Online dating has revolutionized the love lives of many hopeless romantics. According to Pew Research, about 1 in 10 partnered American adults report finding love or even tying the knot with someone they met online.
Some singles might be hesitant to try online dating because of subscription costs. Luckily, certain dating sites are completely free to use. I’ve taken a hard look at the costs and freebies associated with popular apps, and I’ll break it down here. Whether you’re after a casual hookup or a serious relationship, you can find it all in the swipe lists. Enjoy your journey!
Match
- 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. Our Review »
- Browse Free: View Photos Now
If you’re on a budget and looking for free dating sites that don’t skimp on quality, look no further than Match. Most people on this platform are seeking someone who wants a long-term relationship.
Singles can’t go wrong with Match. The dating site has been around since 1995, and it’s seen plenty of success stories.
Cons
- Free members can’t see who’s liked them
- Not good for hookups
Crafting a detailed dating profile can really set you up for success, as our review details. Share your interests and answer thoughtful prompts about yourself, explore singles nearby, and maybe even join exclusive Match events at a local venue.
Match offers totally free chatting with all mutual matches. That means everyone in your inbox is actively interested in you…and the feeling is mutual. The only caveat with that is you have to be consistent with sending likes if you want to make any matches happen.
OurTime.com
- 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. Our Review »
- Browse Free: View Photos Now
Competing in the swiping game with 20-somethings isn’t ideal for mature singles. That’s why OurTime was launched. It’s a seniors-oriented dating pool where older singles can connect with people in their age bracket without feeling awkward. You must be over 50 to join.
Pros
- Seniors-only dating pool
- Free messaging with matches
- Affordable boost and upgrade options
Cons
- Intrusive pop-ups
- Requires phone number
On OurTime, you can set up a free dating profile in just a couple of minutes. The easy-to-use interface is great for seniors who aren’t very tech-savvy. Free membership includes messaging with mutual matches. The only asterisk is that your profile has to be good enough to get likes, and you have to be bold enough to send likes in return.
The moment you like a person and they like you back, their profile will appear in your matches and a conversation can begin.
- 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. Our Review »
- Browse Free: View Photos Now
AdultFriendFinder is a hookup site for sexually charged connections. It’s made for seeking a one-night stand, threesome, or hookup partner. With over 105 million profiles in its database, AFF allows you to mingle with a never-ending sexy crowd.
Pros
- Massive membership
- Sexy photos and videos
- Free to comment on public posts
Cons
- Private chats are behind a paywall
- Only verifies age
Free members can jump into public dating forums, explore erotic blogs, and watch live video strip teases. When our team set up a test account, we found the most value for free members in the Community section where anyone can post meetup invites, photos, polls, and sex stories.
The search tab’s kink filters and “online now” sorting can also be a good way to quickly find the hottest singles nearby. The best part? You don’t have to form a mutual match to send a message. As a Gold Member, you can reach out to anyone who catches your eye.
eharmony
- 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. Our Review »
- Browse Free: View Photos Now
Putting eharmony on this list is a no-brainer. With the motto, “Get who gets you,” the platform focuses on helping singles build genuine connections that will last a lifetime. Over the past 25 years, eharmony has played a role in writing more than 2 million successful love stories and counting.
Pros
- Great reputation for relationships
- In-depth personality quiz
- Highly personalized matches
Cons
- Limited free communication
- Requires more time investment
Getting started on eharmony is easy — all you need is a valid email address. With a basic free account, you can upload photos, take the compatibility quiz, and send likes to show your interest. Many serious daters believe the eharmony personality test is more effective and insightful for matchmaking because it draws from psychological principles.
Keep in mind that only paid members can view photos and send unlimited messages, which might be a dealbreaker if you’re watching your budget.
5. OkCupid
OkCupid is a haven for singles who want to build true connections without breaking the bank. Since 2004, OkCupid has attracted young singles, poly daters, chatty Cathies, and basically anyone looking to mix things up.
On this free dating site, singles can enjoy limitless messaging without spending a dime. You can even start a chat without waiting for a match first. However, to keep the conversation flowing, they’ll need to like your profile.
