Cougar dating is becoming more and more accepted, and growing in prevalence fast.
Older women enjoy the feeling of someone young by their side to make them feel like they are 25 again. Younger men admire the beauty, power, and confidence of the women. So, cougar dating sites rise in popularity.
So, to prove that age sometimes indeed is just a number, we decided to offer you our top best cougar dating sites. No matter if you’re a cougar or a cub, try one of our nine recommendations and enjoy yourself in a way you never did before.
But before doing so, check out our most recommended dating apps:
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Best Cougar Dating Sites: Top Picks
Below, we’ve covered our favorite sites. As you’ll see, some are more mainstream, while others are more niche. Read on and choose the best one for your needs.
1. Match Review
Match might be the most recognizable name in online dating, operating in the field for the past 23 years. It maintained its name by always improving the site to suit their users better. Today, it attracts a massive range of online daters.
Features
Match features a one-of-a-kind matching algorithm that adapts to the user and improves individual experiences. It seamlessly ‘learns’ about you, and ways to match you better with every login.
The site promises and holds to its promise to help its users find what they are seeking. So, with over 8 million members worldwide, it’s there to help you find a fling or a relationship to last a lifetime.
All the features are top-notch, from member discovery to private communication. There are few bells and whistles, with a greater focus on success.
Pros
- Massive membership base
- Ever-improving matching algorithm
- Extensive discovery and search options
- New features added regularly
- An excellent mobile app available
Cons
- No instant approval on the site
- Above-average membership costs
Paid vs. Free Membership Options
For free, you may register and create a profile. From then on, you can browse and send likes to the members you prefer. However, further communication and extra features stay reserved for premium members.
2. EliteSingles Review
EliteSingles is the leading dating service for singles looking for serious relationships. Most members are academics, and the site boasts a matchmaker service based on a personality survey, making the matches highly compatible.
Features
EliteSingles is a straightforward website. Their primary tool for matching singles is a personality test modeled on the Five-Factor theory. Then they take into account your age, location, and occupation and send you 3-7 compatible matches a day.
The communication options are simple yet diverse. All profiles go through a verification process to ensure there are no spammers or fake profiles.
On EliteSingles, most users are aged between 30 and 55. The site weeds out college students looking for hookups, but there are even younger cubs if you care to search long enough.
Pros
- Ever-growing member base
- Many matching options
- Recommended compatible profiles
- Various filters
- Visitors feature
- ‘Have you met’ feature
Cons
- The test results could be biased
- Lowest distance setting at 30 miles
- The matching doesn’t focus on physical preferences
Paid vs. Free Membership Options
Signing up, doing the questionnaire, and getting the personality results are all free of charge. As a free member, you can also get daily matches and send them smiles and likes. Sending and receiving messages and other perks are premium-only, though.
3. eHarmony Review
eHarmony aims to find love for its users through an advanced compatibility matching system. It has been providing matching services for the last 19 years. They are committed to understanding what makes for a successful relationship and helping users find one.
Features
The site will gather a lot of your personality information through the lengthy questionnaire you fill out when you register. It uses this data to determine the factors that will create a happy relationship for you and then matches you with profiles that fit the criteria.
So, the user experience is 100% personalized. However, it’s very restricted, too. Each user can only access profiles the site has handpicked as compatible.
Every functionality of the site is at a high standard. There’s even a guided communication platform that allows you to learn more about a potential match before you start talking in private.
Pros
- Millions of worldwide users
- The matching system backed by data
- Flexible, customizable user experience
- Dashboard insights
- Guided communication options
Cons
- No search options
- A limited number of matches
- More expensive than other sites
Paid vs. Free Membership Options
For free, you can register and create your profile, browse, and send winks. Besides, the site allows you to send five generated questions to a person of interest.
Premium members get unlimited messages and better access to user profiles, though. They also enjoy a more varied selection of matches.
4. OurTime Review
OurTime is a niche dating website dating back to 2011. It enables people over the age of 50 to meet and interact with people beyond their area. It covers everything, from pen pals to marriage partners. It also allows younger people to join if they are interested in meeting someone older.
