Compare free dating apps in the UK
- Tested by our team
- Prices compared
- Free features listed
Reviewed by Jesper Nørskov Jensen
Which site suits you?
Answer {n} quick questions and find the dating site that suits you.
What are you looking for?
Which age group are you looking for?
You can choose more than one
What matters most to you?
Analysing dating apps…
Your results are ready
We have adjusted the comparison below based on your answers.
Filters
Filter and sort
Filter
What are you looking for?
Age group
Rating
Loading results…
No apps match these choices.
Hinge
Profile prompts for serious dating
You like specific parts of a profile rather than only swiping, and the app is aimed at relationships. Our review notes reports of fake accounts.
Audience Serious singles
Age 25-34
Activity level Very high
Aimed at serious relationship seekers
Profile prompts to answer and like
Reports of fake accounts
Our rating of Hinge
Select a category to read our reasoning.
The app is beautifully designed, intuitive and easy to navigate.
Profile prompts make matching more interactive and personal, as you can like specific parts of a profile.
Our overview rates activity as very high, but our review also lists a lack of activity as a common complaint.
Hinge is aimed at serious relationship seekers. You must authenticate your account with a phone number, and there are reports of fake accounts to look out for.
You can view profiles, message members and see who sent you likes for free. Paid members get extras, including seeing who likes them.
Free dating app that isn’t meant for casual hookups
Hinge works like most dating apps allowing you to like or pass on other users appearing on your feed. However, Hinge differs from other dating apps by letting you like specific aspects of someone’s profile instead of the entire thing. To begin with, you provide all the standard information, including your name, email, date of birth, and location. But after that, you can also answer questions relating to your height, religion, political beliefs, and so on.
Individualistic profiles letting you stand out more
Hinge also gives you prompts that show up on every user’s profile — these are a major part of the Hinge experience. You need to fill out a minimum of 3 prompts to use the app. With so many to choose from, it’s rare to see two people with the same set, let alone the same answers. You can answer about your feelings towards the beach or a number of other subjects.
Swipe-based dating with more to offer
Like Tinder and other roulette-style matching systems, Hinge shows you one user at a time. Simply scroll through their photos and prompts, and then like or reject them by tapping the heart or X icon. If you only like a photo or prompt, you can like that piece instead of the entire profile — this shows the user that you actually looked at their profile instead of just rejecting them at first sight.
Pros
- Focused on serious relationships
- Fast-growing userbase
- Great app design
Cons
- Not for casual daters
- Complaints about fake profiles
Prices
| Length | Per month | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | £19.99 | £19.99 |
| 3 months | £13.33 | £39.99 |
| 6 months | £10.00 | £59.99 |
Lovoo
Social app for dates and new friends
A social dating app with live video and nearby discovery. Verified profiles get a badge, but search filters are limited and the UK user base is small.
Audience Everyone
Age 18-40
Activity level Very high
Verified profiles receive badges
Live video streams
Our rating of Lovoo
Select a category to read our reasoning.
The app is available on Apple and Android and is used by far more people than the computer version.
Live video is the flagship feature, alongside nearby discovery and verified badges. There are no advanced search filters, and profiles lack detailed information.
Live video has brought many more people to the platform, and users come mostly to meet people and to watch or stream videos.
Lovoo is a social dating app, and our review says that if you are after something serious you might want to look elsewhere.
It is free to use and most people stay on the free service. Free members get one icebreaker a day, while paid members get more messages and no adverts.
Massive member base in multiple countries
If you’re looking for more than a dating app, Lovoo not only connects you with other singles but also allows you to make friends and watch entertaining live videos. With a member base so massive that it has reached a whopping 70 million users, Lovoo produces 35 million matches per month. Most members are under the age of 35 and located in Germany, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom, and although the member base does have more men than women, that’s a fairly normal demographic for a free dating app of this nature.
