WHAT WE FOUND: Signing up is fast and easy, only two basic pages of limited information is asked, takes about 2 minutes to complete. Choose one or both of the dating sections “Dating Relationship” and “Intimate” profiles to be completed. Based on your selection of the sex of person you want to meet your profile will be available to like-minded members (straight or gay). When uploading your picture you also have the option to choose whether your picture is public, anyone can see it, or private, you have to give the person permission first; to allow Lavalife to use your public information and picture in their advertising. Choose “Yes, promote me now!” if you are willing. Once you’re a member you can view and search for people to contact, complete your profile with more information about you, including a voice message, videos and adding more pictures...

Read our complete review here...

WHAT WE FOUND: Going beyond simple database matching, Chemistry.com involves your whole person, especially the deep down inner you, using interactive and fun to answer questions that show you, and those you will meet, who you really are. Allow yourself about 45 minutes to complete the questions and your profile. We liked the structure of the questions and how completing your profile and allowing the Chemistry.com compatibility to work takes you from matches, to introductions and through email contact into the first face-to-face meetings of other members. It’s interesting to note that you do not search for other members, you let the Chemistry.com system directs you through meeting your matches in 4 guided steps. The communication process consists of four separate stages: Stage One: Relationship Essentials; Stage Two: Short Answers; Stage Three: Email; Stage Four: In-Person Meeting.

WHAT YOU'LL FIND: Free to join (take advantage of the 7 day free trial, cancel prior to the end of the free trial period to avoid paying the upgrade membership fee) and start the Chemistry.com compatibility match process, you will receive up to 5 matches every day. Only paid members can contact other members.

WHAT WE FOUND: Date.com is a great service that includes private email and public and private chat rooms for members as well as a detailed profile form for your personal ad. A lot of flexibility is available for your answers to the profile questions, which will help greatly in meeting the right person for you. Once completed, it should take between 10 and 20 minutes, you will have access to Date.com, including the chat rooms and forums, but you have to become a paid member to send and receive messages. Did I say that this is a great service? It is. You can email in your picture, if you have one ready, to be added to your profile and let others see you. Adding your picture will increase the amount of messages you get and the number of people you'll meet. The main service is for straight relationships, but there is also sections for gay and lesbian members. More features include virtual gifts that you can send and receive free, a powerful search feature for you to find someone that interests you and a weekly poll.

WHAT YOU'LL FIND: Place your ad for free, become a paid member to make contact. Private email and public/private chat rooms, pictures can be added to your profile. Straight, gay and lesbian sections for free and paid members.

WHAT WE FOUND: To post an ad you’ll need to be a Yahoo member so you’ll be prompted to do that first before you join to post your profile. There are 7 steps to posting your profile but they don’t take very long to complete. Begin with the type of ad you want to post, or not post. What this means is that you can keep your profile private so it is not included in the general search results, but if you answer an ad that person can read it. Next give yourself a name for your ad. We recommend that you do not use your Yahoo username, but use something else for your ad. This will keep your privacy intact in that people won’t be able to easily guess your Yahoo email address. The next steps will allow you to post information about yourself, about the type of person you are looking for and the type of relationship you are interested in beginning as well as upload pictures and become a subscribing member. Posting your profile is free but to be able to send and reply to messages you must be a subscribed member. Once your profile is approved, this takes about 24 hours, you can also add a voice message and a video message to your profile. The search system is fast and easily customizable using zip codes, city names and “Importance Levels”, so you can narrow down your search and find the singles that you really want to meet. You can also “Be a matchmaker” and search for a match for a friend. The friend will then have to become a member, but it’s a start to not being single anymore. The “Mutual Match” system allows you to easily be matched with people that have the same likes and dislikes as you and will automatically alert you so you can send them a message (once you’re subscribed to send messages). And don’t forget about the Yahoo Instant Messenger chat program: once you have subscribed you can instantly chat with other subscribed members when they are showing as being online. With Yahoo being one of the largest web destinations, you should become a member to see all of the profiles of people that are in your area. You’ll be surprised there are so many singles so close to where you live.

WHAT YOU'LL FIND: You’ll need to be a member of Yahoo to join and it’s free to post your profile. Add voice and video messages to your profile. Chat using Yahoo IM. Add up to 5 pictures with your profile. Become a subscribing member to send and reply to messages. Straight and same sex personals available.

