We’ve tracked down all the best dating sites for single seniors, including popular services like SilverSingles, eharmony, and Match.
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Senior dating isn’t easy, but its not as tough as you think. Because let’s face it: Dating at any age is difficult — and being over 60 in the dating world could actually have its perks. There’s a reason why post-retirement age could be the happiest time of your life. Golden years, hello?
Yes, there may be fewer potential partners in the dating pool, but if you think about it, that just makes everything less overwhelming. And now that online dating is hot and heavy for the over 60 crowd, it’s easier than ever to track down that special someone.
It’s totally normal to feel hesitant about making the jump to online dating, but there really isn’t anything to fear.
Do dating sites actually work for seniors?
Finding the best dating site is intimidating at any age. That age group does have a few more options, which may be another reason that you’re feeling unsure about online dating if you’re a baby boomer.
However, youth has a disadvantage you may not have considered: Many people in their 20s and 30s just aren’t ready to settle down yet. Developing a crush on someone is more likely to end up in an awkward “situation-ship” rather than a serious relationship. Dating over 60 means you’re at an age when you know what you want and you’re not afraid to put it all out there. This is the “no bullshitting” age of dating.
As you get older, you realise what’s important to you and what you’re truly looking for. Doesn’t finding love with that mindset sound a hell of a lot easier? EliteSingle’s senior dating blog notes that most older individuals realise that life is just too short to play games, and that older people take dating much more seriously than they did 40 years ago. And while it may be a little weird that this person isn’t your first love, you can take solace in the fact that it could be lasting love.
Does all this seriousness mean that the excitement from meeting someone new is gone when dating as a senior? Absolutely not. An advice post for seniors on Zoosk says to “be prepared to return to your inner teenager,” because the firsts are just as exciting. You’ll get butterflies, wait for them call and do a happy dance when they do, and first kisses will be just as tingly.
What is the best dating site for seniors?
We scoured the internet to find the best dating sites for single seniors. Some websites are for all ages with a senior option, and some sites are specifically for people over 50. And we’ll just tell you now: All of the sites have free memberships, but to get the real in-depth features to find real connections with other mature singles, you’ll want to have a paid account.
We’ve noted those price differences, as well as the differences in sign up, navigation simplicity, and the overall relationship tone of the site to help you choose the best one to fit you. Take your pick from this strong selection of dating sites for seniors, including popular services like SilverSingles, Match, and eharmony.
These are the best dating sites for seniors in 2021.
Specifically for older daters • Detailed questionnaire • Hide or block members
You can only see five matches per day
A safe, friendly way to jump back into dating.
SilverSingles
SilverSingles has an extensive questionnaire at signup that ensures you find matches who are truly compatible.-
Free version:
Yes -
3-months:
£47.45/month -
6-months:
£36.81/month -
1-year:
£26.16/month
The gist: Dating over 60 means that, more than likely, this is your second or third attempt at love. SilverSingles is here to let you know you’re not alone, and that putting yourself back out there doesn’t have to be scary.
Why it works: A sister site to EliteSingles, SilverSingles uses the same intense compatibility system that EliteSingles does, bringing in the popular big five personality traits to assess five levels of your being: openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. If you’ve heard of Senior Singles Meet in the past, SilverSingles is that same site with a rebrand — so they’ve actually been working on mastering the five factor model in tandem with senior dating for about two decades. SilverSingles wants to ensure that your next relationship lasts, so the sign-up process and questionnaires will take some time. SilverSingles will only send you five matches a day, and you can’t search through a pool of people — but this will force you to seriously consider if you can see yourself with these people.
The cost: Sign up for three months for £47.45/month, six months for £36.81/month, and a year for £26.16/month.
Why it works: A sister site to EliteSingles, SilverSingles uses the same intense compatibility system that EliteSingles does, bringing in the popular big five personality traits to assess five levels of your being: openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. If you’ve heard of Senior Singles Meet in the past, SilverSingles is that same site with a rebrand — so they’ve actually been working on mastering the five factor model in tandem with senior dating for about two decades. SilverSingles wants to ensure that your next relationship lasts, so the sign-up process and questionnaires will take some time. SilverSingles will only send you five matches a day, and you can’t search through a pool of people — but this will force you to seriously consider if you can see yourself with these people.
