Last Updated: Jul 2025

Compare the Best Free Dating Apps of 2025

Compare the most popular free apps in 2025, and take your love life into your own hands.

Our Top 3 Online Dating Sites
We Recommend
eharmony
excellent
9.4
10 million+ singles
Get Started
BeNaughty
excellent
9.6
700,000 members
Get Started
Match
very good
8.7
21.5 million members
Get Started
20+ Yrs Matchmaking
1
eharmony -Dating site focused on compatibility for singles looking for meaningful local connections 2,929 reviews
by
  • Send icebreakers to start the conversation
PC Maghighlights eharmony

“with modern features like video dating alongside the classic questionnaire, eharmony has stayed current without giving up what already works.“ (Feb 2025)

excellent
9.4
Visit Site
2
BeNaughty -Flirt with hot singles in your area575 reviews
by
excellent
9.6
3
Match -Making successful matches for over 25 years1,300 reviews
by
very good
8.7
Dating Over 50
4
Ourtime -Dating site for 50+ singles looking for love1,881 reviews
by
very good
8.7
5
EliteSingles -Best dating app for single professionals323 reviews
by
very good
8.5
6
BlackPeopleMeet -Online dating for Black people looking to connect9 reviews
by
good
8.2
7
SilverSingles -Singles ages 50+ looking for romance & companionship687 reviews
by
very good
8.8
8
Plenty of Fish -Join an authentic community for casual dating or finding big love53,000 reviews
by
very good
8.6
9
SingleFlirt -Fun dating site for casual dating or finding big loveRead Review
good
8.4
10
Dating.com -Premium global dating network for a world of possibilities2,108 reviews
by
good
8.4
11
Zoosk -Match based on your preferences2,368 reviews
by
very good
8.8
12
Askme4date -Find love and fun on this dating site where thousands seek real connections23 reviews
by
very good
8.7
It's time to find your match
20+ Yrs Matchmaking
1
eharmony -Dating site focused on compatibility for singles looking for meaningful local connections 2,929 reviews
by
  • Send icebreakers to start the conversation
PC Maghighlights eharmony

“with modern features like video dating alongside the classic questionnaire, eharmony has stayed current without giving up what already works.“ (Feb 2025)

excellent
9.4

A Guide to Free Dating Apps

1. Aren’t all dating apps free?

Well, technically, yes. All of the major dating sites include free apps to download and use from your phone. But though you can download an app for free, many dating apps require a membership to actually use it. Some of the best dating apps of 2025 offer free plans with limited usage, but require a paid subscription for features such as advanced matchmaking services, access to a wider user base, and the ability to send or receive messages. Other online dating apps still might offer free trials that let you use the app for a limited amount of time before paying to subscribe or losing your account.

It’s important to differentiate between free dating apps and dating apps that require a membership. Eharmony and EliteSingles are 2 dating apps that boast free sign up and are dating apps that offer many opportunities for meeting people without having to shell out for a subscription. But even on these dating apps, advanced features do require a paid subscription and are likely to increase your chances of meeting someone.

The most famous dating apps that are entirely free include Tinder, OkCupid, and Bumble (though even these online dating apps have optional upgrades that you can only access by paying.)

2. Do I have a better chance of meeting someone on a free dating app?

Naturally, free dating apps will attract more users due to the lack of price. Look no further than Tinder for evidence of that; the free app has racked up millions and millions of users worldwide, in no short part because there’s zero investment needed.

Of course, there’s a counterpoint as well. First off, even subscription apps have no shortage of users. Look at Zoosk and EliteSingles, which boast 35 million and 13 million users, respectively, even though many of their services cost money.

Secondly, there’s an argument to be made that paid dating apps bring more serious users, since the financial investment may thwart off those without serious intent. Of course, there are plenty of serious singles on free dating apps as well, but it might be harder to sift through every one to find them.

When deciding on a paid dating app or free dating app, it helps to think about your goals. While there are exceptions to every rule, chances are that people willing to pay for a dating app are more invested in actually meeting someone and may be more interested in a serious relationship. Free dating apps are more likely to attract singles from all over the spectrum, from those looking for something serious to those interested in simply seeing what’s out there or finding a casual partner.

3. Are paid dating apps more trustworthy than free dating apps?

Sometimes but not always. It’s true that high-profile membership apps such as Eharmony and Elite Singles are known for taking painstaking measures to keep their clients safe and protect the platform from scammers and bad actors. However, some free dating apps are equally vigilant about security.

Ultimately, the more you pay for an app, the more features and policies you can expect and you'll understand why those dating apps are some of the best dating apps. But there are always exceptions to the rule, and that doesn’t mean you should write off a dating app just because it’s free.

