Best Free Dating Sites in the UK (2026)

Are there completely free dating sites in the UK?

Yes, but they are rarer than you might think. Most well-known UK dating sites, such as Match, eharmony and Ourtime, are free to join: you create a profile, browse members and send likes without paying. To read and reply to messages, you need a subscription.

If you want completely free dating, look at apps: Hinge, Plenty of Fish, Tinder and Bumble all let you chat with your matches without a subscription. Their paid plans only add extras, such as unlimited likes or seeing who liked you first.

Our tip: start with a free profile on one dating site and one app. After a week, you will know where the people you like actually are, and whether it is worth paying.

Which free dating site is right for you?

• For serious dating: Match, the best-known dating site in the UK, with plenty of members in every region.
• For a long-term relationship: eharmony, which suggests matches based on a detailed compatibility questionnaire.
• If you are over 50: Ourtime or Loveat50, both made for mature singles.
• If you want to pay nothing: Hinge or Plenty of Fish, where chatting with matches is free.

Free dating sites vs free dating apps

Dating sites ask more about you and your expectations, then suggest fewer but better-matched profiles. Apps are quicker and more spontaneous, with lots of profiles and free chat once you match. Many people use both: a site for serious matches, an app for meeting people nearby.

How to stay safe when dating online

• Keep chatting on the site or app until you feel you can trust the person.
• Never send money or bank details to someone you have not met, however convincing the story.
• Prefer verified profiles, and run a reverse image search if photos look too polished.
• Meet in a busy public place for the first date and tell a friend where you are.
• If you subscribe, note the renewal date and cancel from your account settings in time if you do not want to continue.

Free dating sites in the UK: FAQ

What is the best free dating site in the UK?

For serious dating, Match is our top pick: it is free to join and has a large membership across the UK. If you want to chat without paying anything, Hinge and Plenty of Fish are the best completely free options.

Is Match free in the UK?

Creating a profile, browsing and sending likes on Match are free. Sending and reading messages requires a subscription.

Is there a free dating site for over 50s?

Ourtime and Loveat50 are both free to join and designed for singles over 50. Messaging needs a paid membership.

Which dating apps are completely free?

Hinge, Plenty of Fish, Tinder and Bumble let you message your matches for free. Their paid options are extras, not a requirement.

Are free dating sites safe?

Established sites check profiles and let you report and block members. Stay careful: never send money, and keep conversations on the platform until you know the person.