Features
OurTime is the Match for senior dating. It mimics the other site in many ways, sending handpicked matches and featuring detailed profiles.
There are many communication options under one roof – email, chat, text, send gifts, or flirts. It also showcases message ideas on profiles – the questions others will want to answer.
All the while, the site will keep track of your activity and notify you about others who visited your profile. Another excellent option for facilitating matches is the Tinder-style I’m Interested game.
Pros
- Extensive site features and interaction options
- Search section allows for entire database browsing
- Custom matching algorithm
- All profiles detailed and with photos
- Android and iOs apps available
Cons
- Too many functions for the target group
- Minimal options for free users
Paid vs. Free Membership Options
Register, create your profile, and see what’s available for free. Otherwise, you can’t do anything on the site without the premium membership.
5. Cougar Life Review
Cougar Life was launched in 2006 and has since then helped older women find younger men for sexual pursuits and love. With over 7 million worldwide users, it’s one of the leading cougar dating sites. It also publishes blogs and materials to dispel the stigma against cougars.
Features
The site is easy to navigate; the only complicated thing to grasp is the premium memberships. Payment doesn’t grant you unlimited access, but nets you credits. You then use these to send messages, fictional gifts, and everything else.
Although it emphasizes older women, there are still girls between 18 and 30 on the website, too. The site’s massive base of active users ensures that there’s something for everyone.
Cougar Life will notify you every time a user looks at your profile. If you want something more immediate, you can go to the ‘Find a Date Tonight’ option.
Pros
- Biggest in the niche
- Established and reputable
- Allows searching by location
- Enables meeting the same night
- Mobile-friendly
Cons
- No ID verification of profiles
- Costly membership
- Most features reserved for premium members
Paid vs. Free Membership Options
You can create a profile, look through member profiles, and send flirts without spending a dime. However, once you go premium, you get to communicate and enjoy higher profile visibility.
6. Silver Singles Review
Silver Singles caters to singles aged 50 and above. As such, it is one of the most popular dating apps for seniors in the US. The site relies upon a personality test and suggests matches accordingly, with many members to choose from worldwide.
Features
Silver Singles works to provide a safe, reliable platform for those nearing retirement to find a new partner.
It takes a metric to their dating philosophy – it doesn’t allow singles to search for themselves. Instead, the site does the heavy lifting and pairs them up based on their personality test results.
As with Match, the test draws from the Five-Factor model. When you finish it, you get to see your results, as well as the results of those you match. So, you get a real insight into what they’re seeking.
Pros
- The interface is straightforward and easy to navigate
- A lot of information about each offered user
- Strong matching system
- Plenty of options for communication
- Worldwide user base
Cons
- Very few options for free members
- Only five matches a day, no search option
- The signup process is lengthy
Paid vs. Free Membership Options
As a free member, you get to complete your profile and get suggested matches. You can then send smiles to them, but not much more. Once you pay, you gain full access to the site, as well as 20 new daily matches and access to a mobile app.
7. Tinder Review
Tinder is one of today’s most popular dating apps known for introducing the swipe feature. It accepts all ages and genders, letting you swipe right on whoever you like until you find your match. From hookups to long-term relationships, it caters to every desire out there.
Features
This app, lauded for its casual hookup style, now features a 25 million member user base and 24 available languages. It turns the search for a partner into a never-ending game of ‘hot or not,’ and it’s one of the easiest to use out there.
It’s not only for sex, though. People will put in their bios what they want – if you’re looking for serious relationships, say it. One of the most significant downsides is that the profiles are simple – sometimes too simple for you to decide whether you like a person or not.
Pros
- Quick registration
- Super simple interface
- A large and active user base
- Location-based matching allows for faster dates
Cons
- Must register with a Facebook account
- No matching algorithm
- Pricing model depends on your age
Paid vs. Free Membership Options
Tinder gives much more to its free users than many other apps out there. It allows for profile creation, swiping, and communication free of charge. Going premium will enable you to send out multiple Super Likes and increases your profile visibility, though.
