dating websites

Best Online Dating Sites: Reviewed In 2024

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Every day, adults of all ages queue up their keyboards in search of their future partner. But with all the options out there, finding the right platform for you can be as difficult as dating itself.

In an effort to help you find exactly what—and who—you may be looking for, Forbes Health took a deep dive into today’s most popular online dating sites. To determine the best online dating sites of 2024 we looked into metrics including subscription and membership fees, mobile app availability and safety, as well as the matching algorithm and communication features. Based on those metrics, here are the top five sites on the web today.

Why You Can Trust Forbes Health

The Forbes Health editorial team prioritizes the accuracy and integrity of the data collected. Our ranking is based on quantitative data and is free from conflicts of interest. We carefully fact check the information featured in our ranking and are committed to producing rankings and supplemental content about relationships that readers can trust. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our methodology for the rankings below.

• More than 30 dating sites considered
• 34 metrics analyzed
• 6 editors and researchers utilized
• Best Dating Apps
• Best Free Dating Sites
• Best Dating Sites For Seniors
• eharmony Review
• Zoosk Review
• Match Review
• Elite Singles Review

Best Online Dating Sites of 2024

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• Free Basic Membership and free trial available
• Complete a compatibility quiz to create your personality profile
• Align with individuals who desire deeper and more meaningful relationships
• Offers special features like Discover showing compatible matches near you, Likes and Favorites

Our Top Online Dating Sites

• Best Additional Features: Plenty of Fish
• Most Well-Established: Match
• Most Comprehensive Matching Algorithm: OkCupid
• Best Free Features: eharmony
• Best for Behavior Matching: Zoosk

• Annual subscription cost: $119.99 for POF Premium
• Free version available
• Mobile app available for iOS and Android devices
• Special features: Cue’d Up, Live! (live streams where you can interact with other users) and Mutual Matches (shows that both users are interested)
• BBB rating: B; Trustpilot rating: 3.4 out of 5

Plenty of Fish is a dating platform that invites users to “come exactly as you are.” Whether you enjoy spicy dating games, sending direct messages or engaging in a livestream, there are a variety of options that can help add to the fun of dating. For example, you can try your hand at Cue’d Up—the platform’s fill-in-the-blank dating game that can help form a connection before you even swipe. To use, simply create a profile and upload at least four quality photos, followed by pledging to be safe and respectful on the platform. Once complete, you can begin swiping on profiles through Plenty of Fish’s Meet Me feature.

• Offers Cue’d Up, a fill-in-the-blank dating game to limit awkward conversations with potential matches, per the company
• Ability to set a minimum message length to create more meaningful conversations with other users
• Has a blog that offers data behind dating trends and couple goals content
• Users can view daily shows via Live! streaming feature, covering subjects such as controversial dating topics and dating stories
• While the search feature is based on location, your exact position won’t be revealed to other users
• Provides Success Stories on its website, where users can submit their own
• Filters on photos are banned on the platform, which may not be preferred by all users
• Gender options on Live! are limited to M and F, regardless of gender visibility settings
• Live! feature and paid gift options within it may be a bit overwhelming for some users or distract from the focus on dating
• Messages may not send if you use copy and paste, are sending too many similar messages and if your messages contain any flagged words

• Annual subscription cost: $17.99 per month for Standard Plan, $19.99 per month for Premium Plan
• Monthly subscription cost: $49.99 per month
• Free trial available
• Special features: Private Mode (displays your profile to only users you’ve talked to), Boost (puts your profile in top six results of people looking for someone like you) and Match Events
• BBB rating: Not rated; Trustpilot rating: 1.3 out of 5

Match.com has been around since 1995. Backed by more than 25 years of history, it’s one of the most well-known options when it comes to online dating. Users create a profile with key information about themselves such as physical traits, lifestyle habits and what they’re looking for in a partner. Options are aplenty as Match serves 24 countries and territories and hosts sites in 15 different languages. Match has three tiers of subscription options, including Platinum, Silver and Bronze—each with three-, six- and 12-month plan varieties.

