eHarmony vs Coffee Meets Bagel – Which One is Better in 2024?

By: Michele Baird
Updated: June 27, 2024
Coffee Meets Bagel versus eHarmony header

In this article, I will compare the features of eHarmony against Coffee Meets Bagel so that you can make the right choice more easily.

As someone who has had difficulty finding the perfect partner, I am highly familiar with dating apps. I have gone through them all, good and bad.

As a result, I know exactly what makes for a good dating website. I feel confident that I can extend my advice to anyone looking for a good dating app.

Key Points:

  • Matching Algorithm: eHarmony uses a comprehensive 32-dimension personality assessment to match users, while Coffee Meets Bagel focuses on delivering curated matches (or "Bagels") based on users' social networks and preferences.
  • User Demographics: eHarmony attracts users seeking long-term, serious relationships, whereas Coffee Meets Bagel caters to a slightly younger audience, often looking for both serious and casual connections.
  • Daily Matches: eHarmony provides users with a list of matches they can browse through at any time. Coffee Meets Bagel sends a limited number of potential matches each day at noon.
  • Interaction Method: On eHarmony, you can send messages directly to your matches, while on Coffee Meets Bagel, you must both "like" each other before messaging is allowed.
  • Cost Structure: Both platforms have free and premium versions, but eHarmony's full suite of features is primarily accessible through their subscription service. Coffee Meets Bagel offers more flexibility with an in-app currency called "beans" for additional features.

eHarmony vs. Coffee Meets Bagel

Both eHarmony and Coffee Meets Bagel are modern online dating sites. While they have similar goals, they approach the process differently. 

1. Setting up

Setting up a profile on a dating site is often the first task you have to accomplish to find success. The way that eHarmony and Coffee Meets Bagel allow you to join their platform is different from each other.

With eHarmony, you can set up your account on a mobile account or desktop. But with Coffee Meets Bagel, your only option is to download the app. This difference isn’t a big deal to most people, as mobile apps are the new normal.

However, not everyone likes to keep dating apps on their phones. For this percentage of people, having the option to use a dating platform on a computer comes in handy. 

For this category, eHarmony is my recommendation.

2. Pricing

Access to potential love often comes with a price. Many dating services charge a fee for using their services.

Using all of eHarmony's features comes with a price, but you can start with a free account. To use the features that make the dating site worth it, you will need to pay for a certain plan.

eHarmony offers three plans: a light plan, a premium plus, and a premium ultra. 

The light plan is $55.90 for six months of use. The second plan will lower the cost to $35.90 for twelve months. The premium ultra plan is $25.90 for two years of use. Read more details on the pricing here.

When it comes to pricing the plans, eHarmony only considers the length of time someone is using their service. That means that all plans will provide the same features. The only difference is when the subscription ends.

Coffee Meets Bagel, on the other hand, is almost free. However, you can pay to access a few features, such as liking certain profiles and seeing when people read your messages. 

In terms of pricing, I have to give the upper hand to Coffee Meets Bagel. You can use almost the entirety of the service without having to pay for any subscription. Coffee Meets Bagel is the better option for those on a budget.

3. Matching

Both eHarmony and Coffee Meets Bagel work hard to match their users with a perfect partner.

Coffee Meets Bagel focuses on eventually being deleted from people’s phones. A lot of current dating apps follow the same formula. The user downloads the app, creates a profile, swipes a bit, and then forgets the app.

Coffee Meets Bagel strives to change up the boring formula that turns so many people off. This dating app intends to find someone who makes you want to delete the app. 

Coffee Meets Bagel will take information from your profile and who you interact with to customize an algorithm for its users. Every day, each user will get a unique list of profiles that Coffee Meets Bagel recommends.

eHarmony also makes a significant effort to ensure its users receive accurate matches. The site originally got its reputation for finding special matches between two people using compatibility tests.

Part of the onboarding process of eHarmony is taking a personality test. This test helps the site understand who will work well for who in a romantic scenario. You can also list all of your interests, hobbies, and what you are looking for in your eHarmony profile. You can find more about how eHarmony works in our review here.

If you are looking to date casually and explore, Coffee Meets Bagel may be a better option for you. But if you want to find the perfect match, I recommend eHarmony. The dating site has been working on its match-making formula for years now. 

eHarmony vs Coffee Meets Bagel: The Winner

Overall, I have to give the winning trophy to eHarmony. The site is great for finding someone with whom you will click and is a highly trustworthy dating site.

Best For

Not every dating situation is the same. While eHarmony may work best for me, it won't work the same for everyone. There are situations in which I think Coffee Meets Bagel would even work better.

Coffee Meets Bagel is a good option for a younger audience. It is a modern approach to an age-old dating problem. People looking to date around and explore may want to start with Coffee Meets Bagel.

Using eHarmony can feel like you're being set up for a serious relationship, making it a good fit if you're ready to find that special someone. If you're new to the dating scene, it might be a bit overwhelming at first, but it's a great platform for those serious about finding someone special.

Both eHarmony and Coffee Meets Bagel are good platforms for members of the LGBTQ community. One of the first things you may notice when looking at eHarmony is that you can choose whichever gender you are looking for. 

What's the Difference Between eHarmony and Coffee Meets Bagel?

There are aesthetic differences between the two dating apps right off the bat. eHarmony focuses on both the general aspects of dating and long-term relationships. Coffee Meets Bagel focuses on finding your life partner so you will never have to use a dating app again.

Authenticity is another big aspect of Coffee Meets Bagel. With eHarmony, the site focuses on finding a compatible match for people of all personalities and genders. 

Which is Better and Why?

Different dating apps are better suited to different locations. For example, an app that is popular in one area may have no members in another. 

Overall, eHarmony is a very popular dating site. It has been around for at least twenty years. The site currently boasts itself as the number one trusted dating app, which I can believe. 

Because eHarmony is more likely to have a wider range of options, I have to recommend eHarmony over Coffee Meets Bagel. 

Best For

Those who fall on the LGBTQ spectrum will likely feel welcome with eHarmony at first glance. The LGBTQ community benefits from having more options, as dating in the LGBTQ world can be tricky.

Those looking to try a different approach to online dating may appreciate Coffee Meets Bagel. The dating app does not rely on a lot of the typical online dating cliches. 

Final Words

Online dating doesn't have to be difficult, and all anyone needs to know is that there is a perfect match out there. I recommend joining eHarmony if you are ready to settle down and find the love of your life.

Setting up a profile on eHarmony can help you find a perfect match. A personality test can also help you better understand who you are and what you're looking for in a partner.

By setting up an honest and upfront profile about what you're looking for, you can attract potential partners who are also looking for the same things. 

Related eHarmony Comparison Articles:

  1.  Click here to read eHarmony vs Match comparison.
  2.  eHarmony vs Hinge – Everything You Need To Know
  3.  Bumble vs eHarmony – Everything You Need To Know