If you’re in your 30s and looking for love, don’t get lost in the sea of dating apps and sites. Instead, use this guide to learn about the best online dating platforms for your stage in life, where balancing professional priorities and shifting relationship goals can be tricky to navigate.
Here, we review paid and free dating apps, the features they offer, and the pros and cons of each to help you find the right solution for your preferences.
When searching for dating platforms, there are some things that people in their 30s should look out for.
Connecting with those who are in a similar life stage as you are—or who at least share similar life goals—is important for feeling understood, validated, and seen. The best dating app for people in their 30s will have a varied user base that you can tap into to find a potential partner that meets your criteria.
Good dating apps for those in their 30s should offer features that this age group can use to feel supported in their dating journey. Some apps and sites have relationship coaching features, unique icebreakers or question prompts, and more—all of which help users connect on deeper levels and build a sense of community in the process.
Safety and privacy in any online dating experience is crucial no matter your age. The dating apps and sites to sign up for are the ones that provide safety measures and keep your information private.
Now it’s time to unveil the best dating apps and sites for people in their 30s who are single and ready to mingle.
Hinge is a dating app that doesn’t include swiping; instead, it recommends matches that users can like or pass on.
The mission of the Hinge dating app is for it to “be deleted,” meaning that users will hopefully find the long-term commitment they’re looking for and not have to keep using the app. Some of its key features include detailed profiles, requiring prompts to activate your profile, conversation starters, and no anonymous likes.
Due to the app’s approach to matching, Hinge could be beneficial for users in their 30s who are looking for a long-term partner. Another upside is that the free version allows eight likes per day. However, upgrading to one of the paid subscriptions is necessary to increase your likes per day and set more specific search parameters.
As with many dating apps, reviews are a mixed bag. Get a closer look at Hinge reviews, costs, and how it works.
If you’re a woman in your 30s and want to send the first message, the Bumble dating app could be a good option.
Women messaging men first is the feature that sets the Bumble app apart from other dating sites and apps; however, the app has evolved to allow any user who is part of the LGBT community to send messages first.
Users swipe right or left on matches. If both users swipe right on each other, then they’re considered a match. At this point, Bumble showcases another unique feature: a time limit on messaging. For heterosexual matches, the woman has only 24 hours to send the first message. Then, the other person only has 24 hours to respond; if they don’t, the connection is lost. (Individuals identifying as LGBT are encouraged to follow this time limit.)
The biggest pros of the Bumble can also be its biggest cons. For women using the app, there is more power in sending the first message, but it also requires more time and responsibility. Furthermore, the 24-time limit does intend to speed up the process of initiating conversations, but for busy professionals in their 30s, this can also be a constraint and lead to expired matches that can only be renewed with a paid subscription.
While many people share glowing reviews of how they met their partner on Bumble, many complain that many of the dating profiles are scammy.
Want to learn more? Read our full review of the Bumble dating app.
What started as a dating site in the early 1990s has since evolved into a popular dating app. Match is a longtime dating app go-to for serious daters older than 30.
Match offers both a dating site and an app, so users can choose their Match dating experience. Users can either “like” or pass on a profile or use the search feature to find profiles that have specific criteria.
According to Match’s website, 44% of its user base is between the ages of 30 and 49 and less than 20% are 29 or younger. This means that a good portion of Match’s dating pool is in their 30s. Another benefit of the Match app is the Dating Experts feature, where users can message with a relationship coach. There are several reviews on Reddit threads with people noting they’ve had success with Match.
On the flip side, there aren’t many features offered with the free plan, so upgrading to a paid subscription is almost necessary.
eHarmony is a dating site and app that provides matches based on mutual compatibility score.
While the eHarmony dating pool used to skew older, the average age of eHarmony users is now 30 years old. The dating site launched in 2000, and an app followed later. It’s often known as the app for serious relationships; eHarmony’s detailed profiles and in-depth setup process are two of its most prominent features, drawing in users who are looking for long-term commitment.
The detailed profile setup can be eHarmony’s shining star or users’ biggest headache. Some people appreciate the level of detail that goes into the compatibility quiz, but many note that it takes too much time compared to simpler dating apps. Additionally, as with many other dating sites or apps on this list, the free version of eHarmony doesn’t include all of the elements that make for a positive personal experience with the platform, meaning that paying to become a member is probably required.
Coffee Meets Bagel calls itself “the dating app for serious daters.”
This dating app provides an alternative to endless swiping by providing users with a daily list of matches (called bagels), encouraging people to date with intention by viewing a limited number of profiles. Users can also browse profiles freely, but you need to purchase in-app currency (called beans) to do so.
Here are the pros:
Now, it’s time for the cons:
Check out our in-depth look at Coffee Meets Bagel.
Now that we’ve covered various features across different dating apps and sites, here are the ones singles in their 30s should look for.
Ensure that the app you choose has filters for the relationship criteria you’re looking for. For example, if your dating goals include finding long-term commitment, then make sure to choose an app that has a reputation for drawing in people who are also looking for serious relationships.
Compatibility and shared relationship values and goals are key in the relationship department. Look for apps that prioritize sharing potential matches based on compatibility.
To make your search for love safe, make sure that the online dating platforms you research have safety measures like profile and photo verification, background checks, or reporting and blocking features.
Searching for love in your 30s might present some challenges that are unique to this stage of life.
While people in their 30s are by no means “starting” their careers, chances are that they’re still fledgling professionals climbing up the corporate ladder. Maybe you have some proving yourself to do or are trying to get your new company off the ground. Whatever your career situation is, you might be finding it difficult to balance your work priorities and personal time. Setting aside time for a robust dating life may be more challenging at this time in your life, but it will be well worth it when you land a great partner.
Singles who are in their 30s might find themselves in that awkward in-between phase, where perhaps they haven’t found their preferred career path, they’re still deciding if they want children, or they’re not sure if they want to “settle down” yet. Maybe they feel too old to date people in their 20s or too young to date people in their 40s. The complexities of this life stage vary from person to person, of course, meaning that it’s even more important to find matches that share similar life and relationship goals.
Unlock a simplified, meaningful approach to dating with Tawkify matchmaking services. As a single in your 30s, maybe you don’t have a ton of time to dedicate to your search for a forever partner or perhaps you’re getting burned out on online dating platforms and apps. Tawkify matchmakers do all the heavy lifting for your, hand-selecting compatible matches, setting up curated first dates, and using post-date feedback to help inform their search.
What does this mean for you? Less wasted time spent scrolling through profiles and a more active approach to finding your person.
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