4 Best Dating Sites for Seniors in 2026: Tested and Reviewed

Pros

• Detailed compatibility-based matching process
• Robust profile features
• Inclusive gender and sexual identity options

Cons

• Free version offers limited functionality
• Subscription prices are not shown until after sign-up

Features

• Free version: Yes, with optional subscription
• Safeguards: SMS verification
• Age range: 18 and older
• Customer support: Online contact form and limited-hour live chat support

Key takeaways from our testing

Compatibility-focused matching. eHarmony centers its experience around compatibility. During sign-up, users complete an 80-question questionnaire designed to assess their values, habits and relationship preferences. This process takes longer than setting up a profile on simpler platforms like SeniorMatch, but our testers felt the extra effort provided more context when reviewing matches. One tester liked how the platform displays a compatibility score for each match, making it easier to identify shared traits and potential dealbreakers. In addition to photos and written prompts, users can add videos to their profiles — a feature offered by only one other site on this list.

Comprehensive inclusivity options. The website garnered high marks for inclusivity, receiving a 4 out of 5 score in that test. Users can select from a wide range of gender identities and indicate interest in more than one gender during their profile setup. One tester appreciated that these options were presented clearly and early in the process. Other platforms, including SilverSingles and Match, offer fewer choices, which resulted in lower inclusivity scores.

Limited value without a paid plan. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly dating site, eHarmony may not be the right fit. Premium plans cost $99.90 per month with a six-month commitment or $47.90 per month with a 12-month commitment, making eHarmony the most expensive platform in our review. The company says free trials are offered occasionally, but customer service did not provide details when asked. After completing the enrollment questionnaire designed to identify your personal values and traits, users are prompted to enter payment information or continue with the free version, which can be difficult to locate. With the free version, access is restricted — users can see profile photos, but most profile details and messaging features require at least a basic paid subscription, which starts at $81.90 per month with a six-month commitment. Although we were unable to verify ourselves, we’ve seen reports of prices varying by location and user income level.

Best Online Dating Site for Serious Relationships: Match.com

Score: 9.3 out of 10

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Pros and cons

Pros

• Free trial offered for subscription plans
• Tiered memberships unlock additional features
• Straightforward sign-up process

Cons

• Limited gender preference options
• No phone-based customer support

Features

• Free version: Yes, with optional subscription
• Safeguards: SMS verification and photo verification
• Age range: 18 and older
• Customer support: Online form

Key takeaways from our testing

Try before you upgrade. All of the dating sites in this review offer free versions, but Match is the only platform that consistently provides a trial period for its paid plans. This is a perk for serious daters who want to try out paid features before committing. The trial lasts three days, giving users a brief window to explore Match’s premium features before committing. Once the trial ends, users are automatically billed for the subscription length that they selected at sign-up. If you decide the paid version isn’t right for you, you need to cancel in the website or app’s account settings section before the trial ends to avoid being charged.

Paid tiers unlock different features. Match offers four paid membership levels — Bronze, Silver, Platinum and Diamond — in addition to its free version. Each tier adds new features, such as message-read receipts, profile boosts and unlimited likes. The Diamond tier includes access to in-person events, a feature not commonly offered by other online dating platforms — though the tier is only available in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Oklahoma and Texas. Paid plans are available in three-, six- or 12-month commitments, with prices for Platinum starting at $39.99 per month. While subscriptions can be canceled before the next billing cycle, payments are nonrefundable, meaning users are responsible for the full term they selt.

Match.com membership tiers

Limited inclusivity and customer support options. During profile setup, users are asked to select a gender and dating preference. While same-sex dating is supported, Match doesn’t allow users to select interest in more than one gender. One tester noted that after making this selection, “LGBTQ+ options weren’t mentioned again,” which contributed to Match receiving a 3 out of 5 score for inclusivity in our ratings. Additionally, customer support is handled exclusively through an online form, with no phone or live chat support available — a limitation that may frustrate users who prefer real-time assistance.

Past deceptive advertising. In 2025, Match Group, the parent company of Match.com, agreed to pay $14 million to customers affected by deceptive advertising related to billing and cancellation practices. The original complaint, filed by the Federal Trade Commission in 2019, alleged that Match promoted a free six-month subscription for users who did not “meet someone special,” without clearly disclosing the conditions required to qualify for the offer. This action relates to past advertising practices and does not reflect the experience of our testing.

How we tested the best online dating sites for seniors

To evaluate the best online dating sites for seniors, we started by talking to real users. We conducted a focus group with adults ages 65 and older to better understand their experiences using dating platforms, what features they valued most, and what they found frustrating or unhelpful. We also surveyed 300 adults ages 50 and older to gain broader insight into how older adults approach online dating.

