The 10 Best Free Dating Apps of 2023
Nowadays, you don’t have to pay for premium dating apps to get your perfect date, thanks to 10 free dating apps at your disposal. These apps have the right matching algorithms that can help you find your sweetheart with a few clicks.
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10 of the Best Free Dating Apps
The following 10 free dating apps have top-notch matching algorithms that can help you find your sweetheart with a few clicks:
OkCupid
Tinder
Hinge
Bumble
Grindr
Plenty of Fish
Match
OurTime
The League
eHarmony
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. The free version lets members match, chat and meet. Three paid levels expand features and perks.
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. Hinge
Hinge calls itself “the dating app designed to be deleted” — not to hide your dating life, but because it gets you out on promising dates so you’re less likely to need the app for the long haul. A free membership comes with filters for gender, location, age, distance, ethnicity and religion. Preferred memberships add additional filters, unlimited likes and the ability to see everyone who likes you at one time.
The Hinge website features an NFAQ section for LGBTQIA+ daters who have questions about sexuality, self-discovery and other topics specific to queer singles.
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, either 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 or Bumble Bizz to find same-sex friendships or a business mentor near you.
5. Grindr
Grindr is a the largest social networking app for gay, bi, trans and queer people. Millions of daily users take advantage of the app’s geolocation-based technology to send text and voice messages and share photos and videos.
You can create a profile for free. XTRA and Unlimited premium memberships unlock features and make it easier to connect.
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 two premium versions with extra features like unlimited likes, read receipts, extra profile images and an ad-free experience.
Perhaps the biggest downside of the free version is the many ads. However, you can send and receive messages. In addition to eliminating ads, the paid versions have 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, having been around for more than 25 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 trial 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. 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. Options include one to six months, and you can also upgrade to add features.
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 need to pay for the service to communicate with your matches and unlock other 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 a 70-question compatibility quiz 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 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?
All of the dating apps reviewed here are free at the basic level. You can use the platforms or apps and find matches without paying fees, but some of the most convenient features do cost you money.
What is the most successful free dating site?
Tinder, OkCupid or Bumble may be the best option for a free experience as long as you're happy with basic functionality.
However, each person has a different opinion about what is the best free dating app. It really depends on what you're looking for.
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. 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 and Daria Uhlig contributed to the reporting for this article.
Information is accurate as of Jan. 20, 2023.
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: The 10 Best Free Dating Apps of 2023
