The safest dating sites can provide extra assurances to online daters. It works similar to a bouncer checking IDs and resolving conflicts at the door. When a new person comes online, the algorithms take action behind the scenes to confirm a profile’s authenticity and screen potential date options within the area.

From profile verification to spam alerts, online technology can do a lot to support active users and give them more confidence in their matches. That can make a huge difference in a platform’s overall success rate.

Singles can set their security concerns aside and take a chance on love with the right tools behind them. The top dating companies have perfected methods for weeding out fake profiles and helping real people come together in safety. Here is a comprehensive list of the dating sites and apps with the highest safety ratings.

Best Overall Safest Dating Sites

Let’s start with some of the safest bets in the online dating landscape. The following matchmaking sites and apps have earned the trust of millions of online daters around the world. And for good reason!

Category Rating
★★★★★ 4.9/5.0
  • Match is the world's longest running dating site
  • The Discover section has search filters by interests, looks, lifestyle, and more
  • Match is available in 50 countries and 15 languages

Match has gotten acclaim for being the longest-running and most successful online dating service in the mainstream market. This site and app provide curated matches based on personality tests and browsing patterns. If two members seem particularly well matched, they will appear in each other’s Top Picks list and be able to exchange messages for free.

The history of Match.com shows constant improvement in its matchmaking tools, communication policies, and safety features. The original dating website has been upgraded to support compatible relationships of all types. The platform even recommends local dating events for singles who prefer to meet and chat with potential dates in person.

Category Rating
★★★★★ 4.9/5.0
  • Over 2 million monthly users
  • Premium members receive 20 wildcard matches a day
  • Search features include age, height, education, ethnicity, and lifestyle habits

Elite Singles is a high-end dating platform for educated singles seeking a potential partner for life. Its matchmaking service takes education, religion, and other lifestyle factors into account when suggesting daily matches.

Over 80% of Elite Singles members are college graduates, and over 90% say they want to get in a long-term relationship.

This mature dating atmosphere is ideal for single professionals who have some safety concerns about general dating apps. EliteSingles has set up a free trial offer and paid subscription plan to separate the casual browsers from serious daters.

Category Rating
★★★★★ 4.7/5.0
  • Over 2 million people have found love here
  • Users can filter their match recommendations by age or city
  • Compatibility Quiz identifies common interests, lifestyles, and goals

In 2000, eharmony embarked on a mission to improve online dating by using psychology. And the world has never been the same. As of today, eharmony has introduced approximately 2 million couples in the U.S. alone.

The eharmony platform sets high expectations for its members. The dating profiles are rich with information about their interests, hobbies, opinions, and values, and a compatibility breakdown is available for those who complete the 80-question quiz.

After decades of solid matchmaking, eharmony has earned its reputation as one of the best dating sites for women seeking serious relationships.

Category Rating
★★★★★ 4.7/5.0
  • Send messages to premium members for free
  • Over 3 million messages sent a day
  • Premium perks include photo verification and sending virtual gifts

The Zoosk dating platform took a page from social media’s playbook in 2007 and cultivated a digital space where users have plenty of browsing options. Members have both free and paid communication features at their disposal 24/7, and a learning algorithm suggests compatible dates based on multifaceted criteria.

Over 40 million profiles are in the Zoosk database, and those with a check mark have taken the extra step of verifying their photos.

Our experts reviewed Zoosk and found an impressive range of features to facilitate real connections. Zoosk highlights active users in its swiping Carousel, and it has search filters available to narrow the dating pool. Free members can reply to messages for free and earn Zoosk Coins to get special perks.

Category Rating
★★★★ 4.3/5.0

ChristianMingle is a Christian dating site that is grounded by strong values and ideals. Over 15 million singles have joined this spiritual network, and many have seen their faith rewarded with meaningful connections.

