If you’re searching for the best dating sites for women, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve been on the front lines of the swiping world and scoured the dating scene in search of dating sites (and apps) that look out for women of all ages, orientations, and backgrounds.
Some people assume that just because single men outnumber women on most dating platforms, that single women have it so easy. As if women on dating sites are surrounded by a sea of options and can take their pick. Sounds nice, but it’s not always that simple. In reality, all those matches and messages can overwhelm women if they don’t have a good way to filter out the duds and block the creeps.
As modern women, we need more than numbers on our side. We need quality-driven dating sites that will support us and help us meet like-minded people. Fortunately, female-friendly quality is the name of the game on the following dating sites.
Best Overall Dating Sites for Women
The best dating sites deliver quality matches without a lot of hassle or stress. You don’t want to spend hours on a dating site with no dates to show for it, right? So choose a time-tested dating site that will have your back! Here are two of our favorites.
1. Match
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 »
Match tops our list of the best dating sites for women because of its personality-driven matching features. Since 1995, this industry-leading dating site has put the interests of its users first and made countless lasting connections.
Women can create a free account on Match and explore the singles database by using the search filters in the Discover section or swiping through profiles in their Daily Matches. Every day, thousands of new singles join Match and receive curated match suggestions based on their dating preferences.
It’s no wonder that many success stories have sprung from Match. Over the years, the Match Group dating service has inspired more relationships and marriages than any other online dating site or app — ever. Worth checking out? Most definitely.
Elite Singles prioritizes quality over quantity, and its highly selective match system satisfies discerning single women looking for a true partnership. A majority of Elite Singles users have graduated from college, excelled in their careers, and want to find someone special to share in their success.
- 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
- Browse Elite Singles profiles 100% free »
EliteSingles takes the online dating scene to a new level with its premium membership plans. The platform caters specifically to academic singles and successful professionals who want to get in a real, lasting relationship.
Over 80% of EliteSingles members have earned at least a bachelor’s degree, and over 90% say they are looking for a relationship — not casual sex. It’s commonly reviewed as the best dating site for putting quality over quantity, and that’s something that appeals to women with high standards.
It’s free to create a dating profile on EliteSingles and test out its search and matching features. Paying members can view photos and send messages, so you’ll need to invest in your love life if you want to get returns here.
3. Zoosk
Zoosk supports online flirtation with its advanced search filters, live messaging system, and SmartPick matches. This dating site has a global membership of over 40 million singles in 80 countries, and it has been translated into 25 languages. Zoosk members can browse profiles, send likes, and message anyone who catches their eye.
- Facilitates friendship, dates, and relationships
- Behavioral matchmaking technology recommends compatible men
- Search filters by gender, age, distance, appearance, and more
- Browse Zoosk profiles 100% free »
Since its launch in 2007, Zoosk has pushed the boundaries of what a dating site or app can do. It started with the simple idea of combining social media with a traditional dating site so singles would feel part of an active community.
Zoosk exploded in popularity thanks to its emphasis on chatting, liking, and engaging with like-minded people. The dating site gives its users plenty of ways to express interest in one another — from sending virtual gifts to exchanging private messages — and it now reaches over 80 countries worldwide.
Zoosk uses behavioral matchmaking to recommend potential dates to women, so the more you navigate the site and like profiles, the better your match suggestions will be.
4. eharmony
It may take some time to fill out eharmony's personality test, but the results are well worth it. This dating site goes the extra mile to get to know its members and deliver quality matches to their inboxes. Every profile has a compatibility rating to let you know your essential similarities and differences. Plus eharmony has inspired more than 2 million love connections since 2000.
- 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
- Browse eharmony profiles 100% free »
A Christian theologian and clinical psychologist named Dr. Neil Warren Clark came up with eharmony in 2000 as a solution for marriage-ready singles around the world.
The dating site launched with lofty ambitions and quickly became one of the most respected names in the online dating space. Today, eharmony has perfected its matchmaking system, which is grounded by an in-depth personality test. It may take a few minutes to create a free dating profile on eharmony, and maybe 20 minutes to complete its Compatibility Quiz, but all that time will pay off in the long run. Many members say they were amazed by how accurate eharmony’s compatibility ratings can be, and that’s all thanks to its in-depth personality test and matchmaking power.
There are no search tools on eharmony, so women must trust the site and app to recommend a compatible match to bring them high-quality single men with similar interests, backgrounds, and goals.
