The Best Dating Apps For Serious Relationships: How To Make Meaningful Connections
If you want to find a serious relationship, a dating app might not seem like the logical first choice. However, recent research shows that more people may be interested in serious relationships than might meet the eye. In addition, some dating apps are marketed explicitly toward serious relationships that lead to long-term commitment. By exploring these apps, you may find one that fits your needs.
The statistics behind dating intentions
Online dating sites and serious relationships
Research into how many people met their significant other on a dating app has varying results. The Pew Research Center determined that one in ten adults in committed relationships met their current partner through online dating. For those ages 18 to 29, the statistic is one in five.
A Stanford study found that 39% of heterosexual couples reported meeting their partner online, while a survey from OnePoll/Forbes Health conducted in August 2023 found that nearly 70% of people who met someone on a dating app said it led to an exclusive romantic relationship, with those between age 43 and 58 having the most success. These studies may offer varying supporting evidence for finding a serious relationship online, but ultimately, they show the possibility. Below are some of the best dating sites for serious relationships.
eHarmony: One of the best dating apps for serious relationships
eHarmony launched in 2000. While there were other dating sites then, eHarmony was one of the first to focus specifically on long-term relationships. The site claims to have helped more than two million people find love and that “every 14 minutes, someone finds love on eHarmony.”
eHarmony has a free version that allows users to sign up, create a profile, and get matched with other users, but to get unlimited photo views, instant messaging, and other benefits that can help you find someone you’re interested in getting to know more, you may have to invest in one of the premium membership options.
What makes eHarmony different from other dating sites
eHarmony uses a proprietary matching system and a model developed with the help of leading psychologists. Users take this quiz upon signing up, which is part of the basic membership. This quiz features 80 questions the platform uses to determine how compatible users are with one another, narrowing the dating pool of potential matches to only those you are most likely to hit it off with, according to the platform's algorithm.
Match
Match debuted in 1995 and was the first dating app in the world. Match requires users to create extensive profiles, which can help users find compatible people on the platform more efficiently. Users are asked to share gender, age, who they want to meet, parenting status, faith, education, career, political views, pets, interests, and more. You can then select preferences for who you would like to match with based on many of the same categories. Users can upload up to 26 photos and answer icebreaker questions to let potential matches learn more about them.
The free version of Match allows unlimited messaging with your Top Picks. Still, the standard and premium plans include a variety of perks, like unlimited messaging and the ability to see who has liked your profile.
What makes Match different from other dating apps
The extensive profile information helps Match determine what users may be compatible with one another. The site’s algorithm uses this information to match you with other users. However, unlike other platforms, Match allows users to message one another without one user having to “like” the other first. Match also helps users stay safe by encouraging them to communicate through the platform’s anonymous chat network and never share names or contact information with matches until the user decides to do so.
Coffee Meets Bagel
Coffee Meets Bagel’s tagline is “for serious daters.” The site claims that over 91% of users on the platform are looking for a committed relationship. CMB was founded by three sisters who decided to follow their dreams after turning down an offer on Shark Tank. One of the potentially interesting features of CMB is that it delivers a small number of matches every day, so users don’t get overwhelmed by seeing everyone all at once. CMB also helps matches start conversations with icebreakers and encourages people to meet off the platform with chat limits.
What makes Coffee Meets Bagel different from other dating apps
According to CMB, the site is different from most dating apps because it is designed for people looking for long-term relationships. Users can choose “must-haves” to set guidelines for who they’re matched with to ensure they meet people whose values and standards align with their desires. CMB gives women fewer matches than men, but women only see users who have already liked their profile. The app does this because its research found that men wanted to look through more profiles to find people who interest them, while women preferred to see a more curated set of matches.
Tips for finding a serious relationship on a dating app
While there is no foolproof way to find true love on the best free dating app or premium dating site, there are some tips you can follow to find people looking for something serious instead of something casual.
Craft your dating app profile carefully so that it truly represents you
When you create your profile, try to portray your true self as accurately as possible. Your profile can be essential in finding a serious relationship online. Try to stand out while also being true to yourself.
Photos can also be helpful. Ensure they feature only you and are as current as possible. Use unfiltered photos and choose images representing who you are and what you value.
Know what you want, but be flexible
Everyone has deal breakers, but focusing on a specific list of qualities you prefer in a partner can complicate matters. Be honest with yourself and your matches about what you’re looking for, including deal breakers, but don’t wait until someone checks every box on a list to give them a chance. Doing so can connect you with someone who brings value to the table that you may never have thought of.
Be patient
Finding someone with whom you can build a serious relationship can take time. Before signing up, commit to stick it out for three or four months, and try not to get discouraged if you don’t have any luck in the first few weeks.
Are you ready for a serious relationship?
Whether you’re interested in casual dating or a long-term relationship, dating can be challenging. Past experiences and coping with rejection can affect your self-confidence, making putting yourself out there and making meaningful connections more difficult. Working with a therapist can give you support throughout the process and help you work on self-esteem and communication skills that may help you approach the online dating process from a different mindset.
