The Best Free Dating Apps of 2024
Written by: BestApp.com App Testing Team - Updated: Jan 22, 2022
After researching a selection of free dating apps, we chose Match as our top pick thanks to its wide range of features that help users find long-term, serious relationships, including video chats, conversation starters, and an effective matchmaking algorithm. But if Match isn’t the right choice for you, we found nine other great dating apps worth your time. Here are the 10 best free dating apps available on iOS and Android.
Top 10 Free Dating Apps to Try
- Match — Top Pick
- Plenty of Fish — Best Free Version
- Hinge — Best for Deeper Conversations
- Tinder — Best for Casual Dating
- Bumble — Best for Women
- OkCupid — Best for In-Depth Profiles
- Coffee Meets Bagel — Best for Match Suggestions
- Grindr — Best for Gay, Bi, Trans, and Queer People
- Happn — Best for Missed Connections
- DOWN Dating — Best for Hookups
How We Chose the Best Free Dating Apps
To choose the best free dating apps, we looked for those that offer a few key features that contribute to a seamless matchmaking process. The apps should offer a comprehensive free version, in-app video calls, same-sex connections, and safety features to help protect users from scammers, bots, and potentially dangerous connections.
Choose the free dating app that’s right for you
Since all of these apps offer a free tier, we recommend testing several apps for yourself to find the one that meets your needs and dating preferences. You should also consider the cost of each app’s optional subscriptions and whether you’re more interested in casual or serious dating.
Put your safety first
While many of the apps on our list include features to help users stay safe, it’s important to exercise caution when talking to and potentially meeting with strangers. To learn more about how you can use online dating apps safely, we recommend reading these online dating and dating app safety tips.
Our Free Dating App Reviews
Match — Top Pick
Download: Android ★★★★★★★★★★ | iOS ★★★★★★★★★★
Match is our favorite free dating app thanks to its versatile features and focus on helping users find lasting relationships. The app suggests matches based on your preferences and profile information, refining your matches over time for better results. In-app video chat lets you talk face-to-face with your matches before meeting in public, and the app’s unique virtual and in-person events let users talk to singles near them to find the right match. You can get advice from dating experts to refine your profile and plan your first date, and, if you’re having trouble getting conversations going, you can choose from a selection of conversation starters to break the ice and spark meaningful conversations.
Notable features:
- Free version available
- Subscription plans: Monthly: $35.99
- Support available: Help Center, FAQs
| Match Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| In-app and virtual events | Expensive monthly subscription |
| In-app video calls | |
| Conversation starter suggestions | |
Plenty of Fish — Best Free Version
Download: Android ★★★★★★★★★★ | iOS ★★★★★★★★★★
Plenty of Fish is a popular dating app designed to help users find matches through conversation, common interests, and face-to-face connections. Plenty of Fish offers the most free features of any app on our list, including livestreaming, conversation icebreakers, and unlimited messages. By upgrading to the paid version of the app, you can upload more pictures, view more detailed user profiles, and take advantage of other great features. Plenty of Fish is one of the largest dating communities available, making it easier to find suitable matches, and the app supports same-sex connections.
Notable features:
- Free version available
- In-app purchases: $0.99 – $399.99/item
- Support available: Help Center
| Plenty of Fish Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Livestreams and video calls | Dated user interface |
| Feature-rich free version | Free version includes ads |
Hinge — Best for Deeper Conversations
Download: Android ★★★★★★★★★★ | iOS ★★★★★★★★★★
Hinge is a popular alternative to casual dating apps like Tinder for people interested in forming deeper connections. When you sign up, you’ll answer several questions regarding your lifestyle, gender, political beliefs, and more. To complete your profile, you have to choose and answer conversation prompts, and, unlike most other dating apps, instead of “liking” your profile, users can like a specific aspect of your profile to indicate what you two have in common. This makes it easy for users to start deep and engaging conversations before meeting in person. Most of Hinge’s basic features are free, but to see who has liked your profile and to gain access to a few other premium features, you’ll have to upgrade to the paid version of the app.