Our testers then evaluated each dating site using criteria such as ease of use, inclusivity, value and customer support. They assessed how easy it is to sign up, how intuitive the interface feels and whether the profiles seem genuine. Testers also examined each site’s fraud detection measures to determine how well the platform protects users from fake profiles and scams, since dating fraudsters often target older adults. Dating sites that performed well across these areas and received positive feedback from testers earned a spot on our list.

For more information, see our online dating testing methodology.

Other online dating sites to consider

Not every online dating platform we evaluated was included in this review. Based on feedback from our survey and focus group participants, some sites fell short due to frequent scam activity, limited value for the price or a shortage of users in certain geographic areas.

Still, we wanted to highlight a few additional options that may be a good fit for some older adults, especially since many people use more than one dating site at a time. In fact, our focus group participants use four dating platforms on average.

Free sites

Several focus group participants said using free platforms in addition to paid services helped them cast a wider net. One participant, a 66-year-old woman from Las Vegas who uses Match, Plenty of Fish, and free platforms such as Facebook Dating and Bumble, said she found that free sites often offer many of the same users as paid ones. She uses free platforms to find local matches, then connects with them through paid services that allow more messaging flexibility.

In our survey, nearly half (48 percent) of adults 50-plus said they exclusively use free dating sites. The most commonly used free platform was Facebook Dating, followed by the free versions of Plenty of Fish and Tinder.

However, survey respondents who relied only on free platforms were about 10 percent more likely to report encountering fake profiles or receiving unsolicited sexually explicit messages.

Niche sites

Some focus group participants, particularly those living in rural areas, reported mixed experiences with niche dating platforms such as DateMyAge, Just Senior Singles and Single50. Nicole (not her real name), a 72-year-old from Athens, Georgia, who uses Match, eHarmony, OurTime, SilverSingles and JDate, said she sometimes stops using these dating sites for a period of time and then logs back in after a few months, only to see the same profiles. She said SilverSingles works best for her because it consistently produces the most matches in her area.

Another participant, Jeff, a 69-year-old from Edgewater, New Jersey, reported a different experience. Living near a large metropolitan area, he said he has found plenty of matches on SilverSingles and has also made successful connections on Bumble.

Overall, 62 percent of survey respondents said they prefer dating platforms designed specifically for older adults. Many said age-focused sites make it easier to find matches with shared interests, life experiences and relationship goals, despite senior-specific platforms having fewer users overall.

How to choose the best online dating site for you

Online dating is not just for younger generations. About 39 percent of U.S. adults have used a dating site at some point in their lives, a 2025 survey from research firm SSRS found. In our poll, one respondent who waited a year to try online dating said she initially hoped traditional ways of meeting people would work but, eventually, she decided she preferred narrowing down potential matches online first to save time, energy and money.

If you’re thinking about starting your online dating journey but aren’t sure where to begin, these factors can help guide your choice.

Age range

One of the first decisions to make is the age range you want to date. Dating sites such as SeniorMatch, Just Senior Singles and SilverSingles are geared toward adults 50 and older, while sites like eHarmony, Match and Bumble are used by adults of all ages.

“I think it makes sense to use online dating sites for older adults,” one of our survey respondents said. “It’s a little easier to find a match based on hobbies, interests and station in life.”

Many platforms allow users to filter potential matches by age. However, some focus group participants said age filters are not always enforced consistently. Bill, a 72-year-old focus group participant, said he often encounters much younger users on mainstream sites even when filtering by age. “I have nothing in common with a 20-year-old,” he said. “So why are they showing them to me?” 

If avoiding a large age gap is important to you, a site designed for adults 50 and older may be a better fit.

Intention

Before signing up, think about what you want from online dating. Identifying your goal can help you choose a site whose features and culture best match your expectations. Some people are looking for casual dating, while others may be focused on long-term relationships or companionship.

Tom, a 69-year-old focus group participant in Edgewater, New Jersey, said he values enjoyable experiences even when a relationship does not progress. “I’ve enjoyed dates that lasted two or three hours,” he said. “We knew we weren’t right for each other, but it was a fun night out.”

User-friendly interface

Ease of use was one of the most heavily weighted factors in our testing. So, we evaluated how long sign-up took, how detailed profiles needed to be, and how intuitive filters and messaging tools felt.

Some dating apps rely on swipe-style interfaces that show one profile at a time. Others offer more traditional layouts where you can browse several profiles at once. Choose a platform that presents information in a way that supports how you want to meet people.

Security features

Safety is a common concern, especially for older adults who are new to online dating. Jane, a 66-year-old focus group participant from Las Vegas, said she initially worried about scams. “I thought my information would get hacked,” she said. “But that didn’t happen. I joined, started dating right away and found it enjoyable.” She did, however, encounter fake profiles on several platforms.

