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Dating can be awkward, scary, and painful. anyone Age is true, being in the over 60 age group may mean that many people your age are already off the market, but online dating can help you find mature singles in your area. You may never have found it otherwise.
To help you find your perfect match (whether you’re interested in something casual or a long-term relationship), Mashable tested the best senior dating sites out there. Our goal? To find out which dating platform is the best fit for you, and disprove online dating as best we can.
If you’re hesitant to try online dating as a senior, you’re not alone. Finding a dating site that feels comfortable and natural is everyone’s fear, and even the best senior dating sites can feel particularly awkward. Young people are completely desensitized to these apps, and there is a bit of a learning curve for new users. But here’s the thing: Seniors actually have a lot of advantages when it comes to online dating.
For starters, many people in their 20s aren’t ready to settle down. But as an adult over 60, you’ve been figuring out this whole “love” thing for more than millennia. You know the red flags, and you know what you want. Elite Singles is a senior dating blog. Which notes that older singles realize that life is too short to play games.
Plus, online dating gives you access to a wider pool of potential matches. When you’re limited to meeting people in your local area, your options can be pretty slim, and finding a potential partner can seem impossible. The best online dating apps are like Windows to the world, letting you connect with people from anywhere. In addition, they are very convenient. You can visit a dating website or launch a dating app and start surfing potential matches from the comfort of your couch whenever you want, day or night. This means you can take your sweet time getting to know someone before meeting in person.
We’ve rounded up the best dating sites for seniors below based on our experiences, hands-on reviews, and research with dating app users. We’ve also included some information to help you get the most out of online dating.
These dating sites are really good for finding a serious relationship.
How to Avoid Senior Dating Scams
Unfortunately, not everyone is looking for a real connection online. You can also find heartless scammers who are only interested in luring the elderly and stealing their hard earned money. These scammers use false information to create a fake profile and pose as someone they are not (such as a member of the military). They may even feign interest until you form an emotional bond—and then the demands for money start coming.
The Department of Homeland Security has a guide to spotting online romance scams. Here are some additional tips to avoid online dating scams:
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Avoid making excuses to avoid personal meetings; Cheaters often make and break dates.
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Never send money to anyone you meet online for any reason, including “loans”.
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Protect your personal information such as Social Security, bank and credit card details.
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Meet in public for your first date.
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Trust your instincts; If it doesn’t feel right, leave or block the person.
If you think you’ve been scammed, report the scammer on the dating site or app you’re using and file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). You can also place a fraud alert on your credit report if your personal information has been compromised.
What are the best dating sites for seniors?
After trying out these dating sites and apps for ourselves, we’ve put together a list of the five best dating sites for seniors and one last resort option. Many senior dating sites offer matching features for users over 50, but our favorite senior dating sites offer additional matching options for singles over 60 and 70. All sites offer a free membership option, but you’ll probably need a paid account to get real access. In-depth features, such as unlimited messaging or viewing photos. (Note that prices for dating apps and sites are constantly changing. We update regularly, but prices may vary slightly.)
Mashable tested all of the senior dating sites below. From easy-to-use apps to more serious-minded dating websites, here’s how to find love later in life!
Update: September 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 Zosik and leave our time to “last resort” status.
How we tested
Finding love and companionship in your golden years can be difficult, 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’ve tested 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 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 also user-friendly.
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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 reviewed each site’s matching systems to see how well they match 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 ensure that every site has measures in place to protect user privacy and security.
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Bang for your book: We compare what you pay with what you get, making sure it’s a fair deal.
Based on our testing, we believe 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 of the apps and sites above have been thoroughly vetted by Mashable’s team and experienced freelance contributors (who know a thing or two about finding relationships online).
The apps we tested didn’t fall short
OurTime is a popular dating site for seniors, but we ultimately decided to only include it as a “last resort option.”
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Inefficient mating system: OurTime uses a basic matching system that only takes into account age, location and gender identity. This means you can meet people with whom you have nothing in common.
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Inactive Accounts: OurTime may be easy to use, but this seniors-only dating site matches users with a lot of inactive accounts or bots, which can cut down on the time you spend looking for love and make the experience much less enjoyable. It can be discouraging and unpleasant, especially if it’s yours. First attempt at finding a match online.
Why we didn’t like it: For us, Our Time is a last resort dating site option. If you’re struggling to find potential partners on other apps and websites but don’t make it your dating site, you can keep an OurTime profile in your back pocket as a backup.
Zoosk may have a huge user base, but it didn’t make our list of best dating apps for senior daters.
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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 a real connection.
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Valuable: Zoosk is expensive for what it offers. This can be a stumbling block for senior daters who are on a budget.
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Not specifically designed for the elderly: Zoosk is not designed for senior daters. This means you can reach younger consumers.
Why we didn’t like it: Zoosk is a last resort choice for us. While the SmartPick and Super Send features may help some users find potential matches, there are more than a few things we wish we could change.
