Dating practices have evolved in the last few decades. Just like you rely on the internet for shopping, entertainment, work, and more, dating too has found its place online. A dating site or app is a great way of finding like-minded people without having to leave your home. It also eases the awkwardness of a first date significantly, as it allows you to have a conversation with the other person before you meet.

Popular sites
Whether you are just getting started on your online dating journey or looking for websites to explore, you must check out these top 5 popular dating sites based on pricing, availability of a free version, number of members, communication options, and user reviews:

Bumble
Bumble is a mostly free dating app that requires women to message first. If the guy does not respond within 24 hours, he loses the potential match. The timer is meant to encourage people to begin their conversation as soon as they match. For those who are looking to date seriously, it helps weed out casual matches as well. Bumble also has fascinating BFF and Business modes, which lets you make friends or connect with professionals.

Hinge
Hinge’s slogan is “designed to be deleted”. This dating platform was created with the end goal of relationships in mind. The application allows you to create more interesting profiles with its unique prompts. It has free as well as paid variants, with free users getting the chance to match with 10 new users (while swiping) per day. Paid users can also set deal breakers such as height, distance, political leanings, religion, or even interest in having children someday.

Tinder
Tinder is the first app that comes to mind when someone mentions online dating; certainly not the oldest player in the market, but by far the most popular. Tinder encourages all kinds of interactions, from casual hook-ups and one-night stands to friendships, potential dates, and even long-term relationships. Given its popularity, it happens to be one of the first sites people join.

OkCupid
OkCupid is another popular dating site that is geared toward more socially conscious people, especially millennials. It is ideal for modern liberals who are looking for like-minded individuals for dating or friendship.

Plenty of Fish
Although dating apps work just about anywhere, Plenty of Fish happens to offer great prospects, particularly in rural areas. Designed as a free dating site, it is known for plenty of successful relationships and meetings. On the flip side, the app also has many bots, which can make it difficult for people to sieve through the profiles.

In addition to these platforms, several dating sites serve niche audiences. Some of them are Zoosk, EliteSingles, The League, HER, Grindr, Silver Singles, and AdultFriendFinder. As easy as it is to date online, it may also be dangerous. So, you should take the following precautions on dating sites:

• Use different photos for your dating profile so a reverse image search does not lead others to your social media accounts.
• Avoid connecting with suspicious profiles, especially ones that seem like fake accounts and do not have a bio or more than one picture.
• Never share your personal information with someone you don’t know well. This includes your social security number, credit card details, bank information, username or password information, or work or home address.
• Block and report suspicious users, especially if they:
  – Ask for financial assistance in any way
  – Disappear suddenly from the site and then reappear under a different name
  – Seem overly romantic or complimentary too early in the conversation
  – Pressure you to provide your number or talk on another platform
  – Ask for your home or work address for any reason
  – Send harassing or offensive messages
  – Attempt to threaten or intimidate you in any way

• If you have scheduled a date with someone you matched with, tell a trusted friend or family member where you are going and when you will be back and share your live location.
• The first time you meet someone, choose a public place like a restaurant, bar, movie theater, coffee shop, or park. Always get to the place yourself, through public or private transport.