Best Dating Sites
Looking for a dating site you can trust? Search