Key Takeaways
When testing free dating apps, our reviewers look for usability, safety features, and valuable matchmaking that ensure a good experience without payment.
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Match is our favorite dating app where messaging matches is free.
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For senior dating, we recommend the free app OurTime.
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Ashley Madison is the top pick for casual dating without paying for chats.
Free dating apps are as diverse as the people who use them. Some apps cast a wide net, while others focus on niche audiences. Some act as sophisticated matchmakers for lasting relationships, while others serve as casual wingmen for short-term romances.
The top dating apps offer a variety of browsing, searching, and matching features without charging anything, but sometimes a paywall stands between free users and a chat with their next crush, and that can be frustrating.
Fortunately, the free dating apps on this list are not in the business of making unnecessary charges. We’ve tested these apps to ensure you don’t have to pay a cent to actually meet people online. Let’s get to the reviews!
Best Overall Free Dating Apps
Online daters have a lot of choices, and it can be hard to know what’s worthwhile. Our experts have ranked the best free dating apps for today’s single population, and our reviews include a breakdown of what’s free and what’s paid.
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 »
Since its launch in 1995, Match has powered one of the most successful matchmaking algorithms on the market. The app is free to download, and free messaging with matches is included in the deal.
| Free Features | Profile browsing, basic searches, message your mutual matches. |
| Paid Add-Ons | Search by politics, religions, and interest. See who’s liked and viewed your profile. Higher visibility. |
Match released its mobile app in 2010 to give users the convenience of matching and chatting from their smartphone. Today, approximately 150,000 new members download the Match app every month.
Free Match members can use basic search filters for age, distance, has children, and wants children to browse profiles for as long as they want. Extra filters for religion, ethnicity, lifestyle, and interests require a paid upgrade. Keep in mind that free members can send messages to their matches, but they can’t see their likes.
2. 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 »
When it launched in 2000, eharmony promised to inspire long-lasting relationships and marriages. The dating site and app use a psychological assessment as the basis for its matchmaking formula, and users can view a thorough compatibility breakdown on every dating profile.
| Free Features | Personality questionnaire, compatibility insights, like profiles, reply to messages. |
| Paid Add-Ons | Advanced search parameters, view all photos, unlimited messaging. |
It’s free to join eharmony and complete the Compatibility Quiz, which asks dozens of questions about your personal habits, quirks, goals, values, and preferences. The more honestly you answer these multiple-choice questions, the more accurate your match scores will be.
Over the years, the eharmony team has honed its matching process to focus on what matters to singles seeking a serious relationship. So far, it has brought more than 2 million happy couples together, and the app creates a new match every 14 minutes.
3. Hily
Hily is a dating app dedicated to making genuine connections. Since 2017, it has pioneered many useful features for online daters including a compatibility check quiz, proactive content moderation, icebreaker messages, and data-backed dating tips. This fast-growing app makes 52 million matches every year, and it has seen over 42 million downloads globally.
- New curated matches every day
- 70% of users are under 30 years old
- Consent Guard stops unsolicited explicit content
- Browse Hily profiles 100% free »
Hily (which is short for “Hey, I Like You” is a fun dating app that doesn’t charge for matching and chatting. The profiles are full of unique personality prompts and dynamic photos, and users can send up to 100 likes per day to try to spark a match.
| Free Features | View profiles, send likes, live videos, chat with mutual matches. |
| Paid Add-Ons | Incognito mode, unlimited daily likes, profile boosts, rollbacks, crushes, unblurs. |
Free users have the run of Hily, and they can scroll through a list of potential icebreakers if they’re unsure what to say to someone new.
The only reason to upgrade on Hily would be if you’re dying to see who’s liked you first or really feel it’s important to filter matches by education, religion, drinking habits, and other lifestyle factors. Prices start at $9.99, which makes it one of the more affordable dating app subscriptions out there.
