Dating sites are extremely popular in the United States, but they’ve also made their way to many other countries, including Canada.
Singles in the major Canadian cities, including Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Edmonton, and Calgary, can find just as much success in online dating as their neighbors to the south. In fact, many dating apps are popular in both countries.
Canada is a large country filled with a variety of cultures, races, and backgrounds. The best 10 dating sites and apps in Canada offer something for everyone, helping people find love in all shapes and sizes.
Online dating is growing in popularity, especially as the COVID-19 pandemic keeps people inside their homes. Whether you are looking for a hookup, a casual fling, or something more serious, check out the best 10 dating sites and apps in Canada.
1. Match
Match.com has been around for more than 20 years, and the dating site features a large Canadian population. In Toronto alone, more than 4,000 people are registered for the site between the ages of 18 and 35.
You can expect to find a wide range of ages and interests on Match, making it easier to find someone you are compatible with. Signing up for Match does not take long. You can quickly create your profile, upload photos, and complete the survey to start viewing matches.
Basic searches rely on the site’s algorithm to find your perfect matches, while advanced searches allow you to filter out prospects based on a variety of categories. You can even choose to shuffle profiles and see people at random, like Tinder.
You can create a free profile to give the site a try and see what kind of matches you find. However, most features are only accessible with a paid membership. Members from Canada can even participate in real-world events hosted by Match.
2. Bumble
Bumble has become insanely popular in recent years thanks to its unique platform. The app only lets women make the first move, taking a lot of pressure off the guys. (For same-sex couples, any party can make the first move.)
The user base for Bumble is growing every day, offering a lot of potential matches for users. Conversations are encouraged on Bumble to keep things moving at a faster pace. If the women does not contact a match within 24 hours, the match expires.
This feature lets users be a little more picky with who they connect with and quickly filters out matches that are not going anywhere. You can even use Bumble to find new friends, in addition to romantic relationships.
If you are new to the area of looking to expand your friends circle, Bumble offers a great way to connect with locals near you. Just think of it as online dating for your friends!
3. OkCupid
OkCupid has been a staple among the best dating sites in Canada for quite some time. The dating app has been around for more than 15 years, creating many successful matches and relationships. OkCupid sits uniquely between hookup apps like Tinder and more serious dating sites like eHarmony.
If you want something more casual or want to take your time finding a serious relationship, OkCupid is a great place to look. The site’s algorithm uses fun questions to learn your personality and find your most compatible matches. Based on your survey answers, the site will pull the best profile for you.
The OkCupid user base is comprised of many people between 25 and 34, although all ages are represented on the site. The gender ratio is fairly balanced, and you can customize your profile to attract the right matches for you.
4. eharmony
Like Match, eHarmony has been around for many years and created many successful couples. The dating site is more expensive, but it has a large user base in Canada and offers an effective path for a long-term relationship.
Prepare to set aside some time to sign up for eHarmony, because the questionnaire can take more than 30 minutes to complete. eHarmony’s unique compatibility quiz uses a scale system to determine your personality, values, and style.
You can fill out your profile in your own words and upload photos to attract potential matches. From there, the eHarmony algorithm uses your questionnaire answers to present you with your most compatible matches.
While eHarmony does not have a search feature similar to other dating sites, you can browse through matches and send messages. The eHarmony Guided Communication feature helps start conversations in an organic way that feels comfortable.
With some paid memberships, you can even access secure calling to get to know other members while protecting your private information.
5. Plenty of Fish
For almost 20 years, Plenty of Fish has offered a free dating website for singles. The site relies on heavy advertising to keep their service free, so you will have to wade through a barrage of ads and marketing messages. However, more than 3 million users are active on Plenty of Fish each day.
If you want to try out online dating without investing a lot of money, or you are just looking for something fun and low-stakes, Plenty of Fish is a great option. Singles in Canada can quickly set up their account by filling out a basic questionnaire, writing a personal description, and adding photos.
You can use the Meet Me feature on Plenty of Fish to view random profiles in your area. If you have a mutual match, you can set up an in-person date. You can also filter through profiles on the site based on a variety of characteristics, including age, location, relationship objective, and education.
6. Tinder
A list of the best dating sites and apps in Canada would not be complete without Tinder. The original “swipe right” dating app is a long-standing favorite among singles looking for something a little less serious.
Getting signed up for Tinder is quick and easy, so you can start swiping through profiles in just minutes. Adjust your location range to fit your preferences, between one and 100 miles away.
As you swipe through users, you can read their bios and view their photos. If someone catches your eye, just swipe right! You will be notified if there is a mutual match and you can start up a conversation.
The overall atmosphere for Tinder is very laid back. If you prefer a more casual approach to online dating, Tinder is definitely the app for you. Upgrading your paid membership unlocks a variety of fun features, including viewing who has liked you and super likes.
7. Lavalife
Lavalife was started in Toronto, making it a great dating site for singles in Canada. The site is designed to spark conversations and has been around for about 20 years. The sign up process for Lavalife is quick, taking less than 10 minutes to create your profile.
Once you get started, you can view potential matches and search through profiles. The dating site offers an “In Common” feature that helps connect you to matches with similar interests.
You can see why you’d click with someone before ever messaging them. Lavalife is based on a fun environment that takes the pressure off of dating. They even offer an interactive video series to walk through a mock first date!
8. Coffee Meets Bagel
If you are looking for something a little out of the norm, check out Coffee Meets Bagel. The dating app is unique, highlighting matches in a different way from most other dating sites.
Men on the app can browse through 21 profiles each day, liking or disliking each match. Women on the app receive a curated list of matches each day that they can review.
The dating app features in-depth profiles and a smart algorithm to learn more about you and your preferences. Over time, your matches can become more personalized. The app even offers conversation starters and ice breakers to help you spark meaningful conversations instead of empty small talk.
9. Shaadi
The Indian dating site, Shaadi, is one of the best at facilitating marriages and long-term relationships. More than one million profiles are available on Shaadi from Canada, making it a top dating site for Canadian singles. Shaadi is not for the casual dater, though.
The site was created to facilitate marriages and help you find your life partner. You can search through profiles on Shaadi based on a variety of features, including profession, languages spoken, and religion.
Browse through brides or grooms in Canada and click on the profiles you are interested in. The site is fully secure and promises quick responses and great matches.
10. JSwipe
JSwipe is the top dating app for Jewish singles and quickly growing in popularity. Both Jewish and non-Jewish singles can sign up for the app and search for a Jewish partner. The app’s founder created the app because he wanted something like Tinder specifically for Jewish people.
While the app is still relatively young, it does have more than 100,000 users. Like Tinder, JSwipe has a reputation for being more casual. You can connect to a large community of Jewish users that you may not have had a chance to talk to otherwise.
The app uses a swipe method to filter through potential matches, and only mutual matches can start a conversation.