The Best Dating Sites for Seniors Over 70
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September 11, 2024
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Key Findings
- According to a 2022 survey from the Pew Research Center, 38 percent of online daters ages 70 and older have tried eHarmony — making it the second most popular after Match.
- SilverSingles and OurTime are both targeted at seniors ages 50 and older specifically, unlike eHarmony.
- Those who prefer meeting people live can get the best of both worlds with SilverSingles, which hosts in-person dating events throughout the U.S.
- OurTime has the lowest prices, starting at $12.99 a month compared to $24.95 with SilverSingles and $29.90 with eHarmony.
Why Trust TheSeniorList?
Here at TheSeniorList, we try out each and every one of the dating websites and apps for at least two weeks, testing out each search and matching feature. We also audit safety features; this ensures that every website has a way of verifying users are who they say they are and encrypting sensitive data.
Price is a factor, of course, and we compare websites’ prices and what exactly you get for the money. Finally, we also use aggregated reviews and ratings from Consumer Affairs to get a wider view of customers’ experiences.
By combining our hands-on experience with hundreds, if not thousands, of real online reviews, we can gather a comprehensive picture of a dating site. In doing so, we can easily compare them to each other — determining which website would be best for which group and vice versa.
The Best Dating Sites for Seniors in 2024
- SilverSingles : Best for Dating Other Seniors
- eHarmony : Most Popular
- OurTime : Most Affordable
1. SilverSingles - Best for Dating Other Seniors
What We Like Most:
- 8 out of 10 users are ages 50 and older
- Available in over 20 countries
- SilverSingles-sponsored in-person events
- Verifications on every new member
Overview
SilverSingles may not have the brand awareness or web traffic of a website like eHarmony or even OurTime. However, the reason we recommend it is because it is largely composed of seniors; 8 out of 10 members are 50 and older, and to find users 70 and older, we just adjusted our age filter. While eHarmony isn’t specific to seniors, SilverSingles is a website that caters to seniors specifically — although, technically, it allows anyone 18 and older to join.
About 381,000 new members join each month around the world. Like other dating apps, SilverSingles doesn’t release exact membership counts per country or state. But, we didn’t run out of people to look at when we used the site in Philadelphia, Providence, or Portland. Of course, these are all big cities, so your experience may differ if you live in a more rural area.
Good news for your wallet: You can try out SilverSingles for free online dating and still be able to perform searches, view profiles, and send out “likes.” However, if you want unblurred photos and messaging, it’ll cost you a minimum of $24.95 a month — in the middle between eHarmony and OurTime in terms of price. Contracts are available on a three-, six-, or 12-month basis, and the longer you sign up for, the lower the monthly cost will be. Sign up for a year to get that $24.95 a month price.
You can dive deeper into our testing experience in our SilverSingles review.
Pros
- Majority of users are ages 50 and older
- Personality test that lets you weigh your preferences in a partner
- Available in more than 20 countries
- Encryption of sensitive data
Cons
- Lowest number of Google searches compared to eHarmony and OurTime
- Payment required to unlock messaging
2. eHarmony - Most Popular
What We Like Most:
- Used by 38 percent of online daters over age 70
- Millions of registered users
- Detailed compatibility quiz
- Free membership allows for some messaging
Overview
Following Match, which is used by 41 percent of online daters ages 70 and older, eHarmony is the second most popular; it beat out OkCupid, Bumble, and Hinge, among others. While the website isn’t focused on seniors, it still has many senior members. Plus, you can set a filter for 70 and older to make your dating pool more targeted.
eHarmony is known for its compatibility quiz, which is much more of a commitment than setting up a profile on OurTime or SilverSingles. It didn’t just ask us basic questions like our heights and ages. It also asked what we would do in various scenarios, what our main reason for wanting a relationship is, and other, deeper questions. Forty-nine percent of online daters ages 50 and older want to meet a long-term spouse or partner, and eHarmony is a great place to do that. It goes further than skin-deep.
