Great free dating apps - help you?
10 of the Best Free Dating Apps of 2021
Saving Money / Relationships
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Nowadays, you don’t have to pay for premium dating apps to get your date match thanks to 10 free dating apps at our disposal. These apps have the right matching algorithms that can help you find your sweetheart with a few clicks.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit last year, social lives were destabilized by the COVID-19 pandemic. The thought of meeting someone new was frowned upon. Now, with vaccines rolling out, people can start a return to normalcy more acquainted with online dating apps. It’s all we had during those days of lockdowns and quarantine, after all.
The following 10 apps have top-notch matching algorithms that can help you find your sweetheart with a few clicks.
10 of the Best Free Dating Apps
Here are some of the most popular, free dating apps you may want to consider if you’re looking for a significant other.
1. OkCupid
OkCupid is one of the most popular online dating apps. With its free version, you can browse unlimited profiles and connect with anyone you want. It also has a premium version with more advanced services, like viewing the profiles “liking you,” which is not available with the free version.
Overall, OkCupid is a dating app for all ages. When signing up, you’ll be prompted to enter your age and your preference matches. That way, you’ll get better-customized profiles to help you find your perfect match.
2. Tinder
Tinder is another popular dating app with an incredible interface. It also has a desktop version that boosts its usability. Like all the other apps, it has a free and paid version. You don’t necessarily need the premium version to find a date — the free version is a good choice for that.
Tinder’s free version allows you to swipe through profiles looking for your potential match. The downside is that you’re given limited information about the profiles. For the profiles you like, select a heart icon, X or swipe to the right. If you don’t, swipe to the left and continue. Whenever you like a person who likes you back, you’ll receive a notification and you can message each other for a potential date.
3. Grouper
Grouper is popular among iPhone users and groups. It’s a different kind of application, matching group dates on its own using personal data from social accounts. The app uses strong algorithms to ensure a perfect match between the groups before sending invitations.
Priding itself as an offline social club, Grouper sets up blind dates for groups of people. You select two “wingmen” and pay $20 each. Then the app hooks you up with another group of three, so you meet as a group of six.
4. Bumble
Like Tinder, Bumble allows you to swipe through profiles so you can choose your matches. However, Bumble has some restrictions that Tinder doesn’t. For example, to set up a date for heterosexuals, the woman must send the message first. But for same-sex couples, any of them can initiate contact.
5. Her
This is an all-women dating app. Boasting more than 4.5 million users, Her is the go-to site for lesbians, bisexual women and other LGBTQ+ femmes. Created by queer women for queer women, the application is rapidly growing.
The app allows you to be more creative regarding your sexual orientation or gender for a better understanding of your personality. The text biofield is also another unique feature that allows you to describe the nature of the relationship you want.
6. Plenty of Fish
As the name suggests, Plenty of Fish is a pool of dating profiles. While it’s free to use, it also has a premium, better-customized version. Perhaps the biggest downside of the free version is the many ads. However, you can send and receive messages. The paid version eliminates ads and has better filters for easy matching. For instance, you can filter your matches based on your level of education and income.
7. Match
Match.com is one of the oldest online dating websites, being around for more than 20 years. While its app is not an all-free service, it has a three-day offer when you sign up. During this period, you can search profiles and contact people you want. Once this period expires, you’ll have to upgrade to premium. There are different packages, ranging from one month to 12.
8. OurTime
OurTime is designed for those age 50 and older. While most of its services are paid, it also allows you to create and browse profiles for free. That’s good enough as one can find a match who happens to be in their locality.
The fees vary depending on how long you want to sign up. For a month, the charges can go up to $35. If you pick the six-month plan, the charges will drop considerably.
9. How About We
Like Grouper, How About We positions itself as an offline dating app. The app simply converts online dating to an offline experience. As a user, you propose a date and another user can opt in to meet up. It’s best for couples considering the huge discounts of up to 75%. Once a date gets a match, several activities are arranged for the two people at discounted costs.
10. The League
This is an elite dating app and requires approval to join. That means you may have to wait for your application to be approved. The good thing is you can pay a few dollars to speed up the process. You must meet certain standards to join The League. Your academics and income are subject to scrutiny. It’s a good app for professionals looking to build relationships with other professionals.
Takeaway
You don’t have to pay a dime to find love online. With the myriad of free apps and millions of users, you can get your perfect match. All you need is the right information and some caution to land yourself a date.
Our in-house research team and on-site financial experts work together to create content that’s accurate, impartial, and up to date. We fact-check every single statistic, quote and fact using trusted primary resources to make sure the information we provide is correct. You can learn more about GOBankingRates’ processes and standards in our editorial policy.
About the Author
Lydia Kibet has been writing professionally since 2017. Her passion for helping brands in all aspects of content marketing flows through in the expert industry coverage she provides — personal finance, investing and healthcare. Her work has been featured in The Motley Fool, Investor Junkie, Green Market Report, and Medical News Today. When she’s not writing, she’s either reading, playing guitar or catching up with nature. Follow her on Twitter.
The 7 best dating sites and apps you can use for free
- Free dating sites can be a convenient way to meet new people if you're back on the dating scene.
