Top 10 Best Sites
Looking for a dating site you can trust? Search no more.
“Location, location, location” is the mantra that real estate agents live by, and that motto also applies to singles seeking love and romance on local dating sites.
Local dating sites tend to be the most popular options for singles because it’s just more convenient to date a person who lives in the same city, town, or state. Many free online dating sites and apps use location-based settings to organize date prospects by proximity and feature active profiles in your area.
Online dating is also an affordable way to meet a potential match instead of, for example, spending $50+ at a bar or club every Friday and Saturday night hoping you’ll happen to catch the eye of a compatible single man or woman. Here are the nine best free local dating websites and apps that allow searching for dates by distance.
1. Match
Match isn’t just one of the top local free dating sites — it’s the top one in our expert rankings, and for good reason.
Match is responsible for making the most romantic connections than any other dating site, and the secret to its success lies in its personality-driven algorithm.
Relationships:
Friends, Dates, and Relationships
Match System:
Browse by zip, age, appearance, more
Our Experts Say:
“Match has facilitated the most dates and relationships of any dating site, and its large audience and high success rate make it our top review...”
Full Review »
Browse Free:
View Photos Now
User Base
Gender Ratio
Popularity (Visits/Mo.)
Today's Deal
All Singles*
49%*
51%*
39.7 Million*
Try Match FREE
On Match, you don’t just have one affordable option — you have two. You can sign up for a free account that never expires and lets you do things like browse for potential matches and exchange messages with potential matches in your Top Picks list.
Or you sign up for an all-inclusive subscription plan that lets you communicate without any limits and gain access to features like Email Read Notifications.
If you’re looking for compatible dates on the go, then you can always download the Match dating app for free and get all the same features on the dating website, just in a more convenient interface.
2. OurTime
Free, effective, large senior demographic — this may seem like you’re asking for a lot out of a dating site, but you’re really not. This is your love life, and it’s worth being a little picky. If all of those things matter to you, you can find them on OurTime. This local dating website is dedicated to singles aged 50+ and doesn’t require you to input any payment information to create a dating profile.
Relationships:
Dates and Relationships
Match System:
Search by profiles by zip and more
Our Experts Say:
“OurTime is well-known in the over-50 dating crowd, particularly because it has a ton of helpful search features and an easy layout...”
Full Review »
Browse Free:
View Photos Now
User Base
Gender Ratio
Popularity (Visits/Mo.)
Today's Deal
Mature Singles (50+)*
48%*
52%*
8.9 Million*
Over 50? Try It FREE
Some other characteristics we love about OurTime are their clean layout, comprehensive search functionalities, and overall smooth and fun online dating process.
OurTime has a companion online dating app to help a single senior find a potential partner while on the go, and the user base includes lots of over-50 date prospects.
3. EliteSingles
Intelligence, financial stability, and career aspirations can be very attractive date qualities, and if you agree, EliteSingles just might be the best dating website for you. More than 80% of members have a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate degree, and it doesn’t cost anything to start interacting with them.
Relationships:
Serious Relationships
Match System:
Search, Receive Partner Suggestions
Our Experts Say:
“EliteSingles is a leading dating site just for busy, single professionals. More than 80% of members have earned a college degree, and most are looking for a serious commitment...”
Full Review »
Browse Free:
View Photos Now
User Base
Gender Ratio
Popularity (Visits/Mo.)
Today's Deal
All Singles*
44%*
56%*
2 Million*
Browse Profiles Free
With more than 165,000 singles from all over the world joining the site each month and over 2,500 members finding love every month, we can confidently say EliteSingles deserves to be on this list of the best local dating sites. You can create an online dating profile for free, but only paid members can view photos and send messages in this premier dating environment.
4. eharmony
Getting something for free is great, but if the quality is lacking or the service doesn’t work for you, the free aspect becomes “a moo point,” as Joey Tribbiani would say. Whether we’re talking about cost effectiveness or efficiency, eharmony does both extremely well in both areas.
