Your Guide to the OurTime Dating App

Are you over 50 and ready to meet someone special?

The over-50 demographic is the fastest growing on dating apps, and more seniors than ever have found love online and even gotten married!

With over 1.5 million users, OurTime is the most popular dating app designed for singles over 50. Part of the People Media family of niche dating sites, OurTime focuses on mature daters’ unique needs and goals, whether you’re looking for a serious relationship, casual companionship, or anything in between. You’ll find a community of like-minded singles who share your interests and values, and OurTime’s user-friendly features make it easy to form meaningful connections.

This comprehensive guide’ll walk you through everything you need to know about OurTime. This includes:

• How to create an eye-catching profile that gets results.
• Tips and tricks for finding your ideal match using OurTime’s search tools and matching system.
• A detailed look at OurTime’s free and paid features, and which ones are worth it.
• How OurTime stacks up against other popular senior dating apps.

Even if you’re new to online dating or apprehensive about getting started, we’ll break down the process step-by-step so you can get the most out of OurTime and find the meaningful connection you deserve. Let’s get started!

What is OurTime?

OurTime is an online dating service for singles aged 50 and up. Its mission is simple: to help mature men and women find companionship, romance, and lasting partnerships with like-minded individuals in their stage of life. 

Whether you’re looking for casual dates, a serious relationship, or someone to share life’s moments with, the OurTime dating app is working to connect over 50 singles.

OurTime is part of the People Media network, which comprises niche dating sites. It leverages decades of online dating experience and has built a strong reputation in the industry. The service is accessible via a mobile app for iOS and Android devices and a website, allowing you to access your account anytime and anywhere.

Since launching in 2011, OurTime has become one of the most popular and trusted dating services for the over-50 demographic. Here are some key stats showcasing its success:

• Over 1.5 million singles over 50 have joined OurTime. 
• OurTime ranks in the top 10 dating apps specifically for over 50 users.
• The over-50 audience is the fastest-growing demographic on online dating apps.

So whether you’re recently divorced, widowed, or have never been married, OurTime can introduce you to a community of singles who share your life experiences and relationship goals. Thousands of mature adults have found love and companionship through the app—and the next success story could be you!

How to Get Started on OurTime

Creating an account on the OurTime app is quick, simple, and completely free. The signup process takes less than 5 minutes—even if you’re not the most tech-savvy person, it’s a breeze! Here’s what you’ll need to provide:

• Email address
• Username and password 
• Age and location (zipcode)
• Gender and the gender you’re interested in meeting

Once your account is set up, you should create an attention-grabbing profile to attract compatible matches. Your profile is your first impression in online dating, so it’s important to put your best foot forward. 

Choose the Right Photos

The photos you select are the first thing potential matches will notice about your profile. Choose recent, high-quality pics that clearly show your face and body. Aim for photos showcasing your appearance, hobbies, and personality—for instance, a nice headshot, an action shot of you enjoying a favorite activity, and a full-body photo. Avoid using any old, blurry, or overly filtered pics.

Craft a Winning Headline  

Your headline appears next to your photo in search results, so it’s prime real estate for catching someone’s eye. Instead of going with a generic line like “Looking for love,” get creative and write something unique that showcases your personality or sense of humor. For instance, “Adventure-loving yogi seeks partner in fun” or “Retired teacher ready for new lessons in love.”

Showcase Your Personality in Your “About Me”

The “About Me” section is your chance to expand on who you are, what you’re passionate about, and what you’re looking for in a partner. Write in a positive, authentic voice, and let your personality shine through. Aim for a balance of wit, honesty, and detail—enough to give a well-rounded impression of yourself and spark interest, but not so much that you’re oversharing.  

Set Your Match Criteria

OurTime dating app lets you set detailed search criteria to find your ideal partner. Take advantage of this feature by clearly defining your preferences regarding age range, location, appearance, lifestyle habits, political views, and religious affiliation. Think about your must-haves and dealbreakers, but also keep an open mind—sometimes, the most meaningful connections happen when you least expect them!

Be Honest and Specific

When filling out your OurTime dating app profile, honesty is the best policy. Be truthful about your age, appearance, lifestyle, relationship history, and what kind of partnership you’re seeking. Not only is this important for building trust, but it will also help you attract matches genuinely compatible with the real you.

At the same time, get specific about your interests, values, and relationship goals. Instead of just checking off generic hobby boxes, mention the last great book you read, your all-time favorite travel destination, or how you love spending a lazy Sunday. 

The more you can paint a picture of your unique personality and lifestyle, the better you’ll be able to attract like-minded matches.  

Is OurTime a Good Dating Site?

OurTime is a popular dating site for singles over 50, offering advantages and drawbacks. On the plus side, it’s specifically designed for older adults with an easy-to-use interface and a large user base of age-appropriate singles seeking relationships. 

