9 Best Free Dating Sites with No Hidden Fees (March 2024)

Joining free dating sites with no hidden fees is the dream for most singles out there, but can it be a reality? Our experts have done the research to investigate.

My high school economics teacher loved the saying “There’s no such thing as a free lunch.” It was her go-to response when students asked for pretty much anything. Can I go get a drink from the water fountain? Can I borrow a textbook? Could you give us a hint about when the pop quiz will be?

She’d make a wry smile and say “There’s no such thing as a free lunch” which means — “I don’t have to give you anything. You have to earn it.” If you could explain how it was in her best interest to let you do whatever it is you wanted to do, you could take as many trips to the water fountain as you wanted.

Along the same lines, dating sites don’t have to offer free services, but many do because it benefits them to allow singles to browse and match online. That way, hopefully, singles will decide it’s worth it to stick around and maybe even upgrade to a paid membership. If you’re looking for a free and reliable dating site with no hidden fees, you should check out the following upstanding and low-cost platforms that are all 100% free to join. Enjoy!

Putting Match at the top of our list is a no-brainer. This dating site is the best of the best and has been connecting relationship-minded singles since 1995. Anyone can join Match for free and explore the advanced search features, sending winks to users who stand out. Match even offers free communication between free members in each other’s Top Picks list, so singles can read and respond to some messages in their inbox.

Match

★★★★★

Match.com 4.9/5.0

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

×

See Our Full Review

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 »

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

Match pretty much wrote the book on online dating, and its matchmaking algorithm is the result of decades of careful study and gradual improvements. This website and app has led to more relationships and marriages than any other dating service, so it’s definitely for the price of admission — which is $0.

You are under no obligation to upgrade your free membership on Match, but, if you spend a few extra dollars on a paid plan, you’ll be able to see who’s viewed your dating profile, send messages to anyone, and get special deals on local Match Events. What’s not to love!

Something Elite Singles does better than any other dating website or app is target the upper crust of the dating world. This singles network appeals primarily to a worldly and sophisticated single person who has a solid career and relationship goals.

Over 80% of Elite Singles members have graduated from college, and over 90% say they’re ready to find a relationship. If that sounds like the dating pool for you, then create a free account and give it a whirl.

EliteSingles

★★★★★

EliteSingles.com 4.7/5.0

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

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4.7/5.0

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 »

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User Base	Gender Ratio	Popularity (Visits/Mo.)	Today's Deal
All Singles*	44%* 56%*	2 Million*	Browse Profiles Free

The upscale dating site comes with no hidden fees — only quality members and simple features. The premium membership is available for any person seeking a little extra assistance.

You can always upgrade your free membership on Elite Singles if you like what you see and want to start meeting single men and women online. “I was impressed with the quality of my partner suggestions,” Mark, a user in Boston, said in a testimonial. “I have to admit I have been pleasantly surprised.”

Silver Singles uses a tried-and-true network to bring together daters over 50. Sometimes it’s hard for senior singles to meet one another, but not on this niche dating site. A new person can find a potential match by using the advanced search filters and personality test that focuses on personal interests and hobbies.

SilverSingles

★★★★★

SilverSingles 4.6/5.0

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

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See Our Full Review

4.6/5.0

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

As with every dating website on our list, joining Silver Singles has a completely free membership that does not expire. There’s no rush to upgrade and no need to pay for any feature on the site. Online daters can create a dating profile and browse for local matches without providing any credit card information. Sounds like a great deal to me.

On eharmony, single men and women can benefit from the Compatibility Test free of charge. The online dating site’s famous match algorithm is rooted in psychological principles and has proven successful for the past few decades. You can review all the profiles of your matches for free and send icebreaker quizzes or greetings to local singles who catch your eye.

eharmony

★★★★★

eharmony 4.8/5.0

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

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See Our Full Review

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

What singles on a budget enjoy most about eharmony is how it keeps free members involved in the flirtatious fun by offering some free communication features, including icebreakers, winks, and a limited number of free messages.

All in all, this relationship-driven website has plenty of free feature and premium perks to make online dating more exciting and fruitful. Over 2 million couples in the U.S. met on eharmony, and you could add your name to its success stories if you meet the right person.

General dating sites often don’t suit more mature daters who tire of swiping through date prospects half their age. That’s why OurTime launched. The seniors-oriented dating network is ideal for online daters of a certain age.

If you’re over 50 and want to meet new people in your age bracket, then OurTime is the free dating service for you.

