Best Dating Sites
Looking for a dating site you can trust? Search no more.
Not everyone is looking for a happily ever after. In fact, a Pew Research study found that almost 25% of dating site and app users just want casual sex. Hookup websites and apps can help with that. Certain casual dating spaces aim to connect like-minded people who have similar kinks and don’t want to get too serious too soon.
The best hookup websites and apps offer flexible features to express your sexy side while letting you remain anonymous online. You can conduct your erotic adventures without dealing with judgment from people seeking serious, long-term relationships. To each their own, right? Read on to find the right fit for your hookup needs!
Relationships: Hookups Only
Match System: Search by location, interest, more
Our Experts Say: “Make no mistake: this site isn’t about making friends, it’s about finding hookups and casual encounters. No adult site has a larger or more active user base of those seeking discreet fun…”
Browse Free: View Photos Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) |
Free Trial
|
| All Singles* |
65%*
35%*
|
25.5 Million* | 3 Months @ $19.95/Mo |
Adult Friend Finder (AFF) is an old name in the online hookup game. With more than 25.5 million members worldwide, it’s definitely the most popular option for casual hookups. AFF welcomes singles, couples, and groups looking for erotic fun, and the hookup website encourages members to go wild and be upfront about what they’re seeking.
Part of what makes it easy to go wild on Adult Friend Finder is the fact that you can stay as anonymous as you want — you can even browse members in your area without signing up.
AFF is simple to use. Just sign up for a free account, and you can participate in the chat or post your ad in the discussion forum to let anyone and everyone know you’re DTF. You can provide as much or as little detail in your Adult Friend Finder profile as you want, so you can maintain your privacy even while looking for casual sex. The only catch is that if you want to chat one-on-one with other members or access live adult video on AFF, you’ll need a premium membership.
Relationships: Hookups, Casual Dates, Affairs
Match System: Search by age, location, appearance, and more
Our Experts Say: “With its massive user base and advanced privacy features, Ashley Madison is the #1 site for discreet hookups, dates, or relationships…” Full Review »
Browse Free: View Photos Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) |
Free Trial
|
| All Singles & Attached* |
71%*
29%*
|
65 Million* | Browse FREE |
Everyone knows that Ashley Madison is all about facilitating affairs, but the dating site and app also welcome singles who want to keep things discreet. Whether you’re married or single, Ashley Madison can help you find a secret hookup on your terms.
Plenty of features to protect your privacy and anonymity while letting you be upfront with potential partners about your sexual needs and relationship status. In fact, Ashley Madison encourages users to put it all out there — part of the dating profile includes a selection for what type of relationship you want and if you’re currently married, separated, or single.
Ashley Madison’s reputation suffered a little in the wake of a 2015 data breach that leaked the membership rolls, but the company came back stronger as a result. In the wake of the controversy, the platform doubled down on user privacy and security protections that audits every user’s profile to ensure identifying details stay out of the public eye. The site and app use secure encryption, discreet billing codes, and other privacy tools to keep the user’s true identity a secret. No matter if you’re married or single, Ashley Madison provides an anonymous playground to find your next hookup.
3. BeNaughty
Relationships: Hookups, Chats
Match System: Search by encounter, location, and more
Our Experts Say: “Absolutely free to sign up and browse profiles, BeNaughty is the top pick of millions for local “adult dating.” If you are looking for sex only — straight, swinger, gay, lesbian — this is your site…” Full Review »
Browse Free: View Photos Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) |
Free Trial
|
| All Singles* |
48%*
52%*
|
13.3 Million* | Browse Profiles Free |
If you’re willing to put it all out there, BeNaughty is a fun dating platform to browse. The hookup site supports an abundance of adult content, all of it supplied by users. If you’ve got an exhibitionist streak or a voyeuristic tendency, you’ll fit right in. But you can also maintain your anonymity without worries because you don’t have to provide many personal details in your online profile. Photos aren’t even required for free members.
BeNaughty provides a judgment-free atmosphere that encourages users to post photos, videos, and erotic stories right alongside their posts seeking a new hookup. Singles, swingers, couples, and even groups can join the platform to find their next erotic adventure, and BeNaughty encourages everyone to be descriptive about their desires.
4. Flirt.com
Relationships: Hookups, Casual Dating, Chats
Match System: Search by age, location, gender, orientation, and other factors
Our Experts Say: “Flirt.com frees singles to chat with attractive locals and pick up dates on the spot. This hookup site is always open to horny and sexy people seeking one-night stands, casual dating, threesomes, and other sexual encounters…”
Browse Free: View Photos Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) |
Free Trial
|
| All Singles* |
48%*
52%*
|
1 million* | Browse profiles for free |
Flirt.com offers a free space for singles who prefer to get their motor running with some witty banter rather than X-rated photos. The casual dating site is all about flirting and making new sexy connections. The carefree atmosphere and fun-loving members is great for singles seeking a local hookup. You won’t be bombarded with adult content on all sides, but you should expect to see some risqué flirting going on.
