Looking for love? Consumer Reports rates best online dating sites

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- If you're counting on the internet to play cupid, you're not alone.

A recent Consumer Reports survey found 16% of respondents had used an online dating site or app at least once.

Are paid dating sites better than free ones? And which site ranks highest in satisfaction?

Consumer Reports surveyed nearly 10,000 online daters to find out.

Melissa Emsley had been using online dating apps for five years-

"When you get your hopes built up sometimes to meet the right person and then that chemistry is just not there. It can be discouraging," she said.

In Consumer Reports' survey, respondents gave online dating sites the lowest satisfaction scores Consumer Reports has seen for any rated service in two decades - even lower than cable TV companies!

"Online dating is different from shopping for other kinds of things like a sweater. Once you find a sweater you like, you get it. With dating, the sweater has to like you back," said Margot Gilman, Money Editor for Consumer Reports.

Yet 44% of respondents also say thanks to dating online, they have had or are in a serious long-term relationship or have even gotten married.

"I was about to give up online dating completely, when I got a message from Brian. I definitely have that site to thank for my relationship today, so it can work out," said Emsley.

Sites like Match, eHarmony, or Jdate can cost close to $40 dollars a month.

Others like OKCupid, PlentyOfFish or Tinder are free.

Consumer Reports found 48% of those surveyed joined Match.

PlentyOfFish and eHarmony tied for second most popular with 23% each.

And while people said quality does come at a price, the free sites actually scored a touch better for overall satisfaction than paid ones.

And consider this.

"If you're interested in meeting someone who say, likes the same kinds of movies as you do, or follows the same faith as you do, you can probably find a website that specializes in helping you find just that," said Gilman.

Also, Consumer Reports found OKCupid and Tinder are more popular among millennials. Generation X'ers and Baby Boomers are more likely to use a paid option like Match.

And the dating website that rated highest overall? OKCupid ranked number one.