Live videos, roulette-style matching, and much more
Lovoo Video Live was launched in 2017 after the app was acquired by the Meet Group. This feature allows members to stream live videos of themselves and earn Diamonds, which can either be exchanged for real cash or credits. If you want to match with other users, chat, and go on dates, you can utilise the roulette-style matching feature, which is similar to Tinder and Bumble.
Free to use but quite limited without a paying subscription
For standard non-paying members, one icebreaker message can be sent to another member each day. In comparison, paying members can send unlimited messages per day, see who added them to their favourites list and who visited their profile. Through the Discover feature, you can also search by location, age, and gender. However, some cities don’t allow you to change your location.
Pros
- Verified profiles receive badges
- Sleek, modern app design
- Great for meeting friends and going on dates
- Wholesome community
- The live video stream is fun and entertaining
- Nearby functionality makes for serendipitous connections
Cons
- No advanced search filters
- Profiles lack detailed information
- Relatively small UK userbase
Prices
| Length | Per month | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | £8.99 | £8.99 |
| 3 months | £6.33 | £18.99 |
| 6 months | £4.50 | £26.99 |
Tinder
Swipe-based app for all relationship types
One of the best-known dating apps, simple to navigate and open to all relationship interests. There is no search function, and profiles say little.
Audience Everyone
Age 20-35
Activity level Very high
Simple to navigate
For all relationship interests
Our rating of Tinder
Select a category to read our reasoning.
Most people prefer the app because it is easy to navigate and always on hand.
Tinder popularised the swipe-style matching system. There is no search function and profiles do not contain much information.
Users are active and always have their phones ready to receive and send messages. Our review notes a massive user base despite losing customers to newer sites.
Hookups, flings, casual encounters and serious relationships can all be found here, so intentions vary.
The app is still free to use, and you can upgrade to the Plus, Gold or Platinum plans if you want more.
The go-to place for free casual dating
For a lot of people, Tinder was the introductory platform to the online dating world. When someone would get out of a relationship, the first place they’d go was Tinder. It’s a place to let the world know that you are single and ready to mingle. Popularised by its roulette-style matching system – aka swipe left or right, Tinder became an entertaining place to find dates or even just people to meet up with for casual drinks.
Tinder is as popular as ever
You might be happy to know that Tinder is still as popular as ever with over 57 million members throughout the world. It’s continued to attract a younger user base between the ages of 18 and 25, but there are also people in their late 20s and early 30s using the app. And while Tinder is commonly known as a hookup app, it also acts as a gateway to long-term relationships and even marriage.
Simple and superior to other free dating apps
The only way to make contact on Tinder is to mutually match with another member, which is done by both of you swiping right on each other. Once a match has been made, you can start conversing with one another. There is no cap on how many conversations you can have, which in itself makes Tinder one of the best free dating apps on the market.
Pros
- Very simple to use
- Large userbase
- Useful filtering capabilities
- Easy to connect with singles quickly
- For all types of relationship interests
Cons
- No personality matching
- Somewhat superficial
- Profiles don’t contain much information
- There is no search function
Prices
| Length | Per month | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | £4.99 | £4.99 |
| 6 months | £2.50 | £15.00 |
| 12 months | £1.92 | £23.04 |
Bumble
Women make the first move
Once matched, women send the first message within 24 hours. It suits people looking for a relationship, and you can also make friends or business contacts.
Audience Everyone
Age 20-39
Activity level High
Women make first contact
Contact must be made within 24 hours
Also for friends and business contacts
Our rating of Bumble
Select a category to read our reasoning.
Our review describes an app built around the familiar swipe left or right system, so getting started is simple.
You can swipe, video chat, audio chat, apply basic search filters, extend one match per day and earn profile badges.
Having to make contact soon after matching encourages members to check their profiles daily.
Our review calls it a better option than Tinder for something serious and long-term, but would like profiles to say more about lifestyle and interests.
The basic app is free, and you can pay for the Premium plan if you want more, such as seeing who likes you.
