Reddit has become a community Q&A hub with answers to all sorts of pressing questions including, “Am I the asshole in this situation?” and “Which hookup sites actually work?”
We’ve taken a dive into the Reddit community to see which casual hookup sites and apps have impressed the typical Reddit user.
Normally, I take Reddit user comments with a giant grain of salt – there’s a lot of bitterness circling out there – but it is good to occasionally scroll through the threads and get a sense of the range of experiences and opinions in the online dating scene. Just for the sake of this list, in Reddit users we trust!
- 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. Our Review »
- Browse Free: View Photos Now
Let’s start with a notably controversial name in the online dating world. Ashley Madison is a dating site that hasn’t shied away from the spotlight, despite the morally gray ground it stands on.
You may be surprised to learn that Ashley Madison users on Reddit have some positive things to say about the dating service, though a common complaint is that it charges men for communication features (women chat for free).
One Reddit user commented, “Ashley Madison is good depending on your location in my experience. As someone who lives in a small town, there are about 10-15 profiles in a 20 mile radius from me. However, if you have the opportunity to travel for work you can put the location of where you travel to and look for matches there.”
The user recommended filtering potential matches by those who have been online within the last 48 hours to increase the rate of responsiveness and the chance of getting a date in real life.
And for those wondering if Ashley Madison really works, check out this success story shared anonymously on Reddit, “I met my current husband on AM. We were both married to other people at the time, and we found each other by thumbing though AM. I agree that most accounts are fakes or time wasters, but if you persist, you may get lucky, as we did.”
- 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. Our Review »
- Browse Free: View Photos Now
Adult Friend Finder has been in the online dating game since the 1990s, and it’s gotten plenty of complaints about fake profiles lodged against it. However, some Reddit users are adamant that AFF works and is a good resource for casual hookups.
In a thread about the best hookup sites, CreativeRegular109 said, “I have tried all the main ones out there and the best one by far for me has been Adult Friend Finder. Apps like Tinder and bumble are decent but you have to sift and filter through all of the time wasters and swipe like 5,000 times before you find a solid hookup. AFF is just way easier that than, everyone on there is looking for the same thing.”
Another user under the name Adventurous-Clerk543 backed this statement, saying, “I know that AFF is a good site. It is one of the well-known legit group of sites that refer to [the] Friend Finder brand. I had a few successful dates from there already.”
eharmony
- Relationships: Casual Dates, Deep Relationships
- Match System: Personality test suggests matches
- Our Experts Say: Accounting for 2% of U.S. marriages, eharmony’s compatibility-based system and commitment-minded user base are ideal for those seeking a serious relationship. Our Review »
- Browse Free: View Photos Now
Now, this may be an unusual choice for hookups, but it did come up a lot in the comments. Reddit users continually brought up eharmony as a good place to meet new people — even though this dating service is famous for its commitment to, well, commitment!
Eharmony is all about finding partners who are truly compatible for the long haul, but some folks seem to be joining the network with more casual intentions. It’s interesting how different people use the platform for various dating goals.
“I will recommend you can try the eharmony app,” Poemsubject210 said in response to a person seeking the best dating hookup app. “It would be the best dating app and perfect hookup platform for mature people. This dating website has been designed for long-term commitments and serious relationships. It will help to finding the perfect match made simple with eharmony’s in-depth personality test.”
4. Feeld
Known as the poly dating app, Feeld has opened a whole new world of romantic possibilities for singles and couples who enjoy sexual exploration. The Feeld app provides a nonjudgmental space for sharing kinky fantasies, arranging threesomes, and engaging in ethical non-monogamy.
Reddit seems to be a pretty big fan of Feeld mission overall. LordSamael565 said he had tried multiple dating apps but kept coming back to Feeld for more. “Prefacing this with there is no dating app, as far as I’m aware of, that doesn’t contain some measure of scammers/bots and/or is free,” he commented. “That being said, I’ve met people personally off of Tinder, Okcupid, Hinge, Feeld, and POF. Out of the five listed, I primarily like Hinge and Feeld because these apps feel better than just the swipe right, swipe left culture so prevalent in dating apps today.”
5. Hinge
The Hinge dating app, which was “designed to be deleted,” boasts having one of the highest success rates in the industry. According to feedback from app users, about 70% of Hinge’s first dates lead to second dates.
So it comes as no surprise that Hinge receives a lot of praise and recommendations on Reddit.
A user named MendelAng shared, After exploring many sites over the past few years, I can truly say that Hinge and DoULike are my top picks. They are incredibly user-friendly and ideal for those starting their dating journey.
MendelAng went on to say that some friendly online connections had come from these two apps, and even few casual encounters in the real world. According to the post, “We were able to take things even further and have a successful date night!”
6. DoULike
Although DoULike might not be a dating app you’ve heard of, Reddit users have shared stories of success and positive experiences on this site.
DoULike is famous for its simple sign-up process, private interface, and sex-positive community. Reddit user LawFaith mentioned there’s something for everyone on the site. I’ve had an amazing time with DoULike, my favorite hookup site, LawFaith stated. It’s user-friendly and easy to navigate, making browsing for potential matches comfortable. The messaging feature is excellent it allows me to quickly connect with people who catch my interest.
Do Reddit Users Think Tinder is a Good Dating App?
It’s a mixed bag, but mostly no. Tinder is the original swiping app, known for making fast connections between singles who treat dating as a game. It isn’t for everyone. Tinder has been downloaded more than 530 million times and made over 100 billion matches — meaning Tinder users have almost too many options to sort through.
Reddit users report being frustrated with Tinder and how it encourages people to always talk to someone new rather than focus on the match at hand.
One person decided to ask Reddit if Tinder is worth it, and the resounding answer seemed to be nope! The top comment reads, “With Tinder you’ll need to shuffle through so many bad people to find maybe a good person…I have a friend who spoke to about 50 different people on there, went on dates with 3 and only 1 of that 50 they liked. It’s a lot of work and the chances of anything that isn’t shallow occuring is very unlikely.”
Reddit user realneocanuck offers a critical take: “Tinder and Bumble are teeming with guys eager for hookups, obvious bots, and girls chasing followers for Instagram or OnlyFans.”
No Two Online Dating Experiences Are the Same!
Reddit comments and complaints are a good way to get context for online dating and realize that no hookup site or dating app is going to be universally popular. One person may say that Match is a scam, while the next commenter down claims to have met her husband there.
A single comment from one user on a specific day doesn’t need to determine whether you dive into online dating. Avoid apps with no positive reviews, but don’t hesitate to try a platform that’s been endorsed by the Reddit community and has stood the test of time.
I’ll close with the wise words of Reddit sage MiyagiTurbo82: “There isn’t a magic dating app that all the unicorns are hanging around waiting for you Lolol. It’s really based off of the two L’s. Looks and Location.”
