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Compare online dating sites and apps
With so many options out there, we’ve brought together everything you need to know about the world of online dating.
We’re committed to our readers and editorial independence. We don’t compare all products in the market and may receive compensation when we refer you to our partners, but this does not influence our opinions or reviews. Learn more about Finder .
Trying to figure out which kind of dating app is right for you can be difficult, no matter whether you're looking for a long term relationship or just a weekend fling. So to save you hours of swiping left, our guide is here to help you swipe right.
Compare online dating sites and apps
What's the best dating site in Australia?
This is completely dependent on what your ideal dating outcome is, whether that be a relationship or something more casual. If you're also factoring in the best dating app compared to the cost, that could result in a different site coming out on top.
However, we compared some popular the apps on the Australian market and looked at what they had to offer, and in the end, we found eHarmony won the top spot.
To find out which apps we thought were the best for a range of different categories, head to our best dating sites in Australia guide.
What's the matching process like on different dating apps?
Each dating site and app works slightly differently. We looked at four of the most popular ones and how they let you match with other users.
Tinder:
Enjoy endless swiping on Tinder with its easy, no-fuss system. You'll be shown a feed of profiles where you can choose to either swipe left (not interested) or right (interested) on potential partners. If someone has swiped right on you in return, then you'll be matched with them and you'll be able to start talking.
Here you can choose to start the conversation or let them kick things off. You do have to pay to see who has already liked you if you haven't yet matched. However, you are able to see who has "super liked" you, which means that that person is really interested in getting to know you.
Bumble:
This is where the ladies make the first move. Similar to Tinder, you're shown a feed of individuals who you can swipe left or right on. If they've swiped right on you too, then the two of you will match. On this app, women have to make the first move, otherwise the match will expire after 24 hours.
A feature called "The Beeline" has also been added, where you can see how many people have already liked you and when you've missed a potential match. However, you'll need to pay to upgrade to use this feature.
RSVP:
Things work a little differently on RSVP. You have the option to send a wink, which shows the receiver that you're interested, or you can start a conversation. In order to message someone first, you have to purchase an RSVP Stamp, which gives you 60 days of unlimited chatting with that person. It's free to reply to someone who has messaged you first.
To find matches, you can scroll through the home page, or search through the customisable filters.
Hinge:
This dating app allows you to like a limited number of people per day from a feed of profiles. You can also see who has already liked you in a separate tab. In order to like someone, you can choose to "heart" one of their photos or their answer to a question on their profile.
If you happen to like someone back or vice versa, then the two of you will match. Whoever matches the two of you, will send an invitation to chat privately. You can also leave comments on other people's profiles. There is an option to pay for unlimited daily likes.
Which dating site has the highest success rate?
There isn't a definitive way to know which dating site has the highest success rate due to the lack of comparative data. While there isn't readily available information on the most successful app in Australia, most of these apps are available globally and have similar functionalities worldwide.
eHarmony claims that its users find love every 14 minutes, and data from Match UK revealed that 1.6 million people have found a partner through its services. In addition, EliteSingles says love is found every eight minutes on its site, creating over 2000 couples every month across the globe.
Alongside their commitment to helping people find meaningful connections, all three purposefully match you with singles who align with your values, long-term desires and personality traits.
When comparing this algorithm to swipe-style apps where the feed is not necessarily customised to you individually, you may have a higher chance of finding a likeminded connection through any of the fore-mentioned websites.
Which dating sites and apps will let you message someone for free?
You can still connect with people without having to pay. The following apps and websites will let you talk for free:
- Tinder
- Bumble
- Hinge
- OkCupid
- Happn
- Plenty of Fish
- Match
- Her
- Grindr
- Elite Singles
- Oasis.com
Are paid online dating services worth it?
In most cases, the paid version of the app/website may include any of the following features:
- Unlimited matches, likes and messaging
- The ability to see who has liked you before you swipe
- The option to go back on a swipe or rematch an expired one
- Being able to see photos
- Expanding your search globally
- No ads
- Top picks
If you are committed to finding a partner, it may be worth the investment to upgrade.
