The 10 best dating sites and apps (part 1)
As the internet plays an ever greater part in our social lives, with sites such as Facebook helping us to keep in touch with our friends, it's inevitable that we use it to help run our love lives as well.
Online dating and dating apps are one of the most popular ways to meet a new partner and there are more than 1,400 sites in the UK alone, catering for people from all walks of life and interests.
So whether you’re mad about dogs, passionate about green issues or a connoisseur of fine wines you’re sure to find someone who shares your interests.
Here is the pick of the best dating websites and apps :
The best dating sites and apps:
1. Match.com
Best for: getting back out there
Free membership (limited)
Synonymous with online dating, Match.com has someone for everyone. Create a detailed profile, then find your potential partner through a criteria search. You can go on “zen mode” to be only contacted by those who meet your criteria.
It’s free to become a member but you can only send and receive messages if you are a subscriber.
2. Eharmony
Best for: serious relationships
Free membership (limited)
Modern matchmaking service, eHarmony, claims over half a million couples have found love through their site. Users are required to fill out an 80-question compatibility quiz to determine their core values in relation to others, but it powers many useful tools to help them find love (including compatibility scores, personality profiles, and relationship advice).
It’s free to register and download the app, send ‘smiles’ and pre-written Icebreakers to get the conversation started.
3. EliteSingles
Best for: educated singles in their forties
Free membership (limited)
13 million users worldwide
Those averse to swiping left may enjoy EliteSingles - a site that uses a personality test to match users based on their compatibility. The site only sends between 3 and 7 matches per day - all of whom have been manually verified. Most users are looking for a long-term commitment and intellectual match, and 85% of users have a degree and are between 30 and 55 years old.
The site and app are both free, but you need to subscribe to send messages to your matches.
4. Lumen
Best for: mature dating
Free membership
Whether your children have flown the nest or you’re recently divorced, dating in your fifties is a bit of a minefield. That’s where Lumen comes in.
Most dating apps are soul-destroying because the conversations consist of boring pleasantries. Not so with Lumen. Your icebreaker message needs to be at least 50 characters long, which encourages interesting conversations.
All accounts are verified, and profiles are detailed - with at least three photos and a lengthy bio. There are no paywalls on the site but you can only start six conversations per day as a free member. You can upgrade to 12 conversations per day if you subscribe
Best for: countryside lovers
Free membership (limited)
Muddy Matches is dedicated to matching country-minded people. You don’t have to live in the countryside to be on the app - you may be a townie with a penchant for men who play polo. You can easily see prospective partners’ interests, as well as where they went to school; if you like what you see, you can send them a wink..
Best for: quirky and open-minded singles
Free membership
4 million users worldwide
OkCupid has an extensive personality questionnaire, designed to increase compatibility. You can then inject personality into your profile by answering quirky questions, such as “Do you make your bed every day?”
Instead of being bombarded with messages, you can only message those with whom you have matched. Downloading the app and speaking to users is free but you can upgrade to Premium for extra features.
7. SCRUFF
Best for: slightly older bi, gay and trans men
Free membership
15 million users worldwide
Originally tailored to men who like men with beards, SCRUFF’s userbase has since expanded to include clean-shaven bi, gay and trans men. On the site, which has an older intake than Grindr, you can swipe right to prospective partners from your area and around the world.
The app is playful and there’s a ‘Woof’ button that tells a fellow user that you find them attractive. This is a free dating app but you can upgrade to SCRUFF Pro for more features.
8. Bumble
Best for: empowering women
Free membership
22 million users worldwide
To redress the gender imbalance of dating apps, women have to begin the conversations on Bumble. Profiles are not as detailed as on some apps, but you can make video calls and get to know your match before you meet.
Lazy users are penalised on Bumble, as you only have 24 hours to initiate a conversation before the match expires. The app is free to use but you can upgrade to Bumble Boost, where you can see users who have already ‘liked’ you.
9. HER
Best for: meeting like-minded queer women
Free membership
4 million members worldwide
HER is a much-needed breath of fresh air on the dating app scene, as an app dedicated to helping queer, bisexual and lesbian women find their ideal partner. The app is free and you can view profiles, add friends and start chats at no extra cost. Upgrade to HER Premium to filter users by sexuality, see who is currently online and more.
HER also shares LGBTQ+ news and events taking place in your area, and there are smaller chat groups where you can meet other users.
10. The Inner Circle
Best for: young professionals
Free membership
1.5 million users worldwide
The adverts for The Inner Circle look like promotions for Glyndebourne, featuring couples in black ties and cocktail dress. This dating app is selective and there’s even an application process. Membership is granted based on a user’s Facebook and LinkedIn profiles, job description and photos. In 2016, there were 450,000 applicants on the waiting list.
Tailored to matchmaking ambitious, career-savvy young professionals, The Inner Circle claims to have made 10,000 successful matches. The app is free to download, but you can upgrade to premium packages. There are also exclusive members events. Polo in the park, anyone?
Reviewed by Admin
on
5/23/2020
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