It's never been easy to find a partner, and challenges from COVID-19 has made dating even more complicated. Luckily, even if you're not getting out as much as you used to, online dating sites and mobile dating apps can help you make connections that lead to a long-term relationship (or even a fun fling!). Yes, the internet is a wonderful thing.

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But where to start? There are lots of good dating websites and apps, whether you're looking to meet new people, try casual dating, find others with similar interests or finally find your ideal match for a long term relationship. I took into consideration everything from each online dating service's dating pool to whether it provides daily matches to whether it's a free dating app or a paid service. A new person that fits your exact dating profile is sure to be out there!

In the last year, COVID-19 has made online dating sites even more indispensable for the single set. It has been hard for singles to meet potential significant others, since going out and being. And probably the online and best dating site free Christians is the good old Christian Mingle. Best International Dating Sites for Marriage (#6-8) There are around 40 million African Americans usa the US so there definitely is a website market for black dating sites.

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Here's an overview of the best dating sites on the market. My recommendations are based primarily on my own experiences in the online dating platform arena as a woman, with some word-of-mouth impressions from friends thrown in for good measure.

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So what are you waiting for? Sign up for these top dating sites or apps, start chatting and maximize your chances of meeting your perfect match. We'll update this list periodically.

Bumble is basically Tinder for women... and on a timer. Bumble is a free dating app that requires women to message first. If the guy doesn't message back within 24 hours, he loses the potential dates. Because that's the one thing my love life was really missing: Arbitrary time limits.

The timer is designed to encourage contact and some people really do appreciate that feature. But if you're someone who procrastinates, Bumble may not be for you. Because women must message first, Bumble tends to weed out the more insecure males from the dating pool. However, the rate of overly confident men tends to be higher than I've seen on other apps. Bumble also has a BFF feature to help you meet new people, but that's really not our focus, so I'll save it for another time.

Whether you're looking for a casual hookup, potential date, friendship or an LTR (long term relationship), Tinder has you covered. It's basically the first stop for those entering the dating world. If you want to play the odds when it comes to online dating, you need to be swiping where everyone's swiping.

On the upside, the profiles are brief, which helps you to make decisions quickly. The downside is that a short dating profile makes it harder to figure out what a lot of people are looking for. Knowing very little about a person can also make initial messaging a lot more challenging. You'll need to wade through a sea of profiles, which makes it easy to pass over people you might have given a chance under different circumstances.

OkCupid, how you confuse me. I have friends who've met their ideal match and even spouses through OkCupid. My last serious relationship came from the OkCupid dating service. In fact, I've been on OkCupid on and off, for roughly the last 11 years. Profiles are a lot more in-depth than most online dating sites and if you answer a seemingly endless series of questions (much like a personality test), they will spit out a reasonable Match/Enemy percentage ratio on profiles to help you gauge compatibility based on interests.

Changes in the last few years have made OkCupid a bit more like Tinder (both owned by the same company), focusing more on swiping and eliminating the ability to message a user without matching with them first. Online daters can still send a message -- it just won't show up in the recipient's inbox unless you match. Because who doesn't enjoy sending a thoughtful message to someone who might never see it? However, OkCupid has pointed out that these changes did help lower the number of offensive messages and fake profiles people received, which might be a worthwhile trade-off. Unfortunately in my experience OkCupid has become a bit of an online dating app ghost town.

Hinge finally won me over, becoming my favorite dating app last year. Originally the app focused on common connections and mutual friends that you and a potential partner shared on Facebook, which was a gimmick I was never sold on. But it has since pivoted away from this model. Hinge has designed the app to make user profiles more engaging (and helpful) than on apps like Tinder. You have the option of displaying a lot of useful information that could be deal breakers: Your political leanings, your religion, your alcohol consumption frequency or even your interest level in having children someday. The prompts provided by Hinge make it easy to create more engaging profiles. Hinge's current slogan is 'designed to be deleted,' so if a potential match for a serious relationship is what you're looking for, this is the dating app I would recommend.

Coffee Meets Bagel hopes to offer people better-quality matches by sending curated daily matches, or 'bagels,' each day at noon. They suggest ice-breakers for first messages and the profiles are more in-depth than Tinder. For people who like a little extra hand-holding, CMB isn't the worst option. However, I found the app confusing to use, with too many features and a lot of gimmicks. I shouldn't have to look up online tutorials to figure out how to use a dating app. Plus why call matches Bagels?

I was also disappointed in the notifications, which I found too pushy. CMB was constantly 'gently' reminding me to message people I'd matched with. I eventually disabled the app after receiving the following notification: 'Show [match name] who's boss and break the ice today!' Should a potential future relationship be rooted in a hierarchical power dynamic? At the end of the day, I have friends who've had the perfect match on CMB, but it isn't one of my favorite online dating apps.

