1. Top 5 100 Free Dating Sites
2. 100% Free Dating Site In My Location
3. What Is The Number 1 Free Dating Site

If you want to skip online dating subscription costs and hidden fees, then you should spend your time on 100 percent free dating sites that offer a lot of matchmaking power for the low cost of $0.

Pretty much all dating sites are completely free to join, but sometimes that’s where the free ride ends. It’s frustrating to discover paywalls where you want to find conversations, and not all online daters have cash to spare on a paid membership.

Quick Flirt is a fast-paced hookup site where you can let your freak flag fly. The free registration is easy to complete: 1) Add your gender and your orientation. 2) Select your age. 3) Create a username 4) Choose your location, and 5) input your email. Once you’ve uploaded a picture and gotten your dating profile up and running, hookups. Add to Wishlist. MOOQ is a 100% FREE dating app. You don't have to pay to send or read messages! - There are no in-app purchases or hidden credits to browse. The most important thing is that you can send and receive messages without paying ANYTHING. Quickly find women and men in your region.

We’ve broken down what you’ll get with a free membership on the most popular free dating sites and apps available, so you can make an informed decision and save some cash in the dating scene.

Best Overall Christian LGBT Black Senior Hookup Relationships Local International FAQs

Best Overall 100 Percent Free Dating Sites (#1-2)

Let’s start with a couple of sure-fire winners for singles of all backgrounds and ages. The following two dating platforms offer a free standard membership that includes enough communication options to get you onto a first date.

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Friends, Dates, and Relationships

Match System:Browse by zip, age, appearance, more

Our Experts Say:“Match has facilitated the most dates and relationships of any dating site, and its large audience and high success rate make it our top review...” Full Review»

Browse Free:View Photos Now

Match is the top dating site for finding a new friend, hot date, or even a soulmate. Its time-tested matchmaking system has been helping singles meet one another since 1995, and the Match Group boasts having seen more success stories than any of its competitors.

A free Match membership gives you access to every active dating profile in this database, and you can send a virtual like to an online cutie to see if the attraction is mutual. It’s free to respond to messages from premium members or to message the people in your Top Picks list, so free members can definitely do a lot of flirting on the Match website and app.

2. Bumble

Bumble made waves in 2014 as the world’s first feminist dating app, and it has been putting women first ever since. The app requires female users to make the first move when matched with a man, but, don’t worry guys, you can chat all you want for free after she sends that initial “hello.”

This unique messaging system benefits women because it allows them to set the tone in their romantic relationships, but it also benefits men by taking the pressure off them to always initiate and pursue women.

Bumble offers free communication between all mutual matches.

Many singles have embraced Bumble as a more civilized way to date. In 2020, Bumble surpassed 100 million users in six continents. Since its launch, the dating app has been responsible for over 1.5 billion first moves.

Best 100 Percent Free “Christian” Dating Sites (#3-4)

Christian singles often feel more comfortable dating a person who shares similar beliefs and values because religion is an important factor when building a life together. People of faith have a lot in common with each other, and their shared faith can strengthen their relationship.

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Dates and Serious Relationships

Match System:Search by gender, age, education, more

Our Experts Say:“ChristianMingle is among the largest dating sites in the industry that only caters to single Christian men and women, and the site has some of the best search filters and safety features...” Full Review»

Browse Free:View Photos Now

Christian Mingle offers a faith-driven dating experience geared toward the Christian community. It is open to people of all religious backgrounds, but 90% of its users identify as Christian.

Over 15 million people have joined Christian Mingle since its launch in 2001, and the dating site has shared hundreds of success stories from people getting engaged, married, and raising Christian children. It doesn’t cost anything to create a Christian Mingle profile and get in touch with date prospects in your area.

Christian Mingle offers a friendly sanctuary to men and women looking for a Christian partner, and the free dating service could be the answer to your prayers.

4. Coffee Meets Bagel

Coffee Meets Bagel is a dating app designed to create authentic and loving relationships, and you can access its curated match list for free. Once you complete your dating profile, you can start swiping and liking profiles that fit your dating preference. Just be aware that free CMB members only get a limited number of swipes and likes per day.

Coffee Meets Bagel provides a free match list and chatting tools.

The CMB app operates on the premise that quality is better than quantity in the dating scene, so it has rules in place to ensure singles don’t move too quickly or play the field. Instead, singles have the chance to focus their attention on one dating profile at a time and see if romance blooms.

Since its launch in 2012, Coffee Meets Bagel has created more than 50 million matches, and it continues to make a name for itself as a leading app for relationships.

Best 100 Percent Free “LGBT” Dating Sites (#5-8)

The invention of online dating has been a great help to LGBTQ+ singles because it can effectively take straight people out of the equation and create a safe space for queer dating. The following gay dating sites specialize in creating same-sex matches — without charging users anything.

