Once upon time, a single lady had to sit quietly at home and wait for potential suitors to call, but nowadays a modern woman can be proactive, set up a dating profile, and meet men online.

It’s become increasingly common to see singles searching for local dates on their phones, tablets, or computers. And all that swiping isn’t just good for laughs. In 2019, about 22% of newlyweds in the U.S. said they had met their partners online.

The top dating sites for women can open the door to meeting a lot of different types of guys and hopefully finding a Mr. Right — or a Mr. Right Now. It’s up to you to make something happen!

Best Overall Sites to Meet Men

Joining an online dating site can be a great way to spice up your dating life. But which dating app or site is right for you? Some platforms cater to younger singles or older singles. Some facilitate serious relationships while others inspire casual hookups. And some have a premium subscription cost, while others are completely free.

All these factors are important to consider when choosing a dating site, and we’ve broken down the pros and cons of the most popular options to help women get started on the right foot.

1. Match

Category Rating
★★★★★ 4.9/5.0
  • 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

Match has been at the top of the online dating food chain for generations, and it’s not likely to give up its prime position any time soon. The Match dating website originally launched in April 1995, and now it boasts the longest track record of success in online matchmaking.

Single women can expect to meet high-caliber men on the Match site and app. According to Match, approximately 75% of its users are college graduates, and 67% identify themselves as non-smokers.

Match has perfected its love formula to ensure compatible dates can find one another, and it even provides free messaging features to users who make it into each other’s Top Picks list.

Category Rating
★★★★★ 4.8/5.0
  • Helping over 2,500 singles find love every month
  • An intelligent match algorithm uses profile information to reccommend dates
  • Caters to relationship-minded men and women

EliteSingles is a professional dating site for single professionals seeking a potential partner for life. The high-tech match algorithm takes lifestyle and background into account when fixing up couples, and its quality-first approach can satisfy even the pickiest of women.

Over 80% EliteSingles members have graduated from college, and over 90% say they are primarily interested in finding a committed relationship. EliteSingles does not require users to create a mutual match before they start messaging, but only premium members can read and reply to messages.

3. Zoosk

Category Rating
★★★★★ 4.7/5.0
  • Facilitates friendship, dates, and relationships
  • Behavioral matchmaking technology recommends compatible men
  • Search filters by gender, age, distance, appearance, and more

Zoosk started in 2007 as a dating app inspired by social media, and now it has expanded into a global phenomenon. The Zoosk network currently includes over 40 million members in 80 countries, and its members exchange over 3 million messages per day.

A single woman doesn’t have to jump through hoops to get a match on Zoosk. The dating platform does most of the work behind the scenes with its behavioral matchmaking. All singles have to do is create an online dating profile and start swiping and messaging cute guys. The algorithm will find patterns in their online activity and recommend profiles that are similar to those they’ve already liked.

Category Rating
★★★★★ 4.7/5.0
  • Designed to satisfy marriage-minded single women
  • In-depth compatibility quiz generates high-quality matches
  • Personalized Match Preferences on gender, age, income, religion, education, and more

For the last 20+ years, eharmony has dedicated itself to inspiring lasting relationships and marriages. The dating site and app provide insightful compatibility scores that let singles know where they stand with a new person. The scores are calculated based on a combination of dating profile information and responses to the Compatibility Quiz.

If you’re looking for a serious relationship, eharmony is a good place to start. The platform appeals to single men and women who are willing to invest in their dating life and start a new chapter with the right partner. Our eharmony full review can tell you more about its legacy of success and happiness.

Category Rating
★★★★ 4.3/5.0
  • Quick and easy registration for Christian women
  • Discovery Preferences help users make a strong connection
  • A values-driven network full of respectful and genuine men

ChristianMingle is a popular Christian dating site with over 15 million members and many true love stories to its name. The free membership includes unlimited browsing and some communication options, and it’s a great way to explore new romantic options in the local Christian community.

Single women can trust ChristianMingle to look after their heart and guide them to a good man. The dating site boasts having one of the highest Christian marriage success rates in the industry, and over 84% of ChristianMingle members in a survey said they would recommend the dating platform to their friends and family members.

