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The Best Dating to Try Sites in South Africa
South Africa is filled with diverse cultures, natural beauty, wildlife, and activities that can be cherished alone. There’s no better way to experience these things than with a partner, and thankfully, the nation has tons of lively dating sites that’ll give you just that!
If you’re not keen on being a lone wanderer, or you’re feeling lonely and looking for a lover who can hold you, then here’s a list of the best dating sites and apps in South Africa.
1. Tinder
Website: https://tinder.com/
Tinder is the most popular dating app to date, so it’s no surprise that it’s one of the best dating apps to use in South Africa. The app is home to all types of people of all ages, so you’re bound to find someone who fits your preferences and personality.
The app offers lots of filters for you to use, allowing you to find people who perfectly match your preferences. The site also has fun prompts that show you people’s interests, hobbies, and beliefs, adding a layer of depth to each person you meet here.
Aside from that, Tinder also allows its users to create their own personalised answers to prompts, helping you let your personality shine through. We also love how you can match with premium users from across the globe even without a subscription.
2. Bumble
Website: http://www.bumble.com/
If you’re looking for a dating app similar to Tinder but with a unique spin, we recommend downloading Bumble. Unlike the other apps on this list, Bumble has a “women message first” rule, which helps women avoid unnecessary messages from accidental matches.
That said, Bumble is one of the safer online dating platforms for women, as they have more control over the whole online dating experience. The app is extremely popular among teens and adults in their late 20s, so expect a colourful range of personalities.
It’s used by people looking for all types of relationships; you’ll find people who want to make new friends and some looking for fun. Despite that, Bumble users tend to search for serious long-term relationships, so it’s worth a shot regardless of what you’re into.
3. Badoo
Website: https://badoo.com/
If you’re looking to find the love of your life but aren’t feeling the vibe on Bumble and Tinder, then we recommend giving Badoo a try. This awesome dating site is one of the popular platforms that caters mainly to a young crowd packed with vibrant personalities.
The great thing about Badoo is its photo certification system that every user goes through to ensure you’re talking to a real person and not a bot or catfish. On top of that, you’ll also need to link your social media accounts for another layer of security.
What makes Badoo great is its sections: the “Encounters” section and “People Nearby” section. The “Encounters” section shows people from all over with similar interests, while the “People Nearby” section shows people with similar interests close by.
4. Matchmaker
Website: https://www.matchmaker.co.za/s/
Another popular dating website in South Africa is Matchmaker. This simple website is different from other dating sites because you don’t need to rely on a matching system; instead, you can directly send a message to anyone you’re interested in.
Matchmaker allows you to see people who have recently viewed your profile, enabling you to check them out and explore their interests. The site also has a favourites feature where you can add people you’re interested into your favourites list for easy chatting.
One of our favourite features about Matchmaker is how you can check out the newest members, and the most popular profiles, and even search for people directly. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can connect with people outside of the country as well.
5. South African Cupid
Website: https://www.southafricancupid.com/
If you’re looking to meet and make connections with other South Africans, we suggest using South African Cupid. It’s the ideal website for people who prefer dating other South Africans and want to avoid problems when it comes to cultural differences.
South African Cupid is great because it doesn’t just connect you to other South African singles in the country but also to those who are living overseas. You’ll be able to meet other countrymen living in Asia, Europe, and even the Americas!
What’s great about the site is that even if you’re travelling around the world, you can still make connections with people familiar with your culture. That said, you’ll find a variety of people using the site, all having their own unique tastes, personality, and story.
6. Ok Cupid
Website: https://www.okcupid.com/
OkCupid is a popular dating site in South Africa, primarily because of its superior matchmaking system. The site’s renowned match system is known to give users several potential partners with the same interests, personality, and preferences.
This site’s multiple-choice questions help you get a match based on more than just shared interests. Although the site is based in the USA, you’ll find tons of users in South Africa and across the globe, allowing you to meet people overseas!
The great thing about OkCupid is that members can see a small bubble that shows how compatible they are with the user they’re currently viewing. This makes it easier to find someone who not only shares similar interests but will also vibe well with you.
7. Singles2meet
Website: https://www.singles2meet.co.za
Singles2meet is a classic dating site from the early days that’s still widely used in South Africa. The site doesn’t offer any subscriptions or a matching system and instead relies on direct messages to make new connections with people!
Since the site doesn’t use a matching system, you’ll find a long list of users looking for all types of relationships on the site. You’ll be able to meet people looking for serious life partners and people looking for a quick and fun time.
This site also welcomes everyone to join in on the fun and look for a potential partner. In fact, you’ll find many straight, bisexual, lesbian, and other members of the LGBTIQA+ community on the site.
