10 Best Dating Sites in USA: Free American Dating Apps for Singles. But most will offer paid upgrades if needed. We have also included a brief overview of each platform at the bottom of each. The best dating sites. That's a hangover from the early days of online dating sites, when a paid basic membership to a site meant you were serious about settling down.

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What are the best dating sites in the USA in 2020?

To that question, there’s no one answer..

It really depends on who you are:

• Are you, for example, 22 or 57 years old?
• Looking for a serious relationship, one-night stand or maybe just new friends..?
• Your ethnicity, education, religion and sexual orientation might also play a role in choosing the right site.

There are dating sites for everyone and Datermeister – the He-Man of the Dating Universe – is here to guide you to the dating site which is right for you.

And by the way:

Even though everyone is talking about dating apps like Tinder, truth is that most people have MUCH better success on the good old dating sites.

So get ready to score yourself a date – here’s our list of 10 best US dating sites – with a brief introduction to each one.

And be sure to read until the end because we’ve got a few more bonus niche dating sites + 7 quick tips to get a successful start in online dating.

Let’s start with the TOP 10:

1. Match.com – probably the best dating site in the USA?

Match.com – the Mickey D’s of online dating – has been around since the mid-1990’s. So it’s probably older than some of you reading this.

It is probably the best dating site in the USA to get started – no matter what your background is. It’s for all ages (as long as you’re 18 or over), all ethnicities, religious backgrounds and so on..

Match.com gets over 40 million visitors each month so you will not run out of singles profiles and pictures to browse through!*. But, is Match’s time already over in 2020? Are there better sites out there? Keep reading our list of American dating sites to find out:

2. EliteSingles.com – best for 30+ educated and successful singles

EliteSingles.com is a perfect place to meet educated and/or career driven singles.

The site was launched in the US in late 2016 but has become extremely popular among singles who are looking for a high class dating site. Now, in 2020, the EliteSingles.com site attracts over 1 million visitors per month!*

When you join the site, you fill out a personality test. Once it’s done, you will see some partner suggestions who are the most suitable for you. Even studies show that people with the same level of education and/or values form longer lasting and happier relationships. So this site is definitely worth a try if you want to find your true soulmate.

It’s not for everyone, though:

We would recommend it if you’re around 30 or over and have a higher education level. Or maybe you’re a self made man or woman and want to meet other successful and ambitious singles? EliteSingles is for people who know what they want and don’t want to play around on the free dating sites.

Read also our Elite Singles Review (2020)

Another big user group on this site seem to be the 50+ and 60+ singles who are conquering online dating sites faster than ever. EliteSingles.com is definitely a great choice for an overall more mature online dating experience.

3. POF – most popular and best FREE dating site in USA?

POF.com aka PlentyOfFish is one of the most popular dating sites in the United States. The site gets a whopping 100+ million* visitors per month.

Why is it so popular?

Probably the biggest reason is that it’s completely free to use. At first this sounds like an awesome deal, right? Sure, you should definitely go check it out if you’re looking for a 100 % free dating site in the US.

But remember that free online dating sites usually attract a lot of not-so-serious people who are just playing around (or even scammers). Also women get tons of approaches by guys on free sites. So you guys out there – you have to put some serious effort in your dating profile AND in your first message when approaching the ladies.

4. SilverSingles – best dating site in the USA for 50+ singles?

SilverSingles.com is only for singles over 50.

Of course the other sites on this list also have tons of over 50-year-olds but SilverSingles.com caters only to the mature men and women. And there truly is a demand for sites like this. The 50+ crowd have been the fastest growing user group on online dating sites in the USA for the last 5-10 years in our estimations.

Read also: Top 5 Dating Sites for people over 50!

SilverSingles.com has a nice and clean website design and it’s easy to use. Upon joining you will fill out a personality test which is then used to find the best matching partner candidates for you. It is definitely our pick also for the best dating site for seniors. There is no age limit on the online dating sites so no matter how old you are, it’s time to turn your swag on and get dating again!

