Our Verdict
SilverSingles is a dating website for people at least 50 years old who are looking for a matchmaking experience that does the work of finding potential partners for them. Its Basic membership is essentially a preview of the Premium membership, so users might not enjoy a full experience on the dating site without becoming a Premium member.
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Silver Singles, A Fresh Take On 50+ Dating
- Exclusive 50+ community of singles
- Refreshingly easy to connect with other singles looking for love
- Offers an easy-to-navigate platform that makes online dating stress-free
- Thoughtful, expert advice for a meaningful online dating experience
- 381,000+ new members per month
On Silver Single's Website
Key Features
- SilverSingles is a matchmaking dating site for older adults.
- It uses a personality test to pair users with other like-minded members on the site.
- It has a free membership option (called the Basic membership) and a paid membership option (called the Premium membership).
SilverSingles is a dating website designed for people at least 50 years old. It was first established in 2002 as PrimeSingles.net, rebranded as Single Seniors Meet in 2009 and rebranded again in 2011 as SilverSingles. The platform is available in the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, Germany and France. It offers a Basic membership—which allows users to take the personality test, create a profile and get connection recommendations—and a Premium membership, which gives users complete access to all the features on the site.
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SilverSingles at a Glance
- Membership options: A Basic membership is free, and a Premium membership costs $24.95 a month for 12 months, $34.95 a month for six months, or $44.95 a month for three months.
- Dating network: The site selects your matches for you. You can then choose who to connect with from the three to seven matches it sends to you every day.
- Communication: Communication with other members on the platform is limited on the Basic membership and unrestricted with the Premium membership. Premium members can send direct messages, comment on users’ photos and send a “smile” as a lighthearted greeting.
How Does SilverSingles Work?
Anyone at least 50 years old can join the SilverSingles platform via its app and website. Users can download the app for free via the App Store and Google Play.
The platform matches users with other members based on personality and preferences. But first, you have to register and take a personality test. When registering, the site asks for your gender, the gender of the partner you’re seeking and your email address. It then asks you to create a password.
Once you’ve created your account, you’re prompted to start a personality test. The test takes about 25 minutes to complete. According to SilverSingles, its personality test was created in “close cooperation with psychologists and relationship experts.” The test consists of different sections with questions about how you communicate, your personality, your preferences and how you view relationships. The platform compares your results with other members and matches you based on your preferences, goals and values. You can also specify what you hope to find in a match, with filters like “mature dating” and “older women dating.”
You can retake the test if you don’t like your results, but you have to speak with a customer care representative to do so.
You can’t search the platform to find your own matches. Instead, the site exclusively shows you a list of potential matches based on compatibility determined by the personality test results and your selected features.
Your profile homepage shows you a matches list, a profile visitors list that shows who’s viewed your profile, messages from potential matches and profiles you have yet to view.
Refreshingly Easy To Connect
Silver Single's easy-to-navigate platform makes online dating stress-free.
The Cost of SilverSingles
The Basic membership is free and offers limited access to features, profiles and communication options. Free members can receive partner suggestions, see their test results, upload a photo and send “smiles” and “likes” to other members. The Premium membership costs $24.95 a month for 12 months, $34.95 a month for six months, and $44.95 a month for three months.
Premium membership gives members access to:
- A comprehensive analysis of personality test results
- Unlimited access to other profiles
- Read receipts to confirm another member viewed your message
- Access to all your matches’ pictures
- Unlimited messaging with other members
You can cancel your subscription by filling out an online cancellation form without any charges attached.
What Experts Say
Dating apps for people 50+ are an efficient way to forge connections outside your existing network, according to Erin Rayburn, founder and CEO of Evergreen Therapy.
It can be difficult to meet people when you’re over 50 and are at the height of your professional career, she says. Dating sites like SilverSingles can guide you toward like-minded people who might actually be a compatible fit.
When you’re considering which dating site to explore, decide what’s most important to you and the kind of relationship you’re looking for, says Rayburn. Regardless of which site you use, always proceed with caution. “Catfishing on dating apps is real, so any app that can vet users well is important for people over 50 to consider,” adds Rayburn.
Rayburn highlights a few ways you can maximize your time on dating apps and build meaningful relationships:
- Go in with clear expectations, and know what kind of relationship you want to pursue.
- When you start talking to people, ask them what they’re looking for to ensure you aren’t wasting your time talking with someone who doesn’t have the same intentions or expectations.
- Even if you’re on an app that vets its users well, verify who you’re connecting with. You can do so by trying a FaceTime call or video chat before agreeing to an in-person meeting or a more formal date. Vetting your matches can also help you see if you can connect and have fun with them in a safe and compatible way. This way, you’re having fun doing things you enjoy while still getting to know a person.
Rayburn adds that “people dating at this age often forget how to date, as most of them have probably been in long-term relationships and are returning to the dating scene after several years.” A vetting process can help make the experience more enjoyable and worth everyone’s time.
“I really like the emphasis on security and compatibility,” says Rayburn regarding SilverSingles’ approach to facilitating connections for older adults. “They seem to understand the priorities of this demographic really well by emphasizing security with users’ personal information.”
The Experience
As of publication, SilverSingles has an average rating of 3.4 out of 5 stars from 180 ratings on Consumer Affairs. Reviews about the platform are mostly negative. Some complained that the site kept suggesting people hundreds of miles away, and other users voiced concerns about encountering scammers and fake profiles. Some users also reported they had difficulty canceling their Premium membership.
One member writes: “I said I wanted to date people within 100 miles of my home, but I keep getting people hundreds of miles away being pushed. You also get about six scammers a day.”
Another reports: “The site has limited choices. I paid $106 for one year. I’ve been on the site three months, had one date and had many reach out to me. Some are scammers. I would not recommend SilverSingles if you are looking for a serious relationship.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is SilverSingles a legitimate site?
Yes, SilverSingles is a legitimate and secure website. It uses SSL encryption and fraud detection systems to ensure your privacy and security aren’t compromised.
What is the average age on SilverSingles?
The website claims all its members are at least 50 years old.
Which is better: SilverSingles or eHarmony?
SilverSingles is geared toward older adults who want a site that can matchmake them with someone whose preferences, interests and intentions align with their own. eHarmony, meanwhile, is designed for adults of all ages and matches users according to compatibility. An eHarmony membership is also more expensive than a SilverSingles membership.