Dating site free trials are sort of like the Holy Grail of the online dating world. Many singles go on a quest in hopes of finding secret tricks to save money on popular dating platforms. But it’s not actually all that difficult to find affordable options and make the most of a romantic foray on a dating site or app.
The truth is most free trials these days are automatic upon registration and don’t require any special promotion or coupon code.
Our experts ran through the top dating sites on the market and took note of the free trial offers and free membership deals that offer great savings to all singles. Take a look!
1. Match.com – 3-Day Free Trial
Match launched in 1995 long before online dating became an accepted social norm. In those days, the company had to work hard to prove to potential customers that online matchmaking could work. So, it offered new members a free trial period. If they liked it, they could upgrade to a paid subscription. If not, they were no worse for wear.
As it turned out, many Match members stayed on after their free trial ended. Years later, the online dating site evolved its free trial into a 100% free membership that never expired and even included some messaging features.
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 Match.com free trial has only gotten better with time. It began as a three-day offer, and now it’s more of an unending giveaway for all users. Free members can even try out the paid features of a premium subscription for free — as long as they cancel the membership before their credit card is charged.
2. eharmony – Every Day Free Trial
Joining eharmony is completely free for everyone. The initial membership no longer includes a trial period. That means single adults can choose not to pay for the premium service and still enjoy many fun features.
With a free eharmony membership, users can take the personality test, browse dating profiles, send icebreaker quizzes or likes, and exchange a limited number of messages with highly rated matches.
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 »
The eharmony free trial was once the best way to join the online dating scene affordably. But that was back in the early 2000s. The dating landscape has shifted since then, and now, endless free memberships are the preferred way to explore a site’s matchmaking features.
3. OurTime – 14-Day Free Trial
As a People Media site, OurTime has an expansive network that only grows larger day after day. Its free membership is a pretty good deal for new users who want to take a look around, but the online dating site has also been known to offer a seven-day or 14-day free trial to sweeten the pot.
OurTime is an over-50 dating site with a lot of helpful features to facilitate friendships and relationships. Senior singles can look for dates themselves using the search tools, or they can view a curated list of matches to find compatible folks. Singles can send likes, flirts, and faves for free, but they have to subscribe to send messages to their online crushes.
- Open to straight, gay, and lesbian singles over 50
- Free match recommendations and conversation starters
- Use Tokens to promote your profile and send virtual gifts
- Browse OurTime profiles 100% free »
The OurTime free trial is available to new users only. If you are already a free member, you will not be eligible for this deal, but you will have access to unlimited profiles and some messages in the senior dating network.
4. Ashley Madison – Free Member Trial
Ashley Madison has made a controversial name for itself as a dating site for affairs. Its members include married and single folks looking for excitement.
A free membership trial is available to all adults upon registration on Ashley Madison, but the rules are different for male and female users. Women enjoy unlimited free communication on the site, while men have a capped number of messages they can send for free.
Ashley Madison is a discreet dating site with over 91 million profiles in its private database, and it is full of temptation. The platform offers a judgment-free zone where people can consider their options and chat with locals who are willing to get together on the down low.
- A uniquely open-minded dating network
- Privacy-conscious features
- Over 1.4 million matches per month
- Browse Ashley Madison profiles 100% free »
Ashley Madison lets you follow your heart and connect with passionate partners to add excitement to your life. With a free membership, both men and women can explore these enticing dating opportunities without worrying about their finances or privacy.
If you’re looking for a local hot chat, and want to remain anonymous, it’s worth spending $0 on Ashley Madison’s basic membership to see what’s out there.
5. NaughtyCharm – Free Trial Membership
NaughtyCharm is a free dating site for hookups and sexting. All female users can send unlimited messages without paying for a premium membership, and male callers can send some icebreakers and replies with a free account.
Local singles can use NaughtyCharm as a chatline for picking up dates and arranging intimate encounters. It doesn’t have a free trial, so online daters can flirt and match for as long as they wish.
NaughtyCharm invites singles to walk on the wild side and explore their sexuality in a fun, free-wheeling environment. This adults-only dating site is full of flirty photos, and many profiles go by a nickname because they prefer to leave some things to the imagination. Premium subscribers get the most bang for the buck because they can send messages, browse incognito, and receive alerts when their messages have been read by someone special.
