Plenty of Fish (POF) is an established presence in the online dating world with over 150 million users to its name. However, just because it’s well-known, doesn’t mean it’s well-loved. POF has its fair share of detractors, and we’ve seen ex-users complain about fake profiles and low-quality matches as key issues to finding love, friends, or casual partners on the free dating site and app.
Fortunately, plenty of POF alternatives can offer the same large user base and free membership options with more security and privacy features. Online dating sites like POF make it easy to find a potential partner without the need to aggressively screen for scammers and time wasters, letting you get to the good part: your next date.
Best Free Dating Sites Like POF
Plenty of Fish is a popular dating site, but it’s not the only one to offer affordable communication and smart matchmaking tools. There are plenty of other fish when it comes to online dating services! Below, we’ve ranked some of our favorite online dating sites and apps for singles looking to mix things up.
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 »
Match launched in 1995 and has been in the matchmaking game much longer than Plenty of Fish. In fact, the parent network for Match (Match Group) bought POF in 2015. That long history of pairing singles online makes Match the one to beat in any discussion of the best dating site on the internet. The secret to the platform’s success lies in its compatibility ratings and custom search tools, both of which empower a single person to make an informed decision about their next potential match.
As a basic member on Match, you can browse profiles in your area and send likes to those that catch your eye. Free members can even make contact with Top Picks for free. Match offers solid value with the free membership, but premium perks on the dating site and app make a big difference. Premium members have access to helpful hints and expert advice to beef up their profiles. And of course the unlimited messaging is useful for online daters who need a little more help finding true love.
2. Zoosk
Zoosk is a socially savvy dating site known for its diverse membership base and behavioral matchmaking system. Over 40 million singles in 80 countries have joined the network so far, and it’s growing larger every day. The platform offers many different ways to communicate and express interest in members, so it’s easy to form a fast connection here.
- Send messages to premium members for free
- Over 3 million messages sent a day
- Premium perks include photo verification and sending virtual gifts
- Browse Zoosk profiles 100% free »
Zoosk may seem like a peculiar name for a dating app, but the success stories speak for themselves. The online dating site started as a Facebook app, and Zoosk founders Shayan Zadeh and Alex Mehr leveraged social media tools to create a unique matchmaking service. Zoosk sets itself apart by offering interactive features, including video chat and personality quizzes, that make online dating less work and more fun.
Basic membership on Zoosk comes with fairly standard features. You can make your dating profile, browse Zoosk profiles, and reply to any messages you receive. The premium membership comes with expanded benefits, including unlimited messaging, Super Send to contact multiple users at once, and video chat.
Only interested in some premium features? You’re in luck with this dating website. Zoosk Coins let you pay for individual premium perks without the monthly subscription fee.
Ashley Madison is an extramarital dating site with over 80 million profiles in its private database, and it is full of temptation. The site and app offer a judgment-free zone where married people can consider their options and chat with singles 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 »
Whether you’re married, separated, single, or something in between, Ashley Madison has the tools to keep your search for romance private and your dating life discreet. The extramarial affair dating site provides tools for photo blurring, profile audits, and even a panic button for an easy exit in case of prying eyes.
Every woman on Ashley Madison can use the full features and tools on the dating platform free of charge. Men on Ashley Madison have free access to basic profile information, essential privacy features, and browsing tools, but they have to buy credits to communicate or send virtual gifts to a potential partner. On the bright side, Ashley Madison uses discreet billing codes and offers flexible payment options, so your credits won’t give you away as a cheater on any bank statement.
4. OkCupid
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 launched in 2004 with a key promise: All of the essential features on the dating site would be free forever. Even as the company joined Match Group and changed CEOs over the years, that promise continues to hold. OkCupid distinguished itself early on with its math-based approach to compatibility, and its innovative personality questions remain a key feature of the platform. In fact, OkCupid users have the option to answer any (or none) of the 4,000 questions regarding lifestyle, values, habits, hopes, and opinions.
A basic member on OkCupid can create a new dating profile, browse for a potential match based on personality profile results, and send a first message to any user on the dating platform. The conversation then unlocks once the person likes your profile or sends a reply. Everything you need to win the dating game is available for free on the site and app. Premium membership (called OkCupid A-List) grants access to expanded perks like profile boosts and an ad-free experience.
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 »
After so many dating apps and sites incorporated Facebook authentication, it wasn’t a surprise when the social media giant entered the online dating space with Facebook Dating in 2018. Although the free dating app has a smaller user base than POF and other mainstream dating apps, it’s still a viable POF alternative because of its free communication features.
