With thousands of dating sites out there and more launching every year, it’s fair to say that online dating is a big industry. But the popularity of online dating means that it can be hard to choose the right platform, especially if you don’t know what you’re signing up for until after you’ve finished setting up your profile.

Thankfully, there are still plenty of dating sites with no hidden fees to worry about. These sites and apps offer lots of features to all members, and make the cost and benefits for premium membership features available upfront, so you can make an informed decision.

1. Match

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★★★★★ 4.9/5.0
  • 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

Match.com launched in the late ‘90s, when online dating was still a novelty and had a bit of stigma attached to it. It should come as no surprise that a dating site with so much history and such a big user pool owes much of its success to its value and simplicity. Match used to offer a free trial, but it shifted to a freemium model as competition in online dating increased. That’s still the model the site and app use to this day.

As a basic member on Match, you have access to most of the tools you need to successfully meet a potential partner. You can browse profiles, look through the suggested matches the site offers up, and “favorite” interesting users who you’d like to date. Match even allows basic members to send and receive messages from Top Picks. Premium subscriptions come with more freedom, including the ability to message anyone and everyone you encounter on the platform. 

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★★★★★ 4.7/5.0
  • 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

Although eharmony charges a higher rate than average for premium membership, the dating site still offers many functions and features for free. The charge for premium membership can fluctuate depending on the time of year, the discounts eharmony offers at a given time, and the length of your subscription, so you can choose the right moment to commit to paying for premium features.

You can sign up, take the personality quiz, browse profiles, and receive curated matches without paying a membership fee. But eharmony limits your communication options if you don’t pay for a premium subscription. Icebreaker Quizzes and other tools bridge the gap, but eharmony stands pretty firm on communication options like private messages, video chat, and more.

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★★★★ 4.3/5.0
  • Fraud Detection System keeps seniors safe
  • Detailed personality questionnaire to pinpoint compatibility
  • Manual profile verification builds trust online

Elite Singles is the go-to dating site for high-value singles, so it’s no surprise that the site requires a paid membership to access key features. You don’t have to get out the credit card when you register, but you’ll probably need a premium membership to get the results you’re looking for. 

Basic membership on Elite Singles comes with basic benefits. You still receive curated matches based on your preferences and personality profile, and you can browse potential matches in the Have You Met section and send unlimited likes. But a premium membership gives you the ability to send messages to other Elite Singles members, and offers other perks like higher visibility and access to more details on your potential partner. 

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★★★★ 4.2/5.0

Ashley Madison stands out from the online dating crowd, but a key factor is the way that membership perks work on the affair dating platform. Women on Ashley Madison get access to every feature and tool of the site for free, and don’t need to pay for messages or other perks. The payment requirement for men on Ashley Madison is up front, if a little unusual.

Ashley Madison doesn’t operate on a subscription model. Instead, men on the dating site and app pay for credits to access the specific features they’re interested in. And women can use the dating service for free. For its male users, Ashley Madison uses discreet billing codes and a lot of different payment options to help you keep your online dating life private. You can even use prepaid gift cards to pay for an Ashley Madison membership in some countries! Ashley Madison also warns that the default setting for credits is to auto-renew when you hit zero, so make sure to turn off that setting if you want more control over when you pay.

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★★★★ 4.0/5.0
  • Quick registration process with options to add private photos.
  • The majority of users are single adults with experience.
  • Fraud Detection Systems ensure online dating safety.

SilverSingles is one of the most popular senior dating sites, with more than 800,000 active members every month. SilverSingles keeps things simple, and that applies to membership fees as much as it does the site design. It’s easy to sign up, and users have help every step along the way. There’s no pressure to pay for a premium membership right away, without knowing what you’ll get. 

Free membership on SilverSingles allows you to take the compatibility quiz and browse other member profiles, and receive suggested matches based on your personality and preferences. Free members even have some limited communication options. For the full range of benefits, however, SilverSingles requires a premium membership that ranges in price based on the length of your subscription. 

6. Zoosk

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★★★★ 3.8/5.0
  • Fast-paced dating scene available in 80 countries
  • Full members can send unlimited messages
  • Advanced search filters help you zero in on the hottest dates

Zoosk remains a unique contender in the online dating space, offering features and options that a lot of sites don’t. One standout factor for Zoosk’s uniqueness is the flexibility that the online dating site offers when it comes to paid and free memberships. Free memberships on Zoosk never expire, and you can access most of the key features of the platform without ever having to pay.

Once you hit the limits the free membership and want more, Zoosk offers two options for accessing premium features: paid subscription and Zoosk Coins. The subscription fee gives you full access to unlimited messaging and other features of the site and app, and you pay a set fee every month depending on how long a membership you sign up for. If you only want access to specific features, Zoosk Coins let you make one-time purchases and pay only for the tools you want.

