The best dating apps and sites for this cuffing season

Read our full review of AdultFriendFinder.

Match places itself as one of the industry leaders in the matchmaking category due to the unique features of its fully developed mobile app.

Match is continuously improving its matching algorithm, incorporating user feedback and behaviour. This has resulted in extensive search and discovery opportunities, making scouting for potential matches easier and less stressful. 

If there’s something you feel is missing from the site or app, chances are it won’t be that way for too long. Match promises to incorporate user feedback, so new features are regularly added. 

On the flip side, approval on the site is not instant, which is frustrating. Also, month-to-month costs are higher than average, and the online to offline process can be lengthy. 

Parship is ideally suited to people looking for a long-term relationship and who would like to leave the searching to someone else. The Parship system recommends matches to its members based on their compatibility score. 

Parship uses its own formula-based approach to matchmaking. That means you’ll have to take a pretty lengthy compatibility test, similar to eHarmony's. This can feel a little clinical (and let's face it, nobody likes tests) but the experts at Parship attest to its effectiveness. The test helps to determine each member's personality type. Once you’ve made it through, profiles of suggested matches will be sent to you as they turn up. You have the option of taking a look closer at your matches, or ignore them. The choice is yours!

Access for non-paying members is severely restricted. The matchmaking system can be used and it's possible to send ice-breakers, but emails can't be sent or opened until you upgrade to premium. So you are kind of forced into making a decision. Continue with ice-breakers and blurry pictures, or find your perfect match for cuffing season? The choice is yours again. 

eharmony is not a site for hook-ups. So move on if that’s your game. Cuffing season lasts right up until the end of Spring, or beyond, so you better come ready to find love. Or at least be open to the possibility. A lot can happen in the space of a few months. 

With a heavy focus on determining compatibility, eharmony gives members in-depth tools for getting to know themselves as individuals and within a couple. Take this chance to do some serious personal growth, to become a better person and a better lover. You might just learn a thing or two.

The site has a completely customised user experience, from dashboard insights, to other profiles members see on the site, with unique guided communication options ensuring users learn about others in depth. 

There’s no such thing as a perfect dating site and eharmony is no different. It has limitations.  There’s no video integrated into the site, there are a limited number of matches, and there is no search option which makes finding a match a little more troublesome.

Having said all of that, eharmony claims to be responsible for over 11,000 marriages. If they can get people to tie to knot then surely they can find someone for you to cuddle in the cold.

As the name suggests, EliteSingles is known for being a bit exclusive. The site relies on a highly detailed matching system stemming from a questionnaire that analyses 29 unique character traits. That’s a lot of character right there. With the comprehensive profiles (with similarities highlighted for easy matching), filtering, and verification options, Elite Singles is an option for more discerning types. 

The signup process is frustrating and much lengthier than other dating sites. EliteSingles boasts over 13 million members worldwide however, and claims that an average of 2,000 couples pair off every month, so if you make it through signup, the chances of success are high.

Another issue is the search option, which doesn’t exist, and accessibility without paying, which is also non-existent. Other than that, EliteSingles is a serious option for selective professionals, who are looking for something genuine.