These are the best free dating sites that you'll actually want to use
Dating can really take a toll on your bank balance, with multiple date nights (dinner, cocktails, club entry...) really racking up a bill over the course of the weeks and months of trying to meet someone new. Thanks to the cozzie lives, more and more singles are eschewing dating all together to save money. On top of all that, free dating sites (where you can *meet* people to go on spenny dates with) feel like a disappearing breed. Nowadays, so may dating sites and apps come with pricey subscriptions and the price of dating is going up.
If you're after cheap dating, then free UK dating sites can be a great solution - there are so many more out there than you think. Plus, unlike dating apps, online dating sites don't clog up your phone notifications...
1.Eharmony
By now, you've probably heard of eharmony, one of the OG dating sites which uses a compatibility matching system and was launched over two decades ago. To use eharmony properly, you will need to pay for a membership - but they encourage you to 'try before you buy' for free initially. With the free trial, you can answer eharmony's questionnaire, see your matches and send icebreakers - so you can try for free and see what you think. Membership starts at £8.95 per month, but that's if you sign up for two years, with a shorter subscription bumping up the monthly price.
2. OkCupid
OkCupid uses lots of algorithms to find your perfect match - and there are plenty of success stories out there from people who have used it. Admittedly, OkCupid does offer paid-for extras like read receipts or profile boosts and has a subscription model that covers Basic, Premium and Incognito, the free version of the site includes everything you actually need in order to use it.
With a basic account, you can see all your potential matches, send and receive likes, get notified when you both like each other, and you can send and receive messages.
The only downside with a basic account is that the number of likes you can send is capped each day - but it's a blessing in disguise as you won't be overwhelmed with a tonne of matches to reply to.
If you do decide to opt for a subscription, prices start at £7.95 (per month) with benefits like unlimited likes, no ads, and a preview of who has liked you available across the different paid-for options.
3. Plenty of Fish
If you're looking for a free dating site that goes off more than just physical attraction, then Plenty of Fish's thorough questionnaires (a change from the standard set-up of selfies and a five-word bio) might be a refreshing change. Just like OkCupid, there are options to pay for more features, but the free version of the site is really all you need.
With a free account, you can view other people's profiles and send and receive messages as normal. An upgraded membership will give you extra features, like knowing when messages have been opened or using the app free of ads, and starts at £19.99/month option for two months - but all the essentials are covered in the free version. There are also paid-for bonuses like an "ultra-match".
4. Free Dating
OK, this one does what it says on the tin: completely free profile searching and messaging, and you can view as many profiles as you like at once. The freedating.co.uk site is specific to the UK and specialises in regional dating, so you're able to easily browse profiles based on location. Plus, they promise that it'll stay free forever.
5. Completely Free Dating
Another one that gets straight to the point, Completely Free Dating promises to be, well, totally free to use. You can search, view and message people without the need to upgrade - and it's strictly a website, unlike other sites which often have an accompanying app. It's also UK-specific, so you can quickly search based on different regions.
6. Fdating
Fdating is totally free to access, and you can even browse profiles without making a profile of your own - but you'll need to log in to send a message. Still, once you're logged in there's nothing to pay for and the site will remain completely free. You can specify the age range of people you're looking to meet in your profile, and you can even see when potential dates were last active on the site, saving you from messaging dead accounts.
7. eLoveDates
eLoveDates specialises in international dating, and it promises that all features of the site will remain 100% free. So if you're looking for your next holiday romance ahead of time, this could be for you.
8. Mingle2
On Mingle2 it's completely free to browse profiles and send messages. It doesn't all need to be romantic, though, and you can also use the site to make new friends too. Plus, profiles are monitored and you can easily block anyone you don't want to talk to.
9. Match Me Happy
UK-based dating site Match Me Happy lets you sign up, make a profile and send introductory messages all for free - and you can select your section of the site based on region. You can create a favourites list (like taking potential dates through to the next round of the X Factor) and send unlimited 'winks' as a free member - but you'll need to pay to keep using the instant messenger.
10. Fish For Singles
Fish For Singles lets you join and browse profiles for free - and all profiles are checked to make sure they're genuine. You can even filter your search by build, hair colour, characteristics and interests which, while slightly dystopian, could be the fastest way to finding your type on paper.
11. Just London Singles
Just London Singles is made for dating in the capital, where it's notoriously hard to meet people who want a relationship. The site allows you to make a profile, browse others and send likes for free, but you have to upgrade to send and receive unlimited messages and see who's viewed your profile.
12. Match
Match is another site you need to pay for in order to access all the services available, but you can still use some features for free if you don't want to commit just yet. A free account will let you create a profile, browse for other singles and send likes - but you'll need a paid membership to send messages, with subs starting at £9.99 per month for six months. Still, the free option is great if you just fancy a browse...
13. Dating.com
Dating.com is an international free dating site that lets you connect with people from all over the word. When signing up, you'll be asked if you're looking for 'penpals', 'flirting' or 'something serious' (among others). Once you've created a profile you can send out a message to everyone who fits your specifications using the Mingle tool. Or, you can browse profiles and choose who to message yourself - with no swiping!
While Dating.com bills itself as LGBTQIA+ inclusive - and does let you match and chat with anyone - its gender options are limited to men and women.
Sign up is free or premium features start from £29.99.
14. Parship
Parship claims provide 'scientific' matches by putting users into one of 32 personality types (based on the Parship principle) via an in-depth personality quiz - even getting into the nitty-gritty of whether you sleep with the window open (a deal breaker imo).
If the serious sign up quiz didn't give it away, Parship is all about long-term relationships over hookups or casual vibes.
Like Dating.com, while Parship does provide same-sex match maxing, its gender options are limited to men & women, so it's not the most LGBTQIA+ friendly service.
While sign up is free, you can get premium features - such as unlimited communication - for £14.90 a month.
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