8 Top Dating Sites & Apps

How to choose a dating site or app

Most dating services are free to join and charge for messaging, visibility or filters. The questions that matter are who is actually on the site, what you pay for, and how easy it is to leave.

• Subscriptions. Check the full price, the renewal date and whether longer plans renew at the same length. Deleting the app does not cancel a subscription.
• Profile verification. Some services offer photo or ID verification badges. They reduce, but do not remove, fake profiles.
• Privacy. Read what is visible to other members, whether your location is shown, and how your data is shared.
• Niche and arrangement sites. Sites built around specific relationship types attract their own scams, particularly around payment.

Romance scams and other common problems

Romance scams often follow a pattern: fast affection, a move to a private messaging app, reasons not to meet or video call, then a request for money, gift cards or help with an "investment". Never send money to someone you have not met. On arrangement sites, a common trick is a promised allowance that first requires you to pay a fee or deposit a check.

Complaints about dating services themselves often cover automatic renewals, accounts banned without explanation, and messages from profiles that do not reply. Keep your renewal date in a calendar.

CandorRated company pages show who runs each website, how long the domain has existed and what contact details were found. When meeting someone, choose a public place and tell a friend.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get a refund on a dating subscription?

Policies vary and depend on how you paid. App store purchases follow the app store's refund process.

How do I report a fake profile?

Use the report option on the profile. Include screenshots if someone asked you for money.