Notable features:
- Free version available
- In-app purchases: $0.99 – $119.99/item
- Support available: Help Center
| Hinge Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Engaging conversation prompts | Bare-bones premium version |
| Ability to state dealbreakers | Free version limited to 10 likes per day |
| Profiles can include audio clips | |
Tinder — Best for Casual Dating
Download: Android ★★★★★★★★★★ | iOS ★★★★★★★★★★
Tinder has long been one of the most popular casual dating apps available. Tinder popularized the swipe-based matching system, encouraging users to match with others based on a selection of photos and profile bios. Tinder integrates with other social platforms like Instagram, Spotify, and Snapchat, making it easy to learn more about users’ interests and lifestyles. Once you match with someone, you can chat with them via messages or video calls, and, for safety, you can use the unique Noonlight feature to bring a plus-one on your date. The app also uses a photo verification system to minimize scams and bot profiles, and with Tinder+ or Tinder Gold, you can access additional features like Super Likes, Passport, and Boost to find more matches.
Notable features:
- Free version available
- Subscription plans: Tinder+: $9.99/month; Tinder Gold: $14.99/month
- Support available: Email, Phone Number
| Tinder Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Noonlight feature for safer meetups | No custom profile searches |
| User verification | Limited daily likes in free version |
| Great inclusivity features | |
Bumble — Best for Women
Download: Android ★★★★★★★★★★ | iOS ★★★★★★★★★★
Bumble is the dating app that puts women in the position to make the first move. This gives women more control over who they match with and who messages them. After making a match, the woman is the only one that can start the conversation. For same-sex matches, either user can start the conversation. Users can include prompts in their profiles to tell others more about their interests and personality, and you can connect with Spotify to display your favorite artists. Unlike any other app on our list, Bumble also includes options designed to help users find friends and network with professionals in their industry, called Bumble BFF and Bumble Bizz.
Notable features:
- Free version available
- In-app purchases: $0.99 – $149.99/item
- Support available: Help Center
| Bumble Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Women have more control | No free trial |
| Bumble BFF and Bumble Bizz included | |
| Profile verifications | |
OkCupid — Best for In-Depth Profiles
Download: Android ★★★★★★★★★★ | iOS ★★★★★★★★★★
OkCupid is the best dating app for users who want to create more detailed profiles for the sake of finding better matches. Setting up your profile can be a lengthy process since the app asks several questions about your lifestyle, dating preferences, political beliefs, and religious beliefs, and, unlike other dating apps, you can also set questions that you want your ideal match to answer. This level of detail makes OkCupid great for users who aren’t interested in the swipe-based matching systems that casual dating apps like Tinder use. Users can create profiles, match with others, and message their matches for free, but you’ll have to upgrade to premium for an ad-free experience and the ability to see who has liked your profile.
Notable features:
- Free version available
- In-app purchases: $0.99 – $179.99/item
- Support available: Help Center
| OkCupid Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Detailed user profiles | No free trial |
| Large user base | No in-app video calls |
| Great for finding long-term relationships | |
Coffee Meets Bagel — Best for Match Suggestions
Download: Android ★★★★★★★★★★ | iOS ★★★★★★★★★★
Coffee Meets Bagel is a dating app focused on quality over quantity. Unlike most dating apps that let users browse and swipe profiles at their will, Coffee Meets Bagel sends you a curated selection of profiles every day at noon based on your profile and preferences. This makes it easier for users to find suitable matches without wading through hundreds of profiles. Once you match with someone, you have seven days to message them, and the app will suggest an icebreaker to get the conversation going. You can also view the “Liked You” section to instantly match with users who have already liked your profile, and, by upgrading to premium, you can access great features like read receipts and activity reports.
Notable features:
- Free version available
- In-app purchases: $0.99 – $179.99/item
- Support available: Help Center
| Coffee Meets Bagel Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Curated match suggestions | No in-app video calls |
| Conversation starters | |
Grindr — Best for Gay, Bi, Trans, and Queer People
Download: Android ★★★★★★★★★★ | iOS ★★★★★★★★★★
Grindr is the only app on our list that caters specifically to gay, bisexual, trans and queer people to help them find relationships and hookups. You can find people near you, chat and share private photos, block users, add profiles to your “favorites,” share your location for easy meetups, and chat with people from around the world. Once you sign up, you can customize your profile to share your interests, dating preferences, and lifestyle preferences. Grindr XTRA makes it even easier to find matches by letting you see more profiles, access premium filters, and filter profiles based on who’s online and who has photos.