- Sexually active adults in 10 countries
- Browse the Like Gallery for hot singles
- Stimulate conversation in intimate private messages
- Browse NaughtyCharm profiles 100% free »
NaughtyCharm isn’t your average hookup app. Sure, it has swiping options, but it doesn’t require users to form a mutual match before saying hello. Any person can send a message to any NaughtyCharm user regardless of their like history, and the dating platform even suggests pickup lines to help things flow more easily.
6. OkCupid – All-Inclusive Free Trial
OkCupid is a 100% free dating site and app. That means it doesn’t charge for direct messaging or profile swiping.
As soon as a new user completes the OkCupid dating profile, he/she/they can start sending messages and likes to other free members. However, only mutual matches can engage in conversations, so it may take a bit of patience and persistence to strike up a real-time chat on the site or app.
In 2004, OkCupid's founders decided to create a fool-proof formula for love, and they launched a free dating site to delve into what personal attributes made relationships work. OkCupid members can send unlimited messages for free. It's easy to discover mutual interests and compatibility on the platform's information-rich dating profiles.
- Free, unlimited communication for everyone
- Singles can swipe or search for a compatible date
- Over 91 million connections every year
- Browse OkCupid profiles 100% free »
OkCupid has a paid membership option available for those looking for a little extra oomf — aka more filters and tools to find a romantic partner. The paid plan comes with some useful features, including the ability to see who has liked and messaged you. In past years, OkCupid has offered free trials for the A-List plan, and it has recently unlocked some premium features for vaccinated users.
7. Plenty Of Fish – 100% Free Member Trial
Plenty of Fish launched in Canada in 2003 with the premise that online dating should be free for everyone. And it quickly caught on. The dating platform is currently available in 20 countries and boasts having more than 150 million users, all of whom can browse, match, chat, and flirt for free.
Plenty of Fish prides itself on being one of the best dating sites for conversations. It supports 100% free and unlimited messaging for over 120 million monthly users in 20 countries. Since its launch in 2003, Plenty of Fish has developed a science-based matching system that has proven successful.
- Free registration, searches, and messaging
- The Chemistry Test creates a compatibility framework
- Over 1 billion messages sent per month
- Browse Plenty of Fish profiles 100% free »
The POF membership is similar to a dating site free trial because it offers immediate access to chat features, personality quizzes, and matchmaking tools. But POF’s free features never expire, and the platform doesn’t require payment at the end of a trial period. It is free to use for as long as you want with no hidden fees or obligations.
8. Adult Friend Finder – All-Day Free Trial
Adult Friend Finder launched in the 1990s to stimulate dating adventures and satisfy sexual appetites with online content. The global hookup website currently has over 105 million profiles in its database and over 98 million photos in its gallery, all of which can be viewed for free.
In 1996, Friend Finder Networks began harnessing the power of online networking to help adults meet sexually active singles in their area, and it has now grown into a global X-rated phenomenon with over 93 million profiles. Adult Friend Finder provides a safe, anonymous dating platform where singles and swingers can hook up with another.
- Among the largest online sex and swinger communities
- Completely free no-obligation registration
- Live chat rooms and discussion forums open 24/7
- Browse Adult Friend Finder profiles 100% free »
Back in the day, Adult Friend Finder had a seven-day free trial to tempt people to join its sexy club. But that offer has been supplanted by a never-ending free membership.
Free members can explore nearly every search feature, blog post, and discussion group on the site, but they’ll need to upgrade to the Gold Membership to join live chats and video streams. Our full review includes a cost breakdown of the AFF membership plans to help singles choose the best deal.
9. Tinder – Free Trial Membership
The Tinder dating app is famous for its swipe-based matchmaking and free chat tools. The app has created over 60 billion matches since 2012, and it doesn’t charge for the basic services.
A free Tinder membership includes unlimited communication with mutual matches; however, some users still go searching for a free trial because they’d like to try Tinder Plus or Tinder Gold for free. That is possible only by asking for a refund or canceling a payment before the charge has been approved.
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 »
Tinder doesn’t need to offer a free trial to prove its worth to online daters. Just ask Reddit for Tinder success stories, and you’ll see plenty of satisfied nonpaying customers. A free membership could be enough to spark a new love story, but if you’re intent upon getting a premium subscription for free, then you’ll need to cancel payment through Apple Pay or the Google Play Store within three days of your membership upgrade.
10. Bumble – 3-Day Free Trial
Bumble made a name for itself in 2014 as the world’s first feminist dating app, and grew incredibly popular among young singles with progressive ideals. In early 2020, Bumble surpassed over 100 million users, making it one of the top dating apps on the market.
