Online dating offers a wealth of opportunities, but with so many apps and sites to choose from, it can be overwhelming to find the right one for you.
That's where our team of relationship experts comes in. With over 15 years of experience helping clients achieve their romantic goals, we've used our knowledge to create a curated list of the best dating sites for people over 40.
Whether you're seeking a serious commitment or a casual connection, our recommendations will help you confidently navigate the scene.
» Looking for lasting love? Follow these tips for successful dating in your 40s.
Our review team consisted of experienced dating coaches, data analysts specializing in dating trends, and consumer advocates over 40. We evaluated various online dating sites for people over 40 using direct testing and comprehensive research. This included user feedback, scholarly research, customer reviews, and industry insights.
SilverSingles is designed for individuals over 50 looking for a genuine relationship. At sign-up, up, you'll complete a personality test, which helps the app understand your needs and match you with suitable members. Dating industry expert Matt Seymour notes, “The great thing about the SilverSingles dating website is that it 100% caters to the 50+ crowd, ensuring a more focused and effective dating experience.”
Why we chose SilverSingles: According to the Silver Singles website, the company takes security measures very seriously by using secure socket layer (SSL) encryption and fraud detection systems. We think these are well-thought-out features, as the senior population can be vulnerable to online scams.
Our experience: The site impressed us by automatically suggesting new, relevant matches daily, saving us time and effort in our search. We also enjoyed the platform's engaging and relatable articles, like "Exhilarating Activities for Independent Senior Singles," which shares fun things to do while waiting to connect with someone.
Pros
Cons
Read full SilverSingles review
Due to eharmony's sophisticated matching system, 71% of women find their spouse within one year of joining the site. You can react to others' profiles with likes and smiles, and actions on your feed show what others like about you. Also, after two likes, you'll get access to private message features. Seymour says, “What’s cool about eharmony is that it caters to singles looking for something a little more serious,” making it an excellent choice for finding lasting love over 40.
Why we chose harmony: The platform's 80-question compatibility test matches users based on shared values, communication style, experiences, and goals. After completing this, you'll get your unique personality profile. It even provides helpful tips on answering the various question types and why they matter.
Our experience: The dating advice on the website helped us understand how the site works and what to expect. This made us feel more confident as we started looking at potential matches. We also liked interacting with profiles in fun ways, like sending smiles.
Pros
Cons
Read full eharmony review
Plenty of Fish has fun, alternative ways to interact with others if you want more than traditional messaging. You can try "NextDate," an interactive speed dating game on the live stream feature. Or play "Cue'd Up," a fill-in-the-blank card game that showcases your humor and interests. These options aim to help you personalize your connection with new matches.
Why we chose Plenty of Fish: The upgraded membership allows you to unlock every user’s Extended Profile. These share more details, including career information, lifestyle choices, and personality traits. Knowing this info can help you decide if the other person is worth meeting.
Our experience: The generous number of profile photos allowed us to present ourselves authentically. We also enjoyed following others' activities, which let us gauge their interest and see who viewed our profile in depth.
Pros
Cons
Read full Plenty of Fish review
Match, a well-established dating site launched in 1995, offers helpful guides for first-time online daters over 40. The Profile & Photo page provides simple, step-by-step instructions to create an appealing profile and add your best images. You'll also get useful tips for editing your profile and photos as needed.
Why we chose Match: In addition to the free and paid plans, Match offers unique extras. The "Power-Up" option gives you features like "Boost," which bumps your profile into the top six search results. You can also purchase undercover mode, which lets you view other profiles anonymously for 24 hours.
Our experience: We enjoyed the international connections this site provided. It allowed us to meet individuals from all over the world, like Denmark and Switzerland. It was also nice to be able to browse profiles privately without drawing unwanted attention. It removed the pressure of immediate interaction.
Pros
Cons
Read full Match review
On OkCupid, you can answer thousands of questions about your favorite foods, values, and more to find the most compatible matches in your age range. The more you share, the better OkCupid can help you connect with like-minded singles over 40. Remember that not everyone will answer as many questions as you, so they may take a different approach to matching.
