I've researched what sets OurTime and eHarmony dating sites apart to gauge the specifics behind them. While both platforms are reliable, trustworthy dating sites, they have several key differences.
Both websites offer mobile apps that help men and women find love using an algorithm based on personal interests, likes, and relationship preferences.
However, the program you decide to choose depends on what you're looking for in a dating app.
Key Points:
- OurTime has a 50-year-old age requirement, while eHarmony requires a minimum age of 18.
- eHarmony and OurTime focus on forming long-lasting relationships instead of casual dating.
- eHarmony and OurTime are free to use but offer paid subscriptions for improved experiences and more efficient matchmaking.
- eHarmony premium membership costs $25.90 to $55.90 per month, while OurTime costs $15 to $17.96 per month.
- A 2018 study by The Manifest found that eHarmony was the most popular dating site for people over 50, with 22 percent of respondents using it.
eHarmony vs. Our Time: Brief Overview
Before comparing the two dating sites, this section discusses the basics behind eHarmony and OurTime and their differences.
About eHarmony
Established in 2000 in Los Angeles, eHarmony is an online dating website that uses its specialized Compatibility Matching System to connect members with compatible persons with whom they are likely to have a long-term relationship.
eHarmony is one of the largest dating sites designed specifically for long-term relationships and marriage-minded singles. Each match is curated based on shared personality traits, habits, and interests.
According to a 2020 study, eHarmony is the number one most trusted dating app in the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia.
With a track record to boast, eHarmony claims to facilitate over 500 marriages daily in the U.S. Their compatibility surveys suggest that love is found every 14 minutes on their platform, a testament to their success rate.
Find more about how eHarmony works in our in-depth eHarmony review here.
About OurTime
OurTime is a website for people over 50 looking for new, legitimate relationships. After joining for free, users can browse through matches and connect with like-minded singles.
If you're looking for a serious approach to mature online dating, OurTime dating services are a great option. The app lets users join for free, but the best features are only available with paid subscriptions, which can get quite pricey.
Which is Better, and Why?
OurTime is best for curating accurate matches amongst a mature crowd. However, the app is limited to people over the age of 50 and contains numerous ads and pricey monthly subscriptions.
When it comes to eHarmony, the key to finding accurate matches lies in the level of detail and honesty you provide in your profile and description. The more transparent you are, the better the app can match you with potential partners.
A 2018 study of more than 1,600 U.S. singles also found eHarmony to have the highest-quality dating pool. For users who are willing to spend money and time finding the right match, eHarmony is the best option.
Now that you’ve better understood eHarmony and OurTime, let’s compare the two dating apps to see which one is right for you.
OurTime vs. eHarmony: Detailed Comparison
Although eHarmony and OurTime share many similarities, some key differences help the websites stand out. Below are some of the most apparent discrepancies I've found between the two dating sites.
1. User Base and Ease of Use
The most evident difference between eHarmony and OurTime is the user base age. OurTime is a mature dating site designed for users over 50. It helps seniors find people with similar interests within their age group in hopes of connecting them with their soul mates.
eHarmony has a much younger user base and requires members to be 18 years old to create an account. The reduced age requirements give eHarmony a much larger dating pool, but its size does make connecting with like-minded singles more strenuous.
I think both websites are easy to use and have user-friendly layouts that make navigation a breeze. They have visually appealing designs that display account information and features without cluttering the screen.
However, Our Time's registration process is less time-consuming and gives you more customization options after creating an account.
eHarmony requires you to take a detailed psychology test before creating an account. However, the eHarmony's test disguises itself as a fun survey and isn't tedious to complete. It evaluates your interests, personality traits, and other crucial information to ensure high-quality matchmaking.
2. Matchmaking Process and Quality of Matches
Although both dating sites receive high praise for their first-class matchmaking, eHarmony's detailed psychology test and evaluation make it one of the most accurate dating services in the industry. It thoroughly analyzes your personality to provide quality matches that correspond with your interests and life goals.
However, OurTime's smaller dating pool makes finding people of a specific age a bit easier. Since it requires users to be at least 50 years old, seniors can find like-minded singles within their age group who share similar interests, personality traits, and more.
OurTime offers a custom search feature that allows you to find potential soulmates with specific characteristics, giving you more matchmaking options.
Although both dating apps utilize efficient matchmaking systems, they hide the best communication options and dating features behind a paywall.
eHarmony and OurTime offer free registration and matchmaking services, but base memberships pale in comparison to paid subscriptions. You must pay for a monthly or annual subscription to get the most out of these dating sites.
However, many people (myself included!) believe the subscription fees are a small price to pay for quality matchmaking. Both sites utilize first-class matching algorithms and communication features, making it easier to find potential soulmates.
3. Pricing
Again, both eHarmony and OurTime are free to use but hide most of the best matchmaking and communication features behind a paywall.
Both websites have pricey subscription fees, but OurTime tends to nickel and dime users more than eHarmony, making it less appealing to some users.