The app promotes good dating vibes with its women-first chatting system. Plus, you can put your wallet away because the basic membership includes valuable match suggestions and free chat features.
Since its launch in 2014, Bumble has positioned itself as one of the queens of the online dating world. The dating app turns gender stereotype on its head by empowering women to make the first move in a conversation with a man. Once you've made that mutual match, you have up to 48 hours to respond and make a connection.
- A feminist dating app puts singles on equal footing
- 60% of Bumble matches turn into dates
- Bumble Bizz and Bumble BFF spark non-romantic connections
- Browse Bumble profiles 100% free »
A Bumble free trial is available through the Apple Store. This exclusive deal sets a limit on one trial membership per account, so it can only be accessed once — so choose your timing wisely. The free trial can unlock the features of Bumble Boost and Bumble Premium, thus giving singles even more control over their romantic future.
Whether you’re looking for a new friend or true love, Bumble is a reliable dating app with affordable subscription options.
11. FriendFinder-X – Free Trial
FriendFinder-X promotes a sex-positive environment where horny singles, swingers, kinksters, sugar babies, and everyone in between can come together. The hookup site caters to adults with high sex drives and low inhibitions.
Members can choose a free trial subscription on FriendFinder-X and browse X-rated content without paying anything.
FriendFinder-X specializes in delivering hot dates to your inbox. For the last 20+ years, this hookup site has amassed a huge following around the world and led to countless sexy encounters. Millions of people have created an account and searched for singles, couples, and groups who can satisfy their deepest desires.
- Open to casual daters in the U.S. and abroad
- Free members can browse profiles and watch sexy videos
- Chat anonymously in the forum or private messages
- Browse FriendFinder-X profiles 100% free »
FriendFinder-X users should be aware that the free membership doesn’t grant access to premium features like instant messaging and video streaming. A paywall is in place on this hookup site to deter romance scammers and fake profiles. The pay-to-chat system enhances online accountability, so it might be worthwhile to upgrade from the free trial to connect with a sexy date near you.
12. MenNation – Free Hookup Trial
MenNation has opted for the free membership over the free trial — because it helps men last longer in the dating scene. Free members can browse profiles, groups, forums, photos, and other X-rated content without providing any credit card information (or even their real names), and it’s a fun way for LGBTQ+ guys to get a feel for their local hookup and casual dating options.
Since 1996, MenNation has connected over 93 million men around the globe. This men-only dating site measures its success by the number of conversations and dates it facilitates with its intuitive matching system. Gay men love having a site to call their own, and its helpful features keep members engaged and entertained as they look for a hot date.
- One of the largest gay hookup sites in the world
- Search filters for age, location, physical attributes, and more
- Available in 12 languages and counting
- Browse MenNation profiles 100% free »
MenNation appeals to gay, bisexual, bi-curious, queer, and trans men who are interested in no-strings sex. The hookup site has an international following that includes millions of guys from a rainbow of backgrounds.
13. SeniorMatch – Free Trial Membership
Since 2003, SeniorMatch has connected senior singles in a dating network like no other. Free members can use personality-based search filters or swipe through an AI-generated list of profiles to identify compatible dates in their area. It’s also free to submit public posts in the SeniorMatch discussion forum.
Since 2003, SeniorMatch has built its reputation as one of the world's leading senior dating sites. The site offers free communication and searches to help singles over 50 find companionship and love. If you're interested in a mature dating experience, this dating site can meet your needs.
- Doesn't allow members under 45
- Available as a dating app in Google Play
- Dating advice and safety tips shared by senior daters
- Browse SeniorMatch profiles 100% free »
Only premium members can send private messages through SeniorMatch. The subscription starts at $7.99 per week, and it can be canceled at any time. One sneaky way to get the perks of a free trial on SeniorMatch is to cancel a premium membership within 48 hours — i.e. before the service charges can go through.
14. HER – 7-Day Free Trial
HER is a free dating app for lesbian singles, so it may seem excessive that it would have a free trial as well. But that’s how the HER crew rolls. In the past, the team has offered a free trial for its premium membership on special occasions — most notably as a Black Friday deal.
The 7-day free trial was available to new and current HER members. The dating app free trial unlocks the Liked You folder along with other premium features.
