Your next chapter starts here: The best senior dating sites for finding love

Golden years, golden matches.
 By 
Tabitha Britt
 on 
Editors and writers independently select products unless marked Sponsored or Promoted. Sponsored content is a paid ad, while content marked Promoted is chosen by Ziff Davis leadership. We may earn an affiliate commission if you buy through our links. Promoted cards do not include input from individual authors.

Overview

Best senior dating site overall

SilverSingles

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PROMOTED
For those looking for sex

AdultFriendFinder

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Best for serious relationships and compatibility matching

eharmony

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Best eharmony alternative

Match

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Best for women who know what they want

Bumble

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Best for educated professionals

EliteSingles

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Best for free and easy local connections

Facebook Dating

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See 2 More

Table of Contents

Dating can be a challenge no matter your age, but the truth is that the older we get, the more in tune we become with our wants and needs.

While the over-50 dating pool might seem smaller, it's actually getting bigger all the time. Thanks to online dating, you now have new opportunities to connect with people who share your interests and values.

If you’re still hesitant, consider this: A 2025 report from Seniorly (using data from the U.S. Census Bureau) found that 25.9 million older adults in the U.S. are forgoing marriage, a jump of 5.8 million in the last decade. With an estimated 4.2 million Americans turning 65 this year, the senior dating pool is larger than ever.

What is the most successful dating site for seniors?

While niche sites like SeniorMatch, Singles50, and Just Senior Singles might come to mind, we've found that these platforms can be expensive and sometimes even predatory, offering a poor user experience and limited matches. Plus, with romance scams costing Americans over 50 an estimated $1.14 billion in 2023, and a concerning doubling of STIs among seniors between 2000 and 2022, it's wise to do your research first.

That's why we often nudge folks toward the bigger, more established platforms like eharmony, SilverSingles, and Match. These popular apps aren't just for the younger crowd — they're filled with singles of all ages, including a significant number of mature users. What's also interesting is that current dating trends show that there's a growing openness to wider age gaps in relationships. This means senior daters might find connections not just within their immediate age range, but also with potentially compatible partners who are just a little younger.

Whether you're looking for something casual or a committed relationship, we've got you covered. Below, you’ll find our top picks for the best dating sites and apps for seniors based on our own experiences, hands-on reviews, and comparative research on the experiences of other online daters. We’ve also answered some FAQs to help you get the most out of your online dating experience, from setting up your profile to avoiding romance scams.

A quick note on pricing: just like everything else, the costs for dating apps and sites can sometimes change. We work hard to keep this guide current for you, but you might encounter slight variations.

Our Pick
A stylized illustration shows a pink hand gently holding a light pink smartphone. On the phone screen is a red app icon with a white outline of a heart containing a smaller solid white heart.

SilverSingles

Best senior dating site overall

The Good & The Bad

  • Free to sign up and get started
  • Potential matches are sent to users daily
  • User-friendly interface
  • Age-specific communities
  • Offers video chatting to avoid romance scams
  • Personality test to find compatible matches
  • Available on desktop and mobile
  • Security and profile verification are taken seriously
  • Premium memberships are pricey
  • Limited functionality with the free membership (e.g., users' photos are blurred out until you pay for a membership)
  • Lengthy sign-up process
  • No search function

Who it's for

SilverSingles is our top pick for the best online dating site for mature singles looking to make a meaningful connection with someone in their age bracket or older. This dating platform is exclusively tailored for singles aged 50 and above, meaning you're only matched with other mature adults who share your commitment to finding a serious relationship.

While they often offer discounts on their paid memberships, it's worth noting that SilverSingles requires you to specify whether you're looking for "men" or "women" during the initial sign-up, and "man" or "woman" are the only gender identity options offered, which means it might not be an inclusive option for people in the LGBTQ+ community.

Why we picked this

SilverSingles takes the stress out of online dating by bypassing the "swipe left, swipe right" charade. Instead, the algorithm works to handpick three to five potential matches for you every day so you can skip the scrolling and get straight to the good stuff.

But what truly sets SilverSingles apart is the depth of profile information you get about each match. Before you even say hello, you'll have a good sense of your match's personality, interests, and what they're looking for in a partner.

SilverSingles uses the same proven five-factor personality model as their sister site, EliteSingles (our top pick for the best dating app for working professionals), to ensure you're getting to know the real person behind the profile. Plus, you can customize your preferences, ensuring you only see matches that meet your standards.

