You’ve heard the old saying “the best things in life are free,” right? Well, we happen to think that the best dating sites in life are free as well.

Because love don’t cost a thing, and neither should a friendly chat with a cute stranger. Many dating websites offer a lot of free features to help singles come together and form genuine relationships. It’s worth checking out some of the most popular and affordable dating sites and apps on the market.

Here’s a list of our top-rated free online dating sites where online daters can mingle without breaking their budgets.

Best Overall Free Dating Sites

Over 8,000 dating websites exist in the world, and narrowing all those options down to the best of the best is exceedingly difficult. But we were up for the task. After scouring the online dating scene, reading reviews, and creating test profiles, we’ve determined the following free dating sites and apps to be the cream of the crop.

1. Match

Category Rating
★★★★★ 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

At the top of our list, Match is undeniably one of the best dating sites out there. Since its launch in April 1995, Match.com has developed a sure-fire matchmaking system that unites like-minded people with similar lifestyles, interests, and backgrounds.

Over the decades, Match has inspired countless loving relationships, and it boasts facilitating more marriages than any of its competitors.

You don’t have to take our word for it, though. You can read success stories and reviews from happy couples across the web. “Match.com is an online dating site that gives you a lot of flexibility,” said A.J., a user in California. “Like anything else in life, timing and luck play a role, but for those who are looking to meet people for a potential relationship, Match.com is an option that can bring you into contact with a potential partner.”

Category Rating
★★★★★ 4.9/5.0
  • Over 2 million monthly users
  • Premium members receive 20 wildcard matches a day
  • Search features include age, height, education, ethnicity, and lifestyle habits

In 2013, Elite Singles set itself apart from other dating sites and apps by putting quality before quantity. Instead of trying to build the largest singles database possible, this premium dating site sought to cater to the most desirable singles seeking love online.

As a result, over 80% of Elite Singles members have a college degree, and over 90% say they are interested in finding a relationship. Elite Singles works for all types of singles, but it is particularly for young professionals with marriage on their minds.

Every month, Elite Singles adds over 381,000 new members and comes that much closer to having both quality and quantity on its side.

3. Zoosk

Category Rating
★★★★★ 4.7/5.0
  • Send messages to premium members for free
  • Over 3 million messages sent a day
  • Premium perks include photo verification and sending virtual gifts

Zoosk began as a startup in Silicon Valley, and it has become a global sensation. Over 40 million singles have joined the dating site and app, which is active in over 80 countries.

The idea behind Zoosk is to make online dating more of a social networking experience, so there are a lot of communication features and matchmaking systems at your disposal. You can use the search filters to find a compatible dating profile, or you can swipe through profile pictures in the Carousel.

Zoosk relies on Behavioral Matchmaking to bring compatible folks together, so the more you view profiles, send likes, and chat with like-minded people on the platform, the better its match suggestions for you will be.

Category Rating
★★★★★ 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

By applying psychology to online dating, eharmony aims to create healthier, happier, and stronger marriages in the U.S. and abroad. This personality-driven dating site kicks things off with a comprehensive personality test that inquires about everything from your eating habits to your religious views.

Once you’ve set up your dating profile (which is free), you can also set match preferences (also free) in terms of age, distance, income, spirituality, smoking, and other key demographics. All this personal information goes into eharmony’s rigorous match algorithm, which then calculates compatibility scores with a potential date based on things like exclusivity, social values, and relationship values.

Personality powers matches on eharmony — this isn’t a casual hookup site — so online daters can trust the dating site and app to identify compatible matches that are also seeking true love.

Category Rating
★★★★ 4.3/5.0

ChristianMingle is designed to help good Christian singles find a match made in heaven. The dating platform accepts members of all religious beliefs and affiliations — with the stipulation that members must be open to being in a Christian marriage.

As a free member of ChristianMingle, you can browse through profiles organized by the newest, the closest, and the ones with the highest match percentage. You can also view Christian dating profiles that are online now and flip through potential dates in the LookBook.

ChristianMingle offers a free basic membership, so singles don’t have to take it on faith that the site works. Free online members can see that they have messages in their inbox; however, they can only view those messages or send replies when they subscribe to a three-month, six-month, or 12-month plan.