Pros
- It’s free to chat with matches
- Lots of fun quiz questions
- Compatibility ratings and smart matching
Cons
- Mixed intentions
- Some catfish
- Lots of incoming messages can be hard to juggle
On this platform, you can find any kind of relationship, from casual hookups to something more serious. OkCupid requires users to state what they’re looking for so people don’t waste their time.
The algorithm offers helpful compatibility ratings as well. It’s no surprise that this platform claims to be responsible for creating 91 million matches every year.
6. Plenty of Fish
Plenty of Fish is another totally free dating site that allows you to chat with new people without paying a cent. It also doesn’t require mutual matching to unlock chats, so things move pretty fast here.
Launched in 2003 as a Canadian dating site, POF quickly became a global sensation with 1 billion messages exchanged per month. Other impressive stats: over 150 million members, 70,000 new people join daily, and over 57 million new connections are created each week.
Pros
- Free messaging
- Diverse, active user base
- Many descriptive profiles
Cons
- Some ads and pop-ups
- Free members can’t see likes and views
Plenty of Fish reviews are generally upbeat. Marlene James, a user, wrote on Google Play: “The partner selections are quite diverse. The app works great and is very easy to use for sending, receiving, and flipping through options.”
Overall, it’s a decent app, but people come with a lot of different goals in mind. I saw one person looking for a relationship while another said they wanted a threesome. Use your discretion about who you choose to meet.
7. Facebook Dating
Facebook Dating is an online dating service created by Meta. It’s accessible only through the Facebook app on Android and iOS, with no web version available. Without paying a cent, people can log on and chat up local people.
Facebook Dating uses details from your Facebook account to kick off your dating profile. But here’s the thing: your Facebook Dating activities are kept separate from your main Facebook timeline.
Pros
- No subscriptions required
- Pulls info and photos from your profile
- Streamlined interface
Cons
- Can only access via Facebook app
- Smaller dating pool
The most fun feature of Facebook Dating is the Secret Crush section, where you can see if someone in your Facebook or Instagram account is interested in you. This may ignite a long-forgotten love from your teenage days. If someone adds you to their crush list on Facebook Dating, you’ll get a notification when they join Facebook Dating.
8. Tinder
This list wouldn’t be complete without the king of swiping apps: Tinder. This app invented swipe-based matching in 2012 and forever changed the way people find dates. Today, it is responsible for over 100 billion matches, and it inspires over 1.5 million first dates every week.
While Tinder is often associated with casual hookups, it also has its share of real Tinder love stories that end in marriage. Ultimately, what you experience on Tinder depends on how you choose to use it.
Pros
- Extremely popular with young daters
- Free messages between matches
- Verified profiles
Cons
- Flaky chats and ghosting
- Superficial matches
Online dating often comes down to the numbers, and with Tinder boasting the largest user base, it’s definitely worth trying out. Download the app and start meeting new people today!
9. Bumble
If you’re tired of random guys filling up your inbox, Bumble might be the perfect app for you. Since its launch in 2014, Bumble has stood out with its unique women-first approach in the matchmaking world.
This app allows women to pick and choose their prospective dates. Many guys love this approach because they don’t have the pressure of coming up with a pickup line. They only chat with women who are interested in them.
Pros
- Women set the tone
- Popular for serious dating and making new friends
- High safety standards
Cons
- Must match to chat
- Swipe burnout
Beyond romantic matches, Bumble offers tools for making friends. You can connect with new people through Bumble BFF or attend Bumble IRL events.
As of today, Bumble has over 100 million users and serves more than 150 countries. Simply swipe, and chat; before you know it, you could be on a flirty first date.
10. Hinge
If you’re looking for an online dating app that allows you to find the right partner and stop swiping endlessly, you must give Hinge a try. With the tagline “designed to be deleted,” this platform sets up 200,000 first dates every week.
Even better, Hinge’s founder, Justin McLeod, claims that three out of four of those first dates turn into a second date.