- Although many dating apps are free to use, their features are limited unless you upgrade to a paid subscription.
- Facebook Dating is a truly free dating app; all of its features are available at no charge.
- Visit Insider's Tech Reference library for more stories.
As the internet has matured and more people have grown up connected to mobile apps and the web, online dating has evolved into a mainstream way to meet new people. In fact, dating sites and dating apps are now among the most common ways for prospective partners to meet one another, especially when it's difficult to meet new people in public settings.
There's no shortage of dating sites or apps to choose from, and most are free to varying degrees. Here are seven of the best free dating sites that you can access via the web or on a mobile app.
Facebook Dating
Facebook Dating quickly rose to be one of the best free dating sites. Unlike the alternatives, it is completely free with no in-app subscriptions or purchases, and it's easy to build a profile because it lets you draw on your existing Facebook profile. In addition, it's somewhat less common to encounter fake profiles because the entire service is built on Facebook, and users can optionally share their Facebook profiles with one another. Facebook Dating avoids matching you with your existing Facebook friends, but you can use common interests and Facebook groups to find potential matches.
It's only available in the mobile app (iOS, Android), so you can't access it in the Facebook website on your computer. And while that might be something of a disadvantage, Facebook Dating has a lot of other upsides, including the ability to take a second look at profiles you initially passed on and the chance to match up with your "secret crush" – a person that's listed among your friends on Facebook or a follower on Instagram.
Tinder
Tinder is the dating app that essentially invented the idea of swiping right and left to match or reject potential partners — a dating app mechanic that is now commonly used in most other apps. If both of you like each other's profiles, you've matched and can then start a text conversation or have a video chat within the app. In addition, it has a slew of "Discover" modes designed to connect you with potential matches.
You can use these basic features for free, but it comes with significant limitations. You can only swipe right up to 100 times per day, for example, without upgrading to unlimited likes with Tinder Plus ($10 per month if you're under 30, otherwise $20 per month). And for a better chance of matching with someone, you'll want to upgrade to Tinder Gold (which starts around $30 per month) so you can see users who have already liked you, as well as get other advanced features like the ability to message users before liking them and "rewinds," which are essentially swiping undos.
OKCupid
OKCupid is part of the same dating app family as Match, Tinder, and Hinge — they are all owned by the same parent company. Even so, OKCupid tries to differentiate itself by collecting a lot of information about you when you create a profile and giving you the opportunity to answer a lot of optional questions to create a more nuanced profile. The site also gives you a wealth of ways to self-identify your gender and sexuality, more so than most others. Once your profile is set up, the app tracks users who like your profile as well as potential matches who have a high percentage of interests and answers in common with you.
But while the app can be used for free, with an upgrade to OKCupid Premium — which starts at $39.99 per month (it's cheaper if you subscribe for more than a month at a time) — you can see people who have liked you so you can like them back. In addition, upgrading buys you unlimited likes and an ad-free experience.
Bumble
Bumble is distinctive among dating apps. While the basic mechanism is the same as many other dating services (you swipe to like or dislike profiles), Bumble is a women-first dating experience in its heterosexual matching iteration. Once a man matches with a woman, the woman has to make the first move, so a man can't message a potential match until she's already started the conversation, and if that doesn't happen within 24 hours of a match, the connection disappears. That's a great feature that puts women in control of the meeting tempo, but some guys might be less than thrilled with that arrangement.
Most of the site's basic features are available for free, though like with most dating apps, it's a limited experience. Messaging is completely unlocked even using the free app, but you can only see who has already liked you if you upgrade to Bumble Premium, which is offered in a variety of subscription lengths. Those paid options also include a one-time lifetime fee or even a daily and weekly subscription.
Hinge
Like Facebook Dating, Hinge is only available as a mobile app (iOS and Android), not on the web. The trade-off is that the app has some of the most clever profiles around, which makes it more fun, if not necessarily easier, to find a good match. Aside from the usual basic stats, Hinge profiles encourage you to match photos with captions and answer written "prompts," and you can record audio clips which lets you actually hear your potential date. It's all very charming.
But the app offers a limited suite of features for free. You only get a dozen free likes per day, and you'll need to subscribe to see everyone who has liked you (your latest like is the lone visible person for a free subscription). Subscriptions start at $29.99 per month (it's cheaper if you purchase longer subscriptions).
Plenty of Fish
Plenty of Fish might not have the same audience size as sites like Tinder and Bumble, but it's still a very popular option — and it has the advantage of being a free dating site with the least expensive subscription rate if you choose to upgrade to a paid plan. While the free version lets you take advantage of the app's standard features like viewing profiles and sending and receiving messages, you can upgrade your membership for as little as $10 per month if you sign up for a full year, but even a three-month plan is a $20 per month. Upgrading nets you the ability to see which users have liked you as well as expedited access to the site's newest users, who might be more likely to respond to you.
Match
Match is one of the oldest online dating services, long predating mobile apps, and it collects a lot of information about you to create profiles you can use to find a good connection. Like many dating sites, Match in its premium version lets you stand out with boosts (to put your profile at the top of the heap) and super likes (which let you get the attention of someone you really like.
