Editor's Rating | |
---|---|
Overall | |
Features | |
Ease Of Use | |
Price | |
Customer Service |
Positives
- Innovative matchmaking system
- Entertaining setup
- Detailed compatibility information
- In-depth personality test
- Intuitive
Negatives
- Limited free version
- No free trial
Online dating site eharmony was founded in 2000 by professional psychologist Neil Clark Warren, who wanted to ensure high-quality matchmaking through a scientific approach. The first dating service to use algorithms, eharmony’s compatibility tests are perfect for users looking to find connections locally or abroad.
Although this scientific approach may be elaborate, the test and its results are clearly presented and easy to understand. The platform doesn’t overwhelm, offering up a couple of new matches daily.
Despite eharmony’s lack of features in its free plan, this still provides users with a taste of this dating service’s potential. The overall layout of profiles is attractive, and the whole experience is consistent across platforms.
Features
Many dating sites have personality tests. However, eharmony takes this concept to the next level by applying the findings of over two decades of psychological studies to offer professional personality profiling. Despite all of eharmony’s work behind the curtains, users can also narrow down matches with a search filter that includes criteria like age, height, and education.
You can also set location filters by state and country since this service also provides matches from countries like Canada, Australia, and the UK. However, this option is limited to paid subscriptions. Still, we particularly liked how intuitive and straightforward the dating site – perfect even for the newcomers to the world of online dating.
Getting Started
Creating your profile on eharmony is highly intuitive. The initial information necessary is the same as on any dating site, such as your email address, nickname, age, and relationship status.
After finishing the basic steps, you are redirected to an in-depth and expertly structured personality test to answer numerous questions about yourself. For example, we were presented with a series of personality traits and invented situations to respond to, based on how well they described us.
The process takes a few minutes, but it is necessary to create an accurate profile. The test concludes with the optional step of providing your phone number for future assistance from customer service and the uploading of your photo.
After the test, all results are displayed in eharmony’s personality profile section in a colorful circular-shaped chart where you can navigate your traits. Plus, you’re given a detailed explanation of the fundamentals of your personality. It’s possible to view your first matches right after finishing your profile assessment.
Matching System
If you think the customization options end after registration with eharmony, you’re in for a surprise. When navigating your profile for the first time, the extent of extra details you can share about yourself is impressive. For example, you can choose from lifestyle choices like interests and hobbies and answer additional questions about yourself, like what you do in your free time.
All this information helps eharmony because the more you reveal about yourself, the easier it is for the search engine to find matches. Plus, all profile information is attractively presented.
While all matches are accompanied by a compatibility score with detailed explanations, these are limited with the free plan, which provides only part of this information. However, you’re offered new matches with active users on the platform every day.
Communication
All communication features, such as sending and receiving messages, are exclusively available for paying members. Freemium users can respond to a first message but are otherwise limited to sending smiles and icebreakers and liking another user’s profile or traits. Icebreakers are a quick game only available once both users have liked something on the other’s profile.
While premium users can message other users, this is only possible if they have first liked something on their profile. The displayed matches are presented like a grid of polaroid photos, accompanied by the user’s information and an icon to indicate any matches. While freemium users can access all this, the photos are blurred. This is limiting but also understandable as a privacy protection measure, mainly against catfish scammers.
Mobile
eharmony fully understands the needs of today’s online dating community and provides a mobile-optimized version that can be accessed from any browser. However, it’s slower than its app and website, so we recommend you download eharmony’s app, which is available for iOS and Android.
The app is as easy to navigate as the website, making the whole experience seamless and intuitive. In addition, the app offers a highlight button on each match with information on shared interests.
Pricing
eharmony’s pricing is simple, with a limited free plan and three premium packages. The best deal is the Premium Extra plan, which is a 2-year contract costing $17.90 per month, or $429.60 in total. The next best offer is the Premium Plus plan for $25.90 per month for a 1-year contract. Finally, the most expensive plan is the 6-month contract for $35.90 per month.
No matter the length of your plan, it’s possible to choose between making one, two, four, or monthly payments. However, monthly billing does result in paying more since there’s an interest rate with this option. For example, if you subscribe to eharmony’s Premium Extra plan with a 2-year subscription and choose monthly payments, you fork over an additional $24.
