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If you’re looking for love, you don’t always have to pay an arm and a leg to find it. In fact, you might be able to meet that special someone through a free dating site.
Since not all free dating sites are created equal, we’ve done the heavy lifting for you and compiled this guide to the best free dating sites.
- Millions of registered users
- Compatibility Quiz produces a Compatibility Score that breaks down what you’re looking for in a partner
- Personality Profile helps you understand how you and your matches matches connect
- Members represent individuals of all ages and demographics
- Access to dating advice articles, videos & blog posts created by experts
Top Dating Sites With Free Options
While most dating sites offer premium subscriptions that offer full accessibility to a platform, there are a number of dating sites you can use for free. Here are some options you might want to explore.
- OkCupid: OkCupid is a free dating site that uses a unique algorithm and questionnaire format to match you to the right members. With a free account, you can send and receive “Likes” and “Intros,” view matches and converse with matches. Paid features, like read receipts, “Incognito Mode” and “Boosts,” which show your profile to more users for a set time period, can also be purchased.
- Plenty of Fish: With Plenty of Fish, a free membership allows you to filter search criteria for potential matches, enjoy “Live!” steaming, “like” other members, view and message “Mutual Matches,” and more. A paid membership allows extended profile content access, unlimited likes, read receipts, the ability to add up to 16 profile images, no advertisements and more.
- Match: Match offers a free plan that lets you create a profile and send limited messages. However, you’ll need to upgrade to a premium plan to “Boost” your profile, send “SuperLikes,” read receipts, attend Match events and more.
- OurTime: OurTime is designed to help those who are 50 and older find love. A free plan lets you see profile views, search profiles and send limited “likes.” A paid premium membership adds on features like “Private Mode,” seeing who’s viewed your profile, in-app messaging and more.
If you’re looking to try dating via app-only platforms, some options with free features include Tinder, Hinge, Bumble and Grindr.
What Research Says About Online Dating
In 2023, Forbes Health and OnePoll conducted a survey of 5,000 U.S. adults who have actively dated in the past five years and discovered the following:
- Nearly 45% of respondents met people to date on a dating app.
- 29.4% of respondents felt the four-to-six-month mark was the best time to say “I love you.”
- Meeting someone on a dating app was most reported by those between the ages of 27 and 42—and least popular amongst those 78 and older.
- Men are more likely than women to feel either somewhat positive or very positive about dating.
- Arizona (46%) and Massachusetts (43%) were the states that reported saying “I love you” the quickest.
These findings illustrate just how popular and effective online dating is in today’s world. To learn more, explore more statistics in the state of dating in America in 2024.
Pros and Cons of Free Dating Sites
Free dating sites come with a number of benefits and drawbacks that are important to consider, according to Eric Resnick, online dating expert, coach and dating profile writer at ProfileHelper.
Pros
- They won’t cost you anything: While other dating sites charge users, free dating sites are exactly what they sound like—free.
- They’re convenient: You don’t have to be somewhere specific to use free dating sites as they let you explore potential matches from anywhere with an internet connection or cellular service. You have the option to date online from the comfort of your home, or on the go from your laptop or phone.
- They may remove the ambiguity of whether someone is single: “You don’t know if someone is single or even interested in meeting new people out in the wild. However, when they are on a dating site, you know they are available to date and they are interested in finding someone,” explains Resnick.
- They can be a good starting place. “Online dating sites give people a place to gather for the express purpose of meeting prospective dates and their profiles are filled with information that can be used to start a conversation,” says Resnick.
Cons
- They can be awkward: “Don’t get me wrong, people can be awkward in person too, but body language and eye contact go a long way to smooth that out. When you are using a dating app, it can be very easy to leave out the things people want to know [as well as] overshare,” explains Resnick.
- They make it easy to get blown off: “The fact that we don’t have to communicate directly with people on dating apps makes people far too quick to make snap judgments and blow people off,” says Resnick.
- Nothing is real until you meet: “It doesn’t matter how real a connection feels on a dating app,” explains Resnick, adding that meeting in person is the best way to know if that connection is real.
- Their features may be limited: Since free dating sites don’t cost anything, they may not have as many features as their paid counterparts.
Are Free Dating Sites Safe?
The level of safety associated with a free dating site depends on a certain site’s safety features, as well as the measures you take to be safe when interacting on the app. However, you can look out for certain features, such as photo verification (which a platform may use to verify user identities), reporting and blocking.
Safety precautions you can take may include only interacting with photo-verified profiles, withholding certain personal information and limiting the use of photos that could give away personal details such as location or other personal attributes.
Additionally, if you and another user plan an in-person meeting, you can suggest meeting in a public place, keep your friends and family up-to-date on your plans and leave if you feel uncomfortable.
Paid vs. Free Dating Sites: Is There a Difference?
The main differences between paid and free dating sites often include cost and accessible features. While many platforms offer the ability to use basic features for free, this may come with limited use of certain features (like “Super Likes” or profile boosts) that may be fully accessible to those who have a paid subscription to the platform.
Choosing the Right Free Dating Site for You
With so many free dating sites out there, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one for you. Here are some tips to help you out.
Try Multiple Sites
“Don’t limit yourself to just one dating site. Explore multiple platforms and try out different features to see which ones work best for you. Some sites have advanced search filters that can help narrow down your options based on specific criteria such as location, age or interests,” says Megan Harrison, a licensed family and marriage counselor and founder of Couples Candy, a project dedicated to providing couples with information to help promote happy and successful relationships.
Consider the Site’s User Base and Features
“Look for a site with a large and diverse community to increase your chances of finding a compatible match. Next, consider the site’s features and how they align with your dating goals. If you’re looking for a serious relationship, you may want a site that [uses] personality tests or compatibility matching,” says Tina Fey, a relationship expert and founder of the popular love and dating website, Love Connection.
Explore Our Featured Dating Partners
Keep Reputation and Safety in Mind
“Take into account the site’s reputation and safety measures. Choose a site with a good track record and strong security measures to protect your personal information,” says Fey.
Have Patience
“Finally, be patient and take the time to get to know people before rushing into anything too quickly. Engage in conversations with potential matches and ask questions that will give you a better understanding of their personality and character traits,” adds Harrison.
As long as you choose wisely and put forth some time and effort, you may be able to find love without paying a dime.
Get Who Gets You
We understand it can be difficult to find a match with whom you share a similar background, goals, or beliefs, and regardless of who you may be looking for, eHarmony wants to help you find the love of your life.
On eHarmony's Website
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the best free online dating service?
While the best free online dating platform for you will largely depend on your personal interests and needs, the best free dating sites will likely allow you to use most of the features necessary to be successful in online dating.
Are there any free dating sites for singles over 50?
There are a variety of dating sites for singles over 50 that offer either a free trial or a free version of the platform with limited access to features. For more information on some of these options, explore our best dating sites for seniors.
What is the safest free dating site available?
The safest free dating site depends on the safety measures taken by an individual user, such as personal information and what photos you include in your dating profile. Many dating sites also implement safety measures such as the ability to block or unmatch from another user, as well as profile photo verification.
