As inflation climbs both in the U.S. and around the world, the costs of living are rising sharply. While love may be without charge, the dating scene is not immune to these financial hikes. Mashable has observed that the living cost crisis in the UK has altered dating behaviors, a pattern likely reflected in other regions as well.

Expenses such as drinks, clothing, and transportation may compel singles to make difficult financial decisions regarding dating. This could involve choosing to skip paying for dating apps. Thankfully, various well-known dating apps provide free alternatives.

Which dating apps are cost-free?

Well-known platforms like Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge feature free options, as do Grindr and OkCupid.

Recently, users have commented that some apps are putting features behind paywalls. Mashable reported that Grindr users are among those impacted. Grindr has limited the visibility of “taps” and reduced the “explore” page to just one new profile per day, down from three.

There are multiple reasons behind this trend. Numerous apps are owned by publicly traded companies. Grindr is publicly listed, as is Match Group, which owns Tinder and Hinge. Publicly traded companies are under pressure to boost profits, which drives the monetization of features.

Moreover, companies are also facing inflation. Increased operating costs may have led them to look for ways to counterbalance these expenses.

In spite of grievances and the likelihood of paywalls (as well as advertisements), these apps continue to be operational for free, akin to a basic-tier streaming service: fewer features but still accessible.

More extensive dating apps like eharmony and Match necessitate payment for matching or messaging. Even in 2025, numerous dating apps are available at no cost. We have compiled a list of apps where you can discover a long-term partner, a casual fling, or something in between—all at no expense.