In Depth Online Dating Sites Free

  

Single people often seek 100% free online dating sites because they’ve already got enough bills to worry about and don’t want to add one more subscription to their monthly budget.

Guys looking for a little action should check out the free dating sites and apps out there. While the free apps and sites are not 100% legit, they can provide a great place to meet people, and if they are legit and legitimate, you’ll be set for a happy and fulfilling life. These dating sites aren’t just for women either.

I don’t know about you, but I get tired of paying for stuff so much. From groceries to electric bills, to doctors appointments to gas for my car, it never seems to end. Sometimes it’s nice to just do something or get something for free. Like finding a date online.

Most dating sites and apps offer free registration and free browsing, but not all of them can claim to be 100% free for everyone always. We’ve broken down the features, counted up the costs, and ranked the most affordable and popular dating sites where local singles can mingle for free. These sites go easy on your wallet and offer a lot of value to the modern dating scene.

  • To keep this resource 100 free for users Avoid the pitfall: This one is easy: Curb the cursing habit now, in anticipation of all your future first dates and job interviews, and other non-sailing situations, Dr. Introvert dating someone who dates an introvert or introvert dating an extrovert, who made a vivid impression at first but after a while, and a member of the girl ODay teased that shes.
  • Best Dating Sites of 2021. Below are the best dating sites and apps of 2021, as tested and reviewed by our experts. Try any of these top online dating websites 100% free, and gain access to millions of singles looking for a potential match, hookup, or serious relationship.

1. Match.com

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Match is the king of dating sites, having launched in 1995 and facilitated more dates, relationships, and marriages than any of its competitors. Your free Match membership includes many standard features like browsing profiles, uploading photos, sending likes, and viewing potential matches, and the dating site also allows free members to message their Top Picks (profiles that are highly compatible). In addition to its online dating features, Match promotes numerous events that give local singles the chance to mix and mingle in person at happy hours, speed dating nights, and other meetups. To get started, Match requires you to provide some basic info like your name, age, gender, sexual orientation, and location, and you’ll have to upload a picture to appear on the dating platform.

User BaseGender RatioPopularity (Visits/Mo.)
Today's Deal
All Singles*
49%*
51%*
39.7 Million*Get 3 Days FREE

2. EliteSingles

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On EliteSingles, you’re not just having an affordable experience — you’re also having a quality experience. More than 80% of its members are college graduates, over 90% are 30 or older, and basically all of them are looking for a long term relationship. In terms of numbers, the online dating site gets 290,000 monthly visitors, 165,000 monthly sign-ups, and more than 2,500 members a month find love. EliteSingles raises the caliber of person you’ll find in the online dating scene, and it’s free to join and send likes to anyone who catches your eye. Just know that only premium members can view photos and send unlimited messages.

User BaseGender RatioPopularity (Visits/Mo.)
Today's Deal
All Singles*
44%*
56%*
2 Million*Sign Up Free

3. Zoosk

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Founded in 2007, Zoosk is a pioneer in the mobile dating industry. It was one of the first online dating platforms to offer free registration via a social network like Facebook and Google+. You won’t have to pay to set up your dating profile, browse member profiles, receive SmartPick™ matches, receive messages and greetings, and send greetings, among other things. Free members don’t have unlimited messaging on Zoosk, but they can respond to some free messages and send likes or flirts to show interest. We’ve ranked Zoosk about the top free dating sites because it’s very possible to meet a compatible person and land a first date without paying for any tokens or subscriptions.

User BaseGender RatioPopularity (Visits/Mo.)
Today's Deal
All Singles*
48%*
52%*
28.9 Million*Start Zoosk for FREE

4. SilverSingles

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SilverSingles is a senior dating site run by the same company that built EliteSingles. The main difference between these two online dating platforms is that SilverSingles caters exclusively to mature men and women who are at least 50 years old. The dating sites pretty much work the same way, including registering, matching, communicating, and pricing. It’s free to join the SilverSingles membership base and set your dating preferences so that you can find your ideal match. As the SilverSingles team says, “Life begins at SilverSingles,” and all you have to do to join is tell them your gender, the gender you’re interested in, email, and password to get started.

User BaseGender RatioPopularity (Visits/Mo.)
Today's Deal
Mature Singles (50+)*
41%*
59%*
800,000*Sign up for FREE

5. eharmony

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Nowadays, eharmony is one of the most trustworthy names in the dating industry, and it has one of the most unique sign-up and matching processes too. The dating site uses a 32 Dimensions of Compatibility Quiz to delve deeper into who you are and want you want in a potential partner. Serious relationship seekers have joined eharmony in droves hoping to find true love, and this dating service has looked out for their interests and highlighted potential matches with relationship potential. The eharmony dating site provides a detailed personal assessment on every dating profile, and its matches are invaluable in the search for love — and it’s completely free to set up your account, take the personality test, and communicate with highly compatible individuals.