5. eharmony – best US dating site to find your true soul mate?

eharmony.com is definitely one of the best dating sites in USA. It is only for singles who are looking for something a bit more serious and more meaningful connections with other people.

When you join the site, you fill out a personality test. The results are then used to match you with users who are the best matches for you. It’s developed by experts in psychology who really know what a good relationship is made of. Just by filling out the test you will maybe get some “aha moments” about what to look for in a relationship. Eharmony is therefore probably the best dating site for serious relationships.

And they even give a guarantee for the matches they offer you in the first 3 months. If you’re not satisfied, you get 3 months more for FREE. Their site gets over 5 million visitors per month so you truly have an excellent chance of meeting someone special.

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6. ChristianMingle.com – best dating site for Christian singles?

ChristianMingle.com is probably the best dating site in the USA for Christian singles. The website gets over 1 million visitors per month so you will have tons of profiles to go through!

As you might agree, it can be difficult to meet singles with Christian values in todays world. But you are not alone. You can meet other Christian singles on the mainstream sites such as Match or you can go on the christian only dating sites. And probably the biggest and best dating site for Christians is the good old Christian Mingle.

7. BlackPeopleMeet.com – biggest dating site for black singles in the US

BlackPeopleMeet.com has become extremely popular among black singles in America.

There are around 40 million African Americans in the US so there definitely is a big market for black dating sites. While Match.com and other mainstream sites have a lot of black singles, here on BlackPeopleMeet.com you don’t have to be guessing what ethnicity the other singles are interested in. BlackPeopleMeet.com gets around 5 million site visitors per month and that’s a LOT. So no matter if you’re in a big or a smaller city, there should be a good amount of men and women on this site for you.

BlackPeopleMeet.com also have a dating app to go with the same log in details where you can see profiles and either like/dislike them in the same style as in Tinder.

Register for free at BlackPeopleMeet.com

8. AdultFriendFinder – best dating site in USA for hook ups

Are you single or in a relationship and want just sexual adventures?

If yes, AdultFriendFinder.com is probably your best bet.

When you join this site, you know that everyone is there for the same reason – to get laid. Or at least to get some sexual action going on through your screen. You can search for users according to their physical appearance, location and even fetishes. So there’s no need for chit chat about your favorite color or TV series, here you can go straight to the point.

But is AdultFriendFinder legit? Often these adult dating sites can be a bit “scammy”. Well, as always, you shouldn’t immediately trust all users (anyone can put up a fake photo) but:

AFF has been around since 1996 and today, in 2020, the site gets over 60 million visitors each month! And in the US alone around 40+ million. So it is an extremely popular adult dating site for singles, swingers and even people who are already in a relationship.

9. OkCupid – a free site for a bit more “alternative” and younger crowd

OkCupid is another popular and free dating site in the US.

Although they get tens of millions of visitors on the site per month, it’s still a bit more of an alternative or “hipster” kind of dating site. It’s also good for people who have less mainstream sexual orientations or they feel that they represent a different gender.

You can also search for singles in other countries as OkCupid is popular in Canada and Europe as well. They also have a well functioning dating app (which is rarely the case when dating sites try to make an app to go with their main site).

On OkCupid you can get started for free (and send messages to other people) and if you want more features, they will cost you a bit of money.

10. SingleParentMeet.com – you guessed it – a dating site for single moms and dads

SingleParentMeet.com is one of the best dating sites in the US for single parents.

Now, of course on the mainstream sites you can also search with filters regarding if the person has kids or not. But on this site, you can be sure that everyone “is OK” with the fact that you have kids.

SingleParentMeet.com is a legit dating site which gets an estimated 2 million site visitors per month in the US. That’s a nice number for a niche dating site. But with todays divorce rates, there are millions of single parents out there who want to DATE!

