- Free dating sites can be a convenient way to meet new people if you’re back on the dating scene.
- Although many dating apps are free to use, their features are limited unless you upgrade to a paid subscription.
- Facebook Dating is a truly free dating app; all of its features are available at no charge.
- Visit Insider’s Tech Reference library for more stories.
As the internet has matured and more people have grown up connected to mobile apps and the web, online dating has evolved into a mainstream way to meet new people. In fact, dating sites and dating apps are now among the most common ways for prospective partners to meet one another, especially when it’s difficult to meet new people in public settings.
There’s no shortage of dating sites or apps to choose from, and most are free to varying degrees. Here are seven of the best free dating sites that you can access via the web or on a mobile app.
Facebook Dating
Facebook Dating quickly rose to be one of the best free dating sites. Unlike the alternatives, it is completely free with no in-app subscriptions or purchases, and it’s easy to build a profile because it lets you draw on your existing Facebook profile. In addition, it’s somewhat less common to encounter fake profiles because the entire service is built on Facebook, and users can optionally share their Facebook profiles with one another. Facebook Dating avoids matching you with your existing Facebook friends, but you can use common interests and Facebook groups to find potential matches.
It’s only available in the mobile app (iOS, Android), so you can’t access it in the Facebook website on your computer. And while that might be something of a disadvantage, Facebook Dating has a lot of other upsides, including the ability to take a second look at profiles you initially passed on and the chance to match up with your “secret crush” – a person that’s listed among your friends on Facebook or a follower on Instagram.
Tinder
Tinder is the dating app that essentially invented the idea of swiping right and left to match or reject potential partners – a dating app mechanic that is now commonly used in most other apps. If both of you like each other’s profiles, you’ve matched and can then start a text conversation or have a video chat within the app. In addition, it has a slew of “Discover” modes designed to connect you with potential matches.
You can use these basic features for free, but it comes with significant limitations. You can only swipe right up to 100 times per day, for example, without upgrading to unlimited likes with Tinder Plus ($10 per month if you’re under 30, otherwise $20 per month). And for a better chance of matching with someone, you’ll want to upgrade to Tinder Gold (which starts around $30 per month) so you can see users who have already liked you, as well as get other advanced features like the ability to message users before liking them and “rewinds,” which are essentially swiping undos.
OKCupid
OKCupid is part of the same dating app family as Match, Tinder, and Hinge – they are all owned by the same parent company. Even so, OKCupid tries to differentiate itself by collecting a lot of information about you when you create a profile and giving you couples dating app the opportunity to answer a lot of optional questions to create a more nuanced profile. The site also gives you a wealth of ways to self-identify your gender and sexuality, more so than most others. Once your profile is set up, the app tracks users who like your profile as well as potential matches who have a high percentage of interests and answers in common with you.