What makes Hinge unique is that you need to interact with specific parts of a profile to create a match. So, simple greetings like “Hi” or “What’s up” won’t cut it here.
Pros
- High success rate
- Relationship-oriented user base
- Voice notes and icebreaker prompts
Cons
- Not all filters are free
- Requires a phone number and text verification
You can comment or ask a question on one of the six photos in someone’s profile, or you can respond to one of their three personal prompts. Hinge also offers 80 prompts to help you show your personality in your dating profile. And it recently implemented an AI feature to offer tips for users on what to say.
11. Coffee Meets Bagel
If you’re looking for love, you should consider downloading Coffee Meets Bagel. In this app, you have a limited number of likes and matches per day, and you won’t see people again once they pass by. This rule forces you to be super-selective and to slow down when giving likes to other profiles.
CMB users tend to find serious relationships; those looking for fast and easy matches should go elsewhere.
Pros
- Relationship-driven profiles
- Thoughtful matching
- Free to use
Cons
- Strict limits on likes and matches
- Slower paced dating
Here’s what Dave Disselkamp shared about this app in his review: “It’s easy to use and offers good matches. I met a wonderful woman through this app, and things are going very well. We’re even considering marriage! To all the singles out there, persistence really does pay off!”
12. HER
HER is a woman-only dating app that offers a safe space for queer women to explore their community and sexuality. To date, this dating site has 15 million members who are verified as women seeking women.
The app is equipped with social media feeds, personality profiles, and event listings, and it doesn’t allow men or couples to hunt for unicorns just for casual sex.
Pros
- Highly community-driven space
- A social feed with lots of ways to connect
Cons
- Mixed intentions, not all serious dating
- Fewer local matches
- Catfishing men
You can use HER’s main features, including creating a profile, browsing other users, and messaging, all without any payment required.
If you decide to upgrade to a premium membership, you can eliminate ads and enjoy extra perks such as seeing who’s online in real-time and using incognito mode for added privacy.
13. Grindr
Grindr is famous as the gay Tinder, but it’s like an older brother, as it launched in 2009, three years before Tinder. It is undeniably the number one app for gay, bi, trans, and queer men to find dates.
Today, Grindr is available in 190 countries and territories, has more than 14.5 million monthly active users, and altogether has 145 million registered users.
Real talk: Most Grindr users are looking for hookup partners. The vibe is very much about hot pics and instant availability.
Pros
- Easy access to local men
- Matches chat for free
Cons
- Unsolicited dick pics
- Swiping burnout
Using location-based matches and live chats, you can find your nearest date, say hi, and see where it takes you. You can enjoy all these features for free. If you want to enjoy an ad-free experience, swipe outside your location, or expand your search filters, you can upgrade to Grindr XTRA.
14. Happn
If you’re interested in finding love next door, Happn is the best dating app for you. The app uses your smartphone’s location data to match you with people you cross paths with in daily life — whether it’s once, twice, or more.
Once you get a Crush, which is a match, you can start chatting right away and have a second chance at winning over local sweethearts. This platform has over 90 million users, most of whom live in big cities in the U.S., India, the U.K., and France.
Pros
- Geo-specific match recommendations
- Free chatting with Crushes
- Profile verification options
Cons
- Some ads and pop-ups
- More geared toward city dwellers
It’s important to note that Happn keeps your exact location private. The app highlights shared public places, whether it’s a favorite bar, a cozy café, or a bookstore you both love browsing. But it doesn’t say “Sarah is at this bookstore right now, go get her.”
One last thing: This app started in Europe and is still building a following in the U.S. I’d only recommend it if you live in a big, walkable city.
FAQs: Which Free Dating Site Will Work Best For Me?
Any of the dating sites I mentioned in this article is worth checking out for a free online dating experience. Which will work for you? That depends.
If your most important thing is “I don’t want to pay for anything ever,” then the forever-free app OkCupid will meet you where you’re at. Don’t be surprised, though, if it takes a bit of time to sort through all the chats and matches (especially if you’re a single woman).
If you’re into secret dating and hookups, Ashley Madison would be a great wingman for women, who get a free ride with all messaging features available from the jump. But men have to pay for credits to chat.