Flirting is the name of the game on Flirt.com, and the dating platform provides ample methods for catching the interest of a potential partner. Chat rooms provide a public space to see who’s online and chat up random people, while instant messages give you a more private venue to get a feel for someone before you meet in person. You can even use Flirtcast to send a pre-written message to several users at once, thus maximizing your chances of finding a hookup quickly.
5. Zoosk
Relationships: Fun Dates, Serious Relationships
Match System: Search and get match recommendations
Our Experts Say: “Geared toward young singles, Zoosk boasts a lengthy free trial and an huge user base (including straight, gay, and lesbian singles). Its app’s chat room-like feel makes it one of our favorites…” Full Review »
Browse Free: View Photos Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) |
Free Trial
|
| All Singles* |
48%*
52%*
|
28.9 Million* | Start Zoosk for FREE |
Launched in 2007, Zoosk is one of the more popular online dating platforms on the market. Its membership boasts having 30 million users around the world, so your odds of finding a local hookup are pretty good here. Even though Zoosk isn’t a dedicated hookup app, plenty of users shoot their shot hoping for casual dating or casual sex.
Zoosk uses behavioral matchmaking to power its interface. That means the more you browse and interact with active members on the Zoosk Carousel, the better your matches will be. Casual daters can set preferences to avoid people who want something more serious. You can also screen your potential matches by who’s online at that very moment, age, location, body type, and other filters, so you don’t waste time on people who aren’t your type. Messages between mutual matches are free, but you’ll need to either buy Zoosk Coins or pay for a premium subscription to send messages to other users at random.
Relationships: Hookups Only
Match System: Search by location, interest, more
Our Experts Say: “A hookup site specializing in casual encounters, secret affairs, live chats, and member videos, FriendFinder-X skips the awkward “dating” stage of a relationship and fast-forwards straight to the sex…”
Browse Free: View Photos Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) |
Free Trial
|
| Singles & Couples* |
64%*
36%*
|
1.2 Million* | Browse Members Free |
As you can undoubtedly tell from the X in its name, FriendFinder-X is a legit hookup site with a strong fetish and kink slant. The site makes it clear right away that the X stands for X-rated. You’ll have plenty of adult content to feast your eyes on, but the fun doesn’t stop at photos and videos. You can take a Purity Test to discover your kinks, and FriendFinder-X also lets users list kinks and fetishes on their profiles to make it easy to discover like-minded erotic adventurers.
FriendFinder-X gives you the choice when it comes to how much or how little to reveal about yourself. You have to provide a valid ZIP code and email address, but you can keep all your other details anonymous, and you’re not obligated to provide a profile pic either. As a free member, you have access to all the public areas of the site, including discussion boards and chats, but you’ll need a premium membership to take things to private messages and watch live model shows.
Relationships: Hookups, Casual Dating, Chats
Match System: Search by location, age, and appearance.
Our Experts Say: “OneNightFriend is a dating website that provides a fast track to a one-night stand with a flirty partner. The network has chat rooms, search filters, and safety features to help spark real connections…” Full Review »
Browse Free: View Photos Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) |
Free Trial
|
| All Singles* |
60%*
40%*
|
500,000* | Browsing profiles is free |
Designed for singles seeking a one-night stand, OneNightFriend doesn’t waste time with bells and whistles, and the site’s users don’t either. Everything is out in the open, and active users aren’t shy about soliciting sex from strangers. The “keep it simple” approach makes the signup process a breeze. OneNightFriend only asks for the basics to create a profile, and free members can search for potential partners right away.
It only takes a few minutes to set up your profile on the casual hookup site, and you can be as detailed or as anonymous as you want. All you really have to provide is a valid email address, ZIP code, age, and gender identity. Anything else you can choose to answer or leave blank. You can start finding compatible profiles by using basic search filters based on your type, and once you’ve found a potential match you can send up to five messages per day.
Relationships: Hookups Only
Match System: Search by location, interest, more
Our Experts Say: “LesbianPersonals provides a fun, quick, and easy experience for gay and bisexual women looking for sex online. Join for free, and you’ll be able to search and communicate immediately…”
Browse Free: View Photos Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) |
Free Trial
|
| Singles & Couples* |
10%*
90%*
|
500,000* | View Profiles Free |
LesbianPersonals provides the right combination of a judgment-free atmosphere and sex-positive content for queer women and couples seeking to hook up with single ladies. The online personals site doesn’t use the standard online dating tools, but instead lets users match and chat on their terms.
Newcomers can browse personal ads on LesbianPersonals anonymously. You only need to create a dating profile and account if you’re interested in chatting with others.
