If you’re looking to dip your toes into the world of online dating but don’t know where to start, it can be hard to know where to go for the right information.
And while you might not know it, there are different sites and apps to go to depending on your age, lifestyle and preferences.
Consumer organisation Choice recently took a look at the world of online dating, recommending the right sites and apps for you.
Consumer organisation Choice recently took a look at the world of online dating, recommending the right sites and apps for you (stock image)
BUMBLE
If you’re aged 22 to 30 and looking for a female-friendly dating app, Choice say Bumble may well be your best option.
With 1.1 million Australian members, when Bumble launched onto the market it was designed to ‘disrupt traditional gender roles’ insofar as women must make the first move in sending a message for heterosexual matches.
The consumer organisation say Bumble could be the one for you if you are young and looking for a site that is easy and free to use.
It’s also good for females, thanks to the policy that means women make the first move.
Bumble is free to download, but you can pay up to $33.99 for several extra features like Bumble Boost and Bumble Coins.
The app also has unique features like Bumble BFF for making friends, and Bumble Bizz for networking and improving career chances.
Good for: Women especially, and those aged 22-30.
With 1.1 million Australian members, when Bumble launched onto the market it proved incredibly popular – it’s good for young people (stock image)
EHARMONY
One of the older kids on the dating block, Choice say that eHarmony is the dating site for you if you are a bit older and know what you want.
eHarmony’s selling point is its tailored approach as your profile is created from a detailed questionnaire where you rate your personality and appearance, as well as what you want in a partner and from a relationship.
You can access eHarmony for free, but paying a subscription gives you more information about other users.
The subscription can cost up to $53.95 and it entitles you to see who’s viewed you, send unlimited messages, see unlimited photos and see who’s favourited you.
Good for: Older daters who know what they want.
OK CUPID
If you’re queer or looking for a non-monogamous relationship, Choice reckon OK Cupid is the one for you.
OK Cupid claims to use a math-based matching system to help users find partners.
After completing a basic profile, users can elect to fill out hundreds of optional broad-reaching questions – like if they’d date a messy person, whether they like dogs, or even how often they brush their teeth.
The more questions you answer on your profile, the better the matching system becomes, the company says.
OK Cupid is free to $34.90 a month, depending on your membership.
Good for: People who are queer or seeking a non-monogamous relationship.
Tinder (stock image) is the dating app for you if you are young and looking for someone within your geographical location
TINDER
It’s the dating app that led to a new explosion of dating apps when it launched in 2012.
And it could be that Tinder is the app for you if you’re young and looking for someone within your geographical location.
Again, Tinder can be used for free, but you can also pay to unlock certain features like Tinder Plus and Super Like.
Good for: Young people looking for someone close to their geographical location.
PLENTY OF FISH
With 150 million users worldwide, Plenty of Fish has been around in the online dating world for a while – and has the reputation to match.
Using a ‘relationship chemistry predictor’, the site is again good for an older user, and someone who knows what they want.
A free membership lets users post up to eight photos, communicate, view others’ photos and use most features of the site.
However, you can upgrade and pay up to $19.35 a month for the ability to read an extended profile and share more photos.
Good for: An older user who knows what they want in a partner.
RSVP
Choice recommend RSVP if you are older and willing to pay for a more premium service.
Costing up to $56 a month, the site boasts more than four million Australian users, 50 per cent of whom are 35–55.
The over-50s demographic has grown recently, and RSVP says this is the fastest-growing sector in all Australian states.
Meanwhile, there is a roughly 50/50 split between men and women.
Good for: Those aged 35-55 willing to pay a little more for a premium service.
OASIS
Opt for Oasis if you are young and short of cash, Choice report.
48 per cent of the site’s users are 18-35; while 34 per cent are 36-50.
The gender split is 60 per cent male, as opposed to 40 per cent female, and the good news is that virtually all services are free.
Good for: Young people without a hefty budget to throw into online dating.
ZOOSK
Last but not least, Choice say Zoosk is the site for you if you’re over the age of 30 and looking for someone who is highly compatible with your personality.
The site has approximately 1.1 million Australian members, and 60 per cent of them are male as opposed to 40 per cent female.
Choice revealed that Zoosk is not just for the heterosexual crowd, as it has plenty of same-sex attracted singles and older members, plus groups such as divorcees, military members and single parents.
It is free up to $29.95 per month.
Good for: Those over the age of 30. Suits divorcees, same-sex couples, older members and single parents.
To read more from Choice, please click here.