• You can add up to 26 photos to your profile
• Paid users can utilize Match webinars, which features online events that cover dating tips, encouragement and guidance, per the company
• Offers in-person, activity-based dating events, via Match Events
• Paid feature, Undercover, allows users to browse other members for 24 hours without showing up in their “Who’s Viewed Me” lists
• Paid Super Likes available to show genuine interest and stand out to another user
• Reply for Free, another paid add-on, allows free users to respond to user’s emails who are paid Match subscribers
• You must have a paid subscription to utilize the platform’s Email Read Notification feature, which lets users see if a recipient has viewed their message
• Only allows you to select up to eight interests to display on your profile
• Super Likes appear unavailable to free users, even in limited form
• One-time purchase fees are non-refundable

• Monthly subscription cost: $34.99 for OkCupid Basic, $44.99 for OkCupid Premium
• Special features: Boosts (highlights your profile to more users than usual), SuperBoosts, Read Receipts and more
• BBB rating: Not rated; Trutspilot rating: 1.3 out of 5

OkCupid was one of the first free dating sites to launch when it was founded by two Harvard graduates in 2004, claims the company. The goal was to create a deeply comprehensive algorithm, and thousands of applicant questions, to help assign the right compatibility score and help users find the right match. The system first takes into account basic criteria like age, gender and location, then analyzes daters’ views on “everything from pineapple on pizza to voting rights,” to uncover different aspects of someone’s personality, according to the site. OkCupid is available to use for free or via paid subscription. Features such as mutual Likes and messaging can be accessed with a free account. You may also choose to pay for a plan via a Basic or Premium subscription, both of which are offered in one, three and six-month tiers. Paid a la carte features include SuperBoosts, Read Receipts and more, while paid subscription features include unlimited Likes, no outside ads and free weekly SuperLikes.

• Dedicated dating accessibility for members of the LGBTQ+ community
• Messaging system separates chats you’ve seen and accepted from “Intros,” or messages from people you haven’t liked yet
• Operates an OkCupid blog, providing dating data, stories and more
• Unique algorithm-matching questions like “What would you do during a zombie apocalypse?” and “Are you registered to vote?”
• Premium feature, See Who Likes You, allows users to view who’s already liked them on the platform
• Users can utilize Read Receipts with a paid subscription or as a paid add-on
• Premium options like seeing who likes your profile without liking them first, as well as sending unlimited likes are only available with a subscription
• Many roadblocks for deleting an account
• Phone number requirement for having an OkCupid account, which may not be preferred by all users
• Platform may not work properly if using with a VPN

• Monthly subscription cost: $45.90 per month for six-month Premium Light plan, $29.90 per month for 12-month Premium Plus plan, $19.90 per month for 24-month Premium Extra plan
• Special features: Discover (shows you compatible matches near you), Likes, Favorites (a saved list of profiles that interest you)
• BBB rating: A-; Trustpilot rating: 3.2 out of 5

eharmony has been around for more than 20 years, creating more than 2 million relationships in over 125 countries, according to the company. Whether you choose to use the free version or opt for the paid subscription route, eharmony offers access to millions of singles, unlimited matches, use of all communication tools (such as Smiles, Icebreakers and Likes) and messaging capabilities for all users. If you choose to register for a paid subscription, you also have access to features such as viewing unlimited photos and the ability to distance search. Sign up for free by listing your own gender and preferred gender for a romantic partner, as well as providing an email and password to create your account. Users will then complete a compatibility quiz which works with the platform’s Compatibility Matching System to create your Personality Profile—”the basis for your matches,” that offers a deeper look into personality and preferences, states the company.

• Access to communication tools, messaging, the ability to view profiles anonymously and see who’s viewed your profile and unlimited matches, with free and paid versions, according to the company
• Male, female and nonbinary gender options available upon sign-up, with the ability to add further details pertaining to gender in your profile
• Premium memberships available via six-, 12- and 24-month plans
• Users can filter members by preferences for music, sports and travel
• Personality Profile curated upon completing the Compatibility Quiz during sign-up offers insights like fundamentals of your personality, how you behave in a relationship, styles of communication and more
• Paid subscription members can view unlimited photos, search by distance, see who’s viewed their profile, send unlimited messages and more
• Messaging abilities are limited with the free version
• Photo visibility is limited with free version
• Free members cannot edit distance preferences
• Some of the subscription plans are expensive

