This updated guide groups current dating services into mainstream (Match, Tinder, Bumble, Hinge), compatibility-focused (eHarmony, OkCupid), free/high-volume (Plenty of Fish), and niche/community options (JDate, Christian Mingle, Coffee Meets Bagel). It also notes that many early-2000s sites like Yahoo Personals and several niche services have closed or been restructured and recommends verifying the status of older sites before signing up.

How to use this list

Online dating has changed a lot since the mid-2000s. Some classic sites remain, many new apps dominate mobile-first dating, and several older services have closed or been absorbed. Below is a practical, up-to-date mix of mainstream, serious, free, and niche options to help you start.

Mainstream, high-traffic sites

1) Match.com

A long-running, full-featured site focused on people who want a broad pool and serious dating tools. Good search filters and profiles make it a solid starting point.

2) Tinder

The mobile-first app that popularized swipe-based matching. It's widely used for casual and serious dating, and it has one of the largest active user bases.

3) Bumble

Bumble gives women more control over who can message first and includes friend- and business-finding modes in addition to dating.

4) Hinge

Hinge focuses on relationship-oriented dating with prompts and profile depth designed to encourage substantive conversations.

Sites focused on compatibility and relationships

5) eHarmony

eHarmony emphasizes personality compatibility and long-term matches with a detailed onboarding questionnaire. It remains a go-to for people seeking committed relationships.

6) OkCupid

OkCupid balances free-use features with in-depth questionnaires, and it supports a wide range of orientations and relationship types.

Free and high-volume platforms

7) Plenty of Fish (POF)

POF is popular for users who want a free service with a large membership. It can produce many matches by volume, though user experience varies.

Niche and community-focused sites

8) Faith- and culture-based sites (e.g., JDate, Christian Mingle)

If faith or culture matters to you, specialized sites can focus search results and shared values.

9) Apps that curate matches (e.g., Coffee Meets Bagel)

Services that send curated matches or use limited daily selections can help people with less time or decision fatigue.

What happened to older sites listed in early guides?

Several early services - Yahoo Personals and others from the 2000s - closed or changed substantially. If you're researching a site that sounds familiar from a decade or more ago, check whether it still operates or has merged into another brand. For example, Yahoo Personals is no longer available and many small niche sites from that era have shut down or been absorbed by larger companies.

Other sites from the 2000s (FriendFinder, True.com, U-singles, Engage, Matchtag and similar niche players) have uncertain current statuses and may be defunct or rebranded; verify each before signing up. 1

Choosing the right site for you

Decide whether you want volume, curated matches, serious commitment, or a niche community. Try one or two apps for a few weeks, keep safety practices in mind, and move conversations to video calls before meeting in person.
  1. Confirm the closure date and official status of Yahoo Personals.
  2. Verify current operational/status of FriendFinder and related legacy niche sites (True.com, U-singles, Engage, Matchtag).
  3. Confirm whether any of the older niche sites mentioned in 2000s guides were acquired or rebranded and list their successor services if applicable.

FAQs about Top 10 Dating Sites

Are the original 2000s dating sites still around?
Many early sites have closed, merged, or rebranded. Yahoo Personals, for example, shut down. Several smaller niche sites from that era may be defunct or absorbed by larger services - check each site's current status before creating an account.
Which site is best for people looking for serious relationships?
eHarmony and Match.com are traditional choices that focus on compatibility and longer-term relationships. Hinge also emphasizes relationship-ready profiles.
What if I want a free option with lots of members?
Plenty of Fish (POF) and OkCupid offer strong free tiers and large user bases, though features and experience differ from paid platforms.
How do I pick between casual and serious apps?
Look at how the app structures profiles and matches: swipe-first apps often skew casual, while sites with detailed questionnaires and prompts typically aim for more committed dating.
Are niche sites worth trying?
Yes, if shared faith, culture, or interests matter to you. Niche sites (JDate, Christian Mingle, etc.) can surface matches who share core values and reduce search time.

News about Top 10 Dating Sites

Best Online Dating Apps And Sites In 2025 - Forbes [Visit Site | Read More]

I Signed Up for 31 Dating Apps—These Were the Best Ones - glamour.com [Visit Site | Read More]

The 20 best dating sites and apps - The Telegraph [Visit Site | Read More]

My mum's thrown herself back into dating and says these are the best apps for over-40s - Glamour UK [Visit Site | Read More]

I’m a dating and relationships writer – these are the best dating apps to try in 2025 - The Independent [Visit Site | Read More]