Best for: Women who want more control
- Less unwanted messaging for women
- Relationship-minded user base
- Strong verification and safety features
- Free version
- Yes
- Paid from
- ≈ $15/mo
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, not just photos |
| Audience | Broad ages, roughly 25–55; very 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 | ≈ $10/mo | ≈ $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
- Messaging is free
- 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
- Dated design
- 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
- Very inclusive for LGBTQ+ and non-binary daters
- 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 ≈ $10/mo; 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: Finding a relationship in your 20s and 30s
- Detailed, conversation-friendly profiles
- Strong focus on real relationships
- Free version is usable
- Free version
- Yes
- Paid from
- ≈ $30/mo
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.