These Are the Best Dating Sites of 2024, According to Relationship Experts (2024)

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Match is one of the most recognizable online dating sites. Started in 1995, the platform offers inclusive profile options, a user-friendly app, and algorithms that help singles find the relationships they’re seeking. It also boasts over 96 million users, so chances are low you’ll run into the same people over and over. “With Match, you can clearly see if someone is worth your time before matching,” online dating coach Megan Weks tells Glamour. “That’s the beauty of its long-form profile. You can utilize a whopping 4,000 characters, in comparison to 300 with Bumble.”

After setting up a profile, you can include up to 26 photos (way more than with competitors) and preferences about your potential date. There are screening questions about lifestyle, relationship status, education, and faith, plus icebreaker prompts. According to the brand’s website, 44% of members are between ages 30 and 49, 37% are over 50, and 59% are single parents—making it a great option for more mature users.

• Pros: Easy to use and navigate; can access one-on-ones with dating experts
• Cons: Only paid subscribers can send unlimited messages; can be pricey
• Cost: Available on Match.com, Apple App Store, and Google Play; subscription plans start at $22 (per month for 12 months)

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“Hinge has done a great job of trying to innovate and present profiles in a way that’s catchy, fun, and different,” says Jess Carbino, PhD, former sociologist for Tinder and Bumble. The company combines an award-winning matchmaking algorithm with profiles that provide creative fill-in prompts (“A recent shower thought I had…” and “Two truths and a lie” to name a couple), conversation starters, and a voice memo feature (so you can judge a potential first date by their, er, sound). The app has transparent likes—meaning you don’t have to both like each other in order to match—which ensures you won’t miss out on the what-could-be’s.

“Hinge is best for people who are open to something serious and want to get to know their matches beyond their photos,” LeMeita Smith, PhD, director of clinical services at United Health Services, says. Hinge connections are made when you like or comment on a specific element of someone’s profile, such as a photo of them with their dog or a caption about their “perfect Sunday”—a method that, according to Hinge’s research, leads to better matches and more dates in the long run.

• Pros: Voice note feature; prompts allow for more quality conversations
• Cons: Limited number of swipes on the free version; paid version can get pricey; some users complain about the algorithm’s selection
• Cost: No desktop version; available on App Store and Google Play; memberships range from $30 (for 1-month Hinge+ plan) to $50 (for 1-month HingeX plan)