The cost: Sign up for three months for £47.45/month, six months for £36.81/month, and a year for £26.16/month.
Designed for seniors • Profile photos are verified • Detailed profiles
There are cheaper options out there • Only available through the app
The best option for anyone over 50 looking for quality conversations and connections above everything else.
Lumen
An app specifically designed for over 50s, with a focus on quality conversations.-
Free version:
Yes -
Paid version:
£24.99/month
The gist: Lumen is an app-only dating platform dedicated to the over-50s. The site launched in September 2018, and puts an emphasis on quality conversation, with zero tolerance for ageism.
Why it works: Lumen aims to provide a safe, welcoming, and age appropriate community for the millions of single, divorced, or widowed men and women aged over 50. The site also claims to verify 100 percent of the photos on every single profile, so you know what you are seeing is legitimate. It’s especially appealing to seniors because it’s specifically designed with them in mind.
The cost: There is a free version of Lumen, on which you can chat with up to six singles everyday. A paid membership costs £24.99 a month, and grants you access to 200,000 registered users in the UK.
Why it works: Lumen aims to provide a safe, welcoming, and age appropriate community for the millions of single, divorced, or widowed men and women aged over 50. The site also claims to verify 100 percent of the photos on every single profile, so you know what you are seeing is legitimate. It’s especially appealing to seniors because it’s specifically designed with them in mind.
The cost: There is a free version of Lumen, on which you can chat with up to six singles everyday. A paid membership costs £24.99 a month, and grants you access to 200,000 registered users in the UK.
eHarmony
eHarmony is pretty much the go-to for marriage-minded people looking for love that will last.-
Free version:
Yes -
3-months:
£42.50/month -
6-months:
£28.50/month -
12-months:
£14.50/month
The gist: eHarmony is pretty much the go-to for marriage-minded people looking for a serious commitment (since some other sites cater to those looking for a more casual fling). eHarmony is pretty confident in its matchmaking abilities, too, because it makes a guarantee that if you’re not satisfied in three months, it’ll give you another three months for free.
Why it works: eHarmony has an intense compatibility system (29 dimensions, to be exact), with a lengthy quiz that focuses on your long-term success as a couple. There is an option for local dating, however, many of eharmony’s success stories feature couples who were living states apart before they met. Once you’ve completed your questionnaire, eharmony will provide you with matches so you don’t have to browse profiles. For some, this may not be enough freedom, but for those who aren’t great at choosing partners or have no clue what they need, this may be a breath of fresh air. eharmony also offers a series of senior dating advice, with topics from how to start dating again after a divorce or death, to tips on what to ask on the first date. One post even mentions that the prime of your life doesn’t even start until 60. eharmony also screens for sex offenders and monitors each user’s activities, making it ones of the safest options available.
The cost: eHarmony is one of the priciest of the bunch: A one-month membership goes for £42.50, but prices go as low as £14.50/month when you sign up for a year. As a rule, membership prices get lower the longer your commitment to the site is. Which is fine, because a strong connection probably won’t magically appear in just one month. There is a free version, but it doesn’t let you communicate with your matches.
Why it works: eHarmony has an intense compatibility system (29 dimensions, to be exact), with a lengthy quiz that focuses on your long-term success as a couple. There is an option for local dating, however, many of eharmony’s success stories feature couples who were living states apart before they met. Once you’ve completed your questionnaire, eharmony will provide you with matches so you don’t have to browse profiles. For some, this may not be enough freedom, but for those who aren’t great at choosing partners or have no clue what they need, this may be a breath of fresh air. eharmony also offers a series of senior dating advice, with topics from how to start dating again after a divorce or death, to tips on what to ask on the first date. One post even mentions that the prime of your life doesn’t even start until 60. eharmony also screens for sex offenders and monitors each user’s activities, making it ones of the safest options available.