Why we chose OkCupid: OkCupid, part of Match Group, offers multiple benefits to help you find meaningful connections. It can feature your profile across its joined apps, increasing your visibility to potential partners. The company also prioritizes your safety by banning anyone disallowed on one Match Group site from all its platforms.
Our experience: We appreciated that OkCupid doesn't limit profile length. This allows users over 40 to share as much about themselves as they want. While men may find writing lengthy profiles challenging compared to women, the extra information provides more conversation starters.
Pros
Cons
Read full OkCupid review
Stir offers a welcoming space for single parents reentering the dating scene. It lets you connect with potential partners who understand the unique challenges of dating with kids. You can highlight your age preferences, priorities, and parental status to paint a clear picture of your life and parenting style. Stir also hosts live events, providing relaxed settings to meet like-minded single parents over 40.
Why we chose Stir: The platform protects your privacy with an "anonymous" email network. This keeps your name and contact info confidential until you're ready to share with a potential match. The site also requires all members to be single or separated before signing up, ensuring you won't waste time on unavailable individuals.
Our experience: We found the app relatively easy to use, but what really stood out was the ability to choose our availability during the week. This is helpful for busy singles over 40 to plan their days, especially if they have kids. We also liked that we could choose to view matches that are interested in having more children.
Pros
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Read full Stir review
EliteSingles saves you time by letting you choose your preferred dating style right on the website. Whether you're interested in polyamorous, luxury, or international connections, you can find a partner who aligns with your specific preferences and life stage. This is particularly beneficial if you're over 40 and have a hectic schedule.
Why we chose EliteSingles: EliteSingles caters to educated, intelligent, and successful singles serious about finding a committed relationship. With an average member age of 44, the app understands that you may prefer a mature, supportive partner who prioritizes you. EliteSingles uses your details and curated matches to ensure compatibility and commitment.
Our experience: We enjoyed the platform's multilingual capabilities, which cater to diverse cultures. This made our experience inclusive and accessible to members from various backgrounds. If you’re over 40 and new to online dating, EliteSingles offers some “hand-holding” by offering expert dating tips and profile advice along the way.
Pros
Cons
Read full EliteSingles review
OurTime's Topic feature helps members, especially those dating over 40, start conversations using pre-programmed questions. Your responses show others your interests and provide talking points to connect. This simple icebreaker is particularly helpful for shy senior members, as it initiates meaningful dialogues.
Why we chose OurTime: It lets you hide your profile to take a break from the app without canceling your subscription, allowing you to explore a new connection distraction-free. The private messaging system enables safe communication without exchanging phone numbers. You can also express interest in other profiles using "flirts," "likes," and "virtual gifts."
Our experience: We found the OurTime website easy to navigate, allowing us to create an account and choose a membership plan quickly. After filling out our profile and uploading a photo, we accessed our dashboard and started exploring. The site made it simple to search for singles over 40 in our area or browse through profiles.
Pros
Cons
Read full OurTime review
Hinge is dedicated to enhancing your dating experience and facilitating meaningful connections. Although not exclusively designed for 40+ daters, the app's creative prompts and AI integrations encourage engaging conversations. This makes it possible to find success regardless of your age.
Why we chose Hinge: The platform strives to continually improve the user experience. For example, it found that too many daily likes led to lower matches, but the service didn't want to make you pay for them. Now, you get eight free likes per day to help improve overall match quality.
Our experience: We discovered that, unlike sites like Tinder, Hinge is focused on serious relationships. Its user interface is similar to Instagram's, favoring scrolling rather than “swiping.” This makes Hinge more appropriate for tech-savvy and experienced online dating users.
Pros
Cons
Read full Hinge review
Bumble empowers women by allowing them to make the first move. This feature especially appeals to those in their 40s seeking more control and confidence in their dating lives. Men over 40 who appreciate women taking the initiative may also find Bumble's approach refreshing.
Why we chose Bumble: The "Best Bees" feature, which is available on Date Mode, is designed to help you make compatible connections faster. Every day, you’ll be shown the profiles of four people who have been specifically curated for you based on your preferences and previous matches.
Our experience: Bumble's "Best Photo" feature was incredibly helpful when setting up our profile. By analyzing which of our first three photos received the most right swipes, Bumble automatically optimized our profile's appearance. All we had to do was turn on the setting, and the app did the rest.