Tinder with a twist
Created by one of the co-founders of Tinder, Bumble began as a place for women to make the first move. This means that once a match has been made, women have 24 hours to make contact. If no message is sent, the match expires. Other than that, everything else about Bumble looks and feels very much like Tinder. You’re presented with one profile at a time, and you must swipe left or right on the featured profile.
Different modes for different purposes
Besides women having to make the first move, the biggest differences between Bumble and Tinder are the BFF mode and the Bizz mode, which lets you use Bumble for different purposes. Switching to BFF mode allows you to meet people in new places, dates as well as friends, where Bizz mode is made for professionals to network and make more contacts. But whatever you do, just be careful that you don’t turn off Dating mode. Otherwise, there’s a risk of losing all your matches and chats.
Lots of free features to offer
Bumble allows you to match, text, audio chat, and video chat free of charge. With Bumble’s Premium service, you can also view who swiped right on you, extend your initial chat window, rematch with expired matches, swipe unlimitedly, and “Spotlight” your profile. For guides and everything Bumble-related, also check out its blog called the BeeHive.
Pros
- An app for serious relationship seekers
- Women have to make the first move
- You can also make friends and business relationships
- Fewer false starts in conversations
- Females are in control of the interaction
- More personality-focused than some others
Cons
- Must make contact within 24 hours of matching
- Men cannot make first contact once matched
- Icebreakers can be a bit cheesy
Prices
| Length | Per month | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | £20.99 | £20.99 |
| 3 months | £14.00 | £41.99 |
| 6 months | £11.99 | £71.94 |
Coffee Meets Bagel
Curated matches instead of swiping
Sends a limited number of personalised matches each day, including friends of friends. There is no search function for finding your own matches.
Audience Serious singles
Age 30-49
Activity level High
Personalised matches each day
Includes friends of friends
Our rating of Coffee Meets Bagel
Select a category to read our reasoning.
You can use it on a computer, but our review says the app is far superior and functions better.
It does the matching for you, including friends of friends, and provides a limited number of matches per day. There is no search function.
Our review highlights a healthy, even ratio of men to women and a matching process that connects like-minded people.
The app could be right for a serious relationship seeker who wants a fun and casual way to meet singles.
You can use it for free to find matches, chat and go on dates, but some useful features require Beans, which are earned or bought.
Going against the popular swiping trend
The San Francisco-based dating and social networking service Coffee Meets Bagel was started by three sisters back in 2012. The point of the app is to connect singles and form meaningful relationships. In fact, it’s estimated that 90% of CMB’s users are looking for long-term companionship. Basically, the idea is to end the countless swiping that other apps like Tinder and Bumble popularised and instead connect you with like-minded singles.
Get a glimpse of a person’s personality before showing interest
To ensure that the app is indeed finding ideal matches, Coffee Meets Bagel employs a comprehensive algorithm that takes everyone’s information and connects people with similar lifestyles, interests, and preferences. Also, the in-depth data you provide is visible on your profile for others to see, which means that you can get a better idea of someone’s personality before showing interest. Each day at noon, you’ll be given a list of matches that CMB found for you.
Focusing on singles connected to your social circle
Unfortunately for non-Facebook users, the only way to register at Coffee Meets Bagel is through your Facebook account. This is because CMB’s matching strategy is to try and match you with friends of your Facebook friends. The idea behind this approach is that these people are already in close proximity to your social circles, and those are typically the type of people you would normally date without using a dating app.
Pros
- Provides matches based on personalities
- Does the matching for you (no searching)
- Finds friends of friends as potential matches
Cons
- No search function to find your own matches
- A limited number of matches per day
Prices
| Length | Per month | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | £33.99 | £33.99 |
| 6 months | £18.50 | £110.99 |
Once
One curated match a day
Instead of endless swiping, you get one selected match per day. The sign-up is strict and the app is easy to navigate, but features are few.
Audience Serious singles
Age 25-35
Activity level High
One match per day
Strict and thorough sign-up
Our rating of Once
Select a category to read our reasoning.
