The best free dating apps for budget-conscious singles

Read our full review of AdultFriendFinder.

Who it's for:

If you're tired of getting into lame-ass arguments on first dates or swiping endlessly past the misogynistic profiles on other dating apps, OkCupid might be the best dating app for you. OKC and its user base are super liberal and open-minded — it's unlikely you'll find anyone advocating for a wall or wearing a "Make America Great Again" hat here.

People interested in non-monogamy will also be happy to know that once you set that as a preference, the site will (gasp!) only show you other people interested in non-monogamy. 

Why we picked this:

Owned by Match Group, INC., OkCupid is a seriously hip LGBTQ-friendly app that has won the hearts of millennials and mature singles alike. Its profile-building process is much more fun than other apps since it almost feels like an online quiz. It asks a range of questions, from simple stuff like if you smoke and drink to more intimate things like how many dates you typically wait before sleeping with someone. (Bonus points for answering them all – the more you share, the better your matches!).

Though OkCupid has a super robust user base, you'll have the best results in well-populated areas. For city dwellers, this is fine, but singles in smaller towns may want to opt for a different app. 

All in all, OkCupid is the perfect happy medium for progressive people who don't want anything to do with trendy swiping apps but don't want to feel like they're desperately looking for marriage, either. OkCupid genuinely wants dating to be a good experience for you, and its multi-faceted matchmaking and modern vibe help you have fun talking to people online. 

Read our full review of OKCupid.

Who it's for:

Grindr is the hookup app for gay men and queers who can't stand the heteronormativity of apps like Tinder or Bumble. For guys looking to have no-strings-attached fun, this is the place to be.

Let's be real: Grindr users have no chill. It's an NSFW gay paradise, and if you've been thinking that you've met every gay man in your area already, Grindr might be able to show you some newbies who you never knew existed. (Unless you're in a small town, in which case you'll probably see the same people recycled on your feed — but just wait until you go on vacation.)

Why we picked this:

Grindr is the world's biggest social networking app for gay, bi, trans, and queer people, helping singles and frisky couples get it on since 2009. With more than 3 million daily users, it's clear it has earned its status as one of the most popular dating apps.  

Instead of swiping right or left to match, you'll get a borderline infinite collage of people who are close location-wise, and honestly, it's super jumbled and scary to look at. It can be a pretty speedy process if you want it to be, and most users just looking to hook up will let you know right off that they're not trying to make small talk. That's not to say it's not for relationships, but at the surface level, it's ideal for quick, casual encounters. 

But rumor has it that the app may soon start charging for features most subscribers already enjoy for free, so we're not entirely sure how long this app will stay on this list. According to the company's CEO George Arison, the team is also toying with the idea of offering an “a la carte” payment option for travel services so users can make traveling to events like Aspen Gay Ski Week even more exciting.

Be warned, however: Grindr is hella NSFW. Messages will be freaky, and you're 100% going to receive a ton of unsolicited (or solicited, if you asked) dick pics, so messaging on Grindr while you're on the train or in line at the store isn't quite as casual as other dating apps might be. You'll also get badgered for pictures, so steer clear if you're uncomfortable with that.

For those who are all about finding a partner in a more traditional, romantic way, other apps (like Archer) might be a better choice; for gay men who strictly want to hook up, this is the Holy Grail.

Who it's for:

Hinge is the place for singles who want a real relationship but don't want to commit to a full-fledged dating site with extensive questionnaires. Hinge calls itself the app "designed to be deleted" because you're meant to find a relationship so you can stop using dating apps (and subsequently increase your phone storage, once and for all).

Why we picked this:

Here at Mashable, we're kind of in love with Hinge. It's a step up from hookup apps while being the perfect level of seriousness for 20- and 30-somethings who want something real but don't need anyone asking how many kids they want just yet.

It has the modern feel and no-patience-required matching of Tinder but with the relationship (rather than hookup) mindset that sites like eharmony or Match offer. Hinge only lets you send eight likes per day, which is a slight bummer. But it means you have to be a little more selective and thoughtful about who you like, which is more conducive to finding a compatible relationship.

If you want to see everyone who likes you or send unlimited likes, Hinge offers multiple premium subscription options, but having endless potential matches is overwhelming (and reminiscent of the more anxiety-provoking Tinder). You can also send "roses" to show other users you're really into them (it's giving major Bachelor vibes).

Who it's for:

HER is the best free dating site for queer, bisexual, trans, and lesbian women. (It's particularly useful if you're over men pretending to be women online or you're just tired of being asked for a threesome by straight couples.) The fact that it's made by queer women for queer women was a much-needed addition to the online dating world, and knowing that it's a safe space is really nice.

HER goes way past being a hookup app — that is, without adding pressure to find a romantic partner. While it can be used to couple up and find local matches that you never knew existed, you can also get involved in local LGBTQ events, read LGBTQ news, and make friends through its social-media-like feed.

