Free dating sites in the USA have helped single people of all backgrounds pursue happiness and find a true-blue love to brighten their days.
The United States has come out with many life-changing innovations and inventions over the years — 3D printing, the atom-smasher, and the swivel chair, to name a few. But we consider the invention of online dating to be one of its best contributions to the American way of life. Yeah, we’d even rank it up there with amazing creations like the chocolate chip cookie!
Free dating site in america
Online dating has been a game changer in the dating scene because it has allowed singles to take control of their love life and find local dates without putting in a lot of time and effort. And it has resulted in millions of relationships and marriages all over the world. That’s why we wanted to take a few minutes to recognize the top free online dating sites in the good ol’ USA. Let’s get to it, Murica!
Overall | Local | Gay | Lesbian | Black | Christian | Senior | Adult
Best Free Dating Sites in the USA (#1-3)
In America, everything is flashier, louder, bigger, and better, so let’s kick this list off with the cream of the crop. The following three dating sites consistently rank among the best and receive rave reviews from both current and former users. Yee haw!
1. Match
We mentioned above that the United States created online dating, and Gary Kremen and Peng T. Ong were the ones who founded and created the first dating site, Match. The company formed in 1993, and it launched the online dating site in 1995.
Match.com currently has more than 30 million members, sees more than 13.5 million monthly visitors, and is responsible for the most relationships of any dating site or dating app.
Match
★★★★★
4.8/5.0
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 »
Browse Free: View Photos Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) | Today’s Deal |
| All Singles* | 49%*51%* | 39.7 Million* | Try Match FREE |
Most importantly, Match is a 100% free dating site that allows American members to fill out an online dating profile (complete with several photos), search profiles based on your criteria, receive potential match suggestions in your inbox every day, and communicate via virtual likes and winks, favorites, photo requests, and yes ratings.
Plus, the Match dating service gives every free member the opportunity to start a conversation and chat with their Top Picks, a list which only includes compatible singles in their area.
2. Elite Singles
The U.S. is home to over 5,300 colleges and universities, including those known as Ivy League schools: Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Princeton, and Brown. People come from all over the world to attend these schools. Those who value education and a good deal should take a look at Elite Singles because it offers a free standard membership that never expires.
EliteSingles
★★★★★
4.7/5.0
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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| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) | Today’s Deal |
| All Singles* | 44%*56%* | 2 Million* | Browse Profiles Free |
This free dating site caters to intelligent, successful, and affluent professionals who are looking for a lifelong partnership with a person of equal standing. More than 80% of users have earned at least a bachelor’s degree, 90% are at least 30 years old, and 2,500 of them find love on the site every month.
3. OkCupid
Since 2004, OkCupid has been totally free, and the team promises they’ll keep the service that way for all eternity. The site is also unique in that it uses a one-of-a-kind algorithm to pair singles. When you sign up, you’ll answer a bunch of questions about yourself and your ideal date or partner. Then you’ll specify how you want other people to answer those same questions on a scale from very important to not important at all.
With more than 30 million members and a $0 price tag, OkCupid is one of the most popular dating sites in the United States.
OkCupid is among the greatest online dating sites and apps around, and it’s free to chat here, so nothing holds you back from a real connection.
Claudia A. wrote on SiteJabber: “Amazing website if you are looking to settle down or date… I found my soul mate! I met the love of my life three days after signing up, he messaged me, and we starting dating right away. He completes me, and thank you OkCupid for the help!”
Best Free “Local” Dating Sites in the USA (#4-5)
For most people, the point of online dating is to meet someone near them, not across the country. Below, we’ve highlighted the go-to local dating sites in America, where you can browse for matches in your state, city, and even zip code. Plus, it won’t cost you to do so.
4. Zoosk
One of the first dating sites to offer social media integration, Zoosk can pull info and photos from your Facebook or Google+ profile during the registration process. Within a couple of minutes, at the most, you can start looking for compatible people nearby, setting your preferred distance (e.g., as close as 3 miles e or as far as 100 miles).
