12 Best Free Single Dating Apps (2024)

I definitely felt apprehensive when I downloaded my first single dating app as a newly single 20-something. However, I knew I wanted to be in a serious relationship, and I thought diving into a dating pool of local singles was the best way to get the job done.

Over the next year or so, I went on dozens of dates that ranged from cringeworthy fails to epic, closed-out-the-restaurant wins. Eventually, I fell hard for a guy I met on a dating app, and we’ve been inseparable ever since.

Whether you’re looking for a relationship, a casual hookup, or just a Friday night date, you can count on meeting a lot of local prospects on a popular dating app. The following dating platforms have gotten compatibility and chemistry down to a science and created a ton of fun avenues to romance. Give ’em a try!

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Topping our list is the cream of the online dating crop. We’d trust these platforms to make smart matches for singles of all ages, locations, and orientations. They’re generally the best of the best in terms of membership size and matchmaking power, so don’t be shy about creating a free dating profile and seeing what all the fuss is about.

Match has earned its spot at as #1 dating app by consistently putting quality first and providing a seamless online experience.

In April 1995, Match launched as one of the first-ever dating sites in the world, and its companion app is available for free on Google Play and in the App Store. The app offers all the connective power and match algorithms of the original site, but in a handy mobile format. Free members can browse profiles for as long as they like and upgrade their accounts whenever they’re ready to take things to the next level.

“Finally! A well-orchestrated Match app,” said Bob Griffin in a review. “Perfect, polished presentation on the Android app.”

In 2007, Zoosk made a splash in the online dating scene by integrating social media tools into its registration process. Nowadays, verifying a user through Facebook or Instagram is pretty common, but back then Zoosk was pioneering new technology and changing the way online daters mingled and matched. It was also one of the first online dating sites to release a companion online dating app.

Today, the Zoosk app has over 40 million members in 80 countries, and its advanced search filters can help singles quickly make sense of this colossal dating scene.

Zoosk uses behavioral matchmaking to bring compatible people together. That means that the match algorithm learns what you like every time you view, favorite, send a smile, or message a person on the site or app, and it’ll recommend similar profiles to those you’ve liked in the past.

3. Plenty of Fish

Plenty of Fish

is a free dating site and app designed to get singles talking. It supports a large and diverse dating pool of over 150 million members, and more than 65,000 singles join the network every day. The app is currently available in 20 countries and has been translated into 11 languages — and counting.

What makes Plenty of Fish stand out? The free communication features. You never have to pay anything to message people on the site and app. This is an incredibly chatty dating space where singles can be themselves and pick up dates at their leisure. The POF community supports over 17 million conversations a day.

Singles can install the Plenty of Fish app for free and get instant access to a world of romantic possibilities. The online dating app uses a personality-driven matching system, but it also has search features so you can explore and set your own standards.

The Plenty of Fish team prides itself on getting fast results for a low cost and making the dating experience more fun at the same time.

Online dating has become incredibly popular for gay and lesbian singles all over the world. In a survey of LGBTQ+ singles, the dating app Chappy found that 93% of online daters consider dating apps an important way to meet like-minded people, and 62% said dating apps made it easier to find love.

Dating apps allow singles to cut through the nonsense and identify compatible matches in a safe, nonjudgmental, and anonymous space. The following gay-friendly apps can help singles explore their sexuality and find romantic partners that last a night or a lifetime.

We’re going to start on the casual end of the spectrum. MenNation is a gay hookup platform for guys who want to get some action in the local dating scene. The men-only network allows singles and couples to surf anonymously and flirt via instant messages and video chats.

With millions of members in its database, MenNation boasts being the largest network of its kind, and it has gotten a lot of attention from sexually active men who identify as gay, bi, or questioning.

LesbianPersonals is a sultry dating platform where women can let their hair down and pursue same-sex relationships and threesomes. With the help of its location-based searches, finding a hot female date to take to bed should be a snap.

It’s free to register as a single woman, lesbian couple, straight couple, or group, and you can browse X-rated dating profiles for as long as you like. This is an adults-only and female-friendly platform, so you must be over 18 to join.

LesbianPersonals has created a safe, sex-positive space for women who know what they want and aren’t afraid to go after it.

6. Grindr

Most gay men are probably familiar with Grindr. It has been the premier gay dating since its launch in 2009, and its reputation as a fast-paced hookup app is pretty true to life. Many Grindr users go on the app in search of a hot date, and they use the location-based swiping to make a fast connection with a guy around the corner.

“Grindr is a jungle,” said one Reddit user in a thread. “You never really know.”

