According to Stiftung Warentest, around 7 million singles in Germany are looking for online dating sites in Germany - either for security and love in a relationship or for an erotic adventure.
The industry turnover of dating sites has multiplied in recent years. A lucrative business for the operators, who often promise more with their slogans than they offer. Reason enough to take a closer look at the major dating sites. Stiftung Warentest did that recently.
Stiftung Warentest has tested two variants of online dating sites:
dating site
These so-called dating sites are mostly used by young people and are primarily not about finding a partner for life, but rather about flirting, having fun and finding new friends.
The members become active here themselves, meaning they search the database for suitable partner profiles based on self-selected criteria.
Dating agencies
They provide their members with partner suggestions after a personality test. The customers here are usually a little older and more interested in long-term partnerships.
Dating agencies usually charge significantly more money than dating sites. This may be due to the high costs of scientific personality analyses.
Singles exchanges and dating agencies in comparison according to Stiftung Warentest
At the beginning of 2011:
Trained singles used 8 singles exchanges and 6 dating agencies. A lawyer checked the general terms and conditions for clause violations.
Singles exchanges in comparison:
Recommended:
Dating Cafe.de:
Fair and cheap: Can be tested for free for one month. Free for women under 45. Voluntary authentication by copying your ID card.
- Consumer-friendly contract conditions
- Price: 51 euros for three months
Click here for our detailed review of Dating Café
iLove:
Cheap and very good help. to use for women Flirting portal for young people, extensive personality profile. Modern layout but difficult to navigate due to confusing menus and unclear terms.
- Billing also via mobile phone or Click and Buy. Lots of information and help.
- Some offensive messages.
- Price: 48 euros for three months
Click here for our detailed test report on iLove
Finya.de:
- Solid and free. Simple layout and a bit confusing.
- Many members, but often with incomplete profiles.
- Unencrypted data transmission.
- For free
Conditionally recommended:
neu.de:
Modern layout, easy navigation. Weaknesses in handling user data.
- Price: 74.50 euros for three months
Friend Scout 24:
When it comes to usage (creating/searching a profile, partner offers/contacting) it is the best provider in the test.
Weaknesses in handling user data, clear deficiencies in the terms and
conditions. Some dubious letters:
Price: 150 euros for three months
Click here for our detailed test report on FriendScout24
50 plus meeting:
Aimed at people aged 45 and over. Good to use, but weaknesses in data encryption and very clear deficiencies in the terms and conditions.
- Voluntary authentication by copying your ID card.
- In addition to finding a partner, there is a diverse supporting program.
- Price: 59.50 euros for three months
flirt fever:
Flirting portal for mainly younger people.
Little information before registration. Consumer-unfriendly contractual conditions.
- The trial subscription is extended to nine weeks if you do not cancel.
- Weaknesses in help and data encryption.
- Lots of dubious profiles. Frequent attempts to lure people away from other sites.
- Price: 83 euros for eleven weeks
Click here for our detailed test report on Flirt Fever
This is not recommended:
FlirtCafe:
Dubious: If you want to know what's happening here, you have to take out a two-week trial subscription for 1.99 euros. If you forget to cancel, you can become a member for six months for 114 euros. Defects in contractual conditions, handling of user data and terms and conditions.
- Many profiles do not appear authentic.
- Lots of dubious news.
- Price: 114 euros for six months
Click here for our detailed test report on FlirtCafe
Dating agencies in comparison:
Parship.de:
Serious and solid.
Lots of partner suggestions in the test. Partner suggestions based on a very extensive personality profile.
- Good overview in free mode.
- Performed best in the test, but very expensive.
- Price: 180 euros for three months
Click here for our detailed test report on Parship
be2:
Short personality test with results that are not always understandable.
One-month subscription will be extended if you do not cancel.
Messages are automatically sent from an “internal mail system”, thus simulating major activity.
- Price: 150 euros for three months
Click here for our detailed test report on be2
Elite Partners:
Very comprehensive personality test.
Lots of partner suggestions. Very good information and help. Exemplary handling of user data.
But: If you don't cancel by post or fax four weeks before the contract expires,
you will automatically receive a 6-month membership for around 300 euros.
- Clear deficiencies in the terms and conditions.
- Price: 180 euros for three months
Click here for our detailed test report on ElitePartner
eDarling:
Comprehensive personality test. Lots of partner suggestions.
Inadequate data protection regulations, clear deficiencies in the terms and conditions.
- Very good information and help.
- Price: 150 euros for three months
Click here for our detailed test report on eDarling
partner.de:
Cheap dating site.
Data protection deficiencies. Very detailed help and information area.
- Price: 74.50 euros for three months
partnersuche.de:
Weaknesses in data encryption.
Easy cancellation. Expensive. Suspicious profiles cannot be reported.
- Price: 179 euros for three months
These were the brief results of Stiftung Warentest on the subject of dating sites. You can find out more about this on the Stiftung Warentest homepage.
We hope that these results will help you find singles exchanges
You can still rely on Stiftung Warentest 😉