Choosing Between Available Options for Dating Online

For almost an entire decade, the online dating world was limited to paid websites. From Match to Friend Finder, the 1990s were dominated by the online paid dating model. For a small monthly subscription fee, single people could connect with others in their area, form friendships and romantic relationships, and hopefully find their true connection.

The Emergence of Free Online Dating Websites

Beginning the early 2000s, though, free online dating websites have began popping up rapidly. Usually running on advertising-supported revenue models, such websites work on a different concept to their paid websites; large, open and advertising-supported vs. exclusive, small and subscription-based. As such, they have attracted a fair bit of attention. Free ones, as of today, are rapidly overtaking their paid counterparts in user-counts and sheer size.

But is that a good thing? People have seen their favorite bars and cafes take a turn towards the mainstream, where exclusive deals and favorite customers get passed by in favor of mass appeal and watered down deals. Surely, part of the fun is the exclusivity aspect, right? Just like the biggest restaurants don't always serve the best food, the biggest online dating websites don't always offer the best dating opportunities.

The Limitations of Free Online Dating Websites

When access to a website is absolutely free, where is the barrier to entry for a joke profile or a time-waster? What is there that's stopping people from registering false profiles, using deceptive pictures and going on dates with single men and single women that they certainly are not interested in for any long-term relationships.

This hole is where the free market tends to fall apart. While there are some fantastic possibilities out there, the minimal barrier for entry does nothing to keep out unwanted guests. From credit card scammers all the way to deceptive pictures and tire-kickers, the world of free online dating websites certainly doesn't lend itself to ultra-high quality.

The Benefits of Free Online Dating Websites

Ultimately, it is going to be difficult for the free world to compete in terms of quality. Just like cheap goods are often no match for their expensive alternatives, free online dating websites are unlikely to match paid ones in terms of quality and user experience.

But for some, that is not the goal. Rather than wanting a seamless experience, some single people want access to a large amount of potential dates, at no cost. There is certainly nothing wrong with that – people enjoy free, especially online – and the opportunity to take part in in such sites without having to pay for a monthly subscription is certainly appealing.

Deciding Between Paid and Free Online Dating Websites

In the end, it comes down to convenience and security. The many free online dating websites offer huge amounts of profiles, easy connections and no cost at all. However, they are short on security, packed with imitator profiles and internet scammers, and generally offer a poor design and user experience.

In contrast, paid sites depend on user experience – if their subscribers do not enjoy it, they quit – and go out of their way to provide the best experience possible for their subscribers. So, single people should pick according to their preferences.

For those who do not mind wasting time browsing through false profiles, free online dating websites could be their choice. However, for those who value their time and demand security, the world of paid sites is the ideal choice.