Comparison, checked 15 October 2026
Older Friends With Benefits vs SilverSingles: Fun or Romance?
Two places for people over 50, built for two very different ideas of what comes next.
Same age group, different goal
SilverSingles describes itself as "a dating site and app for singles over 50 who are interested in companionship, dating, or a long-term relationship". Older Friends with Benefits is for grown-ups who want the fun without the long-term plan: a regular friend with benefits, no strings attached.
Both attract an older crowd. The real question is what you want from the people you meet, and being honest with yourself about that is the quickest way to the right site.
At a glance
| Older Friends With Benefits | SilverSingles | |
|---|---|---|
| Looking for | A regular friend with benefits, no strings | Companionship, dating or a long-term relationship |
| Who can join | Any adult; more than three in four members are 45 or over | Only people aged 50 or over |
| Checks | Optional ID check with a badge, or a live video check | Says it verifies profiles before members can make contact |
| Where you use it | Any web browser | Website plus iPhone and Android apps |
| Paying | VIP or VIP Plus plans, prices published | Paid subscriptions for certain features |
What SilverSingles does well
It's strict about who gets in: members must be at least 50, so nobody younger turns up in your results. It says it verifies the profiles members see, and contact only opens up once that's done. You can use it on the website or through its apps, with one account across both. For someone over 50 who hopes to meet a partner to share life with, it's built around exactly that hope.
When you want passion, not a partner
On a relationship site, saying "I'd like something casual" in your first message can land badly, because most people there are hoping for more. Here it's what the site is for. You can be honest that you want sex, affection and good company, with no plans to merge homes, and the people who reply want the same.
That honesty is kinder in the long run. Nobody spends months hoping for a relationship you were never going to offer, and nobody feels misled. Our guide on whether friends with benefits suits later life looks at when it works best.
Not sure which you want?
That's common after a divorce or a bereavement. Some people know they never want to share a house again; others aren't ready for a relationship yet but might be one day. If you'd like to keep the door open to something serious, a relationship site is the natural home. If what you want right now is closeness and fun without the weight of a future, a friend with benefits fits better, and you can always reassess later.
Being under 50 isn't a barrier here either. Members in their forties who like an older partner are welcome, which SilverSingles' age rule doesn't allow.
Starting again after a split? Read friends with benefits after divorce.
When SilverSingles suits you better
- You're hoping to find a long-term partner, or even to remarry.
- You'd like a site that only lets in people over 50.
- You'd like profiles checked before anyone can contact you.
If your heart says "no strings", start here.
SilverSingles and us: your questions
Is SilverSingles for casual dating?
Not primarily. It describes itself as a site for over 50s interested in companionship, dating or a long-term relationship. For a no strings arrangement, a site built for friends with benefits is a better match.
Can I join SilverSingles if I'm under 50?
No. Its service agreement says members must be at least 50. Older Friends with Benefits is open to any adult.
Which is better for people over 60?
It depends on what you want. For romance, SilverSingles. For a regular lover without a relationship, here, where more than a third of members are 65 or over.
Compare the others
All four are on our comparisons page.
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