Match vs eHarmony – Which One is Better in 2023?

By: Michele Baird
Updated: January 3, 2023
eharmony vs match dating sites comparison

Everyone has heard of eHarmony and Match.com, but it can be tough to figure out which is best. Should you turn to eHarmony or Match to find the love of your life?

To answer this question, I explored both sites in depth and pored over hundreds of customer reviews to find out about the collective experience. I think it’s more beneficial not just to share my biased opinion but to give you an overview of these dating platforms from various perspectives.

Though both sites can be great places to find love, you’ll soon discover that there’s a clear winner between the two.

eHarmony vs Match: Key Points

  • eHarmony uses a compatibility matching system to connect users, while Match uses a search function to connect users.
  • eHarmony has a more in-depth sign-up process, which includes a lengthy questionnaire. This allows the site to get to know you better and match you with more compatible people. On the other hand, Match.com sign-up process is relatively short and does not have a lengthy questionnaire.
  • eHarmony is geared towards users who are looking for long-term relationships, while Match is geared towards users who are looking for both long-term and short-term relationships.
  • eHarmony costs $25.90 to $55.90 per month, while Match costs $11.99 to $26.99 per month. eHarmony is a bit more expensive than Match. This is because eHarmony uses a unique algorithm to match people based on compatibility, while Match simply relies on users to browse through profiles and message one another.
  • eHarmony has a good success rate: A love match is made every 14 minutes. In the US, members have 16,000 weddings per month. Unfortunately, Match.com does not have publicly available data.

What’s the Difference Between Match and eHarmony?

At first glance, Match and eHarmony might seem pretty similar. Like most dating sites, you enter some information about yourself, answer questions about your personality and preferences, and upload some flattering profile pictures. As you match with potential partners, you can begin messaging them, and voila, you’ve found love.

The key differences you’ll see between Match and eHarmony will be the user interface and some of the features. Match prides itself on giving members several ways to interact and seek each other out, while eHarmony puts AI to work and matches members with people who the algorithm thinks are a good fit based on dozens of data points and millions of user profiles.

What I think is most notable is that Match isn’t as transparent as eHarmony. That can be a concern. For example, eHarmony reports that they’re responsible for 438 marriages per day. They’re also open about the demographics of their member base and how many messages are sent.

Match.com, however, is a bit of a black box. Though they claim to be the catalyst for more than “twice as many marriages” as any other dating site, they don’t disclose any figures.

Perhaps even more alarming is the lawsuit Match.com was involved in due to their questionable business practices designed to trick customers into paying for a subscription.

One of the violations included turning a blind eye to fake, scammer accounts messaging users. In order for a user to respond to a message, they had to create a paid account, so Match was more than happy to allow these scammers to do their promotional heavy lifting for them.

Once you know something like that, you’ll want to think twice about moving forward. This lawsuit took the concept of “buyer beware” to a whole new level.

Match.com vs eHarmony: Detailed Comparison

Though dating sites can all start to look the same after a while, each has distinctive features that may or may not resonate with you.

I’ll compare eHarmony and Match dating apps side-by-side to help you determine which one is a better fit for your relationship goals.

1. Sign-up - Which one Has the Better Process?

Both dating services begin the sign-up process similarly, asking you to specify your gender and the gender of the person you’d like to date.

From there, the sites approach things differently.

eHarmony requires users to fill out a lengthy questionnaire before choosing their subscription plan (or free trial). Some users say it can take 45 minutes or more to answer all the questions.

By contrast, Match.com only asks you a few preliminary questions, and then you can begin exploring potential matches for free. Profile completion takes about 15 to 30 minutes.

2. Matching Comparison - Quality of Matches

The ability to find a potential soulmate (or a Mr. or Mrs. Right Now) is the primary motivator for logging onto a dating site in the first place.

eHarmony and Match.com approach their matching strategies slightly differently. eHarmony leverages big data and AI to attempt to find suitable matches without you having to do any of the work. If you love efficiency and trust the process, you can outsource much of the filtering process.

Match, on the other hand, encourages you to scroll through profiles, apply filters to your most important criteria, and explore your options. They don’t leave you exclusively to your own devices. They’ll still send daily match recommendations based on your profile preferences.

Both sites give you the option to state your preferences, which allows you to filter out people you know in advance who aren’t a good fit. Some of the most used filters include height, income level, education, desire to have children, ethnicity, shared interest, and drinking and drug use.

To sum up, eHarmony focuses on quality over quantity. They have a selection system that weeds people out in three ways:

1. Self-selection: You choose the traits that are most important to you in a mate, as well as dealbreakers. This will naturally narrow the field.