Users can search for matches based on interests and preferences, and there’s a free basic membership to try out the site. However, full functionality requires a paid subscription, and some users report issues with fake profiles and scammers. The site has limited options for same-sex relationships, and customer service can be slow to respond. 

While OurTime can be a good option for older singles comfortable with online dating and looking for serious relationships, it’s important to approach with caution, take things slowly, and be aware of potential scams. Trying the free version first can help determine if it’s a good fit before committing to a paid membership.

OurTime Features

Once your dating profile is set up, you can explore OurTime’s many features to help you find and connect with compatible matches. 

Search Filters to Find Your Ideal Partner

OurTime offers one of the most detailed search functions of any dating site, allowing you to fine-tune your match criteria based on:

• Age range 
• Location and distance from you
• Height, body type, and other appearance factors
• Interests and lifestyle preferences
• Political and religious views
• Education level and occupation
• Relationship history and family situation
• And more

You can also use OurTime’s keyword search to find profiles that mention specific hobbies, values, or traits you’re looking for. For example, searching for “golfing” or “volunteering” will surface potential matches who share those interests. 

The more you use these search filters, the better your chances of finding compatible matches.

Free Features to Flirt and Show Interest 

The OurTime dating service offers several free ways to break the ice and express interest in potential matches you discover through searching or browsing:

• Send a Flirt: A pre-written message to catch their attention.
• Add as a Favorite: Bookmark interesting profiles to revisit later.  
• Like Photos: Show that certain pics caught your eye.
• Notify Me: Get an alert when a particular user is online. 

These features are a great way to gauge interest before upgrading to a paid membership. However, it’s important to note that free members cannot send custom messages or view messages from others—for that, you’ll need to upgrade.  

Upgrade to Message Matches and Access Premium Features

To truly unlock OurTime’s communication power, you’ll want to upgrade to a premium membership. Paid subscribers can send, receive, and reply to unlimited messages with their mutual matches, allowing them to form deeper connections and set up dates. They can also see who has Flirted with or Favorited their profile.

In addition to messaging, several premium features can give you an extra boost:

• PromoteMe: Puts your profile at the top of relevant search results.
• Virtual Gifts: Send fun digital animations to your crushes. 
• Message Read Receipts: Know when your messages are seen.
• ProfilePro: Get expert advice to optimize your dating profile.  
• ConnectMe: Call matches through the app without revealing your number.

While not essential, these bonus features can increase your profile views and make conversations more engaging.

OurTime’s Smart Matching System

In addition to manual searching, OurTime will recommend potential matches for you each day based on your specified criteria and the site’s matching algorithm. While the exact science behind the algorithm is a secret, it takes into account factors like:  

• Your match preferences and dealbreakers.
• Who you’ve liked, favorited, and messaged.
• Which profiles you’ve clicked on and viewed.
• Your personality assessment results (if completed).
• Your on-site behavior and activity level.

To see your matches, click the Matches tab at the top of the page. You can sort the results by Match percentage, Distance, and other factors to easily find the most promising profiles. 

Tips for Matching Success on OurTime

Finding compatible matches on OurTime isn’t rocket science, but there are a few tips that can boost your success rate:

• Log in regularly (at least a few times per week) – active profiles get shown to more people!  
• Fine-tune your search criteria as you learn what you like and dislike.
• Always send a custom message with your Flirts – it shows genuine interest.
• Follow up on conversations promptly, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.  
• Request a phone call or in-person date within a week or two of matching.
• Be positive and respectful in all your interactions, even if there isn’t a spark.

What the OurTime Community Looks Like

The OurTime singles community is diverse and growing. Users are typically in their 50s, 70s, and 80s. Most users seek a serious, long-term relationship, though some are interested in casual companionship or platonic friendships. 

While many members think about love and marriage, an equal number say they’re simply looking for someone to talk to and enjoy life with during their golden years.

According to the most recent source, OurTime has about 52% female and 48% male members. The site doesn’t publicize exact membership numbers, but over 1.5 million over 50 singles have created free profiles on the app, with several hundred thousand active users at any given time. 

Many OurTime users are retired, divorced, or widowed and new to the modern dating scene, so the site aims to make them feel comfortable connecting online. 

While OurTime is open to singles of all backgrounds, users tend to skew more conservative and religious than the general dating pool. Most are seeking a partner who shares their values and lifestyle preferences. OurTime’s detailed search filters and personality assessment make it easy to find a like-minded match, whether you’re looking for a churchgoing companion or an adventurous retiree to travel with.

How Much Does OurTime Cost?

Compared to other dating apps, OurTime has a fairly standard pricing model based on premium subscriptions. Joining the site and creating a dating profile is free, but you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan to unlock messaging and profile boosting features. 