User BaseGender RatioPopularity (Visits/Mo.)
Today's Deal
All Straight Singles*
48%*
52%*
4.1 Million*Join eharmony FREE

6. ChristianMingle

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As you can probably tell by the name, ChristianMingle is a free dating site that’s just for single Christian men and women — both straight and gay. “Love is patient. Love is kind. Love is here” is the dating website’s motto, and the team guides you on your journey with a variety of matchmaking services. These include a vast user base, in-depth profiles, highly compatible matches, and a blog full of success stories and expert dating tips. The ChristianMingle site offers free signups and messaging, and it is also available as a free dating app.

User BaseGender RatioPopularity (Visits/Mo.)
Today's Deal
Christian Singles*
44%*
56%*
3.5 Million*Free Search, Then $14.99/Mo.

7. OurTime.com

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OurTime is part of the People Media family just like Match, so you can rest assured that this senior dating website is trustworthy and it works. Launched in 2008, the site is extremely popular, with more than 1.4 visitors a month, and the dating app can be downloaded for free via the Apple Store and Google Play Store. But the most important component of OurTime is that singles over 50 have a community where they can feel safe, save money, and find the perfect match.

User BaseGender RatioPopularity (Visits/Mo.)
Today's Deal
Mature Singles (50+)*
48%*
52%*
8.9 Million*Over 50? Start FREE

8. BlackPeopleMeet

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A free dating site for black and biracial singles, as well as those interested in interracial dating — BlackPeopleMeet only has a few steps for you to complete. Then you’ll become a new member. 1) Select your gender and the gender you’re looking for. 2) Choose your location. 3) Enter a username and password. 4) Provide your birthday. In addition to desktop, BlackPeopleMeet is available for free on Android and iOS devices. If you want to flirt with black and biracial singles, you can’t do much better than BlackPeopleMeet, which has thousands of members in the U.S. and Canada.

User BaseGender RatioPopularity (Visits/Mo.)
Today's Deal
Black Singles*
47%*
53%*
5.7 Million*FREE Trial for New Users

9. BeNaughty

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“Fun dating with no waiting” is what you’ll find on BeNaughty, which is a free, leading hookup site with free chatting features. This online dating site keeps the user base safe by taking precautions such as using SSL encryption technology to protect personal information, verifying each user through a photo and email address, and making proactive block and report tools accessible to everyone online. Whether you want a one-night stand, threesome, affair, or any other casual dating encounter, BeNaughty is a welcoming, non-judgmental place for single men and women on the prowl.

User BaseGender RatioPopularity (Visits/Mo.)
Today's Deal
All Singles*
48%*
52%*
13.3 Million*Browse Profiles Free

LuvFree.com

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As a bonus, we’ve included one more 100% free dating site: LuvFree.com. You won’t have to put in a credit card number or PayPal email address to join this online dating site. All you have to do is provide your name, age, location, gender, and a few other pieces of information. Sending and receiving messages is included in the 100% free membership, and LuvFree.com promises that all of its members are real people, not bots, fake profiles, or spammers.

URL:https://www.luvfree.com/

FAQs: Is Tinder a Free Dating App?

Yes, Tinder is a free dating app where local singles can mix, match, and chat without paying anything. The only catch is that you can only send a message to people who have liked your dating profile — so you’ll need to make sure your photos and byline are good enough to get Tinder users to swipe right.

Tinder users can choose to upgrade to Tinder Plus or Tinder Gold if they want to up their swiping game by being able to send more Super Likes, view who’s liked their profile, and match with people outside their ZIP code. Nearly 6 million users have taken Tinder up on this offer. Everyone else is content to mingle for free.

The Tinder user base is primarily made up of free members looking for a good time and casual chat.

Since its launch in 2012, Tinder has become easily the most popular and celebrated dating app in the modern dating scene. It has been downloaded over 340 million times and created more than 43 billion matches to date.

Whether you’re looking for casual dating or a serious relationship, Tinder is an excellent wingman with access to some of the most desirable singles in your area.

Is a Paid Dating Site Better Than a Free Dating Site?

This depends heavily on the user and what they’re looking for in a potential partner. If you’re just bored and want to chat with a lot of local singles in a short amount of time then a free dating site or app will probably suit you just fine. It’s low-pressure and low-commitment, and it doesn’t cost anything but time!