Facebook Dating operates a lot like the social platform, and it doesn’t cost anything to interact with new matches here. Your dating profile pulls information from your Facebook profile, but the matchmaking service doesn’t post to your timeline or advertise that you’re using the dating application. Your Facebook friends will only be able to view your dating profile if they also have a dating profile and are swiping through local matches.
Facebook Dating matches singles based on their extended friend network and hobbies. The social media platform is uniquely suited to identify people with similar interests, and it doesn’t charge any fees for any of its helpful guidance.
6. Bumble
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 »
Bumble launched in 2014 as a female-driven response to hookup culture propagated by swiping dating apps and sites. CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd left an executive role at Tinder to develop an app that focuses on quality connections instead of volume. Today, Bumble is known for putting women in the driver’s seat.
It isn’t just the women-first approach that sets Bumble apart. The popular dating app has many engaging features and upright moderation policies that keep users safe and satisfied as they look for romantic love and friendship.
Bumble gives users 24 hours to make first contact after a mutual match occurs. If you don’t start a conversation, the match disappears. If you’re very busy or just forgetful, you can use special features such as the Backtrack and Extend to get more chances—but you’ll need a premium membership if you want to use those tools more than once per day.
Best Senior Dating Sites Like POF
If you’re over the age of 50, swiping dating apps like Tinder and Plenty of Fish may not be the best fit for your dating needs. Senior dating platforms offer a more mature user base and sophisticated tools to help older adults find love in their golden years.
7. OurTime
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 »
As a senior dating site, OurTime looks out for the interests and well-being of senior daters. The team prioritizes online dating safety and makes extra efforts to keep fraudulent profiles from preying on members. The mature dating site and app incorporate identity verification and safety features to find and remove fake profiles before they cause any trouble.
Thanks to all the work conducted behind the scenes, OurTime members can find companionship, love, and casual sex without worrying about being scammed.
OurTime is popular among senior singles and sees over 600,000 monthly visitors. A free, basic member of OurTime can browse profiles, use basic search filters, and even reply to incoming messages in full security. A premium membership unlocks photo galleries and full messaging capabilities.
SilverSingles is serious about helping singles over 50 meet one another, and its network stretches across the U.S., Canada, and Europe. The secure signup process includes profile verification and fraud detection, so new members must portray themselves accurately to gain access to the platform. By fostering a safe environment, SilverSingles helps men and women meet mature dates in their area.
- An exclusively senior membership base
- Over 800,000 monthly users worldwide
- App available for free on Google Play
- Browse SilverSingles profiles 100% free »
SilverSingles is at the top of the pack when it comes to the growing senior dating niche. The dating platform boasts over 800,000 monthly users around the world. The dating site has a straightforward interface, and even when you’re setting up your profile you can get step-by-step assistance from dating experts.
Once you’re registered and finish the personality test, Silver Singles will begin offering suggested matches in your inbox. You can stick to reviewing the curated picks or strike out on your own to browse the database using search filters. Just keep in mind that if you want to do more than send a smile to your potential match, you’ll need a premium membership.
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 »
Although Christian Mingle isn’t exclusively for senior people, the Christian dating site tends to attract an older, more experienced crowd. The average Christian Mingle user is around 40, with more than a quarter of the platform’s members over the age of 50, according to profile data.
The key to Christian Mingle’s success is a focus on quality matchmaking based on common values. The online dating site pairs users based on compatibility, and the recommended matches improve as the site learns the individual’s preferences. Christian Mingle encourages communication with plenty of options to express interest. The Christian dating site’s good intentions have led to undeniable success: a 2015 study found that more than 30% of new marriages that began online started on Christian Mingle.
As part of the Friends Date Network, SeniorFriendsDate is a trustworthy name in the online dating scene. Thousands of singles over 50 have joined this dating site and enjoyed free, unlimited communication. Seniors can send a quick message, give a wink, or make a MeetMe request to catch someone’s attention here.
- Zero cost to join and request dates
- All profiles must include at least 3 genuine photos
- Browse single seniors by country and age
- Browse SeniorFriendsDate profiles 100% free »
Operating more like a social network than a matchmaking site, Senior Friends Date makes it easy to connect with new people in the over-50 age group. Users have plenty of free communication options, including chat rooms and forums where they can get to know a potential match in a more casual setting.
Another way that Senior Friends Date sets itself apart is by keeping things simple, honest, and free. That includes a judgment-free atmosphere. If you’re looking for a casual encounter rather than a happily ever after, you can find like-minded senior partners easily.