• Monthly subscription cost: $34.99 per month
• Special features: SmartPick matching algorithm, Carousel (allows you to view users’ profile picture and age), Boost (promotes your profile to more users), Zoosk Live (live streaming) and more
• BBB rating: A+ (for Spark Network); Trustpilot rating: 2.3 out of 5

With more than 35 million members, per the company, Zoosk features Behavioral Matchmaking technology—which supposedly learns from user activity to create better matches. Available in over 80 countries and 25 languages, Zoosk aims to make dating fun and safe on a global scale. To create a profile, pick a profile photo, add a couple additional photos and write a little about yourself and what you’re looking for.

• Has a resource section with dating tips, online dating advice, relationship advice and more
• Zoosk offers four types of subscription plans, including one-, six-, three- and 12-month options.
• If you have Facebook, you can import your interests to your Zoosk profile
• Zoosk administrators review and block fake profiles
• “Views” feature allows users to see who’s viewed their profile
• You can make other users feel special by using Zoosk coins to buy virtual gifts
• Free use of the platform beyond a free trial appears unavailable
• Subscription may take up to a few days to become active
• The use of promo codes is only available through payment via credit card or PayPal
• Users with older accounts may have to contact Zoosk support to change “Interested In” settings

To determine the best online dating websites for 2024, the Forbes Health editorial team analyzed data on popular online dating platforms.

Our team of editors and researchers independently collected data on a variety of metrics, including subscription fees, features available, the size of a platform’s user base, communication methods, safety features and more.

The collected data on each online dating site was then assigned a score based on its performance in comparison to its competitors for that specific metric. We weigh metrics based on what we deem to be most important to the consumer, calculate the scores and assign a star rating based on those scores.

Specifically, we looked at the following metrics:

• Free option availability (10%)
• Standard membership fee (10%)
• Premium membership fee (10%)
• Size of site network (5%)
• Site features such as compatibility questionnaires, filter options, matching algorithms and number of matches per day (35%)
• Communication options  (5%)
• Community groups and social events (5%)
• Mobile app availability (5%)
• Safety features, such as photo verification and blocking (10%)
• Supplemental content on website (5%)

You can find an in-depth explanation of our online dating methodologies here. 

Online dating sites offer a platform to find a partner that fits into contemporary lifestyles and our ever-increasingly internet-reliant world. These sites are often subscription-based, where you pay a monthly fee to use the service.

Upon signing up for a service, you will usually complete some type of assessment or questionnaire, giving details about what you’re looking for in a partner. Certain metrics are used within the site to match up users, often based on personal characteristics you might have in common, such as education, hobbies, values, goals and more.

Dating sites use various algorithms to introduce possible matches. Typically, after you set up a social media-like profile—where you include a few pictures of yourself, a brief bio and some of your hobbies—the platform can use that information to connect you with similar people.

Depending on how in-depth the features are (some sites offer additional subscription bonuses), you may see other singles based on commonalities, areas of interest and intentions for the future. They may even offer the option to rank the order of importance of certain qualities you desire in a partner, such as education level. Meanwhile, other dating sites may match you solely based on age range or distance.

• Provides users with a curated selection of matches based on their compatibility
• Have complete confidence that all of your compatible matches are looking for the same thing you are, love that lasts
• Millions of couples have found lasting love

The type of potential matches. While some dating sites are geared toward casual dating, others may lean toward building strong relationships, sharing certain religious beliefs and other qualities. Research the site, the potential matches and the types of customized filters it offers.

The details. Look for how detailed the profile creation process is, since it may indicate how much you can read into other singles’ pages. Different sites may offer different features such as questionnaires, multiple-choice tests or quiz functions to help you illustrate what you’re looking for in a partner and narrow down your options from there.

The cost. Many sites offer basic membership for free, upgrading with a paid subscription.

The safety. Be sure the site offers key safety features before joining, including tools to protect privacy and data from hackers or suspicious members, and that allow you to share where, when and who you may be meeting in real life with your friends and contacts, if you choose to do so.