Without spending any money, you can create an account, take eharmony’s famous 32 Dimensions of Compatibility Quiz, and receive and view compatible matches.
Relationships:
Casual Dates, Deep Relationships
Match System:
Personality test suggests matches
Our Experts Say:
“Accounting for 2% of U.S. marriages, eharmony's compatibility-based system and commitment-minded user base are ideal for those seeking a serious relationship...”
Full Review »
Browse Free:
View Photos Now
User Base
Gender Ratio
Popularity (Visits/Mo.)
Today's Deal
All Singles*
48%*
52%*
4.1 Million*
View Profiles FREE
At the end of the day, eharmony is a fantastic choice for those who want a serious relationship or marriage that lasts. The dating website and dating app are responsible for over 2 million relationships in the U.S., a statistic that far exceeds many of the 100% free local dating sites out there.
While eharmony does charge members to send messages online, the dating website definitely makes it worth your while by continually recommending high-quality singles who are everything you’re looking for and then some.
5. SilverSingles
SilverSingles is another free online dating service for mature singles, and even better news is it’s part of the EliteSingles community and uses a similar smart matchmaking system.
If you’re looking for a friendship or relationship with a local single senior, then SilverSingles can be a wonderfully reliable and effective dating resource.
Relationships:
Friendship, Casual Dates, Serious Relationships
Match System:
Search by age, location, height, education, ethnicity, and religion
Our Experts Say:
“SilverSingles caters to relationship-minded singles over 50 with simple, safe, and effective online dating tools...”
Full Review »
Browse Free:
View Photos Now
User Base
Gender Ratio
Popularity (Visits/Mo.)
Today's Deal
Mature Singles (50+)*
41%*
59%*
800,000*
Sign up for FREE
Safety can be a main concern for senior online daters, especially those who haven’t been in the field for a while and who aren’t particularly tech savvy. SilverSingles, whose team monitors the site around the clock and can be reached at any time, makes this a number one priority.
6. Christian Mingle
Christian Mingle is one of the few free dating sites that’s specifically for singles within the Christian faith — no matter their denomination.
Once you log in, you’ll have everything you need right at your fingertips: tools for making your profile, features for browsing and chatting with matches in your area, and 24/7 customer support. Plus, you won’t have to spend a penny in this faith-driven dating scene.
Relationships:
Dates and Serious Relationships
Match System:
Search by gender, age, education, more
Our Experts Say:
“ChristianMingle is among the largest dating sites in the industry that only caters to single Christian men and women, and the site has some of the best search filters and safety features...”
Full Review »
Browse Free:
View Photos Now
User Base
Gender Ratio
Popularity (Visits/Mo.)
Today's Deal
Christian Singles*
44%*
56%*
3.5 Million*
Try Now for $19.99/Month
Religion can be a deal-breaker, and so can price, and at Christian Mingle, faith-oriented daters get the best of both worlds.
The free dating site appeals to Christians who want to build a lasting relationship with someone who has a similar interest in and passion for Christianity.
7. BlackPeopleMeet
Not only is BlackPeopleMeet (BPM) a popular Black online dating site, but this is also a popular free local online dating site. In just a few minutes and for absolutely nothing, daters can set up a profile and find Black and biracial men and women near them.
Relationships:
Deep Relationships or Just Casual Dates
Match System:
Search by location, age, more
Our Experts Say:
“BlackPeopleMeet.com is the one of the largest and most popular dating sites for black and biracial singles, and the site is used by more than 5 million people a month...”
Full Review »
Browse Free:
View Photos Now
User Base
Gender Ratio
Popularity (Visits/Mo.)
Today's Deal
Black Singles*
47%*
53%*
5.7 Million*
FREE Trial for New Users
BlackPeopleMeet is one of the few online dating sites to provide ethnicity and race filters that allow a user to get specific about the type of person they want in their life. Black people make up the majority here, but other races are welcome too. This dating service is open to anyone seeking a Black or biracial date in the U.S. or Canada.
