Free dating
Free Widow and Widower Dating
A free account that never expires: a full profile, daily matches near you and messages every day.
- Free to join
- Daily messages included
- 18+ only
Yes, you can use Date A Widower free. Joining costs nothing, and a free account is a real account, not a trial that runs out. Here is exactly what it includes, what a paid membership adds, and how to make the most of the free side if you would rather not pay.
What a free account includes
- A full profile, with photos, a bio and your interests.
- Browsing every member's profile.
- A fresh set of daily match suggestions near you.
- A set number of messages you can send each day.
- Reading and replying to messages from VIP and VIP Plus members, without limit.
- Posting to the members' feed, commenting, and joining polls and quizzes.
- A free ID check or video check, and the verified badge that comes with it.
What VIP adds
VIP removes the daily message limit and adds advanced search filters, the members' chat rooms, private group chats of up to 50 people, a list of everyone who likes you and the chance to rewind a profile you passed on. VIP Plus adds visibility: your profile at the top of other members' daily suggestions and your messages and likes shown first. Plans run from one week to twelve months, and every price is on the pricing page.
Making the most of free
A free account works best if you are thoughtful about your messages. Read profiles properly and write to the people you genuinely like, mentioning something from their profile. Fill in your own profile well, with a clear, recent photo, because members on paid plans can message you without limits and you can reply to every one of them. Our guide to writing a profile when you are widowed helps here. Verify your ID too; it costs nothing and makes people more likely to reply.
Be wary of "completely free" sites
Many widowed people search for a widow dating site that is completely free. Some exist, but a site with no income has little to spend on moderation, verification or support, and those are what keep scammers out. Romance scammers do target widows and widowers. A free account on a site with free ID checks and a support team that answers at any hour is a safer place to start than a site that charges nothing and checks nothing. See our safety page.
Where to go next
Join free, set your distance and see who is near you. If you are weighing up other sites too, our guide to the best dating sites for widows and widowers compares what each lets you do without paying.
Free or paid, side by side
| Free | VIP | VIP Plus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Profile, browsing, daily matches | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Send messages | A set number a day | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Reply to paid members | Always | Always | Always |
| Free ID check and badge | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Advanced search, chat rooms | No | Yes | Yes |
| Seen first in daily matches | No | No | Yes |
Your free widow dating questions, answered
Is Date A Widower really free?
Yes, for as long as you like: your profile, browsing, the daily matches and some messages every day.
Does the free account run out?
No. It is not a trial. You can keep it for as long as you like and upgrade only if you want to.
Can free members talk to each other?
Yes, within the daily message allowance. Replies to VIP and VIP Plus members are unlimited.
Is there a completely free widow dating site?
A few claim to be, but sites with no income tend to have little moderation. A free account on a checked site is safer.