One Saturday night in college, my friend asked if I wanted to go to a party, and I said yes without any follow-up questions. I should’ve asked follow-up questions. It turned out the so-called party was actually just seven dudes drinking beer in an apartment.

Aug 09, 2021 These are the best free dating sites for finding a serious relationship in 2021. Best For Inclusivity. Credit: okcupid. Unlimited matches with free account: No. Unlimited messaging. You ll have a wide range of opportunities that you won t find anywhere. Uk Dating Sites India, uen dating nyc, free online dating in canada, bo derek dating john corbett.

UK: interest in using an adult online dating site or app 2017, by marital status; Interest in using an adult online dating site or app in the UK June 2017; Interest in using an online adult dating site or app in the UK June 2017, by gender; UK: user reasons for using online dating sites or apps 2017, by sexual orientation. The best free online dating sites in the UK are sites like We Love Dates. This site is free to register, create a profile, add photos, search for singles and send an introductory message. It’s easy to use and has a great track record.

Now whenever a friend invites me to a party, the first thing I ask is “How many people are going?” because I won’t be caught in such an awkward situation again.

Joining a dating site that doesn’t have a large membership base is like showing up to a party with only a few people in attendance. You don’t have many options, and it’s not that fun to chat up the same people over and over. We don’t want British singles to fall into that trap, so we’ve put together a list of the most popular (and free) dating sites in the UK.

Overall Apps Gay Lesbian Black Senior Christian FAQs

Most Popular Free Dating Sites in the UK (#1-3)

Some listicles save the best for last, but DatingAdvice isn’t about that life. We like to save our readers time and start our lists with the very best. If you’re looking for a date in the UK, the following three dating platforms have enough viable prospects to keep you chatting, flirting, and matching all night long.

1. Match

Free Online Dating In Ukraine

Match is our all-time favorite dating site 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.

Match has an active membership base in 24 countries, including the UK.

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. Tinder

If Match is the old, wizened king of the online dating world, then Tinder is the young prince eager to overtake the throne. In 2012, Tinder shook up the dating scene with its swiping-based match system, and it embraced casual dating with its cheeky, fast-paced, and somewhat superficial ways.

Like it or not, Tinder is nothing if not popular. The dating app sees over 2 billion views a day and arranges over 1 million dates per week. In total, Tinder is responsible for making over 30 billion matches worldwide. If you haven’t tried this app, you’re missing out on all the fun.

3. OkCupid

OkCupid has been around since 2004 when four math majors from Harvard decided to create a master algorithm for love. The>

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:“Not only is EliteSingles exclusively for educated professionals, but it also has a diverse user base made up of millions of gay and bisexual men...” Full Review»

Browse Free:View Photos Now

EliteSingles is a premium dating site for young professionals of all orientations. Based in Europe, the 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.

Grindr is one of the world’s most popular gay dating apps with over 3.8 million users.

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.”

Top Free “Lesbian” UK Dating Sites (#9-10)

Single lesbians often have trouble meeting one another because few dating venues cater to their needs. General bars are straight-dominated, gay bars are male-dominated, and lesbian bars are practically non-existent. The online scene offers a little more specialization, but it’s still a challenge to find female-friendly dating sites in the UK. We’ve picked out two of our favorite options for lesbian singles interested in meeting viable dates.

9. Match

We’ve already recommended Match as a general dating site for people of all ages and orientations, but it’s also particularly useful for lesbians who want to narrow the dating pool to women-only. Once you identify as a woman seeking a woman on Match, all your searches and matches will direct you to lesbian profiles in your area. You can like profiles for free, but only paid members have unlimited chatting on the site and app.

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.”

Top Free “Black” UK Dating Sites (#11-12)

The UK isn’t exactly known for its racial diversity. According to recent census data, 87% of people in the UK are white. If you’re looking for a black or biracial date in such a homogeneous country, using a dating site is going to be your best bet. The site’s search filters will allow you to quickly scan the dating scene for singles with colorful and interesting backgrounds.