The safety features on ChristianMingle start immediately upon signup. A new person will have to register an email address, Facebook profile, or Apple account to link to their dating profile, and they will have to pass a Captcha test each time they log in. Photos are required on this Christian dating site, and an algorithm automatically flags fake, doctored, or stock photos.

Since 2001, countless friendships, love stories, and marriage proposals have sprung from ChristianMingle. It is a promising and trustworthy dating platform where Christian singles can be true to themselves.

Category Rating
★★★★ 4.2/5.0

BlackPeopleMeet offers a niche dating space for Black singles and anyone interested in meeting Black singles. Since its establishment in 2002, the platform has expanded from coast to coast, currently boasting over 1 million users. Its urban dating tools prioritize local personals over long-distance dates, but users are free to adjust their settings based on their romantic drive.

New users have the option to upload photos through Facebook or link their smartphone to their account. Profiles without a profile picture will be invisible — meaning they will not appear in search results or swiping lists. The BPM network reserves the right to remove users who break the terms of use and cause issues on the site or app.

Category Rating
★★★★ 4.1/5.0
  • Free, unlimited communication for everyone
  • Singles can swipe or search for a compatible date
  • Over 91 million connections every year

OkCupid is an absolutely free dating platform with direct messaging available to all users — with some caveats. Any user can send a first message to anyone they like, but the conversation window will only unlock if the other person sends a like or response. That way, singles have the freedom to reach out to anyone without being able to engage in online harassment and spamming.

In terms of safety, OkCupid has a lot of quality control methods in place. The dating platform puts new users to the test with an extensive questionnaire and detailed profile prompts. It takes quite a bit of time to complete an OkCupid profile, but the end result showcases a lot of personality.

Category Rating
★★★★ 4.1/5.0

Plenty of Fish became an instant hit when it launched in Canada in 2003 with free chatting features for all singles. The dating platform currently reaches 20 countries and has over 150 million accounts to its name.

The POF community aims to promote authentic profiles, not bots or catfishers. It uses a host of premium features to help real people make the most of their online dating experience. The photo verification service is available upon request, and video chat features are also in the works. Plus, Plenty of Fish limits the number of unsolicited messages a single person can send within a 24-hour period.

Category Rating
★★★★ 4.0/5.0
  • A feminist dating app puts singles on equal footing
  • 60% of Bumble matches turn into dates
  • Bumble Bizz and Bumble BFF spark non-romantic connections

Bumble takes pride in its feminist roots and progressive mission. The dating app launched in 2014 with the idea that online matching would be better if women took the lead. Today, the membership base has over 100 million users in 150 countries.

The Bumble app has facilitated networking of all types. It can connect new friends, business partners, or hot dates. All members must agree to follow the app’s code of conduct, which promotes kindness and respect in all interactions. Anyone who violates the rules will be promptly flagged, disciplined, and potentially banned from the Hive.

If you’re hoping to get in a real relationship, Bumble can be your wingman. over 80% of members say they are looking for something serious, and only 4% admit to seeking a casual hookup on the dating app.

Category Rating
★★★★ 4.0/5.0
  • Supports active daters in 190+ countries
  • The swiping system creates over 12 million matches per day
  • Tinder Plus members have unlimited likes and 5 Super Likes

Finally, Tinder is a reputable dating app that connects millions of singles across the globe. Its swiping technology ensures that no unsolicited messages can intrude upon an online dater’s experience. Plus, Tinder can confirm profile pictures and personal details through social media, or it can send a verification code through text as part of its screening process.

As of 2021, Tinder has begun beta testing background check technology in partnership with Garbo. The goal is to incorporate vetting tools as a paid feature on the dating app. That way, Tinder users can feel more comfortable when getting in touch with a new online love interest.

Tinder is as safe as houses, and it has the statistics to prove it. Since 2012, Tinder has fostered over 60 billion matches and has been downloaded over 430 million times. The app is responsible for about 1.5 million first dates every week.