BPM has over 1 million monthly users from various locations and of various ethnicities, cultures, and religions, so trust that your ideal match is among that user base.
8. Zoosk
In terms of local dating websites, and ones on which you don’t have to spend beaucoup bucks, Zoosk is often part of the conversation. You can join the site through Facebook and pull key pieces of personal information (like your location) from your existing profile within seconds. A 100% free membership includes all the necessary components such as registration, search, flirty tools, and certain types of communication.
Relationships:
Fun Dates, Serious Relationships
Match System:
Search and get match recommendations
Our Experts Say:
“Zoosk is integrated with social media sites, like Facebook and Google+, so it's very popular with singles on the go...”
Full Review »
Browse Free:
View Photos Now
User Base
Gender Ratio
Popularity (Visits/Mo.)
Today's Deal
All Singles*
48%*
52%*
28.9 Million*
Start Zoosk for FREE
Since 2007, Zoosk has distinguished itself as a popular online dating site and app where locals can easily find their ideal match and pick up a first date.
Another aspect of Zoosk that puts this dating service among the crème de la crème is the membership base includes over 38 million users (and counting), so the chances of finding a like-minded person in your neck of the woods are very high.
9. BeNaughty
We’ve talked age, religion, and race, and now it’s time to talk sex. For passionate singles who want a passionate night with someone equally as passionate (with no strings attached) there’s BeNaughty. One of our favorite free online local dating sites for hookups, BeNaughty has some of the most advanced features out there, including the ability to search for matches by age, location, and appearance.
Relationships:
Hookups, Chats
Match System:
Search by encounter, location, and more
Our Experts Say:
“BeNaughty is a premier hookup app where you can feel comfortable expressing your desires. Plus, it's free to join, browse, and flirt...”
Full Review »
Browse Free:
View Photos Now
User Base
Gender Ratio
Popularity (Visits/Mo.)
Today's Deal
All Singles*
48%*
52%*
13.3 Million*
Browse Profiles Free
Whether you’re on desktop or mobile, BeNaughty can help make your naughtiest daydreams come to life. The BeNaughty app has gotten rave reviews from singles seeking casual sex and hookups, and we have no doubt its search filters can help you meet a potential date in your area.
BeNaughty offers completely free communication to every user on the free dating site, so don’t worry about membership fees or in-app purchases here.
Is Tinder a Good Local Dating App?
Yes, Tinder is actually one of the most popular dating apps in the world, and its swiping technology was designed to spark local matches. Since 2012, Tinder has been downloaded over 530 million times, and it has created over 75 billion matches in 190 countries.
If those stats aren’t enough to impress you, just think about the 1.5 million dates taking place every week because of Tinder. It’s truly mind-boggling. This online dating app never stops working on your behalf and will feature local single profiles that meet your dating criteria and are interested in you.
Of course, Tinder isn’t the same as a casual dating site like OneNightFriend where all users are looking for a local hookup. Some local singles join Tinder in search of a relationship or just wanting to chat with a new person.
What’s the Best Dating App for Finding a Serious Relationship?
A lot of quality-driven dating apps focus on building meaningful connections, and many of them have become quite popular among serious relationship seekers. You can download free apps like Hinge, Bumble, and Coffee Meets Bagel to meet a potential match. But sometimes true love is worth an investment.
Our online dating experts find that a premium dating app like eharmony gives a user a greater likelihood of getting into a lasting relationship.
The eharmony app uses an in-depth personality test to get to the heart of who you are and what you want, and that informs every potential match made in this upscale dating network.
Available on: iOS, Android
- Relationships: Long-Term Relationships, Marriages
- Match System: Get daily match suggestions
- About the App: Responsible for 4% of marriages in the U.S., eharmony is among our top picks for relationship-minded heterosexual singles. To become a member, add the app to your phone (iOS or Android) and then take its 29 Dimensions® of Compatibility Matching Quiz. It's absolutely free to do both these things — as well as receive matches and communicate during other special events.
