Our verdict
Plenty of Fish is one of the oldest free dating sites, founded in Canada in 2003 and now part of Match Group. You can search, browse and message without paying, which keeps it busy but also attracts more low-effort and fake profiles.
Bottom line: Pick POF if you want to message people without paying and prefer searching to swiping. If you want a more serious, better-moderated crowd, Hinge or Match fit better.
Great for: Free messaging and searching a big pool yourself
Not ideal for: People who want curated matches or a highly moderated community.
What Plenty of Fish is today
Plenty of Fish started in Vancouver in 2003, when most dating sites charged before you could say hello. Its promise was simple — search, browse and message for free — and that promise is still the reason people use it. Match Group bought it in 2015, and the site now sits alongside Tinder, Hinge and OkCupid in the same family.
The experience is closer to a classic dating site than a swipe app. You can filter members by age, distance and other details, read profiles properly, and write to people who interest you. There is also Meet Me, a quick yes/no game for when you would rather let the app do the sorting.
Who it suits: people who want to message without paying, prefer searching to swiping, and are comfortable filtering a big, mixed crowd. It is particularly popular in Canada and has a long history in the UK.
What to watch: free sign-up is a double-edged sword. POF is busy, but it also attracts more low-effort, inactive and fake profiles than paid sites. Intentions are mixed, from casual to serious. Keep conversations on POF until you trust someone, and treat anyone who quickly asks to move to another app or mentions money as a red flag — our romance scam guide shows the pattern.
Our tip: state what you are looking for in the first line of your profile. On a site this broad, it is the fastest filter you have.
Plenty of Fish at a glance
| Audience | Broad ages, roughly 25–55; very popular in Canada, the US and the UK |
|---|---|
| Typical goal | Casual dating to relationships |
| Free version | Yes — Search and browse profiles, Messaging, Meet Me matching, Up to 8 profile photos |
| Paid from | ≈ $10/mo (see all plans) |
| Platforms | iOS, Android, Web |
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
Key features
- Search yourself
- Browse and filter members by age, location and more instead of waiting for an algorithm.
- Meet Me
- A quick yes/no game that shows you people nearby and creates matches when the interest is mutual.
- Free messaging
- You can write to people without a subscription — the reason POF stayed popular for two decades.
How much does Plenty of Fish cost?
| Plan | Indicative price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Search and browse profiles, Messaging, Meet Me matching, Up to 8 profile photos |
| POF Plus | ≈ $10–20/mo | No ads, Extra visibility features |
| POF Premium | ≈ $15–30/mo | Everything in Plus, Super Likes, More profile photos, Higher placement in search |
| POF Prestige | ≈ $25–45/mo | Everything in Premium, Unlimited priority likes, Unlimited first likes |
Prices are indicative, in US dollars unless another currency is shown, and were checked September 23, 2026. Apps often charge different amounts by country, age, platform and plan length — confirm the final price in the app before paying.
Want the full breakdown and ways to save? Read our Plenty of Fish pricing guide and free trial options.
Is Plenty of Fish safe?
Free sign-up means more scammers. Keep chat on POF at first, video-call before meeting and never send money — see our romance scam guide.
Before meeting anyone, follow our verification checklist.
Not sure Plenty of Fish is right for you?
These alternatives may suit you better depending on your goals. See all Plenty of Fish alternatives.
Best for: Matching on values and answers, not just photos
- Match percentage based on real answers
- Free messaging with matches
- Very inclusive for LGBTQ+ and non-binary daters
- Free version
- Yes
- Paid from
- ≈ $10/mo
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
Best for: Serious daters who like to search
- Large, relationship-minded community
- Powerful search filters
- Web and app versions
- Free version
- Limited
- Paid from
- ≈ $25/mo
Compare Plenty of Fish
Plenty of Fish FAQ
Is Plenty of Fish free?
Yes. You can search, browse and message for free. POF Plus, Premium and Prestige add extras such as no ads and more visibility.
Is POF good for relationships?
It can be, but intentions are mixed. Say clearly what you want in your profile and filter carefully.
Can I reactivate a deleted POF account?
No. Deleted accounts cannot be restored, and your photos and chats are removed.