The Most Popular Online Dating Sites

If you're new to online dating, you've probably heard of a range of sites devoted to setting you up with your next date. While the post popular sites may not be considered the best dating sites, sometimes many of them do show up on both lists.

These sites are among the most popular, meaning more people visit these online dating sites on a monthly basis. Although this list can change every few months, the biggest of the bunch usually stay the same. So if you're looking for an online dating site that offers the most active members, in all parts of the world, with biggest features and most active forums, these are the best places to start.

Match.com

Male and female finger puppets online dating.
Getty Images / Hiroshi Watanabe

With an estimated 35 million unique monthly users, Match.com has the largest active membership of all the dating sites out there, and for good reason: It's a great site.

Match is geared toward folks looking for long-term relationships, so you'll want to carefully craft your profile to reflect your desire for a long-term love, if you chose to go on the site. Be wary of potential romance scams, as Match seems to attract more than its fair share of mysterious strangers trapped in Nigeria.

Plenty of Fish

The largest of the free dating sites, Plenty of Fish (POF) boasts an estimated 23 million unique members using the site every month.

While owner Markus Frind wiped the site of folks only looking for casual dating or an age-gap relationship, users have reported an increase in the incidence of users lying about their age or intentions. Still, it's a great site to get your feet wet in the online dating world, just to see what's out there and how the process works.

Zoosk

Zoosk hosts an estimated 11.5 million unique users a month, and it's easy to see why: The sign-up is quick and easy; there's little to no profile writing needed; and the search features prominently display photos.

Users have reported a larger-than-average number of folks looking for only something casual on the site (likely due to the lack of time investment needed to join).

OkCupid

With just over 10 million unique monthly users, OkCupid is not the largest of the dating sites on the list (although it is owned by Match.com), but it is free.

The site comes with options to pay for a few fun, yet non-crucial features, and it has a decent number of members. OkCupid is easily navigable, which is another benefit.

eHarmony

eHarmony
eHarmony. eHarmony, Inc.

With just over seven million unique monthly users, eHarmony is the largest dating site focused exclusively on heterosexual, long-term partnerships that (hopefully) lead to marriage.

Their free hour-long test to help you determine compatibility markers is fascinating, however, there's zero way to tell if the person you're matched with also has an account, and therefore can reply to your questions. 

Christian Mingle

Christian Mingle
Christian Mingle. Christian Mingle

Originally called Engage, Christian Mingle has 5.5 million active users. It's the biggest niche and religious dating site in the world, with an even larger community base to support any Christian single's faith.

Date Hookup Review

Date Hookup
Date Hookup. DateHookup.com Personals

The only 100 percent free dating site on this list, Date Hookup offers pretty much anyone a place to chat, meet, and hopefully connect with other singles.

The site can seem cluttered and confusing to use, but they're obviously doing something right with three million unique members visiting every month.

OurTime

OurTime.com
OurTime. People Media

The only site specifically geared to the largest demographic group on the planet at this time (50+), and the second niche site on this list, OurTime has a lot to offer senior singles.

With 1.7 million unique monthly members and the support of People Media (one of the largest online dating website conglomerates), and Match.com (also its parent company) OurTime a definite must-see if you're wanting to date or remarry in your 50s and beyond.