Best Chat Sites 2024 in the U.K.

Then chat sites are the right place for you.

There are chat sites that have gained international popularity and are also suitable for online dating. Others are equally popular but rather used for making new online friends than finding a partner.

While there are reputable chat sites, there are also those that don't do as well as others. Many chat sites can be used free of charge, while others incur costs for exclusive services. Some chat providers only offer chat rooms, while others provide wider options. The selection of chat sites is huge. Some sites are more suitable for the elderly, while others offer an environment that the younger people will like.
 

The question of which chat site best suits you depends on a variety of factors. First of all, you have to clarify for yourself which functions of a chat site you want..

Do you stand with both feet on the ground just looking for a chance to make new friends, to chat with nice people and to disconnect from the stressful everyday life?

People who want to use chat portals for online dating are using different sites than members who solely want to chat and keep it online. Also, there are many chat sites that lack reputability and you'll find many fake profiles there.

There are larger chat sites, smaller platforms and, of course, there are differences between these. Some sites don't only have chatrooms, but also a community section where members have profiles and you can connect with them via messages, gueatbook posts and so on. Those communities often offer extended functionalities like games, boards or other entertaining digital gimicks.

To find out which chat site is suitable for you, we recommend that you take a look at our chat site test winners. There you will find suitable chat sites for your needs, depending on what you look for.

Apart from that, we have compiled the most important chat portal types for you here:
 

On chat sites, people of all ages are registered. There are portals where young people up to 25 years old are the majority and of course the internet also offers portals for people between 40 and 60 and above. The net is full of chat rooms for all kinds of purposes. The members of chat sites are looking for friends, fun and socializing. Likewise, some chat sites on the internet also provide particular dating functions to help people find a partner in real life.

Some chat portals are international, and you'll meet people from all over the world on them. Other sites focus on specific countries, regions or even cities.
 

The history of the chat portals goes back to the 80s. There were the Usenet and the CB radio which were used as chat tools back then. The classic online chats started in the 90s. These rather simple chat rooms were a great way to spend time chatting with strangers. The chats at that time, however, were used differently than today. In the former digital space, the users tried primarily to be someone they were not with only little intention of moving chat contacts to the offline world. The joy of using computers, typing messages and sending them through cyberspace was enough excitement. Today, being used to using the internet in all of life's situations, chat rooms are also used to find new friends - or dates.

Others such as HDGDL, LOL, ROFL, ASAP or FML have survived to this day, others were added, e.g. "lb" on Instagram - standing for "like back".

The history of chat sites has therefore started very early, but is no longer comparable to the portals of the past. Here it has become clear that digital progress has not stopped.

Today, chat sites make a distinction between three forms, IRC, web chat, and instant messaging. IRC is the so-called Internet Relay Chat. This form only works with its own chat server and client software. Java is required for chatting on such portals. The web chat is the perfect for starters, as no additional software needs to be installed. Last but not the least, instant messaging should be mentioned. WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger,and other apps let you write directly to friends, acquaintances or huge WhatsApp groups (work mates, travel buddies...)
 

Chattiquette is a set of behavioral rules for users. Also it's a compound word of “Chat” and “etiquette”, in case you were wondering. These rules make it very clear how you should behave as a member or user of a chat site. In order for the interaction between members to be at a comfortable level, users should respect these rules.

Chats are incredibly popular until this day. Aside from Whatsapp & Co., many younger and older people use other “classic” chat sites actively. Which is not surprising, as chatting is still one of the simplest ways of online communication. Depending on the chat site or particular chat room you'll find people to talk about sports, music and other favorite topics of yours. Regional chats also have an increased amount of members willing to connect with one another outside the web.
In chats, you do not have to pretend to be someone else, you can just be the way you really are. This is one of the main reasons why chat portals are still so popular.

One of the frequently asked questions is: Can a chat portal be used for the purpose of online dating? It's actually not that easy to answer. Many chat portals have no special features, so only the chat room can be used. However, some chat sites offer different flirting and dating features. Popular functions, in particular, are picture voting, sending digital gifts or kisses, or direct messaging with other members outside the big chatrooms.
However, members of the majority of portals shouldn't hope too much. On many sites, there are lots of fake profiles and the chances of romantic success are not very high. Are you seriously looking for a partner and only want to meet people who are also looking for a partner? Then have a look at these:

It is not hassle-free to use chat sites - they come along with a few dangers, especially for underage chatters. If you are under 18, you should talk to your parents in advance. If someone said something offensive to you, inform the support and avoid this portal from now on. Same goes for other demographic groups. The online world, with its anonymity, let's people lose all boundaries when it comes to inappropriate speech. Don't let this ruin your chat experience but ignore these folks as good as you can.

Alongside with that, keep in mind that there are many users on the internet who are impersonating someone else. For this reason, you should first think carefully about what (personal) information you give to whom.
 

With regard to the other dangers, the topic of chat addiction must also be mentioned. Especially for people, who live in a difficult social environment outside the internet, it can become a problem.

Thus, it is important to spend enough time meeting with friends, family, or relatives on a regular basis and log out of all online devices.