Key Findings
- Nearly all dating websites have mobile applications that can be used on both iOS and Android devices.
- Second to Match, eHarmony is the dating app that seniors use the most — despite it not being targeted for seniors, specifically.
- 8 out of 10 users on SilverSingles are ages 50 and up, making it a great place for seniors seeking other seniors to date.
- SilverSingles and OurTime are both targeted at seniors, while eHarmony doesn’t have a specific age group.
Why Trust TheSeniorList?
We used dating apps for two weeks to see how their features work in practice. We also examined each app’s privacy policy — taking note of any cookies or data tracking to find the apps that protect our privacy the most. Following an audit of safety features, we analyzed prices and considered what a subscription includes and its term lengths. Finally, we looked at online reviews from iOS users, Android users, and users on Consumer Affairs, who may have used the website or app. By combining our inputs with inputs from millions of other customers, we gained an understanding of a dating app’s strengths and, conversely, its weaknesses.
The Best Dating Apps for Seniors in 2024
- SilverSingles : Best for iPhone
- OurTime : Best for Android
- eHarmony : Most Popular
1. SilverSingles - Best for iPhone
4.0 / 5
View Packages
What We Like Most:
- 4.5-out-of-5-star rating for iOS devices
- Mostly seniors
- More than 381,000 new members each month
- In-person events available throughout the U.S.
Overview
The SilverSingles app makes it easy for seniors to find other seniors in their area for casual and long-term dating relationships. When we opened the app, we found all our matches — with a special section for our new matches. It was easy to scroll through our matches, message them, or delete if we pleased. We could also “pin” matches — essentially a gold star that we could put on our favorite matches. This gives SilverSingles a better idea of who we’re into to make even better match recommendations in the future. On the app, we could also update our profiles, preferences, and photos. The app has large text and is easy to use — even for someone who is not as comfortable on a smartphone.
But while SilverSingles has a great iOS rating and a decent 3.2 Android rating, compared to OurTime and eHarmony, it has the lowest number of reviews and app downloads. Only 2,376 people have left reviews, compared to nearly 60,000 with OurTime and over 98,000 with eHarmony. Plus, the Android app has been downloaded only 10,000 times, which may sound like a lot. But, when you consider that OurTime has 1 million Android downloads and eHarmony has 5 million, SilverSingles is lacking when it comes to the numbers of its members.
Of course, you get what you pay for, and SilverSingles is much cheaper than eHarmony. It ranges from $24.95 to $44.95 a month; eHarmony is the most expensive service at $29.90 to $59.90 a month. Plus, you can only get that $29.90 a month rate if you sign up for two years — much longer than most people hope to be on dating apps. While you can buy as little as three months with SilverSingles, eHarmony starts at six months.
Still, since 80 percent of its members are 50 and older, some people may prefer wading in a small pond. If you’d like to learn more about our experience using SilverSingles, read our full SilverSingles review.
Pros
- Majority of members are ages 50 and above
- Highest iOS rating
- In-person events
- Verifications on all new members
Cons
- The free app blurs photos and doesn’t allow messaging
- Not popular on iPhones/Androids and poorly rated on Androids
2. OurTime - Best for Android
4.0 / 5
View Packages
What We Like Most:
- User-friendly Android app
- 100 times as many Android users as SilverSingles
- Predominantly used by older adults
- Pricing from $12.99 per month
Overview
The OurTime app matched us with other seniors within minutes of downloading it. We created our profiles by clicking on buttons that described our heights, relationship statuses, number of kids, and what type of relationships we were looking for. From there, we filled out what we wanted in a partner, including their religion, ethnicity, and other factors. With the feel of filling out an online quiz, you can easily use OurTime from your phone from start to finish; you never even have to touch a laptop or desktop.
Like SilverSingles, OurTime is also focused on seniors, although the company doesn’t reveal what percentage of its members are ages 50 and above. But the OurTime app is more popular than the SilverSingles app on both iPhones and Androids — meaning you’ll likely have more members to choose from.
