40+ demographic or serious relationships
- Cost: Subscriptions range from $10 to $25
- Available: Tinder.com, App Store, and Google Play
Bumble
This well-known dating app is known for encouraging women to make the first move (in same-gender matches, either party can). Although it’s not specifically geared toward the 40+ demographic, the app can still be a great option if you want to find younger matches or if you simply want to jumpstart your online dating journey. Once a match is established, you’ll have 24 hours to chat or the connection expires—which might be great if you need a little motivation to get outside of your comfort zone. And if romance doesn’t exactly work out on the app, you can use Bumble Bizz to make professional connections or Bumble for Friends to find like-minded people in your area.
- Pros: User-friendly, fun features, easy to sign up and get started
- Cons: Skews younger; you might lose matches if you don’t check the app daily
- Costs: Paid plans start at $18
- Available: Bumble.com, App Store, and Google Play
Keepler
Rather than serve as a place to swipe on potential matches, Keepler is an education-focused app that teaches you the skills to make more out of your swipes—and provides a space to talk through any issues you’re having. This is a solid choice for singles over 40 who want to enter the dating scene, but might be newer to how the apps work. Keepler describes itself as “low pressure” and is meant to complement your existing dating apps. According to the brand’s website, the platform will help you identify what’s important to you, and face dating with confidence so you can ultimately find an authentic and meaningful relationship. In addition to matchmaking services you can also access one-on-one coaching for extra support.
- Pros: Free, education-focused and encourages connection with cohort model
- Cons: Broadly focused on dating and friendship, so might not be the best place to find an exact match
- Cost: Free
- Available: App Store or you can join the Android waitlist
Christian Mingle
If you’re a Christian over 40 and someone who is looking for a faith-centered relationship, Christian Mingle is perfect for you. Since its debut in 2001, the platform has built a community of over 15 million users, making it one of the best dating websites out there for Christian singles. With the basic plan, you can browse detailed profiles of potential matches, send a “smile” to your crush, and easily upload photos, but you’ll have to subscribe in order to send and receive messages. The subscription also gives you the ability to send photos, make your dating profile stand out on the app, and access enhanced privacy settings.
- Pros: Large user base, easy to match with people who share your beliefs
- Cons: Must pay to send and receive messages, plans can get pricey
- Cost: Paid plans range from $30 to $150
- Available: ChristianMingle.com, App Store, or Google Play
Meet the experts
- Callisto Adams, PhD, AASECT-certified dating expert and founder of HeTexted
- Nashira Kayode, LCSW, PhD, a licensed therapist Eastvale, CA
- Morgan Pommells a certified relationship coach and educator in Toronto, Ontario
The post 16 Best Dating Sites for People Over 40, According to Experts 2024 appeared first on Glamour.