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 is a free dating app that welcomes singles of all ages, backgrounds, orientations, and identities. This open-ended platform offers 22 gender options, 12 orientation options, and the ability to share your pronouns and relationship status on your dating profile.
| Free Features | Quiz questions, profile swiping, search filters, send likes and intro messages, chat with mutual matches. |
| Paid Add-Ons | Profile boosts, see who liked your profile, no ads, weekly Super Likes. |
Every OkCupid profile is rich with personal information. Users have the option to answer fun prompts about their interests, hobbies, talents, and goals. All this information gets tabulated into the compatibility ratings that provide great insights into how well two people will click and why.
Best of all, if you see a new person you want to get to know better, you can send a private message for free. You can send a greeting to any user, regardless of membership status, but that person has to like your dating profile to unlock the conversation window.
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 is a completely free dating site and app where you can chat up your online crushes for free. You understood that right — POF doesn’t put a price tag on private communication.
| Free Features | Profile browsing, profile likes and favorites, all communication (some daily limits on First Contacts). |
| Paid Add-Ons | Unlimited likes, ad-free browsing, read receipts, extended profiles, upload up to 16 photos. |
Once you’ve completed your POF profile, you can start browsing the database and send messages to anyone who strikes your fancy, without having to match first. POF is a proponent of free speech, and the only restriction is that users can only send 55 unsolicited messages in a 24-hour period.
If you want to get your flirt on, POF is a popular place to do it. The dating network has over 150 million members, and it sees over 4 million daily active users.
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 100 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 needs no introduction and is a no-brainer for lists like these. This extremely popular dating app invented swipe-based matching in 2012, and it has created over 100 billion matches to date.
| Free Features | Swipe on profiles, send likes, basic search filters, message your mutual matches. |
| Paid Add-Ons | Swipe in other cities or countries, unlimited likes and rewinds, incognito mode, no ads. |
Everything you need to meet a new love interest is free on Tinder. Creating a profile is free. Swiping is free. And, most importantly, chatting with your mutual matches is free. That should be enough to get you going.
However, if you want a little extra help, you can always upgrade to Tinder Plus, Tinder Gold, or Tinder Platinum, which range in price from $10 to $50 a month, depending on the subscription’s duration. With these paid plans, members can swipe on profiles outside their city, send unlimited likes, and send more Super Likes.
7. 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 is a feminist dating app designed by a forward-thinking woman who is on a mission to stop sexism and toxic dating behaviors in their tracks. Whitney Wolfe Herd left her position as a co-founder and executive at Tinder to stand up on behalf of single women everywhere.
| Free Features | Swipe on profiles, chat with matches |
| Paid Add-Ons | Unlimited likes, backtracks, extend chat time, rematches, 5 Superswipes per week. Boost your profile for 30 minutes once a week. |
She launched Bumble in 2014 to put women’s needs first and give them a say in their love matches. Women set the tone, and men follow their lead on this app. As a result, Bumble fosters a more respectful matchmaking process.
According to survey data, only 1% of women and 4% of men on Bumble say they are interested in a casual hookup. The vast majority (about 85%) are looking for a serious relationship that leads to marriage.
Best Free Senior Dating Apps
Senior singles often approach online dating with some reservations, fears, and self-doubts. Singles who have been widowed or divorced may not have much experience with swiping, so they need a dating platform that can guide them to dates who have similar experiences and understand where they’re coming from.
Senior dating apps can go a long way to put people’s minds at ease with safety features and age-appropriate matches that give newcomers hope for the future.
8. 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 profiles to find compatible folks. Singles can send likes, flirts, and faves for free, and they can send free messages to their mutual matches.
- 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 People Media dating platform, OurTime has time-tested matching features and a broad selection of dating profiles. The senior dating app connects people in their 50s, 60s, 70s, and older through a safe and private chat portal.
| Free Features | Browse profiles, send likes, basic search parameters, chat with matches. |
| Paid Add-Ons | See who’s liked and viewed your profile. Read receipts, profile boosts, rewinds. |
A free OurTime subscription allows users to browse profiles, send likes, and message mutual matches. Plus, they can use search filters to find someone within their desired age range and distance radius.