The cost: eHarmony is one of the priciest of the bunch: A one-month membership goes for £42.50, but prices go as low as £14.50/month when you sign up for a year. As a rule, membership prices get lower the longer your commitment to the site is. Which is fine, because a strong connection probably won’t magically appear in just one month. There is a free version, but it doesn’t let you communicate with your matches.
They guarantee you’ll meet someone • Missed Opportunity feature
The free version is pretty useless
A solid and reliable site that’s been in the game for 20 years.
Match
A tried and true site with over 20 years of perfecting the matchmaking process.-
3-months:
£18.50/month -
6-months:
£16.20/month -
12-months:
£15.50/month
The gist: The mother of all dating sites (it debuted in 1995, five years before eharmony), Match is a tried and true option with over 20 years of perfecting the matchmaking process. It’s actually so confident in its skills that it has an “I Met Someone” guarantee, offering six months of use for free if it doesn’t make love happen for you within your first six months. And it must work to some extent, as it has gained the trust of upwards of 35 million unique monthly visitors, which is the highest of all current dating sites. That’s a lot of fish in the sea. If you’re feeling down, remember that your person is out there — you just might need help sorting through millions of people.
Why it works: Unlike eharmony, which chooses your matches for you based on questionnaire results, Match has you create a profile that will pop up in other users’ feeds. While Match does suggest five daily matches for you, you’re also free to browse the entire pool of profiles by age range, location, or online status, which makes Match a significantly more social option than eharmony and slightly better for those looking for something casual. This freedom is great for the picky people out there whose idea of hell is a blind date. Match also has a cool feature called “Missed Opportunity” that uses your location to help you find matches that you’ve crossed paths with in real life. We’d also like to point out that Match sees a 42 percent spike in registrations between the Dec. 26 and Feb. 14, which makes sense — those cold months leading up to Valentine’s Day can be torturously lonely. But if you were wondering when the best time to sign up is, it’s right now.
The cost: £18.50/month for three months or £15.50/month for a year’s worth of premium. There is a free version, but it doesn’t let you communicate with other profiles past “winking” — the Match version of Facebook poking.
Why it works: Unlike eharmony, which chooses your matches for you based on questionnaire results, Match has you create a profile that will pop up in other users’ feeds. While Match does suggest five daily matches for you, you’re also free to browse the entire pool of profiles by age range, location, or online status, which makes Match a significantly more social option than eharmony and slightly better for those looking for something casual. This freedom is great for the picky people out there whose idea of hell is a blind date. Match also has a cool feature called “Missed Opportunity” that uses your location to help you find matches that you’ve crossed paths with in real life. We’d also like to point out that Match sees a 42 percent spike in registrations between the Dec. 26 and Feb. 14, which makes sense — those cold months leading up to Valentine’s Day can be torturously lonely. But if you were wondering when the best time to sign up is, it’s right now.
The cost: £18.50/month for three months or £15.50/month for a year’s worth of premium. There is a free version, but it doesn’t let you communicate with other profiles past “winking” — the Match version of Facebook poking.
Professional-level matchmaking algorithms
Restricted to a finite number of daily matches
Great for picky daters.
EliteSingles
The site for daters who know exactly what they want and aren’t looking for something casual.-
Free version:
Yes -
3-months:
£48.50/month -
6-months:
£34.75/month -
12-months:
£24.70/month
The gist: When it comes to being picky, EliteSingles is *the* site for those people who know exactly what they want and who aren’t really interested in casual mingling. You know, the people who wouldn’t be caught dead going on a blind date. The idea here is quality over quantity, as a majority of EliteSingles users are college graduates (67% have a bachelor’s degree or higher) and are looking for other professionals with similar interests.