But the free aspects of Match are fairly limited. You can only like or dismiss potential partners and send a few messages to people you have paired with. To really communicate with anyone within the app or website, you must pay to upgrade to Match Premium, which starts at $35 per month for a minimum of three months. The per-month rate drops with six- and 12-month plans, but either way, it's an investment. You can sign up for a single month, but Match doesn't make it easy to find that option.
10. Hily
Hily's name comes from "Hey, I Like You", which reflects the more casual and young-minded slant of the app.
It uses machine learning and personality quizzes to connect people based on interests, mutual likes, and conversation style. You can also use the filters to adjust your search criteria further.
Hily also boasts stories, much like Snapchat or Instagram, for you to share and view short videos with others. You can even broadcast and watch livestreams—though whether you really want that from a dating app is debatable.
Download: Hily for Android
Best dating apps for 2022
Even with Valentines Day in the rear view mirror, the best dating apps can help you meet new people so that you have someone to spend the holiday with next year. And even if romance isn't on your mind, dating apps have pivoted from arranging hook-ups to just putting you in touch with people who share the same interests.
While you might think that two years and counting of a coronavirus pandemic may have stopped the best dating apps in their tracks, the opposite has happened. Dating apps have gotten even more popular by adding new features aimed at helping you forge relationships even when you're sticking close to home. Video chats, remote dating and similar tools are now a mainstay among these types of apps.
Whether it's friendship or something more, the best dating apps can help you widen your circle of acquaintances. And the apps we've selected have moved beyond simple swiping by adding features such as video meetups and security checks to make the world of online dating a lot better than it was before.
If you find yourself looking for some companionship, we can help you sort through a bunch of competing options to find the best dating apps that fit your particular needs.
What are the best dating apps?
When it comes to finding love in the mobile age, it's hard to topple Tinder, one of the biggest and best dating apps that also enjoys a wide reach. Tinder has a reputation for helping you find quick hook-ups, though it's also geared to finding more permanent partners and recent additions to the app have improved user safety while adding video features.
Other dating apps boast strengths of their own. Bumble gives the power to make new friends to its female members, while OKCupid offers several different tools for finding romance. Eharmony has its famous algorithm for pairing up people, while Hinge's ultimate goal is to get people to delete its app off their phones (presumably because you've found a lasting connection and not out of frustration). Even Facebook has gotten into the act, with a dating service tied to its massive social network.
Looking for a same-sex partner? Grindr was the pioneer in that space, while Her offers a dating app for lesbian and bisexual users.
Before diving in to find the right dating app to find the best possible mate, don't forget to consider privacy. Don't just skim past the privacy policies of any dating app you use, as those policies can outline exactly what a dating site does with your personal data. Also be aware that many dating apps — including several on this best dating apps list — are owned by the same company. The Match Group, for example, not only operates Match.com but also Tinder, OKCupid and PlentyOfFish.
The best dating apps right now
1. Tinder (Android; iOS)
Tinder blazed the trail set by Grindr toward a world of swipe and scroll dating apps. On its face, Tinder encourages you to make shallow, snap judgments about potential partners. You create a simple profile with a handful of photos and a few sentences about yourself, then throw yourself at the Internet's mercy.
The app displays singles in your area. If you like one, swipe the photo to the right; otherwise, swipe to the left. If you both swipe right, you can send messages and set something up. (Interested in upping your Tinder game? We've got tips on how to use Tinder like a pro.) Upgrading to a paid Plus or Gold membership at Tinder gives you premium features like unlimited likes or rewinds that give would-be partners a second chance.
Tinder continues to tinker with its formula, rolling out a video feature that allows you to make in-app video calls to matches without exchanging personal details. A Safety Center feature ties into Noonlight app and provides a panic button in case you wind up on a date where you feel unsafe, and you can run background checks based on data from public records. Tinder may even add a "swipe party" feature that lets your friends join in on the fun of helping pick out a would-be partner for you.
Download Tinder: Android, iOS
2. Bumble (Android; iOS)
Apple recognized Bumble as one of the top iOS apps for 2021 — don't worry, Android fans, Bumble works on your phone — and it's easy to understand why. The app can help you line up dates or make new friends, with the power to connect in the hands of its women users.
Women get to make the first move after two people mutually connect and are part of each other’s hive. From there, you've got just 24 hours to make some kind of contact or the connection disappears forever. For same-sex connections or friendships, either person has to make a move within 24 hours before that connection is gone, though you can get a 24-hour extension.
Just looking to widen your circle of friends, as opposed to a romantic relationship? Bumble has a BFF feature for people who are not looking for dates and a separate section for making business contacts. The Bumble Boost upgrade, which ranges from $2.99 to $8.99, makes it easier and faster to meet or date people.
Bumble added video a couple years ago, giving one of the best dating apps a leg up in the shelter-in-place era. A Night In addition added games starting with a trivia game to give you and your date something to do on your video chat.
