Most people probably never expect to look for dating sites for singles over 40 — they hope to be settled and married before then — but sometimes life happens, relationships end, and you have to roll with it.
While in her 30s, my mom’s friend group was made up entirely of married couples with children, and they used to take pride in the fact that none of them were divorced or single parents. Well, that’s not the case now. Some of the breakups were scandalous, some were long overdue, and some were downright sad. But they all meant essentially the same thing: Time to start over.
According to longitudinal studies, nearly 50% of all marriages in the U.S. will end in divorce or separation. What’s more, the average age of a widowed single is just 55. There are a lot of reasons people wind up single in their 40s, 50s, or 60s, and none of them are reasons to quit the dating scene forever. It’s time to get back out there, and the best dating sites for over 40 can help you meet someone new.
Overall Best Dating Sites for Over 40
Sometimes friends make pacts to get married if they’re still single at 40 (or 45, or 50, or whenever), but you can’t count on that half-joking agreement to save your love life. It’s a much safer bet to wade into the internet dating scene and find someone who truly, honestly, and deeply wants you — and not as a last resort.
Mature dating sites and online dating apps can offer older adults the chance to flirt, date, and love again, and it’s easy to meet people on the right online dating service. We’ve reviewed several good options for daters who are over 40 and not ready to settle just yet.
1. Match
Match.com has come a long way since it launched in April 1995. This well-reputed dating site has honed its match algorithm to identify long-term compatibility and facilitate countless first dates, serious relationships, and successful marriages. Match's esteemed dating experts go to great lengths to guide singles to a seriously good match.
- Match is the world's longest running dating site
- The Discover section has search filters by interests, looks, lifestyle, and more
- Match is available in 50 countries and 15 languages
- Browse Match profiles 100% free »
Match ranks at the top of many popular dating site lists like this one, and that’s for a good reason. Not only has Match been around longer than any of its competitors, but it also has more success stories (dates, relationships, and marriages).
Since 1995, Match has honed its matchmaking service to focus on the things that matter to singles. Its match recommendations take your lifestyle, interests, and preferences into account and deliver high-quality profiles that are worth your attention.
We’re satisfied with the caliber of singles on the Match dating website and app, and we think it can make a great place for singles over 40 because it already attracts well-educated and family-minded folks. In fact, about 75% of Match users are over 30, and about 45% have children. The over-50 group is Match’s fastest-growing demographic, and that’s a good sign for mature daters seeking something real.
EliteSingles.com maintains a sophisticated network of young professionals seeking a relationship. Over 80% of its members hold a bachelor's, master's, or doctorate degree, and over 90% are over the age of 30. Elite Singles uses an intelligent matchmaking system to introduce daters to someone on their level.
- Over 2 million monthly users
- Premium members receive 20 wildcard matches a day
- Search features include age, height, education, ethnicity, and lifestyle habits
- Browse Elite Singles profiles 100% free »
Speaking of high-caliber dating, EliteSingles can offer a high-end dating experience for single professionals of the world. This free dating site caters to ambitious, intelligent, and successful singles looking for a potential partner on the same level.
The EliteSingles platform has made a name for itself by exceeding expectations and setting a high bar for the online dating world. Over 85% of EliteSingles members have graduated from college, and over 90% say that they want to get in a serious relationship. And, even better, most of them are in their 30s and 40s.
Elite single daters aren’t intimidated by wealth and smarts — they’re turned on by it. If you’re tired of lowering your standards or dating below your pay grade, then set up a free account on EliteSingles and see what its personalized matchmaking tools can do for you.
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 »
When eharmony launched in 2000, its number one goal was to reinforce relationships and strengthen marriages, and that philosophy hasn’t changed one bit in the last 20 years. By pioneering a psychology-driven matching system, eharmony has given singles greater insight into the dating scene and what qualities can make a compatible match.
An in-depth personality questionnaire forms the basis of eharmony’s matchmaking service. The dating site assesses individual personality traits, relationship goals, and core values, and then uses that information to generate a 32-dimension compatibility scoring system that is both accurate and easy to understand.