Category Rating
★★★★ 4.2/5.0

Ashley Madison is notorious for being an affair dating site and app, and its membership base tops over 65 million users. Since the early 2000s, Ashley Madison has appealed to daters of all types, and helped them stay undercover while seeking friendship, romance, and love.

This popular dating site has discreet features to protect personal privacy, and most Ashley Madison users want to explore casual dating, so it’s easy to make a connection in such an open-minded atmosphere.

You can create a free Ashley Madison dating profile in less than two minutes and see what this unique dating ground has to offer. The free version of the app provides unlimited access to user profiles, no credit card required. Plus, all women on the dating platform can chat for free, while men will have to use a credit system to chat up a new person here.

Category Rating
★★★★ 4.1/5.0

The best dating site for conversations. That’s the moniker of Plenty of Fish, which offers 100% free and unlimited communication. All POF members can send as many messages as they want to anyone they want, and they don’t have to pay a cent.

During the average month, Plenty of Fish users exchange over 1 billion messages on the platform. The downside of free online communication, of course, is that it could turn into an open season for scammers and spammers. Fortunately, POF has laid down strict community guidelines to encourage respectful and kind interactions.

Over 150 million singles have trusted Plenty of Fish to connect them, and the online dating app’s success stories and good reviews prove its merits as an online matchmaker.

8. Tinder

Category Rating
★★★★ 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

In 2012, Tinder changed the way people saw free online dating when it introduced its swipe-based mutual matching system. Suddenly, singles had a way to filter their incoming messages and browse potential dates more quickly and effectively. And it has taken off.

To date, Tinder has facilitated over 75 billion matches in over 190 countries and territories. The popular dating app is responsible for over 1.5 million dates per week, and it has sparked connections between singles of all ages, orientations, and intentions. Tinder is the best dating app for diving into a broad dating pool, and its swipe features have even led to true love for some people.

“I’m getting married to someone I met on Tinder,” said Caitlin M. on Facebook. “We talked through text for about a week before we met. After meeting, we clicked immediately.”

Best Free Senior Dating Sites

Though they may not seem very tech-friendly, seniors have begun embracing online dating in a major way in the last few years. Dating sites and apps give singles the opportunity to come out of their shells and meet new people without leaving home, and a senior dating site or app can provide an age-appropriate community for individuals seeking companionship.

Below, we’ve listed a few of the safest and friendliest dating sites for seniors, and we hope you enjoy them.

Category Rating
★★★★★ 4.5/5.0

First up, we have SilverSingles, a dating site that caters to singles over 50. The site gives every new member a personality test and uses their answers to devise daily match recommendations (up to seven per day), and you don’t need to make any in-app purchases to view a person’s profile and send a like or wink.

Singles can also look for a senior match using the search filters on SilverSingles. The dating site lets free members set parameters around age, distance, and other important factors to consider when deciding who’s right for you.

The dating website’s simple signup process and user-friendly interface ensure even newcomers to the online dating scene will understand how SilverSingles works.

10. OurTime

Category Rating
★★★★★ 4.9/5.0
  • Thousands of success stories from all over the world
  • Find senior dates using advanced search filters and match suggestions
  • The Help Center offers quick tips and guidance

As part of the People Media network, OurTime has an extensive reach in the online dating scene. The senior-friendly site welcomes anyone over the age of 50, and its security measures and safety tips can help new members guard against fake profiles and unsavory folks.

Many of OurTime’s members haven’t dated in years — even decades — so the dating service eases singles into the online dating process with a free membership and lots of matchmaking features.

OurTime’s greatest successes include widowers finding love again and single moms making friendships during their golden years. Online technology can lead seniors to their perfect match, and it’s worth exploring free online dating sites and free dating apps to see what’s out there.

Category Rating
★★★★ 4.1/5.0

SeniorMatch has over 1 million singles in its database, and the dating site plays host to over 1.6 million conversations each month. That’s a lot of activity for a community of retired and semi-retired folks!

SeniorMatch has dating forums, blogs, and private messaging where like-minded people can get to know one another on a deeper level. It’s not just about looks here. The site endeavors to foster a friendly space for seniors seeking genuine connections. You can read more about SeniorMatch here.

Since 2003, SeniorMatch has inspired over 36,000 success stories, and you can read some SeniorMatch testimonials on the site.

