• Best Dating Sites That Are Free For Women
• Best Dating Websites That Are Free
• 100% Free Online Dating Sites

You’ve heard the old saying “the best things in life are free,” right? Well, we happen to think that the best dating sites in life are free as well.

It should be easy to find and they’ll make sure you’re getting the best deal possible. Online dating isn’t like other industries where there are bonus codes that get you super secret deals. The dating sites themselves will offer you the best price that there is while you’re on your free trial. 8 Best Free Dating Sites in 2021. Deciding what type of online dating website is right for you is a little like finding the right partner. There are so many live cam dating sites on the internet, and knowing which sites are good and which. Here is List of the best free webcam dating sites.

Because love don’t cost a thing, and neither should a friendly chat with a cute stranger. Many dating websites offer a lot of free features to help singles come together and form genuine relationships. It’s worth checking out some of the most popular and valuable dating sites and apps out there.

Here’s a list of our top-rated free online dating sites where online daters can mingle without breaking their budgets.

Best Overall Free Dating Sites

Over 8,000 dating websites exist in the world, and narrowing all those options down to the best of the best is exceedingly difficult. But we were up for the task. After scouring the online dating scene, reading reviews, and creating profiles ourselves, we’ve determined the following free dating sites and apps to be the cream of the crop.

Match.com has come a long way since it launched in April 1995. This well-reputed dating site has honed its match algorithm to identify long-term compatibility and facilitate countless first dates, serious relationships, and successful marriages. Match.com's esteemed dating experts go to great lengths to guide singles to a seriously good match.

• Match is the world's longest running dating site
• The Discover section has search filters by interests, looks, lifestyle, and more
• Match is available in 50 countries and 15 languages
• Browse Match.com profiles 100% free»

At the top of our list, Match is undeniably one of the best dating sites out there. Since its launch in April 1995, Match.com has developed a sure-fire matchmaking system that unites like-minded people with similar lifestyles, interests, and backgrounds.

Over the decades, Match has inspired countless loving relationships, and it boasts facilitating more marriages than any of its competitors.

You don’t have to take our word for it, though. You can read success stories and reviews from happy couples across the web. “Match.com is an online dating site that gives you a lot of flexibility,” said A.J., a user in California. “Like anything else in life, timing and luck play a role, but for those who are looking to meet people for a potential relationship, Match.com is an option that can bring you into contact with a potential partner.”

EliteSingles.com maintains a sophisticated network of young professionals seeking a relationship. Over 80% of its members hold a bachelor's, master's, or doctorate degree, and over 90% are over the age of 30. Elite Singles uses an intelligent matchmaking system to introduce daters to someone on their level.

• Over 2 million monthly users
• Premium members receive 20 wildcard matches a day
• Search features include age, height, education, ethnicity, and lifestyle habits
• Browse Elite Singles profiles 100% free»

In 2013, Elite Singles set itself apart from other dating sites and apps by putting quality before quantity. Instead of trying to build the largest singles database possible, this premium dating site sought to cater to the most desirable singles seeking love online.

As a result, over 80% of EliteS ingles members have a college degree, and over 90% say they are interested in finding a relationship. Elite Singles works for all types of singles, but it is particularly for young professionals with marriage on their minds.

Every month, Elite Singles adds over 381,000 new members and comes that much closer to having both quality and quantity on its side.

Zoosk is a socially savvy dating site known for its diverse membership base and behavioral matchmaking system. Over 40 million singles in 80 countries have joined the network so far, and it's growing larger every day. The platform offers many different ways to communicate and express interest in members, so it's easy to form a fast connection here.

• Send messages to premium members for free
• Over 3 million messages sent a day
• Premium perks include photo verification and sending virtual gifts
• Browse Zoosk profiles 100% free»

Zoosk began as a startup in Silicon Valley, and it has become a global sensation. Over 40 million singles have joined the dating site and app, which is active in over 80 countries.

The idea behind Zoosk is to make online dating more of a social networking experience, so there are a lot of communication features and matchmaking systems at your disposal. You can use the search filters to find people you like, or you can swipe through profile pictures in the Carousel.

Zoosk relies on Behavioral Matchmaking to bring compatible folks together, so the more you view profiles, send likes, and chat with like-minded people on the platform, the better its match suggestions for you will be.

Since its launch in 2000, eharmony has endeavored to find the formula for love. Its 32-dimension personality test uses psychological truths to identify areas of compatibility between two individuals. The dating site's mission is to foster relationships that last, and every potential match has a reason behind it.