The app functions essentially the same way, though. On the app, we could reject, accept, or even “Super Like” matches by clicking the star. We could also chat with matches or see who is nearby, scrolling through dozens of suitors in just a few seconds.
OurTime has the lowest subscription prices of the three apps, with plans that start at $12.99 a month and only go up to $24.99 a month. In comparison, eHarmony can cost as much as $59.90 a month and SilverSingles goes up to $44.95 a month. Plus, we could sign up for a week or a month, a very noncommittal commitment for those relationship-phobes out there. You can get more information in our OurTime review or compare OurTime vs. SilverSingles directly.
Pros
- Highest-rated Android app
- Senior-specific
- Largest number of iOS ratings
- Mandatory SMS verification for new members
Cons
- One-fifth the number of downloads on Android compared to eHarmony
- One-sixth of the Google searches compared to eHarmony
3. eHarmony - Most Popular
4.0 / 5
View Packages
What We Like Most:
- Large user base of older adults
- Used by 38 percent of online daters ages 70 and older
- Swiping carousel within the app
- Ability to add people to a personal list of favorites by clicking the star button
View Packages
Overview
Among online daters ages 50 and older, eHarmony is the most popular dating site and app, second to Match. Twenty-eight percent of online daters in their 50s, 30 percent of online daters in their 60s, and 38 percent of online daters in their 70s or above have used eHarmony. This is compared to only 19 percent of online daters across all ages, according to Pew Research Center data. If you’re looking for the largest number of seniors, you’ll have the most luck on eHarmony — compared to SilverSingles and OurTime. Across both operating systems, the app has been downloaded 5 million times, five times as much as OurTime and 500 times as much as SilverSingles. Yes, you read those numbers correctly.
Now, the biggest drawback of eHarmony is its price. Although it starts at around $30 a month, that is only available if you sign up for 24 months; this means you’d pay a total of $717.60 upfront. The only other options are paying $39.90 a month for 12 months, costing $478.80 upfront, or paying $59.90 a month for six months, costing $359.40 upfront. Any way you slice it, eHarmony is the most expensive dating app around — aside from Jdate, a Jewish dating app. The high prices are due to the app’s popularity. While other apps like OurTime may cost less than half of what eHarmony charges, they can’t compare in terms of the number of users. The latter is certainly an important factor when it comes to choosing a dating app.
Pricing aside, eHarmony’s app was easy to use. We could swipe through potential matches, see who liked us, message our matches, and see who has visited our profiles. We could also use our app to complete our profiles, and eHarmony would tell us what percentage of our profiles were complete and suggest ways to complete it. For example, the app told us to add 12 more photos or to write our most unforgettable travel stories. With these prompts and suggestions, we’re sure to find a match in this gigantic dating pool. Read more about our experience in our eHarmony review.
Pros
- Over 5 million Android downloads
- Four-star rating on iOS
- Second-most popular dating app for seniors
- User-friendly and intuitive app
Cons
- Not specific to seniors
- Highest prices
Free Dating Apps for Seniors
Aside from eHarmony, OurTime, and SilverSingles, there are a bunch of free dating apps like Hinge, Tinder, and Bumble. All three let you view unblurred photos, send likes, and message people for free, which isn’t the case with the aforementioned three. So why do we not recommend them?
Few seniors use these dating apps. So, if you’re looking to date another senior, you won’t find many there. Tinder is the most popular dating app across all ages, for instance, used by 46 percent of all online dating users. However, those numbers are much lower for online daters in their 50s (19 percent), 60s (6 percent), or 70s and higher (a mere 1 percent.) Hinge and Bumble have even lower use among seniors, according to the Pew survey. While free online dating for seniors sounds appealing, to actually be able to connect with and meet other seniors, you will most likely have to pay for a subscription.
Bottom Line
These days, most, if not all, dating websites have apps to match. Before you sign up for a membership, make sure that the app has high ratings on either the App Store for iPhone users or the Google Play store for Android users. Aside from the app’s ratings, you should also consider its membership, popularity, and safety features, along with price, to find the best apps for seniors when it comes to dating.