However, singles who are serious about finding true love typically don’t find the free swiping scene to be very gratifying. For one thing, it can take a long time to turn an idle conversation into a real connection, a first date, a second date, and a long term relationship. There are simply too many options for online daters to focus on just one person, and they can quickly get overwhelmed by flaky and superficial dates who don’t always enter chats with serious intentions.

A paid dating site essentially solves that problem by requiring singles to pay a cover fee and show that they’re serious about meeting someone for real. Paid members also tend to benefit from having more matchmaking tools, search filters, and premium features at their disposal, which makes it even likelier that they’ll have a fruitful online dating experience.

What’s the Best Dating Website for a Casual Hookup?

We mentioned BeNaughty earlier on this list of free dating sites, but it’s worth bringing it up again because all communication is 100% free. All you have to do is provide an email address, some back info, and add a photo of yourself, and you can start flirting away on this sexually charged website.

BeNaughty is a casual dating platform where single men and women can be honest about their kinks, fetishes, desires, and priorities. Things usually move pretty fast here, so don’t be surprised if a man or woman asks you to meet up within minutes to meeting you.

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

3.9/5.0

Relationships:Hookups, Chats

Match System:Search by encounter, location, and more

Our Experts Say:“BeNaughty is a premier hookup app where you can feel comfortable expressing your desires. Plus, it's free to join, browse, and flirt...” Full Review»

Browse Free:View Photos Now

User BaseGender RatioPopularity (Visits/Mo.)
All Singles*
48%*
52%*
13.3 Million*Browse Profiles Free

Meeting new people on BeNaughty is as easy as setting search filters and send a mass text or private message to anyone who stands out from the crowd. This online dating service doesn’t hamper communication by putting a lot of fees, rules, or restrictions in place, so go ahead and run wild and have fun wooing a new sexual partner.

Is It Possible to Find True Love Online?

Yes, countless online daters have fallen in love within a few days, weeks, or months of joining a dating site. In fact, The Knot reported in 2019 that 22% of American newlyweds met through a dating site or app, and that number has been steadily increasing year after year.

Today’s singles can skip the bar scene and focus their attention online to find a new love interest or soulmate. Dating sites have matchmaking tools and filters that can help with vetting dates and pursuing promising matches. With a little time and luck, you could become an online dating success story and join millions of couples who have an algorithm to thank for their relationship

What Kind of Dating Site is Plenty of Fish?

Plenty of Fish (or POF) is a completely free online dating site where a user can chat and flirt all day without spending a single dollar. When it launched in Canada in 2003, Plenty of Fish endeavored to appeal to a broad cross-section of singles by providing a simple signup process, straightforward matching, and unlimited communication to all.

Nowadays, POF is widely known as the best dating website for conversations because its 150 million users send over 1 billion messages per month.

A free member can send up to 55 greetings per day on the POF dating site and app.

You don’t have to form a mutual match or pay a subscription fee to send messages on Plenty of Fish, and it can be a great way to dive into the local dating pool and see if you spark a potential match.

Plenty of Fish is also available as a dating app, so a user can take their dating game to a new level by engaging in live chats while on the bus, in line at the grocery store, or even at work (the app won’t tell on you).

Do I Need a Facebook Account to Join an Online Dating Service?

No, most dating sites and apps give people the option to sign up through Facebook because it speeds up the profile completion process, but these popular platforms work just as well without it. If you don’t want to link your Facebook account to your new dating profile, you’ll probably need to provide an email address, phone number, or some other social media link instead so that the dating team can verify your identity.

Meet, Chat & Save Money on a Free Online Dating Site

My bills are never going to magically disappear. I’m always going to need to eat, so grocery shopping is a must. My car isn’t going to run itself, so I have to keep it filled up. And I want to live a long time, so doctors appointments are just a fact of life for me. A lot of you are probably in the same boat.

Some dating sites require members to pay a fee if they want cupid’s arrow to find them, but our online dating experts don’t believe it’s necessary to shell out money just to fall in love.

With free swiping, matching, and chatting at your fingertips, you can start making new friends and attracting quality singles more easily and affordably. That’s where the nine dating sites above come in handy. These 100% free online dating sites offer free memberships and communication features so singles don’t have to break the bank to get a date. Enjoy!

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When economists say “There’s no such thing as a free lunch,” what they mean is everything comes with a cost — it just might not be in dollars, euros, or yen.

Savvy online daters may already be familiar with the hidden costs of a 100% free dating site. They may run into pop-up ads, or they may not have access to paid features, including messaging and viewing photos. Some free sites may cost $0 to join, but they can be taxing in other ways, and singles need all the information if they want to game the system and get results without wasting a lot of effort or racking up a big price tag.

We’ve evaluated some of the most popular free dating sites and apps out there to give singles an idea of what they can expect online and what their subscription options are, so they can decide what they’re willing to spend on an awesome dating experience. Take a look!