All singles have to do is go to their matches to see how they stack up with local date prospects. The word “compatible” will show up in green if you match each other in enough ways to make a relationship work. The Compatibility section of the person’s profile will break down the specifics, giving you a percentage for how you compare in terms of religious values, extraversion, affection, altruism, social values, and more.
Finding a soul mate has never been easier thanks to eharmony’s psychology-driven matching system.
4. Zoosk
Zoosk is a socially savvy dating site known for its diverse membership base and behavioral matchmaking system. Over 40 million singles in 80 countries have joined the network so far, and it's growing larger every day. The platform offers many different ways to communicate and express interest in members, so it's easy to form a fast connection here.
- Send messages to premium members for free
- Over 3 million messages sent a day
- Premium perks include photo verification and sending virtual gifts
- Browse Zoosk profiles 100% free »
Zoosk is one of the most active and engaging dating websites and apps around, so it’s a natural choice for singles of a certain age. The free platform offers a variety of free and paid communication tools, and you can attract interest by sending likes, smiles, virtual gifts, and messages.
Over 40 million people have created dating profiles on Zoosk since it launched in 2007, and today’s Zoosk members typically engage 3 million messages per day collectively.
Zoosk relies on a behavioral matchmaking algorithm to inspire mutual attraction, and the platform learns what you like with every swipe, match, and message you send. You can swipe through matches in the Carousel, search for people using filters, or browse the SmartPick section to find viable date prospects on Zoosk.
Christian Mingle is a faith-based dating website for singles who want a relationship grounded in Christian values. People of all religions and backgrounds turn to this site in hopes of meeting a good Christian man or a good Christian woman. Christian Mingle's claim to fame is that it has the highest percentage of Christian members of any dating site or app in the world.
- For singles interested in God-centered relationships
- Over 3.5 million monthly users around the world
- Available as an app on Google Play and the App Store
- Browse Christian Mingle profiles 100% free »
Over the last decade, ChristianMingle has been a blessing in the lives of many Christian singles around the world. The niche site has established a dating network based on shared values and beliefs, and it has worked wonders in many people’s love lives.
Reading through the ChristianMingle success stories can bring hope to singles who worry that they won’t meet someone or that love isn’t in God’s plan for them. Such fears and insecurities can disappear the moment an attractive person messages you back. People of faith can find their saving grace by conducting a profile search on ChristianMingle.
“Hold out for God’s best in a person, a true Bible-believing and living person,” said Katrinka and Gary in a testimonial. “Find someone you are very comfortable being with.”
Ashley Madison is an extramarital dating site with over 80 million profiles in its private database, and it is full of temptation. The site and app offer a judgment-free zone where married people can consider their options and chat with singles who are willing to get together on the down-low.
- A uniquely open-minded dating network
- Privacy-conscious features
- Over 1.4 million matches per month
- Browse Ashley Madison profiles 100% free »
Ashley Madison is the best dating app for older singles who have been around the relationsihp block a time or two — and aren’t in any hurry to get serious.
You may have heard of Ashley Madison as a dating site for married people. The service has made a niche for itself by offering anonymous dating where photos are masked or blurred and personal information is kept to a minimum.
Over the last 20+ years, Ashley Madison has tempted tens of millions of users around the globe with its dating service. Whether you’re looking for love, friendship, sexting, or casual sex, Ashley Madison is a dating site and app that will keep your secrets and allow you to safely explore the online dating scene.
Plenty of Fish prides itself on being one of the best dating sites for conversations. It supports 100% free and unlimited messaging for over 120 million monthly users in 20 countries. Since its launch in 2003, Plenty of Fish has developed a science-based matching system that has proven successful.
- Free registration, searches, and messaging
- The Chemistry Test creates a compatibility framework
- Over 1 billion messages sent per month
- Browse Plenty of Fish profiles 100% free »
Most dating websites and apps offer some free features or even a free trial, but Plenty of Fish is one of the few online dating apps to offer free everything. You can send unlimited messages on the POF platform for free, and that’s a pretty compelling reason to create a dating profile here. I mean, what do you have to lose?
The POF community has grown by leaps and bounds over the last few years — because who doesn’t love free stuff? — and it currently includes over 150 million singles worldwide. Even more impressive, the Plenty of Fish platform sees over 4 million unique daily views and facilitates millions of conversations each week.
