The internet can seem like a sketchy place sometimes, but dating sites without bots and fake profiles do exist. And they’re growing more popular all the time.

The online dating world has become more legitimate over the years thanks to more rigorous profile screening standards. High-tech verification tools can automatically identify and remove a fake profile or malicious bot, so real people on the platform spend their time and energy on legit matches.

The following trustworthy dating sites and apps have taken steps to ensure online scam artists cannot take advantage of the free membership and cause problems. These platforms police all new profiles to ensure only genuine single people can enter this safe space.

Best Overall Dating Sites Without Bots & Fake Profiles

First up, we’re going to review the top 10 most trustworthy and successful dating platforms on the market. These overall best dating sites and apps have a lot going in their favor — and they don’t rely on bots or fake profiles to artificially pad their numbers.

A free membership on a legit dating platform can make a world of difference in a person’s love life, so don’t be shy about joining up with this lot.

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★★★★★ 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 ranks at the top of our list of the best dating sites without bots. This global platform has established itself as a trustworthy name in the dating industry since 1995, and it has more success stories than any other dating service.

A free membership on the Match dating website or app includes unlimited browsing, access to search filters, and some communication options (with limits). Free members can send private messages to the highly compatible matches in their Top Picks list. But only paid members can message any person they like.

Match verifies new members through a phone number, email address, or Facebook login. It also requires a profile photo that clearly shows the person’s face. Its robust security features make sure a fake account will not last long here.

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★★★★★ 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

EliteSingles connects real people in the upper echelons of the dating world. About 80% of members have graduated from college, and over 90% say they are looking for a long-term relationship. This is a safe environment to scout local dating options and find the other half to your power couple.

Over the last few years, EliteSingles has helped single professionals adjust to changing trends and use video chatting as a means to stay safe while getting to know a new person. Plus, the dating site has raised the bar by asking users to pay for the privilege of viewing photos and sending messages. This deters bad actors from setting up a fake dating profile because they’ll have to pay to use it to contact anybody.

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★★★★★ 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

Zoosk is a highly active social networking platform geared toward outgoing and tech-savvy singles. Since its launch in 2007, the dating site has amassed a huge following of over 40 million people in 80 countries. Its members send over 3 million messages a day.

Beyond the statistics, Zoosk has a lot to offer the single population. The dating service has earned the trust of its users by maintaining a variety of verification tools, search filters, and communication options to make online dating a more targeted and enriching experience.

It is totally free to create a Zoosk dating profile, view local matches, and reply to a limited number of incoming messages. Our Zoosk review goes into more detail about how the free dating site works and how it keeps people safe.

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★★★★★ 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 made waves in the online dating scene by using a psychology test to build real relationships online. Its founding mission was to strengthen marriages in the U.S. and abroad. Today, eharmony is one of the most trusted names in the industry, and it is responsible for introducing over 2 million American couples.

The eharmony platform has taken a high-integrity approach to forging meaningful connections. Its compatibility quiz measures the user’s communication style, interests, habits, and personality traits to determine which matches have the best chance of success. Singles can depend on eharmony to support their dating priorities with astute matchmaking technology.

In addition to its thorough registration process, eharmony has SMS text verification and video call options to give its users more confidence and security in their online matches.

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★★★★ 4.3/5.0

ChristianMingle provides a God-centric online dating experience that allows Christian singles to be themselves and talk openly about their beliefs and values. The niche dating platform connects people based on their shared religious background and moral understanding. Its matches often lead to faith-driven relationships and marriages.

A free account on ChristianMingle can lead to valuable introductions within the online Christian community. Its members have been prescreened and determined to be genuine, so users can have confidence in their chats. ChristianMingle has more than 15 million users around the globe, and it is particularly popular in rural areas and small towns.

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★★★★ 4.2/5.0

Looking to meet Black singles? Then let BlackPeopleMeet be your wingman. This niche dating service has millions of users from all walks of life. It satisfies the niche interests of singles who are in search of a diverse and inclusive community to call their own.

