Loneliness and social isolation negatively impact senior citizens around the world. The lack of social connections can be debilitating for older people’s mental and physical health. Think of a grandmother living alone or a confirmed bachelor entering his 70s with no one to check up on him.
I know many families like mine have worried over their senior members being on their own. Fortunately, many dating platforms are dedicated to helping seniors make new connections, find new friends, and even get into new relationships.
While it seems like just about everything has a hefty price tag, many senior dating sites offer free memberships that make finding love, sex, and companionship more budget-friendly. I’ll review some of the best free dating services geared toward an older crowd.
Reviews of the Best Free Senior Dating Sites
These senior dating sites and apps keep things simple, while also offering security and plenty of support to older daters. Read on to learn everything you need to know!
1. 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 has been popular ever since its launch in 2001, with over 8 million users visiting the site every month. Although it advertises as a dating site, OurTime users don’t restrict themselves to looking for romance. Instead, it’s like a social platform for older singles, providing a space to meet new people for companionship and hobbies as well as dating.
Whether you access the dating service on your computer, tablet, or smartphone, OurTime keeps things simple. You won’t waste time trying to figure out how to browse potential matches or send a message to a user who catches your fancy.
And if you do run into a question or a concern, it’s easy to find customer service and tech support anywhere on the platform.
2. DateMyAge
Mature dating site DateMyAge invites older singles to switch to a more age-appropriate dating pool. The global service has successfully connected senior singles in over 30 countries, including the U.S. Safety is a top priority for the platform. All new dating profiles are vetted and verified by the team for authenticity, and a watchful anti-scam system flags and removes suspicious accounts.
- Local and international profile browsing
- Let’s Mingle icebreakers & Live Chat tools
- Advanced video chat, livestreaming, and personal clips
- Browse DateMyAge profiles 100% free »
For mature daters looking for long-term love within their age group, DateMyAge offers the choice to go your own way independently. Unlike many dating sites that use algorithms to suggest matches, DateMyAge puts the power completely in your hands. But the freestyle approach doesn’t take away from safety and security on the site.
Like many senior dating sites, DateMyAge uses identity verification and other features to keep fake accounts and fraud down, so you can reach out to other users with confidence. DateMyAge also stands apart by offering a generous set of communication options.
Text chat and email are available to all users, and if you’re feeling especially daring, you can join in the video livestream chat. Instead of a premium membership, DateMyAge offers users credit packages, so you can pick and choose which premium features you want to use.
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 »
As Generation X steadily ages into the senior demographic, more and more mature dating sites and apps appear to cater to the more tech-savvy cohort. While SilverSingles has been around for decades, it should come as no surprise that it continues to be one of the most popular platforms for singles over 50. The dating site and app keeps things simple, with intuitive sections and tools to help older daters find the right match.
Instead of daily curated matches, SilverSingles lets users choose their potential partners based on their own preferences and settings. You can filter your suggested matches by age, proximity, ethnicity, religion, and lifestyle.
As with many senior dating services, SilverSingles works hard to keep scammers to a minimum with identity verification and other tools in the background. It further helps seniors by offering a private phone number to use for calling and texting their matches, so you won’t have to give out your actual contact information.
4. eharmony
Since 2000, eharmony has developed a matchmaking formula that uses rigorous psychological research to pair singles in long-term relationships. The dating website’s trademarked matching system has led to countless marriages around the globe, and it has a three-month guarantee on its dating services. If you’re looking for a mature relationship, eharmony can point you in the right direction.
- Mature membership base in the U.S., the U.K., Canada, and Australia
- Free members can browse and favorite profiles
- Compatibility ratings on intellect, altruism, romance, social values, etc.
- Browse eharmony profiles 100% free »
While eharmony isn’t a strictly senior dating platform, the average age of the site’s members does tend to skew older than most mainstream dating sites and apps. That’s because eharmony is dedicated to helping singles find lifelong love, rather than their next fling. This approach tends to draw an older crowd, so if you’re a senior dater open to a wider age range, eharmony may be the best place to find a partner for the rest of your life.
One thing that you will likely notice very quickly is that while anyone can sign up for eharmony for free, a lot of key features require a premium membership. The team behind the long-term dating platform explains that only allowing premium members to send and receive messages makes it harder for scammers to get established on the site and also weeds out time wasters.
If you can afford the membership fee, however, eharmony has a strong reputation for bringing singles together for long-lasting love.