2. Compatibility Matching: eHarmony’s algorithm takes the available field of mates and sifts through them using their proprietary matchmaking system that hones in on “foundational traits.” Over their 20+ years in existence, the development team has identified the variables that they think form the building blocks of a successful relationship.

3. Affinity Matching: In addition to using big data, eHarmony also applies good old-fashioned lifestyle commonalities to trim your selection even further. For example, if you love to travel, eHarmony will match you with other globetrotters.

So, if you want a smaller number of matches that you have an allegedly better chance of falling in love with, eHarmony is the better choice.

Also, eHarmony has a ‘What if’ feature, which gives you more matches. You will see singles who would otherwise be outside your preference list. You never know; opposites might attract!

If, on the other hand, you like the idea of having more options so that you can see for yourself and make your own choices, you’ll probably prefer Match.com.

3. Cost - Which is Cheaper?

Though both Match and eHarmony have free options, you’ll want to upgrade to a paid plan to take full advantage of the available features.

Plan Duration

Match.com Subscription

eHarmony Premium Membership

1-Month

$35.99

n/a

3-Month

$19.99

n/a

6-Month

$17.99

$55.90

12-Month

$15.99

$35.90

24-Month

n/a

$25.90

The cost of each service tends to vary based on the different promotions that each company is running. That being said, eHarmony tends to be more expensive, and the difference is substantial. This is true whether you plan on paying for a single month or you sign up for a longer-term membership.

eHarmony’s higher prices can be looked at from both a positive and a negative perspective. On the one hand, it could be a deterrent and keep people from signing up. On the flip side, you could view the higher price tag as a barrier that prevents people who aren’t serious (or are scammers) from signing up.

Though the price tag can be intimidating, eHarmony often runs special promotions to incentivize free trial users to upgrade.

Match.com’s monthly rates are significantly lower, and they back up their fees with a success guarantee. For example, if you pay in advance for a six-month plan, Match will give you an additional six months free if you don’t connect with anyone during your initial membership.

Not to be outdone, eHarmony has a similar guarantee. You have 90 days to judge the quality of your matches. If you’re not happy with the results, you’ll get another three months on the house.

You can also learn about eHarmony plans and premium features in my eHarmony cost and eHarmony review articles.

4. Interface - Which is Easier to Use?

As long-time veterans in the online dating space, both Match and eHarmony have easy-to-use interfaces that you can access on either your computer or a mobile app.

Though both companies excel here, if I had to pick a winner, it would be eHarmony. The design is more modern and minimalistic, making it easier to navigate.

If you’re new to online dating, you’ll probably feel more comfortable using eHarmony.

5. User Base – Who Has the Best and Largest Members?

Both eHarmony and Match claim to have a similar user base, with millions of members from across the globe. Over the years, eHarmony has gained a reputation for having a slightly older demographic of people looking for long-term serious relationships.

Match.com tends to attract a younger, more casual group of daters, but both sites have an impressive track record of long-term relationships and marriages.

If you’re among the Gen Z, Millennial, or Generation X demographic, both sites are great options for online dating. However, if you’re a Baby Boomer, you’ll probably have better luck with eHarmony.

Header

eHarmony

Match.com

Average Age Range

25-50+

20-45

Number of Total Users

35 million

29 million

Number of Countries Served

140

30

6. Feature Comparison

At first glance, it seems like most dating sites are similar feature-wise, so let’s explore what makes eHarmony and Match.com distinct.

eHarmony boasts a sophisticated personality profile and matching system that includes dozens of variables, including your need for structure to assertiveness. According to eHarmony, there are precisely 29 “dimensions of compatibility,” and they’ve cracked the code that allows you to find your perfect match based on how you answer their questions.

Match.com gives you more options regarding how you search for a partner by putting you in control of your preferences. You can even search in “private mode,” which allows you to explore user profiles without the person knowing you were checking them out.

Another notable Match.com feature is the ability to call a dating coach to get free dating tips. The coach can also review your profile and give you feedback on what you can do to optimize it and attract more matches. The app also includes an extensive library of videos that give dating advice. These videos address many topics, so it’s like having evergreen access to a dating course.

Though Match.com has more features than eHarmony, this might not necessarily be the best thing. After all, the goal is to find someone you want to date (or more), so I think I’d prefer to use a dating app that helps me with that singular purpose in mind.

All these other features might be nice to have, but their contribution to my end goal is negligible. It almost feels like Match.com is trying to compensate for a product that’s not quite as good by adding “shiny objects.”