5. Bumble
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 »
Bumble is easily one of the best dating sites for women because it puts women first — literally. When a man matches with a woman on the dating app, he won’t be able to send any messages until she does. She has the power to start the conversation, or let it disappear within 24 hours.
Men can signal a greater level of interest by sending a SuperSwipe (a paid feature) or by extending the conversation’s expiration date by an additional 24 hours — but that’s it. Straight guys have to let women take the lead, at least in the beginning, and that power dynamic sets the tone for the relationship.
Women who don’t mind being a little forward will love Bumble’s user-friendly tools. Since its launch in 2014, Bumble has positioned itself as a progressive and female-friendly dating app that promotes genuine, heartfelt conversations over cheesy and insincere pickup lines.
The popular dating app has even expanded into friendships with Bumble BFF and professional networking with Bumble Bizz.
6. OkCupid
Since 2004, OkCupid has set itself apart by turning online matchmaking into a numbers game. The dating site and app uses highly sophisticated algorithms to assess compatibility between two individuals and recommend great date prospects. Single women can search the site by age, location, interest, or keyword to find a guy who measures up to their standards.
- 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
- Browse OkCupid profiles 100% free »
OkCupid is a forever-free dating site and app where singles can send unlimited messages without paying a cent. OkCupid’s motto is “dating deserves better,” and its seasoned team has worked hard to perfect the online matching process.
Since 2004, OkCupid has promoted a personality-driven dating space where singles can answer a personality test with questions about themselves, write lengthy and quirky dating profiles, and reach out to anyone on the platform. Today, OkCupid makes over 91 million matches and facilitates over 2 million dates a year.
OkCupid gives women the ability to choose their pronouns when setting up a profile, and they can also choose form 22 gender options and 13 orientation options on the dating platform.
Plenty of Fish offers free messaging and profile browsing. No caveats. No trial periods. No catches. The dating site and app is 100% free to use, and that has attracted a global audience of over 120 million monthly users. Every week, these active daters exchange over 1 billion messages and build loving relationships over the course of the conversation.
- 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
- Browse Plenty of Fish profiles 100% free »
Want to strike up a conversation that leads to a date? Then Plenty of Fish may be the right dating site for you. The POF community has over 150 million members, making it one of the most popular places to chat with singles. As if that weren’t enough, POF also makes over 57 million connections each week.
Messaging is 100% free on Plenty of Fish, and you don’t need to fill out a lengthy personality test to get started. You can create a basic profile, upload a photo, and start connecting with singles within minutes. If you connect your POF profile to Facebook, the process of setting up a free membership with be even quicker.
Over 70,000 new singles sign up to Plenty of Fish each day, and this ever-expanding dating pool is perfect for chatty women looking to meet a potential match in a low-stress environment.
Best Senior Dating Sites for Women
Older women can sometimes feel intimidated by the fast-paced, high-tech internet dating world we live in, but it doesn’t have to be all that overwhelming. Senior-friendly dating sites can walk singles over 50 through the online dating process and give older women a community where they feel comfortable.
SilverSingles is a premium dating site where mature men and women can feel safe having a conversation and getting acquainted. The site only allows singles over 50 to join, and it uses advanced profile verification techniques to ensure everyone is who they say they are. Anyone looking for love and romance can rely on SilverSingles to make them a great match.
- Women receive several match recommendations a day
- Intelligent matchmaking grounded in personal compatibility
- The site maintains strict privacy and safety guidelines
- Browse SilverSingles profiles 100% free »
Once you’ve reached a certain age, it can be difficult to meet new people and find age-appropriate dates, and that’s why senior dating sites like Silver Singles exist.
Single moms and older women can enjoy a safe and beginners-friendly dating environment on Silver Singles. The site requires users to be over 50, so cougars (aka women who date younger men) may want to look elsewhere. It’s all about mature relationships here.
Silver Singles looks out for the needs of the senior dating population, and it has attracted over 800,000 users thanks to its unique approach to online dating.
9. OurTime
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 »
OurTime is another great option for senior women in the U.S., the U.K., and other countries.
As a senior-friendly site, OurTime caters to the over-50 community and provides a welcoming place where they can browse, search, and send messages to one another. It’s free to join. Paying subscribers can send unlimited messages, so you don’t have to worry about being spammed.
“I have met the most wonderful man. He is everything to me,” wrote a former OurTime member from Kansas. “I hope everyone here has the same faith in finding a soul mate as I did.”
10. 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 »
Since 2003, SeniorMatch has been one of the leading dating sites for women over 50. The site offers personalized matches, in-depth search filters, and hands-on assistance throughout the online dating process.