The app has a very attractive design and is easy to navigate.
You get one match per day and there is no search feature. Once chatting, you can send text messages and photos or start a video call.
The app is owned by a large dating company and has attracted a sizeable user base.
Most users are young professionals looking for someone long-term, and our review notes a strict and thorough sign-up process.
It can be downloaded for free, with in-app purchases available later on. Crowns can be purchased a little at a time or in bulk.
Matchmaking in accordance with your emotional profile
The idea behind Once is that the app gives you one match per day selected by the platform’s special algorithm that “gets to truly know you.” Once claims to be the first app to create an emotional profile for each and every one of its members, which means that you can be defined as introverted, extroverted, independent, fusional, intuitive, factual, cerebral, carnal, and so on. Your profile also includes the things you love in life such as camping, dogs, movies, yoga, or whatever else you’re into.
Saying no to machine learning and algorithms
With over 10 million members, Once is quickly becoming a popular dating app. The app was created in Switzerland by Jean Meyer as a “slow dating app” that relies on quality over quantity. Instead of using machine learning or an algorithm, the team at Once actually matches singles manually based on the information they have provided. In the world of online dating, this is a major game changer. For every match made, you have 24 hours to make contact unless it expires.
Old-school dating service demanding a bit of patience
If you’re looking for a dating app that allows you to search through a large database of singles, this is not the app for you. With Once, you only get the one match per day, and if you don’t like it, you have to wait another 24 hours. In a way, Once is counting on you to trust them with their matchmaking skills. If you have some patience and you’re serious about finding something long-term, it should pay off.
Pros
- Focused on quality over quantity
- Well-designed app
- Wholesome community
Cons
- Can only match with one person per day
- Lots of pressure on your conversational skills
Prices
| Length | Per month | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | £19.99 | £19.99 |
| 3 months | £10.00 | £29.99 |
| 6 months | £7.50 | £44.99 |
Happn
Meet people you have crossed paths with
Shows people whose paths have crossed yours, which suits those who are often out and about. Your matches are limited, and it can drain your battery.
Audience Everyone
Age 24-35
Activity level Medium
Matches based on encounters
Well-designed app
Our rating of Happn
Select a category to read our reasoning.
Most members use the mobile app while out and about, and you need a Facebook account to sign up.
It shows people you have crossed paths with and lets you send voice messages, but you cannot video chat. You can also hide your location.
Because it is not the most populous app on the market, our review says it is best used in larger cities.
You state what type of relationship you are looking for, whether something serious, nothing serious or that you will know when you find it.
New members get a limited number of free Hellos, after which you need to upgrade. Paying also lets you boost your profile.
Connect with singles you’ve crossed paths with
Have you ever thought about all the people you’ve crossed paths with that could have turned out to be your soulmate? With Happn, you’re presented with potential matches appearing in a vertical scrolling timeline as you pass by them in real life. You can even see the general area where you crossed paths on a little map in the app. In this way, you never miss a potential connection again, granted they have the app and have mutually liked you.
The only way to sign up is through Facebook
There is no option to sign up with your email or phone number, and so you’ll need to link your Facebook account to become a member. But don’t worry, Happn doesn’t ever post anything to your Facebook page. The app will take photos from your Facebook profile, but you can also choose to change those to more appropriate dating site photos.
Find potential matches near you without trying
Once you’re out and about, people will start popping up on your feed, but just as on similar dating apps, you’ll have to match, or “Crush”, with someone before you can make contact. Each profile provides you with some photos, a bio, and a small map to see where you crossed paths. If you want more out of the app, the premium service gets you 10 “Hi’s” per day, a list of everyone that has hearted you, the ability to go incognito, and no advertisements.