5. 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 »
Our experts will tell you that Match is not a senior dating site. But just because Match isn’t dedicated to bringing seniors together, that doesn’t mean that it’s a bad choice for every mature dater out there. According to internal stats, more than a quarter of Match’s millions of monthly users are over 50, which means that there are still plenty of prospective partners for you to connect with.
It’s also worth noting that the senior dating demographic no longer just applies to baby boomers and Silent Generation daters. While many in these older demographics felt more comfortable on simplified platforms, Match offers a more robust experience for more tech-savvy singles in Gen X.
This includes features like swipe-based matching, more search filters, and more communication options at your disposal, including the video chat function Vibe Check. So for seniors who want to expand their dating pool and don’t mind a more complicated dating site, Match is a very strong choice.
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 »
If shared faith in a relationship is an important factor for you, finding a reliable faith-based dating site is the way to go. Christian Mingle is by far the most popular Christian dating platform, with millions of monthly active users. For senior singles of faith, Christian Mingle is an obvious choice for a few reasons.
The site and its companion app welcome serious, respectful daters to connect and mingle over shared faith and culture. Although you don’t have to be a Christian to join the platform, you must be respectful of the faith and interested in dating a devoted Christian partner.
Christian Mingle’s old-school, faith-based approach attracts an older crowd to the site, with around 25% of the site’s users over 50. So on Christian Mingle, you’ll find plenty of singles your age who share your faith.
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 »
While SeniorMatch bills itself as a dating site for singles over 50, members on the site use it for so much more, including seeking out companionship of all types in the forums and public spaces. The site lets users set the tone and pace for what they seek, providing a space to browse user profiles, strike up conversations, and make plans without putting too much pressure on defining relationships.
It’s easy to get started on SeniorMatch, and the free membership makes it a realistic tool for seniors on any budget. Senior Match even takes things a step further, hosting in-person events, including a Senior Summer Camp. Whether you’re looking to get out there and try new experiences or just want to find companionship for your existing lifestyle, Senior Match has your back.
SeniorFriendsDate is on a mission to connect singles over 50 in a safe and trustworthy online network. This dating site is one of 150 niche websites run by the Friends Date Network, and it offers totally free communication to singles around the world.
- 100% free online dating for seniors
- In-depth profiles showcase your personality and lifestyle
- Members-only groups organized around travel, currents events, and BINGO nights
- Browse SeniorFriendsDate profiles 100% free »
With so many dating sites and apps introducing premium memberships and putting pressure on members to pay for features and services, it’s refreshing to find sites like Senior Friends Date, which keep all the necessary tools available for free. The dating site isn’t very fancy, but it is a popular option for senior singles, and you won’t have to get out a credit card to send and receive messages to your potential matches.
SeniorFriendsDate falls short of other senior dating sites in a few places, including the fact that there’s no mobile app available for the platform. While SeniorFriendsDate incorporates many security protocols and safety features, users should also be aware that it’s not as protected as many other senior dating platforms — so you need to be more vigilant.
But if you want a straightforward experience and you’re up to date on how to avoid scams, SeniorFriendsDate provides everything you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
I’m sure you’ve got questions about online dating and swiping etiquette — especially if you’re new to the app scene. Let’s go over some of the basics.
How Do Senior Dating Apps Work?
The first step to using a senior dating app is to go to the App Store (for iOS users) or Google Play (for Android users), select the app you want, and click download. It should take only a few seconds for the app to appear on your phone’s dashboard. Then you can enter the exciting world of senior dating.
When you open the app, you’ll be prompted to create a dating profile with all the bells and whistles. Sometimes this may include taking a personality quiz or selecting traits you desire in your potential matches. Most of the time, a photo is required. Legit apps will also have some sort of verification process that use a phone number or email address to ensure new users are real.
Once your profile is done and approved by the powers that be (moderators usually do this automatically behind the scenes), you’ll begin your swiping journey by viewing profiles and using search filters to narrow down the list of local profiles.
Some apps will let you send messages for free, and others will keep communication between paid members only. You can always send virtual winks or match requests and see what the response is like before you decide to upgrade to any paid membership plan.
What Is the Most Honest Dating Site for Seniors?
OurTime has been making matches between senior daters for decades now, and it is legitimately a great place to meet a new flame.
Plus, all profiles are checked and chats moderated to ensure romance scammers don’t put users at risk.
OurTime has empowered singles over 50 to find the one for them online, and the streamlined matching process has won over online daters interested in quality over quantity. The dating site generates dozens of daily matches to help seniors find a mutual match with no muss and no fuss. OurTime currently has over 1 million members, and it’s growing by leaps and bounds every day.
