Dating in Victoria, BC can be tricky. Though it’s a beautiful and romantic city with a lively downtown, locals often say it’s hard to meet people here. Maybe it’s the long winter months; nobody likes going out in the cold. Whatever the reason, it can be difficult to find love in this city. This is why so many people have turned to dating sites in Victoria.
The online dating trend was already getting big when the pandemic really threw gasoline on the fire. Nowadays, it’s the favourite option in this city, from UVic co-eds to our older retirees looking for late-in-life love. And there are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to dating apps in Victoria. Not all of them, unfortunately, is the real deal.
This article will help you navigate online dating in Victoria (also check out our dating app guide to Vancouver). Whether you’re new to it or you’ve just gotten frustrated with the process, this guide is all you need. Read on for everything you should know about the best dating sites in Victoria.
The 5 Best Dating Sites in Victoria Right Now
People want different things when dating online. Some want an easy interface so they can scroll with one hand while doing something else. Others want detailed profiles to really see who they’re matching with. There are sites and apps for both types and everyone in between. But whichever is your preference, good dating sites have a few things in common.
First and foremost, they have high-quality users and lots of them. The most popular sites are the ones where users can count on authentic, and interested matches. Too many spam accounts destroy the effectiveness of a site. Which in turn undercuts the value of a subscription. Our favourite sites are the ones that know how to weed out fake users.
With that in mind, here are the 5 best dating sites in Victoria:
#1 - eHarmony (Android, iOS) is among the best dating apps in Victoria for finding a spouse
Of all the dating apps in Victoria, and there are many, eHarmony truly stands out. It’s not just because it has one of the largest user bases, though that is certainly part of it. eHarmony has chiseled out a unique place in online dating with an amazing algorithm and an unimpeachable success rate. A full 70% of its regular users meet their spouse within a year.
That got your attention. For anyone who is looking for the love of their life, eHarmony is an app you must try. As a result of its matching algorithm, it has thousands if not millions of success stories. The one drawback is that the sign-up process is very time-consuming. But if you’re ready for marriage, that’s a small sacrifice to make for true love.
Why eHarmony is one of the best dating sites in Victoria
- More married couples who met online met on eHarmony than on any other site
- The thorough profile questionnaire helps ensure your matches are the real deal
- Using the site is very straightforward
What you might not like about it
- The users tend to skew toward their 30s and older
- The questionnaire is so long, some people give up on it
#2 – Plenty of Fish (Android; iOS) is a free dating site that really works
Like eHarmony, Plenty of Fish has been around for quite a while. Approaching two decades, POF was once one of the biggest dating sites on the market. Its shine diminished quite a bit when apps like Tinder and Bumble hit the scene. But even if it’s not the most talked about app out there, POF still has a huge user base.
That’s honestly one of the biggest selling points for POF. With roughly 150 million registered users, it’s one of the top 3 largest dating sites in the world. There aren’t a lot of bells and whistles, and POF has been slow to embrace new tech features. At the end of the day, though, dating is a numbers game, and POF has the numbers.
Why we recommend POF
- In British Columbia alone, there are millions of users
- The subscription prices are among the best of any site
- The website is easy to use
What we don’t like about it
- The app is pretty cluttered and can be hard on the eyes
- We came across far too many spam accounts for our liking
#3 - AFF is one of the best dating sites in Victoria for arranging a one-night stand
AFF exists for one reason, and one reason only: to help you have some casual fun. Whether you’re into a simple one-night stand or you’re looking for a regular arrangement, AFF delivers. There are also loads of couples on there looking to add a little spice into their love lives.
Essentially, whatever you’re into sexually, you’ll almost certainly find it on AFF. And unlike so many other sites, you don’t have to worry about disguising your intentions. AFF is not a relationship site; it’s entirely for casual sex. Sounds pretty good, doesn’t it? If you’re feeling adventurous, give it a try.
Why you’ll love AFF
- There are over 50 million users ready for a good time
- You never have to worry about the people you meet on AFF catching feelings
- Every body type and sexual proclivity is represented
What could be better
- If you’re hoping for lust and love, don’t waste your time
- There is only a website, no app
#4 – Zoosk (Android; iOS) has a truly impressive matching algorithm
With its younger user base, Zoosk is probably the most diverse dating app in Victoria. This is one of the few relationship-focused apps that cater pretty directly to the under-30 set. It’s a niche market: twenty-somethings that are looking for something long-term and serious.