Lastly, when it comes to online dating, the general rule should be to exercise caution no matter what app you’re using. While paid apps do offer more vetting and security measures, ultimately, it’s still important to be vigilant, follow your instincts, and take extra precautions when going on a first date, such as meeting in a public space and letting a friend know your plans.

Our Top 3 Picks

  • 1
    A science-based approach to love
    Visit Site
    • Pricing - As low as $29.95
    • Free version - Yes
    • Age range - 30-50
    A science-based approach to love
    Visit Site

    eharmony - Best dating site and app overall

    eharmony is for daters ready to find love and looking for others who are on the same page. With detailed questionnaires and profiles, compatibility scores, and icebreaker questions, it's easy to match with a potential long-term partner and initiate contact.


    On top of that, the site screens users to make sure none of them are on criminal registries—something that'll be reassuring to those concerned about getting pulled into an online dating scam


    eharmony requires you to spend a significant amount of time creating a profile. Its detailed questionnaire stretches out the sign-up process but allows the site to find truly compatible matches and keeps out people who aren't serious about exploring meaningful connections. 


    Why we chose eharmony: Its patented algorithms consider several factors, from personality traits to daily living habits, making it a fantastic choice to find long-term relationships. It's been around since the year 2000 and has matched over 2 million people, refining its processes along the way. 


    Our experience: We found it helpful to be able to specify things like your faith and morals so you can find a match on all levels: physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional. When we browsed profiles, both on mobile and desktop, we really felt like we got to know the other members, even before we started talking to them. 

    Read eharmony Review

    eharmony Pros & Cons

    PROS

    Detailed compatibility quizzes
    Helpful conversation starters
    SecureCall safety feature

    CONS

    Users can’t search for matches
    Quizzes demand time and thought
    eharmony
    Visit Site
  • 2
    Ideal dating app for hookups and fun
    • Pricing - $0.99-$.50 per day
    • Free version - Yes
    • Age range - 25-45
    Ideal dating app for hookups and fun

    There's nothing wrong with wanting a relationship that only lasts a short time. And being upfront about it can help you find people who are looking for the same thing. BeNaughty helps users find local hookups and casual dates without judgment or restrictions. And with over 40,000 new members weekly, it has no shortage of people available for these kinds of connections. 

    Like most swipe-based dating platforms, BeNaughty lets you swipe "yes" or "no" to profiles and only allows you to contact someone when there's mutual interest. The site also provides icebreaker questions and chat rooms to help users connect.

    Men can engage in up to five free chats, while women get all premium functionality for free including unlimited messaging. Members can also pay extra for added visibility and security, which includes private browsing, encryption, and history clearing.

    Why we chose BeNaughty: With many mainstream dating apps, it can be difficult to make your intentions clear, which can lead to miscommunication and hurt feelings down the line. BeNaughty's users are transparent about what they're looking for, so you can cut right to the chase. Plus, sign-up is quick and easy—no questionnaires, just a simple two-step registration process.

    Our experience: We liked that the site has many different and fun ways to interact with other users, including chat rooms, forums, and virtual gifts. We think this site is a breath of fresh air, especially for being upfront about your sexuality and preferences. 

    Read BeNaughty Review

    BeNaughty Pros & Cons

    PROS

    Video and photo sharing
    Free for females to respond
    Flexible membership packages

    CONS

    Not really for serious relationships
    Smaller dating pool than most
  • 3
    Trusted site with millions of users
    • Pricing - As low as $19.99
    • Free version - Yes
    • Age range - 25-55
    Trusted site with millions of users

    Match - Best for finding a variety of relationship styles

    Match is one of the most popular online dating platforms out there, with millions of users in over 60 countries. This site is a fantastic choice for those seeking serious relationships because profiles include many prompts to learn about users' personalities, lifestyles, and interests. 


    After creating a profile on Match, you'll get access to limited free functionality. However, you need to become a paying member to send messages. Plus, you'll need to devote time to this app by uploading photos, writing a detailed bio, and answering a lot of questions. 


    Users seem very happy with Match's customer service, particularly the expert dating coaches who are available to all paying members.


    Why we chose Match: Match has an inclusive user base, which allows its users to identify as various genders and sexual orientations and connect with a lot of different people. In addition, social media and phone verification keep fake users to a minimum.


    Our experience: We enjoyed taking advantage of the features that make Match stand out from other dating apps and sites, such as read receipts on messages and unlimited video chatting. 

    Read Match Review

    Match Pros & Cons

    PROS

    Experienced, well-trusted dating site
    High-percentage of success stories
    Allows up to 26 profile photos

    CONS

    30-minute sign-up process
    More traditional than other sites

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