To gauge the specifics behind OurTime and eHarmony dating sites, I’ve taken the time to research what sets these two online dating platforms apart from one another.
While both platforms are reliable, trustworthy dating sites, both platforms 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 diving straight into the comparison between the two dating sites, this section discusses the basics behind eHarmony and OurTime and their differences.
About eHarmony
Established in 2000 in Los Angeles, CA, 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.
The popular dating website claims responsibility for over 500 marriages each day in the U.S., and according to their compatibility surveys, someone finds love every 14 minutes using eHarmony.
Find more about how eHarmony works in our in-depth eHarmony review here.
About OurTime
OurTime is a website for people over the age of 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, contains numerous ads and pricey monthly subscriptions.
With eHarmony, the accuracy of your matches depends on how detailed and honest you are with your profile and description.
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 both money and time to find the right match, eHarmony is the best option.
According to Consumer Affairs, both dating websites have the same satisfaction rating of 3.8/5.0. However, after going through many of the reviews themselves, eHarmony comes out on top as the most accurate and reliable choice, covering an extensive range of people.
Now that you’ve gained a better understanding of eHarmony and OurTime, let’s compare the two dating apps so you can determine which one might be right for you.
Detailed Comparison of eHarmony and OurTime
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 50 years old or older. It helps older citizens and seniors find people with similar interests within their age group in hopes of connecting people 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 isn't as 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 dating site'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 that 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/websites 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 somewhat 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 the studies of Dr. Neil Clark Warren, who is coincidentally 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 have to take the psychology test, eHarmony’s entire registration process takes some time. So to make the experience more enjoyable, eHarmony designs the test in the form of 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 vs. OurTime, I found both dating sites had positive and negative aspects. Below are some of my pros and cons for eHarmony and OurTime.
eHarmony Pros
- Over 20 years of matchmaking experience
- Detailed psychology test that enhances matchmaking and connections
- Easy to use
- Video dating
- Proven track record with quality results (responsible for over 500 marriages a day in the United States alone)
- Focuses on long-term relationships instead of hookups and casual 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
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/websites
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 currently available. It's also incredibly easy to use and presents 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 it easier to find people with similar interests within your age bracket.
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 singles 50 years old or older, 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.
eHarmony 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 much larger user base since it doesn't have as high of an 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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