1. Names Of All Dating Sites
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Popularity isn’t everything. But it’s pretty dang important for dating sites and apps.

Singles have the best chance of meeting someone on dating apps with the largest and most diverse user bases. But finding the most popular dating apps can be tricky because the dating world is in a constant state of flux. Fortunately for you, our job is to keep tabs on the comings and goings of today’s single population.

Dating platforms are notoriously tight-lipped about exactly how many users they have, but we’ve done our homework to find the most recent and accurate stats we can regarding daily active users and overall membership numbers. That way, you can get a sense of just how popular these industry leaders are.

1. Badoo — 480M Users

The top app may surprise you. Badoo was one of the first dating apps on the scene, and it has amassed a large following around the world. Badoo boasts having over 480 million users — and counting!

Every day, the Badoo database adds about 300,000 new members, its photo gallery grows by over 10 million photos, and its members send more than 350 million messages.

The Badoo dating site connects singles in 47 languages and across 190 countries.

Badoo has the largest singles database in the world, and these aren’t all inactive profiles. The dating platform has over 60 million monthly active users, and it sees over 12 billion swipes per day. You can download the Badoo app for free on Google Play or the App Store.

2. Tinder — 300M Users

Tinder is truly a monster dating app with a lot of impressive stats to its name. The Tinder app reached and then surpassed 100 million downloads in 2016. It now has been downloaded over 300 million times, and it is currently available in 190 countries.

In 2019, Tinder reported having 5.2 million paid subscribers and seeing over 2 billion views per day, so it’s safe to say people are pretty busy here.

Since 2012, the Tinder dating app has inspired over 30 billion matches worldwide.

Tinder users go on over 1 million dates per week, and 95% of Tinder users say they arrange first dates with their online crushes after just a week of chatting.

3. Plenty of Fish — 150M Users

Plenty of Fish has been topping lists like these since its launch in 2003. The dating site and app offer free, unlimited messaging, so it has an undeniable appeal to singles exploring the dating scene.

The POF community has over 150 million members total, and it sees over 4 million daily active users.

As a free dating platform, Plenty of Fish adds 65,000 new users every day.

In the average week, Plenty of Fish makes about 57 million love connections by using a smart matchmaking algorithm.

“We recommend POF to any and all singles looking for their perfect match,” said Camille and Nigel in a POF success story. “We can’t wait to continue to share our love story and wedding with you all!”

4. Bumble — 100 M Users

Bumble began in 2014 with a simple idea: Ladies first. A former Tinder executive named Whitney Wolfe Herd decided it was time to take online dating into the 21st century and empower women to make the first move (by sending the first message) in an online match.

In 2020, Bumble surpassed 100 million users in 150 countries, leaving no doubt that it is one of the most popular independent dating apps out there.

Bumble, aka the feminist dating app, has over 11 million monthly active users.

Bumble has been hailed as the fastest growing dating app because it saw 70% year-over-year growth in its first three years. People also know it as the feminist dating app because of its progressive values and female-friendly policies.

5. Adult Friend Finder — 99M Users

What can we say? Sex sells. Since 1996, Adult Friend Finder has dominated the online hookup scene and established the world’s largest sex and swinger community.

According to the hookup site, Adult Friend Finder has over 99 million members around the world, and it sees about 1 million views per day.

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Hookups Only

Match System:Search by location, interest, more

Our Experts Say:“Make no mistake: this site isn't about making friends, it's about short-term 'hookups' and affairs only. Note that a basic account costs $14.95/month, but it's well worth it if casual sex is your goal...”

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The AFF community is all about owning your sexuality and getting laid. Adult Friend Finder has created over 4.5 million love connections thanks to its live chatting, discussion forums, and video broadcasts.

6. MenNation — 99M Users

MenNation supports one of the largest gay hookup sites on record, and it doesn’t take much to get into the swing of things here.

In terms of popularity, MenNation has 99,462,356 active members — and counting — and it has over 67,000 men mingling online at any given moment.