While freemium users can create a complete profile and discover and like matches, all Premium plans offer vital features, such as unlimited messaging, unblurred photos, distance search, and detailed personality profiles. The company accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, and PayPal.
Customer Service
Like the rest of the site, eharmony’s help section is well-designed and easy to use. You can see the popular FAQ section right away, but you’re also able to use the search bar. This suggests answers but if you can’t find what you’re after, you can get in touch with customer service via email using its contact form.
The site also sports various dating advice guides and safety tips, which can come in handy if you want to increase your chances of finding a match without compromising your privacy. eharmony is also on YouTube, X, Facebook, and Instagram, although it’s only active on some.
Bottom Line
eharmony easily ranks as one of the best dating sites out there. It turns matchmaking into a unique and pleasant experience with its colorful design. All profiles provide layers of information, motivating you to learn more about the other person’s hobbies and habits.
The results of the personality test appear in a chart with extensive details and insights. Not only that, but all matches are given a score, and you can check detailed information on what made you match in the first place. eharmony also excels with its great app for Android and iOS, and its website is a pleasure to navigate.
Unfortunately, all the most essential communication features are kept for the premium accounts, leaving freemium users with the bare minimum. Still, eharmony remains a trailblazer in online dating, with a matchmaking system that works like a charm. Visit eharmonyFree Forever
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Helen says
Joined from Spain as this seemed to be a good site, seems everyone is more than 200km away from me. No actual use.
Daniel (Best Reviews Team) says
Hello John! Thanks for your comment, and we’re sorry to hear that eHarmony wasn’t able to cater to your needs. Indeed, the platform mainly operates in English-speaking countries (U.S., UK, Canada, and Australia). Back in 2015, eHarmony was thinking about expanding its services to Spanish-speaking countries by launching a Spanish version of the platform. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem to exist anymore.
eHarmony’s Terms of Service state that it doesn’t provide refunds unless in very specific situations. That’s why we always recommend trying software with a free account first (when available). At least, eHarmony gave you an extra year of service. We’re sure the dates were just a typo and that the customer support agent meant 2023. However, considering that eHarmony doesn’t seem to be planning to relaunch its Spanish version any time soon, we know it doesn’t help you at all.
So, we recommended trying out dating sites that cater to a Spanish audience, such as Matchmaker or Dating Direct. Make sure to create a free account first to test the waters and check whether the platform offers what you’re looking for. We hope you the best in your dating endeavors!
John says
Well, eharmony may be good in the countries that it caters for, i.e. about 4 English speaking ones. But if you live in any other country, do not bother with this site, as you will not be able to set a distance limit on your potential matches. Therefore, you will receive hundreds of matches from around the globe! About as much use as a chocolate teapot!
I have tried to reclaim my subscription, because in my view, they have failed to fulfil their end of the deal, but of course to no avail. They could have easily detected my location (Spain) and displayed a message pointing out this limitation to their service in this country. They have offered me an extension on my year long contract from 1 Oct 2022 to the 1 Oct 2022 (yes, you read that correctly)!
Daniel (Best Reviews Team) says
Hello Myona! Thanks for reaching out. It’s true that eHarmony is more expensive than most dating sites, but there are a few reasons why the investment is worthwhile. When it comes to features, eHarmony offers one of the most comprehensive matching systems on the market that will match your profile with equal-minded individuals. Moreover, due to eHarmony’s marketing strategy, most of its users are looking for serious relationships.
Regarding their marketing claims, there are official statistics to back them up. For example, recent studies show that nearly 4% of American marriages come from couples matched by eHarmony. Indeed, some of those marriages end up in divorce. Even so, it’s still a small percentage (around 3.9%) when compared to the national average, which is roughly 11.4%.
In the end, eHarmony is a great dating app for serious relationships, but it does take some time to find your other half, as most studies say it takes around a year to find your special someone. We hope that we were able to answer your eHarmony questions, and we wish you the best in your dating life.
Myona says
I feel eharmony is a little more expensive than I thought it would be. If eharmony has the most members, then there must not be so many successful relationships as they claim. They say someone Finds Love On eharmony every 14 minutes and happier relationships. They offer personalized matches and you find true compatibility. If I find love why would I still be on the website looking?. What is eharmony really offering that other sites don’t.
Robert says
Why would you join a site that doesn’t allow you to see people’s picturs until after you pay?