Best Safest “Senior” Dating Sites

Senior singles have to be vigilant when meeting new people online. Sometimes a romance scam artist will try to hoodwink an unsuspecting older person by making a lot of promises and throwing out a lot of compliments. One of the best ways to stay safe is to refuse all requests of money or favors and report the profile to the online dating platform.

The following dating sites cater to the senior crowd and provide reliable security tools as well as safety tips to help users avoid trouble.

Category Rating
★★★★★ 4.5/5.0

As a premium dating site for seniors, Silver Singles has prioritized online dating safety and set high standards for its members. It starts with a free personality test that delves into an individual’s quirks and relationship goals. Then it uses scam prevention software to make sure its profiles are legit.

A free Silver Singles membership can unlock matchmaking opportunities within the local dating scene, but a senior person will have to upgrade to a paid membership to engage with the community. Only paid members can send private communications through Silver Singles. What’s more, paid members rank higher in search results and therefore receive more attention from prospective matches.

Category Rating
★★★★ 4.4/5.0
  • Open to straight, gay, and lesbian singles over 50
  • Free match recommendations and conversation starters
  • Use Tokens to promote your profile and send virtual gifts

OurTime creates curated matches for older people who want to date and make friends within their age group. The online dating website screens new users for authenticity and deletes fake profiles upon detection.

With step-by-step guidance and safety tips, OurTime helps senior singles get acclimated to the modern dating environment and discover like-minded date prospects in their area.

The senior dating site is serious about cultivating a mature membership. It’s not a good fit for a cougar woman, sugar daddy, or young person in search of age-gap romances. Only highly respectable over-50 dating profiles are accepted here.

Category Rating
★★★★ 3.7/5.0

It’s free to create a dating account on SeniorMatch, and doing so will put a senior person in touch with over 1 million members in the over-40 community. The online dating website hosts public discussions between senior singles and provides the option for paid members to exchange private messages.

Not only is SeniorMatch a safe dating platform, but it’s also one of the most successful senior matchmakers on the market. Over 36,000 success stories have been published on the website to prove its merits to newcomers.

“I joined Senior Match as a lark. I never thought my first date would be with the woman I will spend the rest of my life with,” said a widower who found a second chance at love online. “And now we plan to marry in a few months.”

Best Safest “LGBTQ” Dating Sites

The online dating scene can offer a lot of value to gay men, lesbian women, and queer singles who don’t often meet like-minded LGBTQ+ folks in their daily lives. A rainbow of dating platforms have arisen to inspire same-sex matches that can lead to one-night stands, relationships, or marriages. Here is a rundown of the safest havens of LGBTQ+ singles.

Category Rating
★★★★ 3.8/5.0
  • One of the largest gay hookup sites in the world
  • Search filters for age, location, physical attributes, and more
  • Available in 12 languages and counting

MenNation is a gay hookup site with a raunchy membership base, and it takes special care to promote legit profiles, not fake users or bots. All members must verify that they are over 18 years old and provide some personal information to complete a profile. MenNation does not publicize contact information or social media logins.

In terms of matchmaking, MenNation has established some rules to deter scammers and spammers. Only local singles appear in each other’s search tab, and only paid members have the ability to send emails through the site. The platform also has anonymous chat rooms, kinky groups, and video streams where men can let their sexual desires and imaginations run wild.

Category Rating
★★★★ 3.5/5.0

LesbianPersonals boasts having a massive global network of sexy women, and its live search tools can help users find female companionship without putting their personal details on the line. The lesbian hookup site does not conduct background checks on its new members, but the photo gallery reveals a lot about their character and sexuality.

All things considered, LesbianPersonals is one of the safest hookup sites for lesbian and queer women. The platform has a reporting functionality to police the membership, and it has rules against sharing phone numbers, addresses, real names or email addresses in a personal ad.

“We reserve the right, but not the obligation, to refuse to transmit or post, any content,” the LesbianPersonals team said. “In addition, we may also take reasonable steps, including the limiting or filtering of the number of emails, chat messages, or posts sent or received.”

