Best for: Meeting lots of people fast
- Huge, active user base almost everywhere
- Free version lets you match and chat
- Very fast and easy to use
- Free version
- Yes
- Paid from
- ≈ $9.99 (US App Store)
Comparison
Plenty of Fish vs OkCupid: Which Is Better? (2026)
Both are long-running free dating sites where you can message without paying. POF is broader and search-led; OkCupid matches you on answers to questions, which makes conversations easier to start.
Quick verdict
OkCupid wins overall for most people. Choose Plenty of Fish if you want the broadest free pool and like searching profiles yourself. Choose OkCupid if you care about values and want a match percentage to guide you.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Plenty of Fish | OkCupid |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 3.6 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
| Best for | Free messaging and searching a big pool yourself | Matching on values and answers as well as photos |
| Audience | 18+, broad ages; popular in Canada, the US and the UK | Mostly 20–40; strong in cities and among LGBTQ+ daters |
| Typical goal | Casual dating to relationships | Dating and relationships |
| Free version | Yes | Yes |
| Paid from | ≈ $19.99 (US App Store) | ≈ $10/mo |
| Platforms | iOS, Android, Web | iOS, Android, Web |
| How matching works | Search, browse and Meet Me | Matching questions and match percentage |
| Free messaging | Yes | Yes, with matches |
| Paid tiers | Plus, Premium, Prestige | Basic, Premium (+ Incognito) |
Scores
Plenty of Fish
- Match quality
- 3.7
- Features
- 3.5
- Value for money
- 3.9
- Safety
- 3.3
- Ease of use
- 3.8
OkCupid
- Match quality
- 4.0
- Features
- 4.1
- Value for money
- 4.0
- Safety
- 3.8
- Ease of use
- 4.0
Plenty of Fish: pros and cons
Pros
- Free messaging with matches
- Huge, broad membership
- You can search and filter yourself
- Works on the web as well as in apps
Cons
- More fake and inactive profiles than paid sites
- Limited First Contacts on the free plan
- Search widens beyond your settings
- Ads in the free version
- Mixed intentions
Read our full Plenty of Fish review →
OkCupid: pros and cons
Pros
- Match percentage based on real answers
- Free messaging with matches
- Over 60 gender and orientation options, plus pronouns
- Detailed profiles
Cons
- Answering questions takes time
- Best filters are paid
- Smaller in rural areas
- Some inactive profiles
Pricing compared
Plenty of Fish paid plans start at ≈ $19.99 (US App Store); OkCupid paid plans start at ≈ $10/mo. Prices vary by country and plan length — see Plenty of Fish pricing and OkCupid pricing.
Neither feels right? Consider these
Best for: A big, well-moderated swipe app
- Big pool, with 100M+ Google Play downloads
- Photo verification required in the US
- Free in-app voice and video calls
- Free version
- Yes
- Paid from
- ≈ $2.99 for Boost (US App Store)
Frequently asked questions
Is POF or OkCupid better for relationships?
OkCupid usually works better for relationships because its questions surface shared values; POF has more people but more mixed intentions.
Are POF and OkCupid owned by the same company?
Yes — both are part of Match Group, alongside Tinder and Hinge.