The gist: Grindr is the world's biggest social networking app for gay, bi, trans, and queer people, helping singles get it on since 2009. Because there aren't a ton of women on it, it's usually. Best Dating Sites of 2021. Below are the best dating sites and apps of 2021, as tested and reviewed by our experts. Try any of these top online dating websites 100% free, and gain access to millions of singles looking for a potential match, hookup, or serious relationship.
| Type | Dating website |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1997; 24 years ago in Beverly Hills, California |
| Founder | Joe Y. Shapira |
| Headquarters | |
| Revenue | 104.5€ million (2018) |
| Website | www.spark.net |
Spark Networks SE is a global dating company with a portfolio of brands designed for singles seeking serious relationships. These online dating brands include Zoosk, SilverSingles, EliteSingles, Jdate, Christian Mingle, eDarling, JSwipe, AdventistSingles, LDSSingles, and Attractive World. Formed in 2017 through the merger of Affinitas GmbH and Spark Networks, Inc., the company has a presence in 29 countries worldwide and is publicly listed on the NYSE American LLC exchange under the ticker symbol “LOV.”
On July 1, 2019, Spark Networks closed on their previously announced acquisition of Zoosk, Inc., forming North America's second-largest dating company in revenues. The deal increased Spark's global monthly paying subscribers to over 1 million.[1]
Websites[edit]
Zoosk[edit]
Zoosk is an online dating service available in 25 languages and in more than 80 countries. The founders of the company are Shayan Zadeh and Alex Mehr, who ran the company until December 2014. [2][3] In mid-2019, Zoosk was acquired for a reported $255 million by Spark Networks.[4]
Christian Mingle[edit]
Initially launched in 2001, ChristianMingle.com is an online community of Christian singles. The site serves singles who are looking to date and marry within the Christian faith. Christian Mingle has over 9 million registered members.[5] Users can access the site in English, German, Spanish, or French.[6]
The plot of the film Christian Mingle features the website.
JDate[edit]
Launched in 1997, Jdate.com is a niche dating site that caters to Jewish singles. It has more than 750,000 members worldwide.[7] Users can access the site in English, German, Spanish, French, or Hebrew.[8] A survey commissioned by Jdate in 2011 showed 52 percent of married respondents met on Jdate.[9]
EliteSingles[edit]
Designed for educated professionals seeking committed, long-term relationships, EliteSingles was launched in 2013 and operates in 19 countries. Over 90% of members are 30+.[10]
SilverSingles[edit]
SilverSingles is a dating site aimed at those interested in over-50 dating and long-term relationships. SilverSingles started life as PrimeSingles.net in 2002, changing to Single Seniors Meet in 2009 and, finally, to SilverSingles in 2011, when it became part of Spark Networks, Inc.
eDarling[edit]
Launched in 2009, eDarling is a European online partner agency aimed at singles looking for long-term relationships.
JSwipe[edit]
JSwipe is a Jewish online dating app launched on Passover 2014 by Smooch Labs, and acquired by Spark Networks in October 2015 for $7 million, ending contentious patent and trademark litigation between the two companies.[11][12]
Attractive World[edit]
Attractive World is a dating site that allows existing members to decide whether or not new applicants are suitable to join the community based on their submitted profiles.
Other websites[edit]
In addition, a number of properties are included in Spark Networks’ portfolio, including LDS Singles and Adventist Singles.[13]
History[edit]
The company was founded by Joe Y. Shapira in 1997 under the name MatchNet plc.[14]
Jdate.com, founded in 1997, was the company's first venture into online dating. The company was also home to Christian Mingle, which was launched in 2001.[15]
The company went public on June 27, 2000 on Germany's Neuer Markt.