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Daters & Hookups

Match System:Search by age, zip code, more

Our Experts Say:“MenNation is a well-established gay dating and hookup brand, having been founded in 1996. It's totally free to join, view profiles, receive matches, and flirt...”

Browse Free:View Photos Now

MenNation supports an all-male dating network where guys can solicit sex in private messages and chat rooms. The gay hookup site creates a fun and flirty atmosphere where it’s not unusual to go from “hey, how are you?” to “I’ll meet you there” within a few minutes.

MenNation’s free search filters and browsing tools can help stimulate interest between gay men looking to get laid. Then all that’s left to do is upgrade to get the run of the dating website and send messages to guys who turn you on.

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Hookups Only

Match System:Search by location, interest, more

Our Experts Say:“LesbianPersonals provides a fun, quick, and easy experience for gay and bisexual women looking for sex online. Join for free, and you'll be able to search and communicate immediately...”

Browse Free:View Photos Now

LesbianPersonals is a hookup site that appeals to lesbian women, bisexual women, straight couples, and anyone else turned on by a little girl-on-girl action.

A LesbianPersonals profile comes with a lot of free perks and privileges, but only premium members can exchange messages, photos, and videos through this platform. The pay-to-play system keeps unsavory characters from sending spam messages and ruining the flirtatious vibe on the site.

7. Grindr

Since 2009, Grindr has absolutely blown up the gay dating scene. This gay dating app uses location-based matching to inspire real-time connections that can lead to instant hookups or serious relationships depending on how guys play it.

Grindr sees more than 3.8 million daily active users.

Grindr empowers gay men to swipe, match, and chat with each other all day and all night long. It’s completely free to send and receive messages from mutual matches. Free members can also set search filters by age range and distance.

Grindr Xtra users have more search filters, tribes, and liking options at their disposal, and they also get read receipt notifications on their messages, so some guys say it’s worth upgrading to have more control over this fast-paced and sex-driven world.

8. HER

A single woman can join the HER dating app to break free from toxic masculinity and meet women in the queer community. This no-boys-allowed dating zone is a safe, friendly, and respectful place to make a new friend or create a new relationship.

The HER dating network includes more than 4 million singles who identify as female, and every dating profile has been verified through Facebook.

HER is a social dating app for lesbian, bisexual, queer, and trans women.

HER gives women the opportunity to express themselves through photos and posts, and they can connect with others for free by sending private messages or RSVPing to local queer events.

Celine and Katie met on HER in 2016 and now are among the many #WeMetOnHER success stories trending on Twitter. They were planning to get married in July 2020; however, the lesbian couple had to push their wedding back to 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Best 100 Percent Free “Black” Dating Sites (#9-10)

Black dating isn’t about segregation — it’s about knowing what you want and finding people who understand where you’re coming from.

Black dating sites give singles easy access to the dark-skinned dates they desire. The following two online dating sites have diverse networks that facilitate Black love stories as well as interracial relationships.

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Deep Relationships or Just Casual Dates

Match System:Search by location, age, more

Our Experts Say:“BlackPeopleMeet.com is the one of the largest and most popular dating sites for black and biracial singles, and the site is used by more than 5 million people a month...” Full Review»

Browse Free:View Photos Now

Over the last two decades, BlackPeopleMeet has grown into the most popular Black dating site in North America, and it creates thousands of love connections every day.

BlackPeopleMeet is open to people of all races, cultures, and ethnicities, but the majority of its users identify as African American, Black, or biracial. The online dating website has search filters by race and appearance to help local singles find someone who is exactly their type.

As a courtesy, BPM offers free searching and some free chat options, but only paid members have the ability to send messages and get to know this diverse dating pool.

10. Plenty of Fish

Plenty of Fish offers completely free communication for all users with no mutual matching required. The dating site and app don’t put many limits on its online chat room. As long as you have an approved dating profile, you can message anyone you want in the POF community.

It’s free to create a POF profile, take the personality test, and send up to 55 first messages a day to potential dates.

Plenty of Fish maintains a diverse membership base with over 4 million active users.

More than 150 million people have joined Plenty of Fish since its launch in 2003, and the dating platform adds approximately 65,000 new users every day. Black singles can use this free service to pick up a hot date without shelling out their hard-earned cash.

Best 100 Percent Free “Senior” Dating Sites (#11-12)

As you get older, your priorities, lifestyle, and dating goals can change drastically. Young singles may have the time and energy to dance the night away with a stranger and make no commitments, but older singles tend to be more serious about finding someone to love for the rest of their days.

The best senior dating sites give men and women the opportunity to build friendships and relationships that can go the distance.

