Deciding to get back into the dating game can be stressful at any age. But the stakes might seem a little higher if you’re in your 40s.
You can assume that other people in your demographic are interested in dating or already in long-term relationships. However, according to recent Pew Research Center research on Census Bureau data, as of 2021, only about 25% of 40-year-old seniors in the United States have never married. Additionally, only 22 percent of single adults ages 40 to 44 were living with a partner.
So have forty-somethings given up on finding love? Absolutely. In fact, according to Pew Research analysis, about one in four 40-year-olds who were not married in 2001 married by age 60. But unlike other people in their 20s and 30s, singles over 40 know what they’re doing. we want. and let’s not be afraid to wait a little longer to find the right person.
Now, after this speech and those statistics, you’re wondering what our big plan is to get you out on the dance floor. The answer? Online dating. Before you mock us, hear us out.
Online dating is a wonderful way to meet new people in a pressure-free environment. Dating sites for people over 40 make it easy to connect with potential partners. You can clear profiles and locate matches who share your interests and values. Imagine if you could do this when scanning a party room – it would save you a lot of time and effort.
But before you download a bunch of apps, Kiana Reeves, a somatic sex educator, intimacy coach, and director of education at Foria, recommends taking a moment of introspection: “We sign up for dating sites because we’re looking for a hookup, whether it’s in the form of a serious relationship, a casual fling, or anything in between, it’s vital to identify the type of hookup you’re looking for before signing up for dating sites. matrix applications, etc.
Next, think about your online dating technique, Reeves says. “Are you in favor of a casual place to meet other people in a new city? Are you someone who likes to take the first step? Are you someone who is only interested in a serious relationship? Are you someone who shares your same faith? How much time do you plan to spend establishing a connection?
Once you’ve clarified your dating goals, Reeves recommends “signing up for a few [apps] to get started, so you can figure out what kind of user experience is most productive for you. ” And he adds: “Of course, if you’re feeling overwhelmed, you can definitely sign up to get started. “
Ready to find love after 40? Or maybe you’re looking for a friend without tension or benefits?We have you. As knowledge enthusiasts, we do our research, receive expert advice, and conduct a lot of practice tests to find the most productive features for 40-year-old singles. Our comprehensive advisor on the best dating apps for singles over 40 is here to help.
Read our full eharmony review.
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 serious dating or marriages; That’s precisely why we rank it as the No. 1 dating app for other people over 40 who care about marriage (it’s also our top pick for locating dates, period).
Founded in 2000, eharmony has a solid reputation, mainly for its deep compatibility comparison system. (It was the 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 clinical approach. You’ll take a comprehensive compatibility questionnaire about your values, interests, and personality quirks; Consider it a Myers-Briggs check for your love life. It may take you 20 minutes to complete the questionnaire, but accept that as true with us; It’s worth filtering out potential dating mistakes and finding someone who truly understands you. Also keep an eye out for promotions, as eharmony offers discounts of up to 50%.
Although eharmony is traditionally known for catering to heterosexual couples, the company has made headlines for its efforts to be more inclusive and welcoming to the LGBTQ community. However, not everyone is satisfied with this change.
Some teams have attacked eharmony for its resolve to allow same-sex matches and have criticized the platform for deviating from its classic values. A petition is circulating online for eharmony to remove its LGBTQ ads.
Christian Mingle would possibly be more suitable if you are looking for a more devout or Christian dating site. Other devout dating sites include JDate for Jewish singles and Muslima for Muslim singles.
Read our full AdultFriendFinder review.
Read our full review of the match.
Match is a trusted dating site (with receipts) for singles of all ages, with a giant user base that includes a significant number of people in their forties and fifties. According to the Match website, 48. 6% of Match members are between 48 and 50 years old. 30 and 49 years old, and 26. 5% are 50 years old or older. So for 40-year-olds tired of casual dating, a paid Match club can unite with like-minded singles.
Match is also a smart choice for other divorced or widowed people who are interested in re-immersing themselves in the dating pool.
Fitting is rarely just about taking a selfie and hoping for the best. It’s all about creating a profile that highlights your personality, interests, and unique passions. You can share up to 26 pictures (including your profile picture), create a bio that gives potential candidates information about who you are, and answer a variety of questions to help the ruleset understand what you are looking for in a partner.
Another thing we love about Match is its commitment to a more intentional dating experience. In June 2024, Match partnered with Jay Shetty, celebrity and life coach (and now Match dating advisor), to launch new features focused on core values and deeper connections. Members can now highlight their most sensible values on their profile (family, communication, faith, etc. ), explore the content hub in the Shetty app for dating tips, and cheer each other up through its unique first-date concepts and verbal exchange prompts.
Match also provides a safer environment for online dating. Fake profiles are quickly flagged and removed, and the site has a team committed to reviewing and approving new profiles to make sure other people are who they say they are. The number is reported, it is prohibited on the site, which protects users from conceivable scams or harassment.
Hinge is a popular dating app known for focusing on meaningful connections. While the app is popular with Generation Z and young professionals, it’s also suitable for older singles who are looking for a compatible spouse and prefer to avoid the casual hookup culture of other apps.