It’d be easy for such a large and free site to be overrun by scammers and spammers, but the POF team has taken strides to keep the unsavory characters out and create a safe and friendly space for singles of all ages. The POF Community Rules encourage members to be kind, respectful, safe, and real — or they won’t be members for very long.
8. OkCupid
In 2004, OkCupid's founders decided to create a fool-proof formula for love, and they launched a free dating site to delve into what personal attributes made relationships work. OkCupid members can send unlimited messages for free. It's easy to discover mutual interests and compatibility on the platform's information-rich dating profiles.
- Free, unlimited communication for everyone
- Singles can swipe or search for a compatible date
- Over 91 million connections every year
- Browse OkCupid profiles 100% free »
In 2004, OkCupid sparked interest by bringing a math-driven approach to the online dating scene. Four Harvard math majors decided to come up with a large-scale formula for love, one that would be heavily influenced by personality quirks and dating preferences.
Today, OkCupid has amassed a treasure trove of over 4,000 questions ranging from “Do you like the taste of beer?” to “Do you believe in God?” This information-rich dating site allows singles to answer as many or as few questions as they like and rate how important that answer is to them. Their responses form the basis of the compatibility ratings that show up on every dating profile.
Many singles choose OkCupid as their go-to dating site or app because it’s fast, smart, fun, and, most importantly, free. You don’t have to subscribe to send messages on OkCupid, but you can get some great perks (i.e. seeing who’s liked you) by becoming an A-List member.
9. Tinder
In 2012, Tinder pioneered a swiping-based match system that empowered singles to connect with dates who liked them back. Tinder users can message their mutual matches for free on this fast-paced dating app. Since its launch, Tinder has created over 97 billion matches worldwide.
- Supports active daters in 190+ countries
- The swiping system creates over 12 million matches per day
- Tinder Plus members have unlimited likes and 5 Super Likes
- Browse Tinder profiles 100% free »
We’d be remiss to leave Tinder off any list of the best dating platforms. It’s Tinder, for crying out loud. It may not be perfect, and we definitely wish it didn’t attract quite so many creeps, but it can offer instant access to a very large and active dating pool, so it’s worth downloading and giving it a whirl.
In 2012, Tinder invented the swiping and mutual matching system that has become the status quo in the online dating scene, and the app has been responsible for creating more than 30 billion matches in 190 countries.
Disclaimer: Tinder is definitely dominated by 20-somethings right now, so singles over 40 who want to date someone their age or older will likely have trouble making matches.
10. Bumble
Since its launch in 2014, Bumble has positioned itself as one of the queens of the online dating world. The dating app turns gender stereotype on its head by empowering women to make the first move in a conversation with a man. Once you've made that mutual match, you have up to 48 hours to respond and make a connection.
- A feminist dating app puts singles on equal footing
- 60% of Bumble matches turn into dates
- Bumble Bizz and Bumble BFF spark non-romantic connections
- Browse Bumble profiles 100% free »
Bumble is a female-led dating app that puts women first — literally. The free dating app made a name for itself by requiring women to send the first message once a mutual match is formed.
Anyone can like anyone on Bumble, but, when it comes to a heterosexual match at least, the conversation can only get started if the woman sends a message within 24 hours (or 48 hours if the guy chooses to extend it). It’s free to match and chat on Bumble, though you can get some extra fun features with a Bumble Boost subscription.
Since its early days in 2014, Bumble has endeavored to inspire quality connections between genuine people, and it has set up progressive rules to ensure members behave themselves and put their best foot forward online. For instance, Bumble has banned photos of guns, hunting, and swimwear, and it also automatically flags and removes mirror selfies and pics of people in underwear.
Best LGBT Dating Site for Over 40
As more people come out of the closet, the LGBTQ+ dating scene becomes a more lively and diverse place to mingle. Whether you’re newly out or newly single (or perhaps a little bit of both), you can discover a world of dating possibilities by heading to an LGBTQ-friendly dating site like the ones listed below.
11. MenNation
Since 1996, MenNation has connected over 93 million men around the globe. This men-only dating site measures its success by the number of conversations and dates it facilitates with its intuitive matching system. Gay men love having a site to call their own, and its helpful features keep members engaged and entertained as they look for a hot date.