Category Rating
★★★★ 4.0/5.0
  • 100% free online dating for seniors
  • In-depth profiles showcase your personality and lifestyle
  • Members-only groups organized around travel, currents events, and BINGO nights

Last but not least, SeniorFriendsDate is definitely worth checking out if you fall into the over-50 category. This senior dating site supports completely free online communication.

You don’t have to pay anything to join SeniorFriendsDate and start conversations on the site. You can search for dates for free, you can read your messages for free, you can favorite profiles for free — well, you get the point.

What’s more, SeniorFriendsDate.com is a mobile-friendly site, so you can access it using any of your mobile devices (smartphone, tablet, etc.) and enjoy a seamless and free online dating experience.

Best Free LGBT Dating Sites

Online dating has been a game changer for LGBTQ+ singles, especially those who are in the closet or don’t have a very large gay community in their area. By joining a dating site or app, people can explore their sexuality and express themselves more openly, honestly, or freely than they can in the real world.

As a result, according to survey data, 65% of today’s LGBTQ+ couples say they met online, while only 39% of today’s straight couples can say the same. Free online dating clearly has a lot to offer gay, lesbian, bi, trans, and queer individuals, and the following sites have a rainbow of features to recommend them.

13. OkCupid

Category Rating
★★★★ 4.2/5.0
  • Gay men can express themselves in lengthy profiles
  • Expanded orientation options includes pansexual and demisexual men
  • Match lists only show guys who meet your criteria

In 2014, OkCupid updated its dating site/app and positioned itself as an ally to the LGBTQ+ community by adding 22 gender options and 13 orientation options to its profiles.

OkCupid’s team believes “dating deserves better,” and this popular dating platform is constantly changing to meet the needs of today’s online daters. At its heart, OkCupid is all about pairing up people who have real-life, long-term potential, and it uses a time-tested match questionnaire to see who can go the distance. The questionnaire is optional and offers over 4,000 questions ranging from “Do you like beer” to “Do you think homosexuality is a sin?”

Since its launch in 2004, OkCupid has promised to be a forever-free site, and it doesn’t charge users a penny to send messages. Upgrading your OkCupid account is totally optional, but it does give you access to helpful features like being able to see your profile views and likes.

14. Bumble

Category Rating
★★★★ 3.8/5.0
  • A global network of strong, confident women
  • Conversations expire within 24 hours of a match
  • Less than 1% of Bumble women are looking for hookups

Bumble is a female-first dating app known for its innovative twist on online dating. Bumble’s CEO started on the ground floor of Tinder in her early 20s, but she soon left the company (and slapped it with a sexual harassment lawsuit) to create a healthier and more progressive dating space for all singles.

Since launching in 2014, Bumble has been a force for social change in the online dating space. Its female-oriented features appeal to both straight and gay women who are seeking greater quality and less harassment in their inboxes.

Bumble has differentiated itself from apps like Tinder by inspiring heartfelt conversations online and by ensuring both individuals feel safe, valued, and heard. Anyone can join the Hive for free to discover friendships and relationships built on mutual respect. As the Bumble team said, “We as a company will always swipe right for empowered moves, and left on attempts to disempower us. We encourage every user to do the same.”

15. HER

Category Rating
★★★★ 4.2/5.0
  • Free private messaging to all mutual matches
  • Post comments or send likes to connect with local lesbians
  • A safe, friendly, and one-of-a-kind dating app

HER is a women-only dating app with over 10 million users who identify all across the sexuality spectrum. The idea for the app began with a lesbian named Robyn Exton, who was on a mission to create a safe community of queer women.

Once you set up your free dating profile (using an existing Facebook account or social media account), you become part of a vast network of women organizing events, posting colorful pictures, and commenting on each other’s thoughts, joys, successes, and stories. This unique social media atmosphere encourages dynamic relationships to blossom.

You can read loads of the app’s love stories under the hashtag WeMetOnHER. “I can’t imagine my life without her ever again,” said Kelsey and Ashley in a testimonial. “Thank you, HER, for helping me reconnect with my happily ever after.”

16. Grindr

Category Rating
★★★★ 4.1/5.0
  • Among the most popular gay social networks in the world
  • Men connect via private and group chats
  • View nearby profiles using real-time GPS data

When it comes to online dating apps for gay men, Grindr is probably the best option out there. Its location-based dating matches are ideal for guys on the prowl for a one-night stand, and its no-nonsense vibe helps users establish quick romantic connections.

