FreeAndSingle is a dating site that caters for everything; from romantic trysts to long-term relationships. Founded by a husband and wife - who met online of course - you'd think they know exactly what does and doesn't work! So let's find out whether that rings true...
It's interesting to come across a dating site that doesn't have a solid niche - and quite exciting! I find it sometimes intimidating to find sites so emphatic about what they stand for that you begin to question your own relationship goals. None of that at FreeAndSingle. It is a site for UK people looking for connections. I found a real mixture of people here, and I'm pretty sure either there have been some fumbling fingers at registration or a bit of a gender mismatch since about a quarter of my matches were the wrong gender for me! That said, I found zero spam accounts, everybody seems friendly and authentic, and it was a lot of fun having a browse. While the vast majority of members are looking for dates, you can find people here looking for something fun and flirty, some after a long-term relationship and some folks even searching for new friends. What's more, the site claims to be completely free!
“UK dating site for single guys and girls. Free, easy to use and authentic - a catch-all site for anybody looking for real dates without the spam!”
Registration is pleasant and straightforward. You'll have to share your gender, what you're looking for and choose a category. It's possible to select as many as you like - I went for 'romance' and 'long-term relationships' because I'm going to be needing some flowers and a bit of chatting up before I tie the knot. I did have a bit of a bugbear in having to choose a headline. For me, it's difficult being put on the spot and having to immediately conjure up a one-sentence description of yourself to entice potential dates; it's mandatory and has a minimum character limit, so have a think before you sign up as you can't skip this for later!
Once you're online, everything runs nice and smoothly. Meet Me is my favourite part; it's a bit like that swiping app, but less superficial because you get to see a bit about the people who have been suggested for you rather than just an image. You get a quick yes or no, and here's where that headline comes in, so it pays to choose something interesting!
Now, it isn't quite true that the site is entirely free; or at least, it isn't if you want a dating site membership that works hard for you. You do get a lot of free functions including searches, Meet Me, articles and a profile - but messaging is limited, so if you find the date of your dreams you're not going to be happy with one message a day.
But if you want to be part of the VIP Members Section, you'll need to pay for the privilege. In fairness, the costs aren't bad, although I am always irked at not having a 6-month option. What you get for that money is:
I have to point out that you do also have a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. If you're toying with the idea of a FreeAndSingle premium account but aren't too sure, you can sign up for a month to start with. If you aren't satisfied (however you define that!), you get another month completely free.
FreeAndSingle is everything you need if you want honest, authentic dating without the gimmicks, hard sale or unusually specific niches! I found the site to be a top-performer when it comes to security, and you can see a lot of time and thought has been spent to weed out the spam. The profiles here are real people, and if you take the time to browse, you'll find a mixture of backgrounds, personalities and ages.
I like that the site isn't demanding that you sign up for marriage, or are only looking for a trivial fling - it recognises that people and their love lives are uniquely nuanced. If you want some romance and a bit of excitement in your life, it isn't always possible to categorise what you want from a partner in a nice tidy list!
When it comes to UK dating sites, I'd happily recommend FreeAndSingle way above those enormous global brands. The members are active, engaged and happy to chat (thanks guys!) and I found an impressive number of people within 20 miles of my town, which is readily acceptable if you're serious about finding someone special.
One thing that stands out is the articles section, and I know you're thinking that isn't going to help me find a great date! However, it's well worth a visit - the blogs are meaningful, insightful and genuinely helpful. If you're new to online dating, it's nice to see that you aren't going to be left stranded with a burgeoning inbox and not a clue what sending a like means. Instead, you have a direct UK customer support service, a full library of helpful advice blogs, and a FAQs section that answered every question I threw at it.
The only things I didn't like are the limitations on free messaging, and that darned profile headline - but when it comes to slick functionality, a clean interface, and a site where I felt my details, profile and pictures were secure - all is forgiven.
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