Dating sites, whether they’re used to look for true love or a casual fling, have become very popular in recent years.
With different apps and websites springing up, it seems like it’s become easy to find love.
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This begs the question as to whether or not it’s actually possible to find true love through dating sites. Maybe these people were just not looking in the right places.
Here is a list of the best free dating sites for serious relationships. You can find the one that matches your tastes and preferences.
Table of Contents
1. OkCupid
OkCupid, or OKC for short makes use of multiple-choice questions to help you find your perfect match. It has 10+ million users globally making it one of the most popular online dating sites.
OkCupid manages to cross the barrier of those endless questions that you know everyone answered incorrectly.
For instance, you know that if a dating site asked if you’ve ever been unfaithful, you’d obviously say no.
Making your profile on OkCupid can even be fun. Apart from finding out the religious, political and other views of potential matches, you’ll also find similar interests, etc.
You’ll find the answers to questions like whether they’d prefer a camping trip or a vacation to Paris.
It’s inclusive and has more gender options other than just male and female. This caters to the ones who fall in the lesser represented categories.
How to Find a Match
OkCupid follows a swipe and sees method. You are shown a profile, occasionally with some questions for you to answer. Swipe right when you see someone you like.
Alternatively, you can even search for potential matches through mutual music tastes and so on.
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Pros
- It’s inclusive and has 12 gender options to cater to everyone, even minority communities.
- For all the questions you’ve answered, you can see your potential match’s responses.
- Apart from finding out about people’s religious and political views, you also get an insight into their personality. This helps find out if you’re truly compatible or not.
- To weed out the purists, the website asks questions like “would you keep a gun in the house?” The site actually displays the percent of people who skipped such questions out entirely.
- You can only exchange messages with people you’ve been matched with to avoid uncomfortable encounters.
- Majority of the functions are free apart from some premium features (such as going add-free) which are paid.
Cons
- OkCupid isn’t really ideal for people with very strict rules about the kind of people they’ll date.
- Many people who look for love online are not likely to jump into a lifelong commitment. If you’re in a rush to get married, either look elsewhere or take it slow with potential matches.
2. eharmony
Eharmony claims that it makes 14 love connections every minute. If you’re looking for a dating site for a real relationship, this is it.
In fact, research has shown that nearly 4% of married couples in the US met each other through eharmony.
To access most of its features, you need to buy a package. However, the free version offers you the ability to complete your personality survey and profile.
You can also see potential matches but in order to actually converse with someone, you have to pay.
However, if you don’t find a match within three months, you’ll get the next three months free!
How to Find a Match
Once you’ve completed your profile and compatibility survey, the site shows you potential matches. You can add them to your favorites, but to actually view their profile you need to subscribe.
They offer a standard and premium package depending on how much you’re willing to spend to find love.
Pros
- The profile-making step might be exhausting, but it’s thorough. The in-depth questions make the match results more relevant and suitable for you.
- It’s ideal for people looking for “real” relationships. The first point of contact is not based on looks but on personality.
- If you haven’t found a match within 3 months of using eharmony, the next 3 months are free.
Cons
- The free version only allows you to see potential matches. In order to actually communicate with them, you have to pay. Till you subscribe, you can’t even see the faces of potential matches.
- The site only shows a limited number of matches at a time. Eharmony claims that it does this so that you can properly screen the options provided. However, for many users, this can raise the feeling that they’re not worthy of having many matches.
- Many people have accused the site of being close-minded and restricting the number of potential matches.
- There is an endless 100-question compatibility survey. You might start feeling like going to the park and finding someone might be easier than this.
3. Match
If you’re looking for free dating sites which are actually worth your time, you can try out Match. It’s almost as certain as eharmony that you’ll find your match soon. If you don’t find someone within the first six months, the next six months of service will be free.
The majority of people on Match are on the lookout for a long term commitment. You’ll be happy to know that the sight isn’t just a way to find out cheesy things like “romance level”.
Apart from putting up your profile with your personality traits, you can also select the personality traits you want/ don’t want in your potential match. The best part is that it’s not all black and white. For instance, you might check the “shouldn’t smoke” option.
How to Find a Match
You can either find:
- Mutual matches: which fulfill your preset specifications.
- Reverse matches people who are more like you.
Pros
- A match is determined to help you find your soul mate. If you don’t find someone within the first six months, the next six months of service will be free.
- The best part is that it’s not all black and white. For instance, you might check the “shouldn’t smoke” option. However, you can also select that it’s not a deal-breaker to widen your search.
- The paid package provides you a special email address just for Match use.
Cons
- The site takes time to process problems and complaints.
- The free option is very limited. You can find potential matches and their info, but to connect with them you need to buy a package.
4. Plenty of Fish
We’d like to start off by saying that Plenty of Fish should definitely not be your first option for online dating sites.