Notable features:
- Free version available
- In-app purchases: $0.99 – $359.99/item
- Support available: Help Center
| Grindr Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Ability to find users in your area | Not great for long-term relationships |
| Profile filters | |
| Voluntary location sharing | |
Happn — Best for Missed Connections
Download: Android ★★★★★★★★★★ | iOS ★★★★★★★★★★
With over 119 million registered users, Happn is one of the most downloaded dating apps in the world. Founded in France in 2014, Happn uses technology to give a helping hand to destiny by allowing singles who have crossed paths to find each other on the app. After creating your profile, whenever you cross paths with another user, their profile appears on your app, and you can see exactly where you ran into them. “Likes” are anonymous until the other person matches with you, and, if you want to stand out, you can send a FlashNote to convey your interest. You can chat with your matches or start a video call for a face-to-face conversation. To help keep you safe, your location is never shared with other users. It’s also worth mentioning that this app offers free profile certification and free audio features such as audio notes, audio calls, and an audio timeline.
Notable features:
- Free version available
- In-app purchases: $0.99 – $144.99/item
- Support available: Help Center, FAQs
| Happn Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Proximity-based matches | No same-sex connections |
| Video calls | No profile searches |
DOWN Dating — Best for Hookups
Download: Android ★★★★★★★★★★ | iOS ★★★★★★★★★★
Unlike other apps on our list, Down takes the ambiguity out of online dating by letting users clearly state whether they’re interested in finding hookups or dates. This makes it easy for users to find suitable matches where both parties understand the other’s intentions. You can match with other users, chat with them, and, if you accidentally like a profile, you can undo your “likes” for free. Down proactively searches for scammers, bots, and bad actors to keep legitimate users safe. Down’s biggest flaws are that it does not support same-sex connections and does not let users start video calls to talk with their matches face to face before meeting.
Notable features:
- Free version available
- In-app purchases: $1.99 – $84.99/item
- Support available: FAQs
| DOWN Dating Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Ideal for finding hookups | No same-sex connections |
| Proactive approach to shut down scammers’ profiles | No in-app video calls |
Free Dating Apps: Features Summary Table
| Free Dating Apps Comparison Table | ||
|---|---|---|
| App | Subscription Fees or In-App Purchases | Features |
| Match — Top Pick | Monthly: $35.99 | ✓ In-App Video Calls ✓ Same-Sex Connections ✓ Safety Features |
| Plenty of Fish — Best Free Version | $0.99 – $399.99/item | ✓ In-App Video Calls ✓ Same-Sex Connections ✓ Safety Features |
| Hinge — Best for Deeper Conversations | $0.99 – $119.99/item | ✓ In-App Video Calls ✓ Same-Sex Connections ✓ Safety Features |
| Tinder — Best for Casual Dating | Tinder+: $9.99/month Tinder Gold: $14.99/month |
✓ In-App Video Calls ✓ Same-Sex Connections ✓ Safety Features |
| Bumble — Best for Women | $0.99 – $149.99/item | ✓ In-App Video Calls ✓ Same-Sex Connections ✓ Safety Features |
| OkCupid — Best for In-Depth Profiles | $0.99 – $179.99/item | X In-App Video Calls ✓ Same-Sex Connections ✓ Safety Features |
| Coffee Meets Bagel — Best for Match Suggestions | $0.99 – $179.99/item | X In-App Video Calls ✓ Same-Sex Connections ✓ Safety Features |
| Grindr — Best for Gay, Bi, Trans, and Queer People | $0.99 – $359.99/item | ✓ In-App Video Calls ✓ Same-Sex Connections ✓ Safety Features |
| Happn — Best for Missed Connections | $0.99 – $144.99/item | ✓ In-App Video Calls X Same-Sex Connections ✓ Safety Features |
| DOWN Dating — Best for Hookups | $1.99 – $84.99/item | X In-App Video Calls X Same-Sex Connections ✓ Safety Features |