Zoosk
★★★★★
4.5/5.0
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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| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) | Today’s Deal |
| All Singles* | 48%*52%* | 28.9 Million* | Start Zoosk for FREE |
In terms of the price, Zoosk has that going for it as well. No credit card or payment information is needed — unless you want to access advanced features like having your dating profile highlighted in search results or being able to send virtual gifts. But we don’t think it’s necessary.
5. Tinder
Launched in 2012, Tinder is the mastermind behind matching online daters based on location. Now most dating sites and apps have followed suit. We all know how it works: Tinder will show you a potential match, and you swipe right for yes and left for no. It definitely works, too. Tinder is available in 196 countries, has facilitated 20 billion matches, and leads to 1.6 billion swipes a day and 1 million dates a week.
Tinder pioneered the GPS-based matchmaking process, and all of its most important features, like chat, are absolutely free.
Of course, Tinder is a free dating app (it wouldn’t be on this list if it weren’t), but it does offer a premium account called Tinder Plus. With a Tinder Plus membership, you can see who’s already swiped right on you and take back swipes if you swiped the wrong way.
Best Free “Gay” Dating Sites in the USA (#6-7)
According to The New York Times, about 5% of men in America identify as gay. There are slightly more than 323 million people in the country, so you do the math. For gay singles, trying to find someone who’s also gay and who’s worth dating can be like trying to find a needle in a haystack. And if they’re not online, it can be like finding a needle in an expensive haystack — what with how expensive singles bars and events can be. That’s where our best American gay dating sites come in handy.
6. Zoosk
Zoosk claims another spot on our list because of its large LGBT audience, particularly those who are on the go all the time. The app is available for free on iTunes and Google Play (where it’s been downloaded over 30 million times), but there’s also a free desktop version if you prefer.
Zoosk
★★★★★
4.5/5.0
Relationships: Fun Dates, Serious Relationships
Match System: Search and get match recommendations
Our Experts Say: “Gay, bisexual, and curious single men love Zoosk because it’s quick, easy, and really successful…” Full Review »
Browse Free: View Photos Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) | Today’s Deal |
| All Singles* | 48%*52%* | 28.9 Million* | Start Zoosk for FREE |
Zoosk also has a very active user base, sending over 3 million messages a day. To join them, sync up your Facebook or Google+ account, and then head to the Carousel section to browse through profiles of like-minded gay men.
7. Grindr
Often called “the gay Tinder,” Grindr works in almost the same way except everyone on the app is either gay or bisexual. If you’re interested in hookups, Grindr is a great choice for you because that’s mostly what its members are interested in as well.
Founded in 2009, Grindr is similar to Tinder in that it pairs singles by location, and they swipe right if it’s a yes and left if it’s a no. However, it’s just for gay and bisexual men.
When you sign up for Grindr, you’re looking at a cost of $0, so edit your dating profile as much as you want, swipe through men as much as you want, and flirt with them as much as you want. Grindr XTRA is what the upgraded account is called, and with it, you can enjoy an ad-free experience as well as block and favorite as many users as you want.
Best Free “Lesbian” Dating Sites in the USA (#8-9)
A recent Gallup poll found about 4% of the US population identifies as LGBT. Unfortunately for lesbian singles, that number gets smaller once you factor out the gay, bisexual, and transgender men as well as the lesbian women who are already in a relationship. Don’t let that get to you, though, because there’s a solution, and that solution is the two dating sites featured in this section.
8. Zoosk
Yes, we’re talking about Zoosk, but it really is a premier dating site for singles of all ages, sexual orientations, genders, locations, ethnicities, religions, and backgrounds. Single lesbians will enjoy a streamlined and fun online dating process, and they won’t have to worry about receiving extremely incompatible matches (e.g., straight women or gay men), which can happen on some other dating sites.