Happn matches you with people who are located nearby. It's a cool concept and helpful for people who want to meet someone in a more organic manner. That said, I've never met a single person who actually uses the app.

After signing up, Happn showed me 68 people it said I'd crossed paths with in the preceding 3 hours, though I hadn't left my apartment all day. This might be helpful if you're looking to date your immediate neighbors (or Uber drivers), but I don't see the attraction when competitors like Tinder already show the distance between you and other users. Frankly, if I saw an attractive guy in a coffee shop, I'd just approach him rather than check to see if he's on Happn. The app seems designed for people who don't want to use online dating sites but also don't want to approach people in real life. Pick a lane.

The League is an 'elite dating app' that requires you to apply -- and supply your job title, college and LinkedIn profile. Big cities tend to have long waiting lists, so you might find yourself twiddling your thumbs as your application to be one of the elite singles on the app is reviewed. (Of course, you can pay to expedite the process.) The exclusivity can be a draw for some and a turnoff for others, but I'll let you in on a secret: I've seen most of the profiles I come across on The League on other dating apps, too. So at the end of the day, you'll probably see the same faces for potential dates on Tinder, if you aren't deemed elite enough for The League.

Most dating apps are fairly LGBTQ inclusive. Still, it's nice to have an app to call your own. Her is tailored to lesbian, bisexual and queer women. It's a worthy notion -- but the app has some bugs and glitches that made it frustrating to use. Most of my queer female friends have told me they found the app 'just OK' and not perfect and that they usually end up back on Tinder or Bumble. Still I checked it regularly for some time and had a few pleasant conversations with actual human beings. Isn't that all we're really looking for in a dating app?

Clover tried to be the on-demand version of online dating sites, letting you order a date much like you would a pizza. It also provides numeric match predictions based on compatibility and interests, though it isn't entirely clear how those numbers are calculated.

I was on Clover for quite some time, but had since forgotten it existed until I started to compile this list. It strikes me as a less-successful hybrid of OkCupid and Tinder with a relatively small user base, even though I live in an urban area with plenty of people who use a wide variety of dating apps. Clover says it has nearly 6 million users, 85% of whom are between the ages of 18 and 30.

Plenty of Fish launched in 2003 -- and it shows. The problem I come across over and over again is that POF is filled with bots and scams, even though it may have the most users of any dating app. POF's issues don't mean you won't be able to find love on it, but the odds might be stacked against you. Unless you're into dating bots.

Match.com has a free version, but the general consensus is that you'll need a paid subscription to have any luck. That's a hangover from the early days of online dating sites, when a paid basic membership to a site meant you were serious about settling down. But my friends and I have long since come to the conclusion that you might be a little too eager to find a significant other or the perfect partner if you pay to get dates, particularly given the abundance of free dating apps. There are definitely paid features on some dating apps that are worth the price, but I've yet to be able to justify shelling out cash for love.

eHarmony was one of the pioneers among online dating site options, and -- while I haven't personally used this one -- we all remember the pitch for online daters, thanks to years of TV commercials: The service matches couples based on '29 dimensions' of compatibility and interests (as determined by a thorough relationship questionnaire and personality test). While you can review the profiles of your prospective matches for free, you'll need to pay to unlock the full features of the service. There's a three-month plan and a six-month plan, and they come with a guarantee: If, after three months of paid membership and communicating with at least five members, you're not satisfied, eHarmony will refund your money. Despite a rocky road that eventually involved a high-profile lawsuit, the site finally added same-sex dating in 2013. I have mixed feelings about using the site myself, but it's at least technically more inclusive now.

Have you had a good (or bad) experience with one of these services? Do you have any other online dating sites you'd recommend? Share your experiences in the comments or on social media.

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Most people know that dating can be tricky and finding the perfect match is often hard to come by. While this is certainly true in many cases, there are now a wide variety of website and apps that help as much as possible. They give you the opportunity to talk to new faces and find a connection with someone that compliments your personality.

If you’re from the US and are thinking of embarking on a dating adventure, or have perhaps had a bad experience with other websites, then this post is for you. We take a look at some of the best alternatives to popular dating platforms such as Tinder. Each website has been researched and most will have a USP, so evaluate this carefully before making the decision of where to try next!

It’s important to remember that every suggestion in this list can be used for free, but most will offer paid upgrades if needed. We have also included a brief overview of each platform at the bottom of each, just in case you’re a little low on time. Without further ado, let’s dive in to the top 10 best dating sites for singles that live in America:

1. EHarmony

EHarmony is advertised as a dating platform you can use to find a relationship that stands the test of time. By comparing EHarmony's statistics to other websites, they offer the highest chance for you to find a happy relationship. Their algorithm finds compatible matches based on a variety of factors. These can include things such as your age, location, interests and goals for the future.