In January 2005, the company changed its name to Spark Networks because management felt that the new name more sharply distinguished the company in the marketplace.[16]
On November 10, 2014, Jdate launched a dating app designed for Jewish singles.[17]
On October 14, 2015, Spark Networks announced the acquisition of Smooch Labs, owner of the popular millennial Jewish dating app JSwipe.[18] Spark Networks launched CROSSPATHS, a dating app that helps like-minded Christians find matches, on October 8, 2015.[19]
Redesigns of the Jdate and Christian Mingle websites were announced in 2015. In addition to revamped branding, the site makeovers featured technology changes (including expanded mobile capabilities), a re-designed inbox and a new “daily matches” feature. Jdate's redesign went live on November 18, 2015, while Christian Mingle's went live on December 17, 2015.[20][21]
Dating Network Lakeview Oregon
On November 2, 2017, Spark Networks SE (NYSE American: LOV) announced the completion of the previously announced merger of Spark Networks, Inc. and Affinitas GmbH in a stock-for-stock transaction. The combination created a worldwide online dating platform, with brands including EliteSingles, eDarling, Jdate, Christian Mingle, JSwipe, and Attractive World serving a spectrum of users across 29 countries and 15 languages.[22]
On October 3, 2018, Spark was fined $500,000 and ordered to pay $985,000 in restitution in response to complaints that the site was automatically renewing customer accounts without their express consent. The company was sued by the Santa Monica city attorney as well as district attorneys in four counties.[23]
On March 21, 2019, Spark entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Zoosk, Inc.[24] The deal was finalized on July 1, 2019, forming North America's second-largest dating company in revenues and increasing Spark's global monthly paying subscribers increase to over 1 million.[25]
Operations[edit]
Previously based in Beverly Hills, California, Spark Networks is now based in Berlin, Germany.[26]
In 2013, the company authorized the repurchase of $5 million of its outstanding common stock as a reflection of confidence in the long-term business.[27]
Dating Network Lakeview Orange
References[edit]
- ^'Spark Networks SE Closes Zoosk, Inc. Acquisition'. finance.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2019-07-01.
- ^'About Zoosk - Online Dating Site and Dating Apps'. Zoosk. Retrieved 2019-03-23.
- ^'Form S-1'. www.sec.gov. Retrieved 2019-03-23.
- ^'Spark Networks SE Enters Definitive Agreement to Acquire Zoosk, Inc., Creating the Second Largest Dating Company in North America'. FOX5 Las Vegas. Retrieved 2019-03-23.
- ^'ChristianMingle.com – The Leading Christian Singles Network!'. Spark Networks. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
- ^'GLOBAL DATING COMPANY, SPARK NETWORKS, EXPANDS PRIMARY U.S. BRANDS GLOBALLY | Spark Networks, Inc. – IR Site'. Spark Networks, Inc. – IR Site. Retrieved 2018-09-26.
- ^'Jdate.com – The Leading Jewish Singles Network! Explore the Possibilities'. Spark Networks. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
- ^'GLOBAL DATING COMPANY, SPARK NETWORKS, EXPANDS PRIMARY U.S. BRANDS GLOBALLY | Spark Networks, Inc. – IR Site'. Spark Networks, Inc. – IR Site. Retrieved 2018-09-26.
- ^'JDate is Responsible for Almost 1000 Marriages [infographic]'. Cyber Dating Expert. 2011-09-28. Retrieved 2018-09-26.
- ^https://www.meetsingles-usa.com/elite-singles
- ^Arom, Eitan (February 11, 2016). 'Rounding out a big year, JDate CEO has reason to celebrate'. Los Angeles Jewish Journal. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
- ^Dale, Brady (October 15, 2015). 'JDate Bought JSwipe and Everyone Loves Each Other Now'. New York Observer. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
- ^'Spark Networks – Home to Some of the World's Most Iconic Niche-Focused Brands'. Spark Networks. Retrieved 2016-03-02.
- ^Dealbook. 'Parent of Dating Sites Looks for a Match'. DealBook. Retrieved 2016-03-02.
- ^Hill, Logan. 'At ChristianMingle and JDate, God's Your Wingman'. Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 2016-03-11.
- ^'MatchNet plc Changes Its Name to Spark Networks plc'. Online Personals Watch: News on the Dating Industry and Business. Retrieved 2016-03-02.
- ^'JDate Launches New App, Making It Easier Than Ever to 'Get Chosen' - Spark Networks'. Spark Networks. Archived from the original on 2016-03-07. Retrieved 2016-03-02.
- ^'Spark Networks Acquires Smooch Labs, Owner of the JSwipe Mobile Application - Spark Networks'. Spark Networks. Retrieved 2016-03-02.
- ^'Faith and Love Meet on New Dating App for Single Christians - Spark Networks'. Spark Networks. Retrieved 2016-03-02.
- ^'From Spark to Fireworks: Online Dating Brands JDate and ChristianMingle Get Makeovers - Spark Networks'. Spark Networks. Retrieved 2016-03-02.
