7 of the best dating sites for working professionals
You're already busy, so we've done the hard work for you and found the best dating sites for working professionals, including EliteSingles, eharmony, and Match.
By Team Commerce
There are three realisations you come to once you enter the real world as a working adult: a 9 to 5 job is rarely ever just 9 to 5, your free time is pretty limited, and dating sucks.
The social freedoms you enjoyed before joining the rat race take a hit once you're working for "The Man". Unfortunately for singles, this can be damaging for your dating life.
SEE ALSO: The best UK dating sites for women looking to make a connection
For busy professionals, the idea of "finding someone" might seem like a daunting task. With deadlines, work dinners, and meetings galore, trying to meet someone often falls to the very end of your to-do list. This is why dating apps were invented though: to make online dating way easier, enabling you to use your free time wisely. (Waiting for a meeting to start? Swipe through profiles on eharmony. Commuting to work? Message with that cutie you found on Match.)
Whether it's something casual or a long term relationship that you want, there's an app that will make your search a whole lot easier. Ranking highest on this list were Elite Singles, Match, and eHarmony. We found that with sites like these, the initial output (i.e a lengthy sign up and/or membership fee) is worth it for the return. After all, those who are willing to pay the price for love are clearly serious, unlike some swipe-based free apps where the likelihood of even meeting up in real life can be slim to none.
These are the best online dating sites for working professionals in 2020.
Aimed at other professionals • High monthly price weeds out the unserious
Did we mention the high monthly price?
If you're treating your dating life with the same laser focus as your career goals, this site might be worth the price
Elite Singles
You'll find other busy professionals who took a lengthy personality test and are likely to have a degree.- Free version: Yes
- Three months: £70.17/month
- Six months: £54.63/month
- One year: £39.01/month
The basics: Elite Singles caters its site specifically to professionals. In this contest, "elite" seems to simply mean that members are in possession of a degree (the site boasts that 82% of its members are college educated). The signup process for Elite Singles is similar to that of eharmony, in that it requires you to take a lengthy personality test before showing you your matches. The personality test is based on the Five Factor Model, which breaks down your personality in five main categories: openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. Once you finish filling out the personality test, the site gives you several different options to find someone, including recommending matches, showing your profile visitors, or their "Have You Met" feature that shows you compatible matches that may fall a bit outside of your chosen filters.
Why it works: Elite Singles members are more than likely going to be in a similar boat as you. They're educated professionals who took the time to fill out a lengthy questionnaire in hopes of finding someone just as serious as them (not to mention that they have enough disposable income to pay for the site — if the questionnaire wasn't enough to weed out the pretenders, the membership fee would probably do the trick). These people know what it's like to work hard and can be empathetic when you've had a long day at the office. Elite Singles also only shows you members who it deems you compatible with based on your personality, so you can be at ease knowing the odds are already in your favour.
Why it works: Elite Singles members are more than likely going to be in a similar boat as you. They're educated professionals who took the time to fill out a lengthy questionnaire in hopes of finding someone just as serious as them (not to mention that they have enough disposable income to pay for the site — if the questionnaire wasn't enough to weed out the pretenders, the membership fee would probably do the trick). These people know what it's like to work hard and can be empathetic when you've had a long day at the office. Elite Singles also only shows you members who it deems you compatible with based on your personality, so you can be at ease knowing the odds are already in your favour.
Huge user database • Ability to see all profiles • Cool new features
Sifting through profiles takes time • Pricier than some
If you want a dating pool that simulates real life and are willing to put in extra time, Match could be the one for you
Match
Match has the benefit of a huge user database, but it can take time to sift through profiles if you're busy, and it's not free.- Free version: Yes
- Three months: £21.08/month
- Six months: £18.74/month
- One year: £16.39/month
The basics: Like eharmony, Match has been around for a while. In fact, even longer (it's rocking that 1995 launch date). Match has plenty of success stories on its résumé, with more constantly in the works with apparently 25,000 users joining every day. That's quite the dating pool. What's great about Match is that, unlike sites that limit you to matches, the site also allows you to view pretty much everyone. While you're welcome to view random profiles, Match's other cool features include Match suggestions (where they recommend compatible people), and the "Missed Connections" feature, which uses GPS technology to show you potential matches that you've already crossed paths with (so to speak) in real life.
