How We Rate Dating Sites

Membership Base

With tens of millions of singles using online dating services each month, picking one of the best dating websites is an easy way to expand your current dating options. If you're looking to get married, you'll want to choose a service with similarly marriage minded singles, such as eharmony. And if you just want to meet someone and see where things go, using the dating sites with the largest possible user base, such as Match.com, should provide you with the best chances of success.

Dating Site Pricing

You may be surprised to learn that, in addition to offering reasonable pricing, dating sites also offer coupons, discounts or even free extended memberships. Membership fees can vary greatly from service to service.

Search Options and Matching Algorithms

Tired of being attracted to the wrong type of person or getting set up with losers? Compatibility matching services offered by top dating sites like eharmony have successfully suggested thousands of long-term matches based on personality, Dimensions of Compatibility and other specific qualities. Other sites such as Ourtime offer powerful search features that enable you to find a match based on the criteria that is most important to you. If you’re not sure which is the best dating site for your needs, you can also try a site that offers both such as Match.com, which combines extensive search features with compatibility matching technology that provides 5 recommended matches daily.

Privacy and Security

While some singles prefer to express themselves openly and honestly online, others prefer to keep their identities private. For this reason, online dating sites offer a variety of privacy and security options. Some sites allow you to browse profiles without publicizing your own profile. Sites such as Match.com, in contrast, also offer expanded publicity features if you want to draw additional attention from more members. If you prefer privacy, you should be aware that on some sites, such as eharmony, if you hide your profile you cannot receive match suggestions. Your privacy settings can be easily adjusted in the profile section of most of the dating sites.

Communication Features

Few things can replace the excitement of an introductory wink or flirty smile, which is why many dating sites such as Match.com offer a range of communication options from virtual “winks” to online “ice breakers” or even instant messaging features. Some dating sites, such as eharmony, only offer compatibility matching and therefore do not allow you to communicate with others at all unless you were introduced by the sites’ matchmaking systems. Services such as these may be ideal for you if you prefer to remain anonymous.