Category Rating
★★★★ 4.2/5.0

BlackPeopleMeet has stood up for the minority in the dating world and empowered Black singles to find like-minded dates. The Black dating site has tens of thousands of members spread across North America, and it doesn’t put location-based limits on matching and messaging.

A single person of color will feel at home on BlackPeopleMeet. The online dating website and app provide search options based on ethnicity, appearance, and lifestyle, and it also recommends daily matches based on dating profile similarities.

“I found someone very special on this site, and we are pursuing a relationship,” said a woman from Texas. “He is awesome, and I’m crazy about him. We would never have met him if it was not for BPM.”

7. OkCupid

Category Rating
★★★★ 4.3/5.0
  • Only messages from mutual matches appear in your inbox
  • Insightful profile questions help singles get to know one another
  • A-List members receive additional perks such as seeing who liked them

Thanks to its free messaging system, OkCupid can seriously cut the costs of meeting a great guy online. As soon as you complete your OkCupid dating profile, you will be able to send an introductory message to any person you like. The only catch is that your online crush will have to like you back in order for you to send a follow-up message.

OkCupid has been around since 2004, and its data-driven matchmaking has turned quite a few heads. The dating site’s biggest claim to fame is that it has received the most mentions in The New York Times’ wedding section. It also has dozens of gender identity and sexual orientation options, so non-binary and LGBTQ+ folks can easily join the fun.

Category Rating
★★★★ 4.0/5.0
  • Prompts more conversations than any other dating site
  • 30% of members get in a relationship within a month
  • Success stories include engagement and wedding announcements

Plenty of Fish offers free messaging to all users with a profile photo, so that’s a pretty compelling reason to create an account. The POF community has over 150 million members in 20 countries, and the platform sees around 4 million daily active users.

Younger women tend to prefer mingling on Plenty of Fish because of its $0 price tag. It’s a low-key spot to chat up a stranger and see what happens. Plenty of Fish doesn’t pressure its members to form a match or respond within a time limit — it’s basically an online dating free-for-all where any single person can hop online and try their luck.

9. Tinder

Category Rating
★★★★ 4.0/5.0

Tinder is easily one of the fastest ways to meet men online and arrange a casual date that could grow into something more. Since its launch in 2012, Tinder has led to over 70 billion matches worldwide, and the online dating app has been downloaded over 430 million times.

Some singles log into Tinder just looking for a fun time swiping and matching, but they end up falling head over heels for their Tinder date. Oftentimes users don’t even need to upgrade to Tinder Plus to form romantic relationships via the app.

“I met my fiance a little less than two years ago online. The Tinder gods put us together,” said a woman on Reddit. “I wasn’t looking for marriage, but that’s what I found.”

10. Bumble

Category Rating
★★★★ 4.4/5.0
  • A female-friendly dating environment puts women in control
  • Zero tolerance for bullying, misogyny, and rude behavior
  • Conversations expire in 24 to 48 hours

Bumble has become one of the biggest names in online dating by building an app grounded by two words: Ladies first. The Bumble app literally puts women first in every match and conversation because a single man cannot message a woman on the app unless she messages him first.

Bumble users tend to be serious about finding something real with someone new. In a recent survey, over 85% of Bumble members said they were hoping to find a meaningful relationship on the app, and fewer than 1% of Bumble women said they were only looking for a casual hookup.

Best Senior Sites to Meet Men

Once you reach a certain age, it gets more difficult to meet single people and start new relationships. That’s especially true if you’re retired or working from home. But you don’t have to live in isolation as long as you have a strong internet connection. The online dating scene can give senior singles the chance to go outside their normal routines and meet dateworthy folks on popular sites and best dating apps for seniors.

Category Rating
★★★★★ 4.5/5.0
  • Women receive several match recommendations a day
  • Intelligent matchmaking grounded in personal compatibility
  • The site maintains strict privacy and safety guidelines

SilverSingles is a senior dating site where singles over 50 are in the majority. This isn’t a place for cougar dating or sugar dating. The site’s sophisticated matchmaking features encourage real relationships between people with similar interests, experiences, and lifestyles.

Joining SilverSingles can help singles take the lead in their love life and find companionship without having to go too far outside their comfort zone.

