The 10 Best Free Dating Apps of 2022
Nowadays, you don’t have to pay for premium dating apps to get your perfect date thanks to 10 free dating apps at our disposal. These apps have the right matching algorithms that can help you find your sweetheart with a few clicks.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, social lives were destabilized. The thought of meeting someone new was frowned upon. Things have normalized but the apps proved to be a great way to meet others post-pandemic.
The following 10 free dating apps have top-notch matching algorithms that can help you find your sweetheart with a few clicks.
10 of the Best Free Dating Apps
Here are some of the most popular, free dating apps you may want to consider if you’re looking for a significant other.
1. OkCupid
OkCupid is one of the most popular online dating apps. With its free version, you can browse unlimited profiles and connect with anyone you want. It also has a premium version with more advanced services, like viewing the profiles “liking you,” which is not available with the free version.
Overall, OkCupid is a dating app for all ages. Unlike some dating apps based entirely on a person’s photos, some compatibility is taken into account. When signing up, you’ll be prompted to enter your age and your preference matches. That way, you’ll get better-customized profiles to help you find your perfect match.
2. Tinder
Tinder is another popular dating app with an incredible interface. It also has a desktop version that boosts its usability. Like all the other apps, it has a free and paid version. You don’t necessarily need the premium version to find a date — the free version is a good choice for that.
Tinder’s free version allows you to swipe through profiles looking for your potential match. The downside is that you’re given limited information about the profiles. For the profiles you like, select a heart icon, X or swipe to the right. For ones that don’t appeal to you, swipe to the left and continue. Whenever you like a person who likes you back, you’ll receive a notification and you can message each other for a potential date.
3. Grouper
Grouper is popular among iPhone users and groups. It’s a different kind of application, matching group dates on its own using personal data from social accounts. The app uses strong algorithms to ensure a perfect match between the groups before sending invitations.
Priding itself as an offline social club, Grouper sets up blind dates for groups of people. You select two “wingmen” and pay $20 each. Then the app hooks you up with another group of three, so you meet as a group of six.
4. Bumble
Like Tinder, Bumble allows you to swipe through profiles so you can choose your matches. However, Bumble has some restrictions that Tinder doesn’t. For example, to set up a date for heterosexuals, the woman must send the message first. But for same-sex couples, any of them can initiate contact.
Bumble also has two other cool functionalities — you can choose to take a break from the dating side and network with others. Or you can select Bumble BFF to find same-sex friendships near you.
5. Her
This is an all-women dating app. Boasting more than 10 million users, Her is the go-to site for lesbians, bisexual women and other LGBTQ+ femmes. Created by queer women for queer women, the application is rapidly growing.
The app allows you to be more creative regarding your sexual orientation or gender for a better understanding of your personality. The text biofield is also another unique feature that allows you to describe the nature of the relationship you want.
6. Plenty of Fish
As the name suggests, Plenty of Fish is a pool of over three million dating profiles. What makes it unique is you can search for members based on traits or preferences of your choice. While it’s free to use, it also has a premium, better-customized version.
Perhaps the biggest downside of the free version is the many ads. However, you can send and receive messages. The paid version eliminates ads and has better filters for easy matching. For instance, you can filter your matches based on your level of education and income.
7. Match
Match.com is one of the oldest online dating websites, being around for more than 20 years. The company claims it’s the pioneer of online dating, established in 1995. Match allows a more detailed view into others — you can upload up to 26 photos for your profile.
While its app is not an all-free service, it has a three-day offer when you sign up. During this period, you can search profiles and contact people you want. Once this period expires, you’ll have to upgrade to premium. There are different packages, ranging from one month to 12.
8. OurTime
OurTime is designed for those aged 50 and older. While most of its services are paid, it also allows you to create and browse profiles for free. That’s good enough as one can find a match who happens to be in their locality.
The fees vary depending on how long you want to sign up. For a month, the charges can go up to $35. If you pick the six-month plan, the charges will drop considerably.
9. The League
This is an elite dating app and requires approval to join. That means you may have to wait for your application to be approved before accessing the features. The good thing is you can pay a few dollars to speed up the process.
You must meet certain standards to join The League. Essentially, a drive to succeed is required to be accepted. Your academics and income are subject to scrutiny. It’s a good app for professionals looking to build relationships with other professionals or individuals with similar lifestyles.
10. eHarmony
eHarmony is another well-established online dating website and app. You can try it out for free but you’ll eventually need to pay for the service to unlock some of the best functionality.
It’s different from the other sites because it claims to take much of the guesswork out of finding the right partner. It uses a scientific approach based on its 32 DIMENSIONS® model to match the most compatible couples depending on values and features found in successful relationships.
Final Take
Online dating may be the easiest way to put yourself out there and meet someone new. There are plenty of sites and apps offering options for every demographic and dating style. Deciding which one to choose depends on you.
For example, knowing that there is some filtering in effect to help you find a compatible person may be a priority, or a dating app that allows the woman to message the man first could be important. Do your research ahead of time to ensure the app fits your needs and vision of finding the right person.
Dating Apps FAQ
Is there a 100% free dating app?
Many of the dating apps are free for most of the basic functions you'll need to meet others. However, if you'd like special features such as seeing who is liking or visiting your profile, or adding filters to narrow your search further, you may have to pay to upgrade.
Which dating site is completely free?
None of the best free dating apps reviewed here are completely free. You could use the platforms or apps and find matches without paying fees, but some of the most convenient features could cost you money.
What is the most successful free dating site?
If you ask around, each person has a different opinion about what is the best free dating app. TInder, OkCupid or Bumble may be the best option for a free experience as long as you're happy with basic functionality.
What is the safest free dating app?
While all apps have measures to ensure you're secure, safety is in your hands in the end. When moving from the protection of the app and into the real world with someone you meet, be cautious about what personal information you reveal about yourself. And if you choose to get together, start in a public setting where you can excuse yourself and leave if you need to.
Lydia Kibet contributed to the reporting for this article.
Information is accurate as of Aug. 16, 2022.
Editorial Note: This content is not provided by any entity covered in this article. Any opinions, analyses, reviews, ratings or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any entity named in this article.
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: The 10 Best Free Dating Apps of 2022