Opening up about vulnerabilities and dating disappointments can be difficult for some people to do face-to-face, so online therapy may be a convenient option. With an online therapy platform like BetterHelp, you can work with a qualified professional from home. Most people are matched with a therapist within 48 hours of signing up, and you can change providers at any time for no fee.
Studies have found that online therapy can be as effective as in-person treatment. One meta-analysis of 14 studies determined no difference in effectiveness between face-to-face and in-person treatment.
Takeaway
Which dating site is best for serious relationships?
There are several dating sites that cater specifically to people seeking real-life long-term relationships. The most popular of these free dating sites is Hinge, an app with the slogan “made to be deleted.” On this app, users can talk to eight matches at a time for free. Other free dating apps and sites that might be used for long-term dating include Match, eHarmony, and Bumble. However, apps like Tinder are often used to find a more casual fling. Queer women may find luck on the app HER, which is geared toward helping sapphics find love and connections.
What dating app has the highest success rate?
Many dating platforms have a high success rate in helping their user base find long-term connections. However, a few dating sites and apps stand out from the rest. Match tends to rank as the best dating app for finding potential partners. However, to have a dating profile where you can send messages, you have to have a paid subscription instead of using your free basic membership. You may be able to send the first message for free. For this reason, some users prefer free dating apps like Hinge, Bumble, or Tinder. Other apps, such as eHarmony, OkCupid, and Badoo may also be helpful for finding successful relationships, and all dating apps have success stories behind them.
Which app is best for long-term relationships?
Various dating apps have an active user base looking for meaningful relationships. The apps that are geared most toward more meaningful connections and meaningful conversations opposed to one-night stands may include Hinge, Match, eHar,omy, and OkCupid, but all apps may have an option to state that you’re looking for a life partner or meaningful relationship over casual hookups.
When looking for an app for serious connections, try those that offer a comprehensive questionnaire to match singles searching for love. For example, eHarmony offers a detailed questionnaire that free users can use to find compatible matches. OkCupid offers many questions, as well, which aims to help people find genuine connections by rating them with a percentage of how compatible they would be. A perfect match would be someone with 90% to 100% compatibility based on your questionnaire answers.
Is Tinder for serious relationships?
People often associate Tinder with casual relationships. Since the app shows you how far away you are from someone and uses an appearance-based swiping feature, many users use Tinder for hookups. Apps that may be better for finding compatible partners looking for serious relationship types may include Match group, Hinge, and Bumble. To increase your odds of finding someone you match with on your dating journey, consider making an in-depth profile which explains exactly what you’re looking for, and add many pictures of yourself where you are easily identifiable. Detailed profiles tend to get more matches, and the people you match with may be more like-minded individuals who are on the same page as you about relationship goals. You can also try features like video calls to meet the person online before you meet them in person.
Which dating app is legit?
Legit dating apps are those that have a large base of active users and have features in place to keep people safe when dating, such as the option to verify a user’s profile and identity. Apps like Bumble, Tinder, Hinge, eHarmony, Match, Plenty of Fish, Christian Mingle, HER, Grindr, Badoo, Taimi, and Lex are all valid and legit apps that many people use. These apps often offer an inclusive space for people to meet..Queer people may try the apps HER, Grindr, Lex, and Taimi, as these apps are geared toward the LGBTQ community.
What is the most genuine dating site?
Dating sites that center personal growth and consent in one’s dating life may be the most genuine. A popular dating app for finding serious partners is Hinge. On this app, people are often looking for more serious relationships and set their dating preferences so you can easily see them when seeking a partner. However, there is no desktop version. For a desktop dating app, you might try OkCupid, Match, or eHarmony. You may find at least five members you connect with. If you struggle to get matches, keep trying, and continue making profiles on multiple apps.
Which dating app is 100% free?
All dating apps have a free and paid version. However, you can use some apps normally with the free version. You may have less swipes or matches available, but you can log in each day to use them. Apps like these include Tinder, HER, Bumble, and Hinge. If you buy the premium plans of any of these apps, you may get unlimited matches or be able to see who likes you.
What is the most elite of all dating sites?
Some dating apps are advertised as “elite” or geared toward people with certain incomes. For example, MillionaireMatch and Elite Singles are geared toward people with higher incomes.
How to pick a dating app?
Pick a dating app based on what you’re looking for. If you want casual encounters, consider apps like Tinder, Grindr, and other hookup-related apps. For friendships, you might try Bumble BFF. For dates, try Hinge, Match, eHarmony, Bumble, and Tinder. If you’re a queer woman, you can try HER or Taimi. Lex is not a dating app but a public forum for LGBTQ people and you may also find dates, hookups, or events on there.
Which online dating apps lead to most marriages?
The dating apps associated most with marriages are eHarmony, Match, and Hinge. However, all dating apps have success stories. Look for an app you connect with and enjoy using.
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