If you're considering using the Internet to find true love, as many people are, one of the first questions you'll need to consider is whether to use a 'paid' dating site, or a 'free' one.

The essential difference is that a paid site will require you to pay to use the site. This might be in the form of a monthly subscription, or a cost 'per message' for contacting someone on the dating site. A free site is one where most (or all) of the site's services are at no cost to you, the user. These sites typically make money from people who click on advertising that appears on the site. Some free sites only offer certain features at no cost - you have to pay to get a higher level of service.

In this article, I'll provide you with my thoughts on free versus paid sites. Neither one is better or worse than the other - they are simply 'different'. By the end of this article, I hope you will be able to choose the dating site which best suits your needs.

Paid sites usually (but not always) have a higher level of service and customer service. These sites are often run by large organisations, and the sites are often very nicely designed and are well organised. The site owners are likely to spend money on advertising their site, and they may also offer additional services like organising real-world social events for members, such as dinners, dances, and parties.

Some paid sites can end up costing you quite a bit - particularly if they charge 'per message'. It may take many months - and cash - to find the ideal person. And many of your messages will go unanswered. So it can seem like a waste of money, to some extent. However, paid sites are often very safe places, and if security is important to you, then a paid site could be your best bet. But be aware that not all paid sites are reputable. You will need to do some research first - ask friends, or search the internet for reviews of the site you're interested in.

Free dating sites are usually run by much smaller organisations and they have less scope to offer social activities or extra features on their sites. On the other hand, many of them have a large number of members and have a good reputation. And they are also a good place to start your online dating journey, to get a sense (at no cost) of whether it suits you or not. A no-cost dating site's key advantage, of course, is just that - no-cost. Over the course of many months looking for your perfect match, a free site could save you hundreds of dollars.
A slight disadvantage is that they may not offer the same level of customer support as a paid site, and sometimes profile and photo approval can take up to a week. Free sites may also not be that 'glamorous' to look at compared to their paid counterparts - but in many cases they are just as reliable and just as good a place to find someone special.

In summary, then, the type of dating site to use really depends on your situation and what you're looking for in a dating service. If you're happy to just check out a few free sites to begin with, then that's a good strategy. If you're budget-conscious, then a free site is also a good idea.
However, if you have money to spare and appreciate a slick website and perhaps better customer support, then a paid site may well be what would suit you best.