- Browse Free: View Profiles Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) | App Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight Singles* |
48%*
52%*
|
4.1 Million* | Free Download |
It’s free to join eharmony and set up a dating profile, and you can start browsing other people’s profiles immediately upon registration. If you want to improve your match ratings, you can invest some time in taking the personality questionnaire and completing every section of your dating profile.
Free eharmony members can send icebreaker quizzes and some free messages on the site and app, but only paid members with a premium membership can message anyone they like, so it may be a good idea to upgrade if you’re serious about finding love in the dating scene.
Are Free Online Dating Sites Worth It?
The best dating sites for singles will offer at least some free features so that newcomers can get a feel for how the compatibility matching system works and how appealing its singles network is. Sometimes there will be a free trial membership or limited free messaging or liking features to support a user looking to save money yet still meet people.
Free dating sites like OkCupid, Facebook Dating, and Plenty of Fish provide unlimited free messaging to all users, and that can seem like a pretty sweet deal at first. However, it can be difficult to sort through all the scammers, flakes, fake profiles, and phonies in a dating field where there’s no cover charge or messaging limits.
We’ve found that free dating sites may tempt single men and women on a budget, but they often require more effort, patience, and vetting to find a potential partner who’s the real deal. So, proceed with caution when you see a dating site or dating app offering 100% free chatting.
Which Site is Best for Casual Dating?
If you’re looking for a one-night stand, a threesome, or a casual fling, then Adult Friend Finder should be on your radar. This hookup site has over 100 million members, and it offers forums, blogs, chat rooms, live video feeds, and private messaging features to satisfy the desires of sexy singles and swingers around the world.
Adult Friend Finder is the best casual dating site in our book because it has so many flirtatious options available, and it provides adequate safety and privacy features to make sure local men and women can search for dates anonymously.
Relationships: Hookups Only
Match System: Search by location, interest, more
Our Experts Say: “Make no mistake: this site isn't about making friends, it's about finding hookups and casual encounters. No adult site has a larger or more active user base of those seeking discreet fun...”
Browse Free: View Photos Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) |
Today's Deal
|
| All Singles* |
65%*
35%*
|
25.5 Million* | 3 Months @ $19.95/Mo |
A free membership with Adult Friend Finder includes a lot of helpful connective tools. You can like and favorite profiles, view nude photos, post in the members-only forum, and read stories in the erotic blog, and you can also use the search filters to find a local date who’s your type.
Now, when it comes to messaging that perfect match in the AFF community, that will cost a little extra because this hookup site wants to ensure that everyone is authentic before letting them get in contact with one another. That way, it effectively removes spam messages and inactive profiles from the conversation.
Your Ideal Match is Around the Corner on a Free Local Dating Site!
Location is an important factor to consider when buying a house, and it’s also critical when looking for a date. That’s why so many online dating tools focus on identifying the closest potential date options and inspiring romance by bringing locals together on common digital ground.
By joining one of these free local single dating sites, you’re taking a giant step forward in your love live and will be saving yourself money and time. A free membership can help you explore your options and figure out what you want, so you’ll be on your way to a love affair or relationship in no time at all. Best of luck!
Advertiser Disclosure
DatingAdvice.com is a free online resource that offers valuable content and comparison services to users. To keep this resource 100% free, we receive compensation from many of the offers listed on the site. Along with key review factors, this compensation may impact how and where products appear across the site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). DatingAdvice.com does not include the entire universe of available offers. Editorial opinions expressed on the site are strictly our own and are not provided, endorsed, or approved by advertisers.
Our Editorial Review Policy
Our site is committed to publishing independent, accurate content guided by strict editorial guidelines. Before articles and reviews are published on our site, they undergo a thorough review process performed by a team of independent editors and subject-matter experts to ensure the content’s accuracy, timeliness, and impartiality. Our editorial team is separate and independent of our site’s advertisers, and the opinions they express on our site are their own. To read more about our team members and their editorial backgrounds, please visit our site’s About page.
Discuss This!