Comparison
Date A Widower vs eharmony
A big name for committed relationships, or a site where everyone already understands widowhood.
- Free to join
- 18+ only
eharmony and Date A Widower both suit people who want something lasting rather than a string of casual dates. eharmony is one of the oldest names in online dating: it launched in 2000, it is built around a long Compatibility Quiz, and it serves adults of every age looking for a committed relationship. Date A Widower is a dating site for widows, widowers and the people who would like to meet them, with daily matches near you, private messages and free ID checks.
| What you get | Date A Widower | eharmony |
|---|---|---|
| Built for | Widows, widowers and people who want to date them | Adults of every age seeking commitment |
| How you meet people | A daily shortlist near you, then messages | Compatibility Quiz, then scored matches |
| Widowed people only? | Yes, that is what the site is for | No widow filter in its documented search |
| Free messaging | A set number of messages each day | Limited; full messaging is Premium |
| ID checks | Free ID or video check with a badge | Age verification described in its guidelines |
| Human support | Around the clock | Trust and safety team |
| Where you use it | Any browser, or as an app on your phone | Website and iPhone and Android apps |
Who you will meet on each
eharmony is for anyone over 18 who wants a serious relationship, so most of the people it suggests have never been widowed. Some will be wonderful about your past and some will not know what to say, and you will not find out which until you tell them. Date A Widower starts from the other end. Everyone here chose a site about widowed dating, which means the conversation about your late husband or wife has, in a sense, already happened. You can get to the part where you find out whether you like each other.
The age mix differs too. Most of our members are between 35 and 64, with women in their forties and men a little older, which suits widowed people who feel too young for an over-50s site and too old for a swiping app.
A long quiz or a short daily list
eharmony's matching begins with its Compatibility Quiz, and each suggested match comes with a compatibility score. If you enjoy questionnaires and want a detailed personality picture, that is a real strength. Date A Widower asks less of you up front. You tell us your age range, how far you will travel, the kind of relationship you want and a few interests, and each day you get a fresh shortlist of members near you. You can be messaging someone the evening you join.
Finding widowed people specifically
eharmony publishes advice for widowers, but its documented search settings and match filters do not include marital status, so there is no simple way to ask it for widowed people only. On Date A Widower, that is the whole point of the site, so there is nothing to filter.
Checks and support
eharmony describes age verification, moderation and a trust and safety team in its community guidelines. On Date A Widower, a free ID check or a short video call with a moderator puts a verified badge on your profile, every upload is screened, the site warns you if someone tries to move the chat to WhatsApp, and real people answer support at any hour. That last part matters on a site where many members are recently bereaved. The full list is on our safety page.
What is free on each
Both let you join and look around without paying. On eharmony, free members can take the quiz, see their suggested matches and send likes, with limited messaging; full messaging and all photos come with Premium. On Date A Widower, a free account includes a set number of messages every day and replies to paid members are always open, so you can get a conversation going before deciding anything. Our pricing page sets out every plan.
Which suits you?
Choose eharmony if you want the widest pool of people looking for commitment, and you enjoy a detailed compatibility questionnaire. Choose Date A Widower if you would rather meet people who already understand widowhood, from a shortlist near you each day, with free ID checks and help around the clock. Both are free to start, so there is no harm in trying each.
Date A Widower or eharmony: your questions
Does eharmony have a widow section?
No. It publishes articles for widowers, but its documented search settings and filters do not include marital status.
Is eharmony good for widows?
It can be, if you want a large pool of people looking for commitment. Most people it suggests will not have been widowed, so you choose when to explain.
Can I message for free on eharmony?
Free members get limited messaging there. On Date A Widower a free account includes a set number of messages each day.
Can I use both?
Yes. Plenty of people try more than one site. Both are free to join.