Zoosk
★★★★★
4.5/5.0
Relationships: Fun Dates, Serious Relationships
Match System: Search and get match recommendations
Our Experts Say: “Zoosk is a go-to for busy lesbian women because the site will do all the work for them. All they have to do is upload some information and photos…” Full Review »
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| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) | Today’s Deal |
| All Singles* | 48%*52%* | 28.9 Million* | Start Zoosk for FREE |
And, as we talked about earlier in the article, Zoosk doesn’t require you to input a credit card number or any kind of payment information if you want to create and edit a dating profile, use the Carousel, see who’s viewed your profile and who’s currently online, receive SmartPick™ matches, receive messages, and send a limited number of messages.
However, you must upgrade to a paid membership if you want to enjoy unlimited communication with local singles in the U.S.
9. GirlFriendsMeet
GirlFriendsMeet, or GRM for short, creates “real lesbian connections,” and the site does that by matching lesbian daters based on their interests — whether it’s movies, TV shows, music, books, or anything else. Sign up for a free membership, and you can test everything out for yourself.
GirlFriendsMeet has millions of members, all of whom are lesbian, and a basic membership that won’t cost you a cent.
One happy user named Trish raved about her experience on GirlFriendsMeet: “I had a string of short relationships, and finding another women serious about a real relationship was difficult. GirlFriendsMeet helped me get out of that spiral.” You could be the next success story!
Best Free “Black” Dating Sites in the USA (#10-11)
Research by BlackDemographics.com found that 50% of African Americans have never been married, 12% are divorced, 4% are separated, and 6% are widowed. That’s a lot of potentially single black men and women out there. If dating within your same race is important to you, we recommend turning to the following free American dating sites:
10. BlackPeopleMeet
A sister site of Match, BlackPeopleMeet is just as reputable and successful. More than 1.4 million black and biracial singles visit the site every month, and it’s led to thousands of friendships, dates, relationships, and marriages in the U.S. and Canada.
BlackPeopleMeet was designed to serve singles in the black community, and it has search filters that include ethnicity, appearance, religion, and other culturally significant factors to help African-American men and women find their bae.
BlackPeopleMeet
★★★★★
4.1/5.0
Relationships: Deep Relationships or Just Casual Dates
Match System: Search by location, age, more
Our Experts Say: “BlackPeopleMeet is a large dating site, and its user base is growing every day. If you’re only interested in black or biracial daters, you’ve come to the right place…” Full Review »
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| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) | Today’s Deal |
| Black Singles* | 47%*53%* | 5.7 Million* | FREE Trial for New Users |
All of the most important features are 100% free, including registering, uploading photos, viewing profiles, receiving daily matches, and communicating in a variety of ways.
BlackPeopleMeet facilitates interracial dating as well as black dating, so don’t be surprised if you see a good mix of ethnicities and skin colors represented in this love-oriented community.
11. BlackCupid
BlackCupid touts itself as a “premium service designed to bring black singles together.” Provide a few pieces of information, such as your first name, gender, age, email address, and password, and then you’re on your way. The site is also offering a free three-month trial for a limited time, so you’ll want to sign up for that soon.
You can find success on BlackCupid in just three steps: 1) Fill out a profile. 2) Browse others’ profiles. 3) Start showing interest.
Android users can download the BlackCupid app on Google Play, and an iOS version should be coming soon. Lydia is just one of many people who’ve met that special someone on BlackCupid. “Thank you so much. I found someone here on this site. He’s GREAT, and I’m very lucky to have found him. We are in LOVE!” she told the site.
Best Free “Christian” Dating Sites in the USA (#12-13)
More than 70% of Americans are Christian, according to PewForum.org. Religion is usually among the top dating must-haves, and single Christians within every denomination will do well on eHarmony and Fusion 101. Here’s what you need to know about them:
12. eharmony
Christian singles would be remiss if they didn’t give eharmony a try. The site was founded by Christian theologian Dr. Neil Clark Warren, who’s also a clinical psychologist and seminary professor. So a significant number of the members are in search of commitment-minded someone who also has Christian values and beliefs and who leads a Christian lifestyle.
eharmony
★★★★★
4.7/5.0
Relationships: Casual Dates, Deep Relationships
Match System: Personality test suggests matches
Our Experts Say: “eharmony’s unique matching system is based on what it calls “Christian-based principles” and leads to 2% of all U.S. marriages annually…” Full Review »
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| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) | Today’s Deal |
| All Straight Singles* | 48%*52%* | 4.1 Million* | View Profiles FREE |
You can join eharmony for free and take the site’s very own 32 Dimensions of Compatibility Quiz. Not to mention the dating website will do all of the searching for you, deliver date recommendations to your email, and guide you through the messaging process.