SeniorMatch is an active dating platform where like-minded people can build friendships and relationships. In fact, over 1.6 million conversations occur each month on the site.
SeniorMatch is also available as an app, and it has been downloaded over 50,000 times. You can read our full review of Senior Match for more information.
SeniorFriendsDate is a fantastic resource for senior women interested in short-term or long-term romance. The fast sign-up process and thorough verification tools help newcomers feel comfortable being themselves and sharing their experiences in their profiles. It's free to join SeniorFriendsDate, and you don't have to pay a cent to send messages to the senior men you like.
- Free messaging, browsing, and flirting
- Detailed profiles showcase your personality
- Strict photo policy ensures people are genuine
- Browse SeniorFriendsDate profiles 100% free »
Love don’t cost a thing on SeniorFriendsDate.com, a free dating site for seniors. This dating site boasts 100% free communication as well as free searches and matching. You can browse the site for potential dates and send messages to anyone you fancy.
While other sites offer a pay-to-play model, SeniorFriendsDate.com mixes things up by opening the door to romance to everyone online. No fees, no subscriptions, and no obligations.
Older adults can explore the senior dating scene at their leisure thanks to the fast-working tools and in-depth personality test on SeniorFriendsDate.com.
Best Christian Dating Sites for Women
Although interfaith marriage is on the rise in the U.S., not everyone is so keen to marry someone in a different religion. If your faith is important to you and your family, you may want to try using a niche dating site or mobile app for Christian singles to ensure your potential dates line up with your religious convictions.
12. Christian Mingle
Christian Mingle boasts having a higher percentage of Christian members than any other dating website, and it has inspired this loyal following by pairing online daters with Christian values. This niche dating site serves a diverse community of Christian men and women who are in search of a lasting love. Its advanced search features, safety measures, and mutual matching system can provide the structure singles need to get in a God-centered relationship.
- 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
- Browse Christian Mingle profiles 100% free »
Christian Mingle is an upstanding Christian dating site where women can meet partners in faith. The site fosters God-centered relationships and sets high moral standards for the online dating scene.
People of all faiths and orientations can join Christian Mingle — as long as they’re open to being in a relationship with a Christian. This site is designed for serious daters, and its safety guidelines remind singles to trust their instincts and put their best foot forward when making an online connection.
“Give ChristianMingle a chance,” advised Keren and Josue, a couple who met on the Christian dating site. “It is a powerful platform that is blessed by God and can be used by God to lead you to the right person.”
Best Black Dating Sites for Women
If you’re a woman of color, you may struggle to gain traction on a general dating site. According to one study of online dating behavior, non-black men were less likely to send messages to black women on a popular dating platform. Such discriminatory behavior won’t fly on black dating services like these.
13. BlackPeopleMeet
BlackPeopleMeet supports a niche dating network where Black and biracial singles are in the majority. With tons of messaging and matching features, the dating site helps men and women find dates who share similar values, backgrounds, and relationship goals. Both casual daters and serious daters find satisfaction on this free dating site.
- Free members can flirt with guys online
- Up to 11 match suggestions every day
- Search by demographics, online status, or keyword
- Browse BlackPeopleMeet profiles 100% free »
On BlackPeopleMeet, Black and biracial singles are in the majority. And that’s a powerful thing in terms of single empowerment and interracial dating.
Since its launch in 2002, BlackPeopleMeet has built a membership base of tens of thousands of singles in the U.S. and Canada. Anyone who wants to find a date in the Black community will be well served by all the options on this niche dating site and free dating app.
BlackPeopleMeet’s success stories can speak to its impact the dating platform has had on many people’s lives. “I met the love of my life from your website,” wrote a BPM user from Illinois. “We are doing quite well, and I have to say thank you.”
Best LGBT Dating Sites for Women
Lesbians can have difficulty meeting one another on general dating sites simply because they’re in the minority. However, by joining a lesbian dating site, women can come into their own. We’ve reviewed two of our favorite lesbian dating services to empower women to find exactly who they want.
14. LesbianPersonals
LesbianPersonals is a dynamic dating site for women and couples interested in enjoying some girl-on-girl action. Groups of three or more can also join he lustful dating community and solicit sex in private messages and members-only chat rooms. LesbianPersonals encourages women to come into their own and express their sexuality without restraint or judgment.
- A sexy online community made up of women, couples, and groups
- Over 25,000 new photos and videos added every week
- Chat via instant messenger or live two-way webcam
- Browse LesbianPersonals profiles 100% free »
If you want to find a sexy woman, LesbianPersonals is a fantastic place to start your search. The free dating site offers a world of women who are looking for a threesome or a lesbian encounter. Some are out-and-proud lesbians or bisexuals, while others are simply curious.
