Best Dating Sites
Looking for a dating site you can trust? Search no more.
It’s hard to argue that people like free stuff. If you’re anything like me, you’re always trying to catch a good deal whether you’re at the grocery store or looking for a good dating app. Modern singles don’t have to spend a ton of money at local bars or fancy restaurants to connect with someone new. They can find a compatible match from the comfort of home thanks to free chat dating sites.
Online dating has evolved into the most popular and accessible way for singles to start a conversation and find genuine connections. Many free chat dating sites are worth exploring, and our online dating experts researched the best platforms to give you a head start.
1. Match
Relationships: Friends, Dates, and Relationships
Match System: Browse by zip, age, appearance, more
Our Experts Say: “As the largest and most diverse dating site in the world, Match features profiles of millions of local singles and a popular app. If you only try one dating service, make it Match…” Full Review »
Browse Free: View Photos Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) |
Free Trial
|
| All Singles* |
49%*
51%*
|
39.7 Million* | Get 3 Days FREE |
Match is a popular dating website and app that has been around since 1995. Over the years, Match has grown into a well-favored online chat room for serious dating. The app’s primary mission is to help people find long-term relationships. The platform’s team continues to elevate the dating experience by adding interactive features and in-person events that bring like-minded singles together.
Free members can create a dating profile and access daily matches without providing any payment or credit card information. Match offers a paid subscription for members who want to unlock more conversations and increase their visibility on the platform.
Singles who prefer to go the free route (a smart choice) can access a handful of benefits, including free chatting with Top Picks. Match members can engage in conversations for free with the most compatible date prospects in their area. Plus, if a premium member messages a free member, the free member can read and respond to the message without a paid plan.
2. Zoosk
Relationships: Fun Dates, Serious Relationships
Match System: Search and get match recommendations
Our Experts Say: “Geared toward young singles, Zoosk boasts a lengthy free trial and an huge user base (including straight, gay, and lesbian singles). Its app’s chat room-like feel makes it one of our favorites…” Full Review »
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| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) |
Free Trial
|
| All Singles* |
48%*
52%*
|
28.9 Million* | Start Zoosk for FREE |
The Zoosk dating app aims to create a personalized dating experience for singles across the globe. Online dating challenges can sometimes suck the fun out of the swipe game, but Zoosk is here to help singles date the right way –– and the fun way. Zoosk produces high-quality matches for free by using its behavioral matchmaking technology. The app’s matchmaking process is one of the many reasons why Zoosk was considered a market leader in the mobile dating app industry.
Zoosk members can easily flirt on the app with access to unlimited likes and smiles. Members can also participate in limited free messaging and engage with each other on Zoosk Live.
“Essentially, I signed up and 48 hours later I found the love of my life, literally. We have been married since 2011!” said Eric, a Zoosk member in a testimonial. “In any case, the site was well-designed and very easy to use. It was not filled with fake profiles, unlike the competition. I recommended it when asked for dating site suggestions.”
Relationships: Dates and Serious Relationships
Match System: Search by gender, age, education, more
Our Experts Say: “If you’d like to try Christian dating for free, ChristianMingle is your site. Its Christian-only user base and excellent search functionality make finding a like-minded match easy…” Full Review »
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| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) |
Free Trial
|
| Christian Singles* |
44%*
56%*
|
3.5 Million* | Free Search, Then $14.99/Mo. |
The niche dating app Christian Mingle connects singles based on their Christian values and beliefs. Christian Mingle fosters meaningful connections and paves the way for people to meet and find true love. The app has led to countless Christian marriages and has most Christian singles of any dating site. Finding a faith-centered relationship on the Christian Mingle app doesn’t require a lot of tim or effort.
Free members can include up to six photos on their profiles, browse local profiles, and receive emails from matches. A paid Christian Mingle membership includes many more communication benefits, but the free membership can get the job done.
“Christian Mingle is a great site. I have met some nice people through it,” said Brad, a Christian Mingle member, in a review. “I enjoy the religious aspect of the site as well as the dating aspect. On most other dating websites it is hard to find people who share religious interests, but not on Christian Mingle. I want to continue using it in the future.”