13. Fusion 101
“The world’s best-loved Christian-owned 100% free dating service” is what Fusion 101 has to say about itself. Here, you can meet Christian daters in the United States as well as across the globe if you want. No matter what you do on the site, Fusion 101 says it won’t charge you… ever.
Fusion 101 is a large Christian-only dating site that promises every component is 100% free.
Safety is also a top priority for Fusion 101, which has been in the online dating industry for 15+ years. The team works hard to verify every member and keep scammers away, and customer support is available 24/7 via phone and email.
Best Free “Senior” Dating Sites in the USA (#14-15)
Seniors make up 13% of the US population, and that number is expected to grow to 20% by 2060. A lot of single seniors come to us asking about online dating — typically it’s their first time trying it. They’re not sure which site to choose, how to fill out their profile, or message someone they like, so we want to give all the seniors out there some extra attention in this section and take the pressure off their shoulders.
14. OurTime
OurTime, another sister site of Match, launched around 1999 and soon became a leader in the senior dating niche. Similar to Match, OurTime offers all of the necessary features and tools for free. In addition, it has one of the simplest interfaces so anyone can get the hang it — no matter their tech knowledge.
OurTime.com
★★★★★
4.3/5.0
Relationships: Dates and Relationships
Match System: Search by profiles by zip and more
Our Experts Say: “OurTime is just for men and women who are 50 or older, and it’s one of the most popular dating sites in this niche because of its size…” Full Review »
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| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) | Today’s Deal |
| Mature Singles (50+)* | 48%*52%* | 8.9 Million* | Over 50? Try It FREE |
Celina from Ohio shared her experience on OurTime, saying, “You did your part and brought me the man I was looking for. Your site is the best by far! Thank you from the bottom of our HEARTS!” We couldn’t have said it better ourselves.
15. SilverSingles
It doesn’t matter what your interests are — you can find someone who feels the same way on SilverSingles. SilverSingles is one of the number one senior dating sites for singles over 50, it helps facilitate all forms of companionship — which means you can ease into the romance at your own pace.
SilverSingles
★★★★★
4.6/5.0
Relationships: Friendship, Casual Dates, Serious Relationships
Match System: Search by age, location, height, education, ethnicity, and religion
Our Experts Say: “SilverSingles caters to relationship-minded singles over 50 with simple, safe, and effective online dating tools…” Full Review »
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| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) | Today’s Deal |
| Mature Singles (50+)* | 41%*59%* | 800,000* | Sign up for FREE |
Register by providing your email, which is free, and then you’ll select your gender, the gender you’re looking for, and age, among other things. Then you’ll upload some photos and fill out the other sections of your profile.
Best Free “Adult” Dating Sites in the USA (#16-17)
Marriage or even a relationship isn’t the be-all, end-all for some people — they’re happier playing the field and being with “The One for Now.” Hookup-oriented singles have come to the right place. The next two sites are strictly for finding adult fun, whether it be a one-night stand, NSA relationship, threesome or orgy, swinging partners, or affair.
16. BeNaughty
BeNaughty says it all in the name — this is where horny singles and couples can go to be naughty without fear of judgment. They also don’t have to think about money while they’re using the site — as it’s free.
BeNaughty
★★★★★
3.9/5.0
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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| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) | Today’s Deal |
| All Singles* | 48%*52%* | 13.3 Million* | Browse Profiles Free |
BeNaughty isn’t like some other casual sex sites that can seem sketchy — it has a hard-working team behind it that confirms every member is who they say they are. And the site uses SSL encryption to protect every member’s personal information.
