Entering the dating world in your 50s, 60s, 70s, and beyond may seem like a frightening concept. But everyone deserves love, no matter the stage of life! Finding a partner may be a little different than when you were in your teens and 20s, especially with the advent of so many online dating options.
According to The Pew Research Center, the percentage of 55- to 64-year-olds who have used an online dating website or app jumped from 6% to 12% between 2013 and 2015 With this trajectory, it’s no surprise online dating success stories are becoming more and more common. If you’ve decided to test the waters, here’s where you can start. Check out these dating sites and over 50 dating apps below!
Paid services focused on 50 and over:
- Silver Singles – Unlike some websites or apps where you can scroll through unlimited profiles and select people of interest, Silver Singles hand selects 5 users for you. They base connections on a lengthy profile questionnaire with the idea that you will find the best possible compatibility. Silver Singles is costly at $120 for a month, or $58/month for 3 months.
- Our Time – This cheaper option ($30/1 month or $15/month for 6 months) does allow you to search and comb through the entire database of profiles. Their registration process takes only a minute, so it could be a nice option if you are quickly looking to peruse before you settle into an extensive online dating process.
- Senior Match – This website includes forums and friends circles, so if you want to start with a pen pal, this is a great option. The free alternative doesn’t provide many features, so subscribe to the Gold plan at $30 for 1 month, $60 for 3, or $96 for 6 if you are interested in exploring more website components.
Paid services for any age:
- Zoosk – This website originated as a Facebook app, but now has gained independence and costs $30 for 1 month, $60 for 3, or $75 for 6. Because of the price and the ease of use, it might be your best bet for starting out with online dating.
- eHarmony – If you are looking to get married again or find a meaningful, lasting relationship, eHarmony is a good option. To start, you receive a free trial, but the cost goes up depending on how long of a subscription you desire. Three months is around $55 per month, but if you sign up for 6 months, that rate decreases to $37. While open to anyone at any age, eHarmony has filters to ensure you only find your desired age match.
- Match.com– Match is similar to eHarmony in that it narrows down dating profiles based on age and location. The main difference is that it costs around half of the price - $24/month for 3 months and $21/month for 6 months sign up.
- Elite Singles – This website is thorough in their personality profile creation. It may take some time to set up and get going, but from there you can expect a handful of unique matches every day so you have some choice. There is a more limited free option, as well as costly monthly subscriptions.
Additionally, if you are interested in dating apps or websites specific to your religion, profession/interests, or background, there are websites like Christian Mingle, JDate, Farmers Only, or Just Widows Dating you can try out. If you want to start with a free option, try OKCupid or Plenty of Fish. Be warned – free options often do not have a verification process, so results are mixed and may include fake profiles. Good luck on this exciting dating journey!
By: Diana Michel
Sources: Pew Research Center