Why it works:Match is great for the working professional who doesn't want to feel like they're missing out on the "real life" dating experience by being limited to the confines of other curated dating apps. Similar to being out in the real world, mingling with all kinds of singles, Match gives you access to the entire pool. However, you can filter options however you want. There's also a "dealbreaker" option that lets you rule out profiles of people whom you know you could never make it work with. Time is money, people, and we can't afford to waste our hard-earned money on dead-end leads. For professionals who are darting back and forth between meetings, the Missed Connections feature is great for the days you don't have time to stop and get the number of the cutie you met in the line for Starbucks.
Why it works:Match is great for the working professional who doesn't want to feel like they're missing out on the "real life" dating experience by being limited to the confines of other curated dating apps. Similar to being out in the real world, mingling with all kinds of singles, Match gives you access to the entire pool. However, you can filter options however you want. There's also a "dealbreaker" option that lets you rule out profiles of people whom you know you could never make it work with. Time is money, people, and we can't afford to waste our hard-earned money on dead-end leads. For professionals who are darting back and forth between meetings, the Missed Connections feature is great for the days you don't have time to stop and get the number of the cutie you met in the line for Starbucks.
Designed for seniors • Any and all photos are verified • Very detailed profiles
A bit pricey • Only available via the app
If you're over 50, and you want to prioritise quality conversations, Lumen could be the best option for you.
Lumen
An app specifically designed for over 50s, with a focus on quality conversations.- Free version: Yes
- Paid version: £24.99/month
The basics:Lumen is an app-only dating platform dedicated to the millions of single, divorced, or widowed men and women aged over 50. The site launched in September 2018, and puts an emphasis on quality conversation, with zero tolerance for ageism. The site distances itself from other senior dating sites and aims to be more fun, engaging, and representative of real over 50s. It's especially appealing to seniors because it's specifically designed with them in mind. There's also a Lumen Blog, providing dating tips, relationship advice, over 50s fashion guides, and social commentary.
Why it works:Lumen is great for the working professional who doesn't have time for anything but quality conversation and real connections. There is a free version of Lumen, on which you can chat with up to six singles everyday, but to get the most out of the app you need to pay £24.99 a month. This grants you access to 200,000 registered users in the UK, all with similar priorities to you. Lumen claim to verify 100 percent of the photos on every single profile, so you know what you are seeing is legitimate. It's all about security with Lumen, which is comforting for older daters.
Why it works:Lumen is great for the working professional who doesn't have time for anything but quality conversation and real connections. There is a free version of Lumen, on which you can chat with up to six singles everyday, but to get the most out of the app you need to pay £24.99 a month. This grants you access to 200,000 registered users in the UK, all with similar priorities to you. Lumen claim to verify 100 percent of the photos on every single profile, so you know what you are seeing is legitimate. It's all about security with Lumen, which is comforting for older daters.
Saves time by effectively matching people • Users are ready for commitment
If you're truly serious and want to stop wasting time, eharmony could help you find a partner faster
eharmony
eharmony has been around forever and has matched a lot of people with their intense questionnaire.- Free version: Yes
- One month: £44.95/month
- Three months: £21.95/month
- Six months: £18.95/month
- One year: £9.95/month
The basics: We've all heard of eharmony and most of us have seen the adverts. eharmony has been around since 2000 and there's a good reason why it still feels like a relevant presence in our dating lives. It works. The site uses a scientific approach to dating. Based on the results of a lengthy questionnaire (shorter than it used to be, but it's still 150 questions) created by eharmony founder and psychologist Dr. Neil Clark Warren, the site finds your most compatible matches. The questionnaire is called the "29 Dimensions Personality Assessment" and covers topics such as likes and dislikes, hobbies, behavioral habits, and more. According to Warren, the topics covered in the assessment are the ones necessary to find you the perfect mate.
Why it works: Plain and simple, the efficacy of eharmony comes down to the results and a kickass reputation for success. For professionals, it's the difference between wasting energy on people who either aren't serious or aren't for you, and matching with like-minded individuals who, at the very least, you'll get along with. Membership may be pricey, but if you're looking for something serious, you're way more likely to find someone on the same page if they're also willing to pay the price. The sign-up process for eharmony can take up to 40 minutes, which for people on a time crunch can be quite the commitment. If you like everything else about eharmony though, then we suggest settling in and spending the time to answer the questions. You're only helping yourself by giving the site more info to work with though, so we suggest taking the time to do it right.