The cost of using a dating site varies depending on the site/company and subscription plan you choose. For example, OkCupid offers Basic membership subscriptions ranging from $17.49 to $34.99 per month, and Premium membership options between $22.49 to $44.99 per month, depending on length of plan. In this case, purchasing a three or six-month subscription would be more cost-effective than if you were to go the month-to-month route, which is something you may want to factor in during your search.

Some dating sites are more expensive than others, so it’s important to consider your budget and desired subscription length while looking for the right site for you.

There are a few distinctions between paid and free dating sites .

One difference to consider is the level of accessibility you have within the site. Many dating sites offer a limited use of certain features and advertise paid subscriptions within the platform to get full access to all of its features. For example, purchasing a subscription or paying a fee might give you the ability to boost your account and be seen by more potential matches.

There can be benefits and drawbacks in any dating experience, and online dating is no different.

One benefit of online dating is the ability, in most cases, to have access to a wider pool of individuals, with the potential to meet someone on a site or app that you may not have otherwise met in person. Another benefit is the added transparency that online dating offers with certain profile markers, such as desired relationship type and length, which can help users determine if a match has the same dating goals.

However, many online dating apps can be quite expensive, and while some free versions are available, this may come with limited use of the platform. Additional drawbacks of using online dating sites, per 2020 data from Pew Research Center, can include uninvited communication, such as persistent contact from a user you’ve expressed disinterest in, receiving unwanted sexually explicit messages or images or being called offensive names [1] The Virtues and Downsides of Online Dating . Pew Research Center. Accessed 2/7/2024. . Others to look out for are fake profiles and dating scams, which are outlined below.

First impressions of dating profiles often depend on the photos included, so choosing pictures that authentically represent who you are can set you up for success. Using more solo photos than group photos or photos with friends can also make it easier for a potential match to determine whose profile they’re looking at.

Another factor to consider is how you describe your dating goals. Being clear about your intentions for using a dating site and what you’re looking for in a potential partner can add more meaning to your profile.

Additionally, some attributes you can highlight that can help make your profile and messages with a match standout, include humor, intelligence, creativity and originality.

Some online dating profiles are too good to be true. In just the past few years, dating scams have led to victims losing billions of dollars and sensitive personal information, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Many scammers use fake profiles to lure you in and then may begin asking for money or personal data they don’t need to know.

Some common dating scam red flags, notes the FTC, include:

• Being asked for money
• Being sold a story about financial loss or being asked to invest in an unusual business
• Always getting an excuse when trying video chat or meet in person

Here For Real Love

You're ready to find your person. eharmony is here to make that happen.

Broad research exists backing the link between good mental health and strong social relationships, whereas loneliness has been linked to sadness and other negative mental health outcomes. While not every relationship may lead to marriage, positive companionship can help improve your wellness on many levels, including:

1. A healthier mind. The level of happiness in a relationship can influence overall health, with positive social associations linked to delayed mental and physical decline, notes research in Psychology and Aging [2] Hawkley L, Cacioppo J. Loneliness Matters: Social Relations and Age-Related Change in Memory . Psychol Aging. 2019;34(6):751–765. .

2. A healthier heart. Positive, supportive social connections including romantic relationships may promote healthy heart functions, suggests data in Frontiers in Psychology [3] Berli, C.. Loneliness Matters: “We Feel Good”: Daily Support Provision, Health Behavior, and Well-Being in Romantic Couples . Frontiers in Psychology. .

3. A longer life. Stable social surroundings factor into staving off isolation, which may lead to a higher risk of morbidity (having a disease or medical condition) and mortality (related to death) [4] Hawkley L, Cacioppo J. Loneliness Matters: Loneliness, social isolation, and all-cause mortality in the United States . SSM - Mental Health. 2021. .

The right dating site for you will depend on what you’re personally looking to get out of using the site. Take your preferences into consideration, such as relationship type, inclusivity of the particular site, what you’re looking for in a partner, site features and cost as you search for the right site for you.

Get Who Gets You

We understand it can be difficult to find a match with whom you share a similar background, goals, or beliefs, and regardless of who you may be looking for, eHarmony wants to help you find the love of your life.

