March 14, 2024
As if online dating wasn’t exciting and nerve-wracking enough, there is now the added burden of trying to figure out which dating sites or apps are best for you. Perhaps this is your first time signing up for online dating. Or, maybe you’ve tried dating apps before but are back on the market after a failed romance, or have met a scammer and got phishing messages. But have you tried looking at dating site reviews to narrow it down in hopes of finding your online love?
Take a look at our dating site reviews of Tinder, Bumble, Plenty of Fish, OkCupid, Match, Zoosk, Elite Singles, Coffee Meets Bagel, eHarmony, OurTime. Whether you’re an online dating ‘pro’ or a ‘newbie’, our shortcut guide will help you discover the hits and misses of top dating platforms!
Are There Any Datings Sites That Actually Work?
Yes, there are dating sites and apps that have been successful in helping people find meaningful relationships. However, the effectiveness of a dating site can vary depending on several factors, including your location, preferences, and how you use the platform. Below are some dating sites and apps that are known for their success. To find out which ones can help you avoid catfishers, click here.
Top 10 Dating Site Reviews
- 1Tinder
- 6Bumble
- 2OkCupid
- 7PlentyOfFish
- 3Our Time
- 8Match
- 4eHarmony
- 9Zoosk
- 5Coffee Meets Bagel
- 10Elite Singles
Tinder & Bumble
If you don’t have a lot of time to online date, Tinder and Bumble are the best options as they both have easy to use mobile apps. Popular with everyone from millennials to 40+ users, Bumble and Tinder pair with Facebook (though they never alert anyone on Facebook that you used your Facebook login for their quick sign up) and work by ‘swiping’ (right for ‘yes’ and left for ‘no’) on user’s photographs. Profile details can also be viewed before a final selection is made.
Many gravitate toward app dating as they prefer the convenience and privacy of dating through their smartphone. It is not uncommon to see people swiping in a bar, on the subway, or even while standing in line at the grocery store.
Tinder has the most users and although it has a reputation as a ‘hook-up’ app, numerous studies and anecdotal tales indicate that Tinder is actually a great option even if you’re looking to get married. Tinder recently added a desktop version of its app, along with its mobile version.
Meanwhile, Bumble was started by a former Tinder employee and uses many of the same concepts (swiping), with the added feature of letting women message first. This saves men from messaging multiple women who aren’t really interested and women benefit from not being the recipients of unwanted messaging. Both sites also have same-sex matches.
Read the Full Reviews HERE:
OkCupid
Plenty of Fish
Although both OkCupid and PlentyOfFish have apps, they started as online dating sites. OkCupid has a modern vibe and interface which attract quirkier users and Sapiosexual (if you don’t know the definition, you may not be one). OkCupid seeks to be modern and liberal, presenting new users with multiple options for gender and identity.
Meanwhile, PlentyOfFish is the quintessential option if you want a basic free membership which gives you lots of users to choose from. Plenty of Fish, the website, shows you users in every nook and cranny of its interface though the app is easiest to use. Plenty of Fish is better than OkCupid if you don’t want to sign up for any paid features. OkCupid is preferable for those who live in big cities or are looking for something outside the box. OkCupid has personality testing optional, but not required.
Read the Full Reviews HERE:
- https://socialcatfish.com/scamfish/okcupid-review/
- https://socialcatfish.com/scamfish/plenty-of-fish-review/
Our Time
If you’re age 50 and up, OurTime might be your best bet. Like Match, you will need to be a paid member to really take advantage of the features. User quality is high, though one must be aware that older users are more likely to be targeted by catfish and scammers. Few dating platforms cater to mature adults the way that OurTime does. However, the site might show users who have signed up but aren’t paid members and can’t message.
Read the Full Review HERE:
Match
Another option is Match.com. While Match is popular with users age 30 and up, older adults also gravitate toward the site as it has better customer service. Users who take advantage of Match’s paid membership hope they’ll attract serious matches for dating or lasting commitment. Unfortunately, this doesn’t mean users are truly safe from scammers or spammers. On sites like Match, it is more about quality than quantity or looks alone. The same is true for eHarmony, though it differs from Match.
Read the Full Review HERE:
eHarmony
While eHarmony used to be very conservative (and still directs same-sex users to a sister site), after being battled with lawsuits, the new site is less restrictive, easier to use, and giving Match a run for its money. Gone are eHarmony’s days of hour-long personality profiles, though profile and questions will take considerably more time to sign up than Tinder-style apps. eHarmony has improved in recent years and seems to be ready to compete with a broader market of users who want quick and easy matching sooner than later (though it is not for you if you want an LGBTQ friendly site).
Read the Full Review HERE:
Zoosk
Coffee Meets Bagel
Elite Singles
These platforms often attract daters who haven’t had luck on the other apps and sites and want to try something different. Zoosk uses behavioral matchmaking to match users based on how they behave on the site and has photo verification for security (though other sites and apps, like Bumble, etc. offer this as well). If you want free membership or unlimited matches, Zoosk may not be the best option (dependent on your age or location).
Coffee Meets Bagel prides itself on being female-friendly and its marketing images and personality of the site reflect that. However, ultimately one needs paid membership to benefit on the site, which still only results in so-so matches.
Elite Singles gears itself to attract educated paid 30+ users (80% with a college degree), but it may not be the profile image alone that sweeps you off your feet. Still, if you’re looking for lasting commitment with a professional man or woman, Elite Singles might be your style.
Read the Full Reviews HERE:
- https://socialcatfish.com/scamfish/zoosk-review/
- https://socialcatfish.com/scamfish/coffee-meets-bagel-review/
- https://socialcatfish.com/scamfish/elite-singles-review/
Part of the reason it is so important to do research before signing up for online dating is that even free sites have paid options. If you don’t have luck as a free unpaid user, you might assume that paying for membership and site perks will increase your odds of success. WRONG. While paid memberships can have benefits on most sites (like return receipts, showcasing your profile, or being shown to more matches), if you don’t like the free version of a dating platform, paid options won’t help much.
While lasting love is never a guarantee, carefully selecting the dating app you use could increase your chance of finding Mr. or Mrs. Right! Have you met someone you’re interested in, but aren’t sure you should trust them? Consider a Social Catfish reverse search and image search as an option to a background check for your date(s) before giving them your heart! Thank you for checking out our dating site reviews.
To review dating sites, click here.
