Match.com is the world's biggest online dating brand. With a huge active membership and advanced functionality this site offers a lot. They also offer their fab 'Make love happen' guarantee which means they're very sure you'll find someone special within 6 months of joining or you get a further 6 months free. It should be noted here that Match.com in Europe is now operated by the same people that run DatingDirect.com. They are effectively the same site in terms of functionality and possibly share the same member pool.
The Good: Freephone support • Industry leading features • Powerful member search • Mobile dating applications • Make Love Happen Guarantee
The Bad: Above average membership cost • No email support
Sign-up is fast and once you have verified your email address you can quickly start searching members. As a full member you can add a lot of additional information to your profile making it as comprehensive as you wish.
| Login via Facebook | Multiple photos | Video profiles | |||
| Compatibility testing | Photo via webcam | Sign up ~ 5 mins | |||
| Horoscopes | Photo editing |
Match.com has one of the best search functions we have seen. You have the option of a basic search based on location, age or advanced search where you can get very specific. Match.com also offers a number of "1-Click" seaches to find people based on some novel criteria. Search for those that have a birthday that day or are born on the same day as you. This site scores the maximum for search under our review criteria.
| Free to search | Advanced search | Save searches | |||
| Find new members | Postcode search | GPS-based search | |||
| Search last login | Gender search |
Good Halo for telephone support and the ability to cancel your membership online. We would have awarded a full marks if each profile displayed the date when the member was last online.
| Show last login | Online profile removal | Cancel subs online | |||
| Show who's online | Block / blacklists | ID checks |
Freephone telephone support is offered by this site along with the ability to cancel your profile online. There is also a comprehensive list of frequently asked questions. Good levels of assurance. Most payment methods are supported however this site doesn't have a non-recurring payment option.
| Credit / debit cards | Non-recurring fees | Phone support | |||
| Direct debit / SO's | Cancel subs online | ||||
| PayPal | Mobile payments |
Direct member communications are good and similar to most sites. This site also allows 'winks' and instant chat.
| Show who's online | Flirts, kisses, winks | Direct messaging | |||
| Show who's looking | Instant messaging | SMS texting | |||
| Friends list | Video chat |
This site offers applications for all current smartphone operating systems which is impressive. These have not been tested as part of this review however they are availiable via the app market for your device.
| iPhone app | Android app | GPS-based search | |||
| Blackberry app | Nokia app |
Many of the links on our website take you to your destination via a special re-direct. Rest assured this isn't anything weird or scary; it just means by using the link we may get a small commission for referring you. It helps us earn a little for putting this site together and is hugely appreciated. Thank you!
80%
overall review score
A host of expensive TV, radio and press advertising has propelled Match.com towards being probably the largest dating brand there is. Members will find plenty of potential matches where ever they are located.