Grindr has a lot of excellent free features to help gay singles (and bi singles and trans singles) connect. It’s free to join, free to swipe, and free to message people on the app, but online Grindr Unlimited members have access to everything. Paid members can see their views, unsend messages or photos, browse incognito mode, use more search filters, and see if their match has read their message or is typing a reply.

These premium Grindr Xtra features are great perks, but they’re not essential to the online dating experience. Free members can still find dates, enjoy hookups, and build relationships without paying for a Grindr subscription.

7. HER

Finally, HER is a community-driven dating app made by womxn for womxn. The dating app is most definitely relationship-focused, and it supports an authentic community of more than 4 million lesbian, bisexual, and queer people.

You can let your freak flag fly on HER and post stories, photos, and events that reflect your interests and personality. HER members can like and comment on each other’s posts to initiate contact, and the social space encourages womxn to feel like they belong to a global sisterhood.

 

If you play your cards right and follow the community guidelines (basically don’t be a dick), you may find yourself adding your name to the #WeMetOnHER stories on social media. The odds are in your favor as an LGBTQ+ womxn on HER.

“Finding an app that caters to a bisexual woman is hard,” said one HER user. “HER is one of the few apps that are legitimate… the app is appealing enough to return to.”

A few years ago, OkCupid raised some concerns about racial attitudes in the online dating scene, and things looked particularly grim for black singles seeking interracial relationships. According to the longitudinal study, non-black men were less likely to initiate a chat with a black woman on the dating site or app, and women of all races preferred chatting with someone of the same race.

If you’ve had difficulty branching out in the mainstream dating scene, we’d recommend seeking out more diverse terrain where singles are judged by the content of their dating profiles, not the color of their skin. The following black-friendly dating apps can help broaden your romantic horizons.

BlackPeopleMeet is undeniably one of the most popular black dating platforms in North America with thousands of members to its name. Since 2002, People Media has offered this niche site as an alternative to the typical white-bread dating scene.

People of all races and backgrounds can join BlackPeopleMeet, but it is particularly helpful to singles of color. Over the years, BlackPeopleMeet has shared many success stories on its site to prove that it can work wonders for singles seeking a love connection.

“In record time, I have met my soul mate, my love, and my queen,” said a BlackPeopleMeet member from Brooklyn. “Thank you, BlackPeopleMeet.”

9. Tinder

Tinder

is undeniably one of the most successful dating apps in the world, and it currently has an active membership base in over 190 countries. Its diverse following includes singles of all ages, races, and lifestyles, and that’s what makes swiping here so fun.

Black singles can surround themselves with viable date prospects and love interests by creating a free profile on Tinder. It’s fast, it’s fun, and it has proven effective for all sorts of people.

Since its launch in 2012, Tinder has created over 30 billion matches. It’s not just about online connections, either. The app claims responsibility for arranging over 1 million dates per week, so you can make the most of your online dating experience here.

Many devout Christians want to find a partner with similar values, traditions, and beliefs, but they may not have much luck in an increasingly irreligious society. You can’t expect the love of your life to plop down into the pew next to you in church — sometimes you have to seek new paths to romance, including going online.

The following values-driven dating sites cater to single Christians who are serious about settling down with a like-minded person and building a relationship grounded in faith.

Since 2001, ChristianMingle has distinguished itself as the most reliable and helpful dating resource for Christians everywhere. The dating site and app appeal to Christians of all denominations, and there’s even room for non-Christians interested in converting or being in a Christian marriage.

ChristianMingle guides its member to meaningful matches every day, and its wholesome, God-centered mission has touched many people’s lives. The dating platform’s many success stories are proof of that.

“What do you have to lose?” asked Lauren, who married a man she met on ChristianMingle. “If it wasn’t for taking a risk/chance, I would never have met my husband.”

Elite Singles has set high standards for the online dating scene by curating matches based on mutual interests, lifestyles, educations, and ambitions. The upscale dating platform appeals to busy professionals who simply don’t have time to wander bars and clubs looking for a date.

The intelligent matchmaking system on Elite Singles can save valuable time and pinpoint compatibility based on your criteria and your match’s criteria. You can set dating preferences in terms of age, height, location, education, income, and other factors, and you can also indicate how important that characteristic is to you.

As a member of Elite Singles, you’ll be in the top tier of the dating scene and have the opportunity to meet high-caliber singles. Over 82% of Elite Singles members have earned a bachelor’s degree, and over 90% are interested in getting in a long-term relationship.

Senior singles may worry that they don’t belong in the online dating scene, but actually many niche communities have cropped up to meet the needs of singles over 50. Senior dating sites and apps can offer a mature and safe dating experience that could be life-changing in some cases.

