Online dating and dating apps are one of the most popular methods to meet new people, with over 1,400 sites catering to people from different walks of life and hobbies in the UK alone.

So whether you’re a dog lover, an environmentalist, or a wine expert, you’re sure to discover someone who shares your passions.

Here are our recommendations for the finest dating websites and apps, including our own dating.telegraph.co.uk.

The best dating sites and apps in the UK

1. Eharmony

Ideal for: long-term relationships

Eharmony, a modern matchmaking service, claims to have helped over two million people find love. Users must complete a short quiz to establish their core beliefs in relation to others, and this information fuels a variety of beneficial tools to assist them in their search for love (including compatibility scores, personality profiles, and relationship advice).

Registration and download of the app are both free, as are sending ‘smiles’ and pre-written Icebreakers to start the conversation. You must, however, subscribe to receive personalized messages and unlimited access to your match’s profile. For a period of 24 months, a subscription costs £7.95 each month.

2. Match.com

Match.com is synonymous with online dating and claims to have someone for everyone. Create a descriptive profile, then use a criterion search to locate your ideal match. You can choose to be contacted only by persons who fulfill your criteria by going into “zen mode.”

Although joining is free, you can only send and receive messages if you are a subscriber. A six-month subscription costs £12.99 per month.

3. EliteSingles

Educated singles in their forties are the best candidates.

EliteSingles, a site that matches users based on compatibility rather than swiping left, may appeal to those who aren’t fond of swiping left. The in-depth compatibility test considers your appearance, personality (including questions about your optimism and ambition, social skills, how friends would characterize you, and more), and what you’re looking for in a spouse, including whether or not you desire children. The majority of users are searching for a long-term commitment and intellectual fit, with 85% of users having a degree and being between the ages of 30 and 55.

4. Silver Singles

While Silver Singles is most popular in the United States, it is also gaining popularity in the United Kingdom. To join the site, you must first complete a detailed personality exam, which takes about 15 to 30 minutes and is designed to match you with your ideal match.

Despite the fact that profiles are fairly extensive, they are hidden behind a paywall. Similarly, you will have to pay to send messages to potential mates. This premium membership starts at $24.95 per month for a 12-month period.

5. Our Time

Our Time, a relatively new dating app, is a breath of fresh air for individuals who are weary of swiping and want to meet someone IRL (in text language, that means “in real life”). Regular events for mature singles in your area are hosted by the site, where you can meet like-minded people. Feeling self-conscious? You are allowed to bring up to three companions for moral support.