Best dating sites for the over 50s

We look at some of the best dating websites for the over 50s, including those exclusively for a mature audience and sites based around interests we believe might appeal. Remember to check all prices and terms and conditions before registering with any site.

Please note: before handing over any payment details always read the terms carefully and watch out for auto-renewals, cooling off periods and refund policies so you know exactly what you're getting into. Generally most dating sites allow you to set up your profile for free so you can start to get a feel of how it works and what information is required, but once you want to start exchanging messages with other members you will typically to be asked to pay.

Read our tips for avoiding online dating scams

Saga Connections

Dating type: Online dating agency for the over 50s.
Website: sagaconnections.co.uk
Registration: Free to create a profile
Cost: 12 months £11.00 per month, 6 months £15.00 per month
         3 months £21.00 per month
         1 month £34.95 per month
Who is it for?: Exclusively for the over 50s.
What it claims: Creates an online dating profile in under 5 minutes. You can find your match using their unique two way matching process. Protected by the online dating association.
More information: Reviews state that people meet very quickly on this site, meet offline, and have success at meeting a partner, and with plenty of success stories from members who have used the site recently. Approved by the ODA (Online Dating Association).

Find out how Saga Dating works

Join Saga Connections for friendship and romance

Muddy matches

Dating type: Country-lovers and country lovers.
Website: muddymatches.co.uk 
Registration: Free to create profile and visit site members. Membership required if wishing to contact to the website.
Cost: 1 Month - £26
         3 Months - £48 (equivalent to £16.00/month)
         6 Months - £72 (equivalent to £12.00/month)
         12 Months - £94 (equivalent to £7.83/month)
All fees, whatever length of subscription, must be paid in advance
Who is it for?: Anyone who works in the country, lives in the country or has a love of things rural, of all ages.
What it claims: 130,000 members in Great Britain and Ireland, with some overseas members, too.
More information: Cannot claim a firm percentage success rate as ‘things ebb and flow’. Visit Muddy Matches success stories sections for some satisfied responses.

My Friend Charlie

Dating type: Blind dates with a twist
Website: myfriendcharlie.co.uk
Registration: Free to create profile; ticket prices to events vary.
Who is it for? London singles of any age, particularly those who dislike creating the usual online matchmaking and enjoy a more spontaneous meeting.
What it claims: ‘My Friend Charlie’ is a dating website with a twist, organising blind group dates for those hoping to find love; essentially, you sign up for an exciting event as opposed to the person/people you’ll be meeting. 

My Lovely Parent

Dating type: Over-50s single parents.
Website: mylovelyparent.com
Registration: Free to create profile and visit site members. Membership required if wishing to contact to the website.
Cost: Prices start at £12.99 a month
Who is it for? Single parents over 50, but the clever bit is that their initial profiles are written by their children. Such is the demand that childless over-50s can be recommended by a friend, too.
What it claims: A collaborative way of dating that allows children to set up a profile and allows for collaborative match-making with parent and child.
More information: Matt Connolly, co-founder of MLP, is TV regular on Date My Mum.

Find out how to choose the best first date location

Love Arts

Type: Dating for arts and theatre lovers, through The Stage newspaper.
Website: lovearts.com
Registration: Free
Who is it for: Cast your perfect date-people who love the arts – Art, theatre, dance.
Cost: 12 months £10.50 per month
         6 months £13.33 per month
         3 months £18.00 per month
         1 month £28.00 for 1 month
What it claims: Find love with LoveArts – the dating site for Art lovers.
More information: Visit their success stories section for LoveArts success stories.

Christian Connection

Type: Dating website for Churchgoers
Website: christianconnection.com
Registration: Free
Cost: 1 month £24
         3 months £48 (£16 a month)
         6 months £72 (£12 a month)
Who is it for: Regular churchgoers of the Christian faith from a diverse range of backgrounds and faith traditions.
What it claims: ‘We welcome Christians of all traditions. We don’t ask people to sign a statement of faith, and we recognise that people’s specific beliefs and the way they express and practise their faith can be quite broad. We believe it is important to show respect to one another’s beliefs and values’
More information: Established in 2000, Christian Connections is partnered with Single-Friendly Church, an initiative for churches to become welcoming environments for Christian singles in their area.

The Telegraph

Dating type: website for, probably, right of centre newspaper readers.
Website: dating.telegraph.co.uk
Registration: Free
Cost: 12 months £12.00 per month
         6 months £16.00 per month
         3 months £23.00 per month
         1 month £38.00 for the month
Who is it for?: Thinking people targeting like-minded individuals.
What it claims: Discover up to 1,000 matches with the intelligent two-way matching feature, add people you like to your favourites, See what you have in common with others at a glance. Block members who don’t meet your standards. 
More information: Many success stories, people met and went on to couple up, people enjoyed the site, met new friends and met a companion.

Find out the common dating mistakes to avoid

My Single Friend

Dating type: Originally intended for friends to play Cupid, although it's now possible to set up your own profile.
Website: mysinglefriend.com/s/
Registration: Free
Cost: 1 month £32
          3 months £18 per month
          6 months £13.33 per month
          12 months £10.50 per month
Who is it for?: Aimed at a wide variety of people across the country, the idea is to sign up and get a friend to provide a testimonial so you can get an idea about how other people view potential matches.
What it claims: 'Fall in love with love again. We can't wait to help you take the first step.'
More information: My Single Friend was originally set up by TV presenter Sarah Beeney.

Find how whether online dating really works

Meetup

Dating type: This is not actually a dating site, but you might just find love anyway
Website: Dig: meetup.com 
Registration: Free
Cost: Additional costs per group might apply
Who is it for?: Anyone who wants to meet people with similar interests in their area. If you'd rather meet people in person (or virtually!) and let a friendship potentially lead to something more this is the site for you.
What it claims: Expand your social circle by joining local clubs and groups, whether you're looking for walking groups, book groups, photography groups or even just social nights or virtual quizzes. 
More information: Meetup is an established local events group. Search your town and find what's already happening, or consider starting a club of your own. You might even find there's a local over 50s social club operating in your town. It's a great way to make new friends and, if you're lucky, meet other singles with similar interests.

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