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Dates and Relationships

Match System:Search by profiles by zip and more

Our Experts Say:“OurTime is well-known in the over-50 dating crowd, particularly because it has a ton of helpful search features and an easy layout...” Full Review»

Browse Free:View Photos Now

OurTime gives senior singles a fresh start in the dating scene. The online dating website and app make it easy to create a profile and mingle in a mature, 50-plus dating crowd. And it doesn’t cost anything to get started.

New members can choose to add a lot of details about their interests and dating goals, or they can stick to the basics by only filling in the required sections for age, gender, location, and appearance. Keep in mind that members with more descriptive profiles and at least one photo tend to get more attention on OurTime because people know they’re not fake profiles.

It’s free to use OurTime’s local search tools to find potential dates, and you can send unlimited likes and reply to messages from premium members for free as well.

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Friendship, Casual Dates, Serious Relationships

Match System:Search by age, location, height, education, ethnicity, and religion

Our Experts Say:“SilverSingles is a fast-growing, easy-to-use niche dating site exclusively for active daters over the age of 50...” Full Review»

Browse Free:View Photos Now

SilverSingles has gotten a lot of positive reviews as an online dating site built exclusively for single men and women over 50.

A free SilverSingles membership can be a great way to kick-start a senior dating experience and encounter folks with similar perspectives on life. The dating service provides search filters by age, education, religion, relationship status, and other important dealmakers or dealbreakers, and it provides match ratings to let users know how closely their lifestyles line up.

Best 100 Percent Free Hookup Sites (#13-17)

Sex can be a powerful motivator in the dating scene. A lot of adults aren’t thinking about forever when they start flirting with a stranger — they’re thinking about a night of intimacy and passion. Singles with a hit-it-and-quit-it mentality often find they have better luck on hookup sites where horny people mingle every day.

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Hookups, Casual Dates, Affairs

Match System:Search by age, location, appearance, and more

Our Experts Say:“With its massive user base and advanced privacy features, Ashley Madison is the #1 site for discreet hookups, dates, or relationships...” Full Review»

Browse Free:View Photos Now

Ashley Madison is a married dating platform with absolutely zero false pretenses. People come here looking for affairs and secret relationships, and they’re not typically shy about making their desires known.

In a recent survey, 61% of Ashley Madison members said they were looking for sex, and 76% said having an affair allowed them to meet their sexual needs.

Ashley Madison has over 60 million members worldwide, and it facilitates around 1 million affairs a month thanks to its women-chat-for-free policy.

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Hookups, Chats

Match System:Search by encounter, location, and more

Our Experts Say:“BeNaughty is a premier hookup app where you can feel comfortable expressing your desires. Plus, it's free to join, browse, and flirt...” Full Review»

Browse Free:View Photos Now

As a casual dating site, BeNaughty encourages sexy singles to let go of their inhibitions and be a little naughty in their personal lives. And it offers completely free chatting to speed things up.

Once you’ve completed your BeNaughty profile, you can send private messages or mass texts to singles in your immediate vicinity. The search tab saves profiles by online activity, popularity, and photos to make it easier for singles to find hotties willing to chat. Plus, the Like Gallery showcases the photos of BeNaughty members who fit your match criteria.

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Hookups Only

Match System:Search by location, interest, more

Our Experts Say:“Make no mistake: this site isn't about making friends, it's about short-term 'hookups' and affairs only. Note that a basic account costs $14.95/month, but it's well worth it if casual sex is your goal...”

Browse Free:View Photos Now

Top 5 100 Free Dating Sites

Since 1996, Adult Friend Finder has grown into the largest sex and swinger community ever built. The hookup site has over 102 million users worldwide and hosts hundreds of live model broadcasts per day.

It’s free to mingle in the AFF community, view sexy photos, and post in the X-rated forum or blog, but only premium members have the ability to send private messages, photos, and videos to each other. You can get a feel for Adult Friend Finder with a trial membership, but upgrading to a monthly subscription is the best way to arrange a fast hookup online.

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Hookups Only

Match System:Search by location, interest, more

Our Experts Say:“A hookup site specializing in casual encounters, secret affairs, live chats, and member videos, FriendFinder-X skips the awkward 'dating' stage of a relationship and fast-forwards straight to the sex...”

Browse Free:View Photos Now

FriendFinder-X is a local sex site where singles, swingers, and polyamorous groups can go wild and satisfy their desires. Nothing is taboo on FriendFinder-X, and you’ll see people of all fetishes, kinks, and experience levels seeking a sexual partner here.

You may also see quite a few ads on FriendFinder-X because that’s how the hookup site makes a profit. The advertisements pay for the site, so you don’t have to. There is no need to get a paid subscription on FriendFinder-X, and you won’t find any annoying paywalls standing between you and a hot date.