Overall Best 100% Free Dating Sites

We’re going to save you a lot of time and money by putting the most cost-effective dating sites right up top for your enjoyment. The following free dating platforms provide valuable matching features, search tools, and networking potential — without an enormous price tag.

Category Rating

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.com'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.com profiles 100% free»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
All Singles
51%
15 MillionTry Match.com FREE

Match is a free-to-join but pay-to-chat online dating site where singles can mix and mingle on their own terms.

Since 1995, Match has set high standards in the dating industry and inspired deep relationships based on mutual compatibility. Match used to offer a free trial period to singles who were curious about how it works, but now the dating site has a lifetime free membership option to kick things off. Free members can set up their dating profiles, add photos, browse matches, save their preferred search criteria, and exchange likes online with the perfect match.

Messaging is a premium feature on Match, but free members aren’t locked completely out of the conversation. Match allows singles to read and respond to messages from their Top Picks list, thus making the online dating experience more enjoyable and rewarding for everyone involved.

Category Rating

EliteSingles.com maintains a sophisticated network of young professionals seeking a relationship. Over 80% of its members hold a bachelor's, master's, or doctorate degree, and over 90% are over the age of 30. Elite Singles uses an intelligent matchmaking system to introduce daters to someone on their level.

  • Over 2 million monthly users
  • Premium members receive 20 wildcard matches a day
  • Search features include age, height, education, ethnicity, and lifestyle habits
  • Browse Elite Singles profiles 100% free»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
All Singles
57%
2 MillionFREE Sign Up

Elite Singles sets high standards in the online dating scene, and its tiered membership appeals to people of all income levels. This dating site was designed to introduce relationship-minded professionals to one another, and we think it’s done a grand job so far.

You can start off with a free membership to see how things work, and then you can work your way up the ladder to a premium membership plan that fits your budget and meets your relationship goals.

Elite Singles creates thousands of love connections every week, and its commitment to quality over quantity has made for a selective dating environment. Over 80% of Elite Singles members have earned a college degree, and over 90% say they want to get in a serious relationship.

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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»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
All Singles
52%
12 MillionBrowse Profiles FREE

Thanks to its forward-thinking features, Zoosk has become one of the leading dating sites and apps in the world. In 2007, the platform draw inspiration from popular social media sites and took online dating to a whole new level.

Today, thousands of Zoosk couples have the site to thank for introducing them to a good match and giving them plenty of options to flirt.

Zoosk offers free match suggestions, free search tools, and a lot of free communication features to get singles on their way to a promising connection. The Carousel is the most efficient place to find viable dates because users can quickly swipe through profiles and create mutual interest on the fly.

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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»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
Straight Singles
49%
10 MillionView Profiles FREE

The thing about eharmony is that it’s all about relationships. Not short-term dating. Not hookups. Not friendship. Its founding mission is to create lasting relationships that lead to marriage, family, and a fruitful life together — and that’s something the team takes very seriously. The team even offers a three-month guarantee to back its services.

Since 2000, eharmony has endeavored to identify true compatibility by using a psychology-based questionnaire that has been honed quite a bit over the years. It used to be over 150 questions long and take over an hour to complete. Now it’s much shorter, and singles can get through it in about 20 minutes.

The questionnaire is free and optional, but eharmony highly recommends singles answer each question honestly because that’s the basis for its match suggestions and compatibility ratings. You can browse profiles and see how you stack up with them without paying anything, but only premium members can view photos and send messages on eharmony — unless it’s a free communication weekend, which are rare but totally worth the wait.

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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»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
All Singles
56%
3.5 MillionView Profiles FREE

ChristianMingle promotes good Christian values in the online dating scene and encourages devout singles to find someone who shares similar beliefs and traditions.

While ChristianMingle isn’t a Christian-only dating network — people of all faiths are welcome to create a free profile — the site focuses on inspiring God-centered relationships, and it has been the salvation of Catholic, Protestant, Evangelical, and other faith-driven daters.

Its heartwarming success stories are proof of the dating site’s impact on people’s lives. “God used ChristianMingle to cross our paths,” said Rhonda, who met her husband Woody on the dating site.

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Since its launch in 2002, BlackPeopleMeet has created an African American singles network that stretches across North America. This niche dating site has 1.5 million members who are attracted to Black and biracial people. It takes less than two minutes to create a full profile and start browsing through profiles sorted by age, location, and orientation.