Download Bumble: Android, iOS
3. OkCupid (Android; iOS)
OkCupid features a massive userbase and straightforward dating tools. But rather than rest on its laurels, OKC keeps refining and adding on features to its top dating app, such as a "Flavors" system that allows users to quickly view evocative flavors of potential matches, such as Kinky Nerds, Beard Lovers, World Travelers, etc.
All this is in addition to OkCupid's messaging tools, personality quizzes, Instagram integration and other old favorites. A premium subscription adds other features, such as refined search tools and the ability to see users who have liked you.
Download OKCupid: Android, iOS
4. Match.com (Android; iOS)
Match.com offers its users a freemium dating experience on Android and iOS. Free users can set up online profiles, upload a few pictures of themselves and then engage in some online flirting with "winks", and have new matches delivered to them daily. More comprehensive features, such as the ability to see who has checked out your profile and liked your pictures, can be unlocked by a Match.com subscription.
Match has continued to add on to its features, such as a Tinder-like Mixer, Android Wear and Apple Watch integration, and the addition of voice and video snippets to your profile. Vibe Check, launched in the spring, lets you enjoy video chats with your matches, while Match also lets you pay a little extra to have real-life dating coaches make matches for you.
Like Tinder, Match also added a safety feature that lets you alert friends if you're on a date and feel unsafe. You can even set your political views in Match, so you can better find a person whose outlook lines up with yours (or don't, if you believe that opposites attract).
Download Match.com: Android, iOS
5. Grindr (Android; iOS)
Grindr allows gay and bisexual men to meet up with like-minded men nearby. Profile creation is a fairly minimal experience, focusing on a profile pic, user name, and a few simple questions, and choosing a "Tribe" that describes your type, and then you're up finding other users and chatting them up in minutes.
Grindr is free to use and advertisement-supported, but the premium version, Grindr Xtra, offers ad-free browsing in addition to other features like adding multiple Tribes and advanced search filters. One notable downside? Unlike other dating apps, push notifications for messages require Grindr Xtra.
Download Grindr: Android, iOS
6. eharmony (Android; iOS)
eharmony is a long-time player in the online dating game, and the first service to push an algorithmic system to try to make the best possible dating matches for its members. Once you create an account, users go through a "Relationship Questionnaire" to create a personality profile that helps match you with other users that eharmony thinks you'll click with. Every day, the app will provide you with a selection of matches and your areas of compatibility; you'll have the option to connect if the interest is mutual.
Premium subscribers get expanded matching and discovery options, and other features like being able to see who has recently viewed your profile.
Download eharmony: Android, iOS
7. Facebook (Android, iOS)
Facebook Dating has been around for a few years now, added on as an opt-in service built into the social network, Facebook Dating focuses on helping you find long-term relationships, not hook-ups. You access the Dating section from within Facebook's mobile app, setting up a Dating profile that's separate from your regular Facebook profile. From there, Facebook finds matches for you based on your preferences, interests and activities on the social networking site.
Facebook won't suggest matches among people you already know on Facebook, unless you use the service's Secret Crush feature in which you can select up to nine Facebook friends or Instagram followers you have an interest in. If they also express an interest in you via Secret Crush, Facebook will match you up.
You can add Instagram posts to your Facebook Dating profile as well as share Facebook and Instagram stories. Like other dating services, Facebook Dating also introduced the ability to make video calls to your would-be sweetie, using the Messenger app.
Download Facebook: Android, iOS
8. Coffee Meets Bagel (Android; iOS)
Coffee Meets Bagel takes the opposite approach to many of the best dating apps, trying to focus on quality rather than quantity. Every day at noon, the app will send men a small selection of potential matches based on their profile and preferences, and women are then sent a number of matches who've shown interest in them, leaving the ladies the option of reciprocating the like. If the attraction is mutual, then the app will set you up with a 7-day chat window and icebreaker.
A redesign of the dating app puts a greater emphasis on user profiles, giving you the ability to comment on profiles and photos in hopes of fostering more connections between Coffee Meets Bagel users.
Download Coffee Meets Bagel: Android, iOS
9. Her (Android; iOS)
Her is a dating and social network app designed with lesbian, bisexual and queer users in mind. You sign up with Facebook or Instagram accounts, and then view a stream of activity from other verified Her users both in your area and globally. You can Like photos of other users, and if the interest is mutual, the app will link you up to chat.
Of course, it's also more than just meeting prospective dates, with the app offering social features, news and articles about LGBTQ issues, events, questions and more. While the app is free to use and sign up for, a premium subscription adds extra features.
Download Her: Android, iOS
10. Hinge (Android; iOS: $10.99/month)
Refusing to follow the trail blazed by swipe-driven apps like Tinder, dating app Hinge puts its focus on relationships and interesting conversations. In fact, the service's explicitly stated goal is to get you to the point where you've deleted the app altogether — presumably because you've found love and not because you've had it with the app.
Hinge turns its nose up at swipes for a more detailed profile that you fill in with pictures and stories. Users can then choose to like and comment on something in that profile, and that serves as a mutual conversation starter. Each day, you can check out new recommendations, as well as see people who have liked something in your profile.
