These UK dating sites are the best for finding love

Single and ready to mingle, but unsure where to start?

In this digital age, it’s become the norm to turn to social media, online dating sites and dating apps to meet your match. But, with so many out there, it’s hard to know which is worth signing up to.

Well. We’re cutting through the chaos to point you in the direction of the best dating sites in the UK.

So, sit back and start thinking about what to highlight in your dating profile, because you’ll be online in no time.

Read more: Ready, set, GET FIT: Discover game-changing fitness apps 

The UK’s best dating sites and apps

eHarmony

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Mai Tai: Dating Service for Corporate Professionals

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Match.com

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EliteSingles

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eHarmony

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• Best for: Over 30s

• Cost: Free or for advanced access, plans start from £7.95/month

Known as a market leader in crafting meaningful relationships, eHarmony has successfully matched over two million couples across 125 countries since 2000. 

By leveraging a unique 32-dimension personality compatibility matching system, eHarmony ensures superior quality of dates and reduces the potential for mismatches and wasted time. 

Talk about speaking our language. If you're yearning for a relationship based on more than just superficial attraction, one which is built on shared values, understanding and compatibility — eHarmony might just be the one-stop solution that ends your dating woes. 

From Scotland to Northern Ireland, Wales to Birmingham, eHarmony's large and diverse user base spans the entire UK, promising a potential match in every corner. There's even a separate platform that caters specifically to busy professionals looking for love.

And its commitment to its users' safety and experience is unparalleled. 

Including features like secure messaging as well as guidance on keeping your personal information secure, and offering an entire page of advice for safe online dating, eHarmony does its best to ensure a secure, trusted and customer-focused environment.

Mai Tai: Dating Service for Corporate Professionals

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• Best for: Working professionals

• Cost: £10/day for Premium, Subscribers just pay per event 

Navigating the dating landscape in today's fast-paced world can be quite the challenge, especially for busy corporate professionals. 

Enter: Mai Tai, a dating platform with an unparalleled service and approach — and a self-proclaimed 95% success rate. 

Offering an impressive 'date concierge' service to its Premium members, Mai Tai delves into understanding your unique preferences and desires and, based on this information, organises dates that are likely to resonate with you.

All you have to do is show up.

Mai Tai removes the horrible scrolling and swiping through countless profiles and the (often cringeworthy) need to send messages to someone you’ve never met. It's dedicated team does the legwork for you (and, yes, they’re humans — not an algorithm). 

And, even if you don’t opt for the Premium membership, you have the chance to attend its regular singles events and meet like-minded people, through its ‘Subscriber’ plan.

For a modest fee, you become privy to prospective partners who are not just exceptionally intriguing but also share a similar lifestyle and professional background. This focused approach can potentially increase your chances of finding someone that truly complements you.

With coverage primarily in London and Oxford, you'll be introduced to a range of individuals within a comfortable geographical reach. This is perfect for those whose busy schedules might not allow for long-distance connections. 

Match.com

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• Best for: Single parents

• Cost: Initially free, extra features available for a £12.99 monthly fee

As one of the pioneering dating platforms, Match.com has a proven track record with over 2.6 million success stories of connections made on the site.

With an average of over 300,000 conversations initiated on the site each month, there's no shortage of opportunities to meet like-minded individuals. Whether you're seeking a serious relationship or casual dating, Match.com’s vast user base with detailed profiles enhances your chances of finding the perfect match.

But what sets Match.com apart is its flexibility. 

The site offers match making for any sexual orientation and includes the chance to send messages, video chat, attend themed events and even benefit from access to dating tips and tricks.

Plus, you can boost your profile's visibility to members of specific categories like over 50s and single parents, an approach that widens your reach, increasing the likelihood of finding that special someone.

Oh, and it’s an app too, with options available for both Apple and Android users.

EliteSingles

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• Best for: Well-educated people looking for long-term, like-minded relationships

• Cost: £89.95/month or £29.95/month for one year

EliteSingles is an online dating site aimed at professionals looking for a serious, meaningful relationship. It caters specifically for those over the age of 30 and holds a reputation for being a platform for educated singles. In fact, over 85% of its users hold an above-average education, highlighting the fact that this is a site preferred by the intellectually minded.

As one satisfied user puts it, ‘I was sick of my time being wasted, and EliteSingles has shown me that not all dating sites are the same. I take dating seriously because I want to find the one! And I'm impressed with my matches so far - I'm finally feeling very optimistic dating online!’