• Over 2 million people have found love here
• Users can filter their match recommendations by age or city
• Compatibility Quiz identifies common interests, lifestyles, and goals
• Browse eharmony profiles 100% free»

By applying psychology to online dating, eharmony aims to create healthier, happier, and stronger marriages in the U.S. and abroad. This personality-driven dating site kicks things off with a comprehensive personality test that inquires about everything from your eating habits to your religious views.

Once you’ve set up your dating profile (which is free), you can also set match preferences (also free) in terms of age, distance, income, spirituality, smoking, and other key demographics. All this information goes into eharmony’s rigorous match algorithm, which then calculates compatibility scores on things like exclusivity, social values, and relationship values.

Personality powers matches on eharmony, and online daters can trust the dating site to identify the most compatible profiles out there.

Christian Mingle is a faith-based dating website for singles who want a relationship grounded in Christian values. People of all religions and backgrounds turn to this site in hopes of meeting a good Christian man or a good Christian woman. Christian Mingle's claim to fame is that it has the highest percentage of Christian members of any dating site or app in the world.

• For singles interested in God-centered relationships
• Over 3.5 million monthly users around the world
• Available as an app on Google Play and the App Store
• Browse Christian Mingle profiles 100% free»

ChristianMingle is designed to help good Christian singles find a match made in heaven. The site accepts members of all religious beliefs and affiliations — with the stipulation that all members must be open to being in a Christian marriage.

As a free member of ChristianMingle, you can browse through profiles organized by the newest, the closest, and the ones with the highest match percentage. You can also view profiles that are online now and flip through potential dates in the LookBook.

ChristianMingle offers a free basic membership, so singles don’t have to take it on faith that the site works. Free online members can see that they have messages in their inbox; however, they can only view those messages or send replies when they subscribe to a three-month, six-month, or 12-month plan.

Since its launch in 2002, BlackPeopleMeet has created an African American singles network that stretches across North America. This niche dating site has 1.5 million members who are attracted to Black and biracial people. It takes less than two minutes to create a full profile and start browsing through profiles sorted by age, location, and orientation.

• One of the largest Black singles networks in existence
• Straightforward search and matching features
• Use Tokens to appear higher in search results
• Browse BlackPeopleMeet profiles 100% free»

BlackPeopleMeet is among the top black dating sites available in the U.S. and Canada. Since 2002, the site has appealed to tens of thousands of black and biracial singles seeking friendship, romance, and love.

The site’s diverse user base makes it stand out. You can search for dates who share similar backgrounds, cultures, and viewpoints, and it’s easy to make a connection in such an open-minded atmosphere.

You can create a free BlackPeopleMeet dating profile in less than two minutes and see what this diverse dating ground has to offer you. One thing’s for sure — you’ll definitely see a lot of black singles mingling here.

Plenty of Fish prides itself on being one of the best dating sites for conversations. It supports 100% free and unlimited messaging for over 120 million monthly users in 20 countries. Since its launch in 2003, Plenty of Fish has developed a science-based matching system that has proven successful.

• Free registration, searches, and messaging
• The Chemistry Test creates a compatibility framework
• Over 1 billion messages sent per month
• Browse Plenty of Fish profiles 100% free»

The dating site for conversations. That’s the moniker of Plenty of Fish, which offers 100% free and unlimited communication. All POF members can send as many messages as they want to anyone they want, and they don’t have to pay a cent.

During the average month, Plenty of Fish users exchange over 1 billion messages on the platform. The downside of free online communication, of course, is that it could turn into an open season for scammers and spammers. Fortunately, POF has laid down strict community guidelines to encourage respectful and kind interactions.

Over 150 million singles have trusted Plenty of Fish to connect them with someone special, and the site’s success stories prove its merits as an online matchmaker.

In 2012, Tinder pioneered a swiping-based match system that empowered singles to connect with dates who liked them back. Tinder users can message their mutual matches for free on this fast-paced dating app. Since its launch, Tinder has created over 60 billion matches worldwide.

• Supports active daters in 190+ countries
• The swiping system creates over 12 million matches per day
• Tinder Plus members have unlimited likes and 5 Super Likes
• Browse Tinder profiles 100% free»

In 2012, Tinder changed the way people saw free online dating when it introduced its swipe-based mutual matching system. Suddenly, singles had a way to filter their incoming messages and browse potential dates more quickly and effectively. And it has taken off.

