1. Match.com
Best for: getting back out there
Free membership (limited)
3 million users in the UK
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.
2. Eharmony
Best for: serious relationships
Free membership (limited)
5 million users in the UK
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).
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.
4. Lumen
Best for: mature dating
Free membership
350,000 users worldwide
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.
5. Muddy Matches
Best for: countryside lovers
Free membership (limited)
200,000 members in the UK and Ireland
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..
6. Telegraph Dating
Best for: meeting like-minded individuals
Free membership (limited)
220,000 members worldwide
The Telegraph Dating site is a straightforward way to meet like-minded singles. As you set up your free profile, simply describe the type of person for whom you’re searching. Then, browse the site and view others’ profiles; once you find someone who you feel is a good match, send them a message.
7. OkCupid
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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
