Single and over 40? Here are the best dating sites for finding your match

Who it's for:

If you're 40 or older and ready to commit, like really commit, eharmony is where you want to be. It's known for pairing people for life and has a strong reputation for its thorough matching process.

Most eharmony users are between 30 and 44 years old and are looking for a serious relationship or marriage — which is exactly why we ranked it as the No. 1 dating app for marriage-minded individuals over 40 (it's also our top pick for finding serious relationships, period).

Why we picked this:

Founded in 2000, eharmony has quite a reputation, especially for its in-depth compatibility matching system. (It was actually the very first dating app to introduce the concept of compatibility testing)

Instead of relying on algorithms that think a shared love of cat memes is the key to compatibility, eharmony takes a more scientific approach. You'll fill out a comprehensive compatibility quiz about your values, interests, and personality quirks — think of it like a Myers-Briggs test for your love life. It might take you 20 minutes to get through the quiz, but trust us; it's worth it to filter out the potential dating disasters and find someone who actually gets you.

Although eharmony is historically known for catering to heterosexual couples, the company has been making headlines for its efforts to become more inclusive and welcoming to the LGBTQ+ community. However, not everyone is happy about this change.

Some religious groups have come after eharmony for their decision to allow same-sex matching, and have criticized the platform for straying from their traditional values. There's a petition circulating online demanding that eharmony remove its LGBTQ+ advertisements.

Christian Mingle may be a better fit if you're looking for a more religious or Christian dating site. Other religious dating sites include JDate for Jewish singles and Muslima for Muslim singles.

Read our full review of eharmony.

Read our full review of AdultFriendFinder.

Who it's for:

Match is a reliable dating site (with receipts) for singles of all ages, with a large user base that includes a significant number of people in their 40s and 50s. According to Match's website, 48.6 percent of Match members are between 30 and 49, and 26.5 percent are 50 and up.

Whether you're divorced, widowed, or have yet to tie the knot, Match is a good option for anyone interested in dipping their toes in the dating pool.

Why we picked this:

Match isn't just about throwing up a selfie and hoping for the best. It's about creating a profile that showcases your unique personality, interests, and passions. You can share up to 26 photos (including your profile photo), craft a bio that sparks intrigue, and answer questions to help potential partners get to know you.

Match also takes the guesswork out of compatibility by asking you to specify the qualities you look for in a partner and rank their importance to you. This ensures that your inbox isn't flooded with mismatched profiles but rather filled with potential matches who genuinely resonate with you.

Read our full review of Match.

Who it's for:

SilverSingles is a senior dating site for singles 50 and above. Thanks to its minimum age requirement, SilverSingles is the perfect place to connect with other mature singles looking for love and companionship.

If you're in your 50s, 60s, or beyond and ready to find love, SilverSingles could be the dating site for you.

Why we picked this:

Mashable recently recognized SilverSingles as the best dating site for seniors, and for good reason. SilverSingles (a sister site of EliteSingles) is one of the best dating sites for people over 50 because of its focus on compatibility and its success rate.

But don't just take our word for it: One of our reviewers surprised their mom with a SilverSingles subscription, and now she's happily partnered with someone she met on the platform!

Unlike superficial swiping, SilverSingles takes the time to understand you through a comprehensive personality test. It may take a bit longer, but it's worth it for truly compatible matches who are also looking for a meaningful relationship. You'll then receive three to seven matches each day.

A note on inclusivity: While you can specify your preference for a same-sex match, the app currently doesn't offer the option to receive matches from both genders.

Who it's for:

OkCupid is a dating platform that embraces diversity and inclusivity, making it a solid pick for singles within the LGBTQ+ community. It's like the modern-day version of Facebook Dating but with a more liberal-leaning user base and a focus on thought-provoking conversations.

OkCupid's algorithm helps you find your match by looking into core topics (such as your views on feminism and other important social issues) and aligns you with singles who share these key values.

Why we picked this:

Owned by Match Group, OkCupid is a popular dating website that's credited with making 91 million connections annually. It's also highly inclusive, offering profile options for 22 different gender identities and 12 different sexual orientations.

While swiping is still part of the OkCupid experience, it's not the main event. OkCupid takes matchmaking to the next level by prompting users to answer thought-provoking questions. This allows you to connect with potential partners on a deeper level, hopefully leading to meaningful conversations beyond superficial banter.

Read our full review of OkCupid.

