Canada is a nation of diverse individuals known for fierce independence and dogged politeness. Statistics show that Canada has a high percentage of singles in its population. Recently, single-person households became the dominant household type in Canada. In fact, nearly 30% of Canadians reported living alone in 2021. Lucky for these single folks, many dating sites and apps have the potential to shake up their situations (or should I say situationships?).
Based on my research, I’ve compiled a definitive list of free Canadian dating sites and apps for singles to explore. Canadian singles can find a genuine relationship on a dating site that puts their interests first.
1. Match
Match.com has come a long way since it launched in April 1995. This well-reputed dating site has honed its match algorithm to identify long-term compatibility and facilitate countless first dates, serious relationships, and successful marriages. Match’s esteemed dating experts go to great lengths to guide singles to a seriously good match.
- Match is the world’s longest running dating site
- The Discover section has search filters by interests, looks, lifestyle, and more
- Match is available in 50 countries and 15 languages
- Browse Match profiles 100% free »
The international dating site and app Match has over 50 million users, and it sorts potential matches by city, so Canadians can find local dates easily. Match is a fan favorite, as well as one of my personal favorites because it gets the job done!
Match is a great online dating option for Canadian singles. The Match team believes that love is universal and shouldn’t be hard to find. The online dating service is offered in 15 languages and is available in 24 countries all around the world.
“I can now say, without reservation, that I’ve found my adventure partner for life,” said Match couple, Heather and Jake in a testimonial.
You best believe that you’ll find your perfect match on Match! Whether you’re looking to casually date around or get into a serious relationship, Match is dedicated to helping you find the relationship that fits your vibe. Anyone over the age of 18 can join the Match community for free and start dating right away. Free members get access to customized search filters and match suggestions based on their preferences.
EliteSingles.com maintains a sophisticated network of young professionals seeking a relationship. Over 80% of its members hold a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate degree, and over 90% are over the age of 30. Elite Singles uses an intelligent matchmaking system to introduce daters to someone on their level.
- Over 2 million monthly users
- Premium members receive 20 wildcard matches a day
- Search features include age, height, education, ethnicity, and lifestyle habits
- Browse Elite Singles profiles 100% free »
Elite Singles is a dating site for singles who are ready to settle down and get into a committed relationship. Educated Canadians can seek compatible dates by setting preferences for income, lifestyle, and background.
In a busy world with an even busier work schedule, finding time to date can be challenging. Elite Singles is dedicated to helping career-oriented singles make room for love in their lives. Dating in a more mature setting is helpful when you’re on a serious mission to find a long-term partner. About 90% of the site’s members are 30 or older, and the team uses an intelligent matchmaking system that produces fine-tuned matches based on members’ preferences.
“Elite Singles is an excellent dating platform with many useful features. Thanks to Elite Singles for helping me find a great partner!” said Tatyana, an Elite Singles member, in a review.
3. eharmony
Since its launch in 2000, eharmony has endeavored to find the formula for love. Its 32-dimension personality test uses psychological truths to identify areas of compatibility between two individuals. The dating site’s mission is to foster relationships that last, and every potential match has a reason behind it.
- Over 2 million people have found love here
- Users can filter their match recommendations by age or city
- Compatibility Quiz identifies common interests, lifestyles, and goals
- Browse eharmony profiles 100% free »
With a motto, “get who gets you,” eharmony is considered the number one trusted dating app for relationship seekers. eharmony has curated millions of matches since it launched and has established an honorable reputation as a result.
According to eharmony’s user data, someone finds love on the app every 14 minutes! That’s impressive considering that it’s been going strong since 2000.
Dating shouldn’t be a lonely journey. That’s why eharmony provides an in-depth personality test and compatibility ratings based on psychology to light the way. This is extremely helpful for those singles who are just starting to get back into the dating scene and aren’t quite sure what they want in a partner.
Facebook launched a dating service, cleverly dubbed Facebook Dating, on a mission to expand its ability to connect people in meaningful relationships. The dating app is completely free to use and provides unique matchmaking features, including the Secret Crush option that taps into your Friends list to find mutual matches. Facebook Dating is only accessible through the Facebook app, and it has yet to gain as much traction as the more established names in the industry.