BlackPeopleMeet is a dependable place to meet singles who keep it 100 and don’t play mind games. The platform doesn’t require profile pictures, but the majority of users choose to upload their favorite selfies to show they are serious about meeting someone special. BPM profiles also have detail-oriented demographic sections and prompts to give a well-rounded impression of what makes the person tick.

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

A group of Harvard math nerds started OkCupid in 2004 because they wanted to use technology to predict and inspire love stories. The dating website’s algorithm drew data from a lengthy questionnaire and identified patterns in say, a couple’s beer tastes and their relationship compatibility.

As of today, OkCupid is one of the most successful dating platforms of all time. It boasts creating over 90 million matches per year, and it facilitates about 50,000 first dates every week.

Thanks to its in-depth profiles, OkCupid has virtually guaranteed that fake accounts will not be a problem here. Members must write responses to several prompts and post at least one photo to even gain access to the swiping stacks. What’s more, the match algorithm hides inactive profiles and has moderation tools in place to catch suspicious activity. Singles can refer to the community guidelines for more information.

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★★★★ 4.1/5.0

Plenty of Fish launched in 2003 as a local dating site for Canadian singles, and it rapidly grew into an international sensation. Singles enjoy unrestricted free messaging in the POF network, and they don’t need to make a match to start a chat.

Over 150 million singles have joined Plenty of Fish so far, and it supports over 4 million love searches per day.

Some singles think it’s fishy that POF offers a completely free dating service, but the company’s longevity has proven that it’s just good business. The platform makes revenue from ads, so it doesn’t need to charge users for the pleasure of sending and receiving messages. The only caveat is that members cannot send over 50 unsolicited messages in a 24-hour period. This rule helps cut down on the spam messages and reduces dating burnout on the platform.

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★★★★ 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

A Tinder profile could be a single person’s ticket to a more active dating life. The swiping opportunities grab attention by putting profile pictures front and center. And it’s completely free to download the app and chat with mutual matches.

Since 2012, Tinder has made over 75 billion matches in 190 countries, and the app has verified over 530 million Tinder accounts. Its robust swiping database is populated entirely by real people, not Tinder bots.

New app users can choose to connect through Facebook to speed up the verification and profile creation process, or they can submit their phone number, enter in a confirmation code, and complete their Tinder profile manually. Either way, the online dating platform requires some proof of identity for entry to the swiping zone.

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★★★★ 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

In 2014, Bumble brought feminist ideals to the online dating scene and empowered women to take control of their matches and set the tone for their conversations. The Bumble app implemented a women-first chatting rule that upended traditional gender norms and discouraged male-driven pickup culture.

As a result of its innovative policy, Bumble has won the hearts of many relationship-minded singles. Its youthful and progressive membership is totally bot-free. The dating app maintains high standards for its members and will delete profiles for sending spam messages, posting fake or inappropriate photos, or breaking the community rules.

Bumble has recently surpassed 100 million members, making it one of the most popular and active dating pools you can find.

Best Senior Dating Sites Without Bots & Fake Profiles

Senior singles can be particularly vulnerable to a romance scam or a fake profile because they aren’t as alert to the warning signs. That’s why senior dating sites have paid particular attention to shoring up the membership base and using top-of-the-line safety features.

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★★★★★ 4.5/5.0

SilverSingles is an online dating site that uses advanced technology to facilitate matches between people in their 50s, 60s, 70s, and up. Its fraud detection system has been lauded for its effectiveness. Plus, only paid account holders can send private messages, and that adds an extra layer of safety to the dating platform.

The SilverSingles network caters to highly experienced, mature, and genuine people. From the personality test to the multi-pronged matchmaking, the senior dating website digs deeper than the surface to ensure its older members can find their perfect match.

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★★★★ 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 has served the senior dating population for over a decade. The niche dating platform kindles a new hope for mature singles in the 50+ age range. It also protects users from online dating scams by policing all profiles and messages.

The OurTime profile is rich with information about a person’s interests, experiences, and values. It even has a section regarding what they’re looking for in a potential partner. The platform’s search engine can help singles narrow down their options in the local dating pool and identify compatible seniors who live up to their standards.

All in all, OurTime is a reliable dating platform for for making new friends at any age, and users can trust that their potential match is not a spam bot.