So go and register, and organize yourself a date with some hot mom or dad.

A few more sites for niche dating in the USA:

Ok, so we just squeezed the best dating sites in USA in to a TOP 10 list. But there’s more:

If you are looking for more of “niche” dating sites, there are literally thousands of smaller niche dating sites in USA. Here’s a few tips on what’s out there:

• Jewish dating sites: JDate.com is probably the most popular US dating site for Jewish singles
• Muslim dating sites: there are several muslim dating sites – for example muslima.com is popular both in the USA and internationally
• Hispanic dating: you could check out AmoLatina.com – it’s a popular latino dating site in the US and South America.
• Spiritual dating: if you want to meet other open minded and spiritual singles, probably SpiritualSingles.com is your choice.
• Farmer dating: finding a partner that is suitable for the farmer lifestyle can be tough in today’s world. But, FarmersOnly.com is an extremely popular dating site in the US attracting millions of visitors each month.
• Gay and lesbian dating sites: of course there is Grindr – the father of all dating apps – for gay guys. But if you’re gay or lesbian and want to find a bit more serious dating site, your best bet is usually Match.com. Just choose the gender you are looking for and you are ready to mingle!

There are literally hundreds, if not thousands, of different dating sites in America but we will not expand this list any further.

And remember: the mainstream sites – such as Match.com – also have filters to search for singles with a certain religion, ethnicity, profession and so on. So we recommend starting on the TOP 10 sites and then proceeding to the niche dating sites if you don’t find interesting people on the mainstream sites.

7 quick tips to succeed on dating sites

We won’t go too deep in to the subject of how to succeed on dating sites but here’s 7 quick tips which you should skim through before you get started:

#1: Add a profile photo

First, a question to you:

Would you yourself answer to a person who has no photo on a dating site?

Probably not, right?

Add a profile photo and you will get 10 times more messaging going on with other users. This is a common mistake, especially for men. Just look in your (digital) photo albums for some nice photos from your last holiday for example (activity photos work like a charm!)

#2: On your profile text remember just 2 main rules:

When you fill your profile text, explain who you are and what you enjoy in life. Secondly, describe what you are looking for and what kind of people you are hoping to meet or enjoy being around with.

Often when we’re looking through dating sites we see people just talking about themselves. So, just write something about what kind of people you want to meet. Then it’s much easier for the reader to identify with you and maybe they’ll approach you!

#3: Keep the tone positive

When you’re writing your profile text, concentrate on positives rather than negatives. Example: Write what you like in other people and don’t make a list of what you DON’T like. Positivity always attracts more people than negativity.

#4: Send interesting and engaging first messages

As a general rule for dating sites and apps:

Don’t just send a simple ”hello” or ”what’s up?” as a first message.

Instead, comment on something you saw on the person’s profile or at least mention their name in your message.. often people send these ”mass messages” to many people which don’t feel very personal. Just try complimenting some of their photos or asking something specific about what they wrote in their profile. When you ask something specific (and not just a vague “how’s it going?”), there’s a much higher chance of getting a reply.

#5: Go on a date quickly (rather than chatting forever)

Don’t hesitate to go on a ”real” date soon after getting to know someone online. Sometimes people can chat forever on dating sites and even fall in love via the keyboard, but then in real life, the chemistry is missing. Just go for a coffee in a public place without stressing too much about it.

But, remember also this next point:

#6: Safety (don’t fall for romance scams on dating sites!)

On the internet anyone can pretend to be something they are not. Especially on free dating sites (such as POF) there can be a lot of scammers around. Or on the dating sites which are for a bit older crowd. If someone asks for money, never ever send anything. People can fake their photo and their whole life story. In certain parts of the world there are professional romance scammers who do this as a full-time “job”. They make you fall in love with them, then they make up a story about an accident or some emergency, then they ask you to send them money. Don’t fall for these scams. Usually the safest bet is to talk to local singles who are up for a date in a neutral and safe place such as a café or a bar.