To date, Tinder has facilitated over 30 billion matches in over 190 countries and territories. The popular dating app is responsible for over 1 million dates per week, and it has sparked connections between singles of all ages, orientations, and intentions. Tinder’s motto is “Single, no sorry,” so feel free to swipe until you meet someone who sweeps you off your feet.

“I’m getting married to someone I met on Tinder,” said Caitlin M. on Facebook. “We talked through text for about a week before we met. After meeting, we clicked immediately.”

Best Free Senior Dating Sites

Though they may not seem very tech-savvy, seniors have begun embracing online dating in a major way in the last few years. Dating sites and apps give singles the opportunity to come out of their shells and meet new people without leaving home, and a senior-friendly site can provide an age-appropriate community for individuals seeking companionship.

Below, we’ve listed a few of the safest and friendliest dating sites for seniors, and we hope you enjoy them.

SilverSingles offers a secure dating experience for singles of a certain age. Anyone over 50 is welcome to join the network and browse for dates by using the simple search filters and match recommendations. Every month, over 800,000 senior singles join the dating site and start their journey toward love.

• Global membership base of exclusively single seniors
• Free members can browse matches, send smiles, and favorite profiles
• 24/7 online customer service
• Browse SilverSingles profiles 100% free»

First up, we have SilverSingles, a dating site that caters to singles over 50. The site gives every new member a personality test and uses their answers to devise daily match recommendations (up to seven per day), and you don’t need to make any in-app purchases to view a person’s profile and send a like or wink.

Singles can also look for dates using the search filters on SilverSingles. The dating site lets free members set parameters around age, distance, and other important factors to consider when deciding who’s right for you.

The dating website’s simple signup process and user-friendly interface ensure even newcomers to the online dating scene will understand how SilverSingles works.

OurTime gives singles over 50 a confidence boost by introducing them to age-appropriate dates online. The dating site offers multiple ways to connect and discover commonality, and it has led to thousands of success stories in the last few years. Whether you're looking for a pen pal, a friend, or a relationship, OurTime has got it covered.

• Thousands of success stories from all over the world
• Find senior dates using advanced search filters and match suggestions
• The Help Center offers quick tips and guidance
• Browse OurTime profiles 100% free»

As part of the People Media network, OurTime has an extensive reach in the online dating scene. The senior-friendly site welcomes anyone over the age of 50, and its security measures and safety tips can help new members guard against unsavory folks.

Many of OurTime’s members haven’t dated in years — even decades — so the site eases singles into the online dating process with a free membership and lots of matchmaking features.

OurTime’s greatest successes include widowers finding love again and single moms making friendships during their golden years. Online technology can lead seniors to their perfect match, and it’s worth exploring free online dating sites and free dating apps to see what’s out there.

SeniorMatch is one of the most trusted names in the senior dating scene. Since 2003, the over-50 dating site has catered to divorcees, widows, and other singles seeking a second shot at love. It's free to create an account on SeniorMatch, and you can browse profiles, discover matches, send messages to paid members without needing to upgrade or subscribe.

• Exclusively for men and women over 45
• Add a profile to your Hotlist to save it for later
• Seniors shares dating advice in members-only forums
• Browse SeniorMatch profiles 100% free»

SeniorMatch has over 1 million singles in its database, and the dating site plays host to over 1.6 million conversations each month. That’s a lot of activity for a community of retired and semi-retired folks!

SeniorMatch has dating forums, blogs, and private messaging where like-minded people can get to know one another on a deeper level. It’s not just about looks here. The site endeavors to foster a friendly space for seniors seeking genuine connections. You can read more about SeniorMatch here.

Since 2003, SeniorMatch has inspired over 36,000 success stories, and you can read some SeniorMatch testimonials on the site.

SeniorFriendsDate is on a mission to connect singles over 50 in a safe and trustworthy online network. This dating site is one of 150 niche websites run by the Friends Date Network, and it offers totally free communication to singles around the world.

• 100% free online dating for seniors
• In-depth profiles showcase your personality and lifestyle
• Members-only groups organized around travel, currents events, and BINGO nights
• Browse SeniorFriendsDate profiles 100% free»

Last but not least, SeniorFriendsDate is definitely worth checking out if you fall into the over-50 category. This senior dating site supports completely free online communication.

You don’t have to pay anything to join SeniorFriendsDate and start conversations on the site. You can search for dates for free, you can read your messages for free, you can favorite profiles for free — well, you get the point.