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★★★★ 3.7/5.0

In 2003, SeniorMatch launched on a mission to normalize online dating for Baby Boomers. Today, it has become a premier senior dating site and app with over 1 million users worldwide.

A Silicon Valley team has powered SeniorMatch and created innovative matching and chatting features to keep mature daters engaged. The platform has received word of more than 36,000 success stories that have come from the team’s hard work and commitment to quality

SeniorMatch takes pride in offering a social network for all types of senior people. Some are seriously looking for love and marriage, while others are simply curious about online dating and interested in more casual conversations and friendships.

Best LGBTQ Dating Sites Without Bots & Fake Profiles

The last few years have been good for LGBTQ+ singles. As more people have come out of the closet, more inclusive dating sites and apps have opened to the public and inspired a rainbow of connections. Here are some of the top options for meeting real people of every gender identity and sexual orientation.

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★★★★ 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 website with millions of profiles in its database, so some critics assume it has a certain number of fake users lurking in the background. However, the forums, videos, and groups have a high level of activity that satisfies real men on the hunt for a date.

Joining MenNation is pretty easy, but it requires some identifying information, including a valid email address and ZIP code. The registration is 100% free with no obligation to upgrade to a paid plan. The new member does not have to upload a profile picture, but doing so dramatically increases his odds of attracting a partner.

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★★★★ 3.5/5.0

LesbianPersonals has distinguished itself as a lesbian dating site for casual hookups and sexting. Its inclusive atmosphere allows single women and couples to explore their feelings and sexuality without coming out in a public arena.

The hookup website publishes a ton of erotic content in its photo galleries, blogs, and live video forum, so it has no need of fembots to stir up excitement. LesbianPersonals members can browse the platform for free for as long as they like, but they’ll need to upgrade to a paid membership if they want to chat up a real woman online.

16. HER

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★★★★ 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

The HER dating app got started in 2013 because a lesbian woman wanted to support an all-female dating space — and rid the match list of any fake profiles created by men or couples. Any person who identifies as female can join the HER network, but their Facebook profile must confirm their gender identity. The HER moderators will remove any profile that appears suspicious, false, or male-operated.

By maintaining a strict women-only app, HER has empowered LGBTQ+ singles to date with greater peace of mind. And fewer invitations to a threesome. The social network has over 10 million verified users in the United States and Europe, and it is widely recognized as the most trustworthy dating app for lesbians.

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★★★ 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

Grindr can set single gay guys on a path to meet genuine dates in their area, and it could even strike a match that leads to love and marriage. The gay dating app serves men in the LGBTQ+ dating scene. Its members range in age, style, and sexual orientation, but they share a common drive to find romance wherever they go.

The free mobile app has the ability to widen a single man’s dating landscape and fill his inbox with matches and messages. Over 27 million guys have downloaded Grindr in the last 10 years, and it sees something like 3 million unique views every day.

Grindr users can trust the authenticity of their suggested matches because the online dating app prioritizes active users and flags any suspicious activity that is indicative of a fake profile or online dating scam.

Best Hookup Sites Without Bots & Fake Profiles

Hookup sites can get a bad reputation for housing fake users. After all, there is nothing sexy about encountering a romance scammer online. Talk about a turn-off! Legit hookup platforms have to find a good balance between online security and digital privacy to ensure users don’t have to tell their life story to gain entry — yet won’t be accosted by a fake profile that slipped past the radar.

Here are some popular casual dating platforms that have improved the romantic prospects of singles around the world.

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★★★★ 4.2/5.0

Affair dating is the chief selling point on Ashley Madison. This discreet dating platform allows both single and not-so-single folks to explore online matches and engage in private chats on their terms.

Ashley Madison doesn’t need bots to increase its online dating profile numbers. The affair site has about 60 million members and makes over 1 million love connections per month.

Some people use Ashley Madison as a free hookup site, but it can also be a useful way to blow off steam and enjoy casual sexting. The platform offers free communication for all female users, and it has privacy settings to keep a person’s online activity from impacting their real life.

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★★★★ 4.1/5.0

BeNaughty has become one of the most popular casual dating sites in the U.S. and Europe, and its membership is rapidly expanding in South America and Asia. Millions of people have given this site a try and found it is an exciting place to pick up a date.