Pros
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Read full Bumble review
Best Dating Sites Over 40
Best for
Price
Available on
Free version
Recommended age range
SilverSingles
Automated daily profile checks to enhance your experience
From $44.99/month
iOS and Android
Yes
50+
eharmony
Finding matches based on shared traits and interests
From $59.99/month
iOS and Android
Yes
30-44
Plenty of Fish
Profile view tracking to see when someone read your details
From $19.99/week
iOS and Android
Yes
20-40
Match
Finding profiles near you
From $44.99/month
iOS and Android
Yes
30-49
OkCupid
Customer support portal available 24/7
From $19.99/month
iOS and Android
Yes
18+
Stir
Blocking selected members from contacting you
From $19.99/week
iOS and Android
Yes
EliteSingles
Etiquette suggestions like rejecting matches politely
From $34.90/month
iOS and Android
Yes
35-55
OurTime
An efficient way to filter your matched results
From $19.99/week
iOS and Android
Yes
50+
Hinge
Friendly reminders that nudge you to reply
From $14.99/week
iOS and Android
Yes
25-43
Bumble
Exclusive IRL (In Real Life) events
From $19.99/week
iOS and Android
Yes
18-44
Many popular dating sites have large, diverse user bases that include mature singles seeking meaningful connections. These sites often provide advanced matching algorithms that consider life experiences, values, and relationship goals to connect you with compatible partners.
Safety is a top priority on these platforms, with robust verification processes and privacy measures to protect users' personal information and provide a secure dating environment.
Additionally, the convenience of online dating cannot be overstated—users can browse profiles, communicate, and arrange dates from the comfort of their own homes, fitting seamlessly into busy schedules.
With a mix of serious and casual options available, you can find like-minded individuals who share similar life stages and interests. Embracing online dating in your 40s and beyond can open up a world of opportunities to meet new people, expand your social circle, and ultimately find love.
Selecting the right dating site in your 40s or older involves considering several key factors to ensure you find a platform that aligns with your goals and preferences.
Start by evaluating the site’s reputation and user reviews to gauge its success rate and user satisfaction among mature singles. Look for a site with a robust verification process to ensure a safe and authentic dating environment.
Consider the site's user demographics to ensure it caters to a diverse age range and relationship intentions. Additionally, examine the site's pricing structure and available membership options to find a service that fits your budget.
astly, take advantage of free trials or basic memberships to explore the platform's features before committing to a subscription. By thoroughly researching and testing different sites, you can confidently choose the one that best suits your needs.
» On a tight budget? Check out what you can do for free on a dating site.
When evaluating dating sites, several features stand out as particularly important for ensuring a positive and successful experience:
Prioritizing these features can significantly improve your chances of finding a suitable partner on a dating site.
» Over your ex and ready for someone new? Learn how to date after divorce.
In your 40s, online dating can open new doors to meaningful connections and experiences. Understanding the pros and cons of online dating can help you use these platforms effectively and find the best match for you and your lifestyle.
As you face the frustration of limited time for dating, try services like eharmony or eharmony alternatives. They can show you what dating in your 40s might look like, share tips to make meaningful connections, and help you on your journey to love.
» Are you a senior looking for love? Try these dating sites for singles over 50.
What to look for when dating in your 40s?
First, identify what you want from a new relationship and be realistic about your expectations. Prioritize finding someone whose values and emotional intelligence align with yours.
What do guys in their 40s want?
A middle-aged man may hope to find a partner who can care for themselves and lovingly point out his mistakes. He might also value having time to himself while still feeling like a priority in your life.
Is dating harder in your 40s?
Starting to date in your 40s or later can be challenging, whether you have dated before or are just beginning. However, with some dating tips and a positive attitude, you may find joy in meeting new people and forming new relationships.
How long should you date in your 40s?
Some say don’t date for more than six months before deciding on a partner. Ask yourself if you want a relationship to lead to marriage. If so, then try to build on that intention.
Antonia Greco is an IDCA certified personal development coach, relationship expert, author, and communications graduate. For almost 15 years, she has helped clients reach their goals in life and love. Antonia has written for several leading publications, including Elite Daily, Bustle, Seattle Weekly, and Top10.com.