As if finding love wasn’t hard enough before the COVID-19 pandemic, it became even more challenging now that we have travel bans and social distancing rules—but it’s not impossible.
If you’re single and ready to mingle, we’ve got you covered. We’ve rounded up 10 of the best dating websites to help you find love in the time of corona.
Table of Contents:
Best Online Dating Sites
Can You Really Fall in Love with Someone Online?
How to Choose the Best Dating Site for You
How to Make Your Dating Profile Stand Out
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Online Dating Sites
The COVID-19 pandemic changed the landscape of dating, though hopefully not forever. Whether you’re looking for marriage, a serious relationship, or a casual hookup, there’s a dating site for you.
Take a look at the best dating sites of 2020.
1. Bumble
Bumble is a free dating app designed to make online dating safer for women. As soon as opposite genders match, women have 24 hours to start a conversation. The connection expires after that timeframe. Once sent, men have to respond within the next 24 hours. They can, however, extend that window if they really like the person.
Only women can make the first move, which prevents unsolicited messages. For same-gender matches, either side can initiate the conversation.
The platform has a code of conduct to make it safer for all parties. More importantly, Bumble prohibits pornographic material and encourages its users to treat everyone with respect.
2. Tinder
Tinder is one of the best free dating sites in the US, known mostly for its simple swiping interface. It no longer requires its users to sign up with a Facebook account. However, you have to be 18 and up to join.
You can swipe right if you see someone you like and swipe left if you’re not interested. No one can get in touch with you unless you’ve shown interest in them. If both of you swiped right on each other, you’ll receive an invitation to send the other person a message. You only have limited swipes if you use the free app. To get unlimited swipes, you can turn to Tinder Plus or Tinder Gold.
3. eHarmony
eHarmony is a trusted senior dating site designed to help mature individuals find love, companionship, and maybe a little adventure. It has 33 million users and utilizes its Compatibility Matching System to find compatible individuals. Every day, it will recommend a new set of potential dates and partners. You can also review the areas of compatibility, which sets it apart from traditional senior dating platforms. As soon as you are matched, you can start a conversation if you are interested in the person you’ve been matched with.
The site is free and easy-to-use, but its free version has limited capabilities. If you’re serious about finding love online, you can choose from its paid plans to get advanced matching options.
4. Match
Match has been around since the ‘90s. It’s a trustworthy feature-rich site dating platform with an app and a website. Its userbase consists mostly of 30+ singles looking for potential partners to settle down with. Here, you’ll be asked to fill out a questionnaire with a myriad of personal questions, ranging from the color of your hair to your religious preferences. You’ll also be asked about future plans (e.g. whether or not you want children).
The questionnaire is long and comprehensive, so you’ll have to spend a bit more time and energy on it. On the bright side, it can help you more accurately find a compatible match.
5. OkCupid
With 50+ million users worldwide, OkCupid is a dating platform with massive reach. It has a simple, easy-to-use interface that is constantly updated with new features and functionalities. Without any cost, you can access a wide array of capabilities, including their Flavors system, messaging tools, and Instagram integration which are free-to-use.
If that isn’t enough for you, a premium subscription can extend your capabilities. You can, for instance, get advanced search tools.
Perhaps the best thing about the platform is that it’s frequently updated. Lately, OkCupid came under fire when a cybersecurity firm expressed concerns about the dating website and mobile app. Its unaddressed flaws make them vulnerable to hacking. They’ve since made the necessary fixes, emphasizing that no private data was compromised.
6. Hinge
Founded in 2012, Hinge is a mobile dating app designed to be deleted. It’s for people who want to find love but don’t want to lurk on these modern dating platforms for too long. Its interface is quite similar to Tinder. Every day, you’ll see a list of users based on the criteria you’ve set for potential partners. If both of you show mutual interest, then you can start messaging each other.
Hinge focuses on matching you with users who have mutual Facebook friends. Its algorithm will look for compatible matches from your social network. After a major redesign, its interface now focuses less on games and more on initiating interesting conversations. You can like and even leave a comment on their profile.
7. Plenty of Fish
Plenty of Fish is one of the oldest dating platforms today with 90 million recorded users in 2017. You can use the app for free. Recently, they launched a free live streaming feature that lets you date via video chat while in quarantine. You can set up a profile, manually search for potential matches, and message them.