The App Store recently named OurTime the #1 app for senior dating, and iOS users have given it an overall rating of 3.9 stars.
9. 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 is a friendly dating platform that operates under the motto “You don’t have to be alone.” It has over 1 million members worldwide and boasts 36,600 success stories.
| Free Features | Swipe on profiles, send likes, basic search filters, message your mutual matches. |
| Paid Add-Ons | Advanced search filters, see profile likes and views, anonymous browsing, 24/7 live customer support. |
Every month, SeniorMatch members engage in 1.6 million conversations, and a good chunk of those lead to life-long friendships, relationships, and other success stories.
One senior woman said she’d been on SeniorMatch for about three days when a gentleman messaged her asking for a date. They ended up literally running into each other outside a closed restaurant. “We have been laughing ever since,” she said in her testimonial. “There is nothing permanent in life, but what we are doing now is great.”
Best Free LGBTQ+ Dating Apps
Online dating has become particularly popular in the LGBTQ+ community. Approximately 55% of gay, lesbian, and bisexual singles reported that they have used a dating platform to meet people, and 21% said they have gotten into a relationship as a result.
If you’re looking for a queer date or same-sex partner, you can rely on the following gay dating apps to hook you up.
10. MenNation
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 is a hookup site with no women and no pretense. Gay, bisexual, and bi-curious men can go online and look for sex partners in this footloose and fancy-free network.
| Free Features | Post in the forum, comment on photos and statuses, read messages, view nude pics, some videos. |
| Paid Add-Ons | Unlimited messaging, live video shows, video chat. |
The free and anonymous registration process appeals to gay singles and couples who want to date on the down-low, without real names or even photos to expose them.
You don’t have to download, subscribe, or pay anything to explore this sex-positive scene. MenNation has millions of active dating personals in its database, and it sees over 73,000 visitors every day.
11. 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 »
HER fosters a women-only social scene where real relationships and friendships can blossom. Its newsfeed and events calendar give free users plenty of opportunities to engage with lesbian, bisexual, and queer women, and they can send private messages to mutual matches for free.
| Free Features | Swipe on profiles, send likes, chat with matches. |
| Paid Add-Ons | See who liked you, more search filters, incognito mode, Thirst Mode, ad-free browsing, online now status. |
HER has over 15 million members worldwide, and every one of them has been verified as authentic. The moderators remove profiles created by cisgender men to ensure creeps can’t disrupt the harmony of its girl-powered network.
Many #WeMetOnHER stories have been shared by women who fell in love on the lesbian app and have since gotten engaged, gotten married, or started a family.
12. 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 »
Grindr is a well-known gay dating app that uses location-based matching to help men up their flirting game. Since 2009, Grindr has been downloaded by over 29 million users around the world, and it continually expands its reach by adding new features.
| Free Features | Swipe on local male profiles, send likes, basic search filters, message mutual matches. |
| Paid Add-Ons | View up to 600 profiles, ads removed from the app, more search filters, switch locations, unsend messages, incognito mode. |
Free members have the run of the Grindr app. They can swipe on profiles, chat with matches, and arrange dates without paying a cent. However, some users decide it’s worth upgrading to Grindr Xtra to get bonus features, including an ad-free experience, message read receipts, and a discreet app icon.
Grindr organizes your matches based on their proximity to you, and that makes it easy to find a guy who is right around the corner.
Best Free Hookup Apps
Finally, let’s be honest, not every online match is destined for love and marriage. Some are more suited for casual hookups and one-night stands. The right hookup app can do wonders for your love life by introducing you to sexually active singles and swingers who have similar dating intentions.
Here’s a list of the top apps for sex seekers in the mood to make something happen.