Most major dating sites require identity verification and encrypt personal information. SeniorMatch, for example, uses live camera verification to confirm that a user’s face matches their profile photos, while eHarmony and Match.com verify identity through text message.

Watch out for AI-generated profiles and catfishers. In our survey, 41 percent of users said they encountered a fake profile or a person trying to scam them.

Are the best online dating sites for seniors safe?

Online dating is generally considered safe, but scams do happen. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s 2024 Internet Crime Report, adults ages 60 and older lost $389 million to romance scams in 2024. And in a 2026 AARP survey, one in six (16%) adults report that they or someone they know has actually lost money to a romance scam. Yet more than half (55%) of these incidents are never reported. 

“Scammers exploit online dating platforms to build trust with victims and eventually request money under false pretenses, such as medical emergencies or travel expenses,” says Darius Kingsley, head of consumer fraud and scam prevention at JPMorgan Chase. He adds that fraudsters often invest time in prolonged interactions to build an emotional connection.

“Older adults can be particularly vulnerable due to factors like social isolation, less familiarity with digital technology, or simply being targeted because scammers perceive them as more trusting,” Kingsley says. He recommends never sending money to someone you haven’t met in person and being cautious if a connection progresses unusually fast. “Over-the-top affection early on can be a sign of emotional and financial manipulation,” he warns.

Fake profiles and romance scams are unfortunately common on online dating sites. AARP fraud editor Christina Ianzito says romance scams now often add another element: investment scams. She says that after fraudsters spend time building trust with a victim, they make “suggestions that the victim make cryptocurrency investments that go straight into the criminals’ pockets.” Be wary of anyone with motives that go beyond making a connection.

Verifying someone’s identity when possible, asking thoughtful questions and trusting your instincts can help you stay safe while using dating websites.

For support and guidance, the trained fraud specialists at the free AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline, 877 -908-3360, can share information on what to do next and how to avoid future scams. The AARP Fraud Watch Network also facilitates online discussion groups for support. 

Tips from seniors using online dating sites

We asked dating experts and people who actively use dating apps to share their advice. No matter which platform you choose, the goal is to make it work for you. Here are a few best practices.

Ask whether a person’s profile pictures are current

One of the biggest frustrations raised in our focus group was outdated photos. “I’ll meet people and they don’t look anything like their pictures, and that’s disappointing,” said Nicole, the focus group participant in Athens, Georgia. Asking how recent someone’s photos are can help set realistic expectations and avoid awkward first encounters.

Build an engaging profile 

Higher-quality profiles tend to attract more interest. If you’re new to online dating, don’t worry — many sites offer prompts and guidance. Tom, the focus group participant in New Jersey, said the suggestions he received while building his profile across sites were especially helpful. Use your profile to show your personality, clarify what you’re looking for and highlight interests that can spark conversation.

Move beyond messaging

According to our focus group participants, transitioning from online messaging to a phone call or video chat is an important step to take before deciding whether to meet in person. Karen Bigman, a midlife and senior relationship and sex expert and host of the Taboo to Truth podcast in New York City, recommends a video date before meeting face to face. She says video calls can help confirm identity and give a better sense of compatibility.

Keep safety in mind

Safety should always be a top priority. Before going on a face-to-face date, Bigman recommends letting a trusted friend know where you’re going and sharing your location with them.

Manage expectations

Not every date will lead to a romantic connection, and that’s OK. In our focus group, some people reported enjoying pleasant outings that didn’t turn into relationships, while others gained meaningful friendships along the way. Bigman encourages older adults to stay open-minded and avoid putting too much pressure on outcomes. “Have fun with it,” she says. “If it starts to feel like work, take a break and come back later.”

Do you have to pay to use online dating sites?

All of the dating sites in this review offer free versions, but access and features are limited. For example, eHarmony restricts messaging on free accounts, and SeniorMatch requires a paid plan to see who viewed your profile.

Our survey and focus group participants were divided on whether dating site subscriptions are worth the cost. Some said high prices pushed them toward free versions. “They’re very expensive, and most sites make you pay just to send or answer a message,” said Jane, the focus group participant in Las Vegas. She noted she often sees the same people on both free and paid platforms, and she uses both to increase her chances of making a connection.

Others felt subscriptions improved their experience by filtering out less serious users. Several participants said the paid versions helped them find higher-quality matches more quickly. Features like seeing who likes your profile or boosting your profile’s visibility were viewed as especially useful.

Pricing transparency varies by platform. SeniorMatch and SilverSingles list prices clearly on their websites, while eHarmony and Match require users to complete sign-up before viewing full pricing details.

How much do the best dating sites for seniors cost?

Be aware that some prices may vary based on location.

Questions or feedback? Email us at AARPSmartPicks@aarp.org.