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Daters & Hookups

Match System:Search by age, zip code, more

Our Experts Say:“MenNation is a well-established gay dating and hookup brand, having been founded in 1996. It's totally free to join, view profiles, receive matches, and flirt...”

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MenNation is an adult dating site for men only, and it works great for local guys seeking a hot date. It’s free for singles and couples to create an account on MenNation and anonymously browse its personals section.

7. Match — 96M Users

Launched in 1995, Match.com is the longest running dating site in existence, so it makes sense that it would have one of the largest membership bases as well.

According to the internet’s best estimate, Match has over 96 million registered users, most of whom live in the U.S. While Match is available in 25 countries, it is by far most popular in the States, and Match Group’s headquarters are in Dallas, Texas.

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Friends, Dates, and Relationships

Match System:Browse by zip, age, appearance, more

Our Experts Say:“Match has facilitated the most dates and relationships of any dating site, and its large audience and high success rate make it our top review...” Full Review»

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Match has over 7.7 million paid subscribers, the majority of whom are serious about meeting someone special. Match has positioned itself as the premium alternative to free swiping apps. About 75% of Match members are over 30 and have clear relationship goals.

“This is definitely a great app for dating,” said Santana S. in a review. “I really appreciate that you have to pay for things to take off.”

8. Ashley Madison — 65M Users

Ashley Madison is an undeniably scandalous dating site — and it’s also undeniably popular. Over 65 million people have created dating profiles on Ashley Madison, the dating site where not-so-single folks can explore romantic relationships.

The motto at Ashley Madison is “Life is short. Have an affair.” And, if that piques your interest, you’re not alone.

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Hookups, Casual Dates, Affairs

Match System:Search by age, location, appearance, and more

Our Experts Say:“With its massive user base and advanced privacy features, Ashley Madison is the #1 site for discreet hookups, dates, or relationships...” Full Review»

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Ashley Madison encourages men and women to explore their desires in the discreet and safe online setting. After a 2015 data breach, Ashley Madison has cracked down on security and put a vast amount of resources into protecting the secrets of millions of users.

9. Happn — 50M Users

Happn is a unique dating app that uses location-based data to create serendipitous matches. The app will tell you where you cross paths with singles in your city, and you can discover matches who share similar tastes, interests, and lifestyles.

In 2018, Happn reached 50 million users and became one of the all-time most popular dating apps.

Happn claims to have over 6.5 million monthly users.

Happn is currently available for singles in 50 major cities spread across 40 countries, and it has plans to grow its reach in other urban areas in the coming years.

10. Zoosk — 40M Users

The Zoosk nation extends around the world, reaching over 80 countries and including over 40 million users. This highly effective dating site is among the top 10 largest dating sites available, and it allows singles to search for love all over the globe.

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Fun Dates, Serious Relationships

Match System:Search and get match recommendations

Our Experts Say:“Zoosk is integrated with social media sites, like Facebook and Google+, so it's very popular with singles on the go...” Full Review»

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Zoosk members exchange over 3 million messages in a single day, and many of those messages lead to IRL meetings and relationships.

It’s free to set up a profile on Zoosk and browse profiles by age, distance, and online activity. You can also read and respond to certain free greetings to get your flirt on.

11. eharmony — 37M Users

Since 2000, eharmony has distinguished itself as a serious dating site on a serious mission to strengthen marriages in the U.S. and beyond. The eharmony algorithm uses a 32-factor questionnaire to identify long-term compatibility between two heart-driven individuals.

BusinessInsider reported that eharmony has over 10 million active users and 750,000 paid subscribers, a number that has held steady for the last few years. Taken as a whole, the eharmony database exceeds 37 million users.

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Casual Dates, Deep Relationships

Match System:Personality test suggests matches

Our Experts Say:“Accounting for 2% of U.S. marriages, eharmony's compatibility-based system and commitment-minded user base are ideal for those seeking a serious relationship...” Full Review»

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The eharmony dating site and app have inspired over 2 million relationships so far, and the platform creates a new love connection every 14 minutes.