4. Facebook Dating
Facebook Dating is a newer online dating service that hasn’t grown quite as big as the mainstream dating apps just yet — but it’s a completely free platform worth a try. Facebook Dating is a new initiative launched by the Meta team to integrate Facebook’s networking power with new matchmaking tools.
The dating application is accessible only through the Facebook app, and it draws from a person’s Facebook profile and friends-of-friends lists to make new connections. The app focuses on matching single people based on similar interests –– making it easy to find compatible matches.
Facebook Dating members can send likes and messages to one another without any payment. As a completely free dating app, members never have to stress over hidden fees or having to pay for an upgrade to access new features.
Social media isn’t exactly known for fostering high-minded conversations among strangers, but this safe chat app aims to change all that.
Facebook Dating prioritizes member privacy by keeping all online dating activity out of the user’s normal Facebook feed. That means Facebook friends won’t see that you’re on Facebook Dating, unless they have a dating profile there, too.
5. OkCupid
OkCupid is the free dating app that was made for everyone –– and I do mean everyone! The platform’s effective matchmaking process has successfully paired couples since 2004. OkCupid matches members based on detailed profile information and an in-depth personality questionnaire. Members can express themselves and their priorities in many ways on the free app, and the match algorithm calculates compatibility based on the information they provide.
As an inclusive dating space, OkCupid allows members to show off who they are, and they can identify across the sexuality spectrum. They can also highlight their interests in entertainment, sports, politics, or anything else under the sun, and profile prompts offer a great way to give others a glimpse of yourself. The app also includes free messaging between all mutual matches, and singles can send a first message to anyone they want for free.
“The best of the dating apps, in my opinion. Tons of users, tons of swipes, able to send a comment with every like, able to like specific parts of the person’s profile, able to change location, able to look around in the global pool, all for free,” said OkCupid user Oliver in a testimonial.
6. OurTime.com
Relationships: Dates and Relationships
Match System: Search by profiles by zip and more
Our Experts Say: “OurTime is our top choice for free senior dating, with a simple interface and tons of mature and senior users. Its site, app, and free trial are for those 50 and older only…” Full Review »
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| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) |
Free Trial
|
| Mature Singles (50+)* |
48%*
52%*
|
8.9 Million* | Over 50? Start FREE |
Who said online dating was only for younger singles? Older singles can thrive on senior dating apps like OurTime, which is designed for adults over 50. Free members can chat for free once they uploaded a valid photo. Online chatting is free between most compatible matches on OurTime. Mature singles can also easily navigate the online dating scene with helpful messaging features.
Free members have limited OurTime features, but the free membership is still good enough to meet local matches and arrange a first date. All free members can respond to messages from paid members, so you don’t have to worry about a dating opportunity passing you by simply because you can’t pay.
“This site was easy to use. I saw a television commercial about it. I then went online and created a profile and account … Been with my March for 5 years now!” said Monica, an OurTime user, in a review.
7. eharmony
Relationships: Casual Dates, Deep Relationships
Match System: Personality test suggests matches
Our Experts Say: “Simply put, eharmony is where you go if you’d like to speed up the marriage process. Complete a free questionnaire, get matched for free, and find your lifelong partner all in one fell swoop…” Full Review »
Browse Free: View Photos Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) |
Free Trial
|
| All Singles* |
48%*
52%*
|
4.1 Million* | Join eharmony FREE |
Known as the most trusted dating app, eharmony has one of the highest quality dating pools in the industry. eharmony aims to help singles find long-term romantic relationships that lead to marriages. The platform also pushes back against the hookup culture and provides a support system for singles who are ready to settle down.
eharmony’s motto is to “get who gets you,” meaning the app helps singles meet someone who understands them. That approach has led to a high success rate in sparking conversations that lead to real life dates and relationships. With a basic membership, you can view basic profile information, send and receive smiles, and respond to private chat messages for free.
“My experience was wonderful. I met my husband via eharmony in 2014. We were married in 2016 and it has been heaven ever since. We love the same activities, the same hobbies, and we have a great time with each other all the time,” said Carmen, an eharmony user, in a review.