13. Ashley Madison
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 ranks as the best free dating app for hookups because of its anonymous and judgment-free atmosphere. This dating platform facilitates casual relationships between individuals who prefer to keep things on the down low.
| Free Features | Profile browsing and likes. Women message for free, men have limited free replies. |
| Paid Add-Ons | Men use credits for messaging, private photo requests, and profile boosts. |
The slogan at Ashley Madison is “Where discretion meets desire.” Even though not everyone in the membership base is single, they are all open to dating and having sex with a stranger. In fact, over 60% of surveyed Ashley Madison members said they joined the site to have sex.
More than 91 million people have joined the Ashley Madison network over the last 25 years, and the dating site and app make 1.4 million introductions per month.
14. Victoria Milan
VictoriaMilan is an affair dating site where sexting is common. Members come feeling lonely, horny, or bored, and they find a lot of eye candy to excite their curiosity. Profiles can state their desires and even if they have a love nest. The site offers photo blurring and masking tools to keep an air of mystery alive and protect individual privacy.
- Profiles state their turn-ons.
- No real names needed.
- Filters by height, weight, body type, and looks.
- Browse Victoria Milan profiles 100% free »
Victoria Milan is an affair dating site that encourages adults to pursue their passions and embrace their fetishes, regardless of their relationship status. Anyone over 18 is welcome to join the fun and use the free features to attract dates.
| Free Features | View profiles, send winks, advanced search filters, reply to incoming messages. |
| Paid Add-Ons | See who’s liked you, profile boosts, virtual gifts. |
All free members can reply to incoming messages without needing to pay anything. They can also send likes and favorite profiles that appeal to them. No matching is required to unlock messaging, but free members do rely on paid members to initiate the chat.
Something unique about Victoria Milan’s free membership is that it doesn’t restrict the use of filters. You can search by age, distance, looks, love nest, relationship status, and other important factors without upgrading.
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 »
Since its launch in 1996, Adult Friend Finder has amassed over 105 million members and created the world’s largest sex and swinger community.
| Free Features | Discussion forum activity, X-rated content, read private chats. |
| Paid Add-Ons | Unlimited private messaging, higher visibility, view all videos. |
The adults who come here are up for sexting, strip teases, hookups, threesomes, and other sexual encounters. It’s free to create an account and access X-rated content. The community forum is where free members thrive with commenting, posts, meetups, polls, and naughty photos filling up the feed.
The site only requires an email address and age verification to get started. Photos are optional, and people choose a random username to keep their sex life separate from their real life.
What Does “Free” Mean on Dating Apps?
“Free” can be a misleading term in the online dating world. Some so-called free dating sites are merely free to join, but they have a paid membership plan for viewing photos and sending messages.
The freemium model means that individual apps decide where to draw the line and how much to give away for free. Ideally, the free dating app includes some chatting. But that isn’t always the case.
A “free dating app” is most certainly free to download, but it could limit how many swipes, likes, or matches a single person can make for free. A free membership can also have restrictions on chat features, video features, or search features.
That’s why it’s important to do your research online and figure out which completely free dating sites and apps can actually live up to the promise of being free from start to finish.
Which Dating Apps Let You Chat For Free?
Most modern dating apps have free messaging, but there are mutual match rules or daily limitations to stop people from running wild with copy/paste come-ons. I would say if you’re looking for the freest chatting with the fewest limits, these apps have you covered:
- Match
- Hily
- OkCupid
- Plenty of Fish
All the apps on this list have some form of free communication on offer. But if you want the best value for no cash down, my pick is Match.
How Do Free Dating Apps Work?
It’s easy to meet attractive people on free dating apps, even if you’re not all that tech-savvy. You start by downloading the dating app, and then follow the steps to set up your profile.
You’ll need to provide some basic information about yourself (age, gender, location) and upload a picture (this step is sometimes skippable). Creating a profile typically takes less than five minutes all told.
Mainstream dating apps assume you’re a monogamous single, but some swinger apps like Adult Friend Finder will have options for couples in open relationships.