16. HER

Category Rating
★★★★ 3.5/5.0
  • A quirky and unapologetic womxn-only dating community
  • Queer events get users connecting IRL
  • The constantly updated Feed facilitates social networking

HER maintains a scam-free and man-free community where LGBTQ+ women can mingle in peace. The niche dating app now has over 7 million members in the U.S. and abroad. All members have been verified through Facebook and determined to be real singles who identify as female.

The HER team has promised to look out for the best interests of queer women everywhere. Its eagle-eyed moderators remove sketchy profiles, flag inappropriate photos, and ban anyone posting hate speech. As a result, the HER app cultivates a friendly and respectful environment for building a lesbian friendship or relationship.

Category Rating
★★★ 3.4/5.0
  • Social networking for gay, bi, trans, and queer men
  • Location-based matches spark instant chemistry
  • Grindr Equality advocates for LGBTQ+ interests on the global stage

In 2009, Grindr became the first online dating app to cater specifically to gay singles. Now it has over 27 million members and reaches nearly every country in the world.

A lot of work has gone into making Grindr safe to use — even in places that aren’t exactly gay-friendly. The dating app can camouflage its icon to look like a calculator, and Grindr Xtra users can set up a PIN code to lock their profile. The swiping technology effectively solves the issue of online harassment and encourages more desirable matches. Grindr users can only chat with one another if they both like each other’s profiles, and that seal of approval can be rescinded at any time with no questions asked.

Best Safest “Hookup” Sites

Adult dating sites have gotten a bad reputation for housing scam accounts, chat bots, and fake profiles, but that isn’t the case for every hookup app and X-rated dating service. Some long-standing companies have made an effort to remove the unsavory characters from the database while still supporting anonymous flirting online. Here’s a summary of the safest places to enjoy a sex chat and casual hookup.

Category Rating
★★★★ 4.2/5.0

Ashley Madison took a major blow in 2015 when cybercriminals hacked its database. But that security breach actually made the affair dating site redouble its efforts to keep members safe. Some of those improvements are invisible encryptions in the backend, and others are noticeable changes in the dating profile setup and verification process.

This discreet dating service allows members to blur or mask their faces in photos, but it uses a smart algorithm to verify photos are genuine and appropriate. Ashley Madison does not require free members to provide their real names or credit card information, so it’s possible to browse the platform anonymously.

In recognition of its diligent security and proactive safety measures, our experts have named Ashley Madison among the safest mobile dating apps for single and not-so-single folks.

Category Rating
★★★★ 4.1/5.0

BeNaughty is a free hookup site where singles can engage in dirty talk and view smutty photos in total privacy. The secure registration process deters newcomers from setting up a fake profile by requiring an identity check through an email address or phone number. Furthermore, the site only allows members with photos to send private messages and set up dates.

For years now, BeNaughty has stimulated matches and hookups without using bots, so single people don’t have to worry about encountering a fake user. It’s free to create a dating profile and search for a potential date. Female members can even reply to their messages without a paid membership.

Category Rating
★★★★ 4.0/5.0

Since 1996, Adult Friend Finder has beckoned horny singles, couples, and throuples to explore a wild sex scene. This adult dating service does double duty as a porn site and chat room, so AFF members are constantly surrounded by stimulating content.

Safety is a major concern on the AFF platform. It has seen over 105 million signups and had to keep close watch on online activity to ensure no romance scammer sneaks under the radar. Adult Friend Finder has automated scam-detection software to keep real users safe. It also has established a premium matchmaking system that rewards the hottest and most active users on the scene.

Category Rating
★★★★ 4.0/5.0
  • Over 70 million registered users
  • Naked photos, videos, and private messaging available
  • Send a Flirtcast to get in touch with all potential matches

Flirt.com can provide a safe space for anonymous flirting and casual hookup activity. The adult dating site has over 70 million members that have been screened for potential red flags. Uploading a fake photo or sending spam messages can be grounds for permanent removal from the database.