Hinge responded quickly to our shelter-in-place situation imposed by the coronavirus pandemic by rolling out Date From Home features. Other changes include teaming up with the likes of Chipotle and Uber Eats to encourage users to have socially distanced dinner dates. And a redesign last year introduced Standouts feature that highlights people who are more likely to be your type, along with topics that Hinge thinks will spark a conversation with your would-be match.
Download Hinge: Android, iOS
11. Snack (iOS)
Imagine TikTok, but for dating, and you've got a pretty good sense of what Snack has to offer. This dating app puts an emphasis on short videos. You sort through a feed of introductory videos to see if anyone sparks your interest, favoriting the ones of people you'd like to get to know. Should they favorite your video, you'll be able to DM each other.
The emphasis on videos makes Snack a good dating app option for our socially distant times, though the focus is clearly on the under-30 crowd. Snack is only available on the iPhone at the moment, though you can sign up to be notified when an Android version drops.
Download Snack: iOS
12. LOLO Dating & Icebreaker Games (Android, iOS)
Previously known as XO, LOLO Dating & Icebreaker Games wants to put some of the fun back into dating by using games to help break the ice. Quizzes, drawing games and other party activities let you share a laugh with somebody new and maybe forge a connection that leads to a relationship.
You find matches by filling out a profile and meeting up with someone who has similar likes. Or you can try one of LOLO's other, more random pairings. Blind Date puts you in touch with someone to play a game and exchange messages before you see their profiles, while Random puts you in touch with someone from anywhere in the world.
People who are serious about finding a significant other right now may want to some of the other best dating apps, but LOLO seems like a fun, casual way to make new friends — and maybe that friendship blossoms into something more.
Download LOLO Dating & Icebreaker Games: Android, iOS
13. Kippo (Android, iOS)
Of course, there's more than one way to game online, and Kippo looks to attract online gamers in search of a little companionship. The app lets you customize your own profile — the more unique, the better — in which you can show off the things you're truly passionate about. The app then tries to find matches based on the games you like.
Once you find a match, you're ready to DM and chat, though the free tier of Kippo has some limitation on just how many profiles you can swipe each day and how many messages you can send. Joining a paid Kippo Infinity tier for $10 a month removes those restrictions.
Kippo says it verifies that everyone using its service is a real person, and there's moderation to keep out any bad actors.
Download Kippo: Android, iOS
15. Thursday (Android, iOS)
If you're getting a little tired of using dating apps all the time, the developers behind Thursday have heard your complaints. They've built an app you're only supposed to use one day a week — Thursday, naturally — to meet new people
Every Thursday, the app reveals people around you that want to go on a date that specific evening. The idea is to do away with the seemingly endless online flirtations and get straight to finding out if you've met your match.
Thursday is live in New York and London at this point, and the app is currently free to use, though a $14.99 "Black Card" membership boosts your presence and gives you an unlimited number of likes to find would-be matches.
Download Thursday: Android, iOS
15. Once (Android, iOS)
Once wants to slow down those frantic swipes as you try to find your ideal match. Instead of an unending string of photos to sort through, Once pairs you up with one potential partner a day, and you've got 24 hours to make a connection. You can keep chatting after that if both of you like another, but the idea is to focus on just one person at a time, so you can see if a more lasting connection is possible.
Matches are created with Once algorithm, which draws on your profile and your past behavior to find an ideal match. You can use Once for free, but paid memberships speed up the searching process and give you more matches per day if you prefer.
Download Once: Android, iOS
16. Happn (Android, iOS)
Happn is all about the people whose paths you might have crossed who you might find interesting and might also be doing the same things you are. A location-based dating service, Happn shows you the profiles of other Happn users you've crossed paths with, along with time and location. You can like any of the profiles that show up, and if the feeling is mutual, the app gives you the option to connect. Paid options offer the ability to “Say Hi” to other profiles, which includes a notification, as well as the ability to see profiles which have liked you.
Download Happn: Android, iOS
17. SwoonMe (Android, iOS: Free)
Let's face it — even the best dating apps are heavily skewed toward swiping through photos to find a match. But SwoonMe wants you to look beyond the surface when you're trying to meet someone new, whether it's for friendship or a more serious relationship.
To that end, the SwoonMe app does away with photos in exchange for avatars — the photo you upload to the dating app is converted into a cartoon version of yourself. Instead, you search for a would-be significant audio by listening to short audio clips the person has recorded. If you like what you hear, you can further communicate through audio messages, eventually reaching the point where you can reveal your true picture.
It's a different take on dating than some of the other apps here, and as a fairly new service, SwoonMe isn't as polished as some of its more well-established competitors. But it's worth checking out if you find other dating apps to be overly superficial.
Download SwoonMe: Android, iOS
18. Plenty of Fish Dating (Android; iOS)
Plenty of Fish Dating lacks the depth of features found in some other apps, but it makes up for in breadth. This free dating app is one of the largest and most popular in the world, boasting more than 70 million members spanning the whole English-speaking world.