While LesbianPersonals doesn’t pre-match you with users, you’ll have access to search filters and communication tools, including video chat, voice chat, text-based chat rooms, and discussion forum posts. Premium membership gives lesbian women access to full-length adult videos and expanded communication options, but free membership still provides plenty of sexy fun.
9. MenNation
Relationships: Daters & Hookups
Match System: Search by age, zip code, more
Our Experts Say: “MenNation is a well-established gay dating and hookup brand, having been founded in 1996. It’s totally free to join, view profiles, receive matches, and flirt…”
Browse Free: View Photos Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) |
Today’s Deal
|
| Singles & Couples* |
95%*
5%*
|
780,000* | Start for Free |
Although gay men have no shortage of options when looking for a hookup, MenNation stands apart from the pack for a few reasons. The m4m personals site launched in the 1990s to offer gay men a safe online community to find like-minded matches willing to chat, date, and hook up with men.
As a personals site, MenNation emphasizes user privacy and discretion. MenNation understands that not all queer men are out of the closet, so you can limit your personal details to just the basics. MenNation welcomes all queer men, and it has inclusive spaces for gay, bisexual, pansexual, or straight and curious individuals. As long as you’re interested in hooking up with other men, you’re welcome to join the membership.
10. BlackPeopleMeet
Relationships: Deep Relationships or Just Casual Dates
Match System: Search by location, age, more
Our Experts Say: “BlackPeopleMeet is known as the premier site for black dating, boasting 1.4 million users monthly and an app with a chat room feel. The top choice for biracial dating as well…” Full Review »
Browse Free: View Photos Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) |
Free Trial
|
| Black Singles* |
47%*
53%*
|
5.7 Million* | FREE Trial for New Users |
BlackPeopleMeet remains a top name in the Black dating scene, with nearly 6 million active monthly users looking for romantic connections here. While it’s not exclusively a hookup website, BlackPeopleMeet encourages singles to explore all types of relationships, including discreet hookups. The site’s search filters make it easy to connect with active users seeking casual encounters.
New members only have to provide a valid email address, username, and birthday to get started. You can stay as anonymous as you want, or put it all out there and add juicy details to your online dating profile. Free users have access to limited communication options on the BPM app. Members can choose to buy credits or pay for a premium membership to send unlimited messages, boost online visibility, and use anonymous calling and texting through ConnectMe.
11. Facebook Dating
Facebook Dating didn’t launch with the goal of helping singles hook up, but it’s a popular option for casual encounter seekers who are on a budget. The biggest strength that Facebook Dating has is the fact that every feature and tool on the app is free. Plus, new users won’t be bombarded with adult content on their way to find their next one-night stand.
The premise of Facebook Dating is to create romantic matches by using the power of a single person’s extended friend network. Facebook Dating takes your profile information and suggests compatible matches in your area. Suggested matches aren’t generally on your friends list, but will be friends of people on your friends list, or friends of friends of friends. When it comes to hookups, this adds a layer of protection that a lot of people enjoy.
Facebook Dating is also easy to set up because the app takes the information and photos directly from your Facebook profile. That fact does make it hard to stay anonymous, but unlimited free messaging is a pretty big plus for this dating application.
12. OkCupid
OkCupid launched in 2004 with a judgment-free philosophy and a principle of keeping all core features free forever. These two core company values are a major reason OkCupid remains a top choice for single people seeking a casual hookup as well as more serious connections and friendships.
The OkCupid profile includes a section describing what you’re looking for in a partner, so you can signal to other users right away that you want casual dates and local hookups. This makes it easier to connect with people who are seeking similar experiences in their love life.
OkCupid is a totally free dating app, so you don’t have to pay to send messages to other users The essential tools and features are included in the basic membership, making OkCupid a budget-friendly choice for hookup seekers.
13. Plenty of Fish
There are plenty of fish in the sea, and that applies to hookups just as much as it does to serious relationships. Plenty of Fish is a popular dating and hookup platform that’s sparked many pop culture references in music videos, TV, and movies. The dating site is completely free and easy to use, but it does have a few downsides.
The biggest downside that you’re likely to encounter on POF is the need to vet your potential matches more thoroughly. We’ve seen a lot of reports of bots, fake profiles, catfishers, and scammers, so finding a genuine potential partner for a hookup will likely take more time on POF. Since the platform takes a bare-bones approach to matchmaking, you’ll also have to spend some time filtering out people looking for something more serious. POF registration, matching, and instant messaging are completely free of charge, so what you lose in time you make up for in money.
FAQs: Can I Find Hookups on a Mainstream Dating App?
It is possible to find hookups on a mainstream dating app, depending on the app you choose. Different dating apps cater to people looking for different things. You wouldn’t look for a hookup on eharmony, after all!