What’s more, SeniorFriendsDate.com is a mobile-friendly site, so you can access it using any of your mobile devices (smartphone, tablet, etc.) and enjoy a seamless and free online dating experience.

Best Free LGBT Dating Sites

Online dating has been a game changer for LGBTQ+ singles, especially those who are in the closet or don’t have a very large gay community in their area. By joining a dating site or app, people can explore their sexuality and express themselves more openly, honestly, or freely than they can in the real world.

As a result, according to survey data, 65% of today’s LGBTQ+ couples say they met online, while only 39% of today’s straight couples can say the same. Free online dating clearly has a lot to offer gay, lesbian, bi, trans, and queer individuals, and the following sites have a rainbow of features to recommend them.

OkCupid is a staunch ally of the LGBTQ+ community. The dating site and app made headlines in 2013 when it introduced 22 gender options and 13 orientation options to dating profiles. Few dating platforms have gone to such lengths to ensure that it represents everyone across the sexuality spectrum, and we give it props for connecting gay, bi, and queer men around the world.

• Gay men can express themselves in lengthy profiles
• Expanded orientation options includes pansexual and demisexual men
• Match lists only show guys who meet your criteria
• Browse OkCupid profiles 100% free»

In 2014, OkCupid updated its dating site/app and positioned itself as an ally to the LGBTQ+ community by adding 22 gender options and 13 orientation options to its profiles.

OkCupid’s team believes “dating deserves better,” and this popular dating platform is constantly changing to meet the needs of today’s online daters. At its heart, OkCupid is all about pairing up people who have real-life, long-term potential, and it uses a time-tested match questionnaire to see who can go the distance. The questionnaire is optional and offers over 4,000 questions ranging from “Do you like beer” to “Do you think homosexuality is a sin?”

Since its launch in 2004, OkCupid has promised to be a forever-free site, and it doesn’t charge users a penny to send messages. Upgrading your OkCupid account is totally optional, but it does give you access to helpful features like being able to see your profile views and likes.

Bumble is a female-friendly dating app made by women for women. The platform encourages women to take initiative and go after the date they find most attractive. Lesbian, bisexual, and queer women can use Bumble to make deep connections with women in the area.

• A global network of strong, confident women
• Conversations expire within 24 hours of a match
• Less than 1% of Bumble women are looking for hookups
• Browse Bumble profiles 100% free»

Bumble is a female-first dating app known for its innovative twist on online dating. Bumble’s CEO started on the ground floor of Tinder in her early 20s, but she soon left the company (and slapped it with a sexual harassment lawsuit) to create a healthier and more progressive dating space for all singles.

Since launching in 2014, Bumble has been a force for social change in the online dating space. Its female-oriented features appeal to both straight and gay women who are seeking greater quality and less harassment in their inboxes.

Bumble has differentiated itself from apps like Tinder by inspiring heartfelt conversations online and by ensuring both individuals feel safe, valued, and heard. Anyone can join the Hive for free to discover friendships and relationships built on mutual respect. As the Bumble team said, “We as a company will always swipe right for empowered moves, and left on attempts to disempower us. We encourage every user to do the same.”

A lesbian named Robyn Exton founded HER because she recognized that not all dating sites and apps look out for the unique needs and interests of LGBTQ+ womxn. The HER community does a great job of connecting its users in a fun-loving and active community. Its easy social networking tools are great whether you're fully out of the closet or just starting to question your sexuality.

• Free private messaging to all mutual matches
• Post comments or send likes to connect with local lesbians
• A safe, friendly, and one-of-a-kind dating app
• Browse HER profiles 100% free»

HER is a womxn-only dating app with over 4 million users who identify all across the sexuality spectrum. The idea for the app began with a lesbian named Robyn Exton, who was on a mission to create a safe community of queer womxn.

Once you set up your free dating profile (using an existing Facebook account or social media account), you become part of a vast network of womxn organizing events, posting colorful pictures, and commenting on each other’s thoughts, joys, successes, and stories. This unique social media atmosphere encourages dynamic relationships to blossom.

You can read loads of the app’s love stories under the hashtag WeMetOnHER. “I can’t imagine my life without her ever again,” said Kelsey and Ashley in a testimonial. “Thank you, HER, for helping me reconnect with my happily ever after.”

