Popular dating sites in the UK

It’s that time of year again… the chilly period between the beginning of autumn and the start of spring, in which anyone not coupled up finds themselves seeking to be “cuffed” by a serious relationship. Also known as cuffing season. 

We might like to think that we are deeply complex creatures but when it comes down to it we are simple. In the summer, when the sun is shining and the temperature is warm, we are more content to remain single. We socialise more, meet new people, and enjoy the feeling of being untethered. As the leaves turn from green to crispy shades of Autumn however, we yearn for companionship. It’s a fact. It’s science. It’s instinct. 

Much like a bear, our natural intuition tells us to bunker down and protect ourselves from the oncoming cold. That means movie marathons, duvet days, and ideally someone to hug and to hold. As the cold weather bites, you owe it to yourself to find that special someone, even if what you are really searching for is a human-sized hot water bottle. 

We have compared the best dating sites and apps in the UK to help you in your journey, just in time for cuffing season.

Having avoided being tied down all summer, it can be an adjustment when signing up to a dating service. For those of you that aren’t ready to make a serious commitment to an individual site, FriendFinder could be the perfect choice. It’s an easy-to-use and fun service that requires only as much commitment from you as you are willing to give. So the move from single to cuffed is as painless as possible.  

With FriendFinder, you are able to search existing members without having to sign up. Again, this appeals to the toe-dipper. No scary commitment up front, allowing you to test the water before diving in. 

The FriendFinder Magazine also helps to provide the all-important details before you make your selection. You can gobble up information on tips, articles, polls, and more.

You will need a paid membership to interact with others. So whilst it’s great to be able to search for existing members without signing up, you can’t really do anything when you find your perfect cuffing partner, unless you pay up. 

As the name suggests, EliteSingles is known for being a bit exclusive. The site relies on a highly detailed matching system stemming from a questionnaire that analyses 29 unique character traits. That’s a lot of character right there. With the comprehensive profiles (with similarities highlighted for easy matching), filtering, and verification options, Elite Singles is an option for more discerning types. 

The signup process is frustrating and much lengthier than other dating sites. EliteSingles boasts over 13 million members worldwide however, and claims that an average of 2,000 couples pair off every month, so if you make it through signup, the chances of success are high.

Another issue is the search option, which doesn’t exist, and accessibility without paying, which is also non-existent. Other than that, EliteSingles is a serious option for selective professionals, who are looking for something genuine.

eHarmony is not a site for hook-ups. So move on if that’s your game. Cuffing season lasts right up until next Spring, or beyond, so you better come ready to find love. Or at least be open to the possibility. A lot can happen in the space of a few months. 

With a heavy focus on determining compatibility, eHarmony.co.uk gives members in-depth tools for getting to know themselves as individuals and within a couple. Take this chance to do some serious personal growth, to become a better person and a better lover. You might just learn a thing or two.

eHarmony’s 29 Dimensions of Compatibility matching system is backed up by more than 15 years of data.

The site has a completely customised user experience, from dashboard insights, to other profiles members see on the site, with unique guided communication options ensuring users learn about others in depth. 

There’s no such thing as a perfect dating site and eHarmony is no different. It has limitations.  There’s no video integrated into the site, there are a limited number of matches, and there is no search option which makes finding a match a little more troublesome.

Having said all of that, eHarmony claims to be responsible for over 11,000 marriages. If they can get people to tie to knot then surely they can find someone for you to cuddle in the cold.

Match.com places itself as one of the industry leaders in the matchmaking category due to the unique features of their fully developed mobile app.

The guys and girls at Match are continuously improving their matching algorithm, incorporating user feedback and behaviour. This has resulted in extensive search and discovery opportunities, making scouting for potential matches easier and less stressful. 

If there’s something you feel is missing from the site or app, chances are it won’t be that way for too long. Match promises to incorporate user feedback, so new features are regularly added. 

On the flip side, approval on the site is not instant, which is frustrating. Also, month-to-month costs are higher than average, and the online to offline process can be lengthy. 

The main difference between Affinity and Match is that Affinity prioritises the need for compatibility in matchmaking. Therefore you need to take a personality test before you can match with anyone. When you do, you should match with people who share your values and interests.