Tinder is a mainstream dating app that’s become a popular venue for people who want to find hookups. The swipe-based matchmaking app encourages people to establish chemistry based on the physical, and that’s why it’s widely considered the best hookup app on the market. In fact, with over 80% of members being under 25, it’s safe to say the majority of people on the dating platform aren’t looking for anything too serious.
Your odds probably wouldn’t be as good on the Match dating app. After all, Match.com is all about helping people find a long-term relationship.
Relationships: Friends, Dates, and Relationships
Match System: Browse by zip, age, appearance, more
Our Experts Say: “As the largest and most diverse dating site in the world, Match features profiles of millions of local singles and a popular app. If you only try one dating service, make it Match…” Full Review »
Browse Free: View Photos Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) |
Free Trial
|
| All Singles* |
49%*
51%*
|
39.7 Million* | Get 3 Days FREE |
Since its launch in the 1990s, Match has advanced personality matchmaking as a way to spark love. The dating app’s membership appeals to singles over 30 looking to date seriously or even find a spouse. By default, most people who want to date seriously aren’t interested in hookups, so you’re less likely to find a willing casual sex partner on Match.
Elite Singles can go either way. The dating site technically caters to high-value singles looking for a serious relationship, but many Elite Singles members are open to the idea of something more casual. You’ll have to screen users who want a commitment, but you have reasonable odds of encountering a new hookup partner or friend with benefits on the platform.
Are There Hookup Websites for Senior People?
A lot of seniors like to keep their relationships simple and direct, so it’s only natural that mature singles would seek hookup sites for their age group. While many senior dating apps and sites take a somewhat open-ended approach to matching older singles, our experts agree that OurTime is the best option if you want to keep things casual.
Relationships: Dates and Relationships
Match System: Search by profiles by zip and more
Our Experts Say: “OurTime is our top choice for free senior dating, with a simple interface and tons of mature and senior users. Its site, app, and free trial are for those 50 and older only…” Full Review »
Browse Free: View Photos Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) |
Free Trial
|
| Mature Singles (50+)* |
48%*
52%*
|
8.9 Million* | Over 50? Start FREE |
OurTime takes a flexible approach to online dating by providing an open-ended space for mature daters to define what they’re looking for. The senior dating site doesn’t cater to any specific relationship type, and it doesn’t require users to define what they’re looking for specifically. OurTime is a good venue for mature daters who want to satisfy physical needs without the potential scandal and stigma of being on a dedicated hookup site.
What’s The Best Poly Dating App?
For polyamorous singles, couples, and polycules, it can be tricky to find a dating app that doesn’t come with a bunch of judgment from monogamous people. Feeld is a popular dating app made specifically for polyamorous people of every sexual orientation imaginable. The casual dating app allows active users to seek out multiple partners at the same time without shame.
The app’s local hookup features set Feeld apart from other polyamorous dating sites and apps. It’s a discreet place to explore options, and both relationship seekers and sexually active people are welcome here. Unlike platforms like Adult Friend Finder, Feeld offer a dedicated space for meeting a romantic partner or multiple partners without it being all about a threesome fetish. The app also doesn’t play host to as much explicit content, so if you’re demisexual or just not into exhibitionism, it may be a better fit than more sex-focused platforms.
How Risky Are Casual Hookups with Strangers?
Casual hookups with strangers come with a certain level of risk. Whether you meet a new person at a bar or swipe right on Tinder, you’re putting yourself in a position of vulnerability by getting close with someone you don’t know well. The good news is that there are some easy ways to mitigate those risks.
For one thing, it’s a good idea to meet your potential hookup for the first time in a public place, rather than at your place or theirs. You can meet at a public park, or a community event, basically anywhere there will be a lot of people. Coffee shops and bars are also popular options.
If that’s too much effort, at minimum you should try to set up a video chat before you agree to go somewhere private to meet a stranger. Remember that some fake profiles can be elaborate, and people do lie to get dates sometimes, so double check the photos and facts you see online with your own vetting process.
It’s also a good idea to have a plan for protection. Make sure you have condoms, lubricant, and whatever else you might need for safe sex, regardless of your gender. Beyond protecting your health, have a plan for getting out of the situation just in case: have a friend waiting to hear from you, make sure someone knows where you’re at, and check in periodically via text.
Finally, make sure you get tested for STDs regularly. Sexually active daters should get an STD check at least a couple of times per year, preferably after every new sex partner.
Online Dating Sites Fuel Hookup Culture & Sexy Vibes
Dating sites and apps aren’t just for people who want to find their happily ever after— people seeking a casual relationship and late-night hookups have plenty of options as well.
The hookup apps on this list can act as a roadmap for finding the right casual sex partner anywhere in the world. These popular sites and apps create the right ambiance for active users to enjoy plenty of sexy vibes. No matter your sexual preference, an adult dating site can help you keep your search for a one-night stand discreet. Now get out there and find your next hookup in style!
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