Grindr is one of the top dogs in the gay dating scene. It's the name everyone recognizes, and many gay men choose it as their go-to dating app. The location-based matching system satisfies the desires of guys who want to hook up on the fly.

• Among the most popular gay social networks in the world
• Men connect via private and group chats
• View nearby profiles using real-time GPS data
• Browse Grindr profiles 100% free»

When it comes to online dating apps for gay men, Grindr is probably the best option out there. Its location-based dating matches are ideal for guys on the prowl for a one-night stand, and its no-nonsense vibe helps users establish quick romantic connections.

Over the last decade, Grindr has amassed a global following by focusing on connecting local dates. The app’s main goal is to connect dates who are “zero feet away,” and the rest is up to you.

“I met my current bf on Grindr…When we met, I was explicit I was taking time away from dating and hookups,” said one Grindr user. “We were official two months later.”

Best Free Hookup Sites

If your dream date begins and ends in the bedroom, then you should start your search for romance on a hookup site known for being safe, effective, and discreet. We’ve picked out a few that will get the job done and help you make some magic in your local dating scene.

When it comes to arranging hookups, BeNaughty is fast, easy, fun, and safe. This dating site has built a global network of sexy men and women who want to skip the small talk and cut right to the chase. If you're interested in short-term romance, BeNaughty is the place to go and get your flirt on.

• A global network of naughty singles over 18
• Ability to blur nude and explicit content, if desired
• Advanced search filters and one-on-one messaging
• Browse BeNaughty profiles 100% free»

BeNaughty is a free hookup site with members in the U.S., the U.K., Australia, Canada, Spain, France, and other European countries. Once you input your location, the site will generate a match list of viable dates in and around your ZIP code.

Free members can scroll through dating profiles and send flirtatious pickup lines to get people’s attention. Only members with valid photos can send messages on the site.

If you really want to save time searching for a hookup or one-night stand on BeNaughty, go to the Like Gallery where you can quickly swipe through date options by answering the oh-so-serious question: Cute or Not?

Registering for an account on Adult Friend Finder (AFF) is like speeding into the fast lane of the online dating world. This hookup site puts you in the center of action and encourages sexy singles and swingers to satisfy their secret fantasies. Anyone over 18 can join AFF and browse millions of profiles for free, but only full-fledged members have access to the revealing content in the community forums and chat rooms.

• One of the largest adults-only sex communities
• Free and fast registration process
• Dating forums and live chats foster live flirtation
• Browse Adult Friend Finder profiles 100% free»

With over 100 million dating profiles, AdultFriendFinder has almost too many options for horny singles and couples. As a free member, you can check out the erotic blog and view sexy video broadcasts that run 24/7. You can also browse through profiles and photos for as long as you like.

The site’s free features are great, but the premium membership offers even greater privileges, including private two-way chats.

The AFF community is an adults-only space, so don’t be too surprised if you find some X-rated content here. Some raunchy members post nude or semi-nude pics, while others explain in graphic terms on their profiles the type of sexual encounter they desire.

AFF members can let go of their inhibitions and explore different kinks, fetishes, and sexual preferences on this anonymous hookup platform. It’s a great way to find a one-night stand without the hassle of monthly fees or in-app purchases.

FriendFinder-X offers sexy singles the gratifying experience of meeting hot dates within a few clicks. This hookup site is designed to excite people's imaginations and fill them with sexual energy. Whether you're chatting privately or in a group forum, singles and swingers can be upfront about their sexual desires, fetishes, and fantasies.

• A casual personals site for singles, couples, and groups
• Profiles have suggestive photos and strip tease videos
• Chat live via a two-way webcam or private messaging
• Browse FriendFinder-X profiles 100% free»

FriendFinder-X touts itself as a site “where good girls do bad things.” And if that doesn’t get you interested, then maybe the site’s free membership perks and location-based dating will.

Best Dating Sites That Are Free For Women

On FriendFinder-X, you can create a personal ad and use advanced search filters to find sexy singles in your neck of the woods. You don’t have to use your real name to sign up, but you do have to upload a photo of yourself if you want your profile to appear in search results.

According to FriendFinder-X, dating profiles with photos receive 10 times as many likes as dating profiles without photos, so it’s worth dusting off your favorite selfie when creating your account.

MenNation has tons of X-rated content to arouse the senses and stimulate conversation. The hookup site attracts single men and gay couples all over the world and has grown its network to include over 93 million people. Free members can browse these profiles for as long as they want and send flirts to anyone who catches their eye.