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:“eharmony matches singles based on results of its popular compatibility questionnaire. It's a good choice for singles of all ethnic backgrounds...” Full Review»

Browse Free:View Photos Now

Since 2000, eharmony has taken a fundamentally moral and relationship-centric approach to the dating scene. In fact, eharmony’s founder Dr. Neil Clark Warren is a Christian theologian and clinical psychologist, so he brought those values and insights to online dating.

Free Online Dating In The Uk Right Now

The trademarked eharmony matching system relies on a comprehensive questionnaire that identifies an individual’s core personality traits and relationship goals. The algorithm then calculates compatibility based on intellect, religion, affection, extraversion, conscientiousness, social values, agreeableness, and other important factors.

An eharmony member’s ethnicity plays a significant role in the calculation, and individuals can mark how important it is to them to have a romantic partner who shares the same race.

12. Happn

As a location-based dating app, Happn is ideal for city-dwellers on the go. The app endeavors to create a sense of serendipity by introducing daters who often cross each other’s paths in real life. Maybe your next love interest is standing in line behind you at the coffee shop. Or maybe at the bar next door. Happn facilitates these not-so-chance meetings through its fast-paced and intelligent matching game.

Black singles in the UK can use Happn to diversify their date prospects and create mutual matches in their neighborhoods.

Top Free “Senior” UK Dating Sites (#13-14)

Women in the UK have a life expectancy of 82.9 years, and men in the UK have a life expectancy of 79.2 years. People are living longer, and that means they can’t always count on one marriage or one relationship to last a lifetime. Say someone gets divorced or widowed in their 60s — does that mean life and romance is over? Should the next 20 years be spent alone? Of course not.

Many senior dating sites have arisen to meet the needs of mature singles of the world. These platforms empower men and women to rejoin the dating scene and find companionship in a safe online space.

13. 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.

OurTime invites singles over 50 to come out of their shell and meet new people.

Whether you’re a divorcee in your 50s or a retiree in your 80s, OurTime maintains that it’s never too late to find love and bring some excitement into your life.

14. The Guardian Soulmates

The Guardian Soulmates built its dating community based on newspaper readership, so it’s safe to say it caters to an old-school crowd of singles. Over 80% of its members are loyal Guardian readers, who receive a discount on their newspaper subscription by joining the site (or companion app). It’s a win-win for singles who like to stay in the know and meet intellectually curious folks in the UK.

Every month, The Guardian Soulmates adds 15,000 new people to its database and adds dozens of heartfelt testimonials to its website. You can join this mature and savvy community for free by providing an email address, postal code, and username.

Top Free “Christian” UK Dating Sites (#15-17)

Religion is important in a committed relationship. Many Christian singles are looking for a partner in love and in faith. They want someone who will sit beside them at church and share the same convictions and prayers. If you’re interested in meeting a Christian single online, you can use the following three dating sites that have a high concentration of Christian members.

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 strictly for Christian singles, and it has a large user base that you can browse through by your individual preferences...” Full Review»

Browse Free:View Photos Now

Christian Mingle is the world’s leading Christian dating site with millions of followers seeking a God-centered relationship. While this site allows people of all religious beliefs to sign up, it specializes in introducing singles who want to date within the Christian community.

“We couldn’t be more blessed and thankful to ChristianMingle and God for bringing us together and helping our family,” wrote Megan and Justin in a testimonial. “Our faith together as husband and wife has grown so much.”

16. 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.

17. My Single Friend

MySingleFriend.com supports a global dating network where everyone is welcome. Christian singles can use the advanced search filters to zero in on daters of the same faith. The gallery frequently features its most popular and active users, and all it takes is an initial message to get the conversation going.

Since its launch, the dating site has been remarkably successful in pairing many happy couples. You can read its success stories here.

My Single Friend is powered by The Dating Lab, which also runs WeMatch, Lover2Meet, The Telegraph, and other well-known online dating services.

What’s the Difference Between Free Dating Sites & Paid Dating Sites?

Free dating sites allow singles to sign up for free, browse for free, message for free, and use all the site’s features for free. Paid dating sites, on the other hand, require users to pay if they want to use all the site’s features.

Match’s premium membership allows singles to read and respond to messages.

