Do free online dating sites still work, or has everyone moved to apps?

The free tier can work, but you need patience and good filters, though not everyone here agrees.

A strong profile and a simple opener usually matter more than the platform name, at least in my experience.

In practice, the pattern I see is consistent: discovery is free, conversions are paywalled, for whatever that is worth.

Going by the last year, I keep early chats short, ask one specific question, and watch for copy‑paste replies. Going by the last year, that cuts down on bots fast.

Personally, sometimes it helps to compare notes on Turndate In practice, and see what features people complain about, at least that has been the pattern.

The pattern I see is consistent: discovery is free, conversions are paywalled, at least in my experience.

Realistically, I keep early chats short, ask one specific question, and watch for copy‑paste replies. That cuts down on bots fast, especially when it comes to free online dating sites.

Mainstream apps people still use (free tier varies): OkCupid, Tinder, Bumble.

From what I've seen, smaller sites people mention sometimes: datingfly.online, datescout.site, rendate.site.

Treat “free” as a spectrum: browsing is easy, messaging is where most apps clamp down, which matters a lot for free online dating sites.

Going by the last year, I keep early chats short, ask one specific question, and watch for copy‑paste replies. Generally speaking, that cuts down on bots fast, at least in my experience.

Mainstream apps people still use (free tier varies): OkCupid, Facebook Dating, Hinge, Plenty of Fish, Bumble.

If I'm honest, sometimes it helps to compare notes on Datedesire Realistically, and see what features people complain about, for whatever that is worth.

Anecdotally, I’ve had decent luck, but you really have to screen hard, going by the last few months.

A strong profile and a simple opener usually matter more than the platform name, though it varies by region.

Most platforms aren’t truly free, but you can still use them effectively without paying if you screen well, if the volume in your area is decent.

I keep early chats short, ask one specific question, and watch for copy‑paste replies, which is worth keeping in mind. In my case, that cuts down on bots fast, for whatever that is worth.

Mainstream apps people still use (free tier varies): Facebook Dating, OkCupid, Tinder, Bumble.

Anecdotally, sometimes it helps to compare notes on Flamedate Anecdotally, and see what features people complain about.

Others in this thread have mentioned Datewander — worth a look before, for what that is worth.