Unfortunately, apps like Tinder and Hinge have made it harder for those serious about finding a real, lasting connection.
With so many hookups happening on these apps, it's no wonder many people have decided to join a more formal dating site like Christian Mingle or eHarmony.
However, just because you're serious about dating doesn't mean you'll find a match. You need to figure out which site deserves your time.
Below, I'm touching on everything from the sign-up process to pricing so you can make the best decision.
Key Points:
- Target Audience: Christian Mingle is specifically designed for Christian singles, focusing on faith-based connections. While eHarmony has a large Christian user base, it caters to a broader audience with diverse backgrounds.
- Matchmaking Process: eHarmony is renowned for its in-depth compatibility quiz and scientific approach to matching, aiming for long-term relationships. Christian Mingle, however, uses a more straightforward algorithm that emphasizes shared faith and values.
- Features: Both platforms offer standard features like profiles and messaging, but eHarmony includes more sophisticated tools such as guided communication and a detailed personality profile. Christian Mingle focuses more on creating a community atmosphere with features catered to faith-based interactions.
- Subscription Cost: eHarmony tends to be more expensive due to its comprehensive matchmaking services. Christian Mingle offers various subscription plans that are generally more affordable.
- User Base Size: eHarmony boasts a larger, more diverse user base, increasing your chances of finding a match. In contrast, Christian Mingle’s user base is smaller, but more concentrated in terms of shared faith and beliefs.
Christian Mingle At A Glance
Right off the bat, ChristianMingle lets its religious affiliation be known. This faith-based dating platform has millions of users who share one thing: the same beliefs. So, it's no wonder this has been one of the most popular dating sites for Christians.
Launched in 2001 by Spark Networks, Christian Mingle has since amassed over 16 million users. It was created to give God-centered people a platform to find the commitment and love they desire without compromising their core religious beliefs.
Christian Mingle even advertises that 29% of all Christian marriages that started online began through its site. You can read our detailed Christian Mingle review here.
eHarmony At A Glance
eHarmony is not just another online dating site; it's a powerhouse in the industry. It's the go-to platform for those who are new to dating websites or those who are hesitant about online dating. With a whopping 2.8 million new users expected to register this year, you can be sure you're in good company.
You can read our detailed eHarmony review here.
When you sign up with eHarmony, you'll undergo a thorough personality assessment, which will automatically match you with singles with similar interests and values. This strategy aims to keep the dating process fun and simple without too much pressure.
eHarmony vs. Christian Mingle: Detailed Comparison
Let's start by comparing these two dating apps in detail and see which one is best for finding a spouse.
1. Who's Popular?
Both eHarmony and Christian Mingle are popular but in unique ways. Christian Mingle has a very strong Christian following because of its faith-centered platform.
On the other hand, eHarmony has a wider coverage and thus attracts more users from all over. eHarmony also has a 14% share of the $2.4 billion dating service industry.
Of course, popularity isn't just about the numbers and ratings but also the quality of individual experiences each site offers its members. A huge platform with millions of users that doesn't provide a supportive and helpful dating experience is bound to get only bad reviews, which won't help its popularity.
That's how we decided one of these dating platforms was more popular than the other:
Winner: eHarmony
Because eHarmony has a broader geographical reach and appeals to a wider range of people, it is the most popular dating site among these two options.
2. Sign-Up Process
Before you decide on either of these two dating apps, you need to prepare yourself for a lengthy and time-consuming registration process.
No, this isn't because these sites want you to suffer; it's the exact opposite! These sites take dating seriously, so they require lots of information from you about your personality, interests, and values to match you appropriately.
For Christian Mingle, plan to spend at least 20 minutes working your way through the registration process. For eHarmony, block out at least 30 minutes to an hour of time to commit to it.
While both processes are long, the good news is that they are also both pretty easy. It's especially easy for Christian Mingle users, as some information is already gathered just by the nature of joining. For example, the site assumes you're of the Christian faith and are seeking a relationship based on Christian values.
Since eHarmony welcomes all types of daters, the sign-up process is a bit more in-depth to narrow down the matches best suited for you.
When applying for Christian Mingle, the site will ask for your basic contact and identification details. From there, you'll be tasked with setting up your discovery preferences to find the kind of partner you're looking for. For example, you can list things like:
From these credentials, the site gives you customized lists of match suggestions daily that you can review to determine compatibility.
eHarmony's application process, on the other hand, is far from simple. It begins with a 150-question personality test that dives deep into the details of your life, including goals, hobbies, likes and dislikes, deal-breakers, interests, and so much more.
Image Source: eHarmony
With this high level of information about you, the system compares your data to the data of other members to find ideal matches for you to review. You can also further narrow down your search criteria to generate more accurate match suggestions.
The sign-up process really boils down to personal preference. Some people don't want to waste time on up-front details and would prefer to spend the time getting to know their matches. If that's you, then the Christian Mingle process would be ideal.
Others see the value in being very detailed at the front end of the process, so the quality of matches is higher. Does this sound like you? Then you would probably appreciate the level of detail that eHarmony goes into from the start.
