Updated November 2026
Best dating app in the UK (2026): find the right one for you
We compare the best dating apps in the UK: what is free, what you pay for and who each app really suits.
What are you looking for?
Best dating apps 2026
Advertising · How we rank-
Best forSerious datingFreeProfile, Browse matches, Send likesPaidUnlimited messaging, See who viewed you9.8 /10
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Best forLong-term relationshipsFreeCompatibility quiz, Match suggestions, LikesPaidFull messaging, Unblurred photos9.4 /10
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Best forSingles over 50FreeProfile, Prompts, Chat with matchesPaidUnlimited messaging, Advanced filters9.1 /10
What is free?
Signing up, building a profile and browsing are usually free. Unlimited messaging is what most apps charge for.
App or website?
Apps are quicker for getting chatting; websites often give longer profiles and matching tests. Most services offer both. Best dating sites UK
Stay safe
Never send money to someone you have not met. Meet in a public place the first time and tell a friend where you are.
First date
From match to first date
A good profile does half the work: a recent photo, a few lines about what you enjoy and an honest word on what you are looking for. Once the chat flows, suggest meeting fairly soon so it does not stay stuck in messages.
- Every app in our comparison lets you sign up and build a profile for free
- Try the free version first and only pay when you want to message
- Meet somewhere public the first time, such as a café or a busy pub
Free alternatives
You can get a long way on these apps without paying. We have no partnership with them.
Hinge
Free to use, with prompt-based profiles and a limited number of likes a day. Hinge+ (from £12.99 on the UK App Store) is optional.
Visit siteBumble
Free profile, matching, video chat and ID verification. Bumble Premium (£9.99 for 7 days on the UK App Store) is optional.
Visit siteTinder
Like, match and chat for free. Tinder Plus starts at £3.99 on the UK App Store, with Gold and Platinum above it.
Visit siteOver 50
Love has no age limit
Some apps are built for singles over 50, with a calmer pace and members who are mostly looking for something real.
Dating apps for over 50sDating apps by city
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There is no single best dating app for everyone. The right one depends on your age, where you live and whether you want a relationship, new people to chat with or something in between. On bestdatingapp.co.uk we compare the best dating apps in the UK based on the services’ own information, their terms and what they let you do for free, so you can choose with your eyes open.
The best dating apps in the UK right now
Our ranking above is based on what each service offers, how it handles moderation and safety, how clear its pricing and terms are, and who it suits. These are the three we rank highest:
1. Match
Match is one of the oldest names in online dating, with a dedicated UK service and app. According to its UK App Store listing, creating a profile is free, profiles are moderated and there are dedicated safety tools. Profiles are detailed, so you can see what someone wants before you write. Full messaging comes with a membership. Read our Match review.
2. Ourtime
Ourtime is for singles over 50, from the same group as Match. Everyone you see is at a similar stage of life, and you can search for a man, a woman or both. Read our Ourtime review and our page on dating apps for over 50.
3. eharmony
eharmony matches people through a compatibility quiz and suggests a shortlist rather than leaving you to swipe. Its Basic Membership is free and includes likes and first messages, according to eharmony’s UK website. Read our eharmony review.
The most popular dating apps in the UK
Alongside the services in our ranking, three free apps are among the most popular dating apps in the UK, and many people use one of them next to a dating site:
- Hinge is free to use and built around prompts, so conversations start on something real. It describes itself as “designed to be deleted”. Read our Hinge review.
- Bumble is free to use; in matches between a man and a woman, the woman writes first. Read our Bumble review.
- Tinder is free to use and busy in most cities, with users looking for all sorts of things.
More on what you can do without paying on our page about free dating apps.
Top dating apps UK: which one for which goal?
- A long-term relationship: Match or eharmony, with Hinge as a free option. See dating apps for relationships.
- Over 50: Ourtime, then Match. See dating apps for over 50.
- In your forties: Match, eharmony or Hinge. See dating apps over 40.
- Without paying: Hinge, Bumble or Tinder.
- LGBTQ+ dating: see our pages on gay dating apps and dating apps for lesbians.
- Sites rather than apps: see the best dating sites in the UK.
Dating app or dating site?
The difference matters less than it used to, because Match, eharmony and Ourtime all have apps and Hinge works much like a dating site. What still differs is the approach. Relationship-focused services ask more of you at sign-up and give you fuller profiles and search filters, usually with a paid membership for full messaging. Swipe apps start with photos, are free to use and let you meet a lot of people quickly. If you want something serious, start with one of the former and add a free app if you want more reach.
How we compare dating apps
We do not rank apps on promises. We look at:
- Who it suits. Age range, relationship goals and who you can search for.
- What is free. Whether you can match and message without paying, or only create a profile.
- Safety. Moderation, verification and tools to block and report.
- Transparency. A named company, clear terms, clear prices and easy cancellation.
Where we quote a feature, it comes from the app’s own website or its UK App Store listing. Prices change often, so we point you to the app or our reviews rather than repeating figures here.
Dating apps near you
An app that is full of people in London can feel empty in a market town. Our city guides show which apps work best where you live, from London and Manchester to Edinburgh and Belfast. See all cities on dating apps by city.
Getting started
Pick one or two apps, fill in your profile properly and give it a few weeks. A clear, recent photo and a few honest lines about yourself do more than any paid feature. Our tips on dating app bios, the first message and first date ideas help you along, and our guide on how to choose a dating app walks you through the decision.
Date safely
Never send money to someone you have met online, however convincing the story. Meet in a public place, tell a friend where you are and trust your instincts. If you think you have been targeted by a romance scam, report it to the app and to Report Fraud (Police Scotland on 101 if you are in Scotland). Read more in our dating app safety guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best dating app in the UK?
It depends on what you want. In our ranking Match comes first for serious dating, Ourtime for singles over 50 and eharmony for compatibility-based matching. If you do not want to pay, Hinge is a strong free option.
Are there completely free dating apps?
Very few. Hinge, Bumble and Tinder let you match and message for free, with optional paid extras. Match and eharmony are free to join, but full messaging needs a membership.
Which dating app is best for over 50s?
Ourtime is built for singles over 50, so everyone you see is at a similar stage of life. Match and eharmony are open to all ages and also work well if you want a serious relationship.
Which app is best for a serious relationship?
eharmony and Match are designed for long-term dating, with detailed profiles and, on eharmony, a compatibility quiz. Hinge is the most relationship-focused of the free apps.
How do I stay safe on dating apps?
Never send money to a match, meet somewhere public the first time, tell a friend where you are and use the app's block and report tools. Report romance scams to the app and to Report Fraud (Police Scotland in Scotland).