The number of new dating apps and sites available can feel overwhelming. That’s why we’re taking a look at the online dating pioneers eHarmony and Match.
But when it comes to deciding between eHarmony and Match, which one is better? Find out which dating site is the best option for you. Your true love could be just a few clicks away.
Quick Summary
To summarize some of the key differences between eHarmony and Match:
- eHarmony uses an extensive compatibility quiz and AI to match you with others. On the other hand, Match has you take the wheel. You can look at potential matches, and as you decide yes or no, the algorithm will adjust to your preferences.
- eHarmony has a longer sign-up process than Match. eHarmony begins with a compatibility quiz, while it only takes a few minutes to set up a Match profile.
- eHarmony’s user base includes more serious daters, while Match has a mix of casual and serious daters.
- eHarmony costs more than Match due to the thorough matching process they use. The exact price you pay will depend on the subscription you choose from either site.
eHarmony vs. Match: How it Works?
If you’ve never attempted online dating before, it may seem intimidating. What should your profile look like? What can you expect from your matches? How does the dating site match you, anyway?
The answers to these questions depend on which site or app you use. eHarmony and Match have drastically different approaches, from sign-up processes to messaging systems.
Knowing how each site works beforehand may ease your nerves. Having some insight into how these sites match you with potential partners may also help you optimize the benefits of the system if you know what to look for.
How Does eHarmony Work?
eHarmony launched over two decades ago in 2000. This site prioritizes making long-term matches, unlike some other dating platforms. eHarmony isn’t for people looking to date casually or for a one-time hookup.
To start, eHarmony has each user complete an in-depth compatibility quiz. Questions touch on your communication style, relationship and life goals, boundaries, and more. While it may seem lengthy at first, it saves you time later.
Wouldn’t you rather spend an afternoon filling out a questionnaire than spend months — or even years — in a relationship only to find out you don’t align on a basic compatibility level?
The more detailed your answers are, the more accurate your matches will be. From there, eHarmony uses AI to provide compatibility scores for your potential matches. You’ll have a list in minutes. The scale eHarmony uses goes up to 100. Any match with a score of 70 or higher is a good match.
From there, you can decide who you want to begin your eHarmony journey with and start messaging potential partners.
How Does Match Work?
Match.com began as the first-ever dating site in 1995. Match Group now operates as the parent company of other dating apps like Tinder and Hinge. Match is still going strong after almost three decades on the dating scene.
Match takes a simpler approach to the sign-up process. The profile setup takes just a few minutes, but take your time with this. The more you give the site to work with, the better the compatibility algorithm will work.
You can set preferences for location, body type, alcohol habits, and other standard preferences. You’ll also have the chance to detail your personality traits and how they influence your dating life.
After you set up your profile, Match.com will introduce you to potentially compatible profiles.
eHarmony vs. Match: User Base and Matches
Knowing the user base of dating sites and apps is essential in making this decision. After all, even with the best algorithm or AI, you can’t find your match if they aren’t on the site. eHarmony and Match have slightly different user bases, which influences their matching process.
User demographics cover several categories:
- Age and generation
- Sexual orientation
- Gender
- Location
- Intentions
Both Match and eHarmony have a user base of primarily older users. However, this doesn’t mean there aren’t any millennial or Gen Z users. Over half of eHarmony’s user base are millennials, or Gen Z. Nineteen percent of users on Match are below the age of 30, while 44% are 30-49 years old.
eHarmony’s user base is primarily cisgender and heterosexual. Because it was originally launched as a Christian dating site, there are still a lot of Christian users. However, the site is making efforts to be more inclusive of the LGBTQ community.
Most of Match’s user base is also cisgender and heterosexual, but like eHarmony, it is working to be more inclusive of other sexual orientations and gender identities.
For both sites, user bases are split nearly evenly between men and women. eHarmony and Match also have users around the world, so you’re almost guaranteed to have a match near you.
As mentioned earlier, eHarmony focuses primarily on long-term dating. Meanwhile, Match’s user base is more of a mix between serious daters and those with more casual intentions.
Both dating sites have very large user bases, with eHarmony having 33 million users and Match having 39 million. These numbers are evidence for large dating pools regardless of the option you choose.
Due to Match’s head start, the site has more options. However, remember that more options don’t necessarily mean better ones. With eHarmony’s extensive compatibility quiz, you may find more quality matches.
Match vs. eHarmony Cost: Which Is Cheaper?
Let’s face it: Even love has a budget. You want to avoid breaking your heart and the bank. While there are plenty of free dating apps out there, Match and eHarmony charge monthly costs for their services.