Over the last decade, Grindr has amassed a global following by focusing on connecting local dates. The app’s main goal is to connect dates who are “zero feet away,” and the rest is up to you.

“I met my current bf on Grindr…When we met, I was explicit I was taking time away from dating and hookups,” said one Grindr user. “We were official two months later.”

Best Free Hookup Sites

If your dream date begins and ends in the bedroom, then you should start your search for romance on a hookup site known for being safe, effective, and discreet. We’ve picked out a few that will get the job done and help you make some magic in your local dating scene.

17. BeNaughty

Category Rating
★★★★★ 4.8/5.0
  • A global network of naughty singles over 18
  • Ability to blur nude and explicit content, if desired
  • Advanced search filters and one-on-one messaging

BeNaughty is a free hookup site with members in the U.S., the U.K., Australia, Canada, Spain, France, and other European countries. Once you input your location, the site will generate a match list of viable dates in and around your ZIP code.

Free members can scroll through dating profiles and send flirtatious pickup lines to get people’s attention. Only members with valid photos can send messages on the site.

If you really want to save time searching for a hookup or one-night stand on BeNaughty, go to the Like Gallery where you can quickly swipe through date options by answering the oh-so-serious question: Cute or Not?

Category Rating
★★★★★ 4.7/5.0

With over 100 million dating profiles, AdultFriendFinder has almost too many options for horny singles and couples. As a free member, you can check out the erotic blog and view sexy video broadcasts that run 24/7. You can also browse through profiles and photos for as long as you like.

The site’s free features are great, but the premium membership offers even greater privileges, including private two-way chats.

The AFF community is an adults-only space, so don’t be too surprised if you find some X-rated content here. Some raunchy members post nude or semi-nude pics, while others explain in graphic terms on their profiles the type of sexual encounter they desire.

AFF members can let go of their inhibitions and explore different kinks, fetishes, and sexual preferences on this anonymous hookup platform. It’s a great way to find a one-night stand without the hassle of monthly fees or in-app purchases.

Category Rating
★★★★★ 4.5/5.0
  • A casual personals site for singles, couples, and groups
  • Profiles have suggestive photos and strip tease videos
  • Chat live via a two-way webcam or private messaging

FriendFinder-X touts itself as a site “where good girls do bad things.” And if that doesn’t get you interested, then maybe the site’s free membership perks and location-based dating will.

On FriendFinder-X, you can create a personal ad and use advanced search filters to find sexy singles in your neck of the woods. You don’t have to use your real name to sign up, but you do have to upload a photo of yourself if you want your profile to appear in search results.

According to FriendFinder-X, dating profiles with photos receive 10 times as many likes as dating profiles without photos, so it’s worth dusting off your favorite selfie when creating your account.

20. MenNation

Category Rating
★★★★ 4.4/5.0
  • A massive men-only sex and swinger community
  • Browse profiles and send private messages to your favorites
  • Profiles feature erotic videos and sexually explicit blogs

Straight people aren’t the only ones hooking up in the online dating world. MenNation caters to all the hot guys looking to slut it up on free dating apps and sites.

Thanks to its location-based dating, MenNation encourages singles, couples, and groups to find men who share similar sexual interests. Many guys will outright state in their profiles where, how, and when they want to hook up, and that takes a lot of the guesswork out of finding a sexy partner.

Every day, tens of thousands of men use MenNation to satisfy their curiosity and their desires. You can join them for free by providing a valid email address — a Facebook account or social media profile is not required.

Category Rating
★★★★ 4.3/5.0
  • Create a free profile in less than a minute
  • Search filters can identify attractive singles and couples in the area
  • Strip tease videos, revealing photos, and other adult content

Finally, LesbianPersonals has given lesbian, bisexual, and queer women a place where they can pursue their passions. The personals site does not allow men to join the site and spoil the fun.

Men can only join if they are in a relationship with a straight woman and interested in a threesome. Otherwise, it’s a girls-only space. Women can exchange messages, photos, and videos on the casual dating site, and it doesn’t take long for members to make contact with a new person.

LesbianPersonals is a free, adults-only dating site, and it employs strict safety measures to ensure users behave themselves and have a fun time seeking the perfect match.

