Our Verdict
OurTime is the most welcoming introduction to online dating for the over-50s. It’s affordable, straightforward to use, and backed by the reliability of Match Group. If you’ve never tried online dating before, this is the gentlest place to start.
Overall rating: ★★★★☆ 4.0 / 5 | Best for: Beginners & companionship | From: £15.99/month
Visit OurTime Free →What is OurTime?
OurTime is a dating site built exclusively for singles over 50, operated by Match Group — the company behind Match.com, Tinder, and Hinge. That parentage matters: OurTime benefits from Match Group’s technical infrastructure, security standards, and years of experience building dating platforms, while being entirely focused on the mature dating market.
Launched in 2011, OurTime has grown into one of the largest dedicated over-50s dating platforms in the UK, with millions of members worldwide and a strong presence in Britain. Its positioning is deliberately approachable — it’s designed to feel like a friendly community rather than a high-pressure matchmaking service, which makes it particularly appealing to people who are taking their first steps into online dating.
Unlike eHarmony or SilverSingles, which are built around structured personality matching and serious relationship goals, OurTime has a lighter, more social feel. You can search and browse profiles yourself, attend local singles events, and connect with people looking for everything from friendship and companionship to a committed relationship.
How Does OurTime Work?
Signing up takes around 10–15 minutes — considerably quicker than eHarmony or SilverSingles. You create a profile with photos, a written description, and basic information about yourself and what you’re looking for. OurTime then uses a combination of your stated preferences and interest-based matching to suggest compatible profiles.
Unlike the algorithm-led platforms, OurTime lets you browse profiles yourself, which many people find more natural. You can search by location, age, interests, and other criteria. When you find someone you like, you can send a “Flirt” (a free expression of interest) or, with a paid subscription, send a full message.
OurTime also organises local singles events — from coffee mornings to wine tastings — where members can meet in person in a relaxed, no-pressure setting. For over-50s who find the idea of a formal “date” with a stranger daunting, these events are a genuinely valuable alternative.
OurTime Features
Easy Profile Creation
OurTime’s profile setup is among the most straightforward of any dating site. You’re guided through each step clearly, and the profile questions are conversational rather than clinical. For anyone who has found other dating sites confusing or overwhelming, OurTime’s simplicity is a genuine relief.
Interest-Based Matching
OurTime matches profiles based on shared interests and lifestyle preferences. While this is less sophisticated than eHarmony’s 32-dimension compatibility model, it produces matches that feel natural and easy to start conversations with — you already know you share something in common before you’ve typed a word.
Flirts and Messages
Free members can send Flirts — pre-set expressions of interest — to profiles they like. Premium members can send full messages. There’s also a “Boost” feature that temporarily increases your profile’s visibility in search results, which can be useful if you want to attract more attention from new members.
Local Singles Events
One of OurTime’s most distinctive features is its programme of local events — casual social gatherings for members to meet in person. These are organised in towns and cities across the UK and cover a wide range of activities. For people who feel more comfortable meeting in a group than on a one-to-one first date, these events are a brilliant way to ease into dating again.
Who’s Viewed Me
OurTime shows you who has viewed your profile, which gives you a useful shortlist of people who are already interested. Reaching out to someone who has already looked at your profile feels considerably less intimidating than contacting a complete stranger cold.
Mobile App
The OurTime app is available on iOS and Android and is well-designed for the target audience — larger text, clear navigation, and no confusing features buried in menus. It works well as a primary interface for members who prefer their phone to a computer.
OurTime UK Pricing
| Plan | Duration | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Month | 1 month | £27.99/month |
| 3 Months | 3 months | £19.99/month |
| 6 Months | 6 months | £15.99/month |
OurTime is the most affordable dedicated over-50s platform we’ve reviewed, with the 6-month plan coming in at £15.99 per month. Free membership allows you to create a profile, browse, and send Flirts — which is enough to get a genuine feel for the platform and the quality of members in your area before committing.