Also, you can check my detailed Match.com review here.

7. eHarmony or Match - Who Has the Highest Success Rate?

eHarmony touts that they make a love connection every 14 minutes and have helped two million people find relationship bliss.

Match.com dating website isn’t quite so open with their data, so we have to declare eHarmony the winner here.

8. Interaction - Who Has the Best Messaging System?

When it comes to using the system for messaging other members, both Match and eHarmony offer unlimited messaging. You can also see who viewed your profile and send a message if you’re interested. Here, I think it’s a tie between the two.

9. Customer Support – Which Site Has Better Help?

If something goes wrong with the technology or billing, or you have a bad experience with a fellow member, it’s important that you have somewhere to turn.

Both sites have customer service available via email. eHarmony’s team claims to be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but they do caution a 36-hour turnaround time. Match is only available during business hours, Monday through Friday. If you’re hoping to get a weekend reply, then eHarmony wins this contest.

So, Who Is the Ultimate Winner?

Though both sites have a robust set of features and a significant member base, I have to give the trophy to eHarmony. The advanced matching algorithm combined with the intuitive interface and video dating feature show that this company has done a better job of advancing with the times.

I’m confident that you can find what you’re looking for on either site, but if finding love is an immediate priority, go with eHarmony.

FAQs

When it comes to shelling out money to find love, it’s natural to have a lot of questions. Not only is your hard-earned money at stake, but time is of the essence, and the last thing you probably want to do is waste it!

Which is Better? eHarmony or Match?

Both sites have a ton of pros, but if you’re serious about finding love, eHarmony offers a more streamlined process and a more convenient interface. Again, both are great, but if I had to choose only one, it would be eHarmony.

How is eHarmony Different from Match.com?

The main difference between the two is how you find love. eHarmony sends you matches based on its compatibility algorithm. It’s almost like having a professional dating service discover your ideal partner.

By contrast, Match.com gives you control of the process. It can feel like a treasure hunt, but it can also be overwhelming if you don’t know what kind of partner you’re looking for.

Which is Better for Seniors (Over 50)?

eHarmony recognizes that seniors have different needs than other generations. To accommodate these preferences, the company has set up a dating community specifically for those over 50 years of age. If you’re over 50, choose eHarmony.

eHarmony vs. Match Gay – Which is Best for LGBTQ?

For both dating sites, when you sign up, you specify your gender. You can also specify if you’re looking for a same-sex pairing or a heterosexual match.

Match.com takes the upper hand here with a lot more choices. For example, you can choose man, woman, or select among 29 other options. After that, you’re asked to choose what gender you’re looking for. Your options are Men, Women, and Everyone.

eHarmony is more restrictive with genders. You’ve only got the two traditional choices, but you can specify from the get-go whether you’re interested in same-sex matches. The only downside is that you can only select one gender to connect with, so you’ll have to prioritize.

Match was also an early adopter of giving LBGTQ daters the option to pair with other like-minded individuals from day one. eHarmony took a while to catch on, so I’ll have to give the win here to Match.com.

Which is the Best Site for Long-Term Relationships?

This question is tough to answer because I firmly believe that a dating site is only as good as the effort that you also put in. To put it plainly, no matter how good either Match or eHarmony is at matching you with the perfect partner, you still have to put in the effort to send messages, be charming, and show the best version of yourself. 

Both of these sites have an impressive roster of members, so honestly, I think you could find a long-term relationship using either.

If I had to pick a clear winner, however, I would lean toward eHarmony. Because the sign-up process is more in-depth and the prices are higher, I believe that the people who do become members are potentially more motivated to enter into something serious.

Which is More Popular – eHarmony.com or Match.com?

In looking at the size of the user base and customer reviews, eHarmony and Match are in a close tie. The good news is that no matter which of these sites you pick, you’ll be in great company!

Which Service Lets You Virtually Date?

Coronavirus changed a lot about how we interact, and many people exploring new relationships went virtual for safety reasons. eHarmony was quick to offer virtual dating by giving Premium Members the option to go on video dates.

I think this trend is probably here to say. As eHarmony says, first dates can be stressful. A video date can take a lot of the pressure off of meeting someone in person for the first time, and you don’t even have to leave your house!

Are Match.com and eHarmony the Same Company?

No, these companies are separate and competitors.

Match Group, Inc. was founded in 1993 and has headquarters in Dallas, Texas. The company owns Match, Tinder, Meetic, PlentyOfFish, Hinge, OkCupid, Paris, and OurTime. eHarmony got its start in 2000 and is headquartered in Los Angeles.