- One of the largest gay hookup sites in the world
- Search filters for age, location, physical attributes, and more
- Available in 12 languages and counting
- Browse MenNation profiles 100% free »
MenNation has one of the largest men-only hookup networks in the internet dating scene, and that’s saying quite a lot. Millions of gay, bi, and queer guys have created a dating personal ad here and used it to up their flirtation game.
Gay singles and couples in the LGBTQ community can join this mature dating site to find casual dates within a certain mile radius. The simple search tools act as a reliable wingman to men in the mood for some sexy times.
The MenNation site is all about anonymous sex, so you can come right out and say what type of sexual encounter you’re looking for and solicit sex in private messages to local hotties.
12. LesbianPersonals
LesbianPersonals.com is powered by Friend Finder Networks, so it encompasses a vast network of sexually active women. The female-friendly dating site allows women, couples, and groups to create a profile and find online and offline romance. With over 2 million women in its community, LesbianPersonals is fast becoming one of the most popular lesbian dating sites around.
- Free membership includes viewing profiles and sending likes
- Exchange revealing photos and videos privately online
- Simple search filters by interests and appearance
- Browse LesbianPersonals profiles 100% free »
LesbianPersonals is a sister site to MenNation, and it offers a similar interface and sex-positive environment — the only difference is that LesbianPersonals supports an exclusive woman nation.
Single moms, lesbian couples, groups, and even straight couples are welcome to join LesbianPersonals with a free or paid membership and mix things up in a sexually charged chat or discussion group. The X-rated dating site for singles includes instant messaging and video messaging, and it allows members to exchange racy photos in a private space to really heat things up.
Lesbians over 40 can join this anonymous dating site (no social media login required) whenever they’re in the mood to flirt and possibly hook up with a potential partner.
13. HER
HER is a women-only (or "womxn" as the team says) dating app that helps cis, trans, and non-binary identified singles come into their own. This is a strict no-boys-allowed zone. HER encourages LGBTQ+ women to mingle by commenting on photos or events in the Feed, or they can like profiles to initiate a private conversation with a mutual match.
- A quirky and unapologetic womxn-only dating community
- Queer events get users connecting IRL
- The constantly updated Feed facilitates social networking
- Browse HER profiles 100% free »
HER is a free dating app with over 10 million members worldwide. This is a dynamic all-women community where single parents, older adults, and silver singles can feel welcome. We highly recommend joining HER — even if you’re just a little bi-curious about romancing women.
The HER app looks and feels like a big social media network, and women can log on and share their thoughts, photos, and events anytime they please. It’s incredibly easy to meet people, make friends, and find a compatible partner in this space. All you have to do is RSVP to a local book club or meetup on HER, and you can join a vibrant and diverse LGBTQ+ community.
“We believe dating should be fun,” the HER team said. “With in-app communities and HER-hosted events, you can find your people without tiring out your thumbs.”
14. Grindr
Grindr became the world's first gay geosocial app in 2009, and it continues growing its all-male user base more than a decade later. The app uses real-time GPS data to locate nearby date prospects and give gay and bisexual singles a chance to connect while they're out on the town.
- Social networking for gay, bi, trans, and queer men
- Location-based matches spark instant chemistry
- Grindr Equality advocates for LGBTQ+ interests on the global stage
- Browse Grindr profiles 100% free »
If you ask us, Grindr is the best thing that could have happened to the gay dating scene because it opens guys up to lots of romantic possibilities without putting any pressure on the new connection. Singles can download the app for free and start flirting in a private men-only space.
Grindr uses location data from your smartphone to identify the closest and hottest dates in your age range. Whether you’re a silver fox, a daddy, or a bear, you can create a Grindr profile to take your dating experience up a notch.
As of 2017, Grindr had over 27 million guys in its user base, with a vast majority of its audience in the U.S. and the U.K., and it has been responsible for countless hookups, dates, and relationships in the LGBTQ community. You could be next!
Do Adult Dating Sites Cater to Over-40 Singles?