12. OkCupid — 30M Users

In 2004, OkCupid launched on a mission to create a sure-fire formula for love, and it began collecting a wealth of personal data to measure compatibility. Over the years, OkCupid’s free dating services and personality-driven matchmaking has attracted millions of users.

Today, OkCupid has over 30 million active users, and it sees more than 1 million unique views on an average day.

OkCupid’s free matchmaking services facilitate over 91 million love connections a year.

OkCupid offers free, unlimited messaging to anyone feeling flirty, horny, or chatty. Its users exchange over 7.3 million messages per day and go on over 50,000 dates per week.

13. Grindr — 27M Users

Grindr has been a leading gay dating app since 2009, and many single men have given it a whirl. To date, Grindr has over 27 million men in its database, and it sees around 3.6 million daily active users.

Grindr has an international membership base in 234 countries and territories.

Grindr puts gay singles in touch with the most viable date prospects in the area by using the smartphone’s GPS data to prioritize profiles that are close by.

Thanks to Grindr, men can find dates who are in the same bar, club, or neighborhood, and they don’t have to put in much effort to pick up a date.

14. Coffee Meets Bagel — 21M Users

Three women founded Coffee Meets Bagel because they were disappointed and frustrated with online dating, and they decided to change it.

From the beginning, Coffee Meets Bagel has prioritized quality over quantity, but that doesn’t mean the dating app doesn’t have a large user base. Over 21 million users have joined the CMB community seeking a better dating experience.

Coffee Meets Bagel has made over 50 million matches since 2012.

In 2015, the Coffee Meets Bagel team turned down $30 million from “Shark Tank” investor Mark Cuban because they wanted to maintain control over the direction of the app and the user experience.

Coffee Meets Bagel curates a list of matches for singles and slows down the swiping process, so users can really take their time and consider each dating profile.

15. ChristianMingle — 16M Users

In the last 20 years, ChristianMingle has built a faith-driven community that reaches 29 countries and is available to English, French, German, and Spanish speakers.

ChristianMingle has over 16 million members, making it one of the largest niche dating sites in the world.

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Dates and Serious Relationships

Match System:Search by gender, age, education, more

Our Experts Say:“ChristianMingle is among the largest dating sites in the industry that only caters to single Christian men and women, and the site has some of the best search filters and safety features...” Full Review»

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ChristianMingle is a subsidiary of Spark Networks, a German dating company with over 1 million paid subscribers.

16. BeNaughty — 13.3M Users

BeNaughty is an extremely popular hookup site full of sexy profiles organized by distance, age, online activity, and popularity.

In the average month, BeNaughty sees over 13 million users, and over 433,000 people flirt there on a daily basis.

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Hookups, Chats

Match System:Search by encounter, location, and more

Our Experts Say:“BeNaughty is a premier hookup app where you can feel comfortable expressing your desires. Plus, it's free to join, browse, and flirt...” Full Review»

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BeNaughty catches people’s attention with its free messaging tools, and you can even save time by mass messaging everyone who meets your dating criteria.

17. EliteSingles — 13M Users

The name says it all. EliteSingles is a highly selective dating site for singles who are successful, desirable, and serious about making a quality match.

EliteSingles isn’t a dating site for the masses, but it has attracted a massive number of educated and wealthy individuals. The site has over 13 million users, and it adds over 381,000 per month.

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Serious Relationships

Match System:Search, Receive Partner Suggestions

Our Experts Say:“EliteSingles is a leading dating site just for busy, single professionals. More than 80% of members have earned a college degree, and most are looking for a serious commitment...” Full Review»

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EliteSingles helps over 2,500 singles find love each month, and it is the perfect wingman for busy professionals seeking high-quality dates.

18. OurTime — 8.9M Users

OurTime has drawn attention as the leading senior dating site with a large population of over-50 singles.

