Given tariffs in the U.S. coupled with the increasing cost of living here and abroad, existing is becoming more and more expensive. And while love is free, dating isn't immune to price hikes.
Some singles have to make tough financial decisions about dates between paying for drinks, outfits, and commuting. Recently, 28 percent of men even reported that they'd date an AI over staying single because they cannot afford dating. Thankfully, it's not all or nothing. It is possible to use some popular dating apps for free.
What dating apps are free?
Major dating apps, such as Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge, have free tiers, as do Grindr and OkCupid.
Some users have recently complained that apps have placed various features behind paywalls. Mashable has reported that Grindr users are one such consumer base. In recent years, Grindr has limited the visibility of "taps" (which indicate interest without a direct message), and the "explore" page (that allows users to see others not in their location) only unlocks one new profile a day, whereas it used to unlock three.
There could be several reasons for this. Many mainstream apps are owned by public companies. Grindr, for example, is public, as is Match Group, the parent company behind Tinder and Hinge (and many other apps). When a company is beholden to shareholders, it has pressure to make more money and thus monetize features.
Another reason is that companies aren't immune to inflation, either. It might cost more to operate now than in years past, and they want to make up for that increased cost somehow.
Despite the complaints and potential increased paywalls (and ads), these apps do function for free. But it might be like paying for the lower tier of a streaming service: You won't have all the bells and whistles.
More robust dating apps (that started as dating sites) like eharmony and Match require you to pay in order to match or chat with other users. Even in 2025, though, there are a good number of dating apps you can use for free. We rounded up apps where you can find your forever partner, a casual encounter, or something in between — without paying a dime.