- Totally free communication for all users
- Dating activity is separate from the mainstream FB newsfeed
- Detailed profile information includes Facebook events and interest groups
- Browse Facebook Dating profiles 100% free »
Finding someone who likes the same things you do is ideal when people date online. Facebook Dating is a platform designed for singles to do just that — meet people who share the same interests! It is completely free to join Facebook Dating, which is available through the Facebook app.
To help singles break the ice, Facebook Dating offers group chats and events to explore before engaging in one-on-one interactions. Canadian singles can meet people near and far, it’s totally up to them!
Matches are created once two members like each other’s profiles, making it easier for people to know who is interested in them. It is a smaller dating pool, so be mindful that finding a perfect match may take time.
Christian Mingle is a faith-based dating website for singles who want a relationship grounded in Christian values. People of all religions and backgrounds turn to this site in hopes of meeting a good Christian man or a good Christian woman. Christian Mingle’s claim to fame is that it has the highest percentage of Christian members of any dating site or app in the world.
- For singles interested in God-centered relationships
- Over 3.5 million monthly users around the world
- Available as an app on Google Play and the App Store
- Browse Christian Mingle profiles 100% free »
Religion is a big part of Canadian people’s lives, and Christian singles deserve a safe space to date. The dating site Christian Mingle is determined to help Christians find their community outside the church walls. As the number one Christian dating site in the world, Christian Mingle continues to pave the way for faith-based singles to meet and form a genuine connection.
If you’re looking for a God-centered relationship, Christian Mingle is the right place to start. The site uses powerful communication tools to help members make deep and lasting conversations. Christian Mingle cultivates strong relationships by providing members with dating advice from experts. A relationship is stronger when you have a team supporting you wholeheartedly.
“Don’t try and make it happen. Be real and authentic. Most importantly, pray for the kind of person you are looking for. He or she is out there,” advised couple Gina and John in a testimonial.
6. Tinder
In 2012, Tinder pioneered a swiping-based match system that empowered singles to connect with dates who liked them back. Tinder users can message their mutual matches for free on this fast-paced dating app. Since its launch, Tinder has created over 97 billion matches worldwide.
- Supports active daters in 190+ countries
- The swiping system creates over 12 million matches per day
- Tinder Plus members have unlimited likes and 5 Super Likes
- Browse Tinder profiles 100% free »
As the world’s most popular dating app, Tinder continues to set the bar for online dating. Tinder is a safe space that welcomes singles to explore their passions and date from the comfort of their homes. This app doesn’t put daters in a box.
“Some sites, like Hinge and eharmony, are designed for long-term relationships, but on the Tinder app, we’re all about the experience and offer possibilities for whatever it is you’re looking for,” said the Tinder team.
Tinder is available in over 190 countries and is continuing to expand further. People can choose to upgrade to Tinder Plus to access even more features. Tinder Plus members get unlimited likes and profile rewinds, among other benefits. Upgrading to Tinder Plus isn’t mandatory to find love, but it does add to the dating experience. It’s just a matter of knowing what experience you want to have.
7. HER
HER is a women-only (or “womxn” as the team says) dating app that helps cis, trans, and non-binary identified singles come into their own. This is a strict no-boys-allowed zone. HER encourages LGBTQ+ women to mingle by commenting on photos or events in the Feed, or they can like profiles to initiate a private conversation with a mutual match.
- A quirky and unapologetic womxn-only dating community
- Queer events get users connecting IRL
- The constantly updated Feed facilitates social networking
- Browse HER profiles 100% free »
Niche dating websites are beneficial when you want to be around like-minded individuals. It’s refreshing to be in a safe space where you can be your true self and know that others will embrace you. The dating app HER is all about coming as you are and finding someone who will appreciate you for it.
HER is a unique dating app designed by a lesbian woman who wanted better for her community. HER proudly invites all FLINTA singles to find love on its app.
With over 15 million users, it’s not hard to find someone to connect with. Despite the large dating pool, Canadian singles will appreciate HER’s tight-knit community. From lesbian chats to trans chats, HER is filled with engaging conversations coming from engaging people. Free members get access to HER’s core features and get to mingle with other singles around the world.