A free membership on SilverSingles includes basic browsing and match recommendations, but only a premium membership unlocks photo galleries, message inboxes, and video chat features.

12. OurTime

Category Rating
★★★★ 4.4/5.0
  • Popular among mature, relationship-minded single women
  • User-friendly features that highlight compatibility
  • Real-time messaging, flirting, and mutual matching

As a seniors-only dating site, OurTime brings hope to an older generation of online daters and sparks connections that could endure in the long run. Many OurTime members are looking for more than a chat buddy — they’re in the dating world to find a second chance at true love.

OurTime is home to many widows and divorcees who know the difference a strong relationship can make in life. The dating site helps them identify their dating dealbreakers and dealmakers, and it recommends the profiles of senior people with years of experience and wisdom.

Category Rating
★★★★ 3.8/5.0
  • Search for dates by age, location, keyword, and horoscope
  • Free members can reply to messages from paid members
  • A niche network of respectful and mature men

SeniorMatch has earned its reputation as a senior dating site for mature relationships and friendships. The esteemed network includes over 1 million members in the U.S., the U.K., and countries. About 1.6 million messages are sent via SeniorMatch every month.

Since its launch in 2003, SeniorMatch has gotten many rave reviews from users and industry professionals. The online dating website has published over 36,000 testimonials about people who successfully made a meaningful connection. It’s free to join SeniorMatch, and the over-60 forum could be a valuable way to expand one’s social circle.

“I’ve talked to a lot of interesting people, and I love the groups,” said a SeniorMatch app user. “Dating is hard, and this app doesn’t make it completely stress-free, but it makes it easier and more comfortable.”

Best Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Sites to Meet Men

Let’s be real, single women aren’t the only people looking for a good man in their life. Gay men need love too! LGBTQ+ singles have their own online dating journey to make, and they can use gay-friendly dating sites to make their experience that much sweeter.

14. MenNation

Category Rating
★★★★ 3.7/5.0
  • A flirtatious all-men network spans the globe
  • Anonymous chatting via text and video
  • Send emails, flirts, gift certificates, and voice messages

MenNation says it all with its name. This is a man’s world, and it’s got a lot of gay sexual energy packed into its groups, forums, and video streaming. MenNation can connect guys who identify as gay, queer, trans, bisexual, or bi-curious, and it also has browsing options for gay couples seeking a threesome.

Millions of hot guys have jumped on board MenNation and gotten a lot of messages, matches, and dates as a result. Singles tend to move at a fast pace on MenNation, so don’t be surprised if an attractive stranger reaches out and asks you what your plans are this weekend…or even tonight!

15. Grindr

Category Rating
★★★★ 3.6/5.0
  • A men-only dating app reaches 192 countries
  • Find dates that are just a few feet away
  • Moderators review every photo and dating profile

Since its launch in 2009, Grindr has grown into the most popular and successful gay dating app on the scene. The app has over 27 million members worldwide, and pretty much all of them identify as men in the LGBTQ+ community.

Grindr has the reputation of a hookup app, but it’s also proven effective at sparking gay relationships that lead to marriage. Reddit has a lengthy thread dedicated to Grindr success stories, and many happily matched men have said they weren’t necessarily expecting to find their husband online — it just worked out that way!

“I met my husband on Grindr. Was only supposed to be a one-time hookup thing, possibly FWB,” said one former Grindr user. “Long story short, we started dating and ended up getting married in June of this year. Crazy how things played out.”

Best Hookup Sites to Meet Men

Just looking for something casual? Then you may want to bypass the mainstream swiping world and seek out more X-rated and sex-positive platforms. The following adult dating sites can offer a scandalous shortcut to romance and give single women easy access to an easy lay.

Category Rating
★★★★ 4.0/5.0

Ashley Madison has tempted many online daters to go beyond the bonds of monogamy and explore romance on the down low. The married dating site caught the public’s attention in 2001 with its motto “Life is short. Have an affair,” and now it has over 70 million members.

All female users can chat for free on Ashley Madison, so it’s a great deal for single and married women looking for no-strings sex. The affairs site does not judge users or inquire into their personal lives, and it even provides anonymous profile photo options to keep things discreet.

