With the explosion of dating apps, it’s all too easy to forget that finding genuine love isn’t always as simple as swiping right. In reality, it could just be a question of a few mouse clicks.
Those who prefer traditional dating rituals may prefer to forego apps like Bumble, Tinder, and Hinge in favor of something a little more nostalgic. Welcome to the world of online dating.
Sure, it’s still a virtual dating experience rather than a live one, but who does that anymore? Even if we wanted to, we couldn’t find love at first sight in a pub because we’re now under lockdown.
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Dating sites not only provide users with the choice of specificity, which is notably lacking on their app-based competitors, but they also provide a considerably larger pool of singles.
On OkCupid, for example, you can answer questions on your profile like “Would you consider yourself a feminist?” and eHarmony matches you based on how untidy you are.
From mainstream to niche, we’ve compiled a list of the finest dating websites to help you find love.
You can rely on our unbiased reviews. We may be compensated by some of the merchants, but this never influences our decisions, which are based on real-world testing and expert advice. This money goes toward supporting journalism at The Independent.
okcupid.com
When you sign up with OkCupid, you have the option of specifying what you’re looking for. It isn’t only about “marriage” or “a quickie.” A short-term romance, a long-term partnership, or the very modern appellation of “meetup” are all options. You can choose from 22 distinct genders, including non-binaries and agenders, when it comes to defining what you’re looking for.
eharmony.co.uk
This dating site is one of a kind. Not only because it’s been around for more than a decade – it first appeared in the UK in 2008 – but also because it pairs singletons based on 18 dimensions of compatibility. It may sound confusing, but in the realm of matchmaking, complexity may be exactly what you need, because the more technology used to find your matches, the more likely they are to be a good fit for you.
elitesingles.co.uk
The concept of “elite” dating has exploded in popularity in recent years, with apps like Raya and The Inner Circle leading the way by screening applicants before letting them onto their platforms. Is their intelligence sufficient? Are they well-known enough? Do they have a sufficient number of Instagram followers? These are the types of questions used to restrict one’s dating pool and increase the possibilities of finding compatible mates.
match.com
In the United Kingdom alone, Match.com customers have been involved in 443,855 marriages. That is a statistic worth noting. In addition to the United States, the popular dating site is operational in 25 other nations. It’s unique in that it not only has a highly advanced algorithm for finding you the greatest matches, but it also keeps track of the time you’re online and will try to pair you up with individuals who are also online at that moment. It’s a bit Black Mirror, but it may lead to a long-term relationship. Match.com also hosts events for its users, offering them the opportunity to meet in person in a safe, mixer-like setting.