People can join LesbianPersonals as a single, couple (lesbian or straight), or group, so there’s no telling what sort of trouble you can get up to when you have a paid membership on this adult dating site.
With its live messaging and video chat options, LesbianPersonals has quickly become one of the most sexually active and stimulating environments for women meeting women.
15. HER
The HER team believes in the unequivocal power of queer womxn, and its niche dating community lets these strong female voices ring out loud and clear. Whether you're looking for a date, a travel buddy, or an interesting conversation, you can mingle freely and safely here.
- Welcomes women of all orientations
- Moderators patrol the app 24/7
- Location-based matches and events
- Browse HER profiles 100% free »
HER has created an all-women community where queer, lesbian, bisexual, and trans ladies can feel safe and welcome. The dating app puts the interests of its members first and strictly polices all content and profiles to ensure no creeps, jerks, bullies, or phonies slip through the cracks.
Anyone looking for a lesbian love or even a new friend can join HER for free. Over 10 million women have become part of this global queer family, and its reach continues to grow every day. HER verifies new users through Facebook and encourages connections with a social media feed and calendar.
If you want proof that HER works wonders for womxn, take a look at the #WeMetonHER to find the stories of lesbian and queer couples who are now blissfully happy since meeting on the free dating app.
Best Hookup Sites for Women
Not all single women want something serious, and that’s perfectly OK. Sometimes single moms aren’t ready to bring a new man into the family, but that shouldn’t mean letting sexual desires go by the wayside.
If you want to explore your sexuality in a safe space, you should join a hookup app or casual dating site where women can take charge and find hot dates. The following online dating websites do a good job of hooking women up without forcing an in-depth personality test on them.
16. BeNaughty
BeNaughty embraces hookup culture with its fun, easy, and naughty dating platform. If you see someone you like in the search results or Like Gallery, you can like the profile, send a flirtatious message, or add the profile to your favorites to pursue a new connection. BeNaughty provides a safe platform where sexually active singles can cut right to the chase and arrange a steamy encounter ASAP.
- 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
- Browse BeNaughty profiles 100% free »
BeNaughty can hook women up with a sexually stimulating playground on the web. This sex-positive site encourages women to let their hair down and meet sexy singles. BeNaughty is a good dating site for lesbian women because the moderators vet a person’s profile and only offer dating services to legit people.
Safety is a top priority on BeNaughty, and the site has many custom features and filters that allow women to keep unwanted dick pics and unsolicited messages at bay.
You can take a look at the site and even send pre-written messages without signing up for a monthly subscription plan. However, singles get more bang for their buck by upgrading their accounts. Not only do they rank higher in searches, but they also have the ability to send as many flirtatious messages as they want to a potential partner.
Adult Friend Finder is a dating site where adults can find sexual partners quickly and easily. Singles and swingers can let go of their inhibitions while browsing and chatting anonymously. Whether you're interested in a short-term hookup or a polyamorous relationship, you can make something happen by becoming part of this open-ended sex community.
- 65% of AFF members are men seeking a hot date
- Stay anonymous as you flirt in dating forums
- Mobile-friendly platform keeps you connected while on the go
- Browse Adult Friend Finder profiles 100% free »
AdultFriendFinder is one of the most popular hookup sites in the world with over 95 million profiles online. If you’re interested in a no-strings-attached hookup, you can use this platform as your go-to wingman.
Singles and swingers flock to AdultFriendFinder to enjoy sexy conversations and sexier encounters. The location-based searches make it easy to find a local hottie who’s ready to go to bed. No need to play coy here — everyone is looking for sex, so feel free to cut right to the chase!
18. FriendFinder-X
FriendFinder-X is a casual dating site focused on one thing: sex. Its search features, chat rooms, and X-rated content puts daters on the fast-track to romance. The site has millions of sexy profiles to its name, and it is growing larger every day. FriendFinder-X has slightly more men than women registered on the site, but that just means women can take their pick and find a quality date.
- 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
- Browse FriendFinder-X profiles 100% free »
FriendFinder-X is a sultry place to find a lover and satisfy your desires. This isn’t a dating site — it’s a hookup site, which means everyone who joins is interested in enjoying casual sex.
The tagline on FriendFinder-X is “where good girls do bad things,” so you can let your hair down and pursue any fantasy or fetish.