Though it’s more expensive than OurTime and SilverSingles, this higher price point may be a good thing: It ensures that members are serious and willing to spend money to find love. The same goes for its long contract lengths, which start at six months and go all the way up to 24. eHarmony members have committed to and invested in online dating, making eHarmony a great option if you’re looking for a serious relationship. While there is a free option, like OurTime and SilverSingles, photos are blurred and messaging is limited, meaning that most people will want to upgrade.
If you want more information, read our full review of eHarmony.
Pros
- Used by nearly 4 in 10 online daters ages 70 and older
- Text verification to remove spam and fraudulent users
- Compatibility quiz
- Around 10 million active users
Cons
- Most expensive
- Not specific to seniors
3. OurTime - Most Affordable
What We Like Most:
- Made specifically for older adults
- Lowest starting price
- Mandatory SMS (text) verification
- Free version includes unblurred photos and unlimited likes
Overview
OurTime is a direct competitor to SilverSingles, as both websites are aimed at seniors specifically. But, one thing OurTime does not have in common with SilverSingles — or eHarmony, for that matter — was its setup process. Instead of having to answer a lengthy compatibility quiz or personality test, we signed up for OurTime just by inputting our preferences in age, religion, ethnicity, marital status, and more. If you want to get up and running quickly, OurTime provides the fastest experience.
In addition to being quick and simple, OurTime has the lowest prices of any senior dating app. It starts at $12.99 a month, while eHarmony starts at $29.90 a month and SilverSingles starts at $24.95 a month. Another unique feature was the shorter contract lengths. We could sign up for as little as one week or one month, while SilverSingles starts at three months and eHarmony starts at six.
If you want to make casual connections and aren’t sure if online dating is for you, OurTime is an affordable and low-commitment option. It even has a free version with unblurred photos, regular search, and unlimited likes. However, we couldn’t talk to matches before paying for a subscription.
To learn more, read our OurTime review or compare OurTime vs. SilverSingles.
Pros
- Catered to seniors specifically
- Quick setup
- Lowest startup costs
- Free version with unblurred photos
Cons
- No in-person meetups
- Free version does not include messaging
Are There Dating Sites for People Over 70?
While there is no dating site that focuses solely on people over 70, there are many dating sites for seniors — from SilverSingles to OurTime. Within these sites, you can set an age filter so that you only see other people ages 70 and older. You can also use apps that are more broad, like eHarmony, and filter by age, as well.
However, we’d recommend avoiding certain apps that are very unpopular with those 70 and older: HER, Tinder, Hinge, and Grindr, which have each been used by 1 percent of people ages 70 and older. Bumble is at 2 percent and OkCupid is 3 percent. If you want to date a senior, your best bet is to use a website that focuses on seniors — or, at the very least, a website that more seniors use like eHarmony or Match.
Staying Safe on Dating Sites
Senior dating online can be fun, but it can also be dangerous if you’re not aware of how to stay safe. Only 12 percent of U.S. adults ages 70 and over have ever used an online dating platform. Also, if you’re new to the game, be sure to follow these best practices from RAINN, the Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network:
- Look out for fake accounts: While dating websites do all they can to snuff out fake users, it’s impossible to quell completely. Some signs of a fake account include no bio and one or no pictures.
- Don’t share your personal information: Don’t share your credit card or bank information, home or work address, or Social Security number.
- Meet in public: Don’t meet someone in their home or workplace. Rather, meet them somewhere in public, with other people around.
- Get your own transportation: Make sure you get to your first date location on your own, and have a plan for returning home, as well. Even if you’ve had a great first date, don’t rely on your date for transportation.
- Report any suspicious behavior: Finally, if you think an account is suspicious, e.g., they asked for financial assistance or have been sending offensive messages, block them and report them to the website. In other words, if you see something, say something — and pay it back to other users of the site.
Bottom Line
Of any age group, people over 70 have the lowest rates of online dating usage. Only 2 percent have dated online in the past year, 1 percent in the past one to five years, and 9 percent more than five years ago. Still, it’s possible to find success online with SilverSingles or OurTime, which cater to senior daters specifically — or with eHarmony, which is used by 38 percent of online daters ages 70 and older. Whether you’re an active senior or are disabled, you can find your match online by fishing in the right ponds.