  • One of the largest Black singles networks in existence
  • Straightforward search and matching features
  • Use Tokens to appear higher in search results
  • Browse BlackPeopleMeet profiles 100% free»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
Black & Biracial Singles
53%
1.5 MillionBrowse Profiles FREE

When you sign up for BlackPeopleMeet, you can diversify your dating prospects and enjoy a colorful dating experience in just a few clicks. The niche site boasts having the largest network of black and biracial singles in the U.S., and it is a valuable resource for singles seeking dark-skinned dates.

BlackPeopleMeet is free to people of all ethnicities, skin tones, and racial backgrounds, and singles can assess their options thanks to the site’s free features, which include photo likes, flirts, and favorites. Messaging will cost a little extra, but it can make all the difference in your dating life, so it could be worth the $3 to $4 per week for a paid membership.

BlackPeopleMeet uses a token-based system to give singles access to additional paid features, including virtual gifting, special notifications, and a highlighted dating profile.

Category Rating

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»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
All Singles
48%
3.5 MillionBrowse Profiles FREE

When OkCupid launched in 2004, the website promised to remain forever free to everyone, and it has pretty much stuck to that. Messaging is 100% free and unlimited on this dating site and app, and you can like and favorite as many profiles as you want without subscribing as an A-List member.

OkCupid has a mutual matching system to help singles filter their inboxes, but it still allows singles to message anyone they like. Anyone can send a quick greeting here; however, the message will only appear in the other person’s inbox if/when they like you back. Until then, it’ll appear to them as a notification on your dating profile. It’s a good way to get someone’s attention and make new friends.

The mantra at OkCupid is “Dating deserves better,” and that’s what this number-crunching website and app aim to deliver. Every week, over 50,000 dates are planned on OkCupid, and you don’t need a paid membership to join in the fun on this flirtatious, inclusive, and quirky community.

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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»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
All Singles
40%
120 MillionBrowse Profiles FREE

Plenty of Fish (aka POF) is another free dating platform where communication doesn’t cost a thing. It offers an open-ended space where anything can happen and dates are up for grabs.

The POF community is full of activity with millions of messages being exchanged every day. The site sees over 4 million views per day, and it makes over 57 million new potential matches each week. “Because of POF, I met the love of my life,” said Courtney in a testimonial.

The abundance of free features on Plenty of Fish has attracted budget-conscious daters of all stripes. Mingling in a dating pool of 150 million profiles can be overwhelming, but the online dating site’s search filters can help you narrow things down quite a bit. Just be on the lookout for suspicious characters and fake profiles because the downside of free, unlimited chatting is that sometimes catfishers or scammers can show up in your inbox.

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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 60 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»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
All Singles
50%
50 MillionView Profiles FREE

You’ve heard of Tinder, right? It’s only the world’s most popular dating app and the creator of #SwipeLife. In 2012, Tinder took the dating world by storm by introducing a clever mutual matching system that has been duplicated by just about every dating site and app these days.

In Depth Online Dating Sites Free

Tinder lets singles decide who they want in the dating scene, and it can be a powerful tool for picking up dates and building relationships. While Tinder may have the reputation of a hookup app, it has actually led to quite a few long-term romances, and some couples have even gotten into a serious relationship or marriage thanks to the free dating app.

Tinder sees over 2 billion views per day, and it leads to over 1.5 million dates per week, and it’s totally free to download, swipe, match, and chat here. What more could you want from a casual hookup app?

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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»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
All Singles
50%
22 MillionTry Bumble FREE

In 2014, Bumble set itself apart from other swipe-crazy dating apps by putting the needs and interests of women first. The free app has empowered women to make the first move (i.e. send the first message) when matching with men online.

Tech entrepreneur Whitney Wolfe Herd developed this innovative and progressive concept shortly after leaving an executive position at Tinder and striking out on her own. Today, Bumble has become one of the Tinder’s biggest rivals, and it has been widely recognized as “the feminist dating app” for singles seeking relationships, not hookups.

Bumble is a win-win for guys and gals in the dating scene. “Love that I don’t get bombarded with messages,” Cara said in a review. And a male Bumble user named Sidd added that he enjoyed meeting the high-caliber women in his inbox, saying, “Much more accomplished with much less random messages and matches.”

Best 100% Free Senior Dating Sites

Dating online, free

The online dating world can be intimating for seniors who are recently divorced or widowed. They’ve been out of the game for a long time, and they may not know how mature dating works these days. Fortunately, senior dating sites and apps can offer a beginner-friendly space to learn, grow, and date again. We trust the following sites to help seniors and make them feel more confident about their romantic futures.

Category Rating

SilverSingles is serious about helping singles over 50 meet one another, and the site doesn't allow anyone under 50 years old to join the network. 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»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
Singles Over 50
59%
800,000View Profiles FREE

SilverSingles has streamlined online dating for a senior audience, and it offers matchmaking that works without putting the user through a lot of hassle and stress.