Users set up a simple profile, including age, education and profession, then search through potential matches and message them. Plenty of Fish keeps adding small tweaks to its app, including Chat Heads for Android users, VoIP calling for premium users and Instagram image uploads. You'll also find a free livestream feature that encourages dating over video.
Download Plenty of Fish Dating: Android, iOS
19. Badoo (Android; iOS)
A standout in a rich field of dating apps, Badoo features 370 million-plus users from more than 190 different countries, all sharing their profiles and photos as they search for matches. The app uses a lot of varied means to find interesting matches, from a Tinder-like swiping system to viewing the profiles of nearby users.
Badoo puts a premium on making sure that its users are actual verified people, instead of "catfish"-style scams, with verification methods based on uploaded photos, connected social media accounts and phone verification. While the app is free to use, you can also buy premium credits for $2.99 to increase visibility or subscribe to gain "Super Powers," which provide expanded features.
Download Badoo: Android, iOS
20. Clover Dating App (Android; iOS)
A little bit of Tinder and a little bit of OkCupid, Clover takes a grab bag approach with a variety of ways to find and meet potential matches, from Tinder-like swiping to questionnaires, date planners, and detailed profiles with lists of interests.
Clover avoids the one-trick pony trap of more focused dating app experiences, so if you ever get bored of the swiping style, you can always try participating in live mixers, check out the 20 Questions game, or even experiment with Clover's "on demand dating." As with other apps, Clover has premium tiers that can improve visibility and add or improve existing features.
Download Clover: Android, iOS
How to find the best dating app
You're going to have the biggest success finding romance through a dating app if you first settle on what exactly you're looking for. If casual flings and hook-ups are your focus, shy away from apps designed to help you find long-term relationships. Similarly, if you're tired of one-night stands, dating apps that put a greater emphasis on swiping than on matching up compatible people are more likely to frustrate you.
Speaking of frustrations, nothing's more irritating than using a dating app filled with fake profiles. Pay attention to what dating services do to make sure that you're only being paired up with people who are taking things seriously (or at least as seriously as you are.) It's also a good idea to pay attention to what services are doing to protect the privacy of their users.
Since many cities still have a limit on just how many people can gather in public places, it would be good to consider apps that offer some form of video chat, so that your love life doesn't get put on hold during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
As best you can pay attention to security measures and how much of your data gets shared. Dating sites can suffer security breaches, just like any service, so use good password practices and don't re-use login info you've tied to other accounts.
3. Plenty of Fish
Plenty of Fish offers a lot of different features. You browse matches through a variety of different algorithms and filters (based on appearance, preferences, and interests), and can choose to view their profiles, send messages, or hit a non-committal "meet them" button.
These features provide you with many different options when choosing how to interact with others online, and with tens of millions of registered users then you should indeed find that fish in the sea.
Download: Plenty of Fish for Android iOS (Free, subscription available)
9. Facebook Dating
Facebook Dating is only available in certain countries (including the US, Canada, Mexico, and Singapore), but it's a great choice if you're already a Facebook user because you don't need to download another app.
Don't worry, though, it won't broadcast that you're using it, nor will it suggest any of your friends as matches.
Related: How the New Facebook Dating Features Will Affect Your Matches
Facebook Dating generates your profile from your standard Facebook one, which you can then tweak, and sends you suggested matches which you can pair up with to begin chatting.
Download: Facebook for Android
Best Free Dating Apps For 2022
In this hustle-bustle world, we often find ourselves out of time. Therefore, to connect with someone, we put technology to its best use and take help of apps to connect with people around us. There are numerous apps available for connecting online. With one click, you can find a match for you, chat with them and go on dates. All of the leading apps are available for both Android and iOS, and you can look for the one which suits you the most.
Best Dating Apps For Singles In 2022
There are so many dating apps available to choose from and that can confuse you. If you would know what you are looking for in a dating app, it would be easier to select one. Here we have listed the best free dating apps in 2022 for you with the special features on them.
1. Tinder- Leading Dating App in 2022
With a current user base of 30 million people on it trying to find a date on this app, Tinder leads the chart for best dating apps 2022. Even though it came across a few years ago, this app has gained a lot of popularity in a short time. This is mainly because of the kind of features it makes available for the users. It is also very interactive and helpful to find the perfect match for your date. Once you both match, you can go ahead with the conversation and if you feel like you can proceed by going on a date. The match lets you decide both the parties to give you a yes. You can use this app on family support for iOS for upto six people. Get this best free dating app 2022 and see if you click with somebody.
2. Bumble
Bumble is another of the best free dating apps 2022, which is very popular. This covers verified profiles feature to ensure safety. Also, the great integration with other apps helps you connect better. You can find the match and decide if you want to continue talking to them. If not, the match will expire after 24 hours. Connect with Spotify to share music within the conversation or connect to Instagram account. It can be used to meet people and you can talk to them before deciding to go on a date. It is an amazing app and helps millions of people every year to find a date. It can also be used to meet new friends or to make a network of like-minded people.