Why we picked this:

Claiming to be the app that "introduces you to every lesbian you've ever wanted to meet," HER is the award-winning mix of dating and social media that lets you meet girls you know are girls, as it is solely for lesbian, bisexual, and queer women. The language is inclusive — it's not a lesbian site aimed at a male fantasy, thanks to the fact queer women created it — and it'll help you widen your dating pool beyond the circles you already know IRL.

Note that HER's user base isn't as large as that of mainstream apps like Tinder, so you might not have as many options as you'd like (especially if you live in a smaller town). A lot of queer women are still on apps like Tinder and Bumble, and unfortunately, on those platforms, you might run into straight girls saying that they're "interested" in women to find friends or a threesome.

Regardless, HER is making serious strides toward becoming a total boss of an app (and toward taking a ton of queer lady users away from Tinder). The low-pressure atmosphere is super inviting, and the fact that you can find a girlfriend or queer friends or attend an LGBTQ movie night, all thanks to the app, makes HER unique for multiple reasons. It just rocks — in a really gay and really fun kind of way — OK?

Who it's for:

Because women and non-binary people have to make the first move, Bumble is ideal for females and non-binary individuals who are sick of unsolicited messages from creepy dudes and for men who are tired of always having to initiate convo.

It's also for people who want transparency in what kinds of relationships potential matches are looking for.

Why we picked this:

Tired of stale swiping and indecisive matches? Bumble's here to shake things up. If you combined Tinder and Hinge and then required women and non-binary individuals to make the first move, you'd get Bumble. Starting on the app is quite simple: You create a profile with a bio, personal traits, and what you're looking for so people will know whether you're after a relationship or something casual.

In heterosexual matches, women have to make the first move within 24 hours, or the match disappears. (For same-sex matches, either person can start the conversation.) If you're running out of time, you can extend the chat by purchasing Bumble Boost, a premium feature that lets you rematch with expired matches, undo accidental left swipes, and extend matches for 24 hours. (This feature is only available in certain areas.)

Bumble's free version is a solid choice for anyone who wants a straightforward dating app without dealing with the traditional ick of the dating scene. It lets you be upfront about your dating goals, making it suitable for casual encounters and serious relationships. While we've also checked out Bumble Premium, we've found that the free version works just fine. However, a paid membership might be worth considering if you're looking for the best possible results (and are super serious about finding a partner).

Who it's for:

Archer is a free dating app for gay, bisexual, and queer men. It's the relationship-focused alternative to apps like Grindr and Tinder, providing a "celebratory place" for gay men to connect and find meaningful connections.

If you're a bisexual man or someone who is HIV positive and you're tired of tip-toeing around to avoid potential hate and discrimination, Archer is your best option. (For real, even Brooklyn's oh-so-gorgeous resident bi-man and author of Boyslut: A Memoir and Manifesto, Zachary Zane, swears by it.)

Why we picked this:

Launched earlier this year, Archer is a "social-first" dating app for gay and queer men. Unlike its raunchy competitor (Grindr), Archer focuses on creating a more inclusive and respectful space for its users.

It's 100% free to download and use (no sketchy in-app purchases or hidden fees), and it has some unique features like Smart-Blur to keep you from seeing NSFW content until you're ready and Selfie-Verify for added security.

Not only that, but Archer is determined to make STD/STI, PrEP awareness, and sexual health a priority for its users. It provides comprehensive resources, education, and support for users via the Health Hub, making it a safer and more informed platform for the LGBTQ+ community than other dating apps.

And, as of October 2023, it's available nationwide via Google Play and the App Store. (Before, it was only available in select cities.)

Who it's for:

If you're over 35 and looking for love, Plenty of Fish (POF) might be worth a try. POF has a large user base and offers tons of ways to communicate with potential matches, making it a good option for budget-conscious singles looking for meaningful connections.

Why we picked this:

Chemistry is the name of the game here, and the multiple questionnaires are no joke. This isn't a quick five-second setup like other apps, but that's only because Plenty of Fish truly wants you to dig a bit deeper so that they can give you the best quality matches.

In the "meeting goals" section, you can specify whether you're looking for something long-term, looking to date but nothing serious, etc., and then Plenty of Fish will try to match you with others who answered similarly. The idea is to eliminate the awkward "What are we?" conversations and set you up for success by pairing you with people who share your priorities.

You can even add a Fish Pic badge to your profile to show off your love of fishing and the great outdoors (if that's something you're actually into), thanks to a recent partnership with Busch Light called "Reel Love." Open the app, tap the Fish Pic badge, and click "add to profile."

In terms of the actual app use, unlimited messaging can be nice, but people can send you messages without matching, so if that's not your vibe, this probably isn't the app for you. This can also contribute to a more hookup-dominant culture of the app, so prepare for that as well. 

Ultimately, if a site's janky aesthetics (and sifting through a few fake profiles) don't bother you, POF offers a wide variety of potential mates. Regardless of whether you're super picky with your type or have no idea what you want, there's no way you won't come across a few people you find interesting.