Details

A stylized illustration shows a purple hand gently holding a slightly lighter purple smartphone. On the phone screen, the words "AdultFriendFinder" are displayed in red.
PROMOTED

AdultFriendFinder

For those looking for sex

Details

A stylized illustration depicts a purple hand holding a slightly lighter purple smartphone. The word "eharmony" is displayed in white on the phone screen, accompanied by a small white heart icon to its left.

eharmony

Best for serious relationships and compatibility matching

The Good & The Bad

  • Free to join
  • Large pool of serious daters
  • Very user-friendly
  • Site boasts a very high success rate
  • Robust matchmaking algorithm covers multiple dimensions of a happy relationship
  • Video chatting option to relieve catfish concerns
  • Offers "Free communication weekends"
  • Prices fluctuate often
  • Monthly price is double or triple the cost of most competitors
  • Limited functionality with the free version (e.g., you may have to pay to message other members)
  • Lengthy sign-up process
  • Historically not super friendly to LGBTQ+ users, but that's changing

Our review

Read our full review of eharmony.

Who it's for

If you're done playing games and ready to find someone to share life's adventures with, then eharmony might be the platform you've been waiting for. As a popular dating site with millions of success stories spanning over two decades and multiple age ranges, eharmony gives hope to those holding out for a lasting connection.

And unlike SilverSingles, eharmony has been increasingly stepping up its efforts to cater to the LGBTQ+ community. Their partnership with GLAAD in late 2024 (in honor of National Coming Out Day) was a pretty big step forward for the company, especially considering its historically more conservative approach.

Why we picked this

We chose eharmony as the best dating site for serious relationships because its success stories speak volumes. As Kiana Reeves, somatic sex educator and chief education officer at Foria, puts it, "eharmony's personalized matchmaking system makes it a top pick for seniors looking for a committed partner."

Its comprehensive questionnaire and mature user demographic set it apart as a premium option for older singles seeking lasting love. While eharmony does come with a slightly higher price tag, its proven track record and sophisticated matchmaking algorithm make it a worthwhile investment for those who are serious about finding a lifelong partner in their golden years.

Details

A stylized illustration depicts a pink hand holding a slightly lighter pink smartphone. The word "match." is displayed in white on the phone screen, accompanied by a small white heart icon next to the period.

Match

Best eharmony alternative

The Good & The Bad

  • Free to sign up and get started
  • Available on mobile and desktop
  • Massive user base
  • 50+ age group is match's fastest-growing demographic
  • Can mark deal breaker traits as a filter
  • Easy to tell who's serious about finding a real relationship
  • Lots of ways to showcase who you are
  • In-real-life group dating events
  • Free users can now message their "Top Picks"
  • Lengthy and time-consuming questionnaire
  • Limited functionality for free users (e.g., must have a paid subscription
  • Too many notifications
  • Subscriptions are billed as one-time payments
  • Sued by the FTC in 2019 for sending members fake messages

Our review

Read our full review of Match.

Who it's for

If you're navigating the senior dating scene and on the lookout for a dating platform that offers an alternative to eharmony's commitment-heavy approach, then match might be more your speed.

According to its 13th annual "Singles in America" study, Match continues to be a platform where singles of all ages are looking to find a potential partner. While the study doesn't break down senior-specific usage in detail, it does reinforce Match's long-standing reputation in the online dating world.

Why we picked this

Match has thoughtfully transformed its online dating experience to be smoother for everyone, especially seniors. The revamped questionnaire takes a more conversational approach, focusing on how you'd handle real-life scenarios, both with a partner and those around you. This shift helps highlight your values and even lets you set deal-breakers, ensuring better compatibility from the start.

Over the years, Match has maintained a well-balanced user base with a diverse pool of potential partners, no matter where you live. Notably, the 50+ age group is one of the site's fastest-growing demographics, making it a prime destination for seniors looking to find that special someone.

Match is also known for being vigilant about taking down fake profiles (around 44 spam accounts per minute, in fact), providing a safer and more authentic dating environment.

Details

A stylized illustration shows a purple hand gently holding a slightly lighter purple smartphone. The word "Bumble" is displayed in white on the phone screen, with three horizontal white lines to its left.

Bumble

Best for women who know what they want

The Good & The Bad

  • Free to sign up and get started
  • More respectful-feeling space with women and nonbinary folks messaging first
  • Interests and Spotify Top Artists featured at top of profile
  • Eliminates "dead" matches that go nowhere
  • Backtrack feature for accidental swipes
  • Decent amount of users in their late 40s, 50s, and 60s
  • 24-hour expiration period might be too fast
  • Paid match extension is only an additional 24 hours

Our review

Read our full review of Bumble Premium.

Who it's for

Bumble offers a less polarizing option (we're looking at you, Tinder) for women who are tired of waiting for potential matches to make the first move. It's also ideal for anyone who's so over receiving inappropriate messages.