3. OkCupid
OkCupid aims at delivering the best match for you. It will ask you various questions to create your profile. This is how it will filter the results for you and find a suitable match. You could get on a conversation with a person only if they liked you too. This one cares about your interests and then lets you choose from the data collected from the fun questions. You can meet the locals from the help of this app and make connections. Just download the app and then create a profile, set preferences. Answer the questions and write the interests and then it follows to find you some matches from your area. There you can communicate with them over chat messages and decide for going out with them.
4. Match.com
Match.com also available as the mobile app is one of the oldest dating sites. It goes by its name and has been used by all age groups for dating. This is another one from the best free dating apps 2022 which can be used to find a suitable person to go out with. This uses a simple interface and direct connection with the profiles you like. You have options to search by the filters. The search by the distance gets you accurate results and helps you find a match on your area. This is a trusted dating app which is used by millions of users. Simple as always, this platform is new but the name match.com has been here for two decades.
5. Grindr
Grindr is another of the best free dating apps 2022 which is dedicated to the Gay community. It’s the first app of its kind and got popular very quickly from the very start.This has been most popular because of its unique design just got the chance to make people meet their interest in this app. The app lets you meet people nearby and also make connections globally. It’s the largest dating network for the gay community to find connections. Create a profile and get into a conversation with people. You can send pictures, share location and much more to connect with people.
6. Hinge
Hinge is one of the best free dating apps 2022 which uses Facebook connections. To find you a date, it will ask you to create a profile for your preferences. You get to learn about others by their views and interests expressed on the app. This has been called an app which is most successful in finding the partners. It has been using a different layout than other dating apps. The conversation here starts with the likes or comments on the profile of your matched person. You can access the premium services with the upgraded version. This is quite famous by US, UK , Canada and other countries.
7. happn
What makes happn one of the best free dating apps 2022 is the different approach to find people to date. It chooses to look for the people around you and the ones you cross paths with. The app works with you creating a profile and adding information about your preferences and interests. This keeps showing all the profiles of the people nearby, which is different than the other apps as they set the parameters to look for. As you move across someone and you like then you make a conversation on the app. If they like you back you can continue with the chat otherwise not. It is safe to use as nobody can text you without mutual interest. You can like their profiles though anonymously if you want, but they will be informed if they liked you back. Next time, you find somebody you see around the corner look them up in your app.
8. Coffee Meets Bagel
Coffee meets bagel is another of the best free dating apps 2022 for the people looking for a date. Within the app, you will get the concept of getting to know better for you must know a person enough to go on a date with. This is not a small talk dating app but it digs deep to make a connection. A profile is made and then you can start with the matches that appear everyday. Although this app works for saving your time as it will show a report for your potential match. This will include important details like how often do they send the first message and how much time they take to respond. These little details can save you a lot of thinking if they are interested in you or not.
9. Clover
Clover lets you connect with other people with the Facebook account or an email address. You can meet singles on this dating app with the nearby filter. You can also connect with people and join events and meetups organized by people. The best part about this app will be it does not take too much of your time. It simply will start with 20 questions quickly and help you find matches on the basis. You can also connect your Instagram and Twitter to keep others updated on what you are doing. You can specify in the app for what you are looking for if its just friends or to date.
10. Her
Her is the best free dating app 2022 for the LGBTQ community. This focuses on women finding out others for connection or dating. It can be very useful to be on this app as a queer you will get to learn so much about the news from all around. Also, the events and happenings for which you can show interest and meet other people of the same interest. This app requires signup and you are free to explore for connection nearby. While this gets you to meet the person of choice with its friendly yet easy to use interface, Her is quite popular in queer women. Use Facebook or Instagram to sign up quickly and chat with people on the app.
What Is The Best Dating App 2022 For Singles?
This question is totally about what you like. All above-mentioned apps come with their style of connecting people. You can overview these best dating apps 2022 decide which can work for you. There are apps which will help you find out the perfect match by certain matching interest or through the liking of each other’s profile.
Please let us know about which dating app do you like the most and why in the comments section below. If you have used any other app and found it useful please share with us. Also, subscribe to our newsletter to keep getting regular updates of the tech world. Also, follow us on social media- Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
5. Badoo
Badoo functions like Tinder, but offers filters so you can get swiping on people who are more likely to appeal to you. There's a handy verification process so you know you're matching with a real person, and it lets you chat via text and video.
One additional feature of Badoo is that it automatically censors explicit features and warns you before you open them—great if you've ever been on the receiving end of an unwanted snap.
Download: Badoo for Android
10 of the Best Free Dating Apps of 2021
Saving Money / Relationships
nd3000 / Getty Images/iStockphoto great free dating apps
Nowadays, you don’t great free dating apps to pay for premium dating apps to get your date match thanks to 10 free dating apps at our disposal. These apps have the right matching algorithms that can help you find your sweetheart with a few clicks.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit last year, great free dating apps, social lives were destabilized by the COVID-19 pandemic. The thought of meeting someone new was frowned upon. Now, with vaccines rolling out, people can start a return to normalcy more acquainted with online dating apps. It’s all we had during those days of lockdowns and quarantine, after all.
The following 10 great free dating apps have top-notch matching algorithms that can help you find your sweetheart with a few clicks.