Winner: Christian Mingle
While the eHarmony sign-up process is thorough for finding a soulmate, it can be a bit draining. For this reason, Christian Mingle wins the sign-up round.
3. Quality of Matches and Interactions
The quality of matches and interactions determines how good a dating site is. Many people that are just getting started in the online dating world are scared of things like fake profiles, lack of quality matches, scarce memberships, and inappropriate conversations.
The good news? Both eHarmony and ChristianMingle are known for the high-quality dates they produce for their members. If you're dedicated enough, you can find the perfect date on either of these sites.
However, there's something to keep in mind about eHarmony. Since eHarmony has more members and is enrolling new members faster than Christian Mingle, there's a wider pool of individuals to choose from. Since there are more options, the likelihood of finding a quality match is higher.
eHarmony matches you with singles based on its 32-dimensional compatibility algorithm. This unique matching system uses the answers given during registration to find others who see and experience the world similarly.
ChristianMingle matches you based on the little information you provided as well as the preferences you made known during your application.
From these specifications, Christian Mingle will provide you with up to 7 targeted matches daily. You can be matched with people via the “secret admirer” status or the search tool.
On eHarmony, as soon as you're ready to talk to a match, you can initiate the conversation with something like an icebreaker or a smiley-face emoji. eHarmony offers fun "icebreakers" to discover what you have in common and get the conversation flowing.
From there, premium members can access eHarmony's messaging system and start chatting directly. eHarmony also offers a video call feature for premium members.
On the ChristianMingle website, you can start sending messages to your matches as soon as you'd like. Every day, you'll be served a different list of suggested matches, giving you new opportunities to reach out and start connecting.
Winner: eHarmony
Because eHarmony has a more targeted approach to matches and safety measures in place before messaging can occur, it's the better option as far as matches and interaction go.
4. Profile Quality
Christian Mingle takes a more mature approach to dating, opting not to rely on personality quizzes to find couples. While Christian Mingle doesn't necessarily provide space for a robust, long profile full of rich information about you, it does cover what's most important.
You'll gather the following information about your match:
You'll also find the answers to questions explicitly designed to offer some insight into their character and personality.
eHarmony, on the other hand, takes a different approach to profile building. Since the dating service boasts the high quality of its matches, each profile features a lot of information.
You can also add an "about me" section with information about your dating preferences and ideal levels of compatibility in different areas.
These compatibility aspects include:
Winner: eHarmony
For the sake of thoroughness, eHarmony wins this round again. There's just so much more you can find out on an eHarmony profile than you can on Christian Mingle.
5. Aesthetics and Ease of Use
While the aesthetics might not matter to some, they can make a big difference to others. Some daters prefer a sophisticated and modern interface, while others prefer a simple, straightforward platform that's focused on dating rather than design.
Both eHarmony and Christian Mingle have fairly basic aesthetics and navigational systems, but eHarmony's site design is a bit more elevated, while Christian Mingle's is simple and easy.
For these reasons, older members may prefer the simplicity of Christian Mingle, while younger daters may gravitate toward eHarmony.
Winner: eHarmony
eHarmony has nailed it, keeping it simple, straightforward, and stylish.
6. eHarmony and Christian Mingle Price
Both sites offer a free trial and paid memberships. However, to unlock all the features, you'll need to upgrade to a paid membership.
eHarmony subscription breakdown:
- 6-month package for $55.90 per month
- 12-month for $35.90 per month
- 24-month for $25.90 per month
Christian Mingle cost breakdown:
- 3-month plan for $24.99 per month
- 6-month plan for $22.99 per month
- 12-month plan for $12.99 per month
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Winner: Christian Mingle
Christian Mingle has better plans for those hesitant to commit to a contract.
7. Special Features
Both eHarmony and Christian Mingle use different features to help members find love.
ChristianMingle dating app lets you become a "secret admirer" if you find someone you're interested in.
eHarmony, however, offers something that Christian Mingle doesn't: satisfaction guaranteed, or else you get three months free.
Winner: eHarmony
Because eHarmony members get an extra three months of free service if they haven't found someone after their first three, eHarmony wins the "features" round.
8. Who is it for?
While both sites cater to all genders, Christian Mingle certainly focuses on the Christian demographic. However, eHarmony is open to all denominations.
Christian Mingle does not allow same-sex couples, but eHarmony does. Even still, because so few homosexual individuals use the site, same-sex partners may find it difficult to succeed on the site.
While Christian Mingle focuses on Christian singles, eHarmony's pool also includes many Christian daters. Since eHarmony doesn't limit its dating pool to this demographic, there's much more flexibility for singles looking for love.
Christian Mingle vs. eHarmony: Overall Winner?
While some people may have a different personal choice, our overall winner of this eHarmony versus Christian Mingle review is eHarmony—by far.
eHarmony is one of the most established, widely-reaching online dating sites. With its strategic, detailed approach to helping its members find love, I have no doubt that anyone serious enough will find the perfect companion using eHarmony's system.
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