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 »
The HER dating app offers free communication for all verified members. So you don’t have to wait on a free trial to make your move in this lesbian dating pool. Over 10 million single women have joined the fun and created a rainbow of relationships in the LGBTQ+ community.
15. Grindr – 3-Day Free Trial
Grindr is a gay dating app that provides free communication between all mutual matches. No limited free trials are necessary. New members don’t even need to provide their credit card information to complete the Grindr dating profile.
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 »
Want to upgrade your gay dating experience? You can opt into the Grindr Xtra plan and save money by taking advantage of the three-day free trial option. Members must remember to cancel after 72 hours to avoid an automatic charge and enrollment in the paid plan.
The free membership never expires; however, the Grindr Xtra premium membership can offer more swiping options and filters, so sometimes it’s worth upgrading to get more bang for your buck.
What is a Dating Site Free Trial?
Dating site free trials are temporary invitations to explore a flirtatious network. Think of it as a company’s way of giving online daters a free sample of a site or an app’s premium service. Free trial members have a limited period of time (usually somewhere between three days and two weeks) to test out the communication and matchmaking features that come with a paid subscription plan. At the end of the free trial period, the user can choose to pay a monthly fee to keep those privileges or revert to a free membership, which will be more restrictive.
How Do I Get a Free Trial for a Paid Dating Site?
These days, not all paid dating sites offer free trials. You’re more likely to encounter free memberships with chat limitations. However, some traditional platforms still provide a free trial as an incentive for newcomers, and it’s generally straightforward and automated to access (no coupon codes needed). If a free trial is available, you’ll receive it with a new membership, automatically applied once you finish signing up.
Getting a free trial on a dating site is as easy as creating a new profile. Sometimes a free trial promotion will require users to click a specific link to access the deal, but that’s pretty rare.
Paid dating sites have built-in free feature offers that encourage singles to explore the online dating world without paying an arm and a leg.
What’s the Difference Between a Free Trial & a Free Membership?
It’s easy for online daters to confuse free trials with free memberships, but there is an important distinction between them. A free trial is a short-term offer with an expiration date; whereas a free membership is a permanent arrangement. Free memberships typically do not include all of an online dating site’s features — there may be limits on communication or paywalls keeping users from seeing their likes, views, or private photo galleries.
On the other hand, a free trial will unlock all premium features and allow users to take the platform for a spin. The purpose of the free trial is to show online daters what fun awaits them with a paid subscription. If they have a positive experience, they are more likely to want to pay to keep the conversations and matches going. Of course, sometimes a free trial is enough to land a date and get in a relationship. And that’s good news for the dating company as well.
Does Facebook Dating Have a Free Trial Period?
Facebook Dating is actually a completely free dating service from start to finish. It doesn’t even have an option to upgrade to a paid membership. The free version is (for now) all there is. As long as you have downloaded the free Facebook app, you can access the dating service and create a free dating profile with access to unlimited chatting and matching features. No free trials. No strings attached.
Our review goes into greater detail about how Facebook Dating works and why it costs nothing for users.
Will a Dating Chat Line Have a Free Trial Offer?
There are two types of chat lines in the dating world. Online chat lines are part of many popular dating sites and apps, while phone chat lines are available to anyone with the call-in number. Some companies offer a free trial for first-time callers or new members. For example, Livelinks is a phone dating service that does not charge new callers for the first 60 minutes of chats with strangers on the chat line phone number.
Each dating company has a different deal, so users should not expect a free trial to be available on every platform and call-in line. Make sure to read the Terms of Service to get a full understanding of how the membership works and what it costs.
Make the Most of Your Free Online Dating Membership
You don’t have to crusade for very long to find a free trial or free membership on a popular dating site or app. Free trial offers tend to pop up through the normal course of a free or paid membership, and they can be a great way to dip a toe into the online dating pool.
Our summary has hopefully made it clear that online daters have a ton of options. Anyone who desires chat partners and online date adventures won’t have to settle for discount dates or high-priced matches. They can find free solutions that fit their budgets and their romantic ambitions — so online dating isn’t such a trial.
A free trial is somewhat of an ancient relic in the online dating industry. It was once highly coveted, but now its usefulness has been eclipsed by the reign of the free membership.
Singles can actually join pretty much any dating site or app for free, and they don’t have to worry about missing expiration dates or canceling automated payments. Even if you don’t find a free trial on the dating site or app of your choice, you can use the free membership to explore the database and see what’s out there. Happy hunting!
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