10 of the Best Free Dating Apps
Here are some of the most popular, free dating apps you may want to consider if you’re looking for a significant other.
1. OkCupid
OkCupid is one of the most popular online dating apps. With its free version, you can browse unlimited profiles and connect with anyone you want. It also has a premium version with more advanced services, like viewing the profiles great free dating apps you,” which is not available with the free version.
Overall, OkCupid is a dating app for all ages, great free dating apps. When signing up, you’ll be prompted to enter your age and your preference matches. That way, you’ll get better-customized profiles to help you find your perfect match.
2, great free dating apps. Tinder
Tinder is another popular dating app with an incredible interface. It also has a desktop version that boosts its usability. Like all the other apps, it has a free and paid version. You don’t necessarily need the premium version to find a date — the free version is a good choice for that.
Tinder’s free version allows you to swipe through profiles looking for your potential match. The downside is that you’re given limited information about the profiles. For the profiles you like, great free dating apps, select a heart icon, X or swipe to the right. If you don’t, great free dating apps, swipe to the left and continue. Whenever you like a person who likes you back, you’ll receive a notification and you can message each other for a potential date.
3. Grouper
Grouper is popular among iPhone users and groups. It’s a different kind of application, matching group dates on its own using personal data from social accounts. The app uses strong algorithms to ensure a perfect match between the groups before sending invitations.
Priding itself as an offline social club, Grouper sets up blind dates for groups of people. You select two “wingmen” and pay $20 each. Then the app hooks you up with another group of three, so you meet as a group of six.
4. Bumble
Like Tinder, Bumble allows you to swipe through profiles so you can choose your matches. However, Bumble has some restrictions that Tinder doesn’t. For example, to set up a date for heterosexuals, the woman must send the message first. But for same-sex couples, any of them can initiate contact.
5. Her
This is an all-women dating app. Boasting more than 4.5 million users, Her is the go-to site for lesbians, great free dating apps, bisexual women and other LGBTQ+ femmes. Created by queer women for queer women, the application is rapidly growing.
The app allows you to be more creative regarding your sexual orientation or gender for a better understanding of your personality. The text biofield is also another unique feature that allows you to describe the nature of the relationship you want.
6. Plenty of Fish
As the name suggests, Plenty of Fish is a pool of dating profiles. While it’s free to use, it also has a premium, better-customized version. Perhaps the biggest downside of the great free dating apps version is the many ads. However, you can send and receive messages. The paid version eliminates ads and has better filters for easy matching. For instance, you can filter your matches based on your level of education and income.
7. Match
Match.com is one of the oldest online dating websites, being around for more than 20 years. While its app is not an all-free service, it has a three-day offer when you sign up. During this period, you can search profiles and contact people you want. Once this period expires, you’ll have to upgrade to premium. There are different packages, ranging from one month to 12.
8. OurTime
OurTime is designed for those age 50 and older. While most of its services are paid, it also allows you to create and browse profiles for free. That’s good enough as one can find a match who happens to be in their locality.
The fees vary depending on how long you want to sign up. For a month, the charges can great free dating apps up to $35. If you pick the six-month plan, the charges will drop considerably.
9. How About We
Like Grouper, How About We positions itself as an offline dating app. The app simply converts online dating to an offline experience. As a user, you propose a date and another user can opt in to meet up. It’s best for couples considering the huge discounts of up to 75%. Once a date gets a match, several activities are arranged for the two people at discounted costs.
10. The League
This is an elite dating app and requires approval to join. That means you may have to wait for your application to be approved. The good thing is you can pay a few dollars to speed up the process, great free dating apps. You must meet certain standards to join The League. Your academics and income are subject to scrutiny. It’s a good app for professionals looking to build relationships with other professionals.
Takeaway
You don’t have to pay a dime to find love online, great free dating apps. With the myriad of free apps and millions of users, you can get your perfect match. All you need is the right information and some caution to land yourself a date.
Our in-house research team and on-site financial experts work together to create content that’s accurate, impartial, and up to date, great free dating apps. We fact-check every single statistic, quote and fact using trusted primary resources to make sure the information we provide is correct. You can learn more about GOBankingRates’ processes and standards in our editorial policy.
About the Author
Lydia Kibet has been writing professionally since 2017. Her passion for helping brands in all aspects of content marketing flows through in the expert industry coverage she provides — personal finance, investing and healthcare, great free dating apps. Her work has been featured in The Motley Fool, Great free dating apps Junkie, Green Market Report, and Medical News Today. When she’s not writing, she’s either reading, playing guitar or catching up with nature. Follow her on Twitter.
The Perfect Online Dating Profile
Your next date could be waiting for you on one of these online dating apps. And because these Tinder alternatives are great free dating apps free, you've got nothing to lose by giving them a try.
If you want to give yourself the best shot at finding a date, be sure to take the time to make your profile stand out. Take the best photos, write interesting bios, and don't take it too seriously.
50+ Tips to Get the Most Out of Online Dating
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About The Author
Joe was born with a keyboard in his hands and immediately started writing about technology. He has a BA (Hons) in Business and is now a full-time freelance writer who enjoys making tech simple for everyone.
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