Adult dating websites and apps
can definitely accommodate and satisfy singles over 40. After all, “adult” is right there in the name. If you want to mix things up in the bedroom, we recommend the following two mature dating sites. These anything-goes environments can certainly spice up your evenings, to say the least.
BeNaughty invites singles to walk on the wild side and explore their sexuality in a fun, free-wheeling environment. This adults-only dating site is full of X-rated content, but users can blur nude photos if they'd prefer to leave some things to the imagination. Premium subscribers get the most bang for the buck because they can send messages, browse incognito, and receive alerts when their messages have been read by someone special.
- Sexually active adults in 10 countries
- Browse the Like Gallery for hot singles
- Stimulate conversation in intimate private messages
- Browse BeNaughty profiles 100% free »
BeNaughty has to be one of the most audacious, exhilarating, and sexually active places to meet people in your area.
The hookup site has attracted singles of all ages and orientations, and its loose rules mean people can openly talk about their fetishes and fantasies without getting banned or blocked. You can start your search for hotties in the Like Gallery or go to the Search tab to find single parents or older adults who meet your standards in terms of gender, age, location, body type, orientation, and ethnicity.
In 1996, Friend Finder Networks began harnessing the power of online networking to help adults meet sexually active singles in their area, and it has now grown into a global X-rated phenomenon with over 93 million profiles. Adult Friend Finder provides a safe, anonymous dating platform where singles and swingers can hook up with another.
- Among the largest online sex and swinger communities
- Completely free no-obligation registration
- Live chat rooms and discussion forums open 24/7
- Browse Adult Friend Finder profiles 100% free »
Looking for a sexual awakening? Then AFF is the perfect match for you. This online dating service features erotic content that is definitely only appropriate for adults, and many over-40 singles set up profiles hoping to arrange an anonymous hookup, threesome, or flirtation.
With over 100 million members, the AFF community is easily one of the largest casual dating networks out there. Singles and swingers flock to this internet dating platform hoping to find casual dates on the down low. The sexually explicit forums have over 14 million group discussions that connect people all over the world.
You don’t have to use your real name on this site, and your profile picture doesn’t have to show your face (other parts are more interesting to this crowd anyway), so single moms, senior singles, and single professionals don’t have to worry about their sexual exploits impacting their real-life personal or professional lives.
What is the Best Dating Site for Serious Relationships?
In many cases, dating sites for seniors offer a more serious environment and matchmaking service for singles who know what they want in life and love. The more mature the user base on the official website or app, the more likely you are to discover deep conversations and quality matches.
We have to give it to eharmony for consistently matching up long-term relationships and marriages. This popular dating site is serious about finding its members a compatible partner or soul mate, and it uses psychology to create authentic, human connections that lead to a happy marriage.
When it comes to long-term relationships, eharmony doesn't mess around. This dating website has crafted a time-tested matchmaking formula that identifies key personality traits and areas of compatibility. It provides hard data on how you stack up against potential dates and delivers a curated list of match recommendations to your inbox every day.
- Over 2.3 million messages sent every week
- Match formula pinpoints compatibility in lifestyle, temperament, and goals
- Relatively even gender split of men and women
- Browse eharmony profiles 100% free »
The compatibility ratings on eharmony can give singles valuable guidance when looking at a person’s profile and choosing a compatible partner, and that makes it the best dating site for relationships in our book.
Users should note that eharmony operates on a freemium model, meaning the basic dating profile and browsing features are free, but it’ll take an upgraded membership to access all the instant messaging and video chat tools on the online dating site and app.
Is Bumble for Serious Relationships?
Absolutely, Bumble launched as a female-friendly option for online daters, and its progressive, values-driven mission has made it a go-to tool for serious daters seeking love and marriage.
Our dating experts have reviewed this free dating app and given it a top rating for women, including single moms, who want to swipe on a soul mate.
Bumble has embraced its role as the world's feminist dating app. The app launched in 2014 with the unique premise that women should send the first message and take the lead in a new romantic relationship. According to Bumble, over 85% of its users are looking for a long-term relationship, and less than 4% are looking for hookups.