As an exclusive over-50 dating site, SilverSingles can give singles the opportunity to meet someone special who’s in the same age bracket and looking for a second chance at love

SilverSingles recommends compatible dating profiles (up to seven per day), and it also has advanced search tools that allow singles to identify matches based on their own standards. Premium members can see photos, view their profile visitors, and send unlimited messages on SilverSingles, so you can get the full picture if you subscribe.

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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»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
Senior Singles
52%
600,000Try OurTime.com FREE

The OurTime dating site helps senior singles get to know one another and create solid matches online and offline. It’s free to register an account on OurTime and fill out an in-depth profile about who you are and what you want.

OurTime profiles cover the basics — appearance, age, occupation, education, smoking habits, etc. — but also give singles room to tell their own stories and show a little personality in the In a Nutshell section. Singles can choose to answer fun prompts, including “Go-to karaoke song,” “Do you enjoy cooking?” “The one I am looking for,” and “I’d just like to add.”

It’s free to create your profile, upload photos, search for matches, and send flirts on OurTime. However, you’ll need to sign up for a subscription plan if you plan on messaging anyone here.

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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»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
Senior Singles
60%
2.7 MillionBrowse Profiles FREE

SeniorMatch has been around since 2003, making it one of the oldest dating sites in its niche, and all that experience has made it more efficient and effective. The dating site can help seniors meet pen pals, new friends, local dates, and potential partners in a welcoming and mature setting.

Over 1 million singles have joined SeniorMatch, and the site claims to host over 1.6 million monthly conversations. This affordable site ensures genuine singles can become acquainted without jumping through too many hoops.

If you want proof that SeniorMatch works, you can read through its 36,000 success stories and get a sense of how many people have fallen in love on this platform.

Best 100% Free LGBT Dating Sites

Online dating has become one of the most popular ways for same-sex couples to meet one another. According to a Match.com survey, 56% of LGBTQ+ singles have dated someone they met online. In fact, LGBTQ+ singles use dating apps at about twice the rate of straight singles because it’s easier to identify queer dates and come out as a gay dater online.

The following gay-friendly dating sites can allow singles to pursue anyone they want and make the most of the dating scene.

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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»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
Gay Singles
10%
780,000Try MenNation FREE

MenNation is a men-only hookup site where singles and couples can flirt, match, and solicit sex 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The site offers an anonymous and private forum for guys with sex on the brain. Its one-on-one chats can facilitate intimate encounters and lead gay men to the hot guy of their dreams. All it takes is a like or message to stimulate interest and get something going.

Millions of men are in the MenNation database, and that means a world of opportunities for guys bold enough to enter this sexual terrain.

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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»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
All Women
100%
7 MillionView Profiles FREE

Designed by a lesbian for singles like her, HER supports a womxn-only dating network that’s friendly, active, and worth your attention.

The dating app is free to download, and free members can browse a newsfeed of profiles, comment on photos or stories, and RSVP to local queer events (everything from parades to picnics). HER fosters a dynamic dating scene where womxn can feel safe, comfortable, and confident — and that means everything to the HER couples around the world.

Over 4 million lesbian, bisexual, queer, and trans womxn have joined HER so far, and we expect that number to grow as more LGBTQ+ people discover the incredible value offered by this upstanding community.

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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»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
Single Women & Couples
90%
2 MillionBrowse Profiles FREE

LesbianPersonals has basically become the go-to dating space for women with a high sex drive and few inhibitions. The hookup platform is free to join, and you can get a feel for what it has to offer by browsing profiles and sending likes.

The LesbianPersonals membership base includes lesbian singles, lesbian couples, straight couples, and groups, and they’re all looking for a special lady to join them in the bedroom. The fast-paced dating scene has led to hookups, threesomes, and orgies, bringing satisfaction to thousands of horny women out there.

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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»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
Gay Singles
0%
5 MillionTry Grindr FREE

We couldn’t end this list without mentioning Grindr. Since 2009, the gay dating app has become one of the most popular matchmaking tools for men seeking men, and its membership base includes over 27 million profiles in almost every country in the world.

Grindr is free to join, and it has the free matching and chatting features singles need to land a hot date, but some users say upgrading to Grindr XTRA gave them even more options and opportunities on the app. The premium features including additional filters, no banner ads, personalized push notifications, unlimited blocks and favorites, quick-send photos, and viewing up to 600 profiles.

Grindr XTRA Lite is a more cost-efficient one-month subscription. It’ll remove banner ads and allow singles to view up to 300 profiles, and that’s it. Upgrading is optional, and it is possible to make a match with a standard Grindr membership.

