These are the best dating sites to try out, whether you’re just curious about the dating scene or actively seeking for someone to spend the rest of your love with.
Online dating and dating apps are becoming one of the most popular methods to meet a new mate. There are more than 1,400 sites in the UK alone, catering to people from all walks of life and hobbies.
If this is something you’ve never done before, there’s no better time than the present to sign up. It’s been ten years since the birth of Tinder, which completely reimagined the concept of romantic relationships for an entire generation. Since then, the selection of dating services has never been larger – or more specialized. It’s possible that someone who shares your interests is just a few clicks away, regardless of whether you’re crazy about pets, enthusiastic about environmental concerns, or a connoisseur of good wines. If you search online, you could find someone who does share your interests.
Here is our selection of the top online dating websites and mobile apps; however, don’t forget to check out our very own site, dating.telegraph.co.uk!
The top dating websites and mobile dating apps in the United Kingdom
1. The harmony of Eharmony
Relationshis that are more committed work best.
- Free of membership to join (limited)
- Five million users in the United Kingdom
Eharmony, a contemporary online matchmaking service, claims that more than two million people have found love via the use of their site. Users are asked to complete out a brief survey to assess their essential values in relation to those of other people, and the results of this quiz power several helpful tools that are designed to assist them in finding love (including compatibility scores, personality profiles, and relationship advice).
Registering up an account and downloading the app are both completely free of charge, as are sending’smiles’ and using the pre-written icebreakers to initiate a chat. You will, however, need to subscribe in order to get personalized messages and to have unrestricted access to the profile of your match. A subscription can be purchased for as little as $7.95 per month for a period of 24 months.
2. The website Match.com;
The most effective method for: going back out there
- Free of membership to join (limited)
- Three million users in the United Kingdom
Match.com is the gold standard of online dating because it truly does have someone for everyone. First, develop a comprehensive profile, and then use it to conduct a search for a suitable mate who meets your requirements. You have the option to enter “zen mode,” which will limit interaction to just those people who meet your requirements.
Becoming a member of our community is completely free, but in order to send and receive messages, you will need to subscribe. A subscription may be purchased for a starting price of £12.99 per month for a period of six months.
3. EliteSingles
Singles in their forties who have some level of education perform the best.
- Starting at only £24.95 each month
- 170,000 users
People who are uncomfortable with the idea of swiping left on potential dates may match success on EliteSingles, a dating site that matches users based on the compatibility of their personalities. The extensive compatibility test takes into consideration your physical appearance, your personality (including questions about how optimistic and ambitious you are, your social skills, how your friends would describe you, and other topics), and what you’re looking for in a partner, including whether or not you want children. The majority of users are interested in making a long-term commitment and finding an intellectual match, and 85 cent of users have at least a bachelor’s degree and are between the ages of 30 and 55.
In order to send messages to your matches, view all of their photographs, and write comments on those photos, you are required to subscribe a subscription. A premium membership may be tried out for three months at a cost of £44.95 per month or for six months at a cost of £34.95 per month at a starting price of £24.95 per month for the first year.
4. Silver Singles
Best for people over the age of 50 who are searching for romantic relationships
- Free of membership to join (limited)
- Seventy thousand users in the UK
The United States is where Silver Singles has seen the most success, but the game is also gaining traction in the United Kingdom. In order to register up for the site, you are required to complete an extensive personality test that may last anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes and is designed to help you find the person who is the best possible match for you.
Although the profiles are fairly extensive, access to them is restricted unless a fee is paid. In the same vein, if you want to send messages to potential matches, you will need to pay for that service. This premium membership starts at only $24.95 for a year’s subscription.
5. Our Time
Best for: meeting to know a wide range of senior singles living in your location
- Free of membership to join
- 150,000 users currently logged in
Those who are sick of swiping and want to meet someone IRL (that’s “in real life” in text speak) will find Our Time to be a welcome relief. You will be able to meet people who share your interests at the site’s ongoing events that are held just for senior singles in your region. Feeling shy? You are allowed to bring up to three friends with you for the purpose of receiving emotional support.
Since Match Group is the owner of the app, it means that your profile will also display on other dating sites, which increases the number of people you may potentially meet as a result.