Having a site that’s free for women and paid for men is a practical business decision. Women tend to have more hesitation about joining a dating site, so this levels the playing field. Men don’t have to worry that their messages will be stuck behind a paywall. All female matches have the ability to respond to anyone they like.
It may be controversial, but Ashley Madison is undeniably popular with over 91 million members.
Ultimately, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. It’s important to determine what you’re seeking and what you can afford to live with or live without in your online dating experience.
For example, Tinder is famous for delivering fast results with its free membership, but it can also lead to swipe burnout because of how many profiles are in the swipe list and how much small talk it takes to actually get a date.
If you run into frustrations with free trials, you might want to subscribe to get an enhanced experience with more filters, features, and technology on your side.
How Safe Are Free Dating Sites?
Free dating sites don’t just appeal to budget-conscious daters. Scammers can thrive in a hunting ground where entry and chatting are free, so there is inherent risk with a free profile.
That said, online dating is fairly safe, assuming you play your cards right. You can’t trust every single person you meet online (or in real life, for that matter), so move with caution.
If you feel uncomfortable, you can always block and report the profile.
The good news with online dating is that you have a screen between you and the other person. And you can literally screen them.
It’s smart to check out the person’s social media profiles, like Facebook, LinkedIn, or Instagram. Make sure their digital footprint matches their photos, their bio, and what they say about themselves.
I’ve seen online daters going by different last names on their app profile. Sometimes they’re just privacy-focused. Sometimes they’re married. Investigate the full situation instead of blindly trusting text messages.
Pay close attention to their words and be on the lookout for common red flags, such as inconsistent stories or weak excuses for avoiding face-to-face meetings.
Catfish and scammers tend to hang out on free dating sites where they can lure victims without cost. If you want to surround yourself with real matches who are invested in love, that’s where a paid subscription to a premium site can offer more value.
Are Free Dating Sites Good for Serious Daters?
Absolutely! The key is being ready to put in the effort it takes to genuinely connect with others. Remember, the apps can only introduce you to profiles; you still need to dive deeper to see if you’re aligned in all the right ways.
For a better shot at finding your match, choose an app that uses advanced matchmaking. Apps like eharmony have serious relationships in mind and encourage users to invest in their love lives.
Free mingling has limits on eharmony…and that’s by design. It’s all about investing in the experience, and even the paid plans start with a three-month commitment as a minimum.
eharmony lets users read incoming messages and send likes, but private communication is part of its upgrade package. Think of it like a cover charge to get into a more exclusive part of a club.
Dating sites may market themselves as “free,” but more often than not, they’re partially free. Sometimes profile pictures will be blurred, or messages will have caps or expiration dates. Look into the setup so you’re not surprised by the paywalls.
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Free Dating Sites
Our rankings are based on independent research and editorial evaluation. We have reviewed each of these dating sites, including creating an account and testing free features, to come up with the order on this list.
Pricing was weighed heavily, but it wasn’t the only factor we considered. All the sites on this list had to pass our checklist:
- Ease of Use: Is it easy and free to join?
- Value: Can users meaningfully interact without running paywalls?
- Safety: Does the platform take reasonable precautions against catfish?
- Popularity: Are there enough active profiles to be worth exploring?
Our goal is to determine which dating services offer a real online dating experience at no cost. A site that offers a freemium experience (some free features and some paid upgrades) would be considered for this list if it had demonstrable good results and a lot of useful matching features.
On the other hand, an “always free” site would be disqualified if we found that it’s little more than ads and inactive profiles.
Dating apps that provided our testers with a complete and satisfying experience — without requiring upgrades — rank highest on our list.
Search for Love Online Without Paying a Dime
Online dating used to be seen as a sad refuge for lonely singles, but these days, if you’re running out of dating options in your social circle, going online makes perfect sense.
We’ve created this list of completely free dating sites to give you a fresh start (not to mention a free start) on apps that are known to work. Now that you know about their most helpful features, you can forge your way to a relationship that meets your needs. Have fun!
