Commit to the Right Dating Site: 4 Questions to Guide the Decision
1 - What Type of Relationship Are You Looking For?
Before deciding which dating site or free dating sites to sign up for, consider your desired outcome. Whether you’re looking to meet interesting people, start dating again after a heartbreak or searching for that person to start a family with, dating sites aren’t a “one size fits all” deal. Luckily, with many sites offering free sign up, you can get to know various sites before making a commitment.
Eharmony, for example, is best suited for daters seeking a serious relationship. Signing up involves a questionnaire, but the result is quality matches with the potential for long-term commitment.
Another site offering great results for people looking for a serious relationship is EliteSingles, which helps daters find true companionship, love, and romance.
No matter what type of relationship you’re looking for, there’s a dating site—or multiple sites—to meet your needs.
2 - Do You Prefer Being Matched or Searching Independently?
Personal preferences matter with online dating or choosing paid versus free dating sites—just as they do with offline dating. Some singles want to search through profiles before deciding who to chat with, while other people feel more comfortable being set up. Luckily, the world of online dating has answers for both.
Matchmaker, matchmaker, make me a match:
One of the major benefits of using a dating site is the ability to filter potential matches according to the values and characteristics that matter most to you. This immediate screening saves time and energy by ruling out users who aren’t compatible.
The search:
Another benefit of online dating is the options. Dating sites bring together enormous numbers of singles, who may have otherwise never met. Using the search filters gives singles the freedom to explore their options based on specific preferences.
SilverSingles offers extensive search filters and sorting functionality. Basic filters include parameters such as gender, age, and location, along with more specific fields such as background, interests, and lifestyle.
3 - Which Features Matter Most?
While dating sites all provide singles with the same essential service—a platform to meet new people and find a potential partner—each site or free dating site does it differently.
Differentiating features include online chat or video chat, safety features like photo verification, and dating games. Choose a dating site that offers the features which are most important to you or deciding you want a free dating site with less features, but you don't always need to compromise for a free dating site. Free trial periods give another alternative.
Free trial periods allow you the flexibility to get to know dating sites without the initial financial commitment. As you begin your online dating journey, explore the features available on different sites. Use the comparison chart above, expert reviews, and relevant articles to guide your decision.
4 - How Much Will it Cost Me?
Many of the top dating sites offer free sign up or a free trial period. However, to unlock all features and communication tools, you’ll need to subscribe. As with most things, you get what you pay for so keep that in mind with free dating sites.
We believe that joining a dating site is a smart investment. If you put yourself out there, you won’t need to subscribe for long. After all, it’s worth it — this is your future and happiness at stake.
Our Top 3 Picks
- 1Trusted site with millions of users
- Pricing - As low as $19.99
- Free version - Yes
- Age range - 25-55
Trusted site with millions of usersRead Match ReviewMatch - Best for finding a variety of relationship styles
Match is one of the most popular online dating platforms out there, with millions of users in over 60 countries. This site is a fantastic choice for those seeking serious relationships because profiles include many prompts to learn about users' personalities, lifestyles, and interests.
After creating a profile on Match, you'll get access to limited free functionality. However, you need to become a paying member to send messages. Plus, you'll need to devote time to this app by uploading photos, writing a detailed bio, and answering a lot of questions.
Users seem very happy with Match's customer service, particularly the expert dating coaches who are available to all paying members.
Why we chose Match: Match has an inclusive user base, which allows its users to identify as various genders and sexual orientations and connect with a lot of different people. In addition, social media and phone verification keep fake users to a minimum.
Our experience: We enjoyed taking advantage of the features that make Match stand out from other dating apps and sites, such as read receipts on messages and unlimited video chatting.
Match Pros & Cons
PROS
Experienced, well-trusted dating siteHigh-percentage of success storiesAllows up to 26 profile photosCONS
30-minute sign-up processMore traditional than other sites - 2
Premier site for black singles- Pricing - As low as $2.99
- Free version - Yes
- Age range - 30-50
Premier site for black singlesRead BlackPeopleMeet ReviewBlackPeopleMeet - Best for black singles
BlackPeopleMeet has been around since 2002 and, as the name suggests, is catered primarily toward members of the black community. But it's also designed for people of other races who are interested in finding a black partner. In fact, it's suitable for anyone looking for a serious relationship, travel partner, or friendship.
BlackPeopleMeet makes it easy for users to locate others whose desires match theirs with a wide variety of search features. The most unique is the keyword search option, which locates profiles that contain specific words or phrases. But there aren't any questionnaires so you won't get match scores as you might with other apps.
The free version has all the standard functions you'd expect and all members can view profiles, match, send messages to "Top Picks" and rate daily matches. A premium membership is required to access the messaging feature, but the cost is relatively low at just $2.99 per week if you purchase a six-month plan, compared to other apps.
Why we chose BlackPeopleMeet: Given the racism some people experience on general-interest dating apps, it's invaluable to have a space where African American singles can meet one another—and others who are open to exploring interracial relationships.
Our experience: We thought the "Message Ideas" feature, which provides conversation-starter suggestions for tongue-tied users, was super helpful. We also liked how the site prompts users to write what kind of relationship they're interested in on their profile, with options including "travel partner" or "pen pal." But we thought it was sketchy that there were many profiles without photos.
BlackPeopleMeet Pros & Cons
PROS
Prioritizes people over algorithmsEasy to sign up and useReach out through message, chat, or flirtCONS
Limited compatibility matchesOnly paying users can communicate - 3
Organic matchmaking through technology- Pricing - As low as $29.99
- Free version - Yes
- Age range - 25-45
Organic matchmaking through technologyRead Zoosk ReviewZoosk - Best for a long-term relationship
Zoosk emerged as part of Facebook in 2007, but since then, it's become its own entity (as a website and mobile app) with over 35 million users.
Zoosk's Behavioral Matchmaking™ engine (the best thing about this site) filters profiles according to ones you've previously liked and gets smarter the more you use it. That way, you waste less time sorting through people who aren't your type.
Although there's a free version, a subscription lets you message other users to show you're interested in them. Subscription options range from $29.95 for one month to $119.99 for a 12-month plan (which works out to $10 per month).
Why we chose Zoosk: It gamifies dating with fun features like watching and commenting on other users' live streams, participating in virtual speed dating, and playing a "carousel" game that lets you classify others as "yeses," "nos," or "maybes." Zoosk also requires users to verify their profiles with their social media accounts, phone numbers, or photos, so it's easier to avoid fake profiles and scams.
Our experience: We liked Zoosk's quick and easy sign-up process—you can join by connecting your Facebook account. We also found the "dating insights reports" very helpful because they gave us a better idea of what we should be looking for. The personal profiles are pretty sparse though, so you probably won't know much about your date until you work up the nerve to talk to them.
Zoosk Pros & Cons
PROS
More than 35 million usersBehavioral matching technologyUser-friendly appCONS
Limited features on the free versionSome may prefer a more manual approach