All personal ads on the Flirt dating site have been approved as authentic and safe. As a result, the online dating experience is straightforward — not to mention female-friendly. A woman will enjoy free communication features on Flirt.com. She can skip the paid membership and still walk away from the casual dating network with a slew of real romantic opportunities.

Category Rating
★★★★ 3.9/5.0

FriendFinder-X users can operate with wild abandon on the casual dating site because a strong safety net is in place behind the scenes. By checking IP addresses to confirm the user’s location, the site can support a local search list with vetted date prospects.

Joining FriendFinder-X can be a safe way to explore romantic prospects without making a huge emotional or financial commitment. A paid membership is not necessary if all you want to do is look around and send virtual flirts. A free member can earn points on the website by uploading photos, confirming their identity, and answering profile questions, and enough points can unlock private conversation windows.

Adult singles and couples often bare everything in their personal ads, and they aren’t typically shy about arranging a sexy video chat or casual hookup.

How Do the Safest Dating Sites Work?

The safest dating sites offer built-in security that begins with a thorough registration process. The dating platform may ask members to submit their real names, contact information, payment details, or a Facebook login, and it may also have photo requirements that challenge users to upload their best selfies. It’s common for naked pictures to be removed from the public domain and reserved for private communications only.

When it comes to chatting, every online dating service takes a different approach. Paid dating sites do not let free members gab online. Dating apps like Tinder allow free chatting as long as two members like each other’s profile first. Very few platforms allow free and unlimited communication because such chat rooms can attract more fake profiles than real users. Without some rules in place, romance scammers can take advantage of dating sites with free messaging.

How Do I Choose the Best Safest Dating Site?

It’s important to consider your personal dating standards and goals when selecting a dating platform. For instance, Jewish singles who want to date within the faith may gravitate toward Jewish dating sites such as JDate or Supertova, while Christian singles will find more compatible prospects on Christian Mingle or CMatch.

Some dating sites tackle niche concerns or attract specific demographics in the online dating scene. But mainstream dating platforms — Tinder, Match, Bumble, and eharmony — are for everyone. Some singles prefer to use niche sites because they offer a smaller and more targeted dating pool. But the benefits of mainstream dating apps often include free chat features and lots of swiping opportunities.

Can Online Dating Ever Really Be Safe?

Meeting someone new on an online dating site can seem scary at first, but it’s actually a rather safe way to communicate and build relationships. First off, the digital interface allows singles to chat without being physically in the same space. That lowers the risk of dating violence and creates a forum for screening all first dates.

Another safe aspect of online dating is its blocking capabilities. If any person has a bad encounter with another user, the remedy is to click the block button and immediately delete the conversation window. A blocked user will not be able to see the chat or dating profile anymore. Plus, reporting a misbehaving or suspect user could lead to its expulsion from the dating platform.

The safest dating sites help online daters vet new love interests.

Singles should keep in mind that not all app users are what they appear to be in their dating profile. Some people embellish the truth to make themselves look more desirable. In rare instances, a romance scammer creates a false identity to lure potential victims. It’s a good idea to run a social media search or a background check on a potential match and suss out the truth from the lies before things get serious.

Stay Safe by Choosing a Reputable Dating Platform

Nightclubs and bars employ bouncers to keep underaged and misbehaving people from ruining the vibes inside. A quick check of someone’s credentials can be an effective security tool. And that’s exactly how the safest dating sites operate too.

Online dating is safer when the platforms use their resources to monitor and vet the membership base.

By verifying dating profiles and removing fake accounts, online dating sites can raise the caliber of users in the membership base. That has proven a successful strategy for supporting real relationships and lively conversations. Safety features lend more credibility to the network and instill greater trust in its potential match list. So be sure to check out a dating service’s community rules before applying for a free membership trial. Stay safe!

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