Why Use an Online Dating Service?

Dating has moved into the modern age, now you can casually interact with new people without leaving the house or worrying about how to get an introduction. Avoid those time consuming and disappointing dates—let technology take the work out of dating and put the fun in.

  • Saving You Time — Nobody has the time to ask every new person they meet relevant qualifying questions, and even if you tried, they might be a bit bothered by your long string of personal questions. Online dating sites do all of the leg work for you and narrow your search down to a short list of singles that fit your preferences and personality.
  • Easy to search — Is the search engine simple to figure out? Can you run quick searches to find a date this Friday night just as easily as you can build a custom search to find the best long-term friendship? Can you save custom searches? Look for an online dating option that will help you search the way you want.
  • Letting You Flirt from Afar — Wink, flirt or blow a kiss all from the safely of your own computer. Chat with new friends, have a voice or webcam conversation, or send an email inquiry.
  • Online Meetings Don't Require a Commitment — Before going out on a real date and dealing with all of the potential stress involved, get to know someone online. No commitment, it's all about getting to know someone new in a safe environment, at a comfortable distance without forcing yourself to sit though dinner with someone you have nothing in common with.

In this site, you'll find articles on dating, as well as comprehensive reviews and a side–by–side comparison to help you make an informed decision on which service is right for you. At TopTenREVIEWS We Do the Research So You Don't Have To.™

What to Look for in an Online Dating Service

Dating services vary greatly; some are not necessarily better than others, but focused differently. Some focus towards people looking for a long-term relationship, and others cater to singles that are just looking for a casual encounter. Nevertheless, generally the site should offer quick, selective searches as well as privacy and excellent customer support.

Below are the criteria TopTenREVIEWS used to rank online dating services:

Search Capabilities
Not only should the site perform quick searches but should also be able to search by selected characteristics. Selected parameters may be broad searches like by zip code or hair color, or by complex personal profiles and preferences.

Profile Set Up
Many profiles can be filled out in minutes and only include brief information, while others require hours and include personality tests and long questionnaires. Some require new members to answer all of the questions and others will let the member select which questions they choose to answer. Depending on the search parameters desired, one website may suit an individual's needs over another.

Compatibility Analysis
The best sites will rate how compatible you are with other members, as well as analyze your dating preferences and personality and offer 'dating tips' customized to your individual needs.

Membership Features
Feature packages may differ depending on the level of paid membership. Most offer multiple contract methods for members, so if a couple or group desire to interact they can contact each other by email, instant message, telephone or message boards. Many offer security options for example, True does background and marriage checks and most will hide private information per member request, including email address. The service also should offer ways to save contact information or bios on people of interest.

Site Navigation
It should be easy to move though the website and find preferred information.

Help and Support
A good service will offer help menus, FAQ pages and tutorials online. Many also include telephone, mail, email or chat support. Customer service should be prompt and helpful.

Check out the Dating Service Reviews to see which service seems custom built for you, your next date could be just a click away.

 
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Find a date or your soul mate. Through an online dating service, quickly find other singles that are interested in the same things you are and may even be interested in you.

Rank #1#2#3#4#5#6#7#8#9#10
Excellent score   Excellent
Very good score   Very Good
Good score   Good
Fair score   Fair
Poor score   Poor
Match eHarmony Yahoo! Personals Chemistry JDate American Singles PerfectMatch Plenty of Fish True Singlesnet
Match eHarmony Yahoo! Personals Chemistry JDate American Singles PerfectMatch Plenty of Fish True Singlesnet
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Based on a 1 month plan Buy Match
$26.24
Buy eHarmony
$59.95
Buy Yahoo! Personals
$26.99
Buy Chemistry
$49.95
Buy JDate
$39.99
Buy American Singles
$29.99
Buy PerfectMatch
$59.95
Plenty of Fish
 
Buy True
$49.99
Buy Singlesnet
$24.95
 
Overall Rating Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Good Good
Ratings
Dating Pool Potential Excellent Very Good Very Good Good Very Good Good Good Very Good Fair Good
Site Appeal Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Very Good Very Good Very Good Fair Very Good Good
Profiles Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Good Good
Matching/Searching Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Excellent Fair
Communication & Additional Services Excellent Very Good Very Good Excellent Excellent Excellent Good Very Good Very Good Fair
Ease of Use Excellent Very Good Excellent Excellent Very Good Very Good Very Good Good Good Excellent
Help & Support Very Good Very Good Good Good Excellent Excellent Very Good Good Very Good Excellent
View Specifications Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go!
View Screenshots View Match screenshots View eHarmony screenshots View Yahoo! Personals screenshots View Chemistry screenshots View JDate screenshots View American Singles screenshots View PerfectMatch screenshots View Plenty of Fish screenshots View True screenshots View Singlesnet screenshots
Dating Pool Potential
Browse Before You Buy Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Total # of Members Online Now      Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark   
Male/Female Ratio 43/57 29/71 N/A 36/64 61/39 56/44 39/61 52/48 54/46 56/44
% Income Above $60,000 50 46 N/A 48 58 45 46 46 47 45
% Age 35+ 65 64 N/A 70 65 73 70 63 68 68
Profiles & Matching
Profile Features           
Standard Profile Checklist Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Personality/Compatibility Tests   Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark    Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Essays & Open-Ended Questions Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Relationship Type Options      Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark   
24 hour or less approval and posting Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Matching/Searching           
Receive matches based on profile Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Receive matches from other users Check Mark     Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark   
Search by profile criteria Check Mark   Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark  
Search by keyword Check Mark   Check Mark     Check Mark   Check Mark  
Search profiles with photos only Check Mark   Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark  
Activity Status Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark    Check Mark  
Communication & Additional Services
Winks and Flirts Check Mark   Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Open Communication Check Mark   Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Controlled by Service   Check Mark   Check Mark       
Online Chat/Instant Message      Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark   
Text Alerts Check Mark     Check Mark Check Mark     
Favorites Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark  
Who's Viewed Me Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Photo Gallery of Received Messages Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark    Check Mark Check Mark
Block User Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark  
Personal Hit Counter Check Mark     Check Mark Check Mark     
Events      Check Mark Check Mark     
Informative Articles & Advice Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark  
Date Testimonials & Ratings Check Mark        Check Mark   
Help and Support
Telephone      Check Mark Check Mark    Check Mark  
E-mail Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
FAQ Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
 
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Based on a 1 month plan Buy Match
$26.24
Buy eHarmony
$59.95
Buy Yahoo! Personals
$26.99
Buy Chemistry
$49.95
Buy JDate
$39.99
Buy American Singles
$29.99
Buy PerfectMatch
$59.95
Plenty of Fish
 
Buy True
$49.99
Buy Singlesnet
$24.95
Best Online Dating Services Buying Guide
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