WHAT WE FOUND: SinglesNet is one of the more popular online dating destinations. Membership requirements are set so that you can easily join (even if you start with the search on the home page you need to become a free trial member to see any results) and have full access to SinglesNet members for the free trial period. This includes sending and replying to messages, completing the compatibility portion of your profile for more suitable member matches and you don’t need a credit card to join for this free trial.

Read the full review here

Read our complete review here

WHAT YOU'LL FIND: Free basic membership allows browsing and searching of member profiles and “Portraits”. Premium memberships allows full access, unlimited messages and replies as well as personalized search capabilities and the Match system of compatibility matching that brings like-minded singles to your inbox. Additional member features include “Portraits” that give you additional promotion within the Match service (up to 15 times more people viewing your “Portrait” than your standard member profile), Dr. Phil’s “MindFindBind™” 3 part online program of insights and strategies towards a better relationship with yourself and the match you seek. Match also has compatibility matching through the Chemistry.com branch, local mobile personals through Match Mobile, and personal matchmakers through Match Platinum, services. Straight, same sex, American, Canadian, UK and more than a dozen international culturally, language specific niche services (Match International may require separate membership fees).

WHAT WE FOUND: Join for free and have a lot of features that other services charge you for such as: replying to messages and using the chat room. When joining be sure to agree to accept the newsletter that has info about discounts, local events and parties, you don’t want to miss out on anything. We found Cupid.com easy to navigate, fast to search through the profiles and full of features that are helpful to their members including the weekly advice column featuring Lisa Daily, author of “Stop Getting Dumped!” and the Date Planner suggestion questionnaire. Free members have full run of the service (free members can reply to messages only), use of the chat room and full search capabilities. Build up your match list and keep up-to-date with your contacts and matches on your “My Cupid” page and have matches automatically emailed to you so you don’t have to log in every day. We really like the feature that allows you to change your online member name, just in case you’re feeling a little different from when you signed up, changing your online name can awaken a whole new attitude and most services require that you re-join to change your online user name. Speed dating events available in many local areas. Check the website to see if there is a location near you.

WHAT YOU'LL FIND: Free membership includes replying to messages, access to advice and chat room. Gold membership allows you to initiate contact. Straight and same sex personals.

WHAT WE FOUND: Our LoveAccess initial visit began with looking at the chatting members first, available from the home page, and we saw a few hundred members that had their LoveAccess Instant Messenger active and ready to chat. Membership signup is the next step, 3 pages of an easy to complete basic profile that includes two essay areas for describing yourself and the type of person you want to meet. Your essay answers should be well thought out so that your profile stands out when someone looks you up. Be sure to include your picture and a video message so your profile stands out above other members. The free membership allows you to complete your profile and use most of the main features including replying to IM, reading messages sent to you by other members, sending “I’m Interested” notes and access to the lobby of the chat area, but you’ll need to upgrade to be able to send unlimited messages, have unlimited Instant Messenger use, reply to messages and be able to use LoveAccess.com to the best potential of meeting people. Searches were fast and in the areas we searched there were always plenty of members which looks good for anyone joining in the main service areas, America, Canada and Britain. Other international areas may not have as much success, but that does depend on your actual search. We like the features of the ‘Dating Dashboard’ that lets you see who has looked at your profile, and who is interested in you. LoveAccess passed our review with flying colors. Easy to use, lots of features for free members that include talking with others and upgrade members have full freedom of the service that includes initiating contact. You can add pictures to your profile, add a video message and the IM feature includes webcam chat.

WHAT YOU'LL FIND: Free membership offers complete profile access including adding pictures and video to your profile, sending messages to others and includes use of the Instant Messenger that includes your webcam. Upgraded members have unlimited use of LoveAccess including starting conversations. Lots of members in all areas, an easy to follow navigation system and fun features. Straight and same sex profiles available.

WHAT WE FOUND: When you join Millionaire Match you’ll be pleased with the options for membership, contacting others and the control you have over your own personal profile. Registration easy an easy two step process once you’ve selected your millionaire (annual salary) and celebrity status. Birds of a feather flock together and Millionaire Match is going to make your financial and personal success an asset towards finding your match which is a refreshing change to many of the other services available. When you join for free you’ll have access to an enhanced profile including additional information sections about yourself and adding pictures to your profile, sending people winks (a note of interest), joining in the chat room and reading the member forum, creating a personal blog and basic search results. When you upgrade you’ll have complete access to sending and receiving messages, an enhanced photo album and detailed search results, reminders of whose profile you’ve seen and who has seen yours. As well you can hide your profile if you’re not ready to meet others or want to take a break from all the messages you’re receiving as well as hide from others if you’ve visited their profile. We like that type of privacy control.