Visit our Mature Dating area for additional helpful hints and pointers on how to dating successfully after the age of 40.
6. Online Dating through Telegraph
Best for: meeting like-minded persons
- Free of membership to join (limited)
- 220,000 members globally
Getting to meet other singles who share your interests is made easy by using the Telegraph Dating site. During the process of creating your free profile, simply include a description of the kind of person you are hoping to find. After that, go around the site and read the profiles of other users. When you discover someone who seems like a good fit for you, you should contact them and introduce yourself.
You are able to read messages sent to you by possible matches and reply a one-line response if you have a free membership. Conversations may only be started and personal, individualized messages can only be written by paying subscribers. A subscription may be purchased for a total of 12 months for a starting price of £12 per month. If you upgrade to Premium, which costs an additional ten pounds a month, other users will be free to reply to your messages without having to pay extra.
7. Parship
Singles interested in forming a relationship over the long run are the best candidates.
- Free (limited)
- 23,000 new members every week
Finding love with the aid of Parship’s scientific method is made easier. The site classifies users into 36 personality types and makes use of a matching algorithm that consists of 136 different rules, all of which are based on the results of the previous 40 years’ worth of relationship on how to establish healthy romantic connections. The compatibility questionnaire is quite in-depth and covers a wide range of topics, from what you seek in a spouse to whether you sleep with the window open or not.
There is a pretty balanced distribution of males and females among the users, and 52 cent of them hold graduate degrees. Every week, the site attracts 23,000 new members, and of them, nearly four in ten find a spouse through Parship. However, although it is free to sign up for the service, complete the extensive personality test, view your matches, and “smile” at them, you will need to pay in order to message with your matches directly. You may test out the site for six months (at a cost of £19 per month) or three months (at a cost of £29 per month) before committing to a membership, which starts at £14.90 per month for a period of 12 months.
8. Original Dating
Best for: Those who are looking for a unique approach to discovering “The One.”
- From £10 per event
- Over 250,000 users
Are you sick of swiping to the right? Original Dating stands apart from other dating apps by putting an emphasis on offline encounters between singles. You may meet anywhere from 15 to 20 new people in just one night if you go to one of the many different types of speed dating events, some of which are even available online. Original Dating, in contrast to traditional speed dating events, requires all participants to pre-register online. This assures that there will be an equal number of men and women in attendance. You have the option to subscribe to receive discounts and gain access to even more exclusive events, or you can simply try out an event for yourself (prices start at just £10).
9. OkCupid
Singles who are unique and open-minded make the best customers here.
- Free of membership to join
- 4 million users around the world
The OkCupid personality test is rather comprehensive, and its primary purpose is to improve compatibility between users. After that, you have the opportunity to infuse your profile with personality by responding to offbeat questions such as “Do you make your bed every day?”
You will no longer be inundated with messages since you will be able to message only with those users with whom you have a connection. There is no cost associated with downloading the app or interacting with other users, however there is an option to upgrade to Premium for access to free features.
OKCupid was the first dating app to have 22 gender variations and 13 sexual orientation choices when it was released in 2014. OkCupid has gained a lot of popularity as a result of its welcoming attitude, which, according to the company’s site, results in 91 million new connections each year.
10. Bumble
Optimal for: fostering independence in females
- Free of membership to join
- 22 million users all across the world
Bumble requires women to make the first move in conversation in order to correct the gender imbalance that exists inside dating apps. The profiles are not as in-depth as those seen on other apps; nevertheless, you are able to have video conversations and get to know your potential match before you actually meet.
Bumble punishes users for being unresponsive by limiting the amount of time they have to start a chat before the potential match disappears. You don’t have to pay anything to upgrade or use the app; but, if you want access to a feature called Bumble Boost, which allows you to view other users who have indicated that they “like” you, you may pay £11.16 per month for a period of 6 months or just £2.49 for a free day.
11. HER
Best for: meeting like-minded gay women
- Free of membership to join
- A global total of 4 million members
HER is a much-needed breath of new air in the dating app world since it is committed to assisting queer, bisexual, and lesbian women in finding the right match for themselves. The app is free to use, and there are no additional fees required to see profiles, add friends, or begin a conversation. By upgrading to HER Premium, you will be able to filter users by their sexual orientation, view who is presently online, and upgrade more features.