Most paid dating sites will offer at least some free features (i.e. free signup or free browsing) to give new users a preview of what the platform has to offer. Serious daters can then invest in a paid subscription plan to get even more value (i.e. unlimited messaging or the ability to view likes) from the experience. Subscriptions can last anywhere from one month to one year.

The paywall is an effective way for dating companies to make a profit while also screening scammers and spammers from the platform.

Dating platforms that are 100% free forever are rare, but they do exist. These sites and apps rely primarily on ad revenue, partnerships, and sometimes even user donations to stay profitable. OkCupid is an example of a free dating site because it offers unlimited free communication, though it does have premium features that cost a pretty penny.

What are the Most Common Free Features I’ll Have Access To?

Every dating site is a little bit different and comes up with its own subscription model, but singles can expect at least a few free features thrown in to tempt members to join the community and then upgrade their profiles.

Almost all dating sites let users create a profile, add photos, use the search filters, and view compatible profiles for free. Most will also have a free way to show interest (winking or liking), and some will allow free communication between mutual matches. Each platform is a little different in its approach, so be sure to read its policy thoroughly before you sign up — and watch out for any site with automatic subscription renewals.

Do UK Dating Sites Work the Same Way as International Dating Sites?

All dating sites work essentially the same way. You have a profile, search features, messaging, and some kind of matching system to bring people together. Many international dating sites will also add a translator or personalized matchmaker to help singles overcome language barriers and cultural differences. UK dating sites traditionally don’t offer these features because they focus primarily on an English-speaking audience.

International dating sites facilitate love connections across borders and cultures.

It’s also important to remember that not all UK dating sites maintain international databases. Some stick to particular regions and only allow members to sign up if they live in countries in the established network.

For instance, Match is one of the longest-running dating sites around, yet it only has members in 24 countries and territories worldwide, and it requires users to set a distance radius so they only come in contact with people in their area.

Have a Ball on the Most Popular Free Dating Sites in the UK

Parties, like dating sites, need to have a lot of people, or they’ve utterly failed at their jobs. Singles show up at both parties and dating sites expecting to be surrounded by flirtatious opportunities and date options. A sad cluster of seven people isn’t going to cut it.

Bottom line: No matter how many flashy features a dating site has — if no one is there, then it’s not going to be useful to singles seeking real-life romance.

It should come as no surprise that the most popular dating sites are also the most successful dating sites. They can offer tons of promising date options and give singles a chance to make something happen. We’ve highlighted some of the UK’s most popular dating sites and apps to help you find the hottest party in town and figure out how you can join in the fun. Party on!

Advertiser Disclosure

DatingAdvice.com is a free online resource that offers valuable content and comparison services to users. To keep this resource 100% free, we receive compensation from many of the offers listed on the site. Along with key review factors, this compensation may impact how and where products appear across the site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). DatingAdvice.com does not include the entire universe of available offers. Editorial opinions expressed on the site are strictly our own and are not provided, endorsed, or approved by advertisers.

Our Editorial Review Policy

Our site is committed to publishing independent, accurate content guided by strict editorial guidelines. Before articles and reviews are published on our site, they undergo a thorough review process performed by a team of independent editors and subject-matter experts to ensure the content’s accuracy, timeliness, and impartiality. Our editorial team is separate and independent of our site’s advertisers, and the opinions they express on our site are their own. To read more about our team members and their editorial backgrounds, please visit our site’s About page.

Online dating has become the go-to solution for today’s singles. It’s just common sense. You’re unattached, and you want to meet people. So, you go online. According to Infogram, one in five relationships in the U.K. begin online, and many experts predict that number will grow as a new tech-savvy generation comes of age and starts dating in earnest.

Once you’ve decided to meet people online, though, the question becomes: Where? There are over 1,400 dating sites and apps available in Britain alone, so going to any old dating platform isn’t going to get the job done. You have to know which sites and apps have the reputation and the network to hook you up with a compatible first date. We’ve reviewed the top 12 U.K. dating websites and apps to help British singles weed out the rejects and select the cream of the crop.

U.K. dating sites U.K. dating apps

7 Best U.K. Dating Sites

The best dating sites set users up for success by recommending matches, promoting easy search filters, and facilitating private conversations. They make a name for themselves as a helpful place for singles, and thus earn a following of thousands, if not millions, of users. We set high standards for these well-reputed dating sites — expecting them to find us a dream date in a few clicks — and many of them carry out the task admirably well.