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Hookups, Casual Dating, Chats

Match System:Search by age, location, gender, orientation, and other factors

Our Experts Say:“Flirt.com frees singles to chat with attractive locals and pick up dates on the spot. This hookup site is always open to horny and sexy people seeking one-night stands, casual dating, threesomes, and other sexual encounters...”

Browse Free:View Photos Now

Flirt.com is a free dating website where horny singles can flirt for free. There isn’t a fee for messaging a single man or woman who strikes your fancy, and the site even has a mass text feature to help spark connections more quickly.

As a casual dating service, Flirt.com keeps things light and simple. You don’t have to write a lot about yourself or go through a lengthy personality test to get your dating profile up and running. Simply provide an email address and answer a few basic questions about yourself (gender, age, location, etc.) to get started. You don’t even have to upload a photo to browse Flirt.com, so feel free to stay anonymous as you look for a hookup.

Best 100 Percent Free Dating Sites “For Relationships” (#18-20)

Serious daters are often frustrated by how superficial swiping apps can be. Certain platforms encourage surface-level attractions and chit-chatting, so finding a long-term match can take a lot of time and effort. Fortunately, some dating sites and apps have developed in-depth matchmaking tools to help people in the search for love.

We’ve ranked a few of the most successful dating sites and apps for relationship-minded singles who aren’t afraid of making a commitment.

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Serious Relationships

Match System:Search, Receive Partner Suggestions

Our Experts Say:“EliteSingles is a leading dating site just for busy, single professionals. More than 80% of members have earned a college degree, and most are looking for a serious commitment...” Full Review»

Browse Free:View Photos Now

EliteSingles is a premium dating site that caters to singles who are serious about settling down. The majority of EliteSingles users are in their 30s, have established their careers, and want a potential partner who is just as accomplished and intelligent as they are.

Busy professionals choose EliteSingles as their matchmaker of choice because its adjustable filters help them take control of their dating experience and find dates that meet certain standards.

EliteSingles can offer a high-quality dating pool, but it’ll take more than a free membership to get into the good graces of someone special. Only premium members can view photos and send messages on this dating site and app.

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Casual Dates, Deep Relationships

Match System:Personality test suggests matches

Our Experts Say:“Accounting for 2% of U.S. marriages, eharmony's compatibility-based system and commitment-minded user base are ideal for those seeking a serious relationship...” Full Review»

Browse Free:View Photos Now

About 20 years ago, a team of psychologists decided to create a formula for love, and the eharmony dating site was the result.

The eharmony algorithm uses an 80-question personality test to measure relationship compatibility and find a perfect match based on an individual’s temperament, values, family life, and dating goals. Singles can see a breakdown of their compatibility as well as a match rating on every profile. That makes it easy to build a serious relationship based on common ground.

It’s free to join eharmony, take the compatibility quiz, and send icebreakers and greetings to premium members, but only paid members can use the live chat and video chat features to take things to the next level.

20. Hinge

The Hinge dating app has solidified its reputation as a relationship app by giving singles all the information they need to make a smart match. The app puts an interesting twist on swiping by requiring members to like or comment on one of the six photos or three prompts featured in a Hinge profile.

To date, Hinge has made millions of matches, and the app leads to more than 35,000 dates per week.

Hinge is responsible for countless online dating love stories — including mine!

Since 2012, Hinge has endeavored to spark deep conversations that lead to great first dates and, hopefully, lasting relationships. The app markets itself as “designed to be deleted,” which means its ultimate goal is to match users with the person who makes them want to give up the swiping game for good.

According to its internal numbers, Hinge has a 72% success rate when it comes to turning first dates into second dates, and only 2% of its users are looking for hookups.

Best 100 Percent Free “Local” Dating Sites (#21-23)

You don’t have to look very far to meet local singles thanks to modern technology. A free online dating site can conduct a local search for you and deliver potential matches directly to your inbox. Here are some go-to dating apps that can bring romance to your door.

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Fun Dates, Serious Relationships

Match System:Search and get match recommendations

Our Experts Say:“Zoosk is integrated with social media sites, like Facebook and Google+, so it's very popular with singles on the go...” Full Review»

Browse Free:View Photos Now

Zoosk is a social dating site and app where singles can use an abundance of search and match features to find common ground.

Once you enter your ZIP code into your Zoosk profile, the learning algorithm will instantly organize a list of date possibilities ranked by their proximity to you. Free members can click the Edit Search button to adjust their dating preferences and set a search radius of anywhere from three to 100 miles. That way, only local singles will show up in your Connections folder.

More than 40 million people have joined the Zoosk network since 2007, and its members exchange over 3 million messages each day.

22. Tinder

There was just no way that we could leave Tinder off the list of 100 percent free dating sites. Like it or not, our online dating experts have determined that it’s one of the fastest (and the freest) ways to meet singles in your area.