Pros
- Matches based on encounters
- Well-designed app
- Champions serendipity
- Location-based features makes for frictionless dating options
- Great for people that are out and about often
Cons
- Limited to people whose paths cross
- Can drain your battery
Prices
| Length | Per month | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | £19.99 | £19.99 |
Grindr
Location-based app for gay and queer men
Connects gay, bi, trans and queer people by location, with quick, photo-led contact. You must share location data, so review your privacy settings.
Audience Gay men
Age 18-34
Activity level Very high
Matches based on your location
Frictionless app design
You must share location data
Our rating of Grindr
Select a category to read our reasoning.
The design of the app is straightforward, easy to navigate and user-friendly.
It shows users in your immediate surroundings and you can refine your search with filters. Premium adds more filters and the Explore feature for other locations.
Most users are quite active on the platform, so it should not be too difficult to connect with someone in a populated area.
Grindr is not for serious relationship seekers, and inboxes can get bombarded with messages. Our review notes its work on sexual health and safety.
As a basic member, you can talk to anyone you want. Paying gives you more filters and extras.
Quick hookups for gay, bi, trans, and queer people
If you’ve heard of Grindr, you probably know that it’s one of the largest social networking apps for gay, bi, trans, and queer people. Since 2009, Grindr has grown to over 27 million users throughout the world. Most of Grindr’s users are under the age of 35 and come from the United States and the United Kingdom, and its main purpose is to find quick hookups or short-term relationships.
Different ways of showing your affection
The members of Grindr are very active and send lots of taps, photos, and messages. You can show your interest in others in three different ways by sending them a “Looking”, “Friendly”, or “Hot” by tapping the associated icon. You can even personalise your messages by downloading the Gaymoji keyboard and sending LGBT-themed stickers. And the best part is probably that sending and receiving messages is totally free.
Modern and convenient layout for people on the go
Grindr is available through a laptop or desktop browser, but the most popular use of the platform is via the iOS or Android app. That’s because most of its members use the app while on the go, and its modern layout is convenient and easy to use. Both the browser and app versions allow you to access Grindr’s popular features including your favourites, matches, messages, and explore. You can also pay for Grindr Xtra, which gets you unlimited features and no advertisements.
Pros
- Market leader
- Huge userbase
- Frictionless app design
Cons
- Focused on photos primarily
- You must share location data
Prices
| Length | Per month | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | £8.49 | £8.49 |
| 3 months | £7.33 | £21.99 |
| 6 months | £5.00 | £30.00 |
HER
App and community for queer women
A dating and community app for lesbian and queer people, with free messaging, inclusive groups and in-person events. Paid plans are relatively expensive.
Audience Lesbians
Age 20-30
Activity level High
Messaging is free
In-person events and activities
Inclusive community groups
Our rating of HER
Select a category to read our reasoning.
Our review likes the design and feel of the app: modern, easy to navigate and straightforward to use. You need a Facebook or Instagram account to sign up.
A Feed lets you interact with members without matching. There is no manual search, so you cannot find someone you have already passed on.
Members are generally very active on the platform and respond quickly.
People use HER for a variety of reasons, including friendship as well as dating. It encourages members to verify their profiles and lets you filter for verified ones.
It is free to use and to chat with mutual matches and friends, with paid plans for those who want more.
Social media and dating platform for the LGBTQ+ community
Said to be the world’s most loved LGBTQ+ dating and community app, HER is an ever-growing platform that’s been around since 2013 when it was first called Dattch. Changed to HER in 2015, the app serves as both a dating and social media platform, which means that members can post what they want and comment on other people’s posts as well. Members can also add friends to grow their social circle, and, of course, find matches and potential dates.
Only female LGBTQ+ people allowed
While most members are based in the US, HER does have a large user base located in the UK as well. No matter what you classify as, it’s a place exclusively for female members (lesbians, bisexual females, queers, etc.). When you sign up through your Facebook or Instagram account, HER verifies your identity and sex to ensure that only women sign up. On the negative side of things, HER’s verification process has caused a stir among “masculine-looking” females trying to sign up and getting rejected.