8. SweetMeet
Website: https://sweetmeet.me/
SweetMeet is a streamlined dating platform that offers a safe and welcoming space for all singles to meet. It’s a good way to meet people looking to casually date and those looking for something serious as well.
We love how SweetMeet is very easy to navigate, with clear instructions detailing everything you need to know about using the platform’s interface. Users can also customise their searches and set specific preferences to find the match of their dreams.
9. SpeedDating South Africa
Website: https://speeddating.co.za
SpeedDating South Africa is one of the dating platforms that has become quite popular over the past couple of years for its unique take on online dating. Unlike other dating sites and apps, this website doesn’t focus on messaging but instead on video calls.
The platform gives users a 5-minute video call with their matches where they can talk about anything and everything under the sun. The great thing about this is that it helps you avoid getting catfished since communication happens through video calls.
Aside from that, signing up for an account on SpeedDating South Africa is quite simple and easy. All you have to do is indicate your gender, what you’re looking for, your email, birthdate, country, city, and provide a username.
10. AfroIntroductions
Website: https://www.afrointroductions.com/
For those looking for genuine love or just a fun little fling, AfroIntroductions is one of the dating sites you should check out. This website was created in 2002 and has been one of the most reliable dating sites in South Africa to date.
AfroIntroductions connects people not just in South Africa but from all around the world as well. The matching algorithm of the site uses people’s listed preferences to suggest potential partners to each other.
Despite the site’s age, users can have a worry-free experience, as AfroIntroductions encrypts all its users’ personal information and data. If you’re really serious about dating, you can also verify your profile to attract more potential and serious matches.
11. Hinge
Website: https://hinge.co/
Hinge is a dating app that caters mainly to millennials, Gen Z, and people in their early 40s. The app has become a major hit in the past few years and is a really good way to meet people looking for something serious in South Africa.
Unlike other apps, Hinge allows you to connect with singles from other cities and countries simply by changing your location for free. The interesting thing about Hinge is that you can review likes and messages from other users before accepting them.
Aside from that, talking on Hinge isn’t limited to texting in private chats, as there is also a video call feature for singles looking for a more personal experience. Also, make sure to take advantage of their interesting profile prompts that can spark unique chats.
12. InterracialMatch
Website: https://www.interracialmatch.com/
InterracialMatch is one of the classic dating sites popular in South Africa for people looking to get into relationships with individuals of different nationalities. The site is perfect for those who enjoy dating while learning about new cultures and traditions.
The website also has a strict verification process, asking you to upload an official identification card to ensure you’re not a fake. This also ensures that the people you’ll meet on the website are legitimate individuals looking for serious connections.
One of the unique aspects of the site is that interactions aren’t just limited to simple messaging. In fact, the site allows you to send winks to anyone you find interesting, and you can also leave comments on another person’s profile to catch their attention!
13. Boo
Website: https://boo.world/
Boo is one of the newest dating sites and apps that has recently become extremely popular since its launch in 2020. The app connects you to other singles from all around the world, providing an inclusive space for people of all genders, ages, and beliefs.
What sets Boo apart from the rest of the dating sites is how it matches people based on their personality type. This essentially means that introverts will be matched with each other, so there’s no need to worry about having a tiring conversation with an extrovert.
That said, finding a match on Boo is a breeze because the app tells you if you have matching personalities with another person. You also don’t need to worry about dealing with a language barrier, as the app translates messages written in foreign languages.
14. Elite Singles
Website: https://www.elitesingles.com/
Elite Singles is a dating website in South Africa that’s mostly popular among professionals. Most of the people you’ll encounter on this app are established individuals looking for more serious relationships, but it’s also good for young crowds.
What we love about Elite Singles is that they do the matchmaking for you, saving you time from filtering out each user. The site also prides itself on having thousands of new couples each month, so it’s worth a try if you’re searching for a long-term partner.
This site also filters out inactive profiles, ensuring that you won’t be wasting your time waiting for a reply from an old profile. It’s also a safe space and a welcoming community, providing a platform for everyone regardless of race, sexuality, and religion.
15. Silver Singles
Website: https://dating.silversingles.com
If you’re over 50 and still have that flame in your heart to find love, we recommend checking out Silver Singles. This dating site caters primarily to singles over the age of 50 looking for a serious relationship in their golden years.
The website makes all users take a fun personality test and matches you up with people who have the same interests. Unlike other over 50 dating websites, Silver Singles doesn’t just show you people close to your area but everyone you’re compatible with!
It’s a good choice for anyone over the age of 50 looking to make a genuine connection with another person based on interests and personality rather than proximity.