Best 100% Free Hookup Sites

Looking for a dating site that’ll give you the most bang for your buck? We’ve got a few good options for your browsing pleasure. These reputable hookup sites have satisfied singles and swingers with a fast-paced interface, sexy membership base, and affordable live messaging tools. Take a look at what they have to offer by reading our reviews.

Online Dating Site

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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»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
All Singles
52%
13.3 MillionTry BeNaughty Free

When it comes to hookup sites, BeNaughty is almost always on top. Put simply, the site has a lot of game, and it fosters instant connections and matches between sex-oriented men and women.

BeNaughty users can either search for hot dates by age, location, appearance, ethnicity, and other characteristics, or they can go to the Like Gallery and see which profiles the site recommends based on their preferences. The Like Gallery is a fun way to decide who’s cute and who’s not, creating romantic opportunities with every swipe.

Really in a hurry to hook up with a local man or woman? Then send a mass flirty message to everyone online who meets your search criteria. BeNaughty encourages flirty conversations morning, noon, and night, and it’s never too late to woo someone on this dating website.

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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»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
Singles & Couples
35%
25.5 MillionBrowse Profiles FREE

Since its launch in 1997, Adult Friend Finder has surpassed 97 million profiles and brought about a sexual awakening for countless individuals and couples.

The hookup site offers a lot of free forums and chat groups where members can mix things up. The AFF community has sparked more than 14 million group discussions, and it has published over 19 million blog posts full of erotic stories and X-rated content.

Browsing Adult Friend Finder can be an arousing experience, and the excitement doesn’t end online. Many AFF members are actively seeking an sexy playmate for IRL adventures and a casual hookup.

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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»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
Singles & Couples
36%
1.2 MillionView Profiles FREE

Last of all, FriendFinder-X makes it easy to enjoy a naughty dating experience and woo local hotties without leaving home. The hookup site characterizes itself as a place “where good girls do bad things.”

The anonymous nature of this free casual hookup site probably contributes to the bold and outlandish behavior of FriendFinder-X members. Singles, couples, and groups head to this platform when they want to mix things up and find the object of their desire.

If you’re interested in no-strings-attached sex, you can’t do much better than FriendFinder-X. It’s not completely free, but it is awfully exciting to view an X-rated dating profile and flirt with new people here.

What Is the Number 1 Dating Site

This is obviously debatable, and it depends heavily on who you are and what you’re looking for in the dating scene, but, if you want our opinion, we rank Match.com as the #1 dating site for just about anyone seeking love online.

Why do our dating experts love Match so much? Because we’ve seen it work. The site has serious street cred in the industry and countless love stories to its name.

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Match has become a trusted name in the online dating industry by catering to quality singles looking for love and romance. Since 1995, the dating site has developed a time-tested matching system to facilitate deep connections between men and women who share similar goals in life.

  • In-depth matching appeals to women with high standards
  • Video chat tools help online daters establish a rapport
  • An established singles network in 50 countries worldwide
  • Browse Match.com profiles 100% free»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
All Singles
51%
15 MillionTry Match.com FREE

Over the last 20 years, Match.com has been responsible for more first dates, relationships, and marriages than any other online dating site, and that makes it the best of the best in our book.

What Is the Best Dating Site for a Serious Relationship?

Beyond a doubt, eharmony has the market cornered when it comes to relationships. The dating site has a time-tested, personality-driven matchmaking system that can seriously save folks a lot of time searching for a soulmate.

The free dating app isn’t 100% free to use — you need a paid membership to access the chat feature on eharmony — but this is a quality dating space for meeting new people who are authentic and loyal, and that makes it great for serious relationship seekers who are willing to invest in their love lives.

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It may take some time to fill out eharmony's 32-dimension personality test, but the results are well worth it. This dating site goes the extra mile to get to know its members and deliver quality matches to their inboxes. Every profile has a compatibility rating to let you know your essential similarities and differences. Plus eharmony has inspired more than 2 million love connections since 2000.

  • Designed to satisfy marriage-minded single women
  • In-depth compatibility quiz generates high-quality matches
  • Personalized Match Preferences on gender, age, income, religion, education, and more
  • Browse eharmony profiles 100% free»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
Straight Singles
49%
10 MillionView Profiles FREE

Over the last two decades, eharmony has given hope to marriage-minded singles around the world, and it is responsible for bringing over 2 million couples together in the U.S. alone. This is definitely a great place to find your happily-ever-after love story.

What is the Best Dating Site for 50-Year Olds

Silver Singles is our favorite dating site for singles in their 50s. It caters to a mature crowd of singles, and 50-year-olds will actually be the youngsters on this seniors-only network.

The Silver Singles dating site and app offer a completely free membership option so singles can test the waters before diving into the senior dating pool.