Why it works: Rather than being thrown into a pool of 5,000 profiles, you’ll be given a limited number of matches picked for you using 29 extremely detailed, professional-level matchmaking algorithms (based on the popular Five Factor Personality Test). Like eharmony, the registration and stuff to fill out is pretty lengthy — however, if you’re trying to find a true commitment that will last, that’s what you want. One cool thing about EliteSingles personality test is that they actually show you your own results and allow you to compare them to those of potential matches, showing you how you really stack up. By only making a certain number of matches available, the site forces you to seriously consider whether the people in front of you are a compatible match. There are a few more expansive options like the Wildcard option, which offers a little more variety with 20 or so matches to browse from, but it’s not nearly as overwhelming as having access to the entire database. Because you only view a certain number of individuals per day, the whole “finding love” process could take a little longer — but slow and steady wins the race, right? There are separate pools based on location, religion, ethnicity, age, and sexual orientation. You can even break it down by profession. For example, if you are or were a teacher, you might only want to date someone who was also a teacher. There’s an option for that. All profiles are verified manually with an upscale Fraud Detection System, so you can be pretty sure that you’re dealing with people who are who they say they are. It’s a place where genuine, ambitious people can go to find like-minded users, and is perfect for people who are tired of being scammed.
The cost: As you could have expected from the fancy-sounding name, EliteSingles is on the more expensive side (but the monthly price drops the longer your subscription is): A three month subscription drops down to £48.50/month, six months at £34.75 /month, and just £24.70 /month for an entire year.
Why it works: Rather than being thrown into a pool of 5,000 profiles, you’ll be given a limited number of matches picked for you using 29 extremely detailed, professional-level matchmaking algorithms (based on the popular Five Factor Personality Test). Like eharmony, the registration and stuff to fill out is pretty lengthy — however, if you’re trying to find a true commitment that will last, that’s what you want. One cool thing about EliteSingles personality test is that they actually show you your own results and allow you to compare them to those of potential matches, showing you how you really stack up. By only making a certain number of matches available, the site forces you to seriously consider whether the people in front of you are a compatible match. There are a few more expansive options like the Wildcard option, which offers a little more variety with 20 or so matches to browse from, but it’s not nearly as overwhelming as having access to the entire database. Because you only view a certain number of individuals per day, the whole “finding love” process could take a little longer — but slow and steady wins the race, right? There are separate pools based on location, religion, ethnicity, age, and sexual orientation. You can even break it down by profession. For example, if you are or were a teacher, you might only want to date someone who was also a teacher. There’s an option for that. All profiles are verified manually with an upscale Fraud Detection System, so you can be pretty sure that you’re dealing with people who are who they say they are. It’s a place where genuine, ambitious people can go to find like-minded users, and is perfect for people who are tired of being scammed.
The cost: As you could have expected from the fancy-sounding name, EliteSingles is on the more expensive side (but the monthly price drops the longer your subscription is): A three month subscription drops down to £48.50/month, six months at £34.75 /month, and just £24.70 /month for an entire year.
Dedicated to singles over 50 • Communication is easy
Features limited for free memberships
A laid back atmosphere for an older crowd.
OurTime
A dedicated service for over 50s with a laid back atmosphere that’s perfect for an older crowd.-
1-month:
£23/month -
6-months:
£11.60/month
The gist: If you’ve been down on your luck recently or are feeling extra lonely, OurTime wants to show you that life can truly start at 50. It’s another site dedicated to singles over 50, but is unique in that it helps users outside the realm of romance. Find pen pals, travel buddies, and other types of casual companionships to help make the most of the golden years. But just because the non-romantic option exists doesn’t mean a serious relationship or marriage isn’t possible here — just check out these adorable success stories.
Why it works: If you were previously scared away from online dating because it seemed too overwhelming, OurTime has the laid back atmosphere you’re looking for. Since it’s targeted toward an older crowd, OurTime is one of the most user-friendly options out there with numerous helpful features. It’s no secret that not everyone is as tech-savvy as 20 and 30-somethings. Sign-up has step-by-step instructions, and users can easily fill out sections on personality traits and interests, upload a photo, and write a “short essay” to help others get to know them. If you’ve been on Match before, OurTime may look familiar — they’re owned by the same people. Matches will be recommended to you based on your answers, and you can search profiles as well by specifying your preferences. It’s not as complex as some other sites, but sometimes, you just need things to be straightforward. The site was just launched in 2011, as the makers of Match wanted to make sure they perfected the dynamics of mature companionship before launching an over 50s site. Basically, you can be sure you’re in good hands. Chatting can be done via “flirts”, on-site messaging, virtual gifts, or even a live chat when both people are online at the same time. OurTime does a fantastic job at giving users ways to communicate effectively — in ways other than texting all day like the younger crows may prefer. If you’re in need of some advice, OurTime offers tons of over 50 dating tips.