8. Grindr
Grindr became the world’s first gay geosocial app in 2009, and it continues growing its all-male user base more than a decade later. The app uses real-time GPS data to locate nearby date prospects and give gay and bisexual singles a chance to connect while they’re out on the town.
- Social networking for gay, bi, trans, and queer men
- Location-based matches spark instant chemistry
- Grindr Equality advocates for LGBTQ+ interests on the global stage
- Browse Grindr profiles 100% free »
The dating app Grindr is considered one of the largest social networking apps for gay, bi, trans, and queer people. Grindr was launched in 2009 and has been on a mission to connect queer people and the world ever since. Grindr is all about creating a safe space for diversity and sex-positivity to thrive.
“It might sound cliché, but you get from Grindr what you put into it. If you’re honest with people and treat them with respect, you’ll find many people to talk to, to hook up with, and, who knows, maybe to love. If you’re dishonest or abusive or confrontational, you will find no audience here, and you may just get banned,” said the Grindr team.
Grindr has continued to evolve over the years and remains dedicated to improving the dating lives of queer people who identify as male or non-binary. Looking to the future, Grindr plans to impact more communities all over the world. Knowing that distance can be a challenge in a relationship, Grindr focuses on connecting people who are near one another. Meeting other queer individuals can be challenging, but with Grindr, you can easily find them zero feet away!
FAQs: What Is the Most Successful Dating Site From Canada?
This answer may surprise you, but Ashley Madison is the most popular dating site that started in Canada and became a worldwide phenomenon. Ashley Madison gained its success by helping countless users find a discreet and fun connection. Now, Canadian singles can engage in secretive, spicy conversations with people from across the ocean.
Another big name in the online dating industry that has its roots in Canada: Plenty of Fish. The free dating site launched in 2003 and started in Canada before going global.
I would say a big reason behind POF’s popularity is the free features and accessible communication. There’s just plenty to do on the app. Finding love should be fun, and the team wanted to ensure that it was. You don’t have to jump through hoops or fork over a bunch of money to join the conversations on Plenty of Fish.
Does Bumble Work for Canadians?
Yes, Bumble is a popular app with over 100 million users, including a good number in Canada. According to recent stats, Bumble has about 4,000 active Canadian users. Most of those users identify as Gen Zers between the ages of 18 and 24.
Bumble is versatile and can be used for dating as well as socializing. Bumble BFF has become a go-to tool for Canadians moving to a different city, and I’d recommend looking into any Bumble events taking place near you via Bumble IRL.
The Bumble team is passionate about empowering singles to find genuine connections. Canadian singles can benefit from the app’s high level of sophistication and respectful community. Bumble isn’t about just finding relationships but changing the way people view themselves and giving them the confidence they need to make romantic and social connections.
“Stephanie wasn’t accustomed to sending the first message on dating apps. In fact, she’d been struggling with her confidence since she was a teenager,” shared the Bumble team. “That changed when she decided to take control of her dating life and get on Bumble, where she had to approach men. It was scary at first, but she quickly found herself enjoying coming up with questions.”
Which Dating Apps or Sites Are Completely Free?
Plenty of them! Tinder, Hinge, and OkCupid all provide enough free chat features to help singles meet without needing a premium upgrade. Most people misinterpret free as less valuable, but plenty of sites provide a great online dating experience at no charge. It just may take a bit more work to swipe through a free dating app or site rather than choose from curated matches on a paid dating site.
Countless singles find love on free dating sites and apps without ever having to pay a dime, and you can join them with a free membership plan.
Canadian Singles Benefit From Online Dating’s Vast Reach
Based on my research, it’s safe to say that Canadian singles are in good hands when it comes to the online dating world. There are multiple dating sites and apps that singles can try whenever they’re feeling bored, lonely, or curious.
Who knows? A free membership could be the first step toward your next love story.
Why settle for lonely nights when there are plenty of dating resources out there to help you get boo’d up. Canada may be cold, but those cold nights don’t have to be spent alone!