1. Match

Since 1995, Match has been a pioneer in the online dating scene and set the bar high for the sites to come after it. This premium dating site now maintains an international following and millions of users in the U.K. alone. You can create a profile, use the advanced search filters, and send likes for free on Match, and it’s easy to upgrade your account whenever you’re ready to make a real and lasting connection.

Match provides an online dating coach to guide users to the ideal match.

The thing we love most about Match is how effective it is at determining long-term compatibility. The site’s time-tested match algorithm can direct relationship-minded singles toward the best date candidates based on their criteria and personalities.

2. OurTime

OurTime isn’t like other dating sites in the U.K. This niche dating platform caters to a mature audience of singles over 50. The site creates a pathway to love for folks who may not be familiar with online dating, but nevertheless want to find companionship in their golden years.

OurTime only allows singles over the age of 50 to join its membership base.

Another upside of OurTime is how hands-on it is throughout the dating process. OurTime’s team partners alongside its members and offers advice, events, and match recommendations to help them find exactly what they’re looking for online.

3. Soulmates

The Guardian’s Soulmates dating site caters to old-fashioned newspaper readers who remember with fondness the days of submitting personal ads to a paper. This is an updated version of that. You create a profile for free under a username and start browsing for promising date candidates. The search results favor completed profiles with at least one photo, so keep that in mind when you’re filling out your profile.

On average, over 15,000 new users join Soulmates every month, and around 80% are loyal Guardian readers. The Soulmates website offers one-month, three-month, and six-month subscription plans that enable users to view photos, use the site’s advanced search results, and chat with other members online.

4. MySingleFriend

MySingleFriend is a U.K.-based dating site with over 200,000 users to its name. The site’s intelligent matching system puts highly eligible bachelors and bachelorettes in your sight line, and the private messaging feature fosters deep connections between members.

The Dating Lab launched MySingleFriend as a matchmaking tool for singles who want to fall in love.

The profiles on MySingleFriend focus on mutual compatibility and highlight commonalities between users. You can see your common interests at a glance, and that can help break the ice once you start chatting.

You can find MySingleFriend’s recent success stories posted here. These stories offer a hopeful look at what’s possible on the site. In March 2018, Leslie gave the MySingleFriend team a thrill when she sent this short note: “I have found the love of my life. The site was successful for me — many thanks.”

5. Date British Guys

As you can probably tell from its name, Date British Guys is a dating site where British guys can meet women from around the world. The website was founded by a British man and American woman who found love on foreign soil, and the couple has made it their mission to encourage love without borders. You can read its success stories here.

From the outset, Date British Guys offers a quick signup process using Facebook or Google+ accounts, so singles don’t have to fill in every personal detail to complete their profiles.

6. OkCupid

OkCupid has been around a good long while now — the first version of the site launched in 2004 — and it has collected a tremendous amount of personal data thanks to its questions section. Users can fill out thousands of questions about their likes, dislikes, dealbreakers, goals, values, political views, and on and on. OkCupid uses those insights as well as profile information to calculate compatibility in a percentage rating that’s incredibly accurate.

OkCupid promotes lengthy profiles, interest-based matches, and fun conversations.

Today, OkCupid facilitates over 50,000 first dates a week and sees over 7.3 messages sent on its website and companion app. Its personality-driven features can help singles seeking short-term dates or long-term relationships. The dating site welcomes people of all stripes, and it was even the first dating app to introduce 22 gender and 13 orientation options.

7. I Love Your Accent

Finally, here’s a little something for you international daters out there. I Love Your Accent is a brilliant dating site designed to connect British singles with American dates across the pond. If you’ve got a thing for a guy or gal with an accent, then this is the place for you.

ILoveYourAccent.com supports a fast-growing database of over 46,000 members in the U.K., the U.S., Canada, Australia, and other English-speaking countries.

5 Best U.K. Dating Apps

Modern singles rely on their phones for everything from ordering a pizza to browsing the web, so it’s no wonder that millions of people have begun turning to dating apps when they want to meet people. The location-based tools on the average dating app can help singles pinpoint viable dates while on the go, and the fast-paced matching system puts people on the fast-track to a promising romance.