11. SeniorMatch
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 »
SeniorMatch launched in 2003 as an answer to growing concerns about the epidemic of loneliness affecting the over-50 population. With over 36,600 success stories to its name and more than a million members, it’s one of the most popular platforms for seniors looking for love.
Although you start with a free membership on SeniorMatch, there are definite perks to paying for a premium subscription. Basic membership allows a member to send unlimited winks, use basic search filters, and reply to messages sent by premium members. If you want to send messages to anyone and everyone on SeniorMatch, however, you’ll need that premium subscription.
FAQs: Who Owns Plenty of Fish?
Plenty of Fish started with an idea to improve the dating world and one man’s passion to make it happen. Markus Frind launched POF in 2003 and ran the dating site by himself until 2008. The app version launched in 2010, well before Tinder and Bumble came onto the scene.
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 »
Plenty of Fish has a long history of bringing singles together, and its current team looks to continue that legacy for a new generation of singles.
The Vancouver-based platform joined the Match Group in 2015, and it remains one of the popular choices in the Match Group network of sites, which includes Tinder, OkCupid, Match.com, Meetic, Hinge, and The League, among others.
What Do Users Get With a Free Membership on POF?
Free membership on Plenty of Fish is nothing to sneeze at. You can do everything you need to find the right match on the dating app without needing to input your credit card information.
Basic members can browse profiles on an unlimited basis, send and read messages, and even see who’s viewed your profile on the dating platform.
Plenty of Fish offers a premium membership to augment the basic plan with some perks. First of all, you get an ad-free experience, which can remove distractions from the swiping scene. But, even more appealing, premium users enjoy higher visibility, expanded profile access, and the ability to see if and when another person reads your messages. You can also see if someone deletes your message.
What Are the Best Sexy Alternatives to Plenty of Fish?
If you’re looking for casual sex and sexting, Plenty of Fish may not be the best dating app because some guidelines do hinder users from getting too explicit. A hookup app may be a better alternative for embracing the X-rated side of life. Hookup sites and apps don’t shy away from adult content or sex-driven matches, so you don’t have to hide your dating intentions.
Adult Friend Finder has been in the business of arranging hookups between singles, couples, and even groups since the 1990s. The adult dating site has a plethora of kinky forums and chat options, though Gold members can send and receive private messages.
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 »
BeNaughty puts the adult content upfront and doesn’t shy away from its role as a local hookup site. Women on BeNaughty have full access to the features and tools, as long as they have a valid photo uploaded. Meanwhile single men must pay for a premium subscription to send unlimited messages and benefit from special privacy options.
BeNaughty 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 X-rated content, but users can blur nude photos if they’d 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 BeNaughty profiles 100% free »
MenNation has been around since before Grindr, and the gay hookup site leans into the sexy side of things. Its live cam shows and erotic photo galleries are sure to attract the attention of sex-driven men who identify as gay, bi, or queer. The Buzzmode premium membership perk lets guys turn online fun into real-life pleasure by remotely controlling a male performer’s sex toy.
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 »
LesbianPersonals is about community as much as sex, and it takes pride in being a safe space for lesbian, bisexual, and queer women. The classified ad-style platform doesn’t shy away from erotic content in chats or forum posts, including pictures, videos, and stories.
LesbianPersonals.com is powered by Friend Finder Networks, so it encompasses a vast network of sexually active women. The female-friendly dating site allows women, couples, and groups to create a profile and find online and offline romance. With over 2 million women in its community, LesbianPersonals is fast becoming one of the most popular lesbian dating sites around.
- Free membership includes viewing profiles and sending likes
- Exchange revealing photos and videos privately online
- Simple search filters by interests and appearance
- Browse LesbianPersonals profiles 100% free »
Feeld keeps the sexy vibe more low-key, but the free dating app is dedicated to the polyamorous, kink, and LGBTQ+ communities. The judgment-free atmosphere and emphasis on honesty encourage a sex-positive approach from all users.
Plenty of Fish Isn’t The Only Free Dating App Worth Trying!
Online daters can find a lot of dating sites like Plenty of Fish out there. Each dating platform on this list offers a slightly different user base and a slightly different set of features and tools – but they’re all about bringing real people together. Whether you’re looking for your next casual encounter or hoping to find the love of your life, free dating sites and dating apps can make it easy to stop griping and start swiping.
Try a new dating app or site and find the right partner for your needs!