As a People Media site, OurTime has access to a massive database of singles. Currently, OurTime hosts nearly 9 million monthly active users, and it adds almost 20,000 members in the typical week.

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Dates and Relationships

Match System:Search by profiles by zip and more

Our Experts Say:“OurTime is well-known in the over-50 dating crowd, particularly because it has a ton of helpful search features and an easy layout...” Full Review»

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OurTime is free to join, and it has led to many success stories in the U.S. and abroad. “I’ve found my soul mate,” said a single woman from Illinois. “We are in a serious relationship. He is one of the nicest, sweetest men I have ever met.”

19. BlackPeopleMeet — 5.7M Users

BlackPeopleMeet is a niche dating site where black and biracial singles can enjoy being in the majority.

Since 2002, BlackPeopleMeet has built the world’s largest network of African-American singles with over 5.7 million monthly active users.

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Deep Relationships or Just Casual Dates

Match System:Search by location, age, more

Our Experts Say:“BlackPeopleMeet.com is the one of the largest and most popular dating sites for black and biracial singles, and the site is used by more than 5 million people a month...” Full Review»

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BlackPeopleMeet allows singles to find dates who share similar backgrounds, values, and perspectives, and that has inspired many love stories in the U.S. and Canada.

20. Hinge — 5.5M Users

Hinge has been around since 2012, and it has recently gained traction as the “dating app designed to be deleted.” Hinge’s goal isn’t to rack up a lot of swipes and active users who aren’t finding what they want — the team wants its users to find dates, get in relationships, and delete the app ASAP.

Hinge has been downloaded 5.5 million times worldwide, and about 4 million of those users are in the U.S.

Hinge is a quality-driven app where users can get to know one another on a deeper level online.

Hinge users arrange 200,000 dates a week, and it has a remarkably high success rate when it comes to turning first dates into second dates. In fact, three out of every first dates between Hinge users lead to second dates.

21. HER — 4M Users

The HER dating app was built to help LGBTQ+ womxn overcome the challenges of dating as lesbian, bisexual, or queer single. A lesbian named Robyn Exton quit her job to create a female-friendly space for flirting, mingling, and making friends.

Today, the HER community encompasses 4 million womxn of all ages, orientations, and backgrounds. All profiles have been verified as authentic females — the moderators remove men and delete fake profiles to ensure a positive dating experience.

HER is a social dating app where lesbian, queer, and bisexual womxn can find their perfect match.

HER offers an events calendar and an engaging newsfeed to help LGBTQ+ womxn feel comfortable socializing with one another. It’s free to download HER and start swiping on ladies who catch your eye.

22. SilverSingles — 800,000 Users

When singles reach a certain age, they often feel isolated from or ostracized by the mainstream dating scene. Fortunately, SilverSinglesis there to offer a helping hand and a senior-friendly dating zone.

SilverSingles has over 800,000 monthly active users, and it maintains a sure-fire Fraud Detection System to keep the fakers and frauds at bay.

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Friendship, Casual Dates, Serious Relationships

Match System:Search by age, location, height, education, ethnicity, and religion

Our Experts Say:“SilverSingles is a fast-growing, easy-to-use niche dating site exclusively for active daters over the age of 50...” Full Review»

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As of 2019, SilverSingles had over 50,000 monthly subscribers in the 50+ demographic. “The success of SilverSingles is not only great news for our business, but also represents an outstanding new opportunity for singles,” CEO Jeronimo Folgueira said.

23. LesbianPersonals — 500,000 Users

LesbianPersonals invites singles, couples, and groups to find the woman of their dreams with a simple online search.

This naughty hookup site sees over 500,000 visits per month, and it claims the title as the largest lesbian dating site in existence.

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Hookups Only

Match System:Search by location, interest, more

Our Experts Say:“LesbianPersonals provides a fun, quick, and easy experience for gay and bisexual women looking for sex online. Join for free, and you'll be able to search and communicate immediately...”