Who it's for:

Hinge is a popular dating app known for its focus on meaningful connections. While the app is popular with Gen Z and young professionals, it's equally suitable for older singles looking for a compatible partner and prefer to steer clear of the casual hookup culture of other apps.

Hinge's detailed profiles and conversation-starting prompts make it easy to get to know potential matches on a deeper level before meeting in person. And with its free membership option, you can start exploring without commitment.

Why we picked this:

Hinge's "designed to be deleted" philosophy means that the app is focused on helping users find love and eventually get rid of the app for good. (But you can use it for casual dating, too.)

Unlike Tinder and other swipe-based dating apps, Hinge incorporates fun prompts and personal information to help users get to know each other better. Hinge also continuously learns your preferences and follows up on your dating experiences to provide better recommendations in the future.

With a premium membership, you can send out as many likes as you want and get full visibility into who's liked your profile. You can also purchase "roses" to send to other users to stand out and show interest (Bachelor vibes).

But you don't need to pay to use the app if you're looking to browse and connect with potential matches. Once you match, you can chat and get to know each other through the app's messaging feature (for free).

If you feel like a "young 40," give Hinge a shot.

Who it's for:

EliteSingles (a sister site to SilverSingles) caters to those who value their professional pursuits and are looking to make a meaningful connection with potential partners who are similarly driven and successful.

With a focus on maturity and sophistication, EliteSingles attracts a more discerning and established audience. Over 90 percent of users are 30 or older, and most hold advanced degrees. EliteSingles is a community of intellectually curious individuals who value personal, financial, and career development.

Why we picked this:

We picked Elite Singles because it's a dating site specifically designed for singles looking for a serious relationship with someone who's educated and successful (which can mean different things to different people, and that's the beauty of it).

First, you'll take a personality test and receive three to seven daily matches based on your results and preferences. You can even filter by profession if that's important to you. EliteSingles has a variety of ways to find a potential partner (especially for premium members), so you're sure to find someone you really click with.

Read our full review of EliteSingles.

Who it's for:

With its women-first philosophy, Bumble empowers women and non-binary individuals to take the lead and initiate conversations. This women-first philosophy creates a less skivvy space that's also easier to navigate than Tinder.

If you're a woman or non-binary individual over 40 who's tired of receiving unsolicited messages, Bumble is the app for you. It reduces unwanted advances, allows outgoing people to take control of their dating experience, and is a pretty good way for shy men to meet women, too.

Why we picked this:

The laid-back environment of Bumble is a major draw. Profiles feature witty and personalized bios that you write yourself (here are some tips to help your profile stand out.), eliminating the need for lengthy compatibility quizzes to get started.

The app operates on a swiping system that's similar to Tinder. If both individuals swipe right, it's a match, and in straight pairings, it's up to the woman or non-binary individual to initiate the conversation. With a 24-hour expiration time for matches, Bumble encourages active engagement and prompts users to make a meaningful connection before the opportunity disappears. The one downside is that you might find a lot of the same people on Tinder on Bumble.

Read our full review of Bumble vs. Tinder.

Who it's for:

If you've tried other dating apps and haven't reeled in a catch, you may want to consider Plenty of Fish (POF). The site has over 150 million members worldwide, so it's likely you'll find a compatible match.

That said, POF also plays host to its fair share of shady accounts, including bots and catfish. So it's essential to cast your net wide and watch for impostors. If you encounter any fishy business, be sure to report it.

Why we picked this:

POF offers a vast sea of potential matches over 40, ensuring you'll have plenty of options to explore. It also provides a range of communication features to keep the conversation flowing.

Whether you prefer video chat, private messaging, chat rooms, or even voice calling, POF has you covered. The app's commitment to offering multiple avenues for connection makes it easier to get to know potential matches — if you can get past the fake bot accounts.

Who it's for:

The Stir is a dating app designed for single parents who are looking to get back out there and find their special someone without worrying whether or not their kids' soccer practice conflicts with their date night.

Why we picked this:

Single parents deserve to have fun, too. And as Busy Philips says in her December "Milf on a Shelf" campaign promoting The Stir, "As a single parent, you often feel depleted, and have to remind yourself that it’s ok to have a flirtation and meet someone for a drink to reconnect with the part of yourself that exists outside of being a parent."

This app is specifically for single parents who've been out of the dating scene for a while and are ready to start again in a nonjudgemental and supportive environment with other parents who just get it.