• A massive men-only sex and swinger community
• Browse profiles and send private messages to your favorites
• Profiles feature erotic videos and sexually explicit blogs
• Browse MenNation profiles 100% free»

Straight people aren’t the only ones hooking up in the online dating world. MenNation caters to all the hot guys looking to slut it up on free dating apps and sites.

Thanks to its location-based dating, MenNation encourages singles, couples, and groups to find men who share similar sexual interests. Many guys will outright state in their profiles where, how, and when they want to hook up, and that takes a lot of the guesswork out of finding a sexy partner.

Every day, tens of thousands of men use MenNation to satisfy their curiosity and their desires. You can join them for free by providing a valid email address — a Facebook account or social media profile is not required.

As part of Friend Finder Networks, LesbianPersonals is a fast-paced hookup site built to satisfy. The dating platform caters to women, straight couples, lesbian couples, and groups who are looking to enjoy lesbian sex. LesbianPersonals members can find romance in live video chats or instant message conversations and take things to the next level by exchanging contact information.

• Create a free profile in less than a minute
• Search filters can identify attractive singles and couples in the area
• Strip tease videos, revealing photos, and other adult content
• Browse LesbianPersonals profiles 100% free»

Finally, LesbianPersonals has given lesbian, bisexual, and queer women a place where they can pursue their passions. The personals site does not allow men to join the site and spoil the fun.

Men can only join if they are in a relationship with a straight woman and interested in a threesome. Otherwise, it’s a girls-only space. Women can exchange messages, photos, and videos on the site, and it doesn’t take long for members to make contact here.

LesbianPersonals is a free, adults-only dating site, and it employs strict safety measures to ensure users behave themselves and have a fun time seeking the perfect match.

Is There a Totally Free Dating Site?

Most dating websites will offer at least some free features — typically, free profile searches and profile views — yet far fewer dating sites offer a completely free dating service. A paywall helps dating sites stay profitable, of course, but it also guarantees a certain level of safety and authenticity for members.

Hinge is a totally free dating app with personality-driven matching.

Free online dating sites can be problematic because they open the doors to spammers and scammers who want to take advantage of users. Cybercriminals can use the site’s free communication as their way into people’s lives and bank accounts.

A completely free dating service may save you money upfront, but you could lose money in a dating scam if you’re not careful. Instead of looking for always-free sites, singles should seek online dating apps that offer a good balance of free features and security measures.

Free online dating sites like OkCupid and Plenty of Fish — and free dating apps like Coffee Meets Bagel and Hinge — can be a good option if you want to land a date without paying a lot of money or putting yourself at risk. You can mingle freely on these online dating apps and send messages without paying for a monthly subscription.

Is OkCupid Completely Free?

OkCupid offers free communication to all its members, but the free dating service does have premium features to give certain online daters an edge. You can chat with as many people as you want for as long as you want on OkCupid. However, only premium members can see their profile views and likes.

Something we like about OkCupid is the way it filters incoming messages. Anyone can write an introductory message to someone they like, but only messages from your mutual matches will show up in your inbox. Otherwise, you’ll see them at the top of the person’s dating profile.

Is POF Really Free?

Yes, Plenty of Fish is really free. The POF network has built its reputation on its free communication system, and that’s how it has earned the trust of 150 million users worldwide. You can search, chat, match, and use Plenty of Fish for free.

Another good feature is that Plenty of Fish requires only an email address — not a Facebook profile or Instagram account — to jump on board its membership.

How Can I Get Zoosk for Free?

The Zoosk app offers a free membership to all newcomers with an email address or social media profile (Facebook or Google+). You can take advantage of its free matching features by creating a profile on the dating site or downloading the dating app.

Zoosk is a dynamic dating site with over 40 million members worldwide. This general dating platform caters to singles seeking short-term and long-term relationships, and you don't need a paid subscription to join the fun. Zoosk members can send messages to premium members for free, and they can use Zoosk Coins to earn added perks.

• Free trial with unlimited profile browsing
• Flirt with women in 80+ countries
• Behavioral matchmaking system pays attention to your likes and views
• Browse Zoosk profiles 100% free»

You don’t have to make any in-app purchases to browse Zoosk profiles, take the personality test, use its social networking features, and find the perfect match online. To further help budget-conscious singles, Zoosk offers special discounts on its subscription plans and gives users plenty of options to make the experience their own and meet potential dates.