In terms of what it delivers, the site uses a meticulous matchmaking algorithm, presenting you with three to seven potential matches each day. What’s more, the algorithm is continuously enhanced to ensure only the most relevant profiles are suggested based on your preferences. 

There’s also a customer service team on hand to provide personalised support and complete daily profile quality checks, helping to ensure its members' safety at every step. 

Users also can download the app for both Apple and Android, too, so it's easy to use on the go. So, if you're tired of sifting through unsuitable profiles on other sites, EliteSingles could provide the focused and tailored approach you need.

OkCupid

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• Best for: People who know what they like

• Cost: Free basic access, plans from £7.95

If finding a connection based on shared interests is your priority, then OkCupid could be the best dating app for you.

This is a site that gathers a ton of data both at the outset and ongoing in its unique questionnaire-style user interface. 

Asking you everything from your religious beliefs to artistic preferences to your affinity to food types like coriander, OkCupid continuously gathers information to enable its one-of-a-kind algorithm to match users based on shared interests and values — rather than more superficial criteria. 

By asking you questions about the things you care about, each swipe and matching suggestion is personalised and crafted to your unique preferences. It values the power of connection beyond appearance, so you're more likely than ever to find a perfect match. Another rewarding aspect of OkCupid is its inclusivity. 

Its user base is diverse, including people of all identities and orientations. Whether you're looking for love, friendship or a casual chat, OkCupid extends its welcoming ecosystem to everyone. It even lets you explore and connect with people across continents, further enhancing the richness of your dating journey.

Parship

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• Best for: 30-55 year-olds, looking for respectful dating

• Cost: Free, or £14.90/month for advanced access 

If you're not merely looking for a fling, but a meaningful, lasting relationship based on genuine compatibility, then Parship might be the online matchmaking agency for you.

Designed specifically to cater to discerning singles across the UK and Europe, the state-of-the-art Parship dating site maintains a demographic primarily composed of affluent, educated professionals between the ages of 28 and 55.

Employing the objective, Parship Principle scientific process, this site has evolved to become one of the most significant professional dating services across the continent. More than a dating site, Parship contributes insights into your relationship behaviour, providing you with realistic expectations as to what makes relationships work.

Members can control who views their profile photos and can communicate through Parship's anonymous contact and messaging system. This ensures a high level of discretion and security. It's also a site that completes more profile checks than any other UK dating site — providing peace of mind and making it one of the safest dating apps in the UK.

But it's not just about safety and security. Parship aims to make dating fun, too

Only profiles that are at least 50% complete can be recommended, there’s no one-word or copy-paste messaging allowed and fun ice-breakers are available as needed. By upholding requirements like this, Parship aims to create meaningful and enjoyable connections, rather than the same old drab found on lesser sites.

Silver Singles

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• Best for: Over 50s

• Cost: Free Basic membership or £24.95/month for Premium for 12 months

Designed exclusively for those over 50, the SilverSingles dating site understands the needs and preferences of mature singles. 

Unlike most dating sites, SilverSingles ensures a safe and suitable environment for its members by manually verifying all new profiles, thus minimising experiences with ill-motivated users. 

The platform utilises intelligent matchmaking, considering user preferences, personality traits, religious beliefs and education levels, derived from an in-depth questionnaire which is taken by all new members. Whether you're looking for companionship or even true love, this process increases the likelihood of meeting genuinely compatible matches.

With features like ID Authentication, SSL Encryption and a Fraud Detection System, your sensitive data remains secure, thereby offering a worry-free online dating experience.

And, should you have any queries regarding the service, their dedicated team is always on standby to assist.

So what are the best online dating sites in the UK?

While each app has its speciality, whether for older users, young professionals, single parents or fussy daters, after careful consideration, two platforms stand out to us: Match.com and eHarmony. 

Match.com's vast user base and flexible options make it one of the best UK dating apps, and a great platform for single parents kicking off their online dating journey. 

On the other hand, eHarmony's unique compatibility matching system ensures a superior quality of dates, reducing the potential for mismatches and saving you time in the process. 

Both platforms also have a proven track record of successful matches, making them reliable UK dating websites for those seeking love online. 

So, what are you waiting for? Start your online journey toward love today. Good luck!

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Prices updated on 22/12/2023. We are not responsible for any changes made to the prices listed.