1. Match

Match is our top pick for dating apps in the U.K. because it has brought its massive singles network and personality-driven match system to the mobile world, and we have to give it props for pulling that off.

The Match app allows users to search for dates by age, gender, or location from their phone.

The curated Match dating app makes it easy to chat up your love interests from your phone, so you have a hassle-free dating experience from start to finish. Instead of being chained to your computer, now you can take your favorite dating network with you wherever you go and enjoy the convenience of having your match recommendations always at your fingertips.

Free Online Dating Websites In Uk

You can download Match on Google Play or iTunes for free and start browsing through millions of profiles.

“Great application. I have no complaints,” said Jae Prez in a review on Google Play. “I would recommend this to anyone seriously looking for someone.”

2. OurTime

Even if you’re not that tech-savvy, OurTime makes it easy for newcomers to get the hang of how online dating works. This beginners-friendly space caters to singles over 50. These folks have decades of experience in the offline world and want to bring that wisdom to the online world.

The OurTime dating app helps seniors use modern technology to make a date.

Free Online Dating In The Uk Now

When it comes to senior dating, OurTime is as good as it gets. U.K. singles of a certain age can use OurTime to build friendships and relationships with people who share similar values and life experiences. This friendly community gives folks a sense of belonging and shared history, and that leads to strong online connections.

You can find OurTime on Google Play and iTunes to expand your horizons and meet mature singles. It’s free to download the app, create a profile, and view and rate your Daily Matches.

Free Online Dating In The Uk For Americans

Tracey Gray said it best in her review: “It’s great to be able to look for and be looked for by people in the age bracket I chose. OurTime has been a great chance for me to move forward…and hopefully find the right person.”

3. Happn

The Happn team believes in the idea of kismet and works hard to nudge local singles together. The dating app keeps tabs on its users as they go through their days and notifies them when they cross paths with another user. Maybe you’re getting coffee, and a potential date is standing in line behind you. Maybe you’re walking to the bar, and someone you’re interested in is headed that way, too. The profile will pop up, and you can introduce yourself online.

The Happn app seeks to combine the romance of a chance meeting with the cleverness of a match algorithm, thus empowering users to match with people who share similar routines, habits, and lifestyles.

Free Online Dating Site In Ukraine

4. Bumble

Bumble has distinguished itself as the female-friendly dating app where women set the tone for the relationship. Women must make the first move on Bumble and send a message, or the connection will disappear. In 2014, Bumble Founder Whitney Wolfe Herd left Tinder to found Bumble and create a quality-driven alternative for singles dissatisfied by online dating’s free-for-all messaging system.

Bumble has made waves as the first feminist dating app in the online dating scene.

Free Online Dating Ukraine

In one fell swoop, Bumble aims to civilize online dating and keep the creeps at bay. To use the words of the website, “Bumble was first founded to challenge the antiquated rules of dating. Now, Bumble empowers users to connect with confidence whether dating, networking, or meeting friends online.”

5. Tinder

Finally, no list of best dating apps would be complete without Tinder. Like it or not, this dating app is the original swipe-based dating app, and it remains one of the most popular dating resources out there. While some criticize it for being superficial, others praise it for facilitating fast connections. Its innovative swiping system forever changed how dating apps operate, and we have to give credit where credit is due.

Tinder may be infamous, but it is widespread — 60% of U.K. singles ages 18 to 29 have used Tinder at least once — and it can help you fill your date calendar in a hurry. You can quickly create mutual matches by flipping through photos on your phone, but you should expect to do a lot of screening in your online chats to find someone truly compatible and worth meeting IRL.

Meet Your Match by Creating a Profile Today

There you have it. Now you’re equipped to tackle the dating scene like a pro with time-tested resources behind you. The dating sites and apps on this list have proven their mettle over the years and facilitated countless dates, relationships, and marriages.

Online dating has proven effective for singles of all ages and backgrounds because so many upstanding dating platforms have worked tirelessly to tailor their services to the individual’s dating goals and preferences. With them at the helm, you can’t go wrong.