Senior singles make up one of the fastest-growing demographics in online dating. It’s clear that older people want to embrace this new form of meeting people. But finding the best free dating sites for over 50 singles can be tricky.
Older singles are less likely to know the ins and outs of the most popular online dating platforms. They may also find themselves targeted by romance scammers or discriminated against by younger singles.
If you want to dip your toes in the dating pool as a single senior, several reliable websites and apps can help you find love, companionship, and sex. These are our favorite options for older daters.
1. Match
Match.com is a quality-driven dating site that has been around the block a few times. Since 1995, Match has invited mature men and women to build friendships and relationships online. Its simple and straightforward matching process has helped widowed, divorced, and never-married singles put themselves out there in a safe environment.
- Match has more over-50 members than any other dating site
- Automatically filter potential matches by age, background, and keyword
- Date Check Ins help singles feel comfortable planning a first date
- Browse Match profiles 100% free »
Because it launched in 1995, Match.com is widely considered a seasoned and mature dating platform, and the online dating site is a favorite for seniors. According to Match’s member statistics, upward of 26.5% of the member base is over 50, meaning that your odds of finding a match in your age range are better than most other mainstream dating sites and apps.
The dating app and website make it easy to set your preferences and browse for a potential partner that meets what you’re looking for. Premium membership on Match brings benefits like advice from relationship experts and an optional audit of your profile to help you be successful.
Elite Singles is the dating website of choice for highly educated senior men and women who know exactly what they want. Singles over 50 can use this international network to find dates in their desired age range. The dating site uses an advanced Fraud Detection System to make sure everyone is who they say they are.
- Fraud Detection System keeps seniors safe
- Detailed personality questionnaire to pinpoint compatibility
- Manual profile verification builds trust online
- Browse Elite Singles profiles 100% free »
Elite Singles is not specifically a senior dating site. However, older singles gravitate to the platform because it caters to successful, high-value singles, who are generally more established in life. In fact, over half of Elite Singles users are between the ages of 35 and 54, so if you’re willing to date a little younger, the dating website is a good place to find singles that match your speed.
Another reason Elite Singles is an attractive choice for older daters is that the site keeps everything simple. You can stick with your suggested daily matches based on the Elite Singles personality test and your preferences, or check out “Have You Met?” for additional options. The layout is clean and simple, and help is easy to find.
3. eharmony
Since its launch in 2000, eharmony has endeavored to find the formula for love. Its 32-dimension personality test uses psychological truths to identify areas of compatibility between two individuals. The dating site’s mission is to foster relationships that last, and every potential match has a reason behind it.
- Over 2 million people have found love here
- Users can filter their match recommendations by age or city
- Compatibility Quiz identifies common interests, lifestyles, and goals
- Browse eharmony profiles 100% free »
The long-term relationship site eharmony has been in operation since 2000, and a lot of mature singles prefer to use its matchmaking tools — and for good reason. It’s difficult to get hard numbers, but up to a third of eharmony members are over 45. And the dating website has helpful features, including search filters and the in-depth personality test, to help mature daters narrow the dating pool to the right people.
Because eharmony is all about long-term relationships, communication is important. While most of the communications options are available only with a premium membership, eharmony gives some access to free communication options like the icebreaker quiz and occasionally offers free communication for top potential matches.
SilverSingles offers a secure dating experience for singles of a certain age. Anyone over 50 is welcome to join the network and browse for dates by using the simple search filters and match recommendations. Every month, over 800,000 senior singles join the dating site and start their journey toward love.
- Global membership base of exclusively single seniors
- Free members can browse matches, send smiles, and favorite profiles
- 24/7 online customer service
- Browse SilverSingles profiles 100% free »
Although SilverSingles isn’t the biggest senior dating site on the market, each feature makes it easy and stress-free for mature daters to connect with fellow singles. Setting up your dating profile is easy and only takes a few minutes to complete, with step-by-step instructions, including the personality test that SilverSingles uses to pair you up with each potential match.
Because mature dating platforms are a major target for scammers, SilverSingles includes a whole host of safety and security features, like fraud detection and encryption, as well as accessible customer service and tech support.
5. OurTime
OurTime gives singles over 50 a confidence boost by introducing them to age-appropriate dates online. The dating site offers multiple ways to connect and discover commonality, and it has led to thousands of success stories in the last few years. Whether you’re looking for a pen pal, a friend, or a relationship, OurTime has got it covered.
- Thousands of success stories from all over the world
- Find senior dates using advanced search filters and match suggestions
- The Help Center offers quick tips and guidance
- Browse OurTime profiles 100% free »
OurTime is a real old-timer of the internet, launching in 2001 as one of the first dating sites for older adults. The senior dating site is simple to use, incorporating features aimed at helping seniors connect without stress. It only takes a few minutes to sign up, and OurTime makes it easy to fill everything out. You can even get step-by-step support if you need it.
