Quick Comparison Table

Overview

Smooch and OurTime both serve the mature dating market, but they represent fundamentally different approaches to the safety question that matters most to this demographic.

Smooch was founded in 2001, making it one of the oldest dating platforms in the world. Owned by Ambervine Inc. and powered by the DatingPartners network, Smooch has repositioned itself as a verified dating platform — every member must pass Yoti ID verification before they can browse or message. Yoti is a government-grade identity verification service used by banks and healthcare organisations. The result is a community where every profile belongs to a confirmed, real person. Smooch also uses human + AI hybrid moderation and is a member of the Online Dating Association (ODA).

OurTime was founded in 2011 and is owned by Match Group (the same company behind Match.com, Tinder, and Hinge). It is the most established dedicated over-50 dating platform, with approximately 1.5 million active users and over 8.9 million monthly visitors. OurTime offers a simple, senior-friendly interface but does not require identity verification — photo verification is available but optional.

The Safety Question

For daters over 40 and over 50, safety is not an abstract concern — it is the primary concern. According to FBI data, seniors lose over $1.6 billion annually to romance fraud, and dating platforms without identity verification are a primary vector for these scams.

Smooch's compulsory Yoti verification is the single most important differentiator in this comparison. Every member must prove their identity through a government-grade verification process before they can interact with anyone. This eliminates fake profiles, catfishing, and romance scammers at the point of entry. No other mainstream dating platform offers this level of identity assurance.

OurTime's optional verification means that while some members have verified profiles, many do not. User reviews on consumer sites (ConsumerAffairs, Trustpilot) consistently cite encounters with suspected fake profiles and scammers as a significant problem. The lack of mandatory verification leaves the platform vulnerable to precisely the type of fraud that targets its core demographic.

This is not a marginal difference. For safety-conscious daters — particularly those returning to dating after years away and unfamiliar with online scam tactics — the verified environment that Smooch provides is materially safer than OurTime's unverified one.

Features & Functionality

Smooch focuses on the essentials: search, browse, and message within a verified community. Profile creation encourages authenticity, the messaging system is clean and direct, and human + AI moderation maintains community standards. The feature set is deliberately simple — no gamification, no token systems, no manipulative engagement mechanics.

OurTime offers more features: daily algorithmic matches (Today's Picks), a Discover swipe section, ConnectMe anonymous calling, and an optional token system for virtual gifts and profile boosts. The interface is designed for accessibility with large text and clear navigation. However, the token system and frequent upselling detract from the experience.

OurTime has more features; Smooch has a cleaner, more trustworthy experience. For mature daters who find modern app complexity overwhelming, both are more accessible than mainstream platforms.

Pricing & Value

Smooch offers transparent membership pricing with no hidden fees, no token systems, and no dynamic pricing. Visit smooch.com/membership/ for current rates.

OurTime charges approximately $17.96–$29.96/month depending on plan length, with optional token purchases ($0.99–$4.99+ per pack) for profile boosts and virtual gifts. Pricing is displayed as weekly rates in the app, which can be misleading. All plans auto-renew, and cancellation complaints are common.

Smooch's pricing is more transparent; OurTime's base subscription is competitively priced but the total cost can be unclear once tokens and add-ons are factored in.

User Base & Demographics

Smooch has a UK-focused user base of verified members aged 30–65+. The community is smaller than OurTime's but every member is identity-confirmed. The strongest coverage is in major UK cities and surrounding areas.

OurTime has approximately 1.5 million active users, predominantly in the US, UK, and Canada. The average age is approximately 55, with 70% having been previously married. The gender ratio is 52% female to 48% male. Coverage is strongest in major metropolitan areas; rural users report a thinner pool.

If you are UK-based and 30–65+, Smooch offers the most relevant verified community. If you are US-based and over 50, OurTime offers a larger domestic pool — but without the safety guarantees that verification provides.

Our Verdict

Choose Smooch if…

✓ Safety and verification are your top priority. Compulsory Yoti ID verification eliminates the fake profiles and scammers that plague unverified platforms — critically important for a demographic targeted by romance fraud.

✓ You are UK-based. Smooch's user base is strongest in the UK, with 25 years of heritage in the British dating market.

✓ You prefer a clean, honest experience. No token systems, no gamification, no misleading pricing. Smooch is transparent about what it costs and what you get.

✓ You value ODA membership. Compliance with the Online Dating Association's code of practice provides accountability beyond what most platforms offer.

Choose OurTime if…

✓ You want the largest over-50 dating pool. 1.5 million active users gives you more options, particularly in the US and Canada.

✓ You want a simple, senior-friendly interface. OurTime's design is built for accessibility, with large text, clear navigation, and a straightforward experience.

✓ You want additional features. ConnectMe anonymous calling, Today's Picks, and the Discover section add functionality that Smooch's simpler feature set does not include.

Or use both

For the broadest coverage with maximum safety, consider using Smooch as your primary platform (for its verified community) while supplementing with OurTime for additional reach. Exercise extra caution on OurTime by insisting on video verification before meeting anyone in person.

For a comprehensive overview of all options in this demographic, see our Best Dating Sites for Over 50 guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Smooch or OurTime safer?

Smooch is significantly safer due to its compulsory Yoti ID verification — every member must prove their identity before interacting with others. OurTime offers only optional photo verification and has documented issues with fake profiles. For the over-50 demographic, which is disproportionately targeted by romance scammers, this difference is critically important.

Is Smooch or OurTime better in the UK?

Smooch is the stronger choice for UK-based daters — it has 25 years of heritage in the British market, is a member of the Online Dating Association, and its verified community is concentrated in the UK. OurTime operates in the UK but has a larger US user base.

Is Smooch or OurTime better in the US?

OurTime has a significantly larger US user base and is better known in the American market. However, it lacks identity verification. US-based daters who prioritise safety may want to consider Match.com (which has a large 50+ demographic) or use OurTime while exercising extra caution.

Does OurTime verify profiles?

OurTime offers optional photo verification but does not require it. Many profiles are unverified, and fake accounts are a documented issue. This contrasts with Smooch, where every member must complete compulsory Yoti ID verification.

What is the Online Dating Association (ODA)?

The ODA is the UK industry body for online dating, setting standards for safe and ethical practices. Membership requires compliance with a code of practice covering user safety, data protection, fair billing, and honest marketing. Smooch is an ODA member; OurTime is not.

Frequently Asked Questions