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LesbianPersonals offers live chat and video messaging to help women get the ball rolling, and it encourages local singles to explore their sensuality and arrange a no-strings-attached hookup, threesome, or orgy.

24. FriendFinder-X — 40,000 Users

Finally, FriendFinder-X is a popular hookup site that’s open to singles, couples, and groups seeking hot dates.

FriendFinder-X deserves a spot on this list because it sees over 40,000 daily active users — which means it has a larger population than Monaco.

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Hookups Only

Match System:Search by location, interest, more

Our Experts Say:“A hookup site specializing in casual encounters, secret affairs, live chats, and member videos, FriendFinder-X skips the awkward 'dating' stage of a relationship and fast-forwards straight to the sex...”

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As you can see, FriendFinder-X has a lot to offer sexually active singles, and this discreet dating environment can help men and women come out of their shells.

Which Dating Site is Best for Serious Relationships?

If you’re ready to settle down, the swiping scene may not be quite your style. It can be exhausting to match, chat, and ghost on loop just to find one compatible person to go out with you. Fortunately, singles with swiping fatigue can switch things up by joining a more quality-driven dating site or app.

Match.com can offer a premium dating experience for singles in search of a loving relationship.

Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.

Relationships:Friends, Dates, and Relationships

Match System:Browse by zip, age, appearance, more

Our Experts Say:“Match has facilitated the most dates and relationships of any dating site, and its large audience and high success rate make it our top review...” Full Review»

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Since 1995, Match has paired up countless couples and made a difference in the dating scene. You can search the Match database by age, location, looks, interests, lifestyle, and other personal factors to find the most compatible profiles within seconds.

What are the Top 5 Dating Sites?

We have reviewed the top dating sites in detail and ranked them according to our own editorial standards. We consistently rank Match.com as the cream of the online dating crop because of its user-friendly interface and time-tested features.

Match is responsible for more relationships and marriages than any other dating service, and we think that’s worthy of the #1 dating site spot.

1. Match.com

• Relationships: Fun Dates, Serious Relationships
• Match System: Browse by location, age, interest, and more
• About the App: Available via the App Store and Google Play, Match is a fantastic app for dates and relationships. With a user base of 30 million singles, Match is where you'll have a high chance of success. It's free to download, create a profile, search for date prospects, and receive compatible matches based on personalized preferences. Free members can also chat with select members and send unlimited likes.
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Next, we have EliteSingles, the dating site for the well-to-do. Singles with high standards and serious intentions will feel right at home here.

2. EliteSingles

• Relationships: Deep Relationships
• Match System: Search by education, lifestyle habits, age
• About the App: Commitment-minded, professional daters will feel at home with EliteSingles, which can be downloaded for free in the App Store or Google Play. Not only is everyone looking for a long-term partner, but 80% of members hold a bachelor's, master's, or doctorate degree. EliteSingles sees 210,000 visitors and 2,500 users finding love every month, so it's one of the fastest growing and most reputable apps.
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In the #3 spot, we have eharmony, which became popular thanks to its heartfelt commercials and psychology-driven matchmaking system. To date, over 2 million couples have found love here, and you could be next!

3. eharmony

• Relationships: Long-Term Relationships, Marriages
• Match System: Get daily match suggestions
• About the App: Responsible for 4% of marriages in the U.S., eharmony is among our top picks for relationship-minded heterosexual singles. To become a member, add the app to your phone (iOS or Android) and then take its 29 Dimensions® of Compatibility Matching Quiz. It's absolutely free to do both these things — as well as receive matches and communicate during other special events.
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Zoosk has over 40 million users, so we’d be remiss to leave it out of this list. Conversation rules the day on Zoosk, and its members exchange over 3 million messages in the average day.

4. Zoosk

• Relationships: Casual Dates, Relationships
• Match System: Search for and receive matches
• About the App: Zoosk is the number one app for finding dates, and if you sync up your Google+ or Facebook account, you can have a profile in seconds. The app has 38 million members and will deliver matches to your inbox on a daily basis based on your behavior such as who you search for, like or don't like, and message. The Carousel is another section for matching (tap the heart if it's a yes and the X if it's a no).
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Last but not least, SilverSingles has done a great job of making online dating more approachable and senior-friendly. Over 120,000 members join the SilverSingles network every month, and you can mingle with them for free.