A few years ago, Ashley Madison surveyed its active members to see where their heads and hearts are, and the results were pretty clear. Over 61% of respondents said they were on Ashley Madison looking for sex, and 76% agreed that online dating helped them meet their sexual needs.

17. BeNaughty

Category Rating
★★★★ 4.1/5.0
  • Women can stay safe and anonymous while looking for a hookup
  • Like Gallery showcases the most viable men
  • Extra perks and more flirts available for premium daters

BeNaughty has created a wild and carefree flirtation zone where singles can go from “hey there” to “let’s meet up” very quickly. The singles database includes single men and women of all types, and advanced search filters can help you find your type.

Browsing BeNaughty is completely free, and all female users can send and receive messages without a paid subscription. As long as you have an appropriate profile photo (read: no nudes), you will be able to view local personals and identify the most attractive and available date prospects in your general vicinity.

Category Rating
★★★★ 4.0/5.0

Adult Friend Finder has over 105 million personal ads in its database, and it adds new singles to its list every day. This world-famous sex site has been going strong since the 1990s because it promotes suggestive and raunchy content without charging exorbitant fees. And, let’s face it, sex sells.

Single women can let their hair down in the AFF community and engage in sexually charged conversations with people online. The site offers kinky forums, blogs, video broadcasts, and private messaging options to turn up the heat. The AFF photo gallery and search tab are also worth a glance, especially if you’re a fan of ab shots and dick pics.

Category Rating
★★★★ 3.9/5.0
  • An exciting dating environment for threesomes, flings, and sexual encounters
  • 64% of users are men, so straight women have tons of options
  • Connect via a two-way web cam and instant messaging

FriendFinder-X is a fun hookup site that blends the excitement of scoping for dates at a local bar with the convenience of texting people from home. Members can use this mobile-friendly site to mingle with singles and swingers who live in the area and are actively seeking a sexy companion.

FriendFinder-X has an international user base, but it has proven particularly popular in the American dating scene. The site’s sex-positive message has struck a chord in the States, so American singles shouldn’t have to travel too far to find a hot date and hookup.

20. Flirt.com

Category Rating
★★★★ 4.0/5.0
  • A female-friendly flirting zone that's free to join
  • Browse anonymously without a photo, name, or birthdate
  • Exchange private photos and videos through the instant chat feature

Not only does Flirt.com have a killer URL, but it also has one of the largest sex networks around. The hookup site keeps things interesting by offering icebreakers and match suggestions based on its analysis of user patterns. All female users can chat for free on Flirt.com, while male users can only send five free messages and a prewritten FlirtCast.

Singles join Flirt.com when they want to let go of their inhibitions and find a potential partner who’s on the same page about sexual health and adult relationships. The Flirt network encourages people to sext with a stranger and arrange a sexual encounter on their terms.

How Do Dating Sites Really Work?

Online dating essentially has three steps to it. First, you create an account, which includes setting up a dating profile and uploading pictures. Next, you start looking for compatible dates — either by swiping through a curated list of matches or conducting a search based on your standards for age, location, appearance, and other factors. Finally, you get in touch with a person by sending a like or a message and try to keep the chat momentum going long enough to form a real connection.

Pro tip: Avoid chat purgatory. It may feel comfortable to spend weeks or even months chatting, but you cannot judge if the match is genuine without that face-to-face contact. You’ll save time (not to mention heartache) by trying to arrange a first date or video date ASAP.

How Do I Go About Choosing the Best Dating Site?

We’ve created many lists to help different types of singles find their way and have a positive dating experience. You can browse senior dating sites to meet older men and gay dating sites to meet gay or bisexual men. It all boils down to who you are and what you want. Don’t just pick the cheapest site or the app your friend uses. Really put some thought into what kind of experience you want and how much time, money, and/or energy you’re willing to invest to get your desired results!

Are Dating Sites Actually Safe to Use?

It’s pretty common for single women to have safety concerns about online dating. And for good reason. Women were twice as likely as men to report being threatened or harassed online, and 33% of women said they had been called an offensive name in an online dating chat.

But that’s the beauty of the block button. Pretty much every legit dating site and app will give users the ability to control who shows up in their inbox. So women are not prey to every creeper with a keyboard and internet connection.