Why we picked this

Bumble is one of the best dating apps for women over 50 who are tired of receiving unwanted messages. With Bumble, women and nonbinary people make the first move, filtering out no-gos from the get-go. Looking ahead, Bumble's founder, Whitney Wolfe Herd, shared in a blog post that the app is being rebuilt with a renewed focus on the user experience, prioritizing safety, well-being, trust, and the success of its community in finding real, meaningful connections.

Compatibility features like interests, favorite musical artists (which you can even link to your Spotify), and expanded dating intentions are front and center on each Bumble profile, making it easy to find common ground and ensure you're on the same page from the start. Plus, the overall vibe is more laid-back than on some other dating platforms like eharmony and SilverSingles.

Bumble's "Opening Moves" feature gives women even more control over how they initiate conversations. Now, they have the option to either send a personalized message or choose a question for their match to answer. So, it's less awkward than sending a meager "hello" while hoping for the best.

Bumble also has one unique feature most dating apps don't: a 24-hour chat limit that kicks in once you've matched. This means that someone has to initiate the conversation, and their potential match must respond within this timeframe, or the connection expires. It's a quick turnaround, but it helps eliminate the endless match queues that can make other dating sites feel overwhelming.

As a bonus for safety and authenticity, Bumble has also introduced an AI photo verification tool that helps to identify and filter out fake profiles.

Details

A stylized illustration shows a light green hand gently holding a green smartphone. The words "Elite" in cursive and "SINGLES" in smaller capital letters are displayed in a darker green on the phone screen.

EliteSingles

Best for educated professionals

The Good & The Bad

  • Free to sign up
  • Uses an in-depth personality test for compatibility matching
  • Detailed profiles offer a deeper look at potential matches
  • Caters to educated professionals and those seeking serious relationships
  • Reports of lots of fake or unresponsive accounts
  • Might get suggestions that don't match your filters
  • Easy for users to lie about salaries
  • Free version doesn't support photos or messaging

Who it's for

If you're a mature professional who values your career but still wants to find a meaningful connection, EliteSingles is worth checking out. This platform is designed for singles 50 and older who are looking for a partner who understands the challenges and rewards of a fulfilling career.

Why we picked this

Differences in work ethic and professional schedules can strain even the most passionate relationships. For those who prioritize finding a partner with similar educational values and career goals, EliteSingles offers more specificity related to where a person is career-wise and family-wise than eharmony and Match.

Beyond that professional focus, EliteSingles uses a super in-depth personality test based on the "Big Five" personality traits to match you with people who are compatible on a deeper level, like your attachment style and personal values. But it's not all serious stuff. The questionnaire also asks some fun get-to-know-you questions about your preferences, like if you sleep with the window open or what kind of food you like.

Some users have mentioned that not all profiles are filled out completely, and there might be a few spammy ones here and there. And, if you're using the free version, you can't see photos or send messages until you upgrade, so it could get a little pricey.

Details

Facebook app

Facebook Dating

Best for free and easy local connections

The Good & The Bad

  • No subscription fees or hidden costs to worry about
  • It's built right into your Facebook profile, so it's super easy to access
  • You'll have access to a huge number of people who are also looking for love on Facebook
  • Facebook Dating connects you with people who share your interests
  • Some users might be hesitant to mix their dating life with their existing Facebook profile
  • You might come across friends, family, or coworkers on the platform
  • Lacks some of the advanced features and filtering options found in other dating apps

Who it's for

If you're curious about online dating but not quite ready to download the apps, Facebook Dating is a low-pressure way to dip your toes in the water. Since it uses your existing Facebook information to create a dating profile, getting started is quick and painless, and you can even connect with potential matches based on shared interests or groups.

Why we picked this

Facebook Dating offers a wide pool of potential matches that skews a bit older than other apps. It’s free, easy to set up, and allows you to leverage your existing connections and interests to find potential matches without leaving the comfort of an app you already know.

While it might not have all the bells and whistles of dedicated dating apps, it's a simple and accessible option for older adults who are curious about online dating but don't want to deal with the hassle of setting up a whole new profile.

Details

A stylized illustration shows a yellow hand gently holding a slightly lighter yellow smartphone. The word "zoosk" is displayed on the phone screen in blue with a red heart integrated into the "o".

Zoosk

Best as a last resort

The Good & The Bad

  • Technically, it's easy to make an account
  • SmartPick and Super Send features can help you make a match
  • Too many spam accounts
  • Need to pay to use basically any feature
  • Features aren't helpful for actually making connections
  • Design is outdated and confusing
  • Subscription prices change often

Our review

Read our full review of Zoosk.