Hinge’s detailed profiles and verbal exchange initiation activations make it possible to get to know potential matches better before meeting in person. And with its free club option, you can start exploring without obligation.
Hinge’s “designed to be deleted” philosophy means that the app aims for users to find love and eventually ditch the app for good (but you can also use it for casual dating).
Unlike Tinder (which is seeing a decline in the number of paying users, according to TechCrunch) and other swipe dating apps, Hinge incorporates laughter and personal information activations to help users get to know each other better. Hinge also frequently learns your personal tastes and keeps track of your dating reports to offer better recommendations in the future.
While Hinge arguably appeals to the younger generation, the meaningful connections and rejection of endless swipes can also be refreshing for those over 40 who are tired of superficiality. In addition, Hinge is moving forward to satisfy everyone’s desires. not only young people. His recent LGBTQIA D. A. T. E. The report shows that they pay attention to what other people need when it comes to dating, such as slowing things down and building true emotional intimacy.
Read our complete Bumble vs Tinder.
With its female-centric philosophy, Bumble empowers women and non-binary Americans to take the lead and start conversations. This female-centric philosophy creates an area that is less complex and less to navigate than Tinder.
If you are a woman or non-binary user over 40 years old and are tired of receiving unsolicited messages, Bumble is the app for you. This reduces unwanted advances, allows other extroverted people to take advantage of their dating experience, and also a very clever way for shy men to meet women.
Bumble’s laid-back surroundings are its main draw. Profiles include witty, personalized bios that you write yourself (here are a few tips to help your profile stand out), eliminating the need to take lengthy compatibility questionnaires to get started.
The app runs on a Tinder-like swiping formula. If the two Americans swipe right, it’s a coincidence, and in heterosexual couples, women and nonbinary Americans set the terms of the initial conversation.
This exclusive feature is the explanation for why Bumble has been known since its inception in 2014. However, in April 2024, the company replaced its “First Move” feature with something it calls “Opening Moves,” a feature that gives women and non-binary users the ability to set an answer for their matches (they can also type their own).
The app has also added “Dating Intentions” to its badges to include “fun, casual dating,” “no-strings intimacy,” “life partner,” moral non-monogamy, and “marriage,” so you know who. is interested in establishing itself and who is in a position to transmit it.
Read our full OkCupid review.
OkCupid is a dating platform that embraces diversity and inclusion, making it a wonderful choice for singles over 40 who have an open mind and thoughtful conversations. It has a more liberal user base and emphasizes thought-provoking conversations rather than endless swiping.
OkCupid’s ruleset helps you find your right person by examining basic topics (such as your perspectives on feminism and other vital social issues) and offers you singles who share those key values.
Owned by Match Group, OkCupid is a popular date known for building 91 million connections a year. It is also highly inclusive and offers profile characteristics for 22 other gender identities and 12 other sexual orientations.
Although swiping is still a component of the OkCupid experience, it’s not the main event. OkCupid prioritizes true matchmaking with in-app matchmaking questions that address vital things, such as how you balance your desires with those of your component and where their position on vital social and political issues.
According to Michael Kaye, OkCupid’s director of logo marketing and communications, the company also began employing generative AI in early 2023 in its matching algorithm. OkCupid used ChatGPT to type in his matching questions, and so far, those questions have garnered nearly four million responses.
Although you can use OKC for free, you’ll have to pay for some features, adding the ability to see all your likes at once.
SilverSingles is an adult dating site for singles aged 50 and over. Thanks to its minimum age requirement, SilverSingles is the best position to connect with older singles for love and companionship.
If you’re fifty, sixty or older and in a position to find love, SilverSingles may be the dating site for you.
Mashable recently identified SilverSingles as the most productive senior dating site, and for good reason. SilverSingles (a sister site of EliteSingles) is one of the most productive dating sites for people over 50 due to its focus on compatibility and smart fortune rate. But don’t just take our word for it: one of our reviewers surprised his mother with a SilverSingles membership and now, thankfully, he’s partnering with someone he met on the platform.
Unlike shallow swiping, SilverSingles takes the time to perceive you using a comprehensive personality test. It may take a little longer, but it’s worth it for other really compatible people who are also looking for a meaningful relationship. Then you will get 3 to 7 matches each day.
A note about inclusion: While you can specify your preference for same-sex matches, lately the app doesn’t offer the option to get matches of either gender.
Read our full EliteSingles review.
EliteSingles (a sister site of SilverSingles) is aimed at those who enjoy their professional interests and need to make a meaningful connection with potential partners who are also motivated and successful.
With its emphasis on adulthood and sophistication, EliteSingles appeals to a more demanding and established audience. More than 90% of users are 30 years of age or older and the most have complex degrees. EliteSingles is a network of intellectually curious Americans who seek personal, financial, and professional development.