OurTime.com

★★★★★

OurTime.com 4.6/5.0

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

×

See Our Full Review

4.6/5.0

Relationships: Dates and Relationships

Match System: Search by profiles by zip and more

Our Experts Say: “OurTime is just for men and women who are 50 or older, and it's one of the most popular dating sites in this niche because of its size...” 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

The free features on OurTime include: Signing up, adding photos, searching for a date, downloading the app, and having a good time. Free members can also message senior adults in their Top Picks list. It takes less than two minutes to join, and many new users are so wowed by the user-friendly interface that they take the plunge to full-fledged membership.

Since it launched in 2004, Christian Mingle has gathered a loyal following of singles throughout the world. Sparks Network, a highly regarded dating network, designed the site to serve singles of faith with a streamlined matching process. Today, Christian Mingle has more than 16 million members.

ChristianMingle

★★★★★

ChristianMingle 4.5/5.0

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

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See Our Full Review

4.5/5.0

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 »

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User Base	Gender Ratio	Popularity (Visits/Mo.)	Today's Deal
Christian Singles*	44%* 56%*	3.5 Million*	Try Now for $19.99/Month

Anyone can sign up to Christian Mingle using a valid email address or a Facebook account. It’s free to get started, and you won’t find any hidden fees or fake profiles standing between you and thousands of attractive Christian singles. What’s more, Christian Mingle has now launched an online dating app that’s available for Android and iPhone users, so a local Christian dating profile is always within reach.

Without a doubt, BlackPeopleMeet is among the best free dating platforms for Black singles in the U.S. and Canada. The dating service boasts having the largest online community for African American and biracial singles seeking love and friendship.

BlackPeopleMeet

★★★★★

BlackPeopleMeet 4.1/5.0

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

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See Our Full Review

4.1/5.0

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 »

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User Base	Gender Ratio	Popularity (Visits/Mo.)	Today's Deal
Black Singles*	47%* 53%*	5.7 Million*	FREE Trial for New Users

Over the years, BlackPeopleMeet (aka BPM) has introduced countless singles to short-term and long-term dates. It can be the vehicle for a meaningful connection in the Black community. In testimonials and success stories, many Black singles say upgrading to the premium membership and engaging with like-minded people on the site is well worth it.

“Thanks so much for the ease and flexibility of the BlackPeopleMeet site,” wrote an anonymous user in Pittsburgh. “I met a wonderful man named Eric on this site only a few days after subscribing to this service.”

Adult Friend Finder is widely considered the most popular hookup website online because it boasts over 100 million users, all of whom are looking for casual sex and sexting. Many adult singles, swingers, and poly groups have decided to give this dating platform a try and found plenty of X-rated content awaiting them.

While it’s totally free to join and browse on the website or app for an unlimited period of time, you can always upgrade to get extra features, including instant messaging and video chat features.

Adult Friend Finder

★★★★★

AFF.com 4.2/5.0

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

×

4.2/5.0

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

Adult Friend Finder’s global membership base has satisfied daters of all ages and backgrounds. The hookup website has an abundance of search filters, blog content, and chat rooms to keep online users entertained. And a single person can explore potential matches without paying a cent.

The only reason to upgrade to a Gold Membership would be if you think you’ve found the perfect match and want to exchange messages to see if the feeling is mutual.

Sometimes sex-oriented dating sites can feel shady, but BeNaughty makes an effort to put everything above board. From the free signup process to the customized nudity filters, the online dating site empowers all members to have a fun, safe, and easy dating experience. You can let go of your inhibitions in this growing community of naughty singles.

BeNaughty

★★★★★

BeNaughty 4.2/5.0

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

×

See Our Full Review

4.2/5.0

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

BeNaughty is a free dating site where single women can send private messages or mass texts without paying anything. Single men have a limited number of free chats, but still enough to break the ice. The free membership never expires, and it includes open-ended chat features to sext with local singles.

Want extra security, all-inclusive app access, unlimited chatting and a host of premium features? Then BeNaughty is a free dating site, but it has an optional premium membership that offers Extra Security, Premium Dater, or Chataholic packages. Such deals can sate a new person’s appetites for online connection.

OkCupid is mostly free — or free enough for the average user. What’s free on OkCupid? Full dating profile access. In-depth search filters and a practically endless questionnaire. And, of course, unlimited chat options between matches. The free dating site and mobile app allow users to exchange messages with their mutual matches without needing to pay anything at all. A single person can even send a first message for free along with a like.

It is true that OkCupid has a premium membership, but it isn’t necessary to upgrade to have an enjoyable online dating experience and meet a potential partner of any gender identity or sexual preference. A free member can mix and mingle on this free online dating site or app and make progress in the search for friendship, casual dating, or a serious relationship.