The website also has a customer support that has been rated highly by many users. Support is available 24/7, throughout each day of the year and for a variety of reasons. Whether you need help with technical assistance, filling out your profile or simply want to share your love story, someone is always around to lend an ear. Don’t just take our word for it though, view their stellar rating on TrustPilot and see what others have said about their services.

To get started with EHarmony, simply create an account and complete a brief questionnaire. Matches can come as quickly as within a couple minutes of completion. Then, it’s up to you to break the ice, get to know each other and potentially arrange a date!

Overview of EHarmony: A large pool of users and a refined algorithm makes for a great overall experience when using the site. In addition to this, their customer support team is reliable and friendly. Keep in mind that you should look to be 100% honest when completing the opening questionnaire.

2. Millionaire Match

When wealthy individuals or beautiful singles are looking for love, Millionaire Match is usually the first place they visit. The website encourages millionaires to sign up to their website in order to find someone who loves the real them, not only their material assets. Successful people are highly admired on this site, with a superb level of service to reflect this.

Millionaire Match caters to people from different locations, industries and backgrounds. They have helped thousands of people to find happy relationships, with a host of verified testimonials to confirm this. A specialist algorithm is also used on this platform, matching people who are potentially compatible.

All information submitted to Millionaire Match, including photos and personal information is verified in order to keep the experience positive for everyone involved. Not to worry though – They use top of the range security to ensure that these sensitive details are kept under close guard.

Overview of Millionaire Match: The place for successful singles to find someone who truly wants a relationship with them. Security and relevant checks are in place to keep things working smoothly. This platform has helped many people to find love in the past, thanks to the expert matchmaking system they have in place.

3. Senior Match

Dating for people over the age of 50 is made much easier with the assistance of Senior Match. This website focuses on a host of things that most people are looking for in a relationship, including companionship and shared hobbies. They know that a relationship should not only be emotionally fulfilling, but should also be a fun experience for both!

Senior Match are happy to learn about your story, before using this information to find someone who could be well-suited to your needs and lifestyle. The website is run and maintained from the US, by a group of experts that have over 20 years of experience in the dating industry. This knowledge has allowed them to tweak their matchmaking system over time, before settling for one that has had thousands of positive results.

Unlike most of the other sites on this list, Senior Match doesn’t just focus on creating romantic relationships alone, but also welcomes casual dating. You can also use Senior Match to find travel friends, or simply someone to share experiences with.

Overview of Senior Match: Exclusively for people over 50, this website helps to remove the guessing game that often arises when seniors are looking for a relationship. Honesty goes a long way on this platform, so being clear about your intentions from the start is probably the best route to take here.

4. Elite Singles

If you’re looking for a specialist dating platform that is aimed at well educated people, then Elite Singles could be the place for you. An overwhelming percentage of their users have a high IQ, meaning that awkward small talk is a thing of the past!

After inputting your interests and various other pieces of information, you will be matched with someone who likely shares your passions. From there, you can talk until you find a potential date that clicks with your personality. All of these details are added by you when joining, in the form of a short personality test.

Elite Singles have over 150 thousand new members joining each month, all of which are checked to ensure that you are in a safe place and among real people. They update their matchmaking algorithm regularly too, allowing you to speak to a variety of different singles.

Overview of Elite Singles: A highly educated group of singles that will allow you to talk naturally and confidently. Their matchmaking focuses heavily on your interests for an even better chance of finding meaningful conversation. With a growing number of users and a constantly adapting algorithm, Elite Singles could be the perfect place to find a partner.

5. JDate

J Date is a platform that allows Jewish singles to meet online. Finding a potential partner with the same beliefs as you is not only a great way of continuing a conversation, but also allows for a deeper understanding between the two of you.

They allow you to express more than just the basic ‘Location and Age’ data on your profile, so you can gain more information about potential matches before starting a conversation. List your beliefs, interests and anything you are passionate about to find better connections. Again, safety and security is the top priority of the organisation running the website.

In addition to all of their useful matching tools, they also have a blog that is full of information. From advice to in depth dating articles and even success stories from previous users, J Date offers a wealth of knowledge.

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Overview of J Date: A large Jewish community of singles that encourage you to share different information about yourself in order to stand out. You can easily match with someone that has the same beliefs, which for many can be the foundations of a great relationship.

6. Match.com

Match is dedicated to exactly that, finding you the perfect partner. With over 25 years of experience, they are perhaps the most established platform on this list. They boast that over 1.6 million people have used their service to find a partner and over 300 thousand messages are exchanged on a monthly basis.

In addition to standard matchmaking features, they also have a ‘Recently Online’ and ‘Top Picks’ section, perfect for getting a conversation going right away! The profiles on this website also allow for more information to be shared and they encourage getting creative with your brief biography.

