SeniorMatch Review: How This 50 and Older Dating Site Stacks Up

Messaging limitations for free members. Free members can’t start conversations — they can only send “winks” and reply to messages they receive from paid members. It’s not uncommon for dating platforms to limit messaging for free accounts, though some other platforms like SilverSingles (which also is marketed to older adults) allow either person to initiate messaging after matching. However, this limitation on SeniorMatch means two free members can’t message each other. That said, 75 percent of SeniorMatch users in our survey said they pay for a premium membership. So, you may find that opting for the free version still allows you to message with people since there are so many paid users on the platform.

Live customer service only for paid members. Only paid members get access to live customer service. Free members can use an AI chatbot or send an email. The customer service team says free users can expect a reply to their email within 24 hours. When we sent an email asking a few simple questions as a free member, we received a helpful reply in about 18 hours.

How much does SeniorMatch cost?

SeniorMatch costs between $15.99 and $29.95 per month, depending on your subscription term.

Is the free version worth it?

Next to SilverSingles, SeniorMatch offers one of the better free services we’ve tested. While you’re limited on how many “winks” you can send (50 per day) and can only respond to private messages with a free account, the free SeniorMatch platform still is usable. Other dating platforms put more strict limitations on free profiles, making some of those memberships almost useless. For example, eHarmony blurs out profile pictures for free members.

Premium membership: What it entails

If you’re interested in features such as unlimited messages and “winks,” or want access to live customer support, a paid SeniorMatch subscription might be worthwhile. 

If you’re on the fence, you can opt for the single-month membership at $29.95. This option may seem steep for some users, but it’s less costly than premium services on other platforms like eHarmony and Match, which lock you into longer-term subscriptions. 

If you’re willing to make more of a commitment, you can sign up for a longer SeniorMatch subscription and get a better deal on the monthly price. Notably, the platform offers one of the more affordable paid subscription plans among platforms we’ve tested, at only $15.99 per month for six months, compared to eHarmony’s $81.90 per month for six months or Match’s $19.99 per month for six months.

Chairman membership: What it entails

In addition to the Premium plan, SeniorMatch offers an exclusive membership tier you have to apply for called the Chairman membership, priced at $500 per month. Chairman members receive a special profile frame and a badge, which are essentially status symbols. Additionally, Chairman members appear first in the Discovery and Daily Picks sections of SeniorMatch. This designation is not something the average person needs. However, if you’re focused on maximizing your visibility and can justify $500 per month, this membership tier might be worth it for you.

SeniorMatch customer service

Paid members receive 24/7 live customer support — a feature that’s unique to SeniorMatch compared to the sites we’ve tested. When you submit your question through chat, an AI bot reads it and routes you to the next available support team member.

Free members also have access to SeniorMatch’s customer service, but they’re limited to an AI bot or a customer service email address (expect answers within 24 hours). When we sent an email asking a few simple questions as a free member, we received a helpful reply in about 18 hours.

Online dating safety tips and scams to watch for

Fraudsters often target older adults on online dating platforms. One common scam is catfishing, where the person lies about their identity. These scammers slowly build your trust, then start asking for money, often with a sense of urgency or with claims that they need the money because of an emergency.

Another common dating scam is “pig-butchering,” says Ron Kerbs, CEO of Kidas, a scam detection software company in New York City. This scam, which AARP refers to as “financial grooming,” entails the fraudster slowly building trust by posing as a romantic partner before presenting a phony investment opportunity or other get-rich-quick scheme. For example, the person might claim they have a high-return cryptocurrency platform they want you to invest in, Kerbs says. These platforms are fake, but the scammer will pretend they’re real and guide you through the process of converting your money into cryptocurrency and transferring the crypto to the fake platform. Scammers then shut down the fake program and disappear — along with your money. Kerbs says these scammers often target entire retirement accounts. 

These financial grooming scams often entail fraudsters taking the conversation “offline” to other messaging platforms with fewer security features, such as WhatsApp or Telegram. 

Experts generally recommend setting up a video call with someone to verify their face matches their photos. Kerbs suggests going a step further by asking the person to perform a “random action” on the video, such as holding up three fingers or turning their head slowly. “AI often struggles with these spontaneous physical movements,” he says.

Is SeniorMatch right for you?

Based on our survey, SeniorMatch has one of the highest success rates for older adults starting a romantic relationship that lasts at least three months. Like many other dating sites, you can fill out standard fields that include your hobbies, photos and conversation prompts. The platform also has a few standout features, including creating and interacting with events in your area (like group hikes or wine tastings) and standard live camera identity verification. 