Who it's for

Zoosk may have a large user base, but it didn't make our list of the best dating apps for over-50 singles and senior daters. Here's why:

  • Fake profiles: Zoosk has a reputation for having a lot of fake profiles. This can be frustrating for senior daters who are looking for genuine connections.

  • Pricey: Zoosk is pricey for what it offers. This can be a barrier for daters who are on a budget.

  • Not specifically designed for daters over 50 and 60: Zoosk isn't designed for older adults. This means that you may run into younger users who aren't a good fit.

Why we don't recommend this

Zoosk is a last-resort pick for us. While the SmartPick and Super Send features may help some users find a potential match, there are more than a few things we wish we could change.

Details

How we tested

Finding love and companionship in your 60s (or even your 70s) can be challenging, but it's hardly impossible. With the right senior dating site, you can connect with other sophisticated singles.

All the apps and sites in this guide have been thoroughly tested by Mashable's team and experienced freelance contributors, who know a thing or two about finding relationships online.

We tested out a bunch of dating sites with robust user bases of people over 50, focusing on what truly matters:

  • Ease of use: We made sure that the sites were easy to navigate, even for less tech-savvy folks. For senior dating sites with apps to use on your smartphone, we also confirmed that the app was intuitive to use and didn't have a major learning curve.

  • Active user base: We looked for sites with a large and active user base of seniors to give you the best chance of coming across and interacting with the most matches possible.

  • Matching system: We evaluated the matching systems of each site to see how they took answers to compatibility questions into consideration (when applicable), as well as whether the site followed selected filters and only put potential matches into the pool that fell under our preferred age range, distance, and more.

  • Communication tools: Knowing that the person on the other end of the screen is who they say they are is crucial when dating online, so we kept tabs on how these dating sites allow you to interact with other users, whether that's through instant messaging, email, video calls, and voice chat — and when applicable, how much the site charges to unlock these features.

  • Safety and security: We ensured each site had measures to protect users' privacy and safety.

  • Bang for your buck: We compared what you pay with what you get, ensuring it's a fair deal.

Frequently Asked Questions


Based on our research and testing, OurTime isn’t worth your time. Even though setting up an account is easy, the overall user experience is pretty abysmal. Eharmony is a much better option — it has a large user base, proven compatibility matching, and an intuitive interface.


Absolutely, though you may not find as many active users as the under-35 demo. According to the Pew Research Center, Tinder users tend to be younger. Only 19 percent of daters aged 50 to 59 and 6 percent of those aged 60 to 69 reported using the app.


Yes, there are completely free dating options available. For example, Facebook Dating is a feature within the Facebook app that doesn't require a separate subscription fee.

Within our dating site reviews, we've also noted that some platforms like SilverSingles and Match offer free basic memberships. However, it's important to understand that free memberships often come with limitations on features and communication. For the best results and the most serious dates, you might want to consider a paid membership on a platform with a sophisticated matching system and safety features.

As one person in the Reddit thread datingoverfifty suggests, if you want commitment, a site with a high barrier to entry, like eharmony, Match, or Elite Singles, could help weed out people who aren't serious (as well as potential scammers).


Unfortunately, not everyone online is looking for a real connection. You can also find heartless scammers who are only interested in luring in seniors and stealing their hard-earned money. These scammers use false information to create a fake profile and pose as someone they are not, such as a member of the military or a worker on an oil rig. They may also pretend to be interested until you've formed an emotional bond, and then the requests for money start coming.

The Department of Homeland Security has a guide for spotting romance scams online. Here are some additional tips for avoiding online dating scams:

  • Beware of excuses to avoid in-person meetings; scammers often make and break dates.

  • Never send money to someone you meet online for any reason, including "loans." Be especially wary of anyone who claims to have a sick child in need of expensive treatment.

  • Protect your personal information like social security, bank, and credit card details.

  • Meet in public for your first date.

  • Trust your instincts; if it doesn't feel right, walk away or block the person.

If you think you've been scammed, report the scammer to the dating site or app you're using and file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). You can also place a fraud alert on your credit report in case your personal info is compromised.

Mashable Image
Tabitha Britt
Freelance Writer

Tabitha Britt is a freelance writer, editor, SEO & content strategist. Aside from writing for Mashable, Tabitha is also the founding editor-in-chief of DO YOU ENDO — a digital magazine by individuals with endometriosis, for individuals with endometriosis. She has a Master's degree in Creative Publishing and Critical Journalism from The New School of Social Research and is a grad of Sextech School. You can find more of her work in various online pubs, including National Geographic, Insider, Kinkly, and others.


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