Never before has hooking up with someone been easier and we have free online dating sites on the internet to thank for this. Apart from the relative convenience (no need to dress up when you're behind your computer right?), dating services online also pave the way for 'dating without borders'. Indeed, just a couple of years ago it was almost impossible to even meet people in different countries let alone date them.

Unfortunately though, such flexibility also renders itself to abuse. That's why it's extremely important to subscribe only with reputable online dating sites. Now, many argue that the only way to stay safe while using dating services online is to go for paid online dating sites. Well here's an online dating tip for you - there are plenty of free online dating portals that offer just the same quality in service and security.

A Look at Today's Top Free Online Dating Sites

Free Online Dating Site OKCupid

Just the site name alone brings up an image of two people finding each other and falling in love right? Not sure where to begin? Follow the site's online dating advice and take the Dating Persona test. After the quiz, you are classified into one of 32 dating types. Not only is the quiz fun to take but imagine just how much time you'll save by identifying your dating type and hooking up with someone that is mathematically predicted to be compatible to yours! And this is really the feature that sets OKCupid as a free online dating site apart: it makes use of 55 different measures (and counting!) to pat down your personality trait and thus offer a more suitable match!

Other quizzes offered by this free online dating services provider is the User-Written Tests (quizzes contributed by OKCupid subscribers) and the Staff Tests (quizzes made by 'Harvard grad' staffers).

The Privacy Policy of OKCupid is standard enough and it DOES say that your information may be shared with third parties with whom it is connected but then again which free online dating services provider does not do that? Besides, it's up to YOU to keep your true identity secure. Here's a very important online dating rule - never subscribe to free online dating sites using your real name, and true and complete address!

Free Online Dating Site Plenty of Fish

If OKCupid provides an image of two people who belong together, Plenty of Fish (POF) tells you "hey, if at first you don't succeed with this online dating thing, try and try again!"

POF is reputed to be the biggest free dating services online provider because it's perceived as an online dating site that 'cares'. The site is created by Marcus Friend with the vision of providing singles all they ever need in an online dating site FOR FREE so that they are not preyed upon by "faceless corporate dating sites". Subscribers love the features of POF which include an instant messaging tool, compatibility quizzes, a hot or not photo rating system, and highly-attended forums. In fact, POF's forums are sort of like the online version of Dear Abby as users get to post dating and relationship problems and seek advice from others. POF's community is also something to be proud of; the site is maintained by many volunteers and those who are active in the forums form "meet & greets" that are open to anyone who wishes to attend. POF definitely shouts "cool" as far as free online dating sites are concerned.

Free Online Dating Site MatchDoctor

MatchDoctor prides itself in combining the features of a free online dating site and a social networking site. Just looking at the site and you immediately feel that it's a 'community'.

On the online dating front, it enables subscribers to view other's profiles and contact those they fancy and to help you with your possible new romance, the site offers plenty of helpful articles and tips covering everything from online dating security to relationship advice.

On the social networking front, MatchDoctor enables subscribers to set up their own blogs when they subscribe, upload photos and videos (think YouTube!), chat with others via the site's instant messaging tool, and participate in any of the on-going online forums.

As you can see, free online dating is not equal to poor service and security. Just be picky with the dating services online providers you hook up with and you'll have just as much fun... and chances at meeting your new romance.