There are also more intimate chat rooms where you may meet other users of HER, as well as local LGBTQ+ news and activities that are going place in your region.
12. the innermost group
Best suited for: young working professionals
- Free of membership to join
- 3 million users around the world
The advertisements for Inner Circle appear like they may be for Glyndebourne since they feature couples dressed up in cocktail dresses and black ties. This dating app has a strict application procedure, as well as a limited membership pool. In 2016, there were 450,000 people on the waiting list to be considered for the position.
There are already 4 million singles using the Inner Circle app, which is spread across 66 cities and 29 countries. The app is designed to help ambitious young professionals find romantic partners. The application may be downloaded at no cost, however premium upgrades are available for purchase. There are some events that are only open to members. Who’s up for some polo in the park?
13. Happn
People who have a lot on their plates are the ones who will benefit most from this.
- Free of membership to join
- Fifty million users around the world
In the movies, people will meet one another’s gaze on a moving train, strike up a discussion, and eventually fall in love. In all honesty, we are far too uncomfortable (and British) to act on the spur of the moment. This is when the app Happn comes in handy. If you and another user have been in the same place at the same time, you will see that user at the top of your Happn page. If you like what you see, you may send someone a heart and then start a discussion with them if they send you a heart in return.
Your precise location will not be revealed; just the general vicinity will be discussed. The application is free at no cost; however, there is an in-app purchase available for “Premium” features, which allow people to upgrade up to ten “Hellos” and provide access to a list of users who have shown interest in them.
14. Hinge
Ideal for young people who are seeking for a romantic partner
- Free of membership to join
- 5.5 million registered members throughout the globe
Hinge is a relatively new dating app that has quickly become popular among millennials, who refer to it as “the relationship app.” More than simply images and a brief description of yourself are required to create a profile. Instead, you will be asked to respond to three questions (such as “Who was my first crush?” “Andrew Garcia”), after which potential matches will be able to “like” your responses and begin a discussion with you.
Millennials commonly refer to Hinge as “the relationship app,” which is in part due to the marketing tagline that the company uses. CREDIT: Hinge
You are not limited in any way in terms of the number of profiles you can view, swipes you can make, or messages you can send because the app is completely free to download. You have the option, however, to upgrade to a Preferred Membership, which expands your ability to refine search results.
15. Tinder
Casual dating is what this phrase is best suited for.
- Free of membership to join
- More than 50 million users around the world
It’s the app that started it all for online dating. Tinder, an app that emphasizes photos and boasts 2 billion daily views, gives users the ability to “swipe right” on possible dates, after which they may message them and set up a date. According to the site, the app is responsible for one million dates every single week.
Tinder appears to be targeted at dating in a more informal setting. You are able to put your name, job, company, education, location, and connections to your Instagram and Spotify accounts; but, profiles are not as thorough as those seen on other mobile apps.
Tinder is only one of several dating apps available, and it’s possible that you may use it to meet your future spouse. CREDIT: Tinder
16. Badoo
Ideal for: maintaining a flexible approach to your choices
- Free of membership to join (limited)
- More than 497 million users throughout the globe
Try out Badoo if you wish to have a wide variety of options available to you. When you sign up for the app, you will be asked to decide what you are searching for. These options include just chatting with other users, going on casual dates, finding a serious partner, or maintaining an open mind.
The app features a swiping mechanism, but it also allows users to join others in their live video conversations at any time. Personal information is limited to the bare essentials on profiles, and you will be notified if someone likes or messages you. However, because there are so many users, this might feel quite overwhelming at times. Premium pricing begins at $4.99 for a week and varies depending on the package and subscription level that the customer chooses.
17. Coffee Meets Bagel
Best for: hopeless romantics
- Free of membership to join
- 7 million users around the world
Because of its name, it’s obviously very obvious that the majority of this app’s users are located in the United States. Nevertheless, it unquestionably adds a new and interesting twist to the dating scene. Because the site gives you only one potential match every day, its unique selling proposition (USP) is that you are forced to give careful consideration to whether or not the person in question is a good match for you, as opposed to simply swiping left on them without giving them a second thought.