Find friends or dates quick and easy
Much like other dating apps, HER only allows you to message people that you matched or are friends with. Like on other dating apps, the way to find friends or matches is through a roulette-style swiping function. If you’d like to see who liked you before deciding to swipe right on them, you can upgrade to the premium service, which also gets you unlimited messaging.
Pros
- Large, vibrant userbase
- In-Person events and activities
- Intricately connected with the queer community around the world
Cons
- Relatively expensive
Prices
| Length | Per month | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | £13.99 | £13.99 |
| 6 months | £11.67 | £69.99 |
| 12 months | £7.33 | £87.99 |
OkCupid
Free dating with daily credits
Founded in 2004, OkCupid offers a free membership with daily activity credits. Once you reach your daily quota, you need to pay to continue.
Audience Everyone
Age 25-34
Activity level High
Free membership with daily credits
Great user interface
Daily quota on free activity
Our rating of OkCupid
Select a category to read our reasoning.
Our review praises the simple and intuitive interface, and you can set up your profile using your social media accounts.
You can search directly, scroll through catered matches or use features such as Double Take. Messaging opens once the other person has also liked you.
Our review describes an extremely active community with members on the site daily, including many in the UK.
Among members there is a fairly even split between people looking for long-term connections and short-term hook-ups.
A free account includes a daily quota of credits for likes, which our review considers good value. Paid plans offer more.
Inventors of dating on the go
Started in 2004 by four Harvard friends, OkCupid was the first free online dating site. OkCupid also became the first major dating app in 2012, creating a world where singles could meet online while on the go. Their progressive nature continued in 2014 when the company introduced 13 orientations and 22 gender options. These milestones are all well and good, but how does OkCupid stack up nowadays compared to all these free dating apps?
Answer as many questions as you would like
Currently, OkCupid is the only dating app asking its users thousands of questions in order to match them with like-minded singles. The app matches you based on everything that matters to you, including important things like climate change to trivial opinions like your thoughts on cilantro. If this sounds time-consuming and exhaustive, don’t worry — you can skip questions and only answer as many as you’d like.
The more answers you give the algorithm, the better your matches will be
The best part about OkCupid is that you’re given a match percentage with each potential date based on how compatible you are with each other. The more questions you answer, the better the algorithm can match you with the right person. On average, members typically answer 50 or more questions. However, you’re only required to answer 15. Usually, the app should be able to match you with other members in the 80-100 range.
Pros
- Very popular site with over 1m people
- Offers a free membership which gives you daily activity credits
- Great user interface
Cons
- Stereotyped as a dating site that’s out of fashion
- You have to pay once you’ve reached your daily activity quota
Prices
| Length | Per month | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | £5.60 | £5.60 |
| 3 months | £4.48 | £13.44 |
| 6 months | £2.78 | £16.68 |
Free features
What can you do for free in the app?
Free does not always mean unlimited. Some apps cap your likes, some show adverts and some reserve features such as seeing who liked you. Here is what the free version of each of the 10 apps gives you.
Looking for free messaging? You can message other users without paying on Hinge, Coffee Meets Bagel, Grindr and HER.
| App | View profiles | Read messages | Send messages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hinge View profiles, message members and see who sent likes for free | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lovoo Free members can send one icebreaker a day | Yes | Not confirmed | Partly |
| Tinder Free to use, with paid Plus, Gold and Platinum plans | Yes | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Bumble Free app with paid Premium; free limits not stated | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Coffee Meets Bagel Find matches and chat for free; extras cost Beans | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Once One match a day; in-app purchases are available | Partly | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Happn New members get a limited number of free Hellos | Yes | Not confirmed | Partly |
| Grindr Basic members can talk to anyone; free limits on profiles not stated | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HER Unlimited free chat with mutual matches and friends | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| OkCupid Messaging after a mutual like; a daily quota applies to free likes | Yes | Not confirmed | Partly |
Based on our reviews of the free profile. “Partly” means the feature is limited, for example to a set number of messages or to only some profiles.