7. Facebook Dating

When Facebook announced it was getting into the online dating game, more than a few people made jokes. But Facebook Dating is a solid choice for people who want to meet local singles without paying any membership or subscription fees. In fact, there’s no premium membership available for Facebook Dating. Instead, all of the features are available for free to all users.

Although Facebook Dating still doesn’t have a huge user base, it’s one of the few completely free dating sites and apps available. It’s a good way for budget-conscious singles to meet a new person in their extended friend network in a low-pressure atmosphere for casual dating.

8. OkCupid

OkCupid launched with the goal of remaining “free forever,” and even the latest CEO of the dating platform hasn’t dared to change that. OkCupid users can access every core feature of the platform, including sending as many messages as you want to any OkCupid member you encounter, without ever paying a single penny. The only restriction is that you have to wait for another member to reply to your first message before you can send another.

OkCupid logo
OkCupid launched in 2004 with a promise to remain free forever.

OkCupid does offer premium membership options, like their A List subscription. These options offer better visibility, incognito mode, and other perks that aren’t necessary to find a date, but can be helpful bonuses.

9. Christian Mingle

Christian Mingle is without a doubt the biggest Christian dating website, and part of the success of the platform is the value and honesty that it brings to the table.

Along with its sister site JDate for Jewish singles, Christian Mingle provides a comfortable space for faith-based dating, and the site’s values show in what they offer free members. As a basic member on Christian Mingle, you can browse profiles, update your profile, and send unlimited likes. Basic membership even comes with some limited direct communication options.

Screenshot of ChristianMingle homepage
Christian Mingle supports singles who want to date within the Christian community.

To gain the full range of messaging options on the platform, you’ll need a premium membership, but Christian Mingle makes that restriction obvious from the beginning. You get additional perks as well, including read receipts and the ability to see who’s looked at your profile. You also get more bang for your subscription bucks by signing up for a longer subscription, so it’s a good idea to commit to a longer membership.

FAQs: Do Free Dating Apps & Sites Really Work?

Free dating apps and sites definitely work, but the key factor is the amount of work you’re willing to put in. Premium dating sites that charge subscription or membership fees typically take a lot of the legwork out, either by vetting each potential match or just from the fact that they tend to attract people who know what they’re looking for.

On free dating platforms, you’re more in charge of your dating destiny, but the big dating pool also means that you’re more likely to encounter incompatible people. Free dating sites tend to attract more casual daters, fake profiles, and even scammers because they don’t have to invest anything but time. That means it can take more of your time to separate the genuine matches from the fraudsters.

If you’re on a tight budget, free dating sites and apps are just as valid as those that require a subscription, as long as you’re willing to do a little work.

How Can You Be Certain You’re Not Falling for a Fake Profile?

Fake profiles and scammers are a common pitfall on free dating platforms, especially on casual dating sites, so it’s a good idea to know how to avoid them. While there are identification services to help online daters verify the people they’re talking to are legit, there are some steps you can take on your own to keep yourself safe from scammers.

Safest Dating Sites
Keep your wits about you as you navigate free dating profiles.

The basic steps include looking over profiles for obvious signs that the person is a catfish or another type of scammer. Red flags on profiles include things like fake photos, or inconsistent details (for example, a photo of a Black woman, but a self-description of Caucasian). A completely blank profile isn’t necessarily a red flag, but it’s definitely not a great sign in general.

We also recommend that you never provide personal information that you wouldn’t give a stranger on the street, and you try to have a video chat or at least a voice call before you agree to meet someone in person for the first time. And of course, never give out any financial information or details online.

Which Apps Allow You to Meet Singles Online 100% Free?

Although more apps continue to push for paid memberships to access key features, there are still plenty of dating apps and sites that give users a free dating experience. 

Tinder remains a powerhouse when it comes to online dating apps, with its simple swipe-based matching system and straightforward approach. All of the core features of Tinder are available for free, including unlimited messages to any mutual match. Tinder Plus, Tinder Gold, and Tinder Platinum come with some benefits, but you don’t need them to meet dates.

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★★★★ 4.0/5.0
  • 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

Bumble is more than just a feminist-friendly alternative to Tinder. The popular online dating app distances itself from the hookup culture atmosphere, instead encouraging members to make connections based on mutual interests. And of course, the key difference is that women must be the first one to make the move on the platform, even after a mutual match.

Hinge focuses on quality rather than volume, encouraging members to make contact based on interesting details in each other’s profiles rather than based on a photo and a couple of sentences. Although there are definite perks to premium membership, the platform offers all of the important features for free.

Start Your Online Dating Journey with a Free Membership

With so many dating sites and apps available, there’s no reason to waste your time on a platform that doesn’t match up to your expectations. Dating sites with no hidden fees and that offer a free basic membership and straightforward options make it easy to find what you’re looking for, whether you’re interested in something casual or more serious.

Find the right platform and keep the surprises for your next date!

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