If you want to take online dating seriously, you can use its paid version. It lets you add more photos to your profile and access extended profiles of other users. You’ll show up on the MeetMe feature, which should increase your visibility. A paid subscription is usually an ad-free experience.
8. Coffee Meets Bagel
If you’re tired of swiping left and right, you might want to go on Coffee Meets Bagel. It is a free dating app designed as an alternative for casual dating platforms. It uses a smart algorithm to match individuals based on mutual passions or values. Unlike many dating apps, women have the final say in who they want to interact with online or meet offline.
Its interface focuses on user profiles instead of photos. Instead of swiping right or left, you can “Heart” another user’s profile and even leave comments.
9. Zoosk
Zoosk is a popular online dating service available in 80+ countries and in 25 languages, making international dating easier. Instead of filling out tedious questionnaires, you can connect your existing social media channels so you can sign up and set up your profile in no time.
Since it’s available worldwide, it has a diverse userbase with users from different religious and cultural backgrounds. It’s LGBTQ+ friendly, too.
Using its Behavioral Matchmaking algorithm, it creates potential matches based on user actions. It determines who you’re compatible with by considering your likes, winks, and messages.
10. Facebook Dating
Launched in 2019, Facebook Dating is a new online dating platform that helps its userbase find long-term relationships. You can access it through the Facebook mobile app, where you set up a profile for the dating section and indicate your interests and activities.
Facebook will find like-minded individuals for you who share similar preferences. The algorithm, however, won’t set you up with someone you already know. Using its Super Crush feature, you can pick up to nine friends on Facebook and Instagram whom you’re interested in. If they feel the same way and select you on Super Crush, Facebook will match you both.
Can You Really Fall in Love with Someone Online?
According to Dr. Michael Adamse, a psychologist and author of “Affairs of the Net,” you can fall in love with someone you meet on the web. It happens all the time. The problem is that people often tend to form impressions that are rooted in fantasy instead of reality. So, once you do meet face-to-face, you can easily feel let down when reality doesn’t live up to your expectations.
Falling in love with someone online is possible. However, you should be careful about entering relationships, especially if you’ve yet to meet and spend time with them in real life. Tread carefully when you’re entering the modern dating landscape, and always be smart and cautious about the relationships you make online.
How to Choose the Best Dating Site for You
What type of relationships are you looking for?
Before diving into the online dating pool, ask yourself if you’re looking for long-term love, a potential life partner, or a casual romance. Many dating platforms are geared toward certain demographics or intentions. By figuring out the kind of relationship you want, you can find the right platform that can meet your needs.
Do you prefer being matched or searching independently?
Finding love online isn’t as easy as it seems. That’s why modern dating platforms usually have advanced algorithms that can help you look for potential partners. Bumble, Tinder, and eHarmony are a few examples. They’ll match like-minded individuals based on information indicated on user profiles. Here, you won’t be able to conduct your own search. You can only look up and message people you’ve been matched with.
If you want to conduct your own searches independently, you can go on platforms like Plenty of Fish. Some of these sights will even let you set filters in terms of age, gender, religion, or education so you can narrow down your search.
Which features matter most?
Determine the kind of online interactions you want. Not all dating sites have messaging systems. Some that do will let you initiate and carry out conversations with the people you’re compatible with. Others limit messaging capabilities to eliminate unwelcome advances.
Of course, safety is imperative when it comes to online dating. You should choose dating platforms with advanced security measures that can weed out the weirdos. More importantly, they should have secure defenses against malware, phishing scams, and other cyberattacks.
How much will it cost me?
If you’re new to the online dating landscape, you can dip your toes in the water with free dating services. However, they often come with limited features. For instance, you might not be able to view full user profiles and have less advanced matching options. In such cases, your dating decisions will have to be based mostly on physical appearances.
Paid subscriptions vary in price, ranging from $5 to over $50 per month. Advanced matching and searching capabilities depend on the plan you choose. Ultimately, it comes down to what you need and what features are worth paying for.
How to Make Your Dating Profile Stand Out
Upload compelling photos
First, you need to upload a good photo. Most dating platforms rely heavily on photos, but since some limit the number of images you can upload, select a high-quality picture for your profile. You don’t need to hire a professional photographer to do it. Get a friend to snap a photo of you in good lighting. You might want to upload a close-up as well as a full-body shot.
