Entering the dating scene as a single mom or dad has its obstacles. Not only does your partner have to be right for you, but they also have to be right for your little ones. It’s not uncommon for that to end up being a dealbreaker.
Another challenge is finding a suitable dating site to begin your search, especially when there are so many to choose from. Fortunately, there are some great options out there that can help you find companionship from the comfort and convenience of home. The following are the five best dating sites for single parents.
#1 dating site for single parents - eHarmony
Important points:
Now in its second decade of operation, eHarmony has helped millions of singles find love through an advanced matchmaking system that was designed and refined over the years by psychologists.
Upon signing up, you’ll be tasked with completing a 150-point personality survey. The questionnaire includes factors such as your career, religion, interests, family values, and relationship goals. The more detailed your answers, the more accurate your matches will be.
It might take around 20 minutes to complete but filling in the survey ensures that every potential match comes your way for a reason, making it easier to find someone you can truly connect with. In fact, eHarmony prides itself on having a 100% real user base, so you won’t have to worry about running into catfish or people looking for a casual hookup.
You can stay in touch with potential partners on the go with eHarmony’s iOS and Android apps. While a free membership is available, you’ll have to pay a monthly subscription to gain access to all the features. But it’s worth noting that the site’s paid plans cost less than most.
With over 10 million monthly users and an excellent matchmaking system, single parents can sign up with confidence knowing that their time on eHarmony won’t go to waste.
Pros
Cons
#2 dating site for single parents - Elite Singles
Important points:
- Majority are aged between 25-35
- 35+ is the recommended age category
- It takes 35 minutes to sign up
- Free well designed app
- Average 3-7 matches daily
- It is free to sign up
This aptly named dating site maintains a sophisticated network of professionals who are just as serious about their careers as their relationships. In fact, 80% of users on EliteSingles hold at a minimum a bachelor’s degree.
With more than 90% of its two million monthly users being over the age of 30, EliteSingles is more accommodating to single parents than some other dating sites. You can expect a similarly deep personality test to that of eHarmony, with plenty of questions for the site’s algorithm to build a better idea of exactly who you’d be interested in.
There are slightly more women on EliteSingles than men, but the site accommodates single parents from all walks of life, including different races, religions, and age groups. You can browse your matches and chat with them through the EliteSingles app, which is available on both Android and iOS. The app has one of the better designs in its category.
Signing up is free and paying for the premium membership provides access to all features, which include additional daily matches. Given the nature of the site, you can expect a slightly higher monthly cost. This is acceptable considering the quality of the user experience and the members themselves, so be sure to consider giving EliteSingles a try.
Pros
Cons
#3 single parents dating site- Match.com
Important points:
- 20+ years old website
- Offers free to download mobile app
- Dating site has over 8 million premium members worldwide
- 4 million members from the US
- 3 million daily logins
- 45% men 55% women
A longstanding and top-rated dating site, Match.com is serious about helping you meet the man or woman of your dreams. If you don’t find your ideal match in six months, they’ll double your membership free of charge.
The website is home to over 20 million users, most of them being interested in a serious relationship. Registration is quick and easy, with an intuitive profile builder and personal information form to help you receive more accurate matches. Aside from the matching system, you can also browse the site for users based on your own search criteria.
While you can view other people’s profiles with the free membership, you’ll have to upgrade to a premium subscription to send messages. You can download the Match.com app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, which offers features such as notifications for messages and likes, as well as a Tinder-style interface for browsing matches.
There are numerous special features that are unique to Match.com. This includes reverse matches, which shows you a list of who you’re not compatible with. You can also perform voice calls with other members. Finally, there’s “Date Check,” which is a safety function for meeting matches in-person.
Match.com is simple, straightforward, and easy to use, making it a considerable option for single parents from all walks of life. Granted, using it fully will require the premium membership, which is considered average in the monthly cost.
Pros
Cons
#4 dating site for single parents - ChristianCafe
Important points:
- Dating site exclusive to Christian singles
- Highly-rated Christian dating site
- 7 to 10-day free trial available
- 2,000,000 members worldwide (1,000,000 from USA)
- 5,000 daily logins
- gender ratio: 50%/50%
Created and used by Christians, ChristianCafe is an ideal dating site for single parents who value their faith and are looking for someone who shares their devotion.
What’s great about ChristianCafe is that it isn’t solely focused on helping you find the perfect match. The two million-member website also provides assistance to users who are looking for support and advice, which can be especially helpful for newly single parents.
While the website is composed almost entirely of Christians, there’s a good amount of diversity among members, with users in different age ranges and nationalities. The majority of members are looking for serious relationships, though. Many of the users are widowed or divorced, further improving its suitability for single parents.
You can sign up for ChristianCafe for free before providing some profile information. After that, you can choose to upload photos and write up a profile description. The process is considered easy and straightforward. To contact another member, you’ll have to sign up for a paid membership. The monthly price is considered upper-moderate.
While there is a mobile app, it’s relatively poor in features and quality, with an outdated design. Fortunately, the website itself is easy to use with search filters, profile favorites, the ability to send prayers, and other useful features.
Pros
Cons
#5 dating site for single moms - OurTime
Important points:
- A dating site that caters for over 50s
- Has a large user base
- Available on iOS and Android
- Merged with SeniorPeopleMeet in 2019
- 1,500,000 from USA
- 180,000 active weekly
If you’re looking for a partner over the age of 50, OurTime is the place to be. It’s designed specifically for senior singles, with a user-friendly design and plenty of helpful features.
Over 600,000 monthly users can be found on OurTime, with 48% being male and 52% female. You can either look for someone using the built-in search tools or view your matches through a curated list based on your profile details. While you’re encouraged to fill out the initial survey, you can keep certain information private if you wish to do so.
Similar to Match.com, single parents can send likes to other users for free but will have to upgrade to the premium membership to send messages. This means that you’ll have to upgrade to actually make use of the site, but it’s only really necessary when you find someone that you’re interested in speaking to.
The website has a “token” feature that you can use to promote your profile. OurTime also offers the option to send potential matches a virtual gift if you’re feeling generous. With nearly 2,000 new members joining the site each day, it’s likely that you’ll find your over-50 match on OurTime in due course.
Pros
Cons
It’s up to you to determine which option will most likely have the type of person you’re looking for. Consider your individual circumstances and whether the demographic on the site is what you’re interested in. In any case, you can sign up and look around without paying to get a better idea of who uses the website.
FAQs for single parent daters
There are dedicated dating sites for single parents, but they are generally overpriced and empty so why limit yourself? I wrote a guide on the best dating sites for single parents. I rated eHarmony #1.
I know how hard it is for single moms to put themselves out there, the main issue is time. Single moms simply do not have much time for themselves. That's why I always recommend for single parents to wet their feet with online dating. You can start from the comfort of your own home. Read my recommendations on the top 5 dating sites for single parents.
There are so many options, I reviewed the top 5 sites for single parent dating, read it here.
People were also interested in