The cost: Not all features (like directly contacting a match) are available with the free membership, but upgrading to a paid plan still won’t break the bank. Get one month for £23 and six months for £11.60/month.
Why it works: If you were previously scared away from online dating because it seemed too overwhelming, OurTime has the laid back atmosphere you’re looking for. Since it’s targeted toward an older crowd, OurTime is one of the most user-friendly options out there with numerous helpful features. It’s no secret that not everyone is as tech-savvy as 20 and 30-somethings. Sign-up has step-by-step instructions, and users can easily fill out sections on personality traits and interests, upload a photo, and write a “short essay” to help others get to know them. If you’ve been on Match before, OurTime may look familiar — they’re owned by the same people. Matches will be recommended to you based on your answers, and you can search profiles as well by specifying your preferences. It’s not as complex as some other sites, but sometimes, you just need things to be straightforward. The site was just launched in 2011, as the makers of Match wanted to make sure they perfected the dynamics of mature companionship before launching an over 50s site. Basically, you can be sure you’re in good hands. Chatting can be done via “flirts”, on-site messaging, virtual gifts, or even a live chat when both people are online at the same time. OurTime does a fantastic job at giving users ways to communicate effectively — in ways other than texting all day like the younger crows may prefer. If you’re in need of some advice, OurTime offers tons of over 50 dating tips.
The cost: Not all features (like directly contacting a match) are available with the free membership, but upgrading to a paid plan still won’t break the bank. Get one month for £23 and six months for £11.60/month.
Lightens pressure on men who feel rusty • Large user base • Backtrack feature for accidental swipes
24-hour expiration period might be too fast • Focuses on location over compatibility
Guys who aren’t smooth with opening lines will dig how Bumble requires women to make the first move.
Bumble
Women make the first move, so it’s great for ladies tired of being bombarded by brazen guys.-
Free version:
Yes -
1-month:
£20.99/month -
3-months:
£14/month -
6-months:
£11.99/month
The gist: In an attempt to correct one of the common complaints of dating apps — that women get spammed with lots of creepy, overly-sexual messages from entitled men — women are required to message first with Bumble. Despite its millennial veneer, the dating app version of the Sadie Hawkins dance has become a favourite among Reddit users in their 50s and 60s.
Why it works: It pushes some women out of their comfort zone, but like Tinder, you’ll at least know that someone also swiped right on you before making a move. It also takes the pressure off of men who may be rusty and uncomfortable with starting the conversation every time. (For same-sex matches, either party can start things off.) Matches expire after 24 hours so you can’t agonise over that opening line for too long, and your match list won’t be filled with people you forgot you matched with 57 weeks ago. You’ll see pictures and short bios of potential matches in your area and can swipe depending on whether you’re interested. Bumble also offers a BFF feature to find strictly platonic friends and a LinkedIn-ish networking feature called Bizz in attempts to remind everyone that it’s not just a hookup app.
The cost: Bumble is a free online dating app, but users can spend cash for special perks. These give you more visibility and popularity on the platform, but they aren’t absolutely necessary.
Why it works: It pushes some women out of their comfort zone, but like Tinder, you’ll at least know that someone also swiped right on you before making a move. It also takes the pressure off of men who may be rusty and uncomfortable with starting the conversation every time. (For same-sex matches, either party can start things off.) Matches expire after 24 hours so you can’t agonise over that opening line for too long, and your match list won’t be filled with people you forgot you matched with 57 weeks ago. You’ll see pictures and short bios of potential matches in your area and can swipe depending on whether you’re interested. Bumble also offers a BFF feature to find strictly platonic friends and a LinkedIn-ish networking feature called Bizz in attempts to remind everyone that it’s not just a hookup app.
The cost: Bumble is a free online dating app, but users can spend cash for special perks. These give you more visibility and popularity on the platform, but they aren’t absolutely necessary.