BeNaughty entices customers with its promise of “fun dating with no waiting.” Its signup process is swift and straightforward — while still maintaining industry-leading safety standards. A match algorithm checks new profiles to ensure it isn’t an online dating scam. Members are also encouraged to upload a profile photo if they want to rank highly in search results and engage in real-time conversations.

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★★★★ 4.0/5.0

Adult Friend Finder has spent decades maintaining a sexually liberal site for singles and couples. It has over 104 million profiles in its database. A host of community guidelines are in place to ensure an online dating scammer can’t ruin the good vibes on the casual dating platform.

Although new members don’t have to disclose their real names, they do need to verify their age, provide a valid email address, and agree to the Terms of Use. According to the site’s rules, AFF has the right to delete a photo or profile if it is offensive, harmful, or fraudulent. Fake profiles are regularly removed from the dating website.

The AFF network facilitates kink searches, erotic discussions, video strip shows, and sexually charged discussions between real people, not chatbots.

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★★★★ 3.9/5.0

FriendFinder-X keeps romance alive by continually making match suggestions and promoting photo galleries and video libraries. The adult sex site has powerful search tools to support individuals on the hunt for a hot date. Its scam elimination software works behind the scenes to keep fake profiles to a minimum.

Signing up for a free membership on FriendFinder-X is a low-commitment way to explore sexy photos, videos, and personal ads. However, you’ll only be able to take a love connection to the next level if you get a paid membership. The adult dating site has instituted a paywall that empowers motivated sex seekers to get what they want without running into a ton of fake profiles and bots.

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★★★★ 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 has a domain name that tells singles exactly what the adult dating site is all about. Flirting is its bread and butter. Female members can send private messages for free — as long as they have a valid profile photo.

The Flirt membership base includes over 70 million profiles, all of which have been checked and approved according to the site’s standards.

Members must create a free account and verify their identity if they want to view profiles, conduct searches, and engage in flirty conversations with new friends on the site. Flirt also has block and reporting tools to introduce an atmosphere of accountability to the online sex community.

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★★★★ 4.0/5.0

OneNightFriend is a casual dating site on a mission to raise the standards for a one-night stand across the world. The platform is relatively new on the market, but it’s already gained a strong following among sex-seeking individuals, particularly single men seeking women.

Something unique about OneNightFriend is the payment system, which favors single ladies on the site. All female users can create a dating profile and chat for free without limitations. Men have a pay-as-you-go option in addition to some limited communication features at their disposal. The team behind OneNightFriend promise to remove fake and inactive profiles to ensure users aren’t frustrated in their search for local dates and romance.

How Do Dating Sites Without Bots & Fake Profiles Work?

Dating sites have to be proactive to keep fake profiles from getting in the way of real romantic opportunities. Some people set up a fake account to cause mischief online, and the algorithms use specific markers to identify a scammer or fake dating profile. Photo verification is the most common example of screening an online dating profile for authenticity.

Once the new member’s profile has been approved, it will go into the potential match pile, and the search for romance can begin. Dating site users can set filters based on age, appearance, and background to find a compatible date. Communication may be limited to mutual matches or paid members, but there will usually be some workarounds or free trial offers available.

What is a Chatbot?

A chatbot is a computer program or software application that uses artificial intelligence to carry on a conversation through a digital medium. It may send generic greetings and icebreaker questions, or it may use a standard script in some situations. An advanced chatbot can have the capacity to respond specifically to the things you say and simulate the experience of chatting with a human.

A company may employ a chatbot to handle basic customer service interactions or to send reminders or tips for online users. It is exceedingly rare to see chatbots employed on dating sites and apps because such practices undermine long-term user satisfaction and often lead to an influx of complaints that the dating service is a scam. Users tend to vocally complain and rage against dating app bots, so check out reviews to get a feel for what to expect.

What Are the Differences Between Spam Bots & Real People?

When you see an attractive dating profile, you may worry that the person is too good to be true. Or maybe a flirty conversation seems a little too easy. It’s natural to wonder if your new love match is really a chatbot or fake profile. But there are some sure-fire ways to separate the authentic dates from the liars.