By embracing online dating, seniors can discover new friendships and relationships that will last well into their golden years. Here are a couple beginner-friendly options for seniors to try.

SilverSingles hasn’t been around all that long — it relaunched and rebranded in 2017 — but it has built an impressive following. The exclusive seniors-only network has surpassed 50,000 paid subscribers, and it has over 1 million free members in the U.S. alone.

Whether you register on the website or download the free SilverSingles app, you can create an online dating profile and start matching without paying anything. SilverSingles offers advice every step of the way, and it can even provide a few simple conversation starters to help get the ball rolling.

SilverSingles uses a personality-driven algorithm to recommend up to seven compatible profiles per day, and it encourages men and women to feel safe getting to know one another online and then meeting up offline.

OurTime is a premier dating site designed for the over-50 dating crowd. The site is powered by People Media, so its seamless interface may look familiar if you also have a profile on BlackPeopleMeet or SingleParentMeet.

OurTime’s in-depth profile give users plenty of space to express themselves and tell their stories, and the match system will highlight profiles with similar interests. This is a great opportunity to meet a potential date in the same age bracket.

The OurTime app is available for free on Google Play and the App Store, and thousands of seniors have given it a test run. “App is easy to use, nice features,” commented James B. in a five-star review. “I received earnest interest and dates in my first week.”

Some singles are dating just for the sake of dating. They want “see where things go” and “keep their options open.” Relationship-minded folks don’t have time to waste on such casual and commitment-phobic dates. You need to make sure your dating goals align from the get-go for a relationship to blossom.

If you’re interested in finding a serious love connection online, you should check out the following two quality-driven dating apps.

August 22, 2000 was a fateful day for the online dating scene. That’s when eharmony launched on a mission to strengthen marriages by making sure compatible, relationship-minded singles could find one another online.

The dating site was the brainchild of a psychologist and Christian theologian, and that pretty much sums up its moral compass. It uses a combination of head and heart to identify chemistry and inspire love. The 29-dimension personality questionnaire is the foundation of eharmony’s match system and compatibility ratings, and it creates more than 15 million matches per day.

People who join eharmony are truly invested in the dating process. These singles know what they want, and it’s someone to have and hold for life.

15. Hinge

Hinge

is on a mission to be more than just a dating app — it’s a relationship app where meaningful connections have room to grow. The free app offers singles the opportunity to get to know one another on a deeper level from the get-go.

Hinge users have to comment or like something specific on person’s profile if they want to create a mutual match and have a conversation. Single men and women can show genuine interest thanks to this thoughtful system, and that can stimulate interesting chats about hobbies, careers, values, and opinions.

The Hinge dating profile is unique because it offers a lot of good information without looking overly cluttered. The profile includes six photos, three prompts, and basic demographic information (age, location, religion, education, drinking habits, etc.). The app has over 80 prompts to choose from — What’s your favorite Disney movie? What are your dealbreakers? What’s your dream job? Two truths and a lie — and they all speak to some aspect of your personality.

Hinge has prompted many love stories between power couples, but it’s probably most well-known as the dating apps where presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg met his husband. I also count myself among Hinge’s success stories, so I can say unequivocally that this free relationship app works.

16. OkCupid

OkCupid

operates under the motto, “Dating deserves better,” and it aims to supply “better” at every turn. First, the dating site and app offers 100% free communication — just to loosen singles up and give them every opportunity to find romance. Next, the platform provides compatibility ratings to steer singles toward the most viable dates who meet their criteria. And, finally, the app only allows singles to chat after they’ve both liked each other’s profile, thus filtering out unwanted solicitations.

You can send an initial greeting to anyone you like on OkCupid — no match required — and it will appear to your crush as a notification on your profile. It will not be in his/her inbox until the like is returned.

OkCupid attracts a broad range of folks, and its following includes casual daters, serious daters, and everyone in between. However, singles can state upfront on their dating profiles what they’re looking for (new friends, hookups, short-term dating, or long-term dating), thus getting rid of the guesswork involved in choosing a good match.

Every week, over 50,000 first dates happen because of OkCupid, and the app is responsible for making more than 90 million connections every year.

Want to get right down to business? Then a hookup app is the place for you. These sexually stimulating dating platforms can introduce singles and swingers to a world of romantic possibilities — and they’re free to join.

BeNaughty is a fun-filled, sex-positive hookup app for singles over 18 years old. The platform promises to deliver hot profiles and many flirtatious options right to your mobile device, so you don’t have to look very far to find a hot date.