Yes, Tinder is actually one of the best dating apps on the market in terms of sheer size and reach. Since the app’s launch in 2012, Tinder has been downloaded over 530 million times and created over 75 billion in 190 countries.

Like it or not, Tinder is the dating app of the future, and it’s been embraced by young singles in their 20s in particular. Over half of Tinder users are under 25, and over 80% are under 35. If you’re a young single person looking to chat up as many local singles as possible, then Tinder will be your jam. If you’re older and more relationship-minded, then it may not be such a good thing.

Tinder offers completely free swiping and matching, so you can always create a profile and explore your options without getting too invested in the online dating process.

If you want to join dating sites for free with no membership fees, then Plenty of Fish (POF) is definitely a good option because it provides free communication to all of its users.

As soon as you create your POF account and upload a profile picture, you can start messaging anyone you encounter in your search results or match features. No credit card, in-app purchases, or mutual matching necessary.

Plenty of Fish offers a completely free dating service where local singles can get to know each other without paying fees or subscription prices. This has been wildly popular among single people in North America, Europe, and Asia, and the POF network currently encompasses over 150 million users in 20 countries.

Most popular dating apps are available for iOS and Android users, and they work well on both types of devices, so you really can’t go wrong with any of the big names out there. However, if we absolutely had to pick a favorite dating app for Android users, we’d say it’s Tinder.

Tinder has been Google Play’s top dating app for years now, and it has an impressive 3.7 star rating from Android users. Over 100 million people have downloaded Tinder on Google Play, and over 3 million of them have taken the time to leave a positive review.

“Thank you for this awesome app,” said one Google user. “I’m in a relationship now with a girl!”

A lot of dating websites have some pretty impressive stats and success rates. For instance, the Hinge dating app boasts being the best at facilitating second dates because over 70% of its first dates lead to second dates. However, that doesn’t mean that every Hinge swipe, match, or conversation leads to an actual date, so some singles could still be frustrated by this app.

When it comes to success, no dating site or app can compete with Match, which has been in the online dating industry the longest and led to more happy marriages than any other matchmaking service. Match is now available as a dating app so it’s more convenient than ever to practice your flirting and pick up dates in this free network.

Match.com

★★★★★

4.9/5.0

Available on: iOS, Android

• Relationships: Fun Dates, Serious Relationships
• Match System: Browse by location, age, interest, and more
• About the App: Available via the App Store and Google Play, Match is a fantastic app for dates and relationships. With a user base of 30 million singles, Match is where you'll have a high chance of success. It's free to download, create a profile, search for date prospects, and receive compatible matches based on personalized preferences. Free members can also chat with select members and send unlimited likes.
• Browse Free: View Profiles Now

User Base	Gender Ratio	Popularity (Visits/Mo.)	App Cost
All Singles*	49%* 51%*	13.5 Million*	Free Download

As you can see, Match has a lot of pros and not a lot of cons. This time-tested dating service has been a pioneer in the online dating scene, and it remains one of the most successful dating sites for building real friendships and relationships.

Whether you’re looking for a new friend or a perfect match, you can trust Match to curate a list of compatible singles worth getting to know a little better.

That really depends on what you’re looking for. A person who just wants to chat, flirt, and see where things go probably doesn’t want to spend money on a dating site or app, but singles who are serious about finding love and building a family may see a premium subscription fee on Match or eharmony as an investment in the future.

A paid dating site can offer a most sophisticated and mature dating network where everyone is genuinely looking for a first date that leads to a long-term relationship or marriage. It can give singles a lot of peace of mind to know that everyone in their inbox has paid a cover charge and made that commitment to their dating lives.

However, a potential downside on paid dating sites is that they often have smaller dating pools for the very reason that they’re competing against free services that are more popular among casual daters and people on a budget. Paid dating sites typically attract singles with high incomes and serious relationship goals, so they’ve not for everyone by definition. It’s possible to find love on either a free site or a paid service, but you have to have the patience and persistence to make these platforms work for you.

Whenever I hear about a free service or free trial, I think about my economics teacher and wonder what the catch is. A profitable business can only offer customers 100% free services if it’s making revenue some other way — on the internet, that typically means through ad revenue, data mining, or hidden fees.

Dating websites compete for single people’s attention (not to mention their personal information) and often offer free communication weekends or free browsing, for example, to entice singles to become active online members.

As a result, singles have a lot of free tools at their disposal, including free dating sites with no hidden fees.

Whether you’re looking for a hookup, a hot date, or a serious relationship, your best bet is to sign up for as many free reputable dating sites as you can find and see which ones fit your preferences and desires. We hope our list has made your choice a little easier. Good luck!