5. SilverSingles

• Relationships: Serious Relationships
• Match System: Filter by age, height, and distance
• About the App: SilverSingles runs an exclusive dating community for single men and women over the age of 50. Its database includes recently divorced singles as well as singles who have never been married. The dating app matches people based on their similarities in age, lifestyle, hobbies, and relationship goals. If you want to show your interest in someone online, you can send a smile, message, or request that they upload a profile picture. Either way, they'll know you care.
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Those five dating sites and apps have won us over, but plenty of other sites and apps can also work well for singles seeking dates. Our dating experts have reviewed hundreds of dating sites, and more crop up all the time, so you should never run out of options in the online dating world.

Which Dating App Has the Most Success?

Success is in the eye of the beholder, but Tinder beats the competition in most metrics. Not only does it see over 2 billion views per day, but it also arranges over 1 million dates per week.

Tinder is the most successful dating app in terms of sheer size; however, the #SwipeLife isn’t for everyone. When it comes to inspiring relationships, Hinge has been a great success — and I’m not just saying that because it’s where I met my boyfriend.

Hinge has changed the swiping system to allow singles to get to know each other on a deeper level.

Hinge is one of the few dating apps that checks in with its users and asks how their first dates went. The We Met feature allows singles to give feedback on the quality of their experience. According to its internal stats, 90% of Hinge members enjoyed their first dates, and 72% said they would go out with that person again.

Are Paid Dating Sites Better?

That depends on what you’re looking for. Some singles say paid dating sites are better because they offer a more serious dating crowd. Everyone there has paid a cover charge to get in, so you don’t have to worry as much about spammers, scammers, and fakers getting in touch with you. In fact, the members on paid dating sites tend to be more educated and career-minded folks who can afford to pay for a subscription.

Paid dating sites, like eharmony, also tend to have better security features and more hands-on matchmaking tools, and that can help singles who are new to the online dating scene.

eharmony

• Relationships: Long-Term Relationships, Marriages
• Match System: Get daily match suggestions
• About the App: Responsible for 4% of marriages in the U.S., eharmony is among our top picks for relationship-minded heterosexual singles. To become a member, add the app to your phone (iOS or Android) and then take its 29 Dimensions® of Compatibility Matching Quiz. It's absolutely free to do both these things — as well as receive matches and communicate during other special events.
• Browse Free:View Profiles Now

Of course, if you’re on a tight budget, then you may be better off on a dating site or app with unlimited free messaging. OkCupid doesn’t charge a cent for its private chatting features, and it offers a world of romantic opportunity free of charge.

It’s up to you to decide what you can afford. Don’t worry, though, because you can join just about any dating site for free and see if you like it before paying for its dating services.

The Most Popular Dating Sites & Apps Keep Growing & Matching

You never really know what a dating site or app is like until you create a profile and discover it for yourself. Sometimes you take the time to set up an account only to discover the membership base is too small to have any viable options in your area, and that’s just plain disheartening. However, if you choose a dating site with millions of active users, you won’t be disappointed by your prospects and matches.

Popular dating sites have a lot to offer today’s singles. These high-grade platforms have a virtually endless list of potential love interests just waiting to be contacted and wooed. All you need is a free membership and the right pickup line (nothing fancy — just say hi and ask an icebreaker question) to land a hot date on a site or app. Good luck!

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Dating. For some, it can be an intimidating word and an even more intimidating concept. Dating today is a strange game, one that has evolved drastically over the years. A mere few decades ago, dating involved a woman being courted by a man she encountered in school or neighborhood. There was no technology, and people did things in person. They also wrote letters, which then progressed to phone calls and texts. Now, you can even “slide into someone’s DMs” on apps such as Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat. Somewhere along that timeline, online dating, and subsequently, dating websites, were born.