Prices
How much does the premium version cost?
All of the 10 apps here can be used without paying, but each sells something extra. This comparison shows what the cheapest paid option would cost if you decide the free version is not enough.
Sort:
Prices come from our reviews and can change. Before you pay, always check whether the subscription renews automatically.
Age and audience
Which site suits your age?
Pick your age and we’ll highlight the sites that cover your age group. The bars show the age range of most members on each site.
Your age:
Hinge
25-34 Serious singles
Lovoo
18-40 Everyone
Tinder
20-35 Everyone
Bumble
20-39 Everyone
Coffee Meets Bagel
30-49 Serious singles
Once
25-35 Serious singles
Happn
24-35 Everyone
Grindr
18-34 Gay men
HER
20-30 Lesbians
OkCupid
25-34 Everyone
Age ranges reflect what is stated in our reviews. Many sites also have members outside these ranges.
Find the right type
What are you looking for?
A free app can be enough if you know what you want from it. Some of these are aimed at relationships, some at quick connections and some at specific communities.
A free app aimed at relationships
Hinge is designed for relationships, and Coffee Meets Bagel sends a limited number of personalised matches each day.
Free chat in a queer community
HER offers free messaging, inclusive groups and in-person events for lesbian and queer people.
Free apps for gay and queer men
Grindr connects gay, bi, trans and queer people by location. You must share location data to use it.
A limited daily allowance
OkCupid gives free members daily activity credits, while Once limits everyone to one selected match per day.
Explore more
Looking for a specific type of dating?
Happy to pay for the right app? See our full comparison of dating apps, or look at free dating sites instead.
Method
Our method: how we test dating sites
We score free apps on the same five criteria as paid services: user-friendliness, features, activity, seriousness and price, from 0 to 5. A low price helps, but it cannot make up for an app with too few people. Partners that pay us commission and score at least 3.0 are listed first when a comparison includes any; this one currently has none, so it is sorted by score.
- We test each site We create a profile and use the site as a member would, to see what it offers, who it is aimed at and how it works.
- We compare the features How does searching for profiles work? What can you do for free? And what does a subscription cost?
- We give our verdict We rate ease of use, features, activity, reliability and price, and list strengths and weaknesses.
- We keep reviews up to date Features, prices and terms change, so we update our reviews and check that the sites we list are still running.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions about free dating apps
Are all of these apps completely free?
They are free to download and use at a basic level, but each offers paid extras. What the free version includes varies, so use the table above to see which limits apply to each app.
What is the catch with a free dating app?
Usually limits and adverts. OkCupid uses a daily activity quota, for example, and Scruff shows adverts on its free membership. Apps may also encourage you to upgrade, so decide in advance what you are willing to pay.
Do I need a paid plan to get matches?
Not necessarily. Basic matching and messaging are part of the free version on many apps. Paid plans mostly give you more visibility or fewer limits, and they do not guarantee that you will meet someone.
Which free app is best for something serious?
Hinge and Coffee Meets Bagel are the two here most clearly aimed at relationships. Coffee Meets Bagel has no search function, so you rely on the matches it sends you. Hinge has more of a browsing feel.
Is there still a stigma around dating apps?
Far less than there used to be. Meeting people through an app or website has become an ordinary part of dating, so there is no need to feel embarrassed about trying one.
How long does it take to meet someone on a free app?
There is no set time, and it depends on your area, your profile and what you are looking for. Be patient, keep your profile honest and up to date, and take breaks if it starts to feel like a chore.
How soon should I go on a date with someone?
When you feel comfortable, and not before. A phone or video call first can help you confirm that the person is who they say they are. Then meet in a public place and tell a friend where you are going.
Are free dating apps safe to use?
They are as safe as you make them. Be careful about what you share, especially location data, and do not send money to anyone you have met on an app. Our reviews note complaints about fake profiles on some apps, including Hinge, so report anything suspicious.