It’s worth noting that OurTime uses an add-on model for some features (such as Boost), which are purchased separately. Factor this in when comparing costs with other platforms where all features are included in the subscription price.
OurTime Pros and Cons
What we like
- Exclusively over-50s — every profile you see is age-appropriate by design. No filtering required.
- The most beginner-friendly platform available — simple sign-up, clear interface, and a supportive community feel make it ideal for first-time online daters.
- Most affordable dedicated over-50s site — at £15.99/month on the 6-month plan, it’s the best value for money in this category.
- Local singles events — a genuinely unique feature that gives you a low-pressure way to meet people in person.
- Match Group quality and security — the technical reliability and safety standards of the world’s largest dating company, in an age-specific wrapper.
- Browse freely — you’re not dependent on an algorithm. You can search and find people yourself.
Things to consider
- Matching is less sophisticated — interest-based matching doesn’t go as deep as the personality-based systems used by eHarmony or SilverSingles. If finding a deeply compatible partner is the primary goal, those platforms will serve you better.
- Add-on upsells — some features cost extra on top of your subscription, which can add up if you use them regularly.
- Less focused on serious relationships — OurTime’s broader positioning (companionship, friendship, dating) means the membership is more mixed in its intentions than eHarmony’s. If you specifically want a committed long-term relationship, you may find eHarmony or SilverSingles more efficient.
- Smaller active user base in rural areas — as with all niche platforms, the pool can be thinner outside major cities.
Who is OurTime Best For?
OurTime is the best starting point if you’ve never tried online dating before and find the idea a little daunting. Its approachable design, gentle community feel, and local events make the whole experience feel considerably less intimidating than more structured platforms.
It’s also the right choice if you’re looking for companionship or friendship as much as a romantic relationship — OurTime’s broader social focus makes it welcoming for people whose needs are less specifically defined.
And if cost is a consideration, OurTime’s pricing makes it the most accessible option in the dedicated over-50s category.
How OurTime Compares
Against SilverSingles, OurTime is more affordable and more beginner-friendly, but SilverSingles’ personality matching is considerably more sophisticated and better suited to people who specifically want a serious relationship.
Against eHarmony, OurTime is cheaper, quicker to sign up for, and less intense — but eHarmony’s track record for long-term relationship success is unmatched. Think of OurTime as the right choice if you want to ease in; eHarmony if you’re ready to commit to the process.
Against Match.com, OurTime has the advantage of being exclusively over-50s — on Match you’ll need to actively filter for your age group. Match has a larger total pool and also runs events, but OurTime’s interface is noticeably more tailored to its audience.
Our Verdict
OurTime occupies a unique and valuable position in the UK over-50s dating market. It’s not trying to be the most sophisticated platform — it’s trying to be the most welcoming, and it succeeds. For anyone who feels nervous about online dating, or who wants an affordable way to test the waters, OurTime is the right place to start.
Browse for free first and see what the membership looks like in your area. The quality and activity level varies by location, but most UK members find plenty of relevant profiles within a reasonable distance.
Start browsing OurTime for free
No commitment — see who’s near you before you subscribe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is OurTime free to use in the UK?
You can create a profile, browse other members, and send Flirts (expressions of interest) on OurTime for free. Sending and receiving full messages requires a paid subscription, starting from £15.99 per month on a 6-month plan.
Who uses OurTime?
OurTime is exclusively for singles aged 50 and over. It attracts a wide range of people — from those newly single after a long relationship, to those who’ve been dating for a while and want a dedicated over-50s community. The platform is particularly popular with people who are new to online dating.
Does OurTime run events in the UK?
Yes — OurTime organises local singles events in towns and cities across the UK. These range from informal coffee meetups to evening social events, and are open to paying members. They’re a great option if you’d rather meet people in a relaxed group setting before committing to a one-to-one date.
Is OurTime safe?
OurTime is operated by Match Group, which applies strong security standards across its platforms. Profiles are monitored for suspicious activity, and the site uses SSL encryption to protect your data. As with any dating platform, be cautious about sharing personal financial information with new matches.