- A female-friendly dating environment puts women in control
- Zero tolerance for bullying, misogyny, and rude behavior
- Conversations expire in 24 to 48 hours
- Browse Bumble profiles 100% free »
In a recent survey, 85% of Bumble users said they were looking for a serious relationship or marriage, and less than 4% said they wanted a hookup or casual relationships.
We applaud Bumble for setting high standards and making sure single women feel safe, open, and respected. It is definitely one of the best online dating apps to find a long-term relationship based on mutual admiration and equality.
Is Tinder for Serious Dating?
Tinder is kind of like the choose-your-own adventure book of the dating world. You can make the online dating app your own, and you have a lot of different options and paths to choose from.
Whether you want casual dates or a relationship, you can use Tinder to find someone who’s on the same page and in the same age group.
Tinder gives singles a fast and fun way to mix things up online. The dating app's motto is "Single is a terrible thing to waste," and its swiping system encourages singles to explore the dating scene without making any big commitments. Tinder is free to download on Google Play and iTunes.
- Connect with attractive women near you
- Free chat and matching features
- Responsible for over 97 billion matches to date
- Browse Tinder profiles 100% free »
Apps like Tinder allow singles to swipe on a person’s profile without a paid membership. That means older singles identify a perfect match based on their specific dating preferences.
Some dating experts give Tinder a bad rap and say that it’s only good for hookups, but that’s not true for every potential date on the mobile app. Plenty of singles have met their partners on Tinder and proven that love can happen anywhere and at any time.
How Do I Start Dating at 40?
We hear this question all the time from divorcees, widowers, and other silver singles over 40. It can be intimidating to re-enter the dating scene after a long absence, and a lot of traditional dating etiquette and relationship rules have changed thanks to online dating, texting, social media, and other generational shifts.
As a 40+ single, you have to be proactive in the dating scene and pursue dates online and offline.
For instance, singles who dated more than one person at a time used to be criticized as players or sluts, but now it’s perfectly normal to explore your options and go on dates with multiple people in the same week. Dating sites for singles can make it much easier to casually date until you find the perfect match to go steady, be exclusive, or start a relationship with you.
While it’s true, online dating once had a stigma against it, now over 49 million Americans have tried online dating. Joining a dating site is the best way to put yourself out there and meet people who fit your idea of a perfect date. You can use these dating tips to make your profile stand out and attract the best and the brightest online. Your age doesn’t have to hold you back — it can actually be an attractive quality to singles looking for dates with more experience, maturity, and spending power.
There’s no foolproof guide for dating in your 40s — you’ve just got to do it. Everyone goes at their own pace and comes up with their own strategies as they gain more experience. It may take a little trial and error to find the best dating site or date venue for your age group, but singles who are patient, polite, and proactive typically see the greatest success stories.
Over time, you’ll figure out what works for you and what makes you feel comfortable and attractive. Just keep an eye out for fake profiles, and don’t rush into anything too quickly, and you’ll do just fine.
Should I Join Facebook Dating?
is a relatively new dating app released to complement a Facebook account and support singles with serious dating intentions. It’s incredibly easy to use this online dating service from the Facebook app. You can create your profile using personal information and photos from your Facebook or Instagram accounts, and your online activity won’t show up in your newsfeed or Facebook profile.
Because a person’s profile is linked to his or her Facebook account, Facebook Dating can basically guarantee you won’t run into catfishers or fake profiles. Every potential date will have been vetted as a real person.
If traditional online dating on apps like Tinder hasn’t work for you, then Facebook Dating could be a good option for finding potential matches in your Facebook friends list and larger social network.
Websites and Apps Can Turn Dating Into an Adventure
If you find yourself single and in your 40s, you don’t have to despair or be afraid that online dating doesn’t work for your age group. Today’s dating scene is actually more user-friendly than it’s ever been, and singles of all ages can use an online dating service to connect with dates online and offline.
Our dating experts listed several top-rated dating sites for seniors, and we know they can work if you give them your best shot. These platforms represent the opportunity to pick yourself up, get back out there, and find love again. Having a free or paid membership on apps like Tinder could be an empowering, self-affirming, and life-changing experience if you go into it with the right attitude.
You can expand your date horizons with just a few clicks on a popular dating site or app, and it’s free to set up a profile and take a look around, so, seriously, what are you waiting for?