Why it works: Plain and simple, the efficacy of eharmony comes down to the results and a kickass reputation for success. For professionals, it's the difference between wasting energy on people who either aren't serious or aren't for you, and matching with like-minded individuals who, at the very least, you'll get along with. Membership may be pricey, but if you're looking for something serious, you're way more likely to find someone on the same page if they're also willing to pay the price. The sign-up process for eharmony can take up to 40 minutes, which for people on a time crunch can be quite the commitment. If you like everything else about eharmony though, then we suggest settling in and spending the time to answer the questions. You're only helping yourself by giving the site more info to work with though, so we suggest taking the time to do it right.
You control who sees your profile • Carries out more profile checks than any other dating site in the UK • Attracts serious daters
Pictures are blurred in free version
Parship's members are young professionals looking for serious relationships but the free version is limited
Parship
Parship UK is great for people looking for a long-term relationship but would like to leave the searching to someone else.- Free version: Yes
- Premium membership: £14.90/month
The basics:Parship UK is perfect for those searching for a long-term relationship but don't have the time to do the searching themselves. The Parship system recommends matches to its members based on their compatibility score, and hey presto, hopefully you've got a match. You will have to take a pretty lengthy compatibility test, but it's this test that helps to determine each member's personality type. Once you’ve made it through, profiles of suggested matches will be sent straight through to you, and you can choose to ignore or explore.
Why it works: Busy professionals don't have the time to trawl through dating profiles for hours. That is why Parship is so well suited to the working dater. Parship does the work for you and just presents you with matches that it thinks will work, saving you precious time and energy.
Why it works: Busy professionals don't have the time to trawl through dating profiles for hours. That is why Parship is so well suited to the working dater. Parship does the work for you and just presents you with matches that it thinks will work, saving you precious time and energy.
Designed for single parents • Strong emphasis on user safety
Doesn't have a very large user base • Free membership is limited
Made for working single parents who really don't have the time to mess around
Single Parent Match
If you're a single parent and only want to meet other single parents, this site could be perfect for you.- Basic membership (limited): Free
- Gold membership: £23.43/month
The basics: Dating can be difficult when you have kids to worry about, and even more difficult when you are also working your socks off to keep the money coming in. Single Parent Match isn't the only site out there that caters to single parents but it is the oldest of them and has a great reputation as a result. While you can definitely seek out like-minded single parents on other sites, Single Parent Match is specifically designed for just single parents. The site is also really simple to use and to understand and is very committed to the safety of its users.
Why it works: Single Parent Match works becuase even though the user base isn't massive, those on the site know what they want and understand the difficulty of holding down a job and raising a family. It's therefore a great option for single working parents who quite simply don't have the time to be messed around by anyone who isn't serious.
Why it works: Single Parent Match works becuase even though the user base isn't massive, those on the site know what they want and understand the difficulty of holding down a job and raising a family. It's therefore a great option for single working parents who quite simply don't have the time to be messed around by anyone who isn't serious.
Specifically for older daters • Can block members • Detailed questionnaire
Only get five matches per day
A safe, friendly way to jump back into dating.
SilverSingles
SilverSingles has an extensive questionnaire at signup that ensures you find matches who are truly compatible.- Free version: Yes
- Three months: £47.45/month
- Six months: £36.81/month
- One year: £26.16/month
The basics: Dating over 60 means that, more than likely, this is your second or third attempt at love. SilverSingles is here to let you know you're not alone, and that putting yourself back out there doesn't have to be scary. If you read about EliteSingles and were psyched about the level of specificity and safety, but were looking for a dating site tailored specifically to older individuals, SilverSingles is the sweet spot that combines both.
Why it works: A sister site to EliteSingles, SilverSingles uses the same intense compatibility system that EliteSingles does, bringing in the popular big five personality traits to assess five levels of your being: openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. If you've heard of Senior Singles Meet in the past, SilverSingles is that same site with a rebrand — so they've actually been working on mastering the five factor model in tandem with senior dating for about two decades. SilverSingles wants to ensure that your next relationship lasts, so the sign-up process and questionnaires will take some time. But hey, if having every tiny part of your personality assessed is what it takes to find the happily ever after you've been waiting for, an hour of your time is totally worth it.
Why it works: A sister site to EliteSingles, SilverSingles uses the same intense compatibility system that EliteSingles does, bringing in the popular big five personality traits to assess five levels of your being: openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. If you've heard of Senior Singles Meet in the past, SilverSingles is that same site with a rebrand — so they've actually been working on mastering the five factor model in tandem with senior dating for about two decades. SilverSingles wants to ensure that your next relationship lasts, so the sign-up process and questionnaires will take some time. But hey, if having every tiny part of your personality assessed is what it takes to find the happily ever after you've been waiting for, an hour of your time is totally worth it.
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