#7: Be patient

Even if your first or third or seventh date fails, don’t quit.

It’s not easy finding the right one so don’t get too frustrated. Don’t get cynical, keep talking to people and keep going on dates with a positive mind. You’ll hit the jackpot eventually when you stay patient and positive!

Conclusion

Are you ready to crush your single status?

Scroll back up and start joining the sites which fit you the best. You can try many of them – it just takes a minute or two to join each one so why not try?

Right now, in the beginning of 2020, Datermeister’s favorite is EliteSingles.com – especially if you are over with the shallow atmosphere of Tinder and you’re looking for something a bit more serious.

But, now it’s your turn. What is the best dating site in the USA and why? Leave a comment below.

*source for website traffic statistics: Similarweb.com

Whether you're looking for a long-term relationship or a quick booty call, there's a dating app for everyone. From the hyper-specific—FarmersOnly, JDate, 3Fun—to the general ones we review here that cast wider nets, there are many, many options. Bars, nightclubs, and other traditional meeting places may be starting to reopen, but how safe are they? Dating sites and apps are the way to go these days, with new services cropping up all the time. A dating app that only works on Thursday? What a concept! Many even have special video services they've introduced specifically to deal with dating in a post-COVID world, as we'll explain later. With so many choices, how can you find your perfect, loving match?

Getting Started With Dating Apps

The first thing you need to decide is your commitment level. As in, how much do you want to pay to make your heart go pitter-patter? Some apps, like Plenty of Fish, let you view profiles and send messages for free. Most of the others let you view your potential matches without charging, but they make you pony up and subscribe if you want to actually reach out to them without limits—especially if the interest is one-sided. While the monthly charges for the apps we review here range in price from $10 to more than $40, most offer a discount if you commit to a long-term subscription, such as six months or a year. (You're not afraid of commitment, are you?)

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Then there are all the add-ons. Options—letting you pay to boost your ranking in search results, letting someone know that you are really, really interested in him or her or them, or undoing a dreaded left-swipe that was supposed to be a right-swipe—will cost you extra. While some apps may advertise themselves as free, all of them try to get a buck from you in the end. Only Facebook Dating is totally free, and that’s only if you don’t consider your existing personal Facebook profile data to be currency.

Selling Yourself

When it comes down to actually putting yourself out there and creating a profile, all apps ask for the basics: name, age, location, a photo, a short blurb about yourself, and (usually) if you can stand a person who smokes. Beyond that, it can be a bit of a crapshoot. Some apps, like Tinder, value photos over personality. Others, like eharmony, make you fill out an endless questionnaire before you can even think about browsing for your match. Still, Zoosk and other, similar apps ask so little that you're left to wonder what's being used to actually match you with like-minded love-seekers.

If you don't fall into the cis-hetero dating pool, you'll be happy to know that most of the apps reviewed here are inclusive. Even eharmony now finally allows for same-gender couples. However, some are friendlier to the LGBTQ community than others. For example, OkCupid goes beyond forcing users to choose between being a male or female, including options like Hijra, genderfluid, and two-spirit. Other apps target identities beyond gender and sexuality. For example, Kippo's nerd-friendly features attracts gamers, Vinylly connects matches people through shared love of music, and SilverSingles reskins EliteSingles for a senior audience.

Time to Connect

Once you pick that perfect selfie and write paragraphs to sell all your best attributes to your future mate, it's time to start browsing. This is where the big differences between these apps are apparent. For instance, Tinder, with its famous hot-or-not swiping interface, makes it quick and easy to find your next date. Bumble, on the other hand, puts all the power in women's hands; men can't even contact a woman unless she's first expressed interest. Others, like Match and OkCupid, have robust profiles that let you dive deep into a user's personality (or at least the one he or she has decided to present to you), before you decide to go on the pursuit. Hinge lets users create profiles that are a beautiful blend of visuals and text.

