Broke and single? We found 8 free dating apps that actually work

Read our full review of AdultFriendFinder.

Who it's for:

OkCupid and its user base are pretty liberal. The ads with same-sex couples are an obvious giveaway, but OkCupid has snuck in other little features that filter out the most conservative-minded people. For instance, they'll ask questions about whether you're for or against the defunding of Planned Parenthood or same-sex marriage — all as a way to tell right off the bat if your potential match leans left or right. (This can help you avoid awkward date conversations in the future.) Of course, all of this means that OKCupid may not be the best dating site for conservatives looking for love.

Liberal ladies found that this worked to their advantage, as OkCupid released statistics showing that liberal-leaning answers to those questions made you significantly more likely (as in, more than 80% more likely) to find love on the site. People interested in non-monogamy will also be happy to know that once you set that as a preference, the site will only show you other people interested in non-monogamy, which is 100% more groundbreaking than it should be. 

Why we picked this:

OkCupid is a seriously hip LGBTQ-friendly app that has won the hearts of millennials and mature singles alike. Its profile-building process is much more fun than other apps since it almost feels like an online quiz. It asks a range of questions, from simple stuff like if you smoke and drink to more intimate things like how many dates you typically wait before sleeping with someone.

Pro tip: The app says the more questions you answer, the better your matches will be. The deeper you go, the more accurate your profile is — and in turn, OkCupid will have a way easier time finding matches for you.   

Though OkCupid has a super robust user base, you'll have the best results in well-populated areas. For city dwellers, this is fine, but singles in smaller towns may want to opt for a different app. 

All in all, OkCupid is the perfect happy medium for progressive people who don't want anything to do with trendy swiping apps but don't want to feel like they're desperately looking for marriage, either. OkCupid genuinely wants dating to be a good experience for you, and its multi-faceted matchmaking and modern vibe help you have fun talking to people online. 

Read our full review of OKCupid.

Who it's for:

If you're a gay man, this app is your place to shine: a haven for queers who can't stand the heteronormativity of apps like Tinder or Bumble and for those looking to have some no-strings-attached fun.

Let's be real: Grindr users have no chill. It's an NSFW gay paradise, and if you've been thinking that you've met every gay man in your area already, Grindr might be able to show you some newbies who you never knew existed. (Unless you're in a small town, in which case you'll probably see the same people recycled on your feed — but just wait until you go on vacation.)

Why we picked this:

Grindr is the world's biggest social networking app for gay, bi, trans, and queer people, helping singles get it on since 2009. At over 3 million daily users, it's clear it has earned its place as one of the most popular dating apps out there.  

Instead of swiping right or left to match, you'll get a borderline infinite collage of people who are close location-wise, and honestly, it's super jumbled and scary to look at. It can be a pretty speedy process if you want it to be, and most users just looking to hook up will let you know right off that they're not trying to make small talk. That's not to say it's not for relationships, but at the surface level, it's ideal for quick, casual encounters. 

Be warned, however: Grindr is hella NSFW. Messages will be freaky, and you're 100% going to receive a ton of unsolicited (or solicited, if you asked) dick pics, so messaging on Grindr while you're on the train or in line at the store isn't quite as casual as other dating apps might be. You'll also get badgered for pictures, so steer clear if you're uncomfortable with that.

For those who are all about finding a partner in a more traditional, romantic way, other apps (like Archer) might be a better choice; for gay men who strictly want to hook up, this is the Holy Grail.

Who it's for:

Hinge is the place for singles who want a real relationship but don't want to commit to a full-fledged dating site with extensive questionnaires. Hinge calls itself the app "designed to be deleted" because you're meant to find a relationship so you can stop using dating apps (and subsequently increase your phone storage, once and for all).

Forget awkward Facebook friend-of-a-friend matchups. Hinge's algorithm has been getting smarter and smarter, making connections beyond just shared interests. It digs deeper, using prompts that give you the chance to show off your personality. Deep, authentic connections FTW.

Why we picked this:

Here at Mashable, we're kind of in love with Hinge. It's a step up from hookup apps while being the perfect level of serious for 20- and 30-somethings who want something real — but don't need anyone asking how many kids they want just yet.

It has the modern feel and no-patience-required matching of Tinder but with the relationship (rather than hookup) mindset that sites like eharmony or Match offer. Pretty much everyone is on the same page and knows that this app isn't just for sex, but there's no pressure to rush into marriage, either.

Hinge only lets you send eight likes per day, which is a slight bummer. But it means you have to be a little more selective and thoughtful about who you like, which is more conducive to finding a compatible relationship. If you want to see everyone who likes you or send unlimited likes, Hinge offers multiple premium membership tiers, but having endless potential matches is overwhelming (and reminiscent of the more anxiety-provoking Tinder). If you're trying to find someone you genuinely connect with, there's no point in viciously rushing through every person in a 50-mile radius. 

Who it's for:

This is the place for queer, bisexual, trans, and lesbian women to go when they're over men pretending to be women online or they're tired of being asked for a threesome by straight couples. The fact that it's made by queer women for queer women was a much-needed addition to the online dating world, and knowing that it's a safe space is really nice. Another refreshing aspect is that HER goes way past being a hookup app — that is, without adding pressure to find a romantic partner. While it can be used to couple up and find local matches that you never knew existed, you can also get involved in local LGBTQ events, read LGBTQ news, and make friends through its social-media-like feed.

