The Most Popular Online Dating Sites!
<< Return to the FREE Guide to Online Dating
There are many different Dating sites available online, each with its own unique features and style. Some are Free to use, while others require a paid membership. Here is a list of the most popular dating sites, along with a brief review of each:
Match.com
Match is one of the largest and most established dating sites online, with millions of members and a large amount of international participation. Members can access a few basic features for free, such as browsing profiles and sending winks. However, in order to send or reply to messages, users must upgrade to a paid account. Full membership comes with additional perks, including the ability to see who has viewed your profile. One can also choose to get a highlighted profile, which is recommended, since it helps your photo stand out in the search results. On the site, you'll find a good mix of people looking for both serious and casual relationships. Generally, the people are a little more serious about dating and less flakey than members of free sites. As an added bonus, Match occasionally organizes events like mixers at local bars to help break the ice.
OkCupid
This site is generally free to use, however members can opt for an upgraded A-List membership by paying a fee. This higher level membership removes advertisements from the site, and provides more in-depth search/filtering functions. OkCupid will rate your compatibility on 3 levels - Match %, Friend % and Enemy %. These percentages are generated based on your answers to questions and your selection of interests, hobbies, values, etc. The users on this site may be a little less serious than members of paid sites, but in our experience, the level of flakiness hasn't been too bad.
One of the neat things about OkCupid is their Staff Blog called OkTrends. It has a series of posts with insight into online dating statistics and facts. Definitely worth checking out!
Plenty of Fish
Plenty of Fish is a completely free site that has become quite popular in the online dating world. Users have the option of paying for additional functionality such as a highlighted profile, however options like this are not necessary. There are a lot of members, however many of them aren't quite as serious about the dating process as members of paid sites, so you may encounter your share of flakey individuals. But if you're looking to meet new people, date casually or have fun hook-ups, this is a great site to use. Although PoF isn't quite as visually appealing as some of the other sites, there are neat features such as the forums, which host interesting discussions about dating and can be an avenue for meeting people or setting up events.
Lavalife
This is the oldest existing dating site and has a large international userbase. One of the unique features is that it features 3 separate categories that you can use, depending on what you're looking for: Dating, Relationships or Intimate Encounters. It is free to reply to messages, however if you wish to initiate a conversation with someone, you must be a paying member.
eHarmony
This is the most expensive dating site, and operates on a very different system than the rest. You cannot search for people, rather, you are automatically matched up with users based upon a complex set of algorithms. Upon signup, users are asked to answer a very detailed questionnaire which features hundreds of questions. These questions are based on extensive research and are used to help determine the best possible matches for users. In general, the users on eHarmony are looking for more committed, long-term relationships. The site has a good track-record of producing successful love connections, many of which have ended up in marriage.
Zoosk
Zoosk is more focused on social networking and is known for its integration with Facebook. Since there isn't as much emphasis put on compatibility and personality matching, it's better suited for casual dating and meeting new people. The vibe is more relaxed and not as serious as other dating sites. There are limited features available with a free membership, however users can pay for an upgraded account which gives more options and flexibility. The service has millions of users in many countries worldwide.
Return to our main page for more Online Dating Tips
Be sure to check out our massive collection of pick up lines. If you're looking for more material to make you laugh, check out our other sites: Quick, Funny Jokes and Yo Mama Jokes Galore!
Also take a look at the Online Dating PUA Guide for more tips.