- Popular among mature, relationship-minded single women
- User-friendly features that highlight compatibility
- Real-time messaging, flirting, and mutual matching
- Browse OurTime profiles 100% free »
I’d recommend creating a free profile on OurTime and seeing if any profile captures your attention. You can chat for free with some of the people in your Top Picks list, but it might be worth an upgrade to get full access to all chats.
What Is a Red Flag When Dating in Your 60s?
An online match asking for money or favors is a huge red flag. Be careful not to give financial information to any person you meet on a dating site or app. Daters have no business asking for a loan, no matter what so-called emergency they concoct to justify it.
A profile without photos or specific personal information is another sign of catfishing. Be sure to vet date prospects by looking them up on Facebook, LinkedIn, or other social sites. I’d advise doing a reverse image search as well on any photos they share with you.
Do not fall for lies about family members needing your help or business opportunities needing your investment. If they say anything to you about crypocurrency, alarm bells should go off in your head.
What Is the Best Dating Site Without Payment?
Although more and more dating sites continue to put key features behind paywalls to encourage users to opt into premium subscriptions, a few platforms still offer all the important features and benefits free of charge.
OkCupid made a promise to users when the site launched in 2004: The site would be fully free, forever. Although the leadership at OkCupid has changed hands over the years, that basic premise remains. All of the core features at OkCupid are available to all members, including unlimited private messages to other users.
There are plenty of advantages to choosing the A-List or other premium membership options on OkCupid, but it isn’t necessary.
Facebook Dating is another dating site that grants users full access without any fees. The dating app uses details and information from your Facebook profile to suggest potential matches in your area.
And don’t worry that you’ll be embarrassed about dating within your friend group, because Facebook Dating uses your extended network—friends of friends—from which to draw your potential matches. Like OkCupid, Facebook Dating even offers unlimited free private messages, so you can really get to know your potential matches before you meet up.
Is Tinder Good for Seniors?
Unfortunately, senior daters seeking hookups are not likely to find success on Tinder. Technically, Tinder doesn’t have an upper age limit for membership, but the overwhelming majority of the app’s users are under 40.
If you’re single and over 50, you’re much better off choosing a dedicated senior dating site or hookup app. Between the fast-paced atmosphere and the user demographics, you’re just setting yourself up for disappointment if you try and find your partner on an app like Tinder.
Is There a Hookup Site for Older Singles?
If you want to keep things physical as a senior single, you have a few options out there. Most mainstream hookup apps are a bad idea, but there are two tried-and-true platforms that make it easy for older singles to hook up.
Adult Friend Finder is practically an internet landmark, boasting millions of active users even decades after its launch. The hookup site is open to anyone over the age of 18, and unlike many casual sex platforms, member demographics on AFF are a little more evenly distributed among age groups.
Adult Friend Finder has been around since the 1990s, and it has earned the trust of a global community of sexually active adults. Its straightforward approach to dating has helped millions of singles and swingers find romance, and the site welcomes members of all ages. Daters over 50 can connect with their dream dates by sending a private message or joining live chat room discussions.
- Search for a casual date by age and location
- Mature singles enjoy hookups, threesomes, and no-strings sex
- Live model shows and member blogs
- Browse Adult Friend Finder profiles 100% free »
Whether you’re looking for a hot young thing or a seasoned vet like yourself for a casual encounter, you’re likely to find the right match on AFF.
Another option to check out is Sassy Seniors, a dedicated senior hookup site. Sassy Seniors is for older daters who want to stick to their age group and who aren’t afraid to be upfront about what they’re looking for. As you’d expect on a platform dedicated to people over 50, the site keeps things simple: You’ll have no problems navigating the different sections, or finding out how to reach out to a potential match.
There’s a fair amount of adult content on the site, from steamy talk in the chat room to racy profile pictures, so be ready to get an eyeful.
The Online World Provides Opportunities to Connect
Seniors face a quiet crisis of loneliness in their so-called golden years, but online dating offers a potential solution. Whether you’re looking for long-term love, a casual encounter, or new friends, these free senior dating services take the guesswork out of meeting and getting to know new people from around the world or just down the street.
Senior dating sites and apps keep things simple and keep the bells and whistles to a minimum, so you won’t find yourself intimidated by the prospect of learning how to make things work. And most senior dating platforms also keep customer service and tech support front and center, so you can get help at any time.
Don’t break your budget on expensive services. If you sign up for a free dating site or app, you can start making new connections without opening your wallet or pocketbook.
