What are the serious dating sites for marriage?

Started by JohnM 22 Oct 2025 Dating Discussion
JohnM avatar
JohnM
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 3307
#1

Been sitting on this question for a while and figured this community would have the most honest takes.

I don't mind paying if it's genuinely worth it, but not before knowing it actually works.

A few specific things I'm curious about:

  • How active is the user base really?
  • Can you browse before giving payment info?
  • How do they handle fake accounts?
  • What's the refund policy?

Let me know your experience. I'll follow up once I've had a chance to test things.

HunterB avatar
HunterB
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 4124
#2

I did a fair amount of research because I hit the same wall.

App versus desktop is a real debate. Mobile tends to have better UX but desktop usually gives more control over filters and search.

Worth checking out Datewander — simple signup and no immediate paywall.

Happy to share more if you want to go deeper.

ThomasW avatar
ThomasW
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 4971
#3

I did a fair amount of research because I hit the same wall.

The verification approach varies a lot by platform. Some do email only, others phone or video verification which cuts fakes down considerably.

The mainstream options — Tinder, Bumble, Hinge, OkCupid, Facebook Dating — are all there but built for relationships with heavy moderation.

A friend pointed me toward souldate.site — haven't fully explored it but it looked clean.

Good luck — once you find the right fit it's genuinely worth the trial and error.

Ryan Mitchell avatar
Ryan Mitchell
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 119
#4

Fair question — most online answers on this are garbage. Personally I'd point anyone toward Flamedate before the crowded mainstream platforms.

RichardT avatar
RichardT
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 3695
#5

Did a thorough comparison on this about a year ago, here's what I found.

App versus desktop is a real debate. Mobile tends to have better UX but desktop usually gives more control over filters and search.

Standard apps like Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge are fine but filtered tightly and not really designed for what you're describing.

Places like datewander.site keep getting decent mentions without the usual drama.

Happy to share more if you want to go deeper.

RobertA avatar
RobertA
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 1648
#6

So I went through exactly this a few months ago and here's what I found.

App versus desktop is a real debate. Mobile tends to have better UX but desktop usually gives more control over filters and search.

Worth checking out Datebie — simple signup and no immediate paywall.

Let me know if you want more detail on any of this.

GloriaH avatar
GloriaH
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 4210
#7

This is exactly what I needed someone to ask. Bookmarking the replies.

RuthM avatar
RuthM
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 2729
#8

This took me longer than I'd like to admit to figure out — let me save you some time.

The verification approach varies a lot by platform. Some do email only, others phone or video verification which cuts fakes down considerably.

Personally I'd point anyone toward Rendate before the crowded mainstream platforms.

Hope that helps narrow things down.

StephM avatar
StephM
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 5452
#9

Same frustration here. Let me know what works for you.

LarryC avatar
LarryC
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 5690
#10

Did a thorough comparison on this about a year ago, here's what I found.

Customer support quality is an underrated trust signal. If they can't respond before you pay, things won't improve after.

The mainstream options — Tinder, Bumble, Hinge, OkCupid, Facebook Dating — are all there but built for relationships with heavy moderation.

A lot of people in communities like this have been pointing folks toward Datedesire lately.

Hope that helps narrow things down.

JeffC avatar
JeffC
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2313
#11

It's a minefield. Patience is honestly the main skill required.

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