Dating Sites – What Are They?

Dating sites are systems that enable people to find and introduce themselves to new personal connections over the Internet, usually to develop personal, romantic, or sexual relationships. Today, there are so many different options to choose from. There are paid ones, where you pay a monthly or annual fee to gain access. There are free ones that allow you to find love without spending a dime at the beginning of the search. They have sites based on religion or other commonalities, and each site works differently. Some you swipe and match, others you hunt for the profile of a person you think may be compatible with you, and some provide suggestions. The world of dating sites is expansive, giving online daters many options.

The History Of Dating Sites

The Internet and dating sites are two things that seem relatively new – the Internet within the past couple of decades and dating sites less than that. However, the concept of dating sites has been around much longer.

In the days before the Internet, people took out personal ads. One of the first personal ads dates back to the 17th century. Placed by a 30-year-old man in a British agricultural journal. Since then, personal ads went through various phases – wartime, scammers’ birth, and later used as code to help the homosexual community.

In 1965, the first computer match dating site was born. Operation Match was created by a team of undergraduate students from Harvard. For $3, users would receive and answer questionnaires; Then, they would receive a list of potential matches. This process is, in its basic form, what happens today on many dating sites.

Since 1965, the stigma of online dating has changed, and many people use it today to find a match.

I Want To Use A Free Dating Site!

Whether you have been out of the game for a while and are starting to date again, or you have been dating for some time, dating websites offer a viable way to find your person. We compiled a list of the top 10 no cost dating sites and how to use them:

1. Plenty of Fish – Plenty of Fish (now branded as POF) advertises itself as “The Leading Free Online Dating Site for Singles.” POF was started in 2003 in Canada but has since spread to other countries around the work, including the United States. It has an online site and an app, making it easy for users to interact on the go. The site stated that it gets 70,000 new singles per day and has more conversations than any other dating site, with 1 billion messages per month. Signing up is easy – you have to create a profile with basic information: username, password, email, birth date, gender, country, and ethnicity. You then take their chemistry test, which helps them match you with personalities and online daters that will meet your emotional needs. POF has a service that helps its users discover their relationship needs, tell you what you need in a relationship, how you may have messed up past relationships, and a customized action plan to make future ones successful.
2. eHarmony – eHarmony is Los Angeles founded and based company that began in 2000. The site is the first service within the web dating industry that used a scientific approach to matching highly compatible singles. They are an “Online Dating Site for Like-Minded Singles” and state that every 14 minutes, someone finds love on their site. Signing up has fewer steps than POF- all you do is state your gender, the gender you are looking for, your name, and your country/zip code. eHarmony matches singles using the registered Compatibility Matching System, which is based on the 29 Dimensions of Compatibility for lasting and fulfilling relationships. Users answer the basics to help them narrow down the pool to people who meet your criteria. The user then completes compatibility questions to get “quality connections based on key areas of personality.” you can then review everyone’s profiles that eHarmony has determined to be a right match for free. At that point, users pick a plan that works for them to begin communication with their matches. eHarmony also offers no-cost dating advice from their relationship experts.
3. Match.com – Match.com states that it is the number one destination for online dating with more dates, more relationships, and more marriages than any other dating or personal site. The service was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, serving 25 countries in total. To start, you put who you are and what you are seeking in so far as gender and age, and enter your postal code. Match then shows you the photos and personal ads that people created and are available online. Match provides various search tools to help you find people based on their interests, background, age, location, and more. They also give you a personalized match every day, and you can choose to message that person if they spark your interest.
4. Date My School– Date My School is based around higher education – their tagline is “educated people, educated dates.” Founded by two graduate students at Columbia University, the online dating platform – which also comes in app form for easier, on the go usage – is target towards university students and alumni. To join, you need a university email address. It filters by schools, departments, and individuals, and other groups. They pride themselves on their safety, privacy, and security. They show you schools in your area, and you choose the school department and age range you are interested in. The people who meet those criteria are the only ones who can view your profile. They have a matching algorithm but also allow you to search profiles to find a match for yourself.
5. Coffee Meets Bagel – Coffee Meets Bagel is the way for users to “discover meaningful online dating and make authentic connections,” according to their site. The San Francisco based company has an app as well and holds its basis in social media, although you don’t need Facebook to join. The user creates a Coffee Meets account with either their Facebook account or a secure phone number login method. Once with fill out your profile and preferences, you can start connecting. The site sends you potential matches, which they call bagels, once a day. The algorithm picks a limited number of your very best potential matches around noon every day. Both users must like each other, and if that happens, a chat can be started.
6. Christian Mingle – religion is a big aspect of life for some people, and there are dating websites catered to that. Christian Mingle is the most well known Christian religion (as a side note, J Date is the most well-known one for the Jewish faith). Christian Mingle centers on the fact that its users want a God-centered relationship with other Christians and prides itself on being the number one Christian dating community. They say that they are different from other faith-based dating websites because their only focus is faith, rather than matching those with similar faiths. Many sites have religion as an option that you check, but Christian Mingle puts faith and values as cornerstones of their community, allowing them to help you find your special Christian who believes and shares your faith. Once you register your profile, you fill in the kind of match your seeking, especially your religious denomination. The site sends you compatible match suggestions – as many as seven each day. You can browse at your leisure and “like” the profile to save for later. You can also browse profiles on the site that have not been sent to you if you want to look for a match yourself.
7. OkCupid – OkCupid is an American-based, internationally operating online dating, friendship, and social networking website. In creating your profile, the site asks questions about what the user cares about and connects you on compatibility, and what matters. It was created in 2004 as the first free online dating site. The site ran on advertisements and was also the first major dating site with an app. They are the only dating app with thousands of questions – ranging from political beliefs to environmental opinions so that they can truly match people on what matters to them. They boast having 91 million connections every year, 50,000 dates every week, and more mentions in the New York Times wedding section than any other app.
8. Zoosk – Zoosk advertises as “the smart way to date.” It was founded in California in 2007 and currently has more than 40,000,000 singles worldwide, with 3 million messages sent daily. To start, users fill in their gender and preference, and birthday. They have a behavioral matching, making technology that constantly learns and evolves from their members’ actions to deliver better matches in real-time. Once you create your account, you write a 1500-character story or pitch about yourself and then fill in your perfect match and ideal date. Zoosk has a carousel swipe format, or you can utilize the search mode that lets you filter daters based on age, location, body type, and other factors. Having an account is free. However, to message any of your likes, you’ll need to pay for a subscription.
9. Tinder – Tinder is one of the most well-known dating apps out there, and for an odd reason. Created as the straight version of Grindr, the site was meant as a sexual encounter app. Based solely on looks, users created a profile with photos and a short blurb if they wanted. Tinder let you know if you had any mutual friends with someone on Facebook, but the swipe right and swipe left was the main object of Tinder – making it very much a game for users. To message someone, you both had to swipe right. The app has since evolved, providing users with a way to find relationships if they want and not just sexcapades.
10. Bumble – In a world where unwanted advances on women are common, Bumble gave the power back. Created in a similar format as Tinder with the swipe options, Bumble was based on shifting the power dynamic. For heterosexual couples, when a match occurred, women would have to be the ones to make the first move, which encourages equality from the start. Bumble also has a business and BFF section, allowing people to network and find friends on the site if they don’t need it for dating purposes.

Names Of All Dating Sites

Online dating – Is It For Me?

There are so many online dating options available today. Other than the ten options mentioned above, there are many more sites available – including options like Our Time, for those who are a bit older and don’t want to mix with the younger generation doing online dating.

When online dating, be sure always to be safe and put your needs first. And if you are nervous about getting back out there or have relationship issues you want to work out, know that you can click here to find help for individual and couples counseling. Happy dating!

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