Most people opt for it because it’s a free way for them to find love. Setting up your account follows a pretty classic pattern.
You start out by filling out a personality test and putting up a picture.
You can freely message anyone on POF as well as send voice notes (a feature many dating sites don’t offer for first time communication).
However, this also acts as a gateway for scams and fraudulent activity. You’ll have to keep that in mind if you sign up for POF.
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How to Find a Match
You can freely message anyone on POF as well as send voice notes (a feature many dating sites don’t offer for first time communication). You can also find people based on their location.
To indicate your level of interest, you can either cross a tick the profile being viewed.
Pros
- Most of the features are completely free! Even if you’re on a tight budget, you don’t have to compromise on love.
- You can connect with anyone right away. Talk about an instant connection!
Cons
- Anyone can contact you without any barriers. This acts as a gateway for scams and fraudulent activity.
- Apart from unwanted requests for sexual encounters, monetary scams are also common. You’ll have to keep that in mind if you sign up for POF.
- It isn’t a great place for people who want a long-term commitment.
- The free version has in-app ads, which can be quite annoying.
5. Tinder
You probably think that Tinder is for casual relationships and one night stands, but just hear us out. Tinder has actually led to many long term relationships.
The signing up process is quick and easy so there’s really no harm in giving it a shot.
You just need a nice picture of yourself, provide your age and a little background information. Once you’ve done this, you’re ready to start swiping.
How to Find a Match
Once your profile is complete, just start swiping. Just swipe right to connect or left to move on. The decision is based on the first glimpse of someone’s profile.
Pros
- It’s quick and easy to find a connection. Tinder is perfect for people who don’t mind exploring a little before they settle on a single match.
- Tinder Premium can let you try again with somebody you accidentally swiped to the left. It gives you a second chance with someone who appealed to your tastes a little too late.
Cons
- The lack of information makes it hard to find someone you can create a deeper connection with.
- As with most open sites, prepare to receive unwelcome swipes and connections.
6. Bumble
If you’ve ever been harassed by anyone on online dating sites, you might have been put off forever.
Whether it’s some strange messages or graphic photos, you might have decided that it’s better to just stay single.
However, Bumble will help you regain your confidence in e-dating. The woman is the only one who can initiate the conversation and get things started.
Once two people enter into a conversation, they only have 48 hours to connect.
The initiator has 24 hours to send a message and the other person has 24 hours to respond. Once the time is up, the connection will disappear and it’s time to look for someone else.
How to Find a Match
Once two people enter into a conversation, they only have 48 hours to connect. The initiator has 24 hours to send a message and the other person has 24 hours to respond.
Once the time is up, the connection will disappear and it’s time to look for someone else.
Pros
- It’s more comfortable to use because of the restrictions when you’re connecting with a potential match.
- Women won’t have to put up with cheesy pickup lines since they’re in charge of making the first move.
Cons
- Your profile bio is only 300 words so you need to make sure they create an impact. The bio of a potential match is your only view of their personality. For people looking for lasting relationships, this can be tricky.
- If you have very specific criteria about what you’re looking for, Bumble isn’t for you.
7. Hinge
If Tinder is all about the looks, Hinge is the absolute opposite. Hinge requires you to comment on people’s profiles and pictures in order to get to know them.
When you receive a comment, you have the option to respond, save it for later or un-match that person. You’ll have fourteen days to make up your mind before the comments disappear.
How to Find a Match
You’ll have fourteen days to make up your mind before the comments disappear. As a free user, you can like 10 profiles every day.
You can cross out anyone you’re not interested in to find a new match.
Pros
- Hinge truly cares if you find a match or not. If you connect with a match through the phone, Hinge will contact you in a few days.
- They’ll inquire if you actually went out and if you had a good time or not.
Cons
- If you don’t find anyone you like in the 10 potential options, it can be frustrating. For unlimited access, you have to get a paid package.
- The free version can help you narrow your search based on basic factors like gender and religion.
For more specific searches, such as their views on drugs, smoking, etc., you need a premium package.
- Users you removed can reappear further limiting your already restricted pool of 10 matches/ day.
8. Coffee Meets Bagel
Coffee Meets Bagel speeds up your search for your soul-mate. You’ll have one week to reach out to a potential match before they disappear.
Coffee Meets Bagel is owned by women which have really helped a lot of women trust the site. The site will send women matches from the people who’ve liked their profiles.
How to Find a Match
CBM uses an algorithm, which requires you to have at least one mutual Facebook friend with your match. Even if you don’t, you’ll still get some options.
Matches are called bagels. Men get 21 bagels a day, which they can like, discard or “priority like”. Women get options for people who fit their criteria and those who liked their profile.
The site is owned by women and greatly caters to make online dating experience more comfortable for women.