Relationships: Friendship, Casual Dates, Serious Relationships
Match System: Search by age, location, height, education, ethnicity, and religion
Our Experts Say: “SilverSingles is a fast-growing, easy-to-use niche dating site exclusively for active daters over the age of 50…” Full Review »
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| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) |
Free Trial
|
| Mature Singles (50+)* |
41%*
59%*
|
800,000* | Sign up for FREE |
Silver Singles is another great dating app for singles over 50. The exclusive dating app offers a new and refreshing way for older singles to date. Whether you’re a widow, a divorcée, or never married, Silver Singles can help change your dating life by introducing matches in your age range.
Silver Singles makes online dating safe and simple. Members receive expert guidance and matchmaking help every step of the way. The Silver Singles personality test and match suggestions do most of the work for users, so finding a good match doesn’t require a ton of swiping. When free members join the app, they can take a personality quiz to help dating experts identify common interests.
All members receive three to seven matches daily to help them find a love connection. Only paid members can access the instant messaging tools in the private chat room.
FAQs: Is a Tinder Plus Membership Worth It?
The answer depends on what kind of dating experience you’re looking for. Most Tinder users say a basic membership will do just fine for meeting new people. But a Tinder Plus membership provides access to more benefits, including ad-free swiping and incognito mode to help protect your privacy. Tinder Plus members also have fewer limitations on their swiping ability, so they can move faster through the swipe list in their area and in different cities.
We’d only recommend Tinder Plus if you travel and want to swipe outside your city limits. Tinder Plus allows you to change your location and swipe on profiles outside of your area, and that can be a valuable tool if you’re looking to meet new people away from home.
Are There Any Legit-Free Hookup Sites or Apps?
If you’re interested in married dating or anonymous hookups, you should consider checking out Ashley Madison. The platform is a married dating app where people explore their desires and have discreet affairs. Ashley Madison offers free chatting for women, and it’s free to sign up for everyone.
Adult Friend Finder is another great hookup site — it’s anonymous chat rooms and adult dating without any inhibitions or judgment. The platform has a ton of erotic content available for free, and posting in the forum is a common way for free members to flirt and chat at their leisure.
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.) |
Free Trial
|
| All Singles* |
65%*
35%*
|
25.5 Million* | 3 Months @ $19.95/Mo |
Casual daters on AFF can browse profiles, photos, and blogs without upgrading to a premium plan. Some messaging is locked to premium members only, so the free membership acts as a bit of a tease to attract user interest and show what’s possible. The live video chat features are pay-to-play, so users will need to upgrade if they’d like to make a new friend in these adult chat rooms.
If you’re looking for LGBTQ+ hookups, Grindr is a popular app for casual dating and online chatting with gay and bisexual singles. Grindr is the world’s largest social networking app for those in the LGBTQ+ community. Members can chat freely and find local hookups without all the extra costs. The app’s location-based matchmaking can even arrange real-time connections between single guys who are in the same bar or club.
Which Features Are Free on Elite Singles?
Elite Singles has a few free features for members who don’t want to pay for an online dating service. A user with a basic membership can set up a dating profile, browse matches, and take the online personality test to receive curated matches in their inbox.
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.) |
Free Trial
|
| All Singles* |
44%*
56%*
|
2 Million* | Sign Up Free |
Our dating experts like the personalized options Elite Singles provides, but it’s not a totally free dating site by any means. Free members cannot view photos or send private messages through the platform. The only communication tools available for free are simple profile likes and some prewritten icebreakers.
A free member would need to upgrade to the premium membership to enjoy unlimited messaging on Elite Singles.
A Free Chat Room Can Intro You to Potential Dates
Communicating and connecting with other single people on the web is easier and more cost-effective with chat dating sites on your side. Paywalls on these sites and apps have slowly lifted over the years to encourage singles to make the most of their online dating experiences.
Modern dating sites and apps ensure that all single adults can access online dating. After all, everyone deserves a fair chance at finding true love.
If you’re looking for a romantic chat room where you can slide into someone’s DM’s, you have plenty of good options to choose from. And, since they are free anyway, you can always create profiles on many different sites to increase your odds of meeting a compatible person sooner rather than later!
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