Photo of a blocked number

Dating apps that require a phone number and picture are among the safest places to meet new people.

Swiping apps often require women to approve dating profiles before a single message can come their way. Other dating platforms will have a reporting system to police the database. The bottom line is that single women are not braving the online dating world alone. Dating platforms have instituted safety measures to make sure unsavory folks don’t get too close or ruin the online dating experience.

Dating sites and apps can verify a person’s identity through social media or a phone number, but they do not authenticate profile information or conduct background checks. So don’t believe everything you read in a bio or message.

When it comes to spotting fake profiles and liars on a free dating app, singles can and should rely on their gut instinct. Online daters have to show some savvy and take their personal safety in their own hands.

One last online dating tip: Arrange a video date with a new love interest before meeting in person, it’ll save you some money on a cup of coffee and give you a safe space to get to know a new person.

Can I Meet Men on Social Media?

Yes, sliding into a person’s DMs is a real thing that real women can do on social media. It could even lead to a loving marriage. BUT that doesn’t mean it’s a great place to shoot your shot with every profile you can find. Singles should not treat their social media platforms the same as dating platforms — unless you’re on Facebook Dating, which is actually a dating platform. We do not recommend direct messaging every random cutie you see on your Twitter or Facebook feed. Instead, it’s best to have a mutual friend to introduce you or give you a seal of approval first.

Social media platforms can help single women network through friends of friends, but they have to be careful about not coming off as creepy Facebook stalkers. That’s why you should ask a friend to be the go-between and give a “heads up, this person likes you, and they’re not crazy” message to start things off.

If you send a message or a friend request to a guy out of the blue, it’s likely going to be ignored. Unless you’re unbelievably hot. Then you can usually make your own rules.

Is Coffee Meets Bagel a Good Dating App for Women?

If you’re familiar with the online dating scene, you may have noticed one of the bigger names didn’t make the cut on our list of ways to meet men online. No disrespect to Coffee Meets Bagel. It is a decent dating app that’s geared toward serious relationship seekers. But its membership base is not as large and diverse as we would like to see.

If you live in a big city like San Francisco, Coffee Meets Bagel will probably have more than enough potential match options for you. However, those of us in smaller cities and municipalities are left to wander in a sea of inactive profiles and unanswered messages.

How Can I Meet Men Offline?

Look, if you’re feeling online dating burnout, I totally get it. There were definitely days (before I met my boyfriend on a dating app) when I wanted to chuck my phone as far away from me as possible and maybe take a shower to get the swiping funk off me. That’s why it’s good to mix in some real-life socializing and date-friendly activities into your routine.

Many opportunities to meet men exist in real life, and all you have to do is find your groove. Join a club. Host a game night at home or at a coffee shop. Play a sport through a co-ed league. Attend a community meeting. Take part in a parade, festival, or fandom convention. Singles can search the Meetup website to find local social groups that appeal to your interests.

Photo of a couple at a bar

Whether it’s bar trivia or a book club, social activities can help singles mingle.

Volunteerism is another good way to meet people. Many nonprofits rely on teams of people working together to accomplish a goal, and tight-knit team bonding is often part of the daily operation.

You don’t have to spend long hours with a volunteer group to make a new friend. You can easily strike up a conversation as you donate clothing, set up an event, or foster a shelter dog. Just get your foot in the door and see if a single guy catches your eye!

Dating Has Changed! That’s Good News for Single Women

Many single women are looking for a good man to make them laugh and give them that loving feeling. And it’s not always so easy to find in everyday life.

Before internet dating became mainstream, women were stuck hoping to run into the right guy at the grocery store or gym. Or trying to meet a secret gentleman at a dive bar or nightclub. Or maybe some working women could flirt with a cute guy at the office and hopefully avoid a #MeToo situation? All of these options require a lot of luck and give women few choices or filters.

Nowadays single women have a faster and more convenient option — they can meet men online. Joining a dating site or app only takes a few minutes, and it could yield life-changing results if you find true love or get in a committed relationship. Even if you don’t meet The One right away, you can get a quick ego boost, practice your flirt game, and find a lot of promising matches on a local dating app. Good luck!

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