Pros
- Coffee Meets Bagel is owned by women, which has really helped a lot of women trust the site.
- You can only get messages from people whose profiles you’ve liked. This will screen out unwanted users.
- You can’t really browse profiles and you’ll only get messages from profiles you’ve liked. You won’t have to spend too much time looking for people.
- As you wait for your morning coffee, you can peruse that day’s matches.
Cons
- The chances of meeting someone completely new are rare because of the mutual friend requirement.
- CBM isn’t too popular as an online dating site yet so your matches will be from a very limited pool.
- You get a limited number of matches daily so it might take time to find love.
9. Happn
Happn is ready to give you a second chance at love. You might have run into someone you can’t get out of your mind in the park or at a bar. Chances are you can find them on Happn.
The site connects you with people who you’ve come across at some point in your life. After all, if you’re going to get serious with someone, you need to have something in common.
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How to Find a Match
Matches are made based on your preferences. You can only “like” a profile. To connect, the other person also has to send you alike. A 2-way like is a “crush” (i.e. a match).
You can send a “Hello” to someone who hasn’t liked your profile. This will indicate to them that you’d like to initiate a conversation. It’s up to them if they wish to carry it forward.
Pros
- If you’re in a hurry, you can get the premium option. This allows you to immediately see who liked your profile so you can choose to connect with them.
Cons
- Happn can show your matches if you’ve been in the same vicinity and how many times this has happened.
10. Zoosk
As a free user of Zoosk, you can create your public profile and send flirt pings to potential matches.
If you’re a premium user, you can even send digital gifts when you’re trying to get someone’s attention. Putting up a picture is optional.
The site uses data from your likes and comments to find out more about your preferences.
While it eliminates the nuisance of filling endless questionnaires, it may lead to a few unwanted messages.
Disclaimer
It’s important to remember that Zoosk and similar sites don’t screen suitors too thoroughly. They don’t have restrictions on who makes the first move or who gets to connect with you.
They are likely to invite unwanted requests which may be harmless but can also be potentially distressing.
How to Find a Match
As a free user of Zoosk, you can create your public profile and send flirt pings to potential matches.
If you’re a premium user, you can even send digital gifts when you’re trying to get someone’s attention.
Pros
- Setting up a profile is a quick and easy task. The behavioral algorithm is likely to find matches that genuinely fulfill your requirements.
Cons
- Zoosk (and similar sites) don’t screen suitors too thoroughly. They don’t have restrictions on who makes the first move or who gets to connect with you.
They are likely to invite unwanted requests which may be harmless but can also be potentially distressing.
- While it eliminates the nuisance of filling endless questionnaires, it may lead to a few unwanted messages.
11. Elite Singles
Elite Singles is perfect for those 30-somethings who are tired of playing around and desire something more permanent.The site is perfect for you if you’re done with youngsters just looking for a good time.
More than 80% of the site’s members are university graduates. They’re likely to be looking for someone to settle down with.
Signing up is quite the task because the questionnaire is long and tedious. It is likely to take the most part of an hour.
How to Find a Match
You can find matches in 3 ways:
- Matches: Elite Singles will show you 3-7 matches with a compatibility percentage
- Visitors: You can see who visited your profile. If you like them, you can connect with them
- “Have you Met”: We don’t always know how to articulate what we’re looking for. This feature shows you matches that just fell short of your criteria. Who knows? Maybe you’ll find “the one” from this section.
Pros
- The survey may be long but it’s thorough so it’ll be easier to find a true match.
- The “Have You Met” feature may help you find someone you never even knew you could’ve fallen for.
Cons
- The paid version of Elite Singles is pricier than some other dating sites.
- It doesn’t have an app on the Apple Store, meaning you’ll have to resort to a desktop. Even though the site caters to a more mature group of people, this is definitely a hindrance.
- The questionnaire asks you to rate your own appearance and the questions are often repetitive. This can be uncomfortable, especially for people who are already a little self- conscious. You also don’t have the option to change any of your answers.
12. Adult Friend Finder
You might be on the lookout for dating sites for serious relationships. It’s important to remember that everyone’s preferences are different.
While some people might be looking for a deep emotional connection, others find love in different ways.
If you think that Adult Friend Finder is just for superficial people looking for casual, fun flings, you’re wrong.
The site makes you complete a compatibility questionnaire so that you find someone who is just right for you.
The site might seem “raunchy” to most people but it’s still popular among others. Who knows? What seems like a quick, fun time might end up becoming a long term commitment.
How to Find a Match
Search for potential matches based on:
- User info,
- People online at the time,
- People close by,
- Kinks
- Location.
Pros
- Apart from the traditional questions, you can also complete more “interesting” quizzes. This is great for people looking for something beyond a traditional relationship.
- The site also features blogs, articles and advice for e-daters.
