Have you been struggling to connect with people and end a period of loneliness in your life? Or are you looking for casual fun with interested individuals? Before the internet, finding people to date was a tough social endeavor. Now, there are tons of online dating services that conveniently match you with people based on dozens of factors.
Two of the most well-known dating services are Match and eHarmony. Though they're both reputable, it can be hard to know which will have better results for you.
I've compared the two services so you can determine which is best based on your demographic, budget, desires, and convenience priorities.
Overview of eHarmony and Match
Both Match and eHarmony are well-known, having launched multi-media advertising campaigns with millions of views and shares. You've probably seen a commercial or banner ad for both services.
The same basic idea is integrated with both. By gathering information about you, your location, your interests, and your ideal partner, the sites match you with individuals who you already have some base compatibility with.
The target demographic for eHarmony tends to be those who are looking for committed connections and lifelong relationships. This means that the matching process is more intensive and incorporates more personalized factors. It can also be a little difficult to navigate due to the complexity.
Meanwhile, Match is a more casual service geared toward those who want an easy way to spice up their social lives. The matching process isn't as involved, since the criteria is based around what will create the best short-term connections.
Program Features
eHarmony
Match
Winner: eHarmony
eHarmony has more robust and unique features. In addition, their matching process uses relationship compatibility tools that build long-lasting connections rather than fleeting fun.
Sign-Up Processes
eHarmony
Because eHarmony has a more involved matching system, the sign-up process requires at least an hour of your time. It's not the most convenient thing in the world. But it does allow those who are serious about relationships to save time on comparing their goals with other people's.
The 29 Dimensions of Compatibility algorithm is used during registration. You'll be given an ongoing list of questions to answer. Depending on how you respond, the site will match you with others.
The questions are easy to answer. You don't have to do any soul-searching or essay writing. But because there are so many, you might get tired of answering them. The time you spend here, though, will save hours upon hours of getting to know your matches.
Match
The Match process is designed for busy individuals who want a convenient dating experience. It's made to be user-friendly. Since it's not as intensive, you only need to invest around fifteen to thirty minutes in the building of your profile. That's a great choice for people with a more casual interest.
One potential issue is that you have to wait for the profile to be moderator approved after completing it. That can cause a delay lasting 24 hours. There's another delay as the site adapts to your preferences, too, so you don't get the instant answers available with the other program.
You can sign up for a free account to view your basic matches and send them "winks." For messages, trackable interactions, and the ability to manage your contacts, you have to upgrade to the paid subscription.
Winner: eHarmony
eHarmony's initial sign-up process may be longer, but as long as you have the time, it's simple and intuitive. In the long run, you end up wasting less time since there aren't frustrating delays in seeing and getting to know your matches.
Pricing Packages
eHarmony
Monthly rates:
Match
Monthly rates:
Winner: Match
The Match plans are significantly less expensive. Plus, you can make a trial account to explore the interface. But eHarmony's software gives you a higher chance of long-term connection. It's all about what level of investment you're willing to put in.
Match Quality
eHarmony
A third party analysis discovered that more than 500 couples that met on eHarmony get married every single day. That means more than 180,000 annual marriages.
Most of your match information is captured upon signup. You're given immediate access to your matches. One thing to note is that the site doesn't let you view profiles of individuals who didn't match high enough with the algorithm.
eHarmony allows you to view a limited set of matches each day. But since their profiles are more in-depth, you can more easily determine whether you're compatible. It saves a lot of time.
Match
This website has led to the beginning of more than 500,000 relationships and 92,000 marriages. Couples matched through the service have had more than a million babies.
Rather than using your sign-up data alone, Match has dynamic matching capabilities that change depending on your site activity and search criteria.
You'll input information about what you're looking for in a partner. If there are trends in the profiles you tend to view, Match will incorporate those into the algorithm as well.
Unlike the other program, this service allows you to view your match percentages with every user on the site.
Winner: eHarmony
The dynamic shifting of the Match program lets you view more people, but it doesn't help build long-term connections. With eHarmony, all the relevant information is used across every single match.
See Full Review of - eHarmony | Match
Pros and Cons of eHarmony
PROS
CONS
Pros and Cons of eHarmony
PROS
CONS
Final Verdict
Both eHarmony and Match are excellent, well-known dating services that give you access to similarly-minded individuals in your location. Both platforms boast a high success rate. The biggest difference depends on what you're looking for in a relationship.
If you're seeking a committed, long-term investment, then eHarmony is the service for you. Though it's a little more expensive, the increased personalization makes it easy to find people with long-term compatibility. In addition to matching based on hobbies and opinions, you can match with those who have shared life goals.
For people who prefer a more casual, laid-back service, Match has the functionality you need. It's quick and convenient to sign up and personalize your profile. You can meet people based on shared interests, hobbies, ideologies, and other factors. Match's algorithm just lends itself better to casual relationships than long-term ones.