Each user gets a virtual dating coach, who is happy to help you through the entire process. This can include ways to enhance your profile or simply tips for getting a conversation going. Keep in mind however, that this assistant is a bot and you may have to contact support for more complex issues.

Overview of Match: A highly experienced platform that has adapted over the years. The large user base and freedom with your profile makes it easy to find a match. Tailored sections also make it much quicker to get a conversation flowing immediately after signing up.

7. Christian Mingle

If God and Faith plays a large role in your life, you can use this platform to find someone who shares the same views. Christian Mingle is similar to J Date, but as the name suggests, for Christians. They have over 15 million users from around the world and look to create relationships that last. Mutual faith and love are the two main areas that the website fulfils.

The reason that J Date and Christian Mingle are alike is that they are run by the same company, known as ‘Spark Network’. Reviews for this company are mixed, but many expert websites tip this platform as one of the best in the business.

All matches on this website are hand-picked for maximum quality and compatibility. All you have to do to get started is sign up and input some basic information about what you’re looking for in a relationship. They also have a blog, referred to as ‘Believe’, which is full of inspiring stories.

Overview of Christian Mingle: A God-Centred relationship is the goal for many Christians and is something that this platform can certainly help to find. Shared beliefs and a deep sense of love are among the key takeaways for the website.

8. Asian Dating

This website is proud to be the largest dating platform for Asians across the world. Over 4.5 million members are already registered, since the website began in 2000. Asian Dating has created thousands of relationships and a handful of these success stories are displayed for all to see.

Asian Dating is run by the Cupid Media Network, who are a trusted company with a portfolio of over 30 niche dating websites. With a large team and a wealth of experience, they aim to make dating as straight forward as possible for their users.

Their platform is focused on fun, safety and success. All of these are taken care of with the use of advanced technology, whether that be to safeguard information or to create unique matches. After signing up, you create a brief profile, upload a few pictures and begin messaging others. Asian Dating has an emphasis on communication, as they encourage you to interact with others to find those that may be best suited. On their website you can also find a variety of tools for selecting your dating preferences and filtering matches effectively.

Overview of Asian Dating: If you’re looking for an Asian partner, or are Asian yourself, this could be the platform for you. With an expansive number of users to interact with, you’ll never be short of someone to talk to. The added security features are also a nice touch, giving you ultimate peace of mind when using the service.

9. OkCupid

Based in the United States, Ok Cupid has a track record of success when it comes to finding relationships that work long term. They find matches based on what matters to you the most. This innovative approach to dating is a great way to find someone that shares your passion or outlook on life.

They have a unique algorithm for finding matches, which is dependent upon the amount of information you disclose during the sign-up stage. Ok Cupid make a staggering 50 thousand dates each week, with over 9 million connections being made on a yearly basis.

Their service is so good that they have been published in The New York Times, who had nothing but nice things to say about the fresh take to online dating. Ok Cupid can be used via the website or through an app for your convenience. The team are consistently working hard to bring out new features, while also updating the website to meet current standards and expectations.

Finally, they also have a list of questions which are based on your interests. It’s these ice breakers that can help to create conversations that are both interesting and natural. Like all of the other websites listed in this post, Ok Cupid is completely free, however you can upgrade your account for access to premium features.

Overview of Ok Cupid: This revolutionary app and website are always tweaking things for an optimal experience. With an immense number of messages being sent on this platform, it’s clear that Ok Cupid is a popular dating site for many. The tailored questions also make it much easier to strike up a conversation with a match.

10. Bumble

Bumble is a dating application that is talked about by thousands of people. The app brags over 2,000 social media mentions every single day, which doesn’t include the presence they have on platforms such as Snapchat. It’s no surprise that this level of virality is responsible for drawing in many new faces, with Bumble receiving over 12 million unique monthly users.

This platform stands out from the crowd as it has three different sections. Although each is self-explanatory, here’s a brief rundown on what you can expect from the three:

Bumble Date – This area of the app is centred around finding a happy, long-lasting relationship. The one trait that stands out here is that women are encouraged to make the first move, which certainly adds a new dynamic to the overall experience for both parties.

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Bumble Bizz – Networking for business purposes is made easier within this portion of the website. Whether you’re looking for workers, a fresh opportunity for yourself, or even a mentor, you can find it here.

Bumble BFF – Not looking for a serious relationship but would rather find a friend? Look no further. This is particular useful for those who have recently moved to a new city, or simply want to expand their circle a little more.

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While it did start off as a website exclusively for dating, you can now use Bumble to create meaningful connections for almost any situation. They also implement photo verification software across their platform, so that you can avoid communicating with impersonators.

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Overview of Bumble: One of that most innovative dating sites that have introduced a variety of other services. You can use their service to find exactly what you’re looking for, whether that be for dating, business or friendship. Photo verification also helps you feel safer while searching for your number one!