Now that you've perused the dating pool and have your eyes on that special someone, it's time to bite the bullet and actually reach out to them. Each app offers different ways of showing your interest. Match will let you Wink at a fellow member for free, and Plenty of Fish doesn't charge for messaging. In most dating apps, messaging is typically free when both users like each other. However, free users only get so many likes per day, with Hinge being especially limited. In other instances, you'll get charged for reaching out. If you're not ready to express your feelings in words, Bumble lets you send Bumble Coins to prospective matches, for $2 a pop. Zoosk offers the slightly creepy option of buying coins to anonymously browse profiles, as well as reward anyone who views your own profile (for an additional fee, of course).

Staying in Touch

As this is 2021, all of these services, even the decades-old Match, offer both iPhone apps and Android apps. Most also have desktop counterparts for when you're at work and want to take a break from your spreadsheet to set up a weekend tryst. Just be aware that the functionality can vary substantially between the app and desktop interfaces. For example, there's no swiping on Tinder's browser version. Facebook Dating and Hinge are only available as mobile apps.

Once you've installed these apps and signed up for the services, get ready for a barrage of notifications and email. Some, like daily match suggestions, are helpful, while others, like alerts that tell you every new 'like' you get, can just be annoying. The good thing is you can easily tweak these alerts by drilling down into the settings menus in each of the apps.

Any activity that involves meeting strangers from the internet carries some safety risks. If you find yourself in a toxic situation and need to cut off contact, all of these apps let you block and report users who haven’t taken the hint. These services try to vet their profiles and keep unwanted inappropriate material from appearing. Bumble blurs nudes with AI. Tinder lets you secretly alert emergency services if you’re on a particularly bad date. There are even third-party solutions. UrSafe is a hands-free, voice-activated personal safety app with features for online daters who are looking to meet up with their matches in-person. Not having to use your hands is especially appealing during a viral pandemic, which brings us to our next section.

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Dating While Social Distancing

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In case dating wasn’t difficult enough, our social lives were upended by the COVID-19 epidemic. Ideally, online dating should lead to meeting up in real life. However, sometimes the responsible thing to do is to stay home, and that created quite a dilemma for dating apps. Fairytrail, a dating app for connecting via shared travel destination dreams, saw an bittersweet increase in use. Similarly, Zoosk's Great Dates feature lets couples virtually tour exciting locales safely at home.

The most straightforward virtual dating solution is video chatting, which lets you at least see each other face to face instead of just texting. Bumble, Clover, eharmony, Hinge, Match, Plenty of Fish, and Tinder all offer video chat. Apps with more specific target audiences are also adopting this feature, including the mobile-only Muslim dating app Muzmatch. Snack introduces TikTok-style video functionality to dating profiles.

Even apps without video chat acknowledge the crisis in their own ways. OkCupid added personality questions about how you’re coping with the pandemic. Facebook Dating users can choose to use other Facebook communications apps, such as Messenger or the experimental Tuned and Sparked, apps specifically for quarantined couples and speed dating, respectively. Kippo created an entire online shared social space, a 'metaverse,' where matches can connect and play games while communicating over audio chat.

Which Dating App Should You Use?

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Dating is hard work, so we did some of the legwork for you by taking a deep dive into 10 of the most popular apps. We weren’t popular enough to get into The League, the dating app for celebrities. Everyone's needs and wants are different, so not every app will be a great fit for you. Match and Tinder are both Editors’ Choice picks because they excel in their respective lanes: lasting relationships and fast hookups. Other apps have strengths, too, and you can learn more by reading our in-depth reviews. If things don't work out, we a have a handy list of the best breakup apps, too.

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For more on dating, check out: How I Ended Up in a Tinder Ad Campaign, Match vs. Tinder: Which Dating Service Deserves Your Everlasting Love?, and the Best Hookup Apps.