For example, OurTime offers three subscriptions:
- Basic (free)
- Standard ($15 a month)
- Best Value ($17.96 a month)
eHarmony isn't as egregious and offers four subscription options:
- Base (free)
- Premium Light (six months for $55.90 per month)
- Premium Plus (12 months for $35.90 per month)
- Premium Extra (24 months for $25.90 per month)
It's important to note that each premium subscription offers the same features and abilities. eHarmony only offers four subscriptions to give you more payment options.
4. Features
eHarmony's base subscription provides limited access and matchmaking services. However, the premium subscription offers numerous high-quality features, including but not limited to:
- Unlimited matchmaking
- Unlimited messaging and various communication tools
- Video dating
- Unlimited photo views
- Access to people visiting your profile
- Distance search
- Comprehensive personality profile
These features make finding potential soulmates efficient while giving you more communication options after finding a match. I found it best to start at a base subscription and move to a premium membership once you grow accustomed to the format and feel more ready for a serious commitment.
OurTime's standard and best-value subscriptions allow you to communicate with others via live chat or instant messaging but don't offer these features to basic users.
OurTime also utilizes a perk system that allows you to convert real currency into digital spending tokens. You can unlock special features that rank your dating profile higher in the algorithm, putting your profile in front of more potential mates. These tokens also allow your profile to appear on specific recommended lists and unlock notifications about your matches' actions.
5. Accuracy
The most impressive feature of eHarmony is a psychology test based on Dr. Neil Clark Warren's studies, who is the dating site's founder.
Instead of using the Tinder-type algorithm, which matches people based on physical features and attractive profiles, eHarmony turns to science to create accurate matches.
Since you must take the psychology test, eHarmony's registration process takes some time. To make the experience more enjoyable, eHarmony designed the test as a fun, engaging quiz.
While eHarmony's questionnaire might be lengthy, it helps generate more accurate matches.
By comparison, OurTime doesn't feature a questionnaire. Instead, questions are optional for your profile. While this might seem easier, the chances of accurately matching with other users are lower.
6. Pros and Cons
While analyzing eHarmony and OurTime, I found both dating sites had positive and negative aspects. Below are some of my pros and cons of these two services.
eHarmony Pros:
- Over 20 years of matchmaking experience
- Detailed psychology test that enhances matchmaking and connections
- Easy to use
- Video dating
- No sign-up fee
- User-friendly interface and features
- Mobile apps for iOS and Android
- Handles most of the matchmaking for you
- Utilizes scientific research for matchmaking
- Offers numerous payment options
- Focuses on long-term relationships instead of hookups and casual dating
- Proven track record with quality results (responsible for over 500 marriages a day in the United States alone)
OurTime Pros:
- Two decades of matchmaking experience
- Straightforward and easy to use
- Short registration time
- Free to sign up
- Mobile apps for iOS and Android
- Gives you numerous matchmaking options, including a search engine feature
- Customization features
- Designed for singles 50 years old or older
eHarmony Cons:
- Extensive testing and consultation during registration
- Offers basic users limited matchmaking features and communication options
- Expensive subscription costs
- Requires immense commitment
- Exceedingly large dating pool
OurTime Cons:
- Hides most of the matchmaking and communication features behind a paywall
- Utilizes a perk system that nickels and dimes users
- Numerous ads
- Only available to singles 50 years old and up
- Doesn't have an identity verification process
- Expensive membership fees compared to other dating apps
eHarmony vs. OurTime: Which is Best?
Although both eHarmony and OurTime offer high-quality matchmaking, I find eHarmony the superior option.
Its detailed psychology tests, outstanding matchmaking features, and proven track record make it one of the best dating services. It's also incredibly easy to use, presenting profiles and user information simply yet effectively.
Although eHarmony requires a monthly subscription fee to access all its features, it's worth the price if you want a long-lasting relationship.
However, singles 50 years old or older might prefer OurTime since it's tailored for seniors and more mature users. Its smaller user pool makes finding people with similar interests within your age bracket easier.
Nevertheless, eHarmony's exceptional matchmaking and in-depth testing make it the go-to choice for singles looking for long-term, committed relationships that will withstand the tests of time.
FAQ
Which Dating Site is Best for Serious Relationships?
Although OurTime offers quality matchmaking for senior singles, eHarmony's psychology tests and personality evaluations make it one of the best and most effective dating services for long-term relationships.
eHarmony designed its service for people looking to escape the casual dating realm and obtain a committed partner. The company claims responsibility for over 4% of United States marriages (around 500 a day), making it a frontrunner in the matchmaking service industry.
However, if you are 50 years or older and want someone with similar interests within your age group, you may enjoy OurTime.
Which is More Popular- eHarmony or OurTime?
eHarmony has a larger user base as it doesn't have a high age requirement. It's been one of the leading dating apps/websites for over two decades and has helped millions of singles worldwide meet their soulmates.
It also handles most of the matchmaking process for you, making endless swiping and unread messages a thing of the past.
Despite eHarmony's vast dating pool, many older singles gravitate towards OurTime due to its minimum age requirements. Since it doesn't allow anyone under 50 to register, seniors can easily find people within their age bracket.
However, it does require users to be a bit more self-sufficient and hides most of its matchmaking and communication features behind a paywall, making it less appealing to some people.
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