How much do dating sites and apps cost?
| App/Site | How much to join? | How much to upgrade/for in-app purchases? | What are some of the premium extras? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tinder | Free | Up to $29.99 per month |
|
| Bumble | Free | Up to $30.99 per month |
|
| Hinge | Free | Up to $19.99 per month |
|
| RSVP | Free | Up to $89 per month |
|
| Match | Free | Up to $38.66 per month |
|
| Plenty of Fish | Free | Up to $19.35 per month |
|
| eHarmony | Free | Up to $49.90 per month |
|
| Her | Free | Up to US$14.99 per month |
|
| Grindr | Free | Up to US24.99 per month |
|
| OkCupid | Free | Up to US$34.90 per month |
|
| Happn | Free | Up to US$24.99 per month |
|
| The League | Free | Up to US$199 per month |
|
| Zoosk | Free | Up to $34.95 per month |
|
| Oasis.com | Free | N/A |
|
| Elite Singles | Free | Up to $59.95 per month |
|
Which dating apps let women message first?
You can find a plethora of dating apps that have the option for women to make the first move:
- Bumble
- Tinder
- Her
- Hinge
- Zoosk
- RSVP
- eHarmony
- Match
- OkCupid
- Elite Singles
- Happn
- Oasis.com
Which dating sites and apps show who's liked you already?
Currently, Hinge is the only app that lets you see who has liked you without you needing to pay. Tinder and Bumble will show you who has "super liked" you in the form of a star or equivalent symbol on the person's profile when it appears in your feed.
In most cases, you aren't able to see who's liked you unless you upgrade to a premium version of the app or website, or if you've liked the person back.
What to write about yourself in your dating profile
If you're new to the world of online dating or you just need a little guidance, we've got a few tips and tricks that might make writing up your profile a little easier. Consider the following:
- Passions: What are the top couple of things that get you out of bed in the morning?
- Pose a question: This is an oldie but a goodie, but popping an interesting question on your profile makes breaking the ice a whole lot easier. Oh, and it conveniently cuts out any dry conversations.
- Link your Spotify account: It's not the first thing that comes to mind when creating a profile, but when you can't come up with the right words to describe yourself, let your music taste do the talking. You're bound to attract some like-minded individuals who'll be keen to start a conversation about your mutual love of Stormzy.
- Your career: If you're after someone who is in a similar industry to you, putting your line of work in could be a good idea.
- Try a joke: If you're stuck on what to say, you can't go wrong with trying to make someone laugh.
What not to write about yourself in your dating profile
Your profile should give people a better idea of who you are and what you enjoy. That being said, there are a couple of things to avoid:
- Clichéd phrases: Clichés aren't going to do you any favours in standing out. Chances are that there are dozens of other individuals who've written the same thing on their profile.
- Disclosing too much personal information: Although you should try to give people a good idea of who you are, avoid putting everything out there (e.g. how much you earn, your last name, personal contact information).
- Being too vague: Online dating is a balance of making sure you don't give away too much or too little information. Keep it concise and be specific about what interests you. Rather than saying that you enjoy having a fun time, what exactly defines a fun time for you?
- Lying: Avoid this at all costs. The last thing you want to do is mislead someone. Otherwise, you may end up on a seven-hour hike that you really aren't that keen on.
- Being negative: Having a positive attitude is always important and no one likes talking to someone who complains all the time. Avoid whinging or slagging off online dating itself.
How safe is online dating?
Online dating sites usually have a no harassment, bullying, threats, stalking, hate speech, violence or sexual content policy. In any case, if this is breached online, the offender can be reported and appropriately dealt with by the website.
Most apps have the option to hide your profile. This will remove you from the feed and only your matches will be able to see you from this point forward. You can turn this feature on and off as you please. You can also block a match from being able to contact you any further.
Your exact location will never be disclosed, and try to ensure that your last name isn't known. You should also think about leaving your social media accounts off your profile.
In regards to meeting up, always choose a very public setting. A cafe, bar or restaurant is always a great option for your first in-person meeting.
How do you avoid online dating scams?
With so many dating apps out there and thousands of potential matches, it's important to keep an eye out for scams. Here's how:
- Do a background check: With a plethora of social media sites and search engines at your fingertips, it's worth doing a quick investigation into whether the other person's story adds up. If you find that your research doesn't quite align with what they've told you, it's probably a cause for concern. You can even reverse image search their photos to find out whether it's really them or not.
- Never send money: This is one of the biggest red flags in online dating. Under no circumstances should you transfer money to someone you've just met online.
- Ask to meet in real life: If they keep finding an excuse not to meet up, or they try to divert the conversation, it may be a red flag. Of course, there are instances where a date may fall through, but there should be a follow up on their end.
- Slow it down: Online scammers will try to get things moving quickly, so if you have your suspicions, really take the time to ask questions and get a full understanding of who they are. A cause for concern would be them pressuring you into a relationship quite early on.
- Avoid sharing private photos: If you haven't met this person, it's highly advised that you don't send them any intimate pictures that could be used against you further down the track. The same thing goes for sharing private information.
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