EliteSingles Dating App Review: Does It Deliver Smarter Matches?
When people discover I'm single, one of their immediate questions is invariably: "Which dating apps are you using?" Having explored virtually every platform available, from Hinge's quirky prompts to Bumble's female-led messaging, Feeld's open-minded approach, and the ubiquitous Tinder, I've grown weary of endless swiping. This fatigue led me to investigate EliteSingles, a service that promises a more intelligent matchmaking experience.
The EliteSingles Proposition
According to its marketing, EliteSingles boasts that 82% of its members are university graduates, positioning itself as a platform for connecting individuals based on shared career ambitions, intellect, and educational background. While my personal priorities in a partner lean more toward kindness, affection, and an offbeat sense of humour, I was intrigued by their proposition. The service clearly targets serious daters through a steep membership fee and an extensive personality questionnaire designed to filter out casual users.
Unlike typical swipe-based apps, EliteSingles minimises emphasis on physical appearance by blurring photos for non-premium members. Instead of swiping, users receive curated daily matches supposedly aligned with their detailed profile.
Key Features and Pricing
EliteSingles Rating: 3 stars
Price Structure: Membership costs £54.99 per month, dropping to £34.99 monthly for quarterly billing, or £14.99 per month when billed annually.
Premium Benefits: Paid subscribers gain unlimited messaging, additional matches, visibility into who viewed their profile, and the ability to see profile photographs clearly.
Age Demographics: The platform primarily attracts users aged between 30 and 55 years old.
Inclusivity Concerns
A significant drawback is EliteSingles' limited inclusivity regarding gender identity. The platform only offers binary options for both user gender and preferred match gender, with no facility to indicate interest in multiple genders or identities beyond male and female. While it does inquire about preferred ethnicities and provides matches across diverse backgrounds, this restrictive approach to gender feels outdated compared to more flexible competitors like eHarmony and OKCupid.
Advantages of Using EliteSingles
- Extensive questioning covering personal traits and partner preferences, including image- and association-based questions resembling psychological testing.
- Reduced focus on appearance with greater emphasis on personality compatibility.
- Thorough registration process helps filter individuals not serious about dating.
Drawbacks to Consider
- High membership fees with extremely limited free version functionality.
- Only binary gender options, excluding bisexual users from selecting both men and women.
- Matches sometimes fall outside specified age or location parameters.
- Multiple daily email notifications can become overwhelming.
Testing Methodology and Verdict
Our testing involved creating a comprehensive profile, completing all questionnaire categories, and evaluating match quality, messaging features, and premium offerings. EliteSingles is decidedly not for casual daters. It represents a time- and money-intensive option for those genuinely seeking long-term relationships.
The personality assessment is thorough and thought-provoking, encouraging genuine reflection on relationship needs and partner priorities. Matches are generally thoughtful, with the intellectual focus providing a refreshing alternative to superficial swiping. However, the steep costs, limited inclusivity, and apparently smaller user base compared to mainstream apps significantly constrain its appeal.
It could prove worthwhile for professionals prioritising education and career ambition in a partner, provided they are willing to invest both time and money. For others, particularly LGBTQIA+ individuals or those seeking more flexible options, alternative platforms may offer better experiences.
User Experience Insights
Profile setup requires at least thirty minutes, representing a substantial initial time investment. The platform's insistence on premium upgrades immediately after profile creation proved frustrating, with exit barriers forcing browser restarts. While initial match notifications seemed promising, many fell outside stated preferences, suggesting potential limitations in user base size or matching algorithms.
Premium members receive higher-quality interaction, with users often sending thoughtful questions rather than generic greetings. The ability for members to highlight specific profile aspects they appreciate adds depth to connections.
Comparative Analysis
For those with disposable income and limited patience for swiping, EliteSingles offers a viable alternative to Hinge, Tinder, and Bumble. The questionnaire-based format appeals to some, though eHarmony's larger user base and scientifically-backed approach may yield better results. LGBTQIA+ users will find OKCupid substantially more accommodating with its inclusive gender and orientation options.
Online Reputation and FAQs
EliteSingles reviews present a mixed picture, with users reporting both high-quality matches and encountering fake profiles. While customer support receives praise for responsiveness, some users report issues with account management. The platform primarily targets university-educated professionals over 30 seeking serious relationships, with most members aged 30-55 and 85% holding degrees.
When comparing EliteSingles versus eHarmony, the former focuses on curated matches for ambitious, educated singles, while the latter employs broad personality testing with a larger user pool but rejects approximately 20% of applicants. The choice depends on whether users prioritise highly curated matches or access to a more extensive dating pool.
