Best dating sites and apps for people over 40 — and the ones you should avoid

Dating when you're 40 or older can be intimidating — unlike when you're in your 20s or 30s, you can't assume everyone your age is single and looking. If you've found yourself "on the market" again, it's important to remember that half of U.S. marriages do end in divorce, so the dating pool isn't as small as you might think.

Meeting people organically out in public still happens, but sometimes it's easier and less intimidating to meet people where they are. It's a comfort in knowing that the people you find on dating apps are single (hopefully) and looking for a romantic relationship, so at least you're both on the same page. Read more...

More about Dating, Culture, Online Dating, Sex, and Sex And Relationships

IMAGE: Mashable

BEST FOR A SERIOUS RELATIONSHIP

Match

Match's 25 years in the game make its algorithm one of the best.

• Free version: Yes
• Three months standard plan: $31.99/month
• Six months standard plan: $27.99/month
• 12 months standard plan: $26.65/month

IMAGE: eharmony

BEST FOR A LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIP

eharmony

eharmony's in-depth compatibility quiz will help you find personalized matches who are ready for a committed relationship.

• Free version: Yes
• Six months premium plan: $29.90/month
• 12 months premium plan: $19.90/month
• 24 months premium plan: $13.90/month

IMAGE: Mashable

BEST FOR THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY

OkCupid

OKCupid utilizes thought-provoking questions to find compatible matches.

• Free version: Yes
• One month A-List : $7.95/month
• Three months A-List: $6.35/month
• Six months A-List: $3.95/month
• One month Premium A-List: $24.90/month
• Three months Premium A-List: $22.90/month
• Six months Premium A-List: $19.90/month

IMAGE: Mashable

BEST FOR PEOPLE IN THEIR EARLY 40S

Hinge

Designed to be deleted, Hinge uses prompts and personal information to help you find a successful relationship.

• Free version: Yes
• One month paid: $12.99/month
• Three months paid: $6.99/month
• Six months paid: $4.99/month

IMAGE: Mashable

BEST FOR THE OVER 50 CROWD

SilverSingles

With a minimum age requirement of 50, SilverSingles caters to a more mature crowd.

• Free version: Yes
• Three months premium: $44.95/month
• Six months premium: $34.95/month
• 12 months premium: $24.95/month

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BEST FOR CAREER-ORIENTED PEOPLE

Elite Singles

With the majority of users being over 30 with some level of higher education, EliteSingles caters to a more mature audience.

• Free version: Yes
• Three months paid: $57.95/month
• Six months paid: $44.95/month
• 12 months paid: $31.95/month

IMAGE: Mashable

BEST FOR A CASUAL RELATIONSHIP

Tinder

The original swiping app, Tinder helps you find potential relationships or casual hookups.

• Free version: Yes
• Tinder Plus: $19.99/month
• Tinder Gold: $24.98/month

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BEST FOR OUTGOING WOMEN OR SHY MEN

Bumble

Women have to make the first move on Bumble and only have 24 hours to message a match.

• Free version: Yes
• One week of Boost: $8.99/week
• One month of Boost: $24.99/month
• Three months of Boost: $16.66/month
• Six months of Boost: $13.33/month

IMAGE: Mashable

BEST IF YOU DON'T LIKE MAKING SNAP DECISIONS

Zoosk

Zoosk has a "maybe" swiping option and utilizes different forms of matching.

• Free version: Yes
• One month paid: $29.95/month
• Three months paid: $19.98/month
• Six months paid: $12.49/month

IMAGE: Mashable

BEST FOR TESTING FEATURES WITHOUT PAYING

Plenty of Fish

While Plenty of Fish has some good features in the free version, the site is full of scammers and fake profiles.

• Free version: Yes
• Three months paid: $12.90/month
• Six months paid: $8.50/month
• 12 months paid: $6.78/month

IMAGE: Mashable

WORST "OVER 50" SITE

OurTime

OurTime claims to be the no. 1 dating app for seniors, but you should definitely avoid it.

• Free version: Yes
• One month paid: $31.96/month

via Tingle Tech