The stats speak for themselves. Since launching in 2012, Tinder has created more than 43 billion matches, seen over 340 million downloads, and led to countless first dates, hookups, and relationships.

More than half of Tinder users are between 18 and 25 years old.

When it comes to finding a local date, Tinder can’t be beat. A free Tinder account gives singles access to a virtually endless swiping list, and they can chat with their mutual matches for free. The casual atmosphere on Tinder is particularly appealing to young daters who are still figuring out what they want.

In a 2020 survey, more singles (39%) reported using Tinder to get them through the COVID-19 pandemic than any other dating site or app.

23. Happn

Happn is a dating app designed to create a feeling of serendipity between singles. Its algorithm uses GPS data to identify where two users cross paths as they go about their day. When you view someone’s profile, you can see the coffee shops, bars, bookstores, and restaurants you have in common, and you can use that information to arrange a first date you’ll both enjoy.

Happn helps local singles find common ground in the dating scene.

Thanks to Happn, singles can cover a lot of ground in the search for romance, and it’s particularly useful in big cities. The Happn app will never reveal a person’s real-time location, and only mutual matches can see where they have crossed paths.

Happn doesn’t pressure people to make a commitment or put a ring on it, so it’s a great place to just mingle and see what happens.

Best 100 Percent Free “International” Dating Sites (#24-25)

Despite what people say, love may not be around the corner in some cases. It may be halfway around the world. International dating sites give singles the chance to broaden their search for love and seek dates in different cities, states, and countries if necessary.

Here are a couple international dating sites with good reputations and worldly members.

24. OkCupid

OkCupid is an always free dating site and app where members can flirt and date without worrying about paid subscriptions. It’s 100 percent free to send messages on OkCupid, and you don’t need to create a match to say hi.

This 0pen-ended dating scene appeals to young singles who want to play the field because it doesn’t cost anything to engage in multiple private conversations at once.

OkCupid creates more than 91 million matches and leads to 2.5 million dates a year.

While OkCupid is based in the U.S.A., its membership base includes people from around the world. An American single can tap into that international dating network by going into the “Looking For” section of his or her dating profile and adjusting the distance preference to Anywhere. That way, Americans won’t be limited by a certain distance radius and can become pen pals with OkCupid users in Canada, the U.K., or Australia.

25. Badoo

Badoo keeps a running tally of how many users have downloaded the app or joined the website, and it currently stands at 481 million people worldwide. That ranks it among the most popular dating services of all time.

Badoo is available in 190 countries and 47 languages.

When you look at the numbers, Badoo comes out on top. The dating website and app see over 60 million users per month and facilitates more than 12 billion swipes per day. Badoo’s photo gallery adds about 10 million pictures a day, and the Badoo network adds more than 300,000 users a day.

What Does “100 Percent Free” Mean on Dating Sites?

It’s important that newcomers to the online dating world understand that not every free dating site is 100 percent free for everyone. It may just be free to join. Or free for single women. Or free during the first week or month of membership.

Pretty much all dating sites offer at least some free services (browsing, liking, matching, etc.), but only a few allow free members to access 100 percent of its features without a premium subscription plan. In our estimation, a dating site or app can only claim to be “100 percent free” if it’s possible for singles to pick up a date without paying a cent.

Are 100 Percent Free Dating Sites Safe to Use?

Meeting a stranger on a 100 percent free dating site is about as safe as meeting a stranger at a bar or club. The only big difference is you can’t look the person in the eyes, so you have to ask questions and be diligent to avoid fake profiles.

Online communication is perfectly safe because you can screen people while keeping them at a distance — just remember not to give out your personal details too quickly.

Online daters can build trust by engaging in a private chat and conducting a quick background search.

Endangering your personal safety is too high a cost to pay for online dating, so be wary about putting yourself in a risky situation just to save a buck. Free dating sites do not run background checks, and they can attract scammers and spammers looking to take advantage. The good news is that singles can usually spot online dating scams if they use good judgment and vet their dates.

How Do I Choose a 100 Percent Free Dating Site?

Experts estimate that there are more than 8,000 dating sites available worldwide, so finding the right one for you can seem like an awfully big task.

Fortunately, our dating experts have tested, reviewed, and ranked the most popular dating sites out there, so singles can save time by focusing on the best of the best. You can learn a lot about how online dating works and how particular dating platforms work by reading through best-of articles like these. Then it’s up to you to decide which dating site or app can meet you where you’re at in life.

If you’re having trouble deciding, don’t sweat it. You can create a free dating profile on the top three or four dating services to compare the user experience and get a better feel for what they have to offer.

Are Paid Dating Sites Worth It?