Find Love Online by Using the Best Free Dating Sites

There you have it. The best free dating sites and apps on this list can help you turn your luck around and fall into the arms of someone special.

You can join any of these popular dating sites for free to see what they’re about, and, if you like what you see, you may want to upgrade your account to get the most out of it. Maybe money can’t buy you love, but it can buy you access to some pretty great online dating experiences, if you play your cards right.

It’s up to you to decide how much time, money, and energy you’re willing to spend in the online dating scene. Just remember, you’ll get out of it what you put into it, so put your best foot forward and have fun!

It's never been easy to find a partner, and challenges from COVID-19 has made dating even more complicated. Luckily, even if you're not getting out as much as you used to, online dating sites and mobile dating apps can help you make connections that lead to a long-term relationship (or even a fun fling!). Yes, the internet is a wonderful thing.

But where to start? There are lots of good dating websites and apps, whether you're looking to meet new people, try casual dating, find others with similar interests or finally find your ideal match for a long term relationship. I took into consideration everything from each online dating service's dating pool to whether it provides daily matches to whether it's a free dating app or a paid service. A new person that fits your exact dating profile is sure to be out there!

Get the CNET Now newsletter

Here's an overview of the best dating sites on the market. My recommendations are based primarily on my own experiences in the online dating platform arena as a woman, with some word-of-mouth impressions from friends thrown in for good measure.

So what are you waiting for? Sign up for these top dating sites or apps, start chatting and maximize your chances of meeting your perfect match. We'll update this list periodically.

Bumble is basically Tinder for women... and on a timer. Bumble is a free dating app that requires women to message first. If the guy doesn't message back within 24 hours, he loses the potential dates. Because that's the one thing my love life was really missing: Arbitrary time limits.

The timer is designed to encourage contact and some people really do appreciate that feature. But if you're someone who procrastinates, Bumble may not be for you. Because women must message first, Bumble tends to weed out the more insecure males from the dating pool. However, the rate of overly confident men tends to be higher than I've seen on other apps. Bumble also has a BFF feature to help you meet new people, but that's really not our focus, so I'll save it for another time.

Whether you're looking for a casual hookup, potential date, friendship or an LTR (long term relationship), Tinder has you covered. It's basically the first stop for those entering the dating world. If you want to play the odds when it comes to online dating, you need to be swiping where everyone's swiping.

On the upside, the profiles are brief, which helps you to make decisions quickly. The downside is that a short dating profile makes it harder to figure out what a lot of people are looking for. Knowing very little about a person can also make initial messaging a lot more challenging. You'll need to wade through a sea of profiles, which makes it easy to pass over people you might have given a chance under different circumstances.

Best Dating Websites That Are Free

OkCupid, how you confuse me. I have friends who've met their ideal match and even spouses through OkCupid. My last serious relationship came from the OkCupid dating service. In fact, I've been on OkCupid on and off, for roughly the last 11 years. Profiles are a lot more in-depth than most online dating sites and if you answer a seemingly endless series of questions (much like a personality test), they will spit out a reasonable Match/Enemy percentage ratio on profiles to help you gauge compatibility based on interests.

Changes in the last few years have made OkCupid a bit more like Tinder (both owned by the same company), focusing more on swiping and eliminating the ability to message a user without matching with them first. Online daters can still send a message -- it just won't show up in the recipient's inbox unless you match. Because who doesn't enjoy sending a thoughtful message to someone who might never see it? However, OkCupid has pointed out that these changes did help lower the number of offensive messages and fake profiles people received, which might be a worthwhile trade-off. Unfortunately in my experience OkCupid has become a bit of an online dating app ghost town.

Hinge finally won me over, becoming my favorite dating app last year. Originally the app focused on common connections and mutual friends that you and a potential partner shared on Facebook, which was a gimmick I was never sold on. But it has since pivoted away from this model. Hinge has designed the app to make user profiles more engaging (and helpful) than on apps like Tinder. You have the option of displaying a lot of useful information that could be deal breakers: Your political leanings, your religion, your alcohol consumption frequency or even your interest level in having children someday. The prompts provided by Hinge make it easy to create more engaging profiles. Hinge's current slogan is 'designed to be deleted,' so if a potential match for a serious relationship is what you're looking for, this is the dating app I would recommend.