That doesn’t mean everyone on Zoosk is looking for marriage. Younger Millennials and Gen Zers are approaching relationships with a different mindset. Often, they want a true connection without the cliche labels. If you’re looking for a partner but you’re still figuring yourself out, Zoosk is worth a look.
Why so many people love Zoosk
- The algorithm is excellent at finding compatible matches
- Creating a profile is relatively easy for this type of site
- A great website for younger people who aren’t into casual fun
What we don’t love about it
- Even 30-year-olds feel old on this site
- The free trial period is barely worth your time
#5 - Bumble (Android; iOS) is a favourite dating app for Victoria women
Few dating apps are more understanding of the female perspective than Bumble. Women enjoy casual sex as much as men. They just don’t want to be harassed by jerks and creeps. Bumble helps with that persistent issue by making it so the women have to send the first message.
It’s a pretty minor tweak to the Tinder formula, but it makes a huge difference. For that reason, women tend to prefer using Bumble, which means it’s also a great app for men. Plus, the shoe is on the other foot with this app. If you’re a guy who struggles with thinking up a good opening line, Bumble is a godsend.
Why Bumble is so popular
- The quality of users, of both genders, is higher than many other similar apps.
- Men don’t feel the pressure to come up with a witty opener
- You can find both people who want casual relationships and people who want a relationship
What we would improve
- Women tend to match more freely, but they don’t always choose to send a message
- Like Tinder, the profiles are very focused on photos, so looks are a major factor
The Best Hookup Sites in Victoria
If the thought of getting married gives you hives, don’t fret, there are plenty of casual dating sites in Victoria. Whether you’re into one-night stands, friends with benefits, or casual flings, you’ve got options. These are the best Victoria hookup sites:
AFF is probably the best casual dating site in Victoria
Sometimes all you want is the simplicity of a non-committed, no-strings-attached hookup. Many people are perfectly happy with nothing more than one-night stands and casual dating. Those people turn to AFF, one of the best (if not the best) casual dating sites in Victoria.
As we discussed above, AFF is for those who aren’t looking to complicate their lives with a relationship. For close to three decades, it has allowed internet users to simply (and discreetly) arrange sexual encounters. There are lots of casual dating sites and apps out there nowadays. But AFF was the first, and it remains the standard.
On college campuses, Tinder is more popular than cheap beer
There’s no age limit on Tinder, but anyone who has used it knows that, unofficially, users age out after 29. If you’re in your 20s, there is no easier way to find hookups. We’d bet more students at the University of Victoria use their cellphones for Tinder than they do actual phone calls. If you’re young and attractive, Tinder is the best hookup site in Victoria.
The Best Dating Sites in Victoria for Relationships
For the relationship-focused dater, there are quite a few good Victoria dating sites. You want to find the sites that specifically advertise themselves as being for relationships. That way you know your matches are all on the same page. Here are our top choices:
eHarmony is an incredibly successful dating site for the marriage-minded
Has casual dating and meaningless sex gotten old? Maybe you’re ready to settle down. It’s time you finally gave eHarmony a shot. This is the Victoria dating site for anyone who is looking for lasting, committed love. Having produced hundreds of thousands of marriages, eHarmony gets the kind of results all other sites wish they could achieve. Just imagine what it can do for you.
Hinge can help you break the ice
Marked as the app that is “designed to be deleted,” Hinge wants its users to find love. Unfortunately, for a lot of people, a big barrier is their opening line. The main selling point of Hinge is that it helps its users, especially guys, get the conversation started. With its fun prompts and effective algorithm, Hinge breaks the ice for you. There’s a reason a lot of guys call Hinge the best dating app in Victoria.
The Best Free Dating Sites in Victoria
If you’re only dating casually or are still uncertain about online dating, you’ll probably want a free app. That makes sense, but do beware: most free sites and apps are garbage. Often, sites either offer free tastes to hook you into a subscription, or they just exist to harvest your data.
We always recommend people try multiple free trials just to get a feel for the different sites. Then, when you find one you like, go for the subscription level that works best for you. Your chances of successful dating are much higher that way.
Still, there does exist a handful of free sites that are legitimately free and do get results. Based on our experiences, these are the best free dating sites in Victoria:
- OKCupid
- Match
- Tinder
Try them out, and see how they work for you. If you don’t have much success with them, try the other ones we’ve recommended above. Either way, we wish you all the luck with your dating adventure and hope it’s a fruitful process.
Frequently Asked Questions on Dating Sites in Victoria
What is the best dating site in Victoria BC?
If we had to choose one, it would be Tinder. It simply has the most users and is the most popular. But that doesn't mean that other options like OKCupid, Match or Bumble should be ignored.