Is There a Totally Free Dating Site?

Most dating websites will offer at least some free features — typically, free profile searches and profile views — yet far fewer dating sites offer a completely free dating service. A paywall helps dating sites stay profitable, of course, but it also guarantees a certain level of safety and authenticity for members.

The Hinge logo
Hinge is a totally free dating app with personality-driven matching.

Free online dating sites can be problematic because they open the doors to spammers and scammers who want to take advantage of users. Cybercriminals can use the site’s free communication as their way into people’s lives and bank accounts.

A completely free dating service may save you money upfront, but you could lose money in a dating scam if you’re not careful. Instead of looking for always-free sites, singles should seek online dating apps that offer a good balance of free features and security measures.

Free online dating sites like OkCupid and Plenty of Fish — and free dating apps like Coffee Meets Bagel and Hinge — can be a good option if you want to land a date without paying a lot of money or putting yourself at risk. You can mingle freely on these online dating apps and send messages without paying for a monthly subscription.

Facebook Dating is currently trying to make itself known as the best free dating app with no paid features for any activity or communication. However, users don’t seem to super like the dating service so far, and it’s gotten mixed reviews overall.

Is OkCupid Completely Free?

OkCupid offers free communication to all its members, but the free dating service does have premium features to give certain online daters an edge. You can chat with as many people as you want for as long as you want on OkCupid. However, only premium members can see their profile views and likes.

Something we like about OkCupid is the way it filters incoming messages. Anyone can write an introductory message to someone they like, but only messages from your mutual matches will show up in your inbox. Otherwise, you’ll see them at the top of the person’s dating profile.

Is POF Really Free?

Yes, Plenty of Fish is really free. The POF network has built its reputation as an international dating site based on its free communication system. That’s how it has earned the trust of 150 million users worldwide. You can search, chat, match, and use Plenty of Fish for free.

Plenty of Fish isn’t one of those paid dating sites that nickel and dime users for every feature. It offers swiping, instant messaging, and even some video chat options for free.

Another good feature is that Plenty of Fish requires only an email address — not a Facebook profile or Instagram account — to jump on board its membership.

How Can I Get Zoosk for Free?

The Zoosk app offers a free membership to all newcomers with an email address or social media profile (Facebook is most common). You can take advantage of its free matching features by creating a profile on the dating site or downloading the dating app.

Category Rating
★★★★★ 4.7/5.0
  • Free trial with unlimited profile browsing
  • Flirt with women in 80+ countries
  • Behavioral matchmaking system pays attention to your likes and views

You don’t have to make any in-app purchases to browse Zoosk profiles, take the personality test, use its social networking features, and find the perfect match online. To further help budget-conscious singles, Zoosk offers special discounts on its subscription plans and gives users plenty of options to make the experience their own and meet potential dates.

Find Love Online by Using the Best Free Dating Sites

There you have it. The best free dating sites and apps on this list can help you turn your luck around and create a meaningful connection through the power of the internet.

You can join any of these popular dating sites for free to see what they’re about, and, if you like what you see, you may want to upgrade your account to get a premium feature or two. Maybe money can’t buy you love, but it can buy you access to some pretty great online dating experiences, if you play your cards right.

It’s up to you to decide how much time, money, and energy you’re willing to spend in the online dating scene. Just keep in mind, you’ll get out of it what you put into it, so put your best foot forward and have fun!

Advertiser Disclosure DatingNews.com is a free online resource that offers valuable content and comparison services to users. To keep this resource 100% free, we receive compensation from many of the offers listed on the site. Along with key review factors, this compensation may impact how and where products appear on the page (including, for example, the order in which they appear). DatingNews.com does not include the entire universe of available offers. Editorial opinions expressed on the site are strictly our own and are not provided, endorsed, or approved by advertisers. Our Editorial Review Policy Our site is committed to publishing independent, accurate content guided by strict editorial guidelines. Before articles and reviews are published on our site, they undergo a thorough review process performed by a team of independent editors and subject-matter experts to ensure the content’s accuracy, timeliness, and impartiality. Our editorial team is separate and independent of our site’s advertisers, and the opinions they express on our site are their own. To read more about our team members and their editorial backgrounds, please visit our site’s About page.