Cons
- The majority of the features are paid. This includes being able to start a conversation and viewing full profiles (including all the photos).
- According to some reviews, the site is difficult to navigate.
- There’s no algorithm at work: your match will be based solely on the data you enter.
13. 50 Plus Club
If you’ve left your youthful years behind you, don’t worry. We didn’t forget to include a little something for you. The 50 Plus Club is strictly for people over fifty so you can connect more easily.
The site goes beyond the digital realm by offering offline activities. You can get to meet potential matches in person and get to know them a bit better.
Just Senior Singles and Age Match are other online dating site options for seniors looking for love.
Our Time is also popular among seniors looking for others celebrating the special years of their life. It helps you connect with people who share similar interests and activities as you.
How to Find a Match
Upload a good photo of yourself and get started. Find people like yourself in search of something meaningful.
The site goes beyond the digital realm by offering offline activities. You can get to meet potential matches in person and get to know them a bit better.
Pros
- It’s only for those who are 50+ so the search is filtered the moment you sign up.
- The website is easy to navigate.
Cons
There aren’t any real cons since the site covers everything people in their fifties and beyond are looking for.
With the addition of real activities, they’re covering both the online and offline dating channels.
Similar Sites
Just Senior Singles and Age Match are other online dating site options for seniors looking for love.
Our Time is also popular among seniors looking for others celebrating the special years of their life. It helps you connect with people who share similar interests and activities as you.
Related Article: 21 Absolutely Free Dating Sites For Hookup
14. Love Again
If you’ve been on the search for love for what seems like forever, you’re probably close to giving up. On Love Again, you can connect with other people who’ve dealt with the pain of heartbreak.
It doesn’t matter if you don’t want anything serious. You can just connect with someone to have a nice conversation.
Once you’re comfortable and ready to get back in the game, you can look for something more long-term.
How to Find a Match
Search for people based on anything. Whether it’s their age, the color of their eyes or smoking habits, the world is your oyster. You can search among all members, those currently online or those who just joined.
Pros
- Safety is a key feature of Love Again. Users are screened through text message, Facebook info and credit card details to verify their accounts. No more creeps pretending to be someone else just to reach out to you.
Cons
- Just like most good things, Love Again comes with a price. You can sign up for free. However, in order to maintain your account on the site, you have to buy a package.
15. Christian Connection
It is often difficult to find someone you can settle down with through online dating sites. If you’re looking for a more permanent relationship, you want someone you can share your life with.
You might prefer to be with someone who shares the same religious and other views as you. Find someone to accompany to your Sunday masses through Christian Connection.
How to Find a Match
You can start off by digitally waving at someone who catches your interest. Over time, you can message and try to get to know them a bit better.
The site also hosts events so you can look for a match in person!
Pros
- Upload as many pictures as you please. The site also allows you to fill some of your info later on once you’re more comfortable with the platform.
- You can initially send out messages with your free account for 5 days. Waves are free throughout.
Cons
- You need to be sure you know what you’re getting into with this one. Since it’s only for Christians, there might be a chance of you running into extremists.
Similar Sites
Christian Mingle is a similar site for Christians to find a love connection.
16. J Date
Just like Christian Connection and Christian Mingle help connect people with similar religious views, J Date does the same. J Date connects people from the Jewish Community across the globe.
You can make a deep connection by looking for someone who shares the same beliefs and passions as you.
How to Find a Match
Simply create your profile, find potential matches, and once you’re ready to communicate, sign up for one of their packages. You can find a match based on:
- Your preferences or
- Suggestions that you can browse and either like or cross out.
Pros
- It’s the largest online dating site for Jews.
Cons
- You can only add up to 6 pictures of yourself so choose wisely!
17. Anomo
All of us occasionally feel nervous when talking to someone for the first time. But for introverts this is an ongoing problem. Anomo helps introverts look for connections through ice-breaking games, interesting posts and engaging conversations.
How to Find a Match
As the name suggests, the site initially keeps your identity anonymous and you are represented by an avatar. Once you’ve found tentative matches, you can choose to unveil your true identity to the other person.
Pros
- It helps cross the bounds of being attracted to someone physically and allows you to develop deeper connections. If it takes you a while to open up to someone, you can initially just anonymously chat with them. When the time is right, you can share more about yourself with them.
Cons
- Strange messages and scam accounts are easy to make because everything is anonymous.
- It has been reported that a fair share of the users are between 15-20 years old and are likely to be gullible to fake accounts.
Online Dating Has Never Been This Easy
The best online dating sites usually have limited free options. The more premium functions can be unlocked through paid packages.
The money you’ll be spending might help you find someone you can spend the rest of your life with. So really, it’s a small price to pay for love. Whether you’re young, old, shy or bold, the online dating world caters to everyone’s needs.