- ^'Meaningful Matches Are Ready to Be Made on the All-New ChristianMingle - Spark Networks'. Spark Networks. Retrieved 2016-03-02.
- ^'Spark Networks and EliteSingles Complete Merger'. Spark Networks. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
- ^'Dating sites Jdate and Christian Mingle to pay restitution to customers'. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
- ^'Spark Networks SE Enters Definitive Agreement to Acquire Zoosk, Inc., Creating the Second Largest Dating Company in North America'. www.businesswire.com. 2019-03-21. Retrieved 2019-07-01.
- ^'Spark Networks SE Closes Zoosk, Inc. Acquisition'. MarketWatch. Retrieved 2019-07-01.
- ^'Spark Networks – Contact Us'. Spark Networks. Retrieved 2016-03-02.
- ^'Spark Networks, Inc. Announces $5 Million Stock Repurchase Program'. Yahoo Finance. Retrieved 2016-03-02.
External links[edit]
How to start
Create profile
Take a minute to fill in your profile and tell the world about yourself.
Upload pictures
A picture is worth a thousand words. Upload as many pictures as you like.
Browse our users
Browse through thousands of our personals to find the right one just for you.
Gone are the days when dating was all about coincidences and people waited to be asked by their crushes; now is the time when online dating has popularized way too much. Even those that thought finding a date was really difficult, are now seen with gorgeous partners. If you are finding a date, prefer online dating websites to choose the perfect person. However, before you do that, read the following FAQs to be sure of this concept:Why online dating?
If you ask me why online dating, I'd ask you why NOT online dating?
If you have spent years together dating the wrong men or women in your life, it is time for you to find that perfect partner in the virtual world of internet. Even if you have no time to meet someone repeatedly, you can always take out sometime and chat with him online. For Her: Why online dating is best for you?
Now tell me, what happens when a guy asks you out or asks you for your number? You simply share it with him, if the feelings are mutual, and go on the first date with him. However, there are a lot of women that don't like the men they date on the very first date itself; this is where you wish to ignore him, but if he has your number or he doesn't turn out to be safe enough, he starts irritating you by flooding your phone with thousands of text messages.On the other hand, you don't need to share your number with the guy until you trust him. You can simply chat for as long as you want, get to know him better, meet him once or twice and then share the number if you really like him.
There are different profiles that you get to see on online dating websites; therefore, you have the power to choose whom you wish to contact and whom you wish to ignore.
For him: Why online dating is best for you?
What is that biggest fear in the heart of a man? To get rejected by the woman he likes. It is more like an insult caused to him when his proposal is turned down by the one he genuinely likes. But thanks to online dating websites, nobody comes to know who all have rejected you. There are a lot of beautiful women out there that have their profiles on dating websites and you can easily get in touch with a few of them.Most of the men prefer witty women that have excellent brains on their beautiful faces; if you are one of them, online dating is the best service for you because no one can be wittier than a woman with an excellent control on her words; an intelligent chatter is, perhaps, a smart talker.
Why online dating is better than traditional dating?
The most important benefit of using the concept of online dating is that you are completely safe in theDating Network Lakeview Oregon
virtual world. You don't have to accept all those dating offers that you get from different people. Besides, you get your own sweet time to understand a person who has approached to you, get to know him in a better way, know whether he or she can be trusted or not and then go ahead with the very first date.Online dating is always better than traditional dating since it doesn't frustrate you. If you contact different people and try your level best to get a perfect date with all your efforts, you do!
Why use a free dating website?
Instead of using paid dating websites, it is better to use free dating websites. The most important benefit of using a free dating website is that you don't need to invest or bribe someone to get yourself a date. It is always good to use a website that lets you explore the world of online dating, instead of insisting you to pay and thenDating Network Lakeview Orange County
hunt for the right partner.
Most of the men and women prefer free dating websites since you don't need to invest anything in them. All you need to do is find such a website, create your profile, explore different profiles and send interests to different people you like. You are also free to share your number with the ones that you like or BLOCK those that you dislike.
Almost all the paid dating websites charge you on monthly basis; what if you are out on a business tour for fifteen days in the month for which you have paid for the membership? Your money gets wasted and it is difficult for you to find a perfect match in the span of those remaining days; thus, free websites are always better than the paid ones. Remember the saying, 'when you got nothing, you got nothing to lose.' Likewise,
when you pay nothing, you got nothing to waste!'