Where to Meet People to Date
Online dating sites and apps have taken the lead among the most common ways how to find a man to date (or woman to go out with). Nearly half of single Americans use them to find partners, and below are some platforms you could try.
🔥Best Dating Sites to Find Someone to Date | September 2023
Rank | Site | Free Trial Link | |
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#1 | Zoosk |
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#2 | Elite Singles |
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#3 | Silver Singles |
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#4 | FriendFinder |
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#5 | Cupid.com |
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Zoosk
- Registration: Free
- Price: $10 to $29.95 per month
- More info: Zoosk review

Zoosk embodies the best of dating apps and social media, making the online dating experience fun and diverse. For example, instead of standard swiping or searching, you can rely on the smart algorithm to provide suggestions. And the more you use the app, the better recommendations you’ll get. Besides, both Android and iOS apps come with live streams, which make connecting with other people easier. At the same time, Zoosk pricing tends to be a bit confusing, as multiple extras, like Crushes, require credits on top of the monthly fee. I suggest you start with the basic upgrade and decide if you need more later.
Main Features:
- Live streams
- Super Send
- Crushes
- SmartPick
EliteSingles
- Registration: Free
- Price: $19.95 to $39.95 per month
- More info: EliteSingles review

High-quality dating is the main draw of this dating app. It’s designed to connect highly educated professionals interested in serious relationships, so get ready for an extensive personality test at signup. But it’ll be worth the effort, as the website uses your responses to calculate matching scores and suggest the most compatible partners. Still, you can also change your preferences and browse random matches. It’s a pity full profiles and high-resolution photos aren’t available for free users, but once you upgrade, you can learn more about your potential matches and chat with them before setting dates.
Main Features:
- Personality test
- Matching scores
- Unlimited messaging
SilverSingles
- Registration: Free
- Price: $19.95 to $39.95 per month
- More info: SilverSingles review

Like most dating sites in the Spark Networks, SilverSingles relies on your personality test responses to assess compatibility and suggest suitable partners. However, as the name suggests, SilveSingles is geared toward mature adults seeking companionship and stable relationships. Once you find a perfect match, you can browse their profile, but you’ll need to upgrade to use live chat and exchange extra photos. And with Android and iOS apps available, you can stay in touch wherever you are.
Main Features:
- Matching scores
- Live chat
- Swiping feature
FriendFinder
- Registration: Free
- Price: $10.82 to $34.94 per month
- More info: FriendFinder review

FriendFinder is an online dating powerhouse with an impressive selection of features for every taste. You can watch live streams, chat with potential matches and share photos or videos. Or you could join the lively dating site community to read blog posts and magazines or publish your posts. Unfortunately, most of these features are only available with a premium subscription, which comes in two tiers (Silver and Gold). Still, the monthly fees are pretty reasonable, and the fun you’ll have on FriendFinder will be worth it.
Main Features:
- Live streams
- Photo, and video messages
- Dating community
Cupid.com
- Registration: Free
- Price: £0.84 to £2.29 per day
- More info: Cupid.com review

Cupid.com highlights local matches, so you won’t find video chats and virtual gift functionality here, but unlimited messages are usually enough to make connections and set up dates. And bulk messaging through Flirtcast is a nice addition, perfect for online dating novices who don’t know how to start conversations. Besides, the platform comes with a Safe Mode (Basic or Full) that protects you from unwanted contact with suspicious and non-verified users.
Main Features:
- Unlimited messaging
- Photo exchange
- Flirtcast
Each of these dating apps comes with a bunch of pros and cons, and only you can decide which is the best for you. Luckily, with free signup, you can test them without spending a penny and find the perfect answer to where and how to meet new people to date.
How to Meet Someone to Date Online
Dating apps and sites are the easiest answer to where to find dates, and the most popular among American singles, 39% of whom prefer online dating to other means of finding love. Your chances of finding at least one person to date will increase if you follow a few simple steps:
- Pick a dating site suitable for your dating goals
For example, mature singles will have more luck on SilverSingles, while Zoosk is better for searching for Gen Zs and Millennials.
- Create an appealing online persona
It should reflect your personality, interests, and passions, but present them all in a positive light, especially when it comes to profile photos and other pictures.
- Experiment with different search methods
Most dating apps come with standard search filters for you to specify the preferred age, looks, and interests of your potential matches. However, some sites also include random matching or swiping features, while others, like Zoosk, employ smart matching algorithms. Choose the most comfortable and convenient search method and pay attention to the profile details of potential partners.
- Get in touch and build personal connections
Online dating apps make it easy to start chatting and getting to know each other, as the stakes and awkwardness levels are low. To increase the likelihood of getting a response, wrap a compliment in a question about something you have in common.

Although dating sites are definitely the most efficient approach to singles meeting singles, don’t be discouraged by the lack of responses. Try again, be patient, and you’ll soon have your dates.
The Best Ways to Find Someone Offline
If online dating isn’t for you and you’re wondering how to find dates in real life, let me share a few effective options:
- Mutual friends and family members. Almost every third American couple meets through mutual acquaintances, so it’s still one of the most common ways to find someone to date. And if you’ve already met everyone you could, it’s time to broaden your social circle using one of the following methods.
- Your passions and interests. These may range from visiting a local bookstore or coffee shop to a dog park or music festival. They have the benefit of highlighting what you have in common and providing instant conversation starters. For example, if you meet during sporting events, you can share your favorite game moments, plays, etc.
- Bars and restaurants. Only around 8% of couples in America meet in restaurants or bars, as this approach has fallen out of favor, especially during the pandemic. Still, some eye contact, flirty smiles, and shared drinks can lead to a date.
- Religious organizations. Meeting in a place of worship is popular among 5% of Americans. Besides, this way, you know you share similar values and traditions. And if you feel awkward getting dates at church, you can use religious Facebook groups to get to know local singles.
- Events for singles. Local meetups and speed dating events orchestrated by a dating coach are perfect for finding women to date or men to ask out, as most attendees are usually single and looking for relationships.
As you see, each of these methods has unique benefits, but they share a common flaw—there’s usually no way to know if the person you’re chatting up is single or looking for a partner. That may lead to awkward situations and unpleasant rejections unless you were set up for a blind date or met at a specialized singles event.
Expert’s Notes

I’m sorry, but there’s no secret all-in-one solution for how to find a guy to date or how to get a girl to go out with. It all comes down to luck, but online dating apps and sites provide the highest likelihood of success compared to other methods. But that doesn’t mean you don’t need to put in the effort. Work on your profile and pay attention to what others say about themselves. Although you may not get a date with the first person you contact, with some time and patience, you’ll definitely find what you’re looking for.
Final Thoughts
We’ve gone over all the places where to find someone to date online and offline. Now it’s up to you to decide which approach works best for your lifestyle and relationship expectations. I encourage you to combine online and offline dating methods for the best results.
Information sources:
- pewresearch.org (5 Facts About Single Americans)
- pewresearch.org (Profile of Single Americans)
- statista.com