8. CougarD App Review
CougarD is a dating site that focuses on casual dates and affairs without strings attached, catering mainly to users from the UK and a few other countries. It now boasts over 2 million active members.
Features
The site doesn’t ask much upon registration. You need to fill out what you’re looking for, your name, and your birth date. Then, if you’re a female member, you get to send unlimited messages. The communication options are plenty – winks, gifts, texts, and much more.
When you visit a profile, you’ll get to see a description of the reason that the person is a member. Also, if you don’t like that user, the site will recommend similar ones.
Pros
- Quick profile creation
- Many communication options
- Self-description on each profile
- The site makes some recommendations
Cons
- Many profiles aren’t verified, have scarce detail, and no photos
- Fake members and spammers
Paid vs. Free Membership Options
As a man, without a premium membership, you won’t be able to do much (including communication) on CougarD. Women have it better, as they don’t need to pay.
9. Pure Review
Pure is an innovative hookup app that works to deliver dates on demand. Since 2014, it has been the most active competition to Tinder in its simplicity and ease of usage. Your profile will last for an hour and then disintegrate – so, it doesn’t leave time for hesitation.
Features
You get started by downloading the app on your phone. It takes a few minutes to register. Then enter your gender and check whether you’re creating a new or old account and who you seek. Add a great photo, and you’re all set.
With its minimalistic design comes minimalistic features. The app relies on geolocation to find you a date. Check the peak hours and the number of users in your area for most luck.
There’s only a basic chat function for contacting others once you like each other.
Pros
- Quick registration
- Required email registration
- Free app on Google Play and Apple stores
- Free for women to use
Cons
- Must create a new account each time you use the app
- Profiles provide very little detail
Paid vs. Free Membership Options
Women can use the app for free. When it comes to men, they get to enjoy a 3-day trial period, after which they need to pay for the services.
Tips for Cougar Dating
All the cougars dating out there will want their relationships to work. However, not the same rules apply as with dating someone your age. So, as a cougar, here are several tips for you to follow.
Know What You Want
Before even agreeing on a first date, give some thought to the type of relationship you’re seeking. That way, you’ll know whether the man you’re dating is the right fit for your life.
Date Without Fear
One advantage you have over younger women is that you’ve been through things before. You may have been married, given birth, and experienced adventures. You know that a man isn’t a central point in your life.
So, understand that a date is a date and don’t rush into commitment. Whether you have a second one is up to you.
Communicate
If you do end up in a more serious relationship, you’ll need to keep an open line of communication. You may have different expectations and needs than your partner. The sooner you address the elephant in the room, the better.
Don’t Treat Your Cub Like an Older Man
Remember that your cub comes from a different generation, where women get treated as equals. Don’t expect them to stop you from doing what you want or push against your wishes. Who knows, if you open your mind, you may find a new world of social opportunities.
Enjoy It
Your experience makes you less likely to be too reactive to the acts of your man. So, take the good with the bad, and enjoy yourself. Be spontaneous, and look for adventure.
Self Confidence is Key
No one looks perfect, especially not in their 40s and 50s. Learn to forgive your flaws and work with them. What we’re saying is – keep the lights on and ditch the bedsheets. Don’t try to hide your flaws.
Get Ready for Scrutiny
Although cougar dating is growing more accepted in society, there will still be some raised eyebrows and hurtful jokes. Remember that it doesn’t matter what other people think as long as you’re happy in your relationship.
Your family members may oppose it at first, too. Give them time to accept your choice.
Our Verdict
We hope these picks of the best cougar dating sites were helpful. Deciding to start going out with younger men is exciting, but also terrifying for women. While cougar-cub dating is not for everyone, if you did find yourself intrigued, we would say – go for it. If you’re hoping to find a fling to satisfy your passions, go for Pure or Cougar Life. On the other hand, those in search of a long-term relationship would be best off trying their luck on Elite Singles and Our Time.