When it comes to free dating apps, several stand out for their features, user base, and overall user experience. Here are some of the best free dating apps:

1. Tinder

• Overview: One of the most popular dating apps globally, known for its swipe feature.
• Features: Swipe left or right to like or pass on profiles, messaging for matches, profile customization with photos and bio.
• Pros: Large user base, simple and intuitive interface.
• Cons: Some features are limited to premium users.

2. Bumble

• Overview: A dating app where women make the first move in heterosexual matches.
• Features: Swipe-based matching, 24-hour time limit for initial contact, Bumble BFF and Bumble Bizz for finding friends and networking.
• Pros: Empowers women to initiate conversations, user-friendly design.
• Cons: Limited features for free users, the 24-hour time limit can be restrictive.

3. Hinge

• Overview: Designed to be deleted, focusing on long-term relationships.
• Features: Detailed profiles, prompts for users to answer questions, ability to like specific parts of a profile.
• Pros: Encourages more meaningful connections, detailed profiles.
• Cons: Some advanced features are behind a paywall.

4. OkCupid

• Overview: Known for its comprehensive questionnaires and compatibility matching.
• Features: Extensive profiles, multiple-choice questions to determine match percentages, various identity and orientation options.
• Pros: Detailed compatibility algorithms, inclusive of all orientations and identities.
• Cons: Some features require a premium subscription, can be time-consuming to set up a profile.

5. Plenty of Fish (POF)

• Overview: A well-established dating app with a large user base.
• Features: Free messaging, various search filters, compatibility tests.
• Pros: Free messaging, extensive user base.
• Cons: Interface can be outdated, ads in the free version.

6. Coffee Meets Bagel

• Overview: Focuses on quality over quantity by sending curated matches daily.
• Features: Daily curated matches, in-depth profiles, icebreaker questions.
• Pros: Curated matches reduce swiping fatigue, encourages meaningful conversations.
• Cons: Limited daily matches, premium features can be expensive.

7. Her

• Overview: A dating and social app for LGBTQ+ women, nonbinary, and trans people.
• Features: Community feed, events, detailed profiles, and identity.

If your goal is to make new friends rather than dating, there are several apps and platforms designed specifically for this purpose. Here are some of the best options for making new friends:

1. Bumble BFF

• Overview: A mode within the Bumble app dedicated to finding friends.
• Features: Swipe-based matching, detailed profiles, common interests.
• Pros: User-friendly interface, connects you with people nearby.
• Cons: Limited daily swipes for free users, mixed with dating app users.

2. Meetup

• Overview: A platform for finding and building local communities.
• Features: Groups based on interests, events, and activities.
• Pros: Wide range of interests, real-life meetups, easy to find local events.
• Cons: Can be difficult to find active groups in less populated areas.

3. Peanut

• Overview: An app designed for mothers and expectant mothers to connect.
• Features: Match with other mothers, join groups, discuss various topics.
• Pros: Focused on motherhood and parenting, supportive community.
• Cons: Limited to mothers and expectant mothers.

4. Friended

• Overview: An app focused on connecting people through deeper conversations.
• Features: Chat prompts, instant messaging, community groups.
• Pros: Encourages meaningful interactions, inclusive environment.
• Cons: Smaller user base compared to larger social apps.

5. Nextdoor

• Overview: A social networking service for neighborhoods.
• Features: Local news, events, classifieds, and discussions.
• Pros: Connect with people in your immediate area, promotes local events.
• Cons: Limited to your neighborhood, sometimes used more for local news than socializing.

6. We3

• Overview: An app that uses a unique algorithm to match you in groups of three based on shared interests.
• Features: Personality tests, group matching, chat.
• Pros: Group dynamic can be less intimidating, detailed matching process.
• Cons: Groups of three might not suit everyone, smaller user base.

7. Patook

• Overview: Focuses strictly on making platonic friends, with strict guidelines against dating.
• Features: Interest matching, chat, location-based searching.
• Pros: Strictly platonic, detailed profiles.
• Cons: Smaller user base, can be slower to find matches.

8. Hey! VINA

• Overview: A women-only app for finding friends.
• Features: Personality quizzes, interest groups, community events.
• Pros: Safe space for women, focuses on common interests.
• Cons: Limited to women, not as large as some other social platforms.

9. Yubo

• Overview: A social app for teens and young adults to make friends.
• Features: Live streaming, swipe-based matching, chat.
• Pros: Engages younger users, real-time interaction through live streaming.
• Cons: Mostly younger demographic, safety concerns for minors.

10. Facebook Groups

• Overview: Join groups based on your interests and hobbies.
• Features: Discussion threads, events, group chats.
• Pros: Wide variety of groups, easy to join and participate.
• Cons: Requires a Facebook account, can be large and impersonal.

Using these apps can help you connect with people who share your interests and are looking to make new friends. It’s important to be open-minded, patient, and proactive in reaching out and participating in activities and conversations.