Both sites have subscription models and offer special paid features. You can purchase your subscription by month or pay for several months at once.
eHarmony’s plans include:
- Free trial
- Premium Light membership for six months at $59.90 a month
- Premium Plus membership for 12 months at $35.90 a month
- Premium Extra membership for 24 months at $25.90
Match’s plans include:
- Platinum plan:
- 12 months membership at $19.99 a month
- 6 months membership at $24.99 a month
- 3 months membership at $39.99 a month
- Monthly membership at $59.99
- Silver plan:
- 12 months membership at $9.99 a month
- 6 months membership at $14.99 a month
- 3 months membership at $24.99 a month
- Monthly membership at $39.99
- Bronze plan:
- 12 months membership at $2.99 a month
- 6 months membership at $4.99 a month
- 3 months membership at $6.49 a month
- Monthly membership at $9.99
Bronze and silver plans offer only a couple of benefits over free limited membership. So you may have to upgrade to Platinum at some point!
With Match’s free membership, you can still make a profile and browse matches, but you won’t have access to messages from everyone on the platform.
Which Dating Site Is Best for Serious Relationships, eHarmony or Match?
When approaching online dating, it’s smart to have an intention in mind. Are you looking for a quick hookup, a fun date, or a serious relationship? Knowing this and communicating it early on saves you and potential partners a lot of time and energy.
As touched on before, eHarmony has a user base of serious daters. You can still find serious daters on Match, but you might need to eliminate some casual daters first. The user base isn’t the only thing that makes eHarmony better for serious relationships.
eHarmony’s sign-up process is longer, but the effort pays off later. Serious relationships take work, and you must be willing to put in that work from the very beginning. Because eHarmony strives to make perfect, long-lasting matches, their process is more thorough.
These factors make eHarmony best for serious relationships.
Which Dating Site Is Better for People in Their 20s and 30s?
Our 20s and 30s are usually primary years for dating. Constantly searching for someone special can feel exhausting, so which site will cater to younger people’s needs better?
eHarmony and Match both have growing demographics as they retain more millennial and Gen Z users. Match reported that in 2018, a quarter of their users were under 30.
However, eHarmony has made changes to its interface over the years to make it more attractive to younger users. This generation has grown up with screens, so they appreciate a sleek design.
While both sites offer good prospects for people in their 20s and 30s, eHarmony has the advantage of its more attractive interface.
eHarmony vs. Match for Seniors
It’s never too late to find your perfect match. People over 50 may think their time in the dating scene is over, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. If you or a family member are a senior looking for love, you aren’t alone in your search.
Over a quarter of Match’s users are over 50. While eHarmony is more popular for younger generations, it also has its fair share of senior users. Since many seniors are looking for serious relationships, eHarmony may be the better option.
eHarmony’s sleek interface isn’t only for its younger users. Its simple design makes the site easier to use for older users who may not be as technologically skilled. Match requires more work on the user’s end, while eHarmony does most of the work for you.
Match vs. eHarmony: Key Features
Match and eHarmony each have their unique features. These tools make them stand out from other dating apps and sites. Different features will cater to the varying needs and preferences of each user.
eHarmony’s key features include:
- Customized dating tips based on your profile
- Unlimited messaging, video calls, and photos
- Conversation prompts when messaging a match
- Filters for location and preference
- Alerts when someone views your profile
Match’s key features include:
- Video dating feature
- Sending winks
- Swiping system to determine your preferences
- Discover page to search for more profiles
- Geolocation feature that alerts you when a potential match has been near your location
- AskMatch on-call dating expert
Match.com vs. eHarmony Success Rates
Fun features are great, but which ones really work?
Thankfully, both Match and eHarmony have the numbers to prove that their sites are effective. Match has the advantage of being the first dating site and has since made billions of connections. With 39 million users, it must be doing something right.
On the other hand, eHarmony claims to make a new match every 14 minutes. They also claim that out of the 542 people who get married because of eHarmony daily, only 3.8% end in divorce. They also have higher rates of success for long-term connections.
FAQs
Do people still use eHarmony and Match.com?
Yes, millions of people still use eHarmony and Match.com to find love. While they aren’t quite as popular as the free dating apps out there, they are great options for people who are willing to invest more in their dating life.
Is it worth paying for eHarmony?
Yes, it’s worth paying for eHarmony if you’re serious about finding a long-term relationship. eHarmony is one of the best platforms for finding a compatible partner with high success rates. The price is notably higher than other platforms, but the results make it worth the investment.
Which is more popular: eHarmony or Match.com?
To compare the popularity of eHarmony and Match, we must look at the numbers. Match is generally more popular than eHarmony, with 6 million more users. But only you can determine whether popularity alone is enough to give you confidence in finding the right partner for your needs.
Disclaimer: The above is a sponsored post, the views expressed are those of the sponsor/author and do not represent the stand and views of Outlook Editorial.