Since the goal is to find someone who will date you, there’s no need to upload group photos with your friends. Maybe share them late when you start dating.
Don’t write a novel
As for the profile itself, it should be a snapshot of who you are as a person. You don’t have to tell your life story. Just focus on what you do and what you’re interested in right now so you can find mutual passions and interests.
Make sure you leave some room for curiosity. At the same time, be upfront and honest about what you’re looking for right now. Whether you’re looking for a summer fling or long-term love, letting the other person know will save you a lot of time and energy.
Drop the negativity
Instead of talking about what you don’t want in a potential partner, focus on yourself. Highlight your best qualities and traits. Leave all the negativity and hurt from past relationships behind. You don’t want to repel people who you want to date, just to attract the attention of the right people.
To be sure, get a close friend to review your profile and photos before you upload everything online. Ask someone who can tell you the truth and give you constructive criticism.
Check for spelling and grammar errors
Aside from the content, you should review your profile for spelling and grammar mistakes. These might seem like minor issues caused by typographical errors; however, consistent issues might turn off the right people.
How to Make Your Dating Profile Stand Out
Upload compelling photos
First, you need to upload a good photo. Most dating platforms rely heavily on photos, but since some limit the number of images you can upload, select a high-quality picture for your profile. You don’t need to hire a professional photographer to do it. Get a friend to snap a photo of you in good lighting. You might want to upload a close-up as well as a full-body shot.
Since the goal is to find someone who will date you, there’s no need to upload group photos with your friends. Maybe share them late when you start dating.
Don’t write a novel
As for the profile itself, it should be a snapshot of who you are as a person. You don’t have to tell your life story. Just focus on what you do and what you’re interested in right now so you can find mutual passions and interests.
Make sure you leave some room for curiosity. At the same time, be upfront and honest about what you’re looking for right now. Whether you’re looking for a summer fling or long-term love, letting the other person know will save you a lot of time and energy.
Drop the negativity
Instead of talking about what you don’t want in a potential partner, focus on yourself. Highlight your best qualities and traits. Leave all the negativity and hurt from past relationships behind. You don’t want to repel people who you want to date, just to attract the attention of the right people.
To be sure, get a close friend to review your profile and photos before you upload everything online. Ask someone who can tell you the truth and give you constructive criticism.
Check for spelling and grammar errors
Aside from the content, you should review your profile for spelling and grammar mistakes. These might seem like minor issues caused by typographical errors; however, consistent issues might turn off the right people.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which online dating sites are best for serious relationships?
Coffee Meets Bagel, Match, and OkCupid are your best shots at finding a serious, long-term partner. Aside from attracting users that are looking for long-term love, they have high-level matchmaking capabilities that can lead you to a compatible partner.
Which dating websites are the most successful?
Success is relative when it comes to online dating. After all, not everyone is looking for a serious relationship. Some simply want easy hookups. If you are, too, then Tinder is your best bet. Match, Zoosk, and eHarmony use in-depth matchmaking processes that often lead to long-term relationships.
If you are looking for potential life partners, you should consider Coffee Meets Bagel, Match, and OkCupid.
Of all the top dating sites, which ones are the most secure?
All of the platforms mentioned in the guide are the most well-known and secure dating services available. Due to their massive userbase, they are all vulnerable to potential cyberattacks, but they are constantly updating their systems to make their platforms user-friendly and safe.
Tinder, Bumble, and OkCupid are some of the platforms with safety features that prevent unsolicited messages from flooding your inbox. People won’t be able to interact with you unless you express interest in them, too.
No matter what platform you choose, dating online will always come with inherent risks. Always take the extra measures to keep yourself protected. Use strong passwords and avoid sharing personal information.
Are paid dating sites and apps better than free dating services?
Not always. It depends on your needs, as well as the services offered in the paid plans. If you’re looking for low-commitment, casual encounters, a free-to-use app or site might be an ideal choice. However, if you’re looking for a life partner, you might want to invest in advanced matching and search options.
What are the best free online dating sites?
Tinder, Bumble, and Match are three of the best online dating platforms that can help you find love or companionship on a budget. They do have paid versions that are also worth looking into.