Comparison
Date A Widower vs SilverSingles
A long-running over-50s site under new ownership, or a site built for widowed singles.
- Free to join
- 18+ only
SilverSingles is a dating site for people over 50 who want a genuine relationship; its current terms require members to be at least 50. In 2026 it is run by SuccessfulMatch.com, Inc., after many years under Spark Networks. Date A Widower is built for widowed singles of any adult age, and for anyone who would like to meet them, with daily matches near you and free identity checks.
| What you get | Date A Widower | SilverSingles |
|---|---|---|
| Built for | Widowed singles and people who want to date them | Singles over 50 |
| Minimum age | 18 | 50, under its current terms |
| Widowed people only? | Yes | No |
| Matching | Daily shortlist near you | Matches on compatibility and shared values (checked October 2026) |
| Run by | HubPeople platform | SuccessfulMatch.com, Inc. since 2026 |
| ID checks | Free ID or video check for everyone | Verified badge; selfie check not open to all |
| Free to join | Yes, with daily messages | Yes, with more for paying members |
Who each one welcomes
SilverSingles has always pitched itself at mature singles, and many of them will have lost a partner. But it is built around age, not loss, and its matching does not set widowed members apart. Date A Widower is the opposite way round: the shared experience is the starting point and age is just one of your preferences. If you were widowed at 45 and feel more at home with people who have lived through the same thing than with people who simply share your birth decade, that difference matters.
A service in transition
SilverSingles has changed hands. Its sister site EliteSingles closed in April 2026, and SilverSingles' terms, updated in May 2026, now name a different company as its operator. Its homepage talks about verified profiles and new scam filters. Much of what has been written about the site in the past describes the old setup, so if you are considering it, read its current terms and help pages rather than older reviews. Date A Widower runs on HubPeople, a dating platform that hosts many specialist sites and provides the membership system, moderation and round-the-clock support behind them.
How matches are found
SilverSingles has long been known for a personality test that feeds daily match suggestions, and reviews still describe it. Date A Widower keeps the start simple: your age range, distance, the relationship you are hoping for and a few interests, then a fresh shortlist every day. There is also a members' feed and, on VIP, chat rooms and private group chats.
Verification you can see
SilverSingles advertises verified profiles, and its terms describe a Verified badge and selfie verification that may not be available to every member, and say it does not run background checks. On Date A Widower, ID verification is free and open to everyone: upload ID or do a short live video check with a moderator, and a badge appears on your profile. No dating site runs background checks on every member, so the habits on our safety page are worth keeping wherever you date.
Free to start on both
Both let you register free, with more features for paying members. On Date A Widower, the free account includes daily matches and a set number of messages each day, and you can always reply to paid members. Every price is on our pricing page.
Which suits you?
If you are over 50 and want a site for mature singles in general, SilverSingles is one long-running option. If you want people who understand widowhood, at any age, with free verification and a support team you can reach at any hour, Date A Widower is built for exactly that.
Date A Widower or SilverSingles: your questions
Who owns SilverSingles now?
Its terms, updated in May 2026, name SuccessfulMatch.com, Inc. as the operator. It was run by Spark Networks for many years.
Did SilverSingles close?
No. Its sister site EliteSingles closed in April 2026, but SilverSingles is still running under its new operator.
Is SilverSingles for widows?
It is for over-50s in general. Many members may be widowed, but there is no widow-specific section or filter that we could find.
Can I join Date A Widower if I am under 50?
Yes. Any adult can join, and many of our members are in their thirties and forties.