The Bare Bones

• Although it's not as point-and-click simple as eHarmony, match.com or similar services, Craigslist features a wide variety of ads for men seeking women, women seeking men and every other pairing one can imagine. But the site doesn't stop there. In your metropolitan area, you can search for the level of commitment for which you're searching, from a strictly platonic friendship to something more serious. Of course, it's always wise to correspond with your potential significant other before meeting them and, when the meeting comes, link up in a public, safe place.
  
  

Match.com

• Match.com has a lot of standard dating site features, from the personality test from which users can build their profiles to the site's subdivisions, which point members to specific demographics through which they'd like to search. Their site includes links to profiles of Christians, homosexuals and different races, among other groupings. There is also a six-month guarantee that comes along with joining the site that states that if you haven't found a relationship within half a year, you'll have your money back.
  
  

eHarmony

• eHarmony calls itself the number one trusted online dating service. It features plan options like the extensive relationship questionnaire and articles explaining how love works from a scientific standpoint and the statistic that 236 eHarmony members marry every day on average. In a battle of Match.com versus eHarmony, a single's choice is a tough call.
  
  

OkCupid

• OkCupid calls itself the best dating site on earth, and while that may be an exaggeration, its service is strikingly similar to its competitors, but with the edge of no advertisements and no costs. The questionnaires are similar, and the options for who you can date are wide open; here, the matchmakers are bi-, lesbian-, gay- and straight-friendly. Though there's no refund for losing out on love here, there's no investment in the first place.
  
  

Costs

• Match.com and eHarmony are both elusive about their pricing. This increases the appeal of a service like OkCupid, which offers similar features at no cost. eHarmony claims on its site that the investment pays off, as you're getting out of paying for dates you may regret. Regardless, if you're willing to pay the price, then taking the plunge with Match.com or eHarmony can pay off, figuratively and literally.
  
  

Considerations

• Perhaps the most crucial thing to remember in searching for your soul mate online is the importance of honesty. If a profile is built on falsehoods, then who you will attract will not be your ideal. On the same token, keep in mind that everyone likes to stretch the truth when they're hiding behind a computer screen. Although there is no clear way to predetermine that your potential significant other is the genuine article, discernment is key. If the profile includes phrases like "exceedingly attractive," "extremely intelligent" or "very wealthy," steer clear.