Why Most Dating Apps Aren't Really "Free"
Let's be honest - most dating apps claim to be free, but they're not. Sure, you can download Tinder, Bumble, or Hinge for free, but try actually messaging someone without paying. You'll hit a paywall faster than you can say "swipe right."
The average dating app subscription costs $15-40 per month. That's $180-480 per year just to send messages! And that's not even counting the "premium" features they lock behind even more expensive tiers.
What Makes a Dating App Truly Free?
A truly free dating app should let you:
- Create a profile
- Browse other users
- Send messages (at least some)
- Receive messages
- Match with people
Without forcing you to pay just to have a conversation.
The 10 Best Free Dating Apps in 2025
1. Flistr - Best Overall Free Dating App
**Price:** Free (10 messages), $4.99/month for unlimited
Flistr is the only dating app that gives you 10 free messages to start - no credit card required. Unlike other apps that give you 0-3 messages, you can actually have real conversations and meet people.
What makes it special:
- 10 free messages (more than any other app)
- LGBTQ+ friendly with all gender identities
- Map-based browsing to find people near you
- Verified profiles (phone, photo, ID)
- No ads cluttering your experience
- Premium is only $4.99/month (cheapest in the industry)
**Best for:** Casual dating, hookups, LGBTQ+ dating, anyone tired of paywalls
2. OkCupid - Best for Detailed Profiles
**Price:** Free with ads, $19.99/month premium
OkCupid lets you send unlimited messages for free, which is rare. However, you'll see ads and have limited features like seeing who liked you.
**Pros:** Unlimited messaging, detailed profiles, LGBTQ+ friendly
**Cons:** Ads everywhere, limited features without premium
3. Plenty of Fish (POF) - Best for Large User Base
**Price:** Free with ads, $12.99/month premium
POF has been around forever and has a huge user base. You can message people for free, but the interface feels dated.
**Pros:** Large user base, free messaging
**Cons:** Outdated design, lots of ads, spam profiles
4. Hinge - Best for Relationships
**Price:** Free (limited), $19.99/month premium
Hinge gives you a few free likes per day, but messaging is limited. It's more focused on relationships than hookups.
**Pros:** Quality matches, relationship-focused
**Cons:** Very limited free version, expensive premium
5. Bumble - Best for Women
**Price:** Free (limited), $24.99/month premium
Women message first on Bumble. The free version is very limited - you only get a few swipes per day.
**Pros:** Women control conversations, quality users
**Cons:** Very limited free features, expensive
6. Tinder - Most Popular
**Price:** Free (limited), $14.99-39.99/month premium
Tinder is the most popular dating app, but the free version is almost useless. You get very few swipes and can't see who liked you.
**Pros:** Huge user base, easy to use
**Cons:** Extremely limited free version, expensive tiers
7. Coffee Meets Bagel - Best for Quality Over Quantity
**Price:** Free (limited), $35/month premium
You get a few curated matches per day. Free version is very limited.
**Pros:** Quality matches, less overwhelming
**Cons:** Very few matches on free version, expensive
8. Grindr - Best for Gay Men
**Price:** Free with ads, $24.99/month premium
Grindr is the go-to app for gay and bi men. Free version has ads and limited features.
**Pros:** Large LGBTQ+ community, location-based
**Cons:** Lots of ads, limited free features
9. HER - Best for Queer Women
**Price:** Free (limited), $14.99/month premium
HER is designed for queer women and non-binary people. Free version is limited.
**Pros:** LGBTQ+ focused, community features
**Cons:** Smaller user base, limited free version
10. Feeld - Best for Open-Minded Dating
**Price:** Free (limited), $11.99/month premium
Feeld is for people interested in non-traditional relationships. Free version is very limited.
**Pros:** Open-minded community, unique features
**Cons:** Limited free version, smaller user base
The Verdict: Which Free Dating App Should You Choose?
If you want the most bang for your buck (or no bucks at all), **Flistr** is your best bet. With 10 free messages, you can actually have conversations and meet people without paying.
For unlimited free messaging with ads, try **OkCupid** or **POF**.
For LGBTQ+ dating specifically, **Flistr** is the most inclusive, but **Grindr** (gay men) and **HER** (queer women) are also good options.
Tips for Success on Free Dating Apps
1. **Complete your profile** - Add multiple photos and write a detailed bio
2. **Be specific about what you want** - Casual, serious, friends, etc.
3. **Message first** - Don't wait for others to message you
4. **Be respectful** - Treat people like humans, not options
5. **Stay safe** - Meet in public, tell friends where you're going
6. **Don't get discouraged** - Dating takes time and effort
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are free dating apps safe?
A: Most reputable free dating apps have safety features like reporting, blocking, and verification. Always meet in public and trust your instincts.
Q: Can you really meet people on free dating apps?
A: Yes! Millions of people use free dating apps successfully. The key is having enough messages to actually have conversations.
Q: Why do dating apps charge so much?
A: Because they can. Dating apps know people are desperate to meet someone, so they charge premium prices. That's why we created Flistr - to make dating affordable.
Q: What's the catch with free dating apps?
A: Usually ads, limited features, or very few free messages. Flistr gives you 10 free messages, which is more than enough to start meeting people.
Conclusion
Dating shouldn't cost $40/month. With apps like Flistr offering 10 free messages and premium for just $4.99/month, there's no reason to pay ridiculous prices anymore.
Try a few different apps, see what works for you, and remember - the best dating app is the one where you actually meet people you like.
Ready to start dating without paywalls? [Join Flistr free →](/auth/signup)