On eHarmony's Website

What are the safest dating sites?

How safe a dating site is can depend on personal behaviors. Look for and practice certain measures to keep yourself safe, such as utilizing and interacting with profiles who are photo or identity-verified, reporting or blocking users that make you feel unsafe and if you choose to meet up with matches, doing so in public.

What is the most used dating site in the U.S.?

According to a July 2022 online dating survey of more than 6,000 adults by Pew Research Center, three out of 10, or 31% of those surveyed stated they had used Match. The survey also found that OkCupid was used by around a fifth of users. Additional popular online dating sites can be found in the above selection of winners on our list.

What is the best dating site for serious relationships?

The best dating site for serious relationships depends on how you utilize the platform. If you’re seeking a serious relationship, many dating sites will allow you to select what you’re looking for in the initial questionnaire when signing up. You may also be able to write this out in your profile’s biography or About section.

Which dating sites are completely free?

Most dating sites offer a basic, free version of their site, like OkCupid, for example. However, full access to a site’s benefits and features may require a paid subscription.

What is the most effective online dating site?

The most effective online dating site for you will be one that meets your unique needs, such as budget or desired relationship type, as well as one that offers the communication modes or safety features that you’re looking for.

What is the best dating site for beginners?

The best dating site for beginners depends on a specific user’s comfort level with using dating apps, as well as factors like user safety features. For this reason, one place to start could be choosing a long-standing platform in the space such as Match, which launched in 1995.

• Plenty of Fish Review
• OkCupid Review
• eHarmony Review
• The Virtues and Downsides of Online Dating. Pew Research Center. Accessed 2/7/2024.
• Hawkley L, Cacioppo J. Loneliness Matters: Social Relations and Age-Related Change in Memory. Psychol Aging. 2019;34(6):751–765.
• Berli, C.. Loneliness Matters: “We Feel Good”: Daily Support Provision, Health Behavior, and Well-Being in Romantic Couples. Frontiers in Psychology.
• Hawkley L, Cacioppo J. Loneliness Matters: Loneliness, social isolation, and all-cause mortality in the United States. SSM - Mental Health. 2021.
• COVID-19. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed 09/14/2022.
• Reports of romance scams hit record highs in 2021. Federal Trade Commission. Accessed 09/14/2022.
• Do Social Ties Affect Our Health?. National Institutes of Health. Accessed 09/14/2021.
• The science of online dating. EMBO Reports. Accessed 3/22/2023.
• Key findings about online dating in the U.S. Pew Research Center. Accessed 3/23/2023.
• Degen JL, Kleeberg-Niepage A. Profiling the Self in Mobile Online Dating Apps: a Serial Picture Analysis. Human Arenas. 2023;6(1):147-171.
• van der Zanden T, Schouten AP, Mos MBJ, et al. Originality in online dating profile texts: How does perceived originality affect impression formation and what makes a text original?. PLoS One. 2022;17(10):e0274860. Published 2022 Oct 19.

Next Up In Dating

• Best LGBTQ+ Dating Sites
• Best Dating Apps For Serious Relationships
• SilverSingles Review
• SeniorMatch Dating Review

Information provided on Forbes Health is for educational purposes only. Your health and wellness is unique to you, and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. We do not offer individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment plans. For personal advice, please consult with a medical professional.

Forbes Health adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved or otherwise endorsed by our advertisers.

Carley is a writer, editor and social media professional. Before starting at Forbes Health, she wrote for Sleepopolis and interned at PBS and Nickelodeon. She's a certified sleep science coach and member of the Peloton community. When she's not creating content, you can find her boating on the Chesapeake Bay, chasing around her three toddler nephews or trying a new outdoor lunch spot with her Pomeranian, Leo.

Jessica is a writer and editor with over a decade of experience in both lifestyle and clinical health topics. Before Forbes Health, Jessica was an editor for Healthline Media, WW and PopSugar, as well as numerous health-related startups. When she isn't writing or editing, Jessica can be found at the gym, listening to a health or true crime podcast, or spending time outside. She also really enjoys bread (even though she's not supposed to eat it).