Review of the Best Dating Sites and Apps of 2021

Between 2015 to 2020 the dating app industry has grown from 185 million to 270 million users. This is an increase of 85 million new users in 5 years. In fact, over 17% of people are feeling optimistic that 2021 will be the year to find love. This means that we can expect an increase in dating app users in 2021 too.

Today, over half of all single people are using the best dating sites to find love. In the UK, more than 1,400 sites meet the dating needs of people from all walks of life and interest. Investing in e-dating is as normal as internet banking–just way more fun.

That said, finding the best dating sites and apps can seem daunting, especially if you’re new to lockdown dating. But don’t worry! We’re here to help.

Whether you’re searching for serious relationships and marriage or casual hook-ups, our list of best dating sites UK-wide has got you covered.

Best Dating Sites and Apps 2021

1. OkCupid

OkCupid features comprehensive personality questionnaires, designed to improve compatibility. With over 4 million users worldwide, OkCupid is one of the best dating websites UK-wide. Many individuals have found their perfect match through this website.

 

While it has a premium A-List subscription, its free version has everything you need to use the site. Once you have created an account, you will view all your potential matches, send and receive likes, and get notified when you both like each other.

The best part about this site is you don’t get bombarded with messages. You only receive messages from individuals whom you have matched with.

You can download the OkCupid app and speak to users for free. But by upgrading, you can access some of OkCupid’s premium features.

2. Coffee Meets Bagel

Coffee Meets Bagel stands out from the other online dating sites UK-wide. It offers its users better-quality matches by sending only one match every day. As a result, you have to take your time and consider if the individual is an excellent match. You don’t have to swipe left all the time.

If you’re after a serious relationship, Coffee Meets Bagel (CMB) is the site to visit. If you match with the person, they will suggest a personalized icebreaker. For example, Ask Judy about her trip to Mombasa. Besides, that Coffee Meets Bagel profiles are more in-depth than Tinder.

Just like OkCupid, you can download the CMB app for free and speak with other users. But if you want to access premium features, you will need to upgrade. At first glance, the app will seem confusing. But after a few hours, you will get the hang of it.

3. eharmony

People looking for long-term relationships will love eharmony. According to the Married Couples site, over 71% of women and 69% of men often meet their spouses within a year of joining this dating site.

You can easily create an eharmony profile and review prospective matches for free. The site algorithm filters potential matches based on their hobbies, personality, and habits.

But if you want to take full advantage of eharmony, consider paying for a membership. Paid membership will allow you to unlock the features of the service.

4. Bumble

Bumble is a dating app that empowers women to make the first move. A man can only communicate with a woman who has shown interest in him. Therefore, adding a layer of safety that other dating services lack.

Created by one of the co-founders of Tinder, Bumble has gained significant traction from women and men alike over the years. The service will offer you robust fun, and inclusive interface and excellent privacy and safety features.

Bumble focuses on immediate contact. Users of the service have only 24 hours to make contact. If they don’t, the match expires. Besides being designed for spontaneous hookups, it supports interracial dating.

The platform is available as both an Android app, iOS app, and desktop app. Also, it integrates seamlessly with social network platforms, including Instagram and others.

5. Match

Founded in 1993, Match.com is perhaps the longest-running digital dating site. Over the years, it has fined tuned its services to meet the changing needs of men and women.

Though it has a free version, you will only receive the basic features, like receiving daily matches and sending likes. To take full advantage of this platform, you need to pay for a subscription.

Once you’ve paid, you can see who has viewed and liked your profile, responds to emails, and more. Basically, you pay for any features that allow you to connect to a potential match.

The service comes with an easy-to-use interface and permits only detailed profiles. For only £44.99 a month, this service will help you find your long-term partner.

6. Hinge

Before its relaunch in 2016, Hinge was a gimmick that used Facebook accounts to find connections. But that’s no longer the case. Currently, it’s one of the most popular apps for free dating UK-wide.

The platform allows you to create a robust profile and offers you plenty of fun and ways to flirt and interact with users. Over 75% of the individuals who meet at Hinge often meet for second dates.

Hinge also allows users to leave reviews, which they use to refine their match algorithms in the future. As a popular online dating UK service, it’s available on mobile for Android and iPhone users.

If you want a platform that offers you a way to interact beyond basic chatting, consider using Hinge.

7. Christian Connection

Christians looking for totally free online dating sites UK-wide should check out Christian connection. It’s an award-winning dating site that connects Christians.

It’s the ideal service for people looking for long-term relationships, but struggle to find like-minded people outside of their work and church. You can create a detailed profile, outlining your job, political stand, dream holiday destination, etc.

Although you will have to answer lots of questions when you sign up, they will come in handy in the long run. Besides, you only need to wave to spark a conversation. For only £24 a month, you can send unlimited messages and receive discounted entry to social events.

8. Facebook Dating

Are you looking for a platform offering free online dating UK-wide? Look no further than Facebook dating? It’s perfect for people who’re in lockdown or self-isolating and want a virtual date.

Facebook dating has created over 1.5 billion matches over the last few years. It comes with unique features, such as Stories, which allow you to share Instagram and Facebook stories on your dating profile.

Another excellent feature is Secret Crush. The feature lets you explore potential relationships with individuals you already know on Facebook or Instagram. You can select up to nine Instagram followers and Facebook friends who you’re interested in.

The last feature–Virtual Dates- allows you to set up virtual date if COVID restrictions prevent you from meeting the match in person. As we said earlier, Facebook dating costs nothing.

9. Tinder

Tinder is the most well-known dating app. Once a home for introverts to meet, now it’s a platform for finding casual hookups and one-night stands. This site can find you a match no matter what your preference is.

This tool comes with a feature called Loops, where you can see the GIFs of your potential matches. The feature helps users to weed out catfishers before they set a video date.

Most users agree the app has revolutionized the process of finding no-strings fun at relatively little expense. The app uses a basic principle of swiping yes or no based on each user’s picture.

Although it’s one of the best free dating sites UK-wide, users have the option of upgrading their Tinder membership for a cost.

10. HER

Last but not least, we have HER. It’s a dating app dedicated to helping women find other female partners. HER provides women with the safest way to meet like-minded partners, in group chats or at online events. 

It also provides them with a platform to discuss anything from LGBT+ news to events taking place in your area.

It’s free to join, and you can view profiles, add friends and start chats at no extra charge. You can upgrade to HER premium for only £7.99 if you want to filter users by sexuality and see who’s online.

Conclusion

That marks the end of our review of the free dating sites UK. We hope you have enjoyed it. But before we leave, we want to share a little more information on how to date online safely.

When using online dating sites, don’t share your personal information. Be wary of individuals asking for a lot of personal information early on.

Also, if you’re planning to meet your match, tell your friend or family member. Inform them about who you’re meeting and where.

Finally, don’t fear leaving if your date makes you uncomfortable. It doesn’t matter whether you have shared a three-course dinner with them or you have just sat down.

That said, online dating is fun. If you’re searching for love in your life, give it a try.