Dating as a widow can be a complicated journey. A part of you may want to move on but another may still be too deeply intertwined in the past. Your head may tell you to look for new connections but your heart is not ready to let go of the memories shared with your life partner. Not knowing where to even begin looking for someone new can complicate matters even more. Dating sites for widows can, thus, prove to be an important tool in helping you take an important step in the right direction.
Besides grappling with grief, loss and loneliness, making space for someone new in your life after having shared a significant part of it with your deceased partner can be intimidating, to say the least. Add to that the confusion of navigating the modern, swipe-centric dating scene, the odds can seem daunting for widow singles.
Are there dating sites for widows? If so, what are the odds of success on these platforms? Are these dating sites safe? Questions like these can cloud your mind, leaving you unsure about how and where to begin. Except it doesn’t have to be that way. With the best dating sites for widows at your disposal, you can begin your journey of finding love again at any stage of life.
11 Dating Sites And Apps For Widows – Time For New Beginnings
Linda lost her husband Wilson to cancer 8 years ago. As a couple in their 40s, Linda and Wilson were looking forward to the next, more laid-back chapter of life. Early retirement and spending their golden years together – they had fantasized about what awaited them over and over again. Then, Wilson’s diagnosis turned everything on its head. Wilson succumbed two years later, and Linda did not know how to adjust to her new reality.
The kids had flown the nest, and she found herself consumed with loneliness. It took her close to a decade, but Linda learned to come to terms with her loss and grief. She was ready to start that new chapter of life that she and Wilson so fondly imagined, without him. Having embraced her place in the widow singles club, she looked forward to turning over a new leaf.
The prospect of dating after 50 and widowed seemed too scary. Her girl friends took it upon themselves to teach her the ropes of widows dating online, beginning with a lowdown on the best dating sites for widows she could sign up on:
1. OurTime
Available on: Browser, iOS, Android
USP: Exclusively for people over 50, easy to use
Dating after 50 and widowed, your heart can be in a fragile place. OurTime, an exclusive community of people above 50, not only makes this transition easier but also safer by minimizing the risk of romance scammers lurking to bait unsuspecting, vulnerable seniors. This dating site catering exclusively to single seniors helps the divorced and widowed make a fresh start and rebuild intimate connections.
All the widow singles looking to dip their toes in the dating pool and find someone in the same age group as them must keep OurTime on their radar. This dating platform stands out for its ease of use. From creating your dating profile to search features and messaging, every functionality is straightforward, designed to make sure that tech challenges do not get in the way of older women and men seeking love.
While this isn’t exactly a free widow dating site, you can certainly get started and browse profiles without signing up for paid membership. However, the advanced features unlocked with in-app purchases, definitely make it worth every penny spent for those who’re seriously looking to find a match.
For example, users who sign up for free cannot send messages or view photos of other members. To be able to do that, you need to subscribe to their premium plans that are priced at $44.95 per month, $34.95 per month for six months or $24.95 per month for a year. This ensures that only users who are truly invested in the process can connect and interact with others – making it one of the most ideal dating sites for widows.
4. LoveBeginsAt
Available on: Browser, iOS, Android
USP: Private profiles, Live Chat
LoveBeginsAt hands-down qualifies among the best dating sites for widows. Harnessing an exclusive dating community for people over 40, this platform facilitates connections between people from across the world. And it doesn’t have to be about romance and love solely.
Whether you’re seeking someone to engage in meaningful conversations with, looking to date seriously or even find love, LoveBeginsAt has room for every kind of intimate connection. The dating site and corresponding apps are tailored to the needs of mid-life risers who want to give love another chance.
Thanks to their live chat feature you can connect with anyone in any part of the world without having to share your contact details with them before you feel completely ready to do so.
This is another one of the totally free dating sites for widows that you can leverage to invite genuine friendships or even true love into your life again. Once you complete the simple sign-up process, you are all set to connect with thousands of like-minded people who are in the same place in life as you.
8. Christian Mingle
Available on: Browser, Android and iOS
USP: Exclusively for Christian singles
This is one of the most popular online dating platforms out there that widow singles can avail of to give love another chance. Unlike some other dedicated dating sites for widows and widowers, Christian Mingle caters to people of all age groups and backgrounds seeking to date and marry within their faith.
Christian Mingle can be a great platform for religious widow singles seeking to form a connection with someone who shares their belief in God. To get started, you can create a free account and even reach out to a select number of matches without having to upgrade to a premium version. This popular dating platform has worked for Christian singles across the board, and widows seeking widowers are no exception.
It boasts of having facilitated more than 2 million long-term relationships and marriages in the US alone. This is undoubtedly one of the dating sites for widows seeking to date seriously or find a meaningful, lifelong connection.
11. Match.com
Available on: Browser, Android, iOS
USP: For serious relationship seekers
Match.com may not be one of those exclusive dating sites for widows but it is a legit and popular dating platform that caters to everyone’s needs. With more than 30 million members and 13.5 million monthly users, your odds of meeting someone you feel that instant chemistry with are amplified manifold. Besides, unlike most other popular dating apps, Match doesn’t focus on millennials or young singles alone.
Since a majority of its users are about 30, it’s considered to be the go-to choice for people seeking serious, long-term relationships. Even though it’s not among the totally free dating sites for widows, you can start with the free basic membership to dip your toes in the dating scene and upgrade if you feel the need to.