Another key difference to Match is the way in which you search for matches. You can search yourself on Match, but on Affinity, the site does all the work by pairing you up with people deemed most compatible, giving you a daily recommendation of singles who share your values. Whether this is a positive or a negative depends on you. It takes a lot of the weight off your shoulders but you get less control over your matches. 

It comes down to how much you trust the system. Affinity.co.uk is a trusted name in the world of matchmaking and has a quality compatibility questionnaire to fall back on. It does however have a fairly limited member pool, so you are putting a lot of faith in that questionnaire. 

Affinity.co.uk has a high monthly rate, but you can sit back and let them do the work for you.

Much like Affinity, Parship UK is ideally suited to people looking for a long-term relationship and who would like to leave the searching to someone else. The Parship system recommends matches to its members based on their compatibility score. 

Parship uses their own formula-based approach to matchmaking. That means you’ll have to take a pretty lengthy compatibility test, similar to eHarmony’s. This can feel a little clinical (and let’s face it, nobody likes tests) but the experts at Parship attest to its effectiveness. The test helps to determine each member’s personality type. Once you’ve made it through, profiles of suggested matches will be sent to you as they turn up. You have the option of taking a look closer at your matches, or ignore them. The choice is yours!

Access for non-paying members is severely restricted. The matchmaking system can be used and it’s possible to send ice-breakers, but emails can’t be sent or opened until you upgrade to premium. So you are kind of forced into making a decision. Continue with ice-breakers and blurry pictures, or find your perfect match for cuffing season? The choice is yours again. 

On the face of it, Dating Direct is remarkably similar to Match. The reason? Both sites belong to the same parent company. The result is that members of both sites are shared together on one single database, totaling 4.5 million UK members. The chances of finding a match therefore look pretty good from the outset with Dating Direct. 

The key differences are the interface colours and mobile support (which Dating Direct lacks). The main feature of Dating Direct is ‘the Daily Six’. The site utilises its matching algorithm to carefully pick six different members that it predicts will work for you. Whether they do or not is something you will have to try for yourself. Then — as simple as it gets — you are asked the question: “would you like to meet them?” and can respond with either: yes, no, or maybe. Understood? If you opt for yes, then that person is informed that you are interested in them. But you still need to make the all-important first move and make conversation.

It’s important to note that you can’t access Dating Direct from your mobile. So if you prefer to look for a partner on the go, then Match may be the better option. But if you prefer to stay in the comfort of your own home, then Dating Direct shouldn’t be ruled out. 

Surprise, surprise, Guardian Soulmates is dominated by Guardian readers. If you believe the Guardians’ own reader profiles, these cuffing candidates are wealthy foodies who likes to travel and invest. Sounds like the dream right?

Guardian Soulmates welcomes you with the tag “meet someone worth meeting”, and that’s what it is all about really, isn’t it? The typical questionnaire is super basic so the bulk of your profile is a 2000-word essay about yourself. Yep.  And then another 2000-word essay about what you’re looking for in a partner. Blimey.

Déjà vu incoming. There’s a feature called “your matches”, much like we have seen before. Guardian Soulmates use the criteria that you select in the ‘who you’re looking for’ page to put together a list of compatible ‘soulmates’. Something a little different however, for each individual criteria, you can choose to set how important these criteria are to you. If these are also important to other site members, you will be matched together. A nice touch!

OK, OK. This isn’t a matchmaking service quite like the others on this list. And it isn’t strictly for those looking for something that will last throughout cuffing season.

Ashley Madison is arguably the most well-known adultery site, and is geared towards attached individuals looking for discreet sexual encounters. So the cuffing season criteria is a little grey here. 

The site is exceptionally clear cut, with a user-friend layout and sensitive navigation. It also has an extensively large user base. 

The site lacks some basic community-based features such as chatrooms or forums. But that’s not really what Ashley Madison is all about anyway. The payment system is also confusing with no standard month-by-month membership option. 

So whether you’re looking for long term love or just someone to keep you warm for the next few months, there are a whole range of sites and apps that have you covered.