WHAT YOU'LL FIND: Free to join and begin your membership, interact with other members by sending winks, chat and post in forums. Upgraded membership allows you complete control over your profile and sending and receiving messages. Members are divided into 3 groups: Not a millionaire (annual salary under US$150,000); Millionaire (annual salary over US$150,000) and Celebrity.

WHAT YOU'LL FIND: Complete the Great Expectations online confidential profile and you'll soon be contacted to discuss your matchmaking options. Once you become a member you'll provide a more complete profile, have at least one interview with a relationship counselor and make a video recording profile. Currently available in the USA only, in these cities: Atlanta, GA, Austin, TX, Baltimore, MD, Birmingham, AL, Bonita Springs, FL, Boston, MA, Charlotte (Fort Mill, SC), SC, Cherry Hill, NJ, Chicago Suburbs, IL, Chicago, IL, Cincinnati, OH, Cleveland, OH, Columbus, OH, Dallas, TX, Denver, CO, Detroit, MI, Ft Worth, TX, Ft. Laud/Palm Beach, FL, Grand Rapids, MI, Hartford, CT, Houston, TX, Indianapolis, IN, Irvine, CA, Jacksonville, FL, Kansas City, MO, Las Vegas, NV, Long Island, NY, Los Angeles, CA, Manhattan, NY, Miami, FL, Milwaukee, WI, Minneapolis, MN, Nashville, TN, New Hampshire, NH, Orlando, FL, Palo Alto, CA, Philadelphia, PA, Phoenix, AZ, Pittsburgh, PA, Portland, OR, Providence, MA, Richmond, VA, Sacramento, CA, San Diego, CA, San Francisco, CA, San Francisco, CA, Sarasota, FL, Seattle, WA, St. Louis, MO, Stuart/Treasure Coast, FL, Summit, NJ, Tampa, FL, Upland, CA, Virginia Beach, VA, Walnut Creek, CA, Washington DC, Vienna, VA. Visit the website to see any new areas that Great Expectations has opened a new office.

WHAT WE FOUND: We like xlonely, the fast signup, the comprehensive profile questionnaire to successfully match you and the features that add a lot to the online dating scene including video messages and the ability to have messages and alerts sent to your mobile phone for free (check your mobile phone plan for possible charges before you add this feature to your profile). Free members can complete their profile, receive SMS messages to their phone, search and browse other members and send cards to let other members know you’re interested. The Xlonely.com search and match systems are actually 6 different profile questionnaires you need to fill out: SelectMatch, SoulMatch, SensualMatch, StarSignMatch and SuperMatch. Yopu’ll have fun filling out these areas of your profile and seeing the different possible matches there are. With millions of members xlonely.com provides a lot of satisfactory member matches with each of the questionnaire and profile search areas. We really like the “MyCrowd” page layout that gives you all the info on how you’ve been using your profile and who has come top read your profile, listen to your audio messages, who has seen your video messages and more. The “Chatterbox” chat room is always active but available to upgraded (gold and platinum) members as is contacting other members and replying to messages. It is free to send simple introduction cards and messages so there is a lot of fun things to do here. Overall, this is one of the best online dating sites we’ve reviewed in a while that includes so many ways to connect and even help for you personally (see premium access to psychologist feature).

WHAT YOU'LL FIND: Join for free and send cards and messages for free, become an upgraded member to reply and send full messages. Free to browse, several methods of matching members, SMS text message option. The service is available in 5 languages, English, Italian, German, Spanish and Chinese. Message options include video, voice, chatroom has webcam and voice options. Free trial period lasts as long as you want, upgrade for full membership capabilities. Straight members only.

WHAT WE FOUND: Joining eharmony will help you discover more about yourself and your goals for dating and finding a compatible match as you complete the questionnaire that leads to your detailed personality profile, which you get to keep for free. This is the first of five steps as a match is found for you and communication is guided through the first awkward introductions. You are able to exchange photos and emails with your match anonymously through the eharmony system once you become a paid member. We recommend that you take the web site tour before you complete the questionnaire, so you have a greater understanding about how eharmony works and why, if you've grown tired of dull people and false personal ads, you'll know how you are matched with 10 to 25 personality compatible singles. You receive information about your matches before you have to become a paid member to make contact and your identity is confidential until you decide to reveal yourself to your match.

