OkCupid Review & 4 Free Alternatives (2024)

All dating apps have their charms, but there’s something special about OkCupid. The site was initially launched by four Harvard math majors — Chris Coyne, Sam Yagan, Max Krohn, and Christian Rudder. Sam, Max, and Chris had previously worked together on the popular site SparkNotes, proving that the team had a pretty good grasp of identifying and creating helpful resources. They wanted to create a dating website that felt more like a social hub. When it launched in 2004, OkCupid showcased an innovative algorithm and quirky platform that singles (and even non-singles) were excited to try. 

While many dating sites have visitors start by setting up a profile, OkCupid offers a slightly different approach. The site is more fun and interactive, focusing on quizzes to determine your type and what you’re looking for. In turn, OkCupid users also get a chance to learn a little more about themselves along the way.  

OkCupid is a great starter site for people who are a little nervous about putting themselves out there. It’s often seen as a great place to form connections and have fun doing so, taking some of the sting and stigma out of matching up with virtual strangers — even for friendships. Today, the Match Group runs the platform, but it’s still just as charming as ever. If you’re thinking of signing up, here’s everything you need to know about using OkCupid. 

The biggest draw of OkCupid is still its fun personality questions. Not only are they a great way to weed out incompatible matches, but quizzes are also a fun way to learn about your type and who you’re looking for. Sometimes, your own results can surprise you and may change how you approach dating. OkCupid has more than 4,000 questions in its database, so you can always explore new ones. 

If you’re a little nervous to answer questions, don’t be — the responses you provide primarily to make OkCupid’s already impressive algorithm smarter. The more questions you answer, the better matches you typically receive. That means it’s best to respond truthfully instead of picking answers you assume will lead to more matches. It’s always better to have a few carefully selected matches than a bunch of less compatible recommendations. That can make dating feel more complicated.

Aside from the fun questions, OkCupid also incorporates plenty of search filters to ensure you match with the right people. You can screen users out who don’t share your thoughts on smoking, dietary preferences, and pets to help form better matches on topics that matter. For example, if you’re a big fan of cats, you don’t want to match with anyone who’d be uncomfortable sharing space with your furry friends. It’s okay for that to be a non-negotiable for you in terms of dating. OkCupid makes it easy to avoid that conversation by only showing you singles who also enjoy the company of pets. 

OkCupid can adjust your search results when it comes to lifestyle, education, employment, looks, and even preferences regarding monogamy. If you’re looking for someone with a specific astrological sign, the platform can also help you there. OkCupid also has a large reach, with availability in more than 180 countries. The platform makes it easy to connect with people around the world through its app or website for a long-distance relationship or online friendship. 

OkCupid offers a free basic membership that allows you to chat with another member if you mutually match. If you enjoy the platform and are willing to invest more in your search for love, the site offers three tiers of membership — OkCupid Basic, OkCupid Premium, and Incognito Mode.

OkCupid Basic is a great tier for people just starting their online dating journey. It gives you an unlimited amount of “Likes” and can also filter out people with dealbreakers in their profile. Refuse to date a smoker? OkCupid Basic ensures smokers are banished from your results. Want someone open to having children in the future? OkCupid makes it easy. Disagreements on non-negotiables can end relationships pretty early. By screening them out, you may save yourself plenty of heartache down the road. 

Opting for a paid membership is also a great way to combat ads. OkCupid Premium offers that feature, and it gives you a peek into who “Likes” you before you “Like” them, which may make you feel more confident. You’ll also get three “SuperLikes” for free per week, which can help speed up the dating process. Incognito Mode hides you from everyone except for people you like. This can be an excellent tool — especially if you get tired of clearing out messages from incompatible singles. 

A free membership can be enough to meet your match. But the benefits of a paid membership can help ease the process of finding your next partner.

Plenty of dating sites offer the same benefits as OkCupid. What’s most important is knowing the platform works for users and can lead to successful long-term relationships. OkCupid has a stellar success rate, with millions of matches and many connections leading to marriage. The site is perfect for relationships of all kinds and doesn’t discriminate. While many sites cater directly to the LGBTQ community, OkCupid is also a great place for those individuals to connect and fall in love.

One couple, Candace and Michelle, met on the site back in 2013, and they now have a family together. “Online dating can be intimidating but connecting on OKC was simple,” said Candace in a testimonial. “We got to see and read a little about each other, message back and forth, and eventually meet in person! That one message was life-changing. It led us to start dating, move in together, get married, and we just welcomed our first child in 2021! I’m so thankful that OKC (and Michelle’s bravery) led me to my adventure partner for life.”