Coffee Meets Bagel hopes to offer people better-quality matches by sending curated daily matches, or 'bagels,' each day at noon. They suggest ice-breakers for first messages and the profiles are more in-depth than Tinder. For people who like a little extra hand-holding, CMB isn't the worst option. However, I found the app confusing to use, with too many features and a lot of gimmicks. I shouldn't have to look up online tutorials to figure out how to use a dating app. Plus why call matches Bagels?

I was also disappointed in the notifications, which I found too pushy. CMB was constantly 'gently' reminding me to message people I'd matched with. I eventually disabled the app after receiving the following notification: 'Show [match name] who's boss and break the ice today!' Should a potential future relationship be rooted in a hierarchical power dynamic? At the end of the day, I have friends who've had the perfect match on CMB, but it isn't one of my favorite online dating apps.

Happn matches you with people who are located nearby. It's a cool concept and helpful for people who want to meet someone in a more organic manner. That said, I've never met a single person who actually uses the app.

After signing up, Happn showed me 68 people it said I'd crossed paths with in the preceding 3 hours, though I hadn't left my apartment all day. This might be helpful if you're looking to date your immediate neighbors (or Uber drivers), but I don't see the attraction when competitors like Tinder already show the distance between you and other users. Frankly, if I saw an attractive guy in a coffee shop, I'd just approach him rather than check to see if he's on Happn. The app seems designed for people who don't want to use online dating sites but also don't want to approach people in real life. Pick a lane.

The League is an 'elite dating app' that requires you to apply -- and supply your job title, college and LinkedIn profile. Big cities tend to have long waiting lists, so you might find yourself twiddling your thumbs as your application to be one of the elite singles on the app is reviewed. (Of course, you can pay to expedite the process.) The exclusivity can be a draw for some and a turnoff for others, but I'll let you in on a secret: I've seen most of the profiles I come across on The League on other dating apps, too. So at the end of the day, you'll probably see the same faces for potential dates on Tinder, if you aren't deemed elite enough for The League.

Most dating apps are fairly LGBTQ inclusive. Still, it's nice to have an app to call your own. Her is tailored to lesbian, bisexual and queer women. It's a worthy notion -- but the app has some bugs and glitches that made it frustrating to use. Most of my queer female friends have told me they found the app 'just OK' and not perfect and that they usually end up back on Tinder or Bumble. Still I checked it regularly for some time and had a few pleasant conversations with actual human beings. Isn't that all we're really looking for in a dating app?

100% Free Online Dating Sites

Clover tried to be the on-demand version of online dating sites, letting you order a date much like you would a pizza. It also provides numeric match predictions based on compatibility and interests, though it isn't entirely clear how those numbers are calculated.

I was on Clover for quite some time, but had since forgotten it existed until I started to compile this list. It strikes me as a less-successful hybrid of OkCupid and Tinder with a relatively small user base, even though I live in an urban area with plenty of people who use a wide variety of dating apps. Clover says it has nearly 6 million users, 85% of whom are between the ages of 18 and 30.

Plenty of Fish launched in 2003 -- and it shows. The problem I come across over and over again is that POF is filled with bots and scams, even though it may have the most users of any dating app. POF's issues don't mean you won't be able to find love on it, but the odds might be stacked against you. Unless you're into dating bots.

Match.com has a free version, but the general consensus is that you'll need a paid subscription to have any luck. That's a hangover from the early days of online dating sites, when a paid basic membership to a site meant you were serious about settling down. But my friends and I have long since come to the conclusion that you might be a little too eager to find a significant other or the perfect partner if you pay to get dates, particularly given the abundance of free dating apps. There are definitely paid features on some dating apps that are worth the price, but I've yet to be able to justify shelling out cash for love.

eHarmony was one of the pioneers among online dating site options, and -- while I haven't personally used this one -- we all remember the pitch for online daters, thanks to years of TV commercials: The service matches couples based on '29 dimensions' of compatibility and interests (as determined by a thorough relationship questionnaire and personality test). While you can review the profiles of your prospective matches for free, you'll need to pay to unlock the full features of the service. There's a three-month plan and a six-month plan, and they come with a guarantee: If, after three months of paid membership and communicating with at least five members, you're not satisfied, eHarmony will refund your money. Despite a rocky road that eventually involved a high-profile lawsuit, the site finally added same-sex dating in 2013. I have mixed feelings about using the site myself, but it's at least technically more inclusive now.

Have you had a good (or bad) experience with one of these services? Do you have any other online dating sites you'd recommend? Share your experiences in the comments or on social media.

Looking for love? Read these next