OurTime is one of the most widely recognized names in mature dating. It's been around long enough that a lot of men over 50 have either tried it already or heard of it from someone who has. The platform keeps things simple — no elaborate personality tests, no algorithm you have to learn. You browse, you like, you message. The question is whether that simplicity serves you or limits you.
What you'll learn:
- How OurTime works and who it's actually built for
- What sets it apart from SilverSingles and Match.com
- How to build a profile that stands out at 50+
- What the Flirts and Views features actually tell you
- Honest expectations for response rates on OurTime
- Whether upgrading to a paid plan changes anything significant
How OurTime Works and Who It's For
OurTime is a browsing-first platform. You set up a profile with photos and a short bio, define your age and location preferences, and then browse through profiles of women who match your criteria. You can send Flirts — quick expressions of interest — for free, but messaging requires a paid subscription.
The platform targets adults 50 and over exclusively. That age focus means you won't encounter profiles from people in their twenties or thirties who wandered in from a general app. Everyone you see is in your general life stage, which makes conversations feel more grounded from the start.
OurTime vs SilverSingles: The Key Differences
The main difference comes down to matching philosophy. SilverSingles uses a personality assessment to drive its suggestions. OurTime lets you browse freely and make your own choices. Neither is better in an absolute sense — it depends on how you prefer to date.
If you want the app to do more of the compatibility work upfront, SilverSingles is the stronger choice. If you'd rather have full control over who you look at and reach out to, OurTime's open browsing model suits that preference. A lot of men over 50 find the self-directed approach more natural — it mirrors how dating worked before algorithms existed.
Building a Profile That Actually Gets Noticed
OurTime profiles are simple by design, but simple doesn't mean you should put in minimal effort. Your main photo needs to be recent, clear, and taken in decent light. Women on OurTime are looking at your face first — if the photo is blurry, old, or shows you in sunglasses, you'll lose her attention before she reads a single word.
Your bio section is where you can differentiate yourself. Most men on OurTime write two or three generic sentences. Write something specific — mention a place you love, something you're currently into, or one thing that would tell a stranger something real about you. That specificity is what gets her to send a Flirt back or respond to your message.
Flirts, Views, and What They Actually Mean
When you view someone's profile on OurTime, they may be notified. When you send a Flirt, it's a low-commitment signal of interest that costs nothing. Think of it as a wave from across the room rather than walking over and starting a conversation.
Flirts can be useful for gauging interest before you invest in a message. If she Flirts back or views your profile shortly after, that's a decent signal that she noticed you. If there's no response, move on — her inbox may be full, she may have lost interest, or she may not be very active. Don't read too much into silence.
Realistic Expectations on OurTime
Response rates on OurTime are lower than you might hope, especially early on. A lot of profiles are semi-active — people who signed up months ago and check in occasionally. The active-user filter (searching by recent login) helps significantly. Focus your effort on women who have been online within the last week.
When you do get a conversation going, keep it moving. Don't let a good exchange drag on for two weeks before suggesting a coffee. Men over 50 who move with intention — suggesting a real meeting within a few days of connecting — get better results than those who keep chatting indefinitely without direction.
Is the Paid Subscription Worth It
Free accounts on OurTime are fairly limited — you can browse and Flirt but messaging requires a subscription. The paid tier is reasonably priced for what it offers and is essentially required for anyone who wants to use the platform meaningfully. A one-month trial is a reasonable way to test whether the user base in your area justifies a longer commitment.
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Read more →Conclusion
OurTime is a solid, no-frills option for men over 50 who prefer to browse and choose on their own terms. It won't overwhelm you with features or force you through a long questionnaire. It just gives you a focused pool of age-appropriate singles and gets out of your way. In a larger city with an active user base, it delivers real results for men who show up with a complete profile and genuine intent.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age group uses OurTime?
OurTime is designed for singles aged 50 and over. It's one of the few major platforms that targets this demographic exclusively.
Can you message on OurTime for free?
No. Messaging requires a paid subscription. The free tier lets you browse, view profiles, and send Flirts.
How is OurTime different from SilverSingles?
OurTime lets you browse freely. SilverSingles uses a personality test to drive curated matches. Different approaches to the same demographic.
Is OurTime worth paying for?
If the user base in your area is active, yes. A one-month trial lets you evaluate that before committing to a longer plan.
What is a Flirt on OurTime?
A Flirt is a free, low-commitment signal of interest you can send to someone's profile. It notifies them that you're interested without requiring a paid message.
How do I find active users on OurTime?
Use the search filters to sort by last login date. This filters out inactive profiles and shows you who is actually using the platform right now.