Because senior singles are a common target for fraud, OurTime also uses verification systems and constantly checks for scammers and fake profiles. If you stumble across a profile that seems suspicious or just feel uncomfortable, it’s easy to find customer service and tech support help. OurTime even hosts in-person events for seniors who prefer to meet face to face.
Christian Mingle is a dating site for faith-oriented singles who want to settle down, and many senior daters have felt drawn to this mission. Members can create a dating profile in less than a minute and set their Discover Preferences to find potential matches within a certain age range or distance. Since its launch in 2001, Christian Mingle has led to countless love stories and Christian marriages.
- Open to all Christian denominations and other religions
- Seniors can sort their matches by age and location
- Enhanced Privacy Control, Badges, and other premium perks
- Browse Christian Mingle profiles 100% free »
Although Christian Mingle isn’t just for older singles, almost one-fourth of the users of the dating website are over 50. For old-school daters, Christian Mingle offers a platform where you can take it slow and get to know someone before getting romantically involved, which can be attractive for a single senior who doesn’t want to rush into a new relationship.
The site isn’t for casual dating, but rather for people seeking something more serious, with an emphasis on shared faith. If you’re looking for a dating pool composed of faithful people, Christian Mingle is the biggest platform out there with 3.5 million active users every month.
7. SeniorMatch
SeniorMatch is one of the most trusted names in the senior dating scene. Since 2003, the over-50 dating site has catered to divorcees, widows, and other singles seeking a second shot at love. It’s free to create an account on SeniorMatch, and you can browse profiles, discover matches, send messages to paid members without needing to upgrade or subscribe.
- Exclusively for men and women over 45
- Add a profile to your Hotlist to save it for later
- Seniors shares dating advice in members-only forums
- Browse SeniorMatch profiles 100% free »
Whether you’re looking for a meaningful connection and a long-term relationship or just want to find a new person to go on walks with, Senior Match offers users an easy platform where they can seek companionship. In addition to the dating site, Senior Match also includes a popular dating app, with an intuitive format and simple controls.
The senior dating app and site both help mature daters overcome loneliness challenges that can often arise after 50. And the team behind Senior Match also works hard to bridge the digital gap through in-person events like a senior summer camp co-hosted by Rail Canada.
FAQs: Which Dating Site is Totally Free?
If you want to find your perfect match without breaking the bank, your best option is a free dating site. Fortunately, several dating websites don’t charge anything for core services. And although these sites tend to have a higher proportion of fake profiles and time wasters, you can find quality singles as well.
OkCupid launched in 2004 and was created by four math nerds who wanted an online dating website based on compatibility and where every core feature would be free. Despite changes in leadership over the years, OkCupid members can access all the tools they need to find matches, communicate, and start a relationship without paying.
OkCupid inspires dates and relationships by identifying specific areas of compatibility. The dating site and app has an endless questionnaire that allows single men to express who they are and what matters to them. OkCupid uses this treasure trove of information to generate highly accurate match recommendations and compatibility ratings.
- Men can leave a message to anyone they fancy
- A sophisticated match algorithm developed by Harvard math majors
- The site and app facilitate over 50,000 dates every week
- Browse OkCupid profiles 100% free »
OkCupid allows users to send one message to any person for free, but only mutual matches can send multiple messages and engage in a conversation. The free messaging has added this caveat to stop spammers and unwanted contacts from spoiling the online dating experience.
Senior Friends Date offers free membership to 50+ singles looking for love, companionship, or just casual dating or sex. The dating site isn’t the biggest senior dating service in the world, but unlike some other platforms, you don’t have to pay for full access to the tools and features.
SeniorFriendsDate is one of 150 niche dating brands run by the Friends Date Network. This global network includes thousands of single women in search of love and affection. If you want to meet women over 50, you can create a dating profile on SeniorFriendsDate and browse the community for someone who meets your standards.
- Browse profiles under an anonymous username
- Find senior women in your age bracket
- Send winks, quick messages, or MeetMe requests
- Browse SeniorFriendsDate profiles 100% free »
There isn’t a SeniorFriendsDate app to download, but the site is mobile-friendly for seniors who like to take their online dating with them as they go out and about. Senior Friends Date incorporates some of the key security features that senior singles have come to expect in a dedicated dating service, including monitoring for scammers, professionals, and fake profiles so you can trust who you meet on the site.
Facebook Dating is another completely free dating app, and although it doesn’t cater specifically to mature singles, it’s very easy to use. You must have the Facebook app on your phone or tablet to have access to Facebook Dating. But you can import your dating profile details and pictures from your social media account, so it’s very easy to set up. A lot of seniors are on Facebook already, so if you’re used to the interface, it makes a lot of sense to turn to the dating app to find other local singles in your age range.