Elite Singles is aimed at singles interested in serious relationships with successful and knowledgeable partners (regardless of their definition of success). Its in-depth personality analysis and tailored matching formula are designed to connect you with others who share your interests and motivation. You’ll get a limited number of matches daily, allowing you more targeted attention, and you’ll even be able to advance your career to locate your ideal guy.
If you’re concerned about the price of Elite Singles, Coffee Meets Bagel offers a similar focus on quality matches without the high-value tag. And, if you’re looking for a dating app that provides a more executive-level, exclusive dating experience, The League could be a better fit.
If you’ve tried other dating apps and haven’t managed to catch up, you may need to consider Plenty of Fish (POF). The site has over 150 million members worldwide, so you will most likely find a compatible partner.
That said, POF also hosts its percentage of shady accounts, adding bots and catfish. It is imperative to cast a wide net and watch out for impostors. If you come across a suspicious company, be sure to report it.
POF offers a vast sea of potential matches of over 40, ensuring that you have plenty of features to explore. It also provides a variety of communication functions to keep the verbal exchange flowing.
In March, Busch Light and POF teamed up to help singles who love fishing and beer find their best match. The campaign, called “Reel Love,” gives users the opportunity to upload a Fish Pic badge to their profile (in Los Angeles, OkCupid). to show off your fishing skills and hook other singles who prefer to cast their lines outdoors.
Whether you prefer video chat, personal messaging, chat rooms, or even voice calls, POF has you covered. The app’s commitment to providing hookup tactics makes it easy to meet potential matches, if you manage to avoid fake bot accounts.
Zoosk hasn’t kept up with the trendy dating apps, but if you’re scratching the back of the dating barrel on other platforms, this is your last stop.
Zoosk looks like a time capsule from the early days of online dating. Their concept of “matching” is throwing winks and hearts like it’s still 2007. And if you need a genuine verbal exchange and meaningful connection, then get ready to open your wallet. The loose edition of Zoosk is like walking into a party and not being able to communicate with anyone. Perhaps it would have been the situation at the time, but there are many more features now that understand how modern dating works.
Read our full Zoosk review.
Are you tired of swiping left on mediocre dating delights?You deserve more. Mashable’s team of genuine testers has done the work to help daters over 40 find their match. We don’t just create profiles – we actively collaborate with the app to provide you with authentic, in-depth analysis. We compare the features, costs, user experience, and success rates of the best dating sites and apps to make your search for love easier.
Our dating and dating experts focused on those key factors:
User Experience: How easy is it to navigate the app, create a profile and potential matches?
Quality of the match: Does the app prioritize connections over surface scanning?
Profile authenticity: Are you connecting with other genuine people, or is the app full of fake profiles?
Safety and security: We review privacy policies, knowledge coverage practices, and reporting mechanisms to evaluate the defense of dating platforms.
Accessibility: We look for dating sites and apps that have user-friendly interfaces and are available on Google Play and the App Store.
Inclusivity: Does the app create a welcoming and respectful environment for everyone, regardless of background or identity?We prioritize platforms that celebrate diversity.
The best dating site depends on what you’re looking for, but Match and eharmony are our top picks for most people. Both of these apps offer a large over-40 user base and detailed profiles. You may also want to consider Elite Singles, which caters to professionals seeking serious relationships.
Although Tinder, Hinge and Bumble are popular among young people, good luck is still imaginable for singles over 40. OkCupid has a higher percentage of users over 40 (compared to its competitors) and is a wonderful option for liberal and LGBTQ+ communities. offering an area to be your original highest self without judgement.
Wondering where people over 40 find love online?Match is a popular (albeit expensive) option with a giant user base, while harmony is known to lead to marriages. Hinge is possibly worth checking out if you’re a millennial at heart. Bumble is very best for women and non-binary Americans who need to take the lead, and OkCupid welcomes a varied community, especially those who lean left or identify as LGBTQ.
Although Hinge is popular among millennials, it’s not necessarily a no-go option for people in their 50s. Many users in their 40s and 50s have discovered good luck with Hinge, thanks to its emphasis on deeper connections and detailed profiles (after all, it is “designed to be deleted”). However, the age diversity on Hinge is younger, so you may find more users in their 20s and 30s than on apps like OkCupid or eharmony.
Based in New York City, Miller Kern is an associate editor in Mashable’s Shopping & Reviews arm, where she writes and edits reviews, roundups, and offers tech products, adding headphones, skincare devices, laptops, sex toys, e-readers and robotic vacuum cleaners, and more. She has five years of experience writing shopping guides, gift guides and deals, and covering grocery shopping holidays like Prime Day and Black Friday. Miller can tell you which products are worth her money. She also explores grocery shopping trends, such as Dupes and viral TikTok moments.
Tabitha Britt is a freelance writer, editor, search engine optimizer, and content strategist. In addition to writing for Mashable, Tabitha is also the founding editor of DO YOU ENDO, a virtual magazine written by other people with endometriosis, for other people with endometriosis. She has a master’s degree in artistic editing and critical journalism from the New School of Social Research and is a graduate of the Sextech School. She can find more of her paintings in online publications, including National Geographic, Insider, Kinkly and others.