Here’s how the OurTime membership plans break down:

Free Basic Plan: $0

• Create a profile with photos  
• Search and view profiles
• Send pre-written Flirts
• Reply to first messages from paid users

1-Month Full Price Plan: $34.96

All the Basic Plan features, plus:

• Unlimited messaging with other subscribers
• See who’s viewed & flirted with you 
• Access to ConnectMe app for secure phone calls with matches

3-Month Plan: $69 ($23/month)

All the 1-Month Plan features, plus:

• Message read receipts
• View members’ full-sized photos

6-Month Plan: $109.92 ($18/month) 

All the 3-Month Plan features, plus:

• Get featured in the Top Picks section
• PromoteMe to be seen by more matches
• Receive extra tokens for Virtual Gifts

Best Value 6-Month Plan: $89.76 ($14.96/month)

Everything in the standard 6-month Plan at a discounted price

The bottom line: OurTime is one of the pricier dating options for the over-50 crowd, especially compared to apps like SilverSingles, which offer free communication for all users. 

However, the site offsets this with a user-friendly interface, detailed search options, and unique features like audio greetings and digital gifting. Whether the premium price is worth it will depend on your budget and how serious you are about finding love.

OurTime Pros and Cons

Should we make a profile on OurTime? Here’s a quick rundown of the site’s biggest advantages and drawbacks compared to other popular senior dating apps:

Pros of OurTime:

• Simple, user-friendly interface for tech-shy boomers.
• Detailed search filters to pinpoint your ideal partner.
• Unique Flirt and gift features to make interactions more fun.   
• ConnectMe feature lets matches call privately and securely via the app.
• Robust community of genuine, relationship-seeking over-50 singles.

Cons of OurTime:

• At up to $35/month, subscriptions are pricier than some other senior sites 
• No video chat or in-depth compatibility matching like eharmony or EliteSingles.
• Can’t send/receive messages without a paid plan. 
• Smaller active user base in rural areas and small towns.
• Some online reviews complain of glitchy mobile apps and hard-to-cancel subscriptions.

Ultimately, OurTime’s reputation as a trustworthy site for mature singles speaks for itself. The platform makes it easy for over 50 daters to find and communicate with compatible partners who share their life stages and relationship goals. 

However, if you’re on a tight budget and are okay with a younger user base, you may have better luck on free apps like SilverSingles. If you’re seeking a more serious, long-term commitment, it could be worth investing in eharmony’s robust matchmaking. 

And if you’re simply dipping your toes into online dating, a mainstream site with senior-specific filters like Match.com or EliteSingles may have a larger pool of local matches.

Stay Safe While Looking for Love Online

Connecting with new people on OurTime can be an exciting, rewarding experience, but keeping safety and security in mind is important. While OurTime takes measures to verify profiles and keep scammers off the site, you should still exercise caution when talking to matches and setting up dates. Here are some essential do’s and don’ts to protect yourself while online dating:

DO:

• Get to know matches via messaging before sharing any personal info.  
• Schedule first dates in public places and drive yourself there. 
• Tell a friend your date plans and check in with them after.
• Trust your gut and cut off contact if someone seems suspicious.
• Report any abusive or fraudulent behavior to OurTime right away.

DON’T:

• Give out your full name, address, or financial details to matches.   
• Agree to have your first meeting in a private home or secluded area.
• Send intimate photos or videos that could be used for blackmail.
• Wire money or give financial assistance to online matches. 
• Let matches rush you into an offline meetup before you’re ready.

While most OurTime users are honest and well-intentioned, romance scams happen to seniors more than the general population. Stay alert for red flags like matches professing their love too quickly, refusing to video chat or meet in person, asking for money, or having inconsistent stories. Don’t hesitate to block the person and report them to the app if something feels off. 

Your Next Match Awaits on OurTime

Whether you’re recently divorced, widowed for years, or simply haven’t found “the one,” dating after 50 can feel daunting. Jumping into online dating—especially if you’ve never used an app before—may seem even scarier. 

But that’s exactly why OurTime was created: to make finding love, companionship, and romance accessible to singles in their golden years.

With its simple, user-friendly design and unique features tailored to over 50 users, OurTime takes the stress and guesswork out of mature dating. The detailed search filters ensure you’re only matched with people who fit your relationship preferences. The Flirts, Favorites, and ConnectMe features allow you to gauge chemistry before meeting in person. 

And the active community of genuine, like-minded OurTime singles means your perfect partner could be just one message away.

Of course, app success requires patience, effort, and an open mind. Take time to create a profile that truly captures your personality. Be proactive about reaching out to interesting matches. Approach each new connection with optimism and trust that the right person will come along with time. 

So what are you waiting for? There’s no better time to start writing your next love story. Create your free OurTime profile today and get ready to meet compatible, authentic over-50 singles who can’t wait to sweep you off your feet!