17. Down
Down is “the secret way to get down with people nearby.” While you have to join through Facebook, the app will never show your friends that you’re a member, and it’ll never post on your behalf. Down uses your Facebook friends and friends of friends to find matches — then you can choose whether you want to “get down” or “get dates.” The other person won’t know what you chose unless they chose the same.
Down is a discreet and free hookup and/or dating app that’ll show you Facebook friends of friends you might be interested in.
Now, getting to the money part, we’ve got good news for you. Down is free to download, add your info and photos, see nearby picks, yay or nay them, chat, and secretly invite friends or crushes.
FAQs: Is Coffee Meets Bagel a Good US Dating App?
Coffee Meets Bagel began as the passion project of three entrepreneuring women in Silicon Valley, and it has become a global sensation with over 50 million matches under its belt. And most of its members are looking for love in the U.S.
When it launched in 2012, Coffee Meets Bagel stood out because of its female-driven mission. The dating app claims to bring civility and authenticity back to the dating world with its quality matching technology. The purpose of Coffee Meets Bagel isn’t to throw people into a massive dating pool; it’s to carefully lead them to the most compatible singles online.
Is PlentyOfFish Free for Everyone?
Yes, PlentyOfFish is a free online dating site where single men and women can mingle without paying a single cent.
The platform offers free instant messaging to all members — you don’t even have to form a mutual match — and the only limitation is that POF members can only send 55 first messages per day. This cuts back on spamming and is generally a good rule of thumb to avoid spreading yourself too thin or moving too quickly in the online dating scene.
Every day, more than 4 million people log into PlentyOfFish looking for the perfect match.
PlentyOfFish runs a free-for-all chat room for online daters seeking love, romance, sex, marriage, or a serious relationship. As long as you’re over 18, you’re welcome to make use of this online dating service and enjoy free chats with local singles.
Online daters can become a member of this free dating site to meet a new person and start flirting their way toward a casual hookup or a serious relationship.
What’s the Best Dating Website for a Single Parent?
A single parent likely enters the dating world with a lot of extra concerns and standards than most singles, so it makes sense that they’d want a dating platform with a more mature following and quality-driven features. We highly recommend eharmony to singles parents, especially those over 30, because it uses a psychology-based questionnaire to discover commonality and build deep bonds.
eharmony
★★★★★
4.7/5.0
Relationships: Casual Dates, Deep Relationships
Match System: Personality test suggests matches
Our Experts Say: “eharmony’s unique matching system is based on what it calls “Christian-based principles” and leads to 2% of all U.S. marriages annually…” Full Review »
Browse Free: View Photos Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) | Today’s Deal |
| All Straight Singles* | 48%*52%* | 4.1 Million* | View Profiles FREE |
The eharmony dating website and app offer an abundance of matchmaking tools and communication options, including icebreaker quizzes and free greetings, but only premium members can send messages here. This pay-to-play system ups the quality of conversations on the dating platform and basically eliminates the chances of running into fake profiles.
Since its launch in 2000, eharmony has created over 2 million relationships in the U.S., and it’s widely regarded as the best online dating service for a person seeking love.
Single moms and single dads who are serious about meeting a potential partner can invest in eharmony to upgrade their online dating experience and get that much closer to finding a soulmate.
When It Comes to Online Dating, the USA Has Your Back!
Thomas Jefferson may have been laughed at when he first told people about his idea for the swivel chair, but it’s a good thing he didn’t listen. Can you imagine not being able to turn your chair during your workday? I couldn’t. Our lives have come so far thanks to American ingenuity and know-how, and thanks to American dating sites like the ones above, our love lives have only gotten better!
If you’re hoping to land a first date with a good ol’ American single, then you should definitely capitalize on our list of free dating sites in the USA. These dating sites give local singles the freedom to explore the dating world and possibly even find a soulmate — and what could be better than that?
Our top-ranked U.S. dating sites are the epitome of the American way, and they can lead the way to casual dating experiences, romantic dates, or a serious relationship with a man or woman who is as sweet as apple pie.