It’s free to create a dating profile on FriendFinder-X, but only subscribed members get full access to messages, video streams, and everything this raunchy internet dating platform has to offer.
19. Ashley Madison
Most Ashley Madison users are married and looking for an escape. That could come in the form of harmless online flirting, or it could mean pursuing an affair with someone special. The dating site and app aren't here to judge anyone for what they want. At the end of the day, Ashley Madison is all about following your heart -- wherever it may lead.
- Proactive privacy and security measures
- Ability to hide your face in profile pictures
- Quick Reply to matches to show you're interested
- Browse Ashley Madison profiles 100% free »
Last but not least,Ashley Madison is undeniably a popular dating app, though it is also undeniably controversial. Ashley Madison promotes itself as the best dating app for married dating, anonymous hookups, and flirtatious chats with single and not-single people alike.
With millions of active members, Ashley Madison can introduce single women to a dating pool of sexy and discreet people. Most Ashley Madison members are looking for a casual hookup. A survey of the user base found that the majority of Ashley Madison users are looking for more exciting sex lives, and yet only 39% of women on the app said they’d actually had an extramarital affair.
Single women can chat for free on Ashley Madison with no strings, so it’s a good open playing field to quickly take stock of the local dating scene and create mutual matches based on mutual attraction.
Are Paid Dating Sites Better Than Free Ones?
Many women have asked us if paid dating websites are really superior to free dating sites. Honestly, that depends on what you’re looking for. If you want to mingle in a selective dating pool, then it may be worth it to join a paid dating site. At the very least, you have the peace of mind of knowing that everyone who messages you is really serious about meeting up.
Free dating sites are generally better for singles on a budget. You don’t have to invest anything in your dating experience, so there’s no pressure to meet, match, or chat. As a result, free members tend to be a tad less serious and more likely to flake on conversations and dates.
It can be worth paying for a good dating site with a longstanding reputation and an active membership.
When it comes to free versus paid dating websites, it’s a get-what-you-pay-for situation. You can make a valuable match on a free dating site, like Facebook Dating, but you may have to put more time and effort into it because there won’t be a paywall filtering out undesirables and fake profiles.
However, in a survey of online daters, many singles expressed greater satisfaction with free dating sites over paid dating sites, perhaps because they had lower expectations for the experience.
What Dating Site is Best for Serious Relationships?
Many of the online dating sites on this list can facilitate serious relationships. Sites like Match and dating apps like Bumble appeal specifically to relationship-minded singles, but most dating websites will have a good mix of people, some seeking a long-term partnership, and others just looking for a short-term date.
I met my fiance on Hinge, which calls itself the relationship app, so I’d say that one works pretty well for singles who are serious about settling down.
Of course, it helps to have an idea of who your perfect match is and what types of qualities matter most to you. For instance, if you’re hoping to meet Jewish singles, a Christian dating site like Christian Connection isn’t going to work for you.
Pro tip: State your preference for a long-term relationship clearly in your dating profile, and you’ll attract folks who want the same things.
What is the Safest Dating Site?
These days, most of the major online dating sites are pretty safe. Companies have developed scammer-tracking tools and paywalls to keep unsavory folks at bay, and singles have developed smart strategies to keep themselves safe as well. Looking up a person’s Facebook account, for instance, can help single moms verify the identity of a person they met on a free dating app.
The best dating sites for women place a high premium on safety features, and it shows in their reviews and success stories.
“The vast majority of people using dating sites are sincere and honest.” — GetSafeOnline
Women can stay safe online by joining a good dating site or app (like the ones on this list), screening their dates in private chats, and only agreeing to first dates in public places where they feel comfortable.
“Get to know people, take your time, and trust your instincts,” advises GetSafeOnline’s experts. “Don’t get a false sense of security because you’re on a dating site; do your own research to learn more about someone and make informed decisions before you decide to meet.”
The Best Online Dating Sites Look Out for Women
Women can build their confidence and meet many wonderful people by joining the right dating site or app. It may seem intimidating if you’ve never tried online dating before, especially if you receive hundreds of messages all at once. But a trustworthy dating platform can help you make sense of the dating scene and focus on the profiles you really like.
Over the years, online dating has become an incredibly common and effective way to find dates, and sometimes those online connections lead to something more. According to a recent survey conducted by The Knot, 22% of brides said they met their significant others online, and we expect that number to grow as more modern couples tie the knot.
Whether you’re hoping to find a long-term love or a short-term date, you can rely on a female-friendly dating site to introduce you to a world of romantic possibilities. Best of luck!