Fake profiles
Fake profiles can be a hazard.

First of all, you should be a little suspicious if the other person repeats the words you use a lot because that is a common AI trick. An example of this would be if you said, “Do you like the weather in your city?” and the person answered, “The weather in my city is very nice.” While it’s possible that a real person typed that response, such formulaic and awkward phrasing should raise some red flags.

Another way to differentiate a real person from a bot is by looking at the average response time. Only a bot has the ability to reply the instant you happen to type a message. A real person has other responsibilities and hobbies that can delay a response. It’s normal for chats to go unanswered for hours or days at a time — it’s not normal for a match to be available to chat at any hour of the day or night. Bot profiles respond quickly and consistently in chat rooms, while a real person is bound to drop the conversational ball here or there.

Finally, the best way to make sure you’re not in love with a chatbot is to suggest a phone call or video date — or possibly even an encounter in real life. A chatbot cannot contact you outside a text window, so if your offer to host a video call or meet in person is repeatedly rejected, your match may not be 100% authentic.

If you’re concerned that you’re seeing more bot profiles than real people, you may want to look for reviews online to see if others have had a similar experience. Online daters have become accustomed to sharing their stories on Reddit, Quora, Trust Pilot, and other review sites, so it’s easy for a new user to get a good idea about what’s in store.

Is It Safe to Use Dating Sites That Check for Fake Profiles?

Yes, most dating sites have implemented security measures that offer a lot of protection to the consumer. If you had to enter a lot of dating profile information and go through a verification process, then you should feel fairly confident in the authenticity of the database. Platforms can stop romance scammers by requiring new members to connect to a social media account or use a text verification code to unlock the profile. Online moderation and user background checks can come into play as well to ensure spam bots don’t flood the system with fake messages.

It is safe to meet new people on a legit dating site or app — but online daters should always do some extra vetting once the conversation starts. A few probing questions can get to the heart of a person’s motivations and aspirations, and setting up a video call can be an effective way to keep a fake girl or fake guy from pulling the wool over your eyes.

Plus, most dating platforms have rules against asking for money or engaging in online harassment, so anyone attempting a dating scam will quickly be booted from the membership.

How Should I Choose the Best Dating Site Without Bots or Fake Profiles?

Our experts selected the most trustworthy names in the dating industry to include on this list, and any of them would make a great wingman for finding a date or casual hookup. Singles should pay attention to the signup rules and success stats to determine which one meets their standards. Membership demographics may come into play as well. Online daters have to make their best judgments based on their individual needs and relationship goals.

Match ranks on our list as the best dating app for relationship-minded singles who are in search of a less swiping-oriented and more personality-driven experience.

Category Rating
★★★★★ 4.9/5.0
  • In-depth matching appeals to women with high standards
  • Video chat tools help online daters establish a rapport
  • An established singles network in 50 countries worldwide

Match has been around for about three decades now, and its staying power is a testament to the dating website’s efficient matchmaking tools and welcoming atmosphere. This affordable dating service aims to help singles from all walks of life. It could be the place where a divorced single starts a new chapter, or it could support a seasoned online dater who is burnt out on mainstream swiping apps an casual sex sites.

If this is your first foray into online dating, you may want to choose multiple dating sites or apps on this list to give yourself a lot of options and make a splash in the local dating pool.

Legit Dating Sites & Apps Have Banned Fake Profiles & Bots

It can be disheartening to go online looking for a real love and find one’s inbox crammed with generic chatbots and fake dating profile likes. Not only is it time-consuming to sift through a database of fake profiles and random strangers, but sometimes the paranoia of running into a Tinder bot or scammer can put singles in a negative mindset that may even repel honest connections.

Dating sites without bots and fake profiles offer a much safer, healthier, and livelier experience. Singles can use a free membership to look for potential matches and feel confident that their chat opportunities are genuine.

You don’t necessarily have to pay a membership subscription fee to get away from spam bots. A legit free dating service can create swiping and chatting opportunities between real people without charging any money. So be sure to pick the right platform to make the most of your free profile. Good luck!

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