That depends on your priorities and budget. If you’re a college student looking for a casual hookup, it’s absolutely not worth paying for an online dating service. Tinder is free and perfectly capable of hooking you up on a Saturday night.

On the other hand, if you’re a single professional seeking love, then a free dating app full of flaky singles may not be enough to satisfy you. It may be worth it to you to upgrade to a premium membership on eharmony so you can connect with more quality people in your age range.

eharmony

• Relationships: Long-Term Relationships, Marriages
• Match System: Get daily match suggestions
• About the App: Responsible for 4% of marriages in the U.S., eharmony is among our top picks for relationship-minded heterosexual singles. To become a member, add the app to your phone (iOS or Android) and then take its 29 Dimensions® of Compatibility Matching Quiz. It's absolutely free to do both these things — as well as receive matches and communicate during other special events.
• Browse Free:View Profiles Now

Free dating sites and apps attract people who want to keep things casual, so it’s often more difficult to find dates with real relationship potential. That’s why some commitment-minded singles prefer to conduct their search in a more prestigious and discerning dating pool.

A paid membership on eharmony can instantly upgrade a single person’s online dating prospects and give them a better chance at finding true love.

Free Dating Sites Give Singles Free Rein to Meet Dates

Dating can be costly, so it makes sense to use 100 percent free dating sites to save yourself some cash to use on your first date. Free dating sites can help local singles explore the dating scene one swipe at a time, and it can build their confidence to receive likes and messages on a regular basis.

It’s absolutely free to create a dating profile on all of the dating sites and apps on this list, and new members can usually take advantage of some free communication features as well. However, if you’re serious about meeting a special person, it may be worth upgrading to a premium plan to see what the online dating world is truly capable of. Good luck!

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“Location, location, location” is the mantra that real estate agents live by, and that motto also applies to singles seeking love and romance on local dating sites.

Local dating sites tend to be the most popular options for singles because it’s just more convenient to date a person who lives in the same city, town, or state as you. Many free online dating sites and apps use location-based settings to organize date prospects by proximity and feature the profiles that are most active in your area.

Online dating is also an affordable and surefire way to meet a potential match instead of, for example, spending $50+ at a bar or club every Friday and Saturday night hoping you’ll catch the eye of a compatible single man or woman. Here are the nine best free local dating websites, which allow you to search for dates by distance and cost $0 to try.

1. Match

Match.com isn’t just one of the top local free dating sites — it’s the top one in our expert rankings, and for good reason.

On Match, you don’t just have one affordable option — you have two. You can sign up for a free account that never expires and lets you do things like browse for potential matches and receive messages. Or you sign up for an all-inclusive subscription plan that lets you communicate without any limits and gain access to features like Email Read Notifications.

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Friends, Dates, and Relationships

Match System:Browse by zip, age, appearance, more

Our Experts Say:“Match has facilitated the most dates and relationships of any dating site, and its large audience and high success rate make it our top review...” Full Review»

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If you’re looking for compatible dates on the go, then you can always download the Match dating app for free and get all the same features on the dating website, just in a more convenient interface.

In addition to their price, Match is responsible for the most romantic connections than every other dating site, and your connection could be right around the corner.

2. Zoosk

In terms of local dating websites, and ones on which you don’t have to spend beaucoup bucks, Zoosk is often part of the conversation. You can join the site through Facebook or Google+ and pull key pieces of information (like your location) from your existing profile within seconds. A 100% free membership includes all the necessary components such as registration, search, flirty tools, and certain types of communication.

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Fun Dates, Serious Relationships

Match System:Search and get match recommendations

Our Experts Say:“Zoosk is integrated with social media sites, like Facebook and Google+, so it's very popular with singles on the go...” Full Review»

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Since 2007, Zoosk has distinguished itself as a popular online dating site and app where locals can easily find their ideal match and pick up a first date.

Another aspect of Zoosk that puts this dating service among the crème de la crème is the memberhsip base includes over 38 million users and counting, so the chances of finding a like-minded person in your neck of the woods are very high.

3. EliteSingles

Intelligence, financial stability, and career aspirations can be very attractive date qualities, and if you agree, EliteSingles just might be the best dating website for you. More than 80% of members have a bachelor’s, master’s, and/or doctorate degree, and it doesn’t cost anything to start interacting with them.

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Serious Relationships

Match System:Search, Receive Partner Suggestions

Our Experts Say:“EliteSingles is a leading dating site just for busy, single professionals. More than 80% of members have earned a college degree, and most are looking for a serious commitment...” Full Review»

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With more than 165,000 singles from all over the world joining the site each month and over 2,500 members finding love every month, we can confidently say EliteSingles deserves to be on this list of the best local dating sites. You can create an online dating profile for free, but only paid members can view photos and send messages in this premier dating environment.