WHAT YOU'LL FIND: Free to join and have your personality profile completed. Become a member to make contact with your matches. Straight personals only.

WHAT YOU'LL FIND: Free 3 day free trial lets you use all features. Live phone sex, photo galleries, chat rooms, streaming adult videos. Straight, same sex and same sex members personals.

WHAT WE FOUND: Visit Cherry Blossoms and begin your adventure as a single, widowed or divorced person into the dating world. You’ll find a simple 3 page membership form and you will be ready to receive emails from members around the world. Cherry Blossoms internet service starts where their leading marriage magazine left off, bringing instant communication to people locally and internationally. Their expertise in travel and visa services helps every man and woman to close the gap and bring their long distance penpal relationship to a fuller life of being together. We like the simplicity of Cherry Blossoms, you won’t get lost in unneeded and unused features here. As well, members are more marriage mended here than at most other services. Be sure to use your ad text to fully describe yourself, your work and life, hobbies as well as the person you feel would most fit into your life. Be descriptive and be yourself in the words you use.

WHAT YOU'LL FIND: Fast free membership that leads to your profile being available to other members. Only registered members can browse and search the profiles. Upgrade your membership to make contact and return messages from other members. Men looking for women and women looking for men only. Most members are marriage-minded.

WHAT THEY SAY: First things first at this service, when you visit start with a simple search of the members. You’ll find many attractive and well-to-do singles that are looking defined as: Sugardaddie (male):Successful and generous man, and SugarBabe (female): Seeks a successful/generous man. The join form is fast, easy and allows you to become a free member to begin seeking the type of woman or man that appeals to you. As a free member you’ll be able to add photos to your profile (your profile and photos have to be approved before they are visible to other members), search and add interesting members to your hotlist. You’ll also be able to see who has visited your profile. You’ll need to be a full member to send someone a messages as well as reply to messages which is good, this keeps the freeloaders off of Sugardaddie.com. We like the way the Hotlist is set up (combined with “My Matches”) and the forums are fun and informative including the “Ask Your Daddy” advice forum, free members can read only. Overall you’re going to find a functional service that promotes contact between well-to-do men and attractive women. Keep in kind, to make this service work best for all members, be sure to add at least one photo to your profile and report anyone that asks you for money.

WHAT THEY SAY: Rich men looking for women. Women searching for rich men. Free membership to create your profile, upgrade your membership to contact others. Members in the USA, UK, Australia and Canada with future expansion in progress. Straight personals only.

WHAT WE FOUND: When Joe and Marg (the creators and owners of Megafriends) moved to a new city, they found it hard to meet new friends because they don't go to bars and they work at home. So they created a place where people can come together and meet, for friendship, someone to travel with, as penpals and even for getting together and dating. You will find it easy to browse the personals, by state in America (the most ads are placed by Americans), by province in Canada and by country for the rest of the world. Searching includes the options of education level, body type, language spoken and even type of relationship you want (including "secret affair!). When browsing or searching the personals you will be able to only read the basic comments and view a photo if available. You must become a member, for free, to see the complete ad and to place your own at Megafriends, to use one of the 5 chat rooms, and be able to send a limited number of messages to other members. You will also be able to receive email messages from Megafriends when a compatible new member signs up, so you can be the first to send them a message! You'll want to become a Gold member to reply to messages, have your personal ad located at the top of the listings, and be able to include your instant messenger information included with your ad. Over all, this is a friendly service, easy to get around, and a lot of ads available for Americans.

WHAT YOU'LL FIND: Free to post your personal ad, free to send messages, become a member to reply. Plenty of activities including forums, games and chat rooms. Straight, same sex, and secret affair personal ads available here.

WHAT WE FOUND: Successfully Dating is an easy to use site that offers plenty of dating fun along with your membership. We like the profile form, it allows you plenty of room to describe yourself and what you'd like in a match, but we didn't like all the profile simple answers to the regular search-type questions. Be sure to use the open text areas by describing yourself more that can be seen through the preset questions. You'll have fun, once your profile is verified, by using the fast searches and the chat system. You can send members 'smiles' to show your interest, we like that easy introduction feature. The search methods are well throughout including simple and advanced searches as well as instant matching based on your preferences and searching for members that are online when you are, which can lead to meeting in the chat room. The video messaging is easy to use and fun.

WHAT YOU'LL FIND: Free trial includes access to all features for 3 days. Messaging, video messages and live chat are fun things to do at this site. Lots of advice articles and movie and book reviews.