Going in search of the best dating sites for over 50 relationships doesn't have to be daunting. While dating is difficult at any age, dating when you're slightly older has a reputation for being particularly tricky.
But as there are so many dating sites for over 50 people these days, along with more people on them in general, they're a great way to dip your toe back in the water. You can meet like-minded people without being set up with a friend of a friend and having to go on awkward blind dates.
It's just important you know what you're looking for before you sign up so you opt for the right one that offers what you want. From more serious dating sites suitable for those looking for long-term committed relationships to the best sex apps that can hook you up with a fling, there's something out there for every interest.
BEST DATING SITES FOR THE OVER FIFTIES
What is Match?
One of the biggest online dating websites, Match is great for all ages. You can be specific and find matches using the criteria search, browse through members' profiles, or opt for 'zen mode', which means you’ll only be contacted by those who meet your criteria. It's also beneficial for those looking for a same-sex partner as one of the best lesbian dating apps out there. With more than 11 million paid-up subscribers (as of 2022), it's also likely that you'll come across a few people you have something in common with.
Why is Match one of the best dating sites for the over 50s?
As well as being easy to use with a simple interface, Match has a much broader reach compared to other dating sites out there. “It’s important that any platform you use has enough potential matches so you can attract a broad dating pool. Over 1.6 million people have already met their partners on Match, and this is a great dating app for people living in regional areas,” says Hayley Quinn, a dating coach specializing in helping people be more confident and improving their communication skills.
With all those people using the app, safety is key. “They also moderate all their profiles making it a really safe site to use," she says.
If you'd prefer to meet someone in person but this isn't happening naturally in your daily life, you can also take advantage of Match.com events. These are an extension of your app use and take place across Europe and the US with at least one event every month where you can informally meet other singles.
What is eharmony?
More than two million people have found love through eharmony online and via the app version, which is also one of the best dating apps for relationships. The site proudly claims it’s certified as the 'No.1 trusted dating site' and, on the whole, it’s great for those looking for something long-term. The general user base is slightly older and geared towards facilitating serious partnerships.
Anyone who signs up for eharmony needs to fill in an in-depth questionnaire to determine their personality traits, then the eharmony team sends compatible matches daily based on your profile, eliminating the need to trawl through masses of members at all. If you're not a fan of the Tinder way of doing things, where you swipe through potential matches at your leisure, eharmony could be the way forward.
Why is eharmony one of the best dating sites for the over 50s?
Eharmony is a great choice for those who are keen to find a long-term match but who are a little worried about how to get started. They provide a specialized section for those looking to date over 50, which also includes lots of dating advice like how to write a dating profile.
It's also one of the more regulated sites, says Wilson. "Eharmony vets their users too, so I would use it if you're keen to get started," she says.
It also has more than 3.5 million members so there's a good pool of people for you to find someone with who you click with.
What is Ourtime?
If you'd rather exclusively focus on finding someone your age, try Ourtime. This dating site is all about helping over 50s find someone who they want to spend most (or all) of their time with. The main premise is about matching up with people who have similar interests. Your 50s is a period of life where you might have a bit more freedom to do what you want with your time - if your kids have grown up or your career has steadied - but you're still energetic and thriving and keen to explore, travel, cook, read, learn, and do so many other things. Ourtime is all about helping you find someone who also loves to do those things to share this important time with.
Why is Ourtime one of the best dating sites for the over 50s?
This website is designed specifically for over 50s, so if you're looking for someone in the same age bracket as you, you're going to have a higher chance of making that happen. It's also great for anyone who is keen on developing new hobbies or wants to explore more, as matches are made based on your interests, rather than your looks, personality, or values. It also provides dating advice for over 50s and gives you suggestions for things to do together if you plan to meet up.
The brand also runs local activities for members to meet each other in person - much like Match.com, so if you're keener on meeting someone face-to-face rather than online, this is a possibility too.
What is Hinge?
Hinge is a dating app that you can download onto your phone from the App Store. While many traditional apps like Tinder are focused on appearances, Hinge focuses on personality and offers users the chance to personalize their profile with unique conversation starters and fun anecdotes, as well as pictures.
Why is Hinge one of the best dating sites for over 50?
If you're someone who spends more time on your phone than on your laptop, chances are you'll find an app a lot more user friendly and useful than a website.
Appearance is important for many people - you've got to be attracted to a potential partner after all - but Hinge encourages users to showcase their personality on the app. So instead of 'liking' someone based on looks, you'll be encouraged to 'like' someone's answer to a question, a voice note on their profile, or an interesting photo. Once you've sent them a 'like' on one of these features, you can start a conversation with them based on this feature. It's the perfect conversation starter and a sure-fire way to avoid any standard 'how are you' introductions.
It's all completely legitimate too, with a verified phone number required to sign up to the app and real-life moderators on the platform to suss out any suspicious accounts.
You can also set your age and location preferences to suit you, much like many of the other dating sites on the list. However, if you live in a smaller town and have your age preferences within a very specific frame, you may run out of users as Hinge doesn't quite have the numbers offered by alternatives like Tinder or Bumble.
What is IllicitEncounters.com?
IllicitEncounters.com is a dating site for those who are already in a committed relationship but want to explore outside of it. You can access it via your phone or on a computer via the website.
“This is a niche site for people in settled relationships who want a casual relationship with a consenting adult, who is also likely to be in a settled relationship,” says Jessica Leoni, IllicitEncounters.com's in-house sex and relationship expert. "Men pay to be on the site whereas women can join for free, and male members tend to have a reasonable income."
Why is IllicitEncounters.com one of the best dating sites for the over 50s?
Dynamics are different in every relationship and if you've decided to explore outside of yours, then this dating site will allow you to do this easily and more honestly. A sexless marriage doesn't necessarily have to signal the end of your relationship and this is one way to live out your sexual fantasies, or perhaps get your spark back if you're looking to change that.
"The pool for dating in the over 50’s category is limited as many people at this age are already married," notes Leoni. "IllicitEncounters.com caters specifically to people who are in unfulfilled relationships and who are looking for that connection, passion, and excitement to add to their lives, which may include people in this age group."
She explains, "What makes IllicitEncounters.com a good dating site for the over 50s is that everybody is on the same page. Many of our members report feeling lonely and unappreciated in their marriage, they want to learn how to spice up their relationship, or they are desperate to speak to like-minded people. The grass always looks greener when things aren’t going so well at home. People are finding a respite from the mundane by looking for an affair. Not only are affairs thrilling and adventurous, but many people also have life-changing positive experiences during or after an affair. It can be escapism from dull or unsatisfying marriages, or as a way to somewhat improve things at home, making partners more tolerant and patient with their spouses."
< /a>
0 Comments