If you’re not sure whether SeniorMatch is a good fit for you, you may gain some clarity by asking yourself the following questions.

Do I want a dating platform for older adults?

While not everyone will care about choosing a platform that markets to older adults, it’s a big factor for some, our survey results show. Moreover, in our January 2026 online dating focus group, some people expressed concerns about being erroneously matched with younger users on mass-market sites. So if you’re specifically looking for people ages 50 and older, SeniorMatch may be a platform to consider. 

Am I looking for friendship?

With SeniorMatch, you can join the site under two categories: “social with dating” or “social only.” This distinction is nice for people who are looking for friendship instead of — or along with — a romantic relationship. During our online dating focus group, many respondents said one of the most enjoyable parts of online dating was meeting new people and having conversations, even if it didn’t lead to something more.

Do I want a swipe-based dating site?

SeniorMatch offers two ways to browse profiles: Flame and Discover. If you’re someone who appreciates the quick decision-making of a swipe-style dating app, you’ll probably like the Flame side of SeniorMatch where you see just one profile at a time and either “like” the profile or pass. Discover offers a “marketplace” view where you can browse through several profiles at once. You don’t have to commit to one or the other.

Do I want to pay for a dating site?

If you don’t have the budget to pay for a dating site, you can still use the free version of SeniorMatch. However, you can only access limited features and you can’t message potential matches first. SeniorMatch offers a premium subscription, with full access to the platform’s features and messaging abilities, but it does not offer a free trial. This isn’t uncommon — SilverSingles and eHarmony don’t offer free trials either. Match has a trial for premium features, but it’s only for three days. 

For some sites, a free trial is more important than others. For example, on SilverSingles, the paid features are an upgrade of what you already have, so you can get a pretty good idea of what the paid version would be like. Other platforms, such as eHarmony, block lots of functionality for free members.

SeniorMatch falls somewhere in between. You can use the site for free and connect with others, but some functions are only for paid subscribers. These premium features include: 

• Unlimited messaging, “winks,” swipes and “likes”
• Video/voice chat
• Customized profile privacy
• No advertisements
• The ability to remove users from your search results
• Seeing who has viewed and “liked” your profile
• Advanced search criteria

Online dating tips for adults over 50

Whether you’re new to online dating or have years of experience with it, there are a few tips to consider implementing. “Successful online dating over 50 comes down to three things: reputable platforms, clear boundaries and patience,” says Amy Lee, co-founder at Select Date Society, a luxury matchmaking firm in Richmond, Virginia.

Here are a few best practices:

• Use a current photo. Our focus group participants said it can be frustrating when someone shows up to a date and doesn’t look like their profile photo. Lee recommends using a recent profile picture with good lighting. During our focus group session, Jane (not her real name), a 66-year-old from Las Vegas, said she asks her matches whether their profiles are up to date before meeting them in person.
• Put time into your profile. Like a resume for a job search, your dating profile is your first impression on potential matches. Filling it with specific details about your interests and personality can help set expectations and give people jumping-off points for conversations. Of the negatives regarding online dating platforms that respondents discussed in our online dating focus group, a profile with few details was a common pain point.
• Set your intentions. Lee says it’s important to clearly state on your profile what you’re looking for, such as a romantic relationship, a casual relationship or a friendship. That will help you match with people who share your goals.
• Manage expectations. Online dating is a marathon, not a sprint. Most people don’t immediately find “the one.” Oftentimes, the process entails going on dates with people who aren’t a match. That’s why Lee recommends approaching online dating with curiosity and suggests patience.

FAQs

How much does SeniorMatch cost?

SeniorMatch has paid membership options for three different terms: A one-month membership for $29.95, a three-month membership for $19.98 per month and a six-month membership for $15.99 per month. You can use the platform for free, but you won’t have access to premium features like unlimited messaging.

Who is SeniorMatch for?

Although users must be 40 or older, SeniorMatch is marketed toward adults ages 50-plus, so the platform and messaging are tailored to that group. 

How does SeniorMatch compare to other dating platforms for older adults?

SeniorMatch isn’t the only online dating platform aimed at older adults, but based on our testing, the platform stands out for its lower prices for paid memberships, safety features like live video verification during sign-up and multiple ways to browse potential matches. Other dating sites for older adults, like OurTime and SilverSingles, share many features for building a profile and connecting with matches. But SilverSingles is a more basic, free dating site that lacks advanced features when compared with SeniorMatch. And OurTime has a large user base but fewer scam protections than SeniorMatch.

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