Once your free dating profile is complete and approved, you can start browsing profiles based on your match preferences. If the app has a swipe-based matching system, you’ll see one profile at a time and swipe right on the ones you like to initiate a mutual match. Only users who like each other’s profiles can chat with each other.
One big advantage of dating apps is that they use your real-time location (via your smartphone’s GPS data) to connect you with nearby date prospects. You can also adjust your settings to widen your search radius.
Caveat: You may have to pay to switch cities if you’re planning to travel or move.
Which Free Dating App Should I Choose?
The apps on this list are all successful matchmakers, and they’re all free to try. You don’t have to limit yourself to just one. You can create profiles on a few platforms, compare the experience, and see which one feels right for you.
Our quiz can help you determine which apps best suit your expectations and needs:
There’s a dating app for every type of single person, and they all offer free registration so you can see what they’re all about.
Are Free Dating Apps Safe?
It’s safe to meet people online as long as you use good judgment and vet matches carefully. I won’t say there are zero creeps and criminals in the swipe scene, but you can ferret them out with a little background check.
It never hurts to double-check dating profile information. If you have the person’s full name, you should be able to find an online footprint to verify their claims about their career, their accomplishments, or their home life.
You don’t have to go full private detective — just conduct a Google search to make sure things line up.
Keep an eye out for common red flags such as an incomplete dating profile, stock photos, poor English skills, and a sob story about needing money.
Under no circumstances should you wire money, give favors, or send gifts to a person you have never met IRL.
Trust your instincts and report anyone making you feel uncomfortable. Online dating apps tend to take swift action to remove troublemakers and unsavory characters, so you don’t have to worry about online harassment.
Why Should I Use a Free Dating App?
I mean, this should be pretty obvious, but a free dating app can save you quite a chunk of change. A paid membership can cost as much as $40 a month, and you’re not even guaranteed to land a real-life date!
Pros
- Affordable for all budgets
- Free apps tend to be highly popular
- Low barrier to entry
Cons
- Pop-up ads
- Limitations on search parameters
- Can require a lot of effort to sort matches
Paying for a dating app is a bit of a gamble, especially if you haven’t already tried the free version and identified some promising matches. A free dating app can help singles meet people without blowing their budget.
What’s the Difference Between Free and Paid Dating Apps?
A completely free dating app differs from a paid dating app because it doesn’t have hidden fees, token systems, or premium features. It’s just free for everyone, always.
That can come with some security concerns because unsavory characters could theoretically create fake profiles and use the free communication features for their own ends. Strong profile verification and moderation can combat this.
Dating apps on a freemium model start with a basic free membership and have opt-in upgrades that improve the online dating experience.
I’d say the biggest difference from the user POV between free and paid dating apps would be the types of people you encounter. You’re more likely to see educated single professionals on a paid dating app, and you’re more likely to run into a 28-year-old who lives with his parents and doesn’t own a car on a free app.
Methodology: How We Chose the Best Free Dating Apps
We do in-depth research on dating apps to determine how they work and how successful they are for different types of users. Our reviewers actually create dating profiles, send likes, and test the free and paid features on the app.
Our overall ratings come from scoring the following key criteria:
- Popularity
- Ease of Use
- Value
- Safety
For this list, we weighted value and safety in particular. Our ranking order gives preferential placement to apps that provide a good mix of free features and security measures.
An experienced editor reviews the content and is responsible for keeping it updated with the latest user trends and new developments.
These Apps Offer Stress-Free & Cost-Free Matchmaking
As you can see, free dating apps come in all different shapes and sizes, but they share a common goal to connect singles without burdening their pocketbooks.
Some apps provide more free services than others, and some put more limits on communication, but it should never cost anything to create a dating profile and browse the dating pool.
We’ve ranked and reviewed the most popular free dating sites and apps to help modern singles take control of their love lives and find someone who meets their standards. Best of luck!