It’s free to create an account in the BeNaughty network, and you even have some free chat tools at your disposal. This exciting dating scene is open 24/7, and someone is always online and eager to connect. You can sort through potential matches in the Like Gallery, or you can use search filters to find someone who meets your standards in terms of age, location, appearance, and orientation.

AdultFriendFinder boasts having over 97 million members in its database, and that makes it one of the most popular hookup sites and apps in the world. The AFF community prides itself on being open-minded, and it encourages people to pursue their pleasures without judgment.

Whether you’re a single seeking casual sex or a couple seeking a threesome or orgy, you can discover lots of playmates in the group chats, dating forums, and private messages. AdultFriendFinder supports over 14 million group discussions, and many of these conversations dwell on erotic subject matters.

You can conduct an anonymous search for a sexual partner anytime on AFF, and you never know what you’ll encounter.

FriendFinder-X is an X-rated dating site where sexually active adults can be honest about their wants and needs. Many people post revealing photos of themselves to kick things off, and they don’t beat around the bush in private chats.

On FriendFinder-X, singles can let go of their inhibitions and solicit sex without a lot of small talk, pretenses, or foreplay. This free-wheeling atmosphere is liberating for sex-oriented men and women interested in getting down and dirty on their terms.

All the apps listed here are free in some capacity. Most offer free registration and browsing (that’s pretty standard), and some offer free communication (limited or unlimited) to singles seeking dates. However, if you’re looking for a completely 100% free dating app, then your options may become few and far between.

Daters on a budget often seek out free dating apps as a cost-effective way to meet people, and we can’t say we blame them for that. Our favorite free dating apps include OkCupid, which offers unlimited free messaging to everyone, and Tinder, which gives singles the freedom to swipe and match without paying a cent.

Just note that sometimes these free sites can offer more quantity than quality, and it can take a lot of work to vet potential dates and find the best matches. Millennials spend about 10 hours a week on a dating app, and that’s a huge time suck for busy singles.

Paywalls have become common on premium dating apps and sites for many reasons, and not all of them are greed-related. It’s a reliable way to keep scammers and spammers out of the dating pool, and it also ensures members have more skin in the game and are more invested in the online dating process. Dating sites like Match.com can’t always police millions of profiles, so having a paid subscription for messaging can raise the level of conversation and caliber of dater.

Yep, Hinge is a completely free dating app for singles who are tired of the swiping game and ready to settle down. I downloaded Hinge about two years ago, and I never paid a cent to swipe, match, and chat there. The app turned out be an invaluable sidekick in my love life because that’s where I met my boyfriend, and I’m not the only one. Hinge has seen a lot of success stories over the years, so it’s well worth the $0 to sign up and chat.

One last thing, there is a premium Hinge option that’ll give you access to special features like seeing who’s liked you, but it’s not necessary to upgrade to have a good experience on the app. If you’re satisfied with the standard membership, you can keep using it for free and still meet lots of viable dates.

No, Bumble is not traditionally seen as a hookup app. As a progressive, values-forward company, Bumble aims to satisfy more intellectual and less carnal desires. Its high-integrity approach to dating has clearly rubbed off on its users because fewer than 1% of Bumble women say they want a hookup.

Bumble was designed to facilitate meaningful connections — romantic and otherwise — and hookup culture has no place in this virtual space.

If you want to find a new friend, Bumble can help. If you want to find a colleague or business partner, Bumble can help. If you want to land a hot date, of course Bumble can help with that. But if you’re looking to hit it and quit it, you’re better off looking elsewhere.

We’ve gotten this question so frequently that we wrote a whole article about Zoosk’s free trial — which is nonexistent. Zoosk does not have a free trial period. I’ll say that again: Zoosk does not have a free trial. Period.

Instead, Zoosk offers a free membership that never expires and is available to everyone upon signup. When you create your Zoosk account, you’ll automatically become a free member. No promo codes. No coupons. No hassle. Zoosk’s default is free, and you’ll only have to pay if you go into your settings and click Upgrade. Otherwise, you can enjoy a forever-free browsing experience on Zoosk.

I didn’t really know what to expect when I downloaded a free dating app and created what turned out to be the first of many dating profiles. I thought it might be fun, or at the very least it would give me something to think about and a reason to go out on lonely weekends. I wasn’t sure I’d find anyone worthwhile on a dating app, but I sure did hope I would.

That first dating account didn’t pan out for me, but a little trial and error led me to the app that did the trick and introduced me to a guy who met my match requirements and then some.

I’ve seen firsthand that free dating apps do in fact work, and they can make all the difference in the world in your love life if you let them. I’d recommend trying more than one dating app at a time (the average single uses about three at once), so you can see how they differ from one another and get the most from your dating experience. Good luck!