Why we picked this:

Claiming to be the app that "introduces you to every lesbian you've ever wanted to meet," HER is the award-winning mix of dating and social media that lets you meet girls you know are girls, as it is solely for lesbian, bisexual, and queer women. The language is inclusive — it's not a lesbian site aimed at a male fantasy, thanks to the fact queer women created it — and it'll help you widen your dating pool beyond the circles you already know IRL.

Note that HER's user base isn't as large as that of mainstream apps like Tinder, so you might not have as many options as you'd like (especially if you live in a smaller town). A lot of queer women are still on apps like Tinder and Bumble, and unfortunately, on those platforms you might run into straight girls saying that they're "interested" in women just to find friends or a threesome. Right now, you'll just have to choose between HER's peaceful lack of straight presence and smaller variety of users or Tinder's heteronormativity and unbeatable number of users.

Regardless, HER is making serious strides toward becoming a total boss of an app (and toward taking a ton of queer lady users away from Tinder). The low-pressure atmosphere is super inviting, and the fact that you can find a girlfriend or queer friends or attend an LGBTQ movie night all thanks to the app makes HER unique for multiple reasons. It just rocks — in a really gay and really fun kind of way — OK?

Who it's for:

Because women have to make the first move, Bumble is ideal for females who are sick of unsolicited messages from creepy dudes and for men who are tired of always having to initiate convo. It's also for people who want transparency in what kinds of relationships potential matches are looking for.

Though the time limit on the chat feature can feel a bit pressing, it helps weed out who might be using the app for a "confidence boost" of matching without actually having any intention of following up.

Why we picked this:

If you combined Tinder and Hinge and then required women to make the first move, you'd get Bumble. Starting on the app is quite simple: You create a profile with a bio, personal traits, and what you're looking for so people will know whether you're after a relationship or something casual.

Bumble is a dating app with a twist. In heterosexual matches, women have to make the first move within 24 hours, or the match disappears. (For same-sex matches, either person can start the conversation.) If you're running out of time, you can extend the chat by purchasing Bumble Boost, a premium feature that lets you rematch with expired matches, undo accidental left swipes, and extend matches for 24 hours. (This feature is only available in certain areas.)

Bumble's free version is a solid choice for anyone who wants a straightforward dating app without dealing with the traditional ick of the dating scene. It lets you be upfront about your dating goals, making it suitable for casual encounters and serious relationships. While we've also checked out Bumble's paid option, we've found that the free version works just fine. However, a paid membership might be worth considering if you're looking for the best possible results (and are super serious about finding a partner).

Who it's for:

Archer is a free dating app for gay, bisexual, and queer men. It's the relationship-focused alternative to apps like Grindr and Tinder, providing a "celebratory place" for gay men to connect and find meaningful connections.

If you're a bisexual man or someone who is HIV positive and you're tired of tip-toeing around to avoid potential hate and discrimination, Archer is your best option. (For real, even Brooklyn's oh-so-gorgeous resident bi-man and author of Boyslut: A Memoir and Manifesto, Zachary Zane, swears by it.)

Why we picked this:

Launched earlier this year, Archer is a "social-first" dating app for gay and queer men. Unlike its raunchy competitor (Grindr), Archer focuses on creating a more inclusive and respectful space for its users.

It's 100% free to download and use (no sketchy in-app purchases or hidden fees), and it has some unique features like Smart-Blur to keep you from seeing NSFW content until you're ready and Selfie-Verify for added security.

Not only that, but Archer is determined to make STD/STI, PrEP awareness, and sexual health a priority for its users. It provides comprehensive resources, education, and support for users via the Health Hub, making it a safer and more informed platform for the LGBTQ+ community than other dating apps.

And, as of October 2023, it's available nationwide via Google Play and the App Store. (Before, it was only available in select cities.)

Who it's for:

This is the place where the older crowd can avoid the non-serious people and find other singles their age. Chemistry is the name of the game here, and the multiple questionnaires are no joke. This isn't a quick five-second setup like other apps, but that's only because Plenty of Fish truly wants you to dig a bit deeper so that they can give you the best quality matches. Not only does POF attempt to match you with people you'll statistically get along with (based on how you've both answered its questions), but it also wants to match you with people looking for the same thing as you are.

In the "meeting goals" section, you'll specify whether you're looking for something long-term, looking to date but nothing serious, etc., and then Plenty of Fish will try to match you with others who answered similarly. The idea is to eliminate the awkward "What are we?" conversations and set you up for success by pairing you with people who share your priorities. Once you're set-up, this app does want to get you talking and connecting with who's out there — that's why users can send others nearby a like or a message to see if there's chemistry beyond physical attraction. 

Why we picked this:

Though it doesn't have the most attractive (or user-friendly) setup, Plenty of Fish is an underrated choice for people just dipping their toes into online dating. As a tried-and-true option that's been around for over 15 years, the 35+ crowd might be more familiar with Plenty of Fish than they would be with newer apps. The advertising, lengthy questionnaires, and profiles are extremely traditional, making this a safe bet for non-millennials, divorcees, and single parents who are not in the mood to mess around. Plenty of Fish is part of the Match group, so you know they mean business with their algorithm.

In terms of the actual app use, unlimited messaging can be nice, but people can send you messages without matching, so if that's not your vibe, this probably isn't the app for you. This can also contribute to a more hookup-dominant culture of the app, so prepare for that as well. 

Ultimately, if a site's janky aesthetics (and sifting through a few fake profiles) don't bother you, POF offers a wide variety of potential mates. Regardless of whether you're super picky with your type or have no idea what you want, there's no way you won't come across a few people you find interesting.