Dating can be awkward, scary, and just plain frustrating at any age. True, being in the over-60 group may mean that more people your age are already off the market, but there are still so many fish in the sea. Online dating can introduce you to those fish that you may have never met otherwise.
To help you find your perfect match — whether you’re interested in something casual or a long-term relationship — Mashable tested the best dating sites for seniors to evaluate age-specific options and more mainstream apps with large mature user bases alike. Our goal? To figure out which dating platform is the best fit for you, and to demystify online dating as best we can.
Is dating over 50 hard?
If you’re hesitant about trying online dating as a senior, you’re not alone. While using the internet to find love or a date is second nature to young folks, there’s a bit of a learning curve for new, older users. But here’s the thing: Seniors actually have tons of advantages when it comes to online dating.
For starters, many people in their 20s simply aren’t ready to settle down. But as a mature dater over 60, you’ve been figuring out this whole “love” thing for longer than millennials have been alive. You know the red flags, and you know what you want.
In general, online dating gives you access to a wider pool of potential matches. When you’re limited to meeting local people in person, serendipitous moments can feel few and far between. The best online dating apps are like windows to the world, letting you connect both with people who live nearby or cuties from somewhere you’ve been thinking of visiting. Plus, you can’t deny the convenience (or the rush) of the possibility of meeting your special someone even on the nights that you don’t want to leave your couch.
We’ve gathered the best dating sites for seniors below based on our own experiences, hands-on reviews, and research with dating app users. We’ve also included some info to help you make the most of online dating, like whether a platform requires a paid membership to access the most in-depth features. (Note that prices for dating apps and sites are constantly changing. We update regularly, but there might be minor price differences.) From fun, easy-to-use apps to more serious dating websites, here’s to finding love later in life!
UPDATE: Sep. 22, 2023, 1:00 a.m. EDT This article has been updated to reflect our latest hands-on dating site reviews. Ultimately, we decided to remove Zoosk and relegated Our Time to “last-resort” status.
How we tested
Finding love and companionship in your golden years can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. With the right senior dating site, you can connect with other mature singles who share your interests and values.
We tested out a bunch of dating sites for singles over 50, and we’ve narrowed it down to the best of the best.
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Ease of use: We made sure that the sites were easy to navigate and use, even for less tech-savvy seniors. For senior dating sites with apps, we also checked to see if the app was user-friendly as well.
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Active user base: We looked for sites with a large and active user base of seniors, so you have a good chance of finding matches.
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Matching system: We evaluated the matching systems of each site to see how well they matched users with potential partners.
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Communication tools: From texting to video calls, we checked to see which sites offered a variety of communication tools, such as messaging, video calls, and voice chat.
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Safety and security: We ensured each site had measures to protect users’ privacy and safety.
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Bang for your buck: We compared what you pay with what you get, ensuring it’s a fair deal.
Based on our testing, we believe that the dating sites on this list offer the best possible experience for seniors. We focused on features important to older adults, such as a large and active user base, communication tools, and safety features.
All apps and sites listed above have been thoroughly tested by Mashable’s team and experienced freelance contributors (who know a thing or two about finding relationships online).
Apps we tested that didn’t make the cut
Zoosk may have a large user base, but it didn’t make our list of the best dating apps for senior daters. Here’s why:
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Fake profiles: Zoosk has a reputation for having a lot of fake profiles. This can be frustrating for senior daters who are looking for genuine connections.
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Pricey: Zoosk is pricey for what it offers. This can be a barrier for senior daters who are on a budget.
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Not specifically designed for senior daters: Zoosk isn’t designed for senior daters. This means that you may run into younger users.
Why we didn’t like it: Zoosk is a last-resort pick for us. While the SmartPick and Super Send features may help some users find a potential match, there are more than a few things we wish we could change.