Are There Adult Dating Sites for Hooking Up?
Not every mature single person wants romance or a long-term relationship, and hookup sites and apps know that seniors have needs too. The best dating sites to find casual encounters take a judgment-free approach and welcome everyone, regardless of age or sexual orientation. Our dating experts recommend a few services as the top choices for senior singles looking for sex without commitment.
Adult Friend Finder doesn’t cater specifically to seniors, but the hookup site has been around for a long time and welcomes anyone who wants to participate in the fun, sexy party among adults.
Registering for an account on Adult Friend Finder (AFF) is like speeding into the fast lane of the online dating world. This hookup site puts you in the center of action and encourages sexy singles and swingers to satisfy their secret fantasies. Anyone over 18 can join AFF and browse millions of profiles for free, but only full-fledged members have access to the revealing content in the community forums and chat rooms.
- One of the largest adults-only sex communities
- Free and fast registration process
- Dating forums and live chats foster live flirtation
- Browse Adult Friend Finder profiles 100% free »
Whether you want to find the right person to hook up with tonight, or indulge in something more adventurous, like a threesome, orgy, or other sexual escapades, the members of Adult Friend Finder welcome you to join in the fun. Public areas of the site, including chat rooms and forums, are open to all users, but you’ll need a premium membership to message members one on one.
Ashley Madison has a reputation as an affair site, but you don’t have to be married to join. Whether you’re married or just want to keep your dating life discreet, Ashley Madison’s features like automatic browser history clearing and photo blurring make it easy to find what you’re looking for without drawing attention to yourself.
Ashley Madison supports a safe space where seniors can browse, flirt, and feel young again. This extremely popular casual dating site and app can get people out of their romantic ruts by giving them the chance to meet attractive and discreet dates who may never have crossed their paths otherwise.
- Open to affairs, poly relationships, and sugar dating
- Responsible for 1.4 million connections a month
- Mark yourself as “Traveling” to mix business with pleasure
- Browse Ashley Madison profiles 100% free »
Because of the type of site and dating app that Ashley Madison is, you’re more likely to find someone in your age range. The search filters for matches also make it easy to screen out younger users if you want to avoid people who aren’t in your age range. If someone comes in while you’re browsing matches, just hit the panic button and you’re instantly on another site.
Senior Sizzle recognizes that senior singles have needs and don’t always want a complicated relationship. Instead of the mainstream dating site approach, Senior Sizzle welcomes older singles who want to find someone for a casual sexual relationship rather than a serious partnership. The site keeps things simple: Users can sign up for free, search profiles, and send messages one on one. You can also send pictures or enjoy a sexy webcam video chat.
What is the Safest Dating Site for Over 50?
While there are plenty of things to be wary of, online dating is generally safe for everyone, including mature singles. Older singles are more likely to be targeted by romance scammers, but there are easy methods to make sure you don’t fall prey. Thoroughly vet every potential match you find and talk to on a dating site or dating app. Never send money, financial details, or personal information to a stranger online. It’s also a good idea to do a video chat, voice chat, or a phone call with a potential partner before committing to a first date in person.
If you want our expert pick for the best dating site for safety, we invite you to consider the benefits Match has to offer.
Match has become a trusted name in the online dating industry by catering to quality singles looking for love and romance. Since 1995, the dating site has developed a time-tested matching system to facilitate deep connections between men and women who share similar goals in life.
- In-depth matching appeals to women with high standards
- Video chat tools help online daters establish a rapport
- An established singles network in 50 countries worldwide
- Browse Match profiles 100% free »
Our dating experts agree that Match offers quality safety features, including background checks and verification systems, to catch scammers before they can get their hooks into anyone. Match also gets top marks for the quality of matches, since the dating site makes suggestions based on compatibility and the preferences you set.
If you don’t think Match is the right platform, our experts have a long list of the safest dating sites for you to choose from, so you can date with confidence.
Is Tinder a Popular Dating App for Seniors?
While Tinder is open to all singles and doesn’t discriminate against users based on age, the dating app is probably not the right one for you if you’re an older single person. The majority of Tinder users are under 35, and while finding a sexy young thing may sound great for some older daters, it’s a lot harder to get attention from younger daters, and you also have less in common with younger singles.
You’re more likely to find a compatible match on senior-friendly dating platforms like OurTime and eharmony, especially if you’re looking for a long-term relationship rather than a one-night stand.
Singles Over 50 Can Build New Connections on Dating Sites
If you’re just getting back into the dating pool and want to find friendship and companionship in your golden years, the best dating sites for senior daters can help. Safety features and privacy protection mean that you can be confident that the people you meet online are the real deal.
Don’t be another lonely senior single, get online and find your fellow singles over 50 for fun, friendship, romance, and intimacy!
