We all know that dating can be expensive at the best of times, especially if you’re going out for dinner and drinks on the reg, and these days free dating sites in the UK can be hard to come by. With so many dating sites and apps now offering (sometimes pricey) subscription schemes, it can feel like the cost of dating is just racking up.
So if you want to enjoy as much cheap dating as you can fit in, without spending any extra cash, then Dating sites UK might be the answer to your prayers – and there are more out there than you think.
1. Match
Match is our all-time favorite dating site UK because it has been around longer than any other dating platform and has used that time to perfect its personality-driven match formula. In 1995, Match struck out into the unknown territory and created an empire that has stood the test of time.
Over 1.6 million people in the UK have met partners on Match.com, and the site is always growing to better serve its relationship-minded users. Match now offers personalized dating coaching, members-only events, and other premium services to keep singles mingling, matching, and enjoying themselves.
2. Parship
A Hamburg tech team designed Parship to unite singles seeking a long-term relationship, and it has been incredibly successful in its mission. You don’t have to take its effectiveness on faith, though — Parship has the stats and success stories to back up its dating services.
According to the dating site’s internal data, over 23,000 new members sign up each week, and about 38% of Premium Members report finding a soul mate on Parship. The site’s community is ideal for Christian singles because its members are so serious about settling down with the right person.
3. OurTime
OurTime is our favorite senior dating site because it gives singles over 50 a place they can call their own. The dating site attracts cultured, active, and interesting singles who have been around the block a few times and see age as a positive quality in a date.
- Zoosk
Zoosk started as a thought experiment in Silicon Valley, and now it has over 40 million members worldwide. In 2007, Zoosk Co-Founders Alex Mehr and Shayan Zadeh recognized the power of social media networks and decided to integrate social media with online dating to give users a uniquely engaging experience.
The Zoosk app is available for free in the App Store and Google Play. Zoosk is active in 80 countries, including the UK, and its members send over 3 million messages on the platform in a single day.
6. WeLoveDates
WeLoveDates is an international dating platform with a growing user base in the UK, Ireland, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and the U.S. This mobile-friendly space encourages deep connections by introducing singles who share common interests and hobbies.
Londoner Kevin Gibbons founded the WeLoveDates dating company in the UK in 2010, and it has slowly but surely expanded onto the international dating scene. Today, WeLoveDates has a fast-growing membership of over 1 million singles of all ages, orientations, backgrounds, and relationship goals.
- EliteSingles
EliteSingles is a premium dating site in the UK for young professionals of all orientations. This dating site excels at arranging matches between singles who are well-educated and relationship-oriented. This isn’t a hit-it-and-quit-it type of place.
EliteSingles uses intelligent matchmaking to increase the chances of its users finding a soul mate. Someone finds a love connection every eight minutes on EliteSingles. The next one could be you.
8. Grindr
Unlike EliteSingles, Grindr isn’t about playing for keeps. It’s about playing the field. Since 2009, the gay dating app has become a go-to resource for gay singles around the world. Its name is synonymous with flirtatious fun. Grindr has helped millions of gay, bi, trans, and queer men find local dates, and it is always expanding its community.
In the coming years, singles can expect Grindr to continue building its reputation as a friend and champion of the LGBTQ+ lifestyle.
Over 317,000 people have reviewed Grindr on Google Play where it has an average rating of 3.6 out of 5 stars. Not too shabby, really, for a polarizing dating app. “If you don’t have thick skin, don’t use this app,” warns David C. in his five-star review. “Just a caveat for the consumer…Good luck and happy hunting.”
10. Bumble
In 2014, Whitney Wolfe Herd (who co-founded Tinder) set out on a mission to change the dating scene. She created Bumble to give women the power to decide who they like and to make the first move. The female-friendly app is founded on the principle that when women have a voice, everyone wins.
In its first four years, Bumble facilitated over 500 million first moves and cemented its reputation as a gutsy, independent, and responsible dating platform. What better place for lesbians to meet new friends and love interests?
“Bumble has now grown far beyond a dating app into a networking platform, allowing people of all genders to make empowered connections,” Whitney said. “I’m more dedicated than ever to helping advance gender equality — and putting an end to the misogyny and toxic masculinity that still plague society.”
11. Plenty of Fish
If you’re looking for a free dating site that goes off more than just whether you fancy someone’s pic, then Plenty of Fish‘s thorough questionnaires might be a refreshing change. Like OkCupid, you can pay for more features, but the free version of the site is really all you need.
With a free account, you can view other people’s profiles and send and receive messages as normal. An upgraded membership will let you add more than eight pictures to your profile, stand out in searches and search for others’ usernames, starting at $38.99 (£29.77) for three months – but all the essentials are covered in the free version.
12. Free Dating
OK, this one does what it says on the tin: completely free profile searching and messaging, and you can view as many profiles as you like at once. The freedating.co.uk site is specific to the UK and specialises in regional dating, so you’re able to easily browse profiles based on location. Plus, they promise that it’ll stay free forever.
13. Completely Free Dating
Another one that gets straight to the point, Completely Free Dating promises to be, well, totally free to use. You can search, view and message people without the need to upgrade – and it’s strictly a website, unlike other sites which often have an accompanying app. It’s also UK-specific, so you can quickly search based on different regions.
14. Fdating
Fdating is totally free to access, and you can even browse profiles without making a profile of your own – but you’ll need to log in to send a message. Still, once you’re logged in there’s nothing to pay for and the site will remain completely free. You can specify the age range of people you’re looking to meet in your profile, and you can even see when potential dates were last active on the site, saving you from messaging dead accounts.