Matt and Jillian had a strong connection on OkCupid, and it was just as powerful offline. Their first date lasted for 12 hours because of the compatibility they felt. “We had a lot in common,” Matt said. “When we met in person we clicked right away and our first date lasted 12 hours. We were able to talk, connect, and have a great time. I love her personality and that she can always make me laugh and smile. I also love that we have so much in common. I love that she is caring, sweet, and gorgeous.”

Plenty of other OkCupid users have been quick to share how they met their match thanks to the site. “I think I’m the luckiest man in the world every day waking up to my wonderful husband. One year on and so many adventures already, and so many more in front of us,” said Quora user Cameron Crawford. 

Success on dating sites also depends on how much you put into it. If you’re excited to meet a partner and open in your search, you’ll have a better chance of forming like-minded connections. 

While many singles have found success on OkCupid, it may not be for everyone. Some users have reported that the matches they made didn’t pan out. As one Redditor said, “In the last month I had four dates. One of them is now something of an FWB relationship, two were awful, and one I fell for kinda hard and she now just wants to be friends.”

That alone makes it pretty clear that not everyone on the OkCupid site is necessarily looking for long-term romance. They might make an account solely for the quizzes or to see how their compatibility score matches with friends. The good news is that plenty of other alternatives are worth trying out if you’re not quite sold.

1. Match

★★★★★

4.9/5.0

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 »

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User Base	Gender Ratio	Popularity (Visits/Mo.)	Today’s Deal
All Singles*	49%* 51%*	39.7 Million*	Try Match FREE

You’ve probably heard of Match before, as it helped pave the road for plenty of other dating websites. The Match Group is the current parent company of OkCupid, with Match often seen as the “go-to” for people who are interested in online dating. Unlike OkCupid, you may find a more mature pool of singles. 

Typically, Match introduces users to more people who understand what they want and are serious about settling down. It’s a great alternative if your matches on OkCupid don’t seem to be the most stable or if you attract people who are searching for a rebound after ending a long-term relationship. Another fun fact about Match: The dating platform is responsible for the birth of an estimated 1 million babies. 

2. eharmony

★★★★★

4.8/5.0

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 »

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User Base	Gender Ratio	Popularity (Visits/Mo.)	Today’s Deal
All Singles*	48%* 52%*	4.1 Million*	View Profiles FREE

If the quizzes drew you into trying OkCupid, but you haven’t been impressed with your dating pool, then you should try eharmony. The site has also been around for quite some time, launching all the way back in 2000. Its compatibility test has more than 80 questions that help eharmony gain deep insight into who you are and what you desire. 

“We ask about your attitude to relationships, and why it is you think you’re currently single,” the eharmony team notes. “Some eharmony compatibility test questions are less obviously related to relationships, but help us figure out critical components of your psychology and behaviors in life situations.”

3. OurTime.com

★★★★★

4.6/5.0

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 »

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User Base	Gender Ratio	Popularity (Visits/Mo.)	Today’s Deal
Mature Singles (50+)*	48%* 52%*	8.9 Million*	Over 50? Try It FREE

OurTime is another niche dating site owned by the Match Group. Similar to OkCupid, it’s a cozy site that’s fun to use — but unlike OkCupid, it caters to an older audience. OurTime has around 9 million members who over the age of 50. If you’re getting into, or back into, the dating field at that age, you’ll find plenty of like-minded singles on OurTime. 

The senior dating site is also easy for beginners to grasp, as it understands many users are new to the online dating experience. Even singles who might not be the most internet savvy can easily figure out how to log in, make a profile, and connect with others. 

4. Ashley Madison

★★★★★

4.0/5.0

Relationships: Hookups, Casual Dates, Affairs

Match System: Search by age, location, appearance, and more

Our Experts Say: “With its massive user base and advanced privacy features, Ashley Madison is the #1 site for discreet hookups, dates, or relationships…” Full Review »

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User Base	Gender Ratio	Popularity (Visits/Mo.)	Today’s Deal
All Singles & Attached*	71%* 29%*	65 Million*	Start Now for FREE

You might be a little confused to see this one on the list, but Ashley Madison has a lot going for it. For one, it is open to all types of relationships, similar to OkCupid. It’s also a great site for non-monogamous people to meet like-minded people. While some may visit the site to spark an affair, many use it within the boundaries of open relationships. 

Women can join the platform and enjoy all of its perks for free. That may be because Ashley Madison has a skewed gender ratio — 71% of Ashley Madison users are male, and 29% identify as female. 

While OkCupid might not be the top choice for long-term love connections, it’s a good app for increasing your social network. Using the platform can make online dating a little more fun, and it’s a great way to distract yourself in between dates. But while plenty of couples have found their happily ever after through OkCupid, many others find that the site is best for brief relationships and connecting with intriguing individuals. 

It’s worth a shot to sign up, but it may not be the best site if your end goal is marriage. But even if you don’t immediately find a worthwhile match, at least you’ll have a good time on the platform.