4. eharmony

Getting something for free is great, but if the quality is lacking or the service doesn’t work for you, the free aspect becomes “a moo point,” as Joey Tribbiani would say. Whether we’re talking about cost effectiveness or efficiency, eharmony does both extremely well in both areas.

Without spending any money, you can create an account, take eharmony’s famous 32 Dimensions of Compatibility Quiz, and receive and view compatible matches.

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Casual Dates, Deep Relationships

Match System:Personality test suggests matches

Our Experts Say:“Accounting for 2% of U.S. marriages, eharmony's compatibility-based system and commitment-minded user base are ideal for those seeking a serious relationship...” Full Review»

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At the end of the day, eharmony is a fantastic choice for those who want a serious relationship or marriage that lasts. The dating website and dating app are responsible for over 2 million relationships in the U.S., a statistic that far exceeds many of the 100% free local dating sites out there.

While eharmony does charge members to send messages to anyone they like online, the dating website definitely makes it worth your while by continually recommending high-quality singles who are everything you’re looking for and then some.

5. OurTime

Free, good, right demographic — this may seem like you’re asking for a lot out of a dating site, but you’re really not. This is your love life, and it’s worth being a little picky over. If all of those things matter to you, you can find them on OurTime. This local dating website is dedicated to singles aged 50 and over and doesn’t require you to input any payment information to create a dating profile.

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Dates and Relationships

Match System:Search by profiles by zip and more

Our Experts Say:“OurTime is well-known in the over-50 dating crowd, particularly because it has a ton of helpful search features and an easy layout...” Full Review»

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Some other characteristics we love about OurTime are their clean layout, comprehensive search functionalities, and overall smooth and fun online dating process.

OurTime has a companion online dating app to help a single senior find a potential partner while on the go, and the user base includes lots of over-50 date prospects.

6. ChristianMingle

ChristianMingle is one of the few free dating sites that’s specifically for singles within the Christian faith — no matter their denomination.

Once you log in, you’ll have everything you need right at your fingertips: tools for making your profile, features for browsing and chatting with matches in your area, and 24/7 customer support. Plus, you won’t have to spend a penny in this faith-driven dating scene.

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Dates and Serious Relationships

Match System:Search by gender, age, education, more

Our Experts Say:“ChristianMingle is among the largest dating sites in the industry that only caters to single Christian men and women, and the site has some of the best search filters and safety features...” Full Review»

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Religion can be a deal-breaker, and so can price, and at ChristianMingle, faith-oriented daters get the best of both worlds.

The free dating site appeals to Christians who want to build a lasting relationship with someone who has a similar interest in and passion for Christianity.

7. BlackPeopleMeet

Not only is BlackPeopleMeet (BPM) a popular black online dating site, but this is also a popular free local online dating site. In just a few minutes and for absolutely nothing, daters can set up a profile and find black and biracial men and women near them.

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Deep Relationships or Just Casual Dates

Match System:Search by location, age, more

Our Experts Say:“BlackPeopleMeet.com is the one of the largest and most popular dating sites for black and biracial singles, and the site is used by more than 5 million people a month...” Full Review»

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BlackPeopleMeet is one of the few online dating sites to provide ethnicity and race filters that allow a user to get specific about the type of person they want in their life. This dating service is open to anyone seeking a black or biracial date in the U.S. or Canada.

BPM has over 1 million monthly users from various locations and of various ethnicities, cultures, and religions, so trust that your ideal match is among that user base.

8. SilverSingles

SilverSingles is another free online dating service for mature singles, and even better news is it’s part of the EliteSingles community and uses a similar smart matchmaking system.

If you’re looking for a friendship or relationship with a local single senior, then SilverSingles can be a wonderfully reliable and effective dating resource.

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Friendship, Casual Dates, Serious Relationships

Match System:Search by age, location, height, education, ethnicity, and religion

Our Experts Say:“SilverSingles caters to relationship-minded singles over 50 with simple, safe, and effective online dating tools...” Full Review»

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Safety can be a main concern for senior online daters, especially those who haven’t been in the field for a while and who aren’t particularly tech savvy. SilverSingles, whose team monitors the site around the clock and can be reached at any time, makes this a number one priority.

9. BeNaughty

We’ve talked age, religion, and race, and now it’s time to talk sex. For passionate singles who want a passionate night with someone equally as passionate (with no strings attached) there’s BeNaughty. One of our favorite free online local dating sites for hookups, BeNaughty has some of the most advanced features out there, including the ability to search for matches by age, location, and appearance.