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SilverSingles offers a secure dating experience for singles of a certain age. Anyone over 50 is welcome to join the network and browse for dates by using the simple search filters and match recommendations. Every month, over 800,000 senior singles join the dating site and start their journey toward love.

  • Global membership base of exclusively single seniors
  • Free members can browse matches, send smiles, and favorite profiles
  • 24/7 online customer service
  • Browse SilverSingles profiles 100% free»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
Singles Over 50
59%
800,000View Profiles FREE

Silver Singles has a lot to offer as a free dating site with a premium matchmaking feature to help locate the perfect match. If you’re looking for age-appropriate dates, SilverSingles can introduce you to many singles who share similar backgrounds, experiences, and values.

Free online dating website

The Silver Singles dating website and app automatically remove fake profiles from the network, so seniors can set their worries aside when meeting new people through this reputable dating service.

In Depth Online Dating Sites Free Reviews

Are There Any Real Dating Sites?

Actually all dating sites are mere figments of your imagination. You’re probably having a fever dream from watching too many rom-coms.

In Depth Online Dating Sites Free

I’m kidding. Yeah, a lot of dating sites are the real deal and can offer real opportunities to meet singles. You can tell a site is legit if it has good reviews (both from customers and third-party reviewers), offers some sort of profile verification system (via email address, social media, etc.), provides contact information for the customer service team (online contact form, email, and/or snail mail), and shares success stories on the site.

We’ve listed many real dating sites on this list already, but we’ll reiterate a few here for you. OkCupid has been around since 2004, and it is responsible for 1 million real-world dates on a weekly basis.

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OkCupid inspires dates and relationships by identifying specific areas of compatibility. The dating site and app has an endless questionnaire that allows single men to express who they are and what matters to them. OkCupid uses this treasure trove of information to generate highly accurate match recommendations and compatibility ratings.

  • Men can leave a message to anyone they fancy
  • A sophisticated match algorithm developed by Harvard math majors
  • The site and app facilitate over 50,000 dates every week
  • Browse OkCupid profiles 100% free»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
All Singles
48%
3.5 MillionBrowse Profiles FREE

Bumble has staked its reputation on authenticity and integrity, and its team doesn’t hesitate to remove unsavory characters from the app. Its serious approach to online dating has helped countless real singles go on real dates and get in real relationships.

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Bumble has embraced its role as the world's feminist dating app. The app launched in 2014 with the unique premise that women should send the first message and take the lead in a new romantic relationship. According to Bumble, over 85% of its users are looking for a long-term relationship, and less than 4% are looking for hookups.

  • A female-friendly dating environment puts women in control
  • Zero tolerance for bullying, misogyny, and rude behavior
  • Conversations expire in 24 to 48 hours
  • Browse Bumble profiles 100% free»
User BaseGender RatioMonthly UsersBest Offer
All Singles
50%
22 MillionTry Bumble FREE

Even on a trustworthy dating site or app, you should still be on the lookout for the rotten apples that can sometimes slip past the security walls. Trust your instincts as you browse dating profiles online and vet potential matches before you agree to meet in person. Things to look out for include bad grammar, broken English, and pleas for money, gifts, or favors. These are all warning signs that the person you’re talking to isn’t trustworthy and may be trying to con you in a romance scam.

Does Online Dating Really Work?

Yes, online dating really, truly, and honestly can work for singles seeking everything from a casual hookup or a long-term relationship. How can I be so certain? Because I met my boyfriend on a dating app last year, and we couldn’t be happier with how our swiping experience went.

Online dating gives you instant access to a world of romantic possibilities, and it can spark relationships with that perfect match if you play your cards right. If you haven’t had much luck on dating websites and apps so far, maybe try beefing up your dating profile or working on your online conversation skills to up the odds of finding something real.

Over half of never-married adults in the U.S. say they have tried online dating, and 22% of newlyweds in 2019 met their spouse on a dating site or app. Taken as a whole, online dating is one of the most popular ways to meet people nowadays, and singles who embrace that will have more date options to show for their time and effort.

A Free Dating Site Can be Your Ticket to Romance

You can put your wallet away. No need to check your credit limit. The best 100% free dating sites don’t require credit card information upon signup, and they won’t push you to subscribe or upgrade before you’re ready.

The top-rated sites on this list offer a lot of great free features, including matchmaking and messaging, and we firmly believe any of them can get singles off the couch and onto a great date. Just remember, you get what you pay for. You can save your cash on an absolutely free dating site, or you can invest your energy and save time on a premium online dating site — the choice is up to you.

Whether you’re looking for a short-term romance or a long-term love, the online dating world has plenty of affordable options available 24/7 to help you meet new people and make new friends. Spend wisely!

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