Having said that, you have the option of selecting the ‘Discover’ button and like a small number of people each day. If you two are a match, the app will propose a unique conversation starter to share with one another (for example, “Ask Thomas about his recent vacation to Thailand!”). It does not cost anything to download the app or communicate with your potential partners. You may, however, upgrade to a Premium membership in order to view whether or not your messages have been read and to have access to statistics on your match, such as the average amount of time it takes them to respond to messages.
18. Qemistry
Best for: Young TikTok-obsessives yearning for love
- Free of membership to join
On the dating app scene, Qemistry is a breath of fresh air because it is designed for people between the ages of 18 and 35 of all genders and orientations. Although it is still in its infancy (it was only released on September 3 of this year), it has a lot of untapped potential. You can make use of it by uploading videos to your profile. These videos could be in the form of TikToks, Instagram Stories, or even just a video of you telling a joke or dancing. This allows your personality to show through, in contrast to curated photo profiles, which often place a focus on your abs.
19. The Connection to Christianity
Christians who are searching for a long-term commitment are the best candidates.
- Free of membership to join (limited)
- 110,000 users worldwide
Users of Christian Connection have the ability to establish thorough profiles on the platform, in which they may share information about their occupations, political beliefs, ideal vacation spots, favorite films, and, of course, religious perspectives.
You may “wave” at someone and send them a message if you see someone you like on the site. Although membership is free, all you can do with it is match, send waves, and respond with predefined responses. You may get a taste of the subscription service with a free three-day trial; if you subscribe, starting at £24 per month, you can send an unlimited number of messages and enjoy reduced access to social events.
20. Muzmatch
Best for: single Muslims seeking for love
- Free of membership to join
- One million members around the world
You may be familiar with Muzmatch from the humorous advertising campaigns that they have run in the past (“Halal, is it me you’re searching for?”). But despite this, the free dating app offers a plethora of other noteworthy features, which may help to explain why it has led to 25,000 successful matches. To begin, it safeguards your privacy by allowing you to use an alias and hide or blur any images you upload until a later time. This eliminates the possibility that any of your close friends or family members may accidentally come across your profile.
Every user on the platform has their users checked, and you have the option of having a ‘Wali’ monitor any conversations you have on the platform. You may swipe, chat, and match potential matches all for free within the app. You have the option to upgrade to Instant Match, which grants you the ability to chat to someone before they have shown interest in you themselves.
21. JDate
Single Jews are the most likely to benefit from this.
- Free of membership to join
JDate, the most popular Jewish dating service on the internet, has been operating for almost twenty years. Because of the changes that were made to it in 2017, it is now a much more simplified service. After uploading a bio (usually between 100 and 150 words) and up to six photos, you will be able to browse the profiles of other users to evaluate their physical characteristics, hobbies, religious practices, and what they are looking for.
With the Look Book, which is a list of people who have liked you back, it is simple to keep track of possible partners who may become your friends. In addition, the site has a sense of community thanks to a section called Kibitz Corner. In this section, the site asks daily questions, and users may compare their responses with those of their matches.
How to protect your dating life from cons?
James Preece, an expert in dating and owner of the website jamespreece.com, offers the following advice on how to avoid falling victim to con artists:
- If you have any doubts about a user’s profile, you should report it to the dating website or app so that they can look into it.
- Make an effort to conduct your own investigation; for example, you may inquire for the person’s complete name and then search them up on social media and Google.
- Do not be hesitant to challenge their validity; if they are legitimate, they won’t mind if you try to verify them in any way, so don’t be scared to do so.
- Keep in mind that they may spend several months cultivating a relationship with you and won’t ask for money until after you’ve been emotionally invested in the situation.
- Seek the counsel of a friend who is not as emotionally invested in the situation as you are; this person may be able to see something that you are missing.
- Be on the lookout for images that have been tampered with or stolen. You can check the authenticity of a photo by using websites such as TinEye.com, or you can try doing a reverse image search on Google (by clicking on the camera logo in the search bar and uploading an image) to determine whether or not they are using a fake picture. Both of these options are available online.
- Disclosing too personal information, such as your home address, phone number, or email address, should be avoided at all costs.
- You should think about creating a new email account in order to use for online dating, and you should also consider getting a cheap phone with a pay-as-you-go plan in order to use for making phone calls.