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Hookups, Chats

Match System:Search by encounter, location, and more

Our Experts Say:“BeNaughty is a premier hookup app where you can feel comfortable expressing your desires. Plus, it's free to join, browse, and flirt...” Full Review»

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Whether you’re on desktop or mobile, BeNaughty can help make your naughtiest daydreams come to life. The BeNaughty app has gotten rave reviews from singles seeking casual sex and hookups, and we have no doubt its search filters can help you meet a potential date in your area.

BeNaughty offers completely free communication to every user on the free dating site, so don’t worry about membership fees or in-app purchases here.

Is Tinder a Good Local Dating App?

Yes, Tinder is actually one of the most popular dating apps in the world, and its swiping technology was designed to spark local matches. Since 2012, Tinder has been downloaded over 340 million times, and it has created over 43 billion matches in 190 countries.

If those stats aren’t enough to impress you, just think about the 1.5 million dates taking place every week because of Tinder. It’s truly mind-boggling. This online dating app never stops working on your behalf and will feature local single profiles that meet your dating criteria and are interested in you.

What’s the Best Dating App for Finding a Serious Relationship?

A lot of quality-driven dating apps focus on building meaningful connections, and many of them have become quite popular among serious relationship seekers. You can download free apps like Hinge, Bumble, and Coffee Meets Bagel to meet a potential match on the spot, but our online dating experts find that a premium dating app like eharmony gives a user a greater likelihood of getting into a lasting relationship.

The eharmony app uses an in-depth personality test to get to the heart of who you are and what you want, and that informs every potential match made in this upscale dating network.

eharmony

• Relationships: Long-Term Relationships, Marriages
• Match System: Get daily match suggestions
• About the App: Responsible for 4% of marriages in the U.S., eharmony is among our top picks for relationship-minded heterosexual singles. To become a member, add the app to your phone (iOS or Android) and then take its 29 Dimensions® of Compatibility Matching Quiz. It's absolutely free to do both these things — as well as receive matches and communicate during other special events.
• Browse Free:View Profiles Now

It’s free to join eharmony and set up a dating profile, and you can start browsing other people’s profiles immediately upon registration. If you want to improve your match ratings, you can spend 20 minutes taking the personality questionnaire and completing every section of your profile.

Free eharmony members can send icebreaker quizzes and some free messages on the site and app, but only paid members can message anyone they like, so it may be a good idea to upgrade if you’re serious about finding love in the dating scene.

Are Free Online Dating Sites Worth It?

The best dating sites for singles will offer at least some free features so that newcomers can get a feel for how the platform works and how appealing its singles network is. Sometimes there will be a free trial membership or limited free messaging or liking features to support a user looking to save money yet still meet people.

Free dating sites like OkCupid and Plenty of Fish provide unlimited free messaging to all users, and that can seem like a pretty sweet deal at first. However, it can be difficult to sort through all the scammers, flakes, fake profiles, and phonies in a dating field where there’s no cover charge or messaging limits.

100% Free Dating Site In My Location

We’ve found that free dating sites may tempt single men and women on a budget, but they often require more effort, patience, and vetting to find a potential partner who’s the real deal. So, proceed with caution when you see a dating site or dating app offering 100% free chatting.

What Is The Number 1 Free Dating Site

Which Site is Best for Casual Dating?

If you’re looking for a one-night stand, a threesome, or a casual fling, then Adult Friend Finder should be on your radar. This hookup site has over 100 million members, and it offers forums, blogs, chat rooms, live video feeds, and private messaging features to satisfy the desires of sexy singles and swingers around the world.

Adult Friend Finder is the best casual dating site in our book because it has so many flirtatious options available, and it provides adequate safety and privacy features to make sure local men and women can search for dates anonymously.

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Hookups Only

Match System:Search by location, interest, more

Our Experts Say:“Make no mistake: this site isn't about making friends, it's about short-term 'hookups' and affairs only. Note that a basic account costs $14.95/month, but it's well worth it if casual sex is your goal...”

Browse Free:View Photos Now

A free membership with Adult Friend Finder includes a lot of helpful connective tools. You can like and favorite profiles, view nude photos, post in the members-only forum, and read stories in the erotic blog, and you can also use the search filters to find a local date who’s your type.

Now, when it comes to messaging that special someone in the AFF community, that will cost a little extra because this hookup site wants to ensure that everyone is authentic before letting them get in contact with one another. That way, it effectively removes spam messages and inactive profiles from the conversation.

Your Ideal Match is Around the Corner on a Free Local Dating Site!

Location is an important factor to consider when buying a house, and it’s also critical when looking for a date. That’s why so many online dating tools focus on identifying the closest potential date options and inspiring romance by bringing locals together on common digital ground.

By joining one of these free local single dating sites, you’re taking a giant step forward in your love live and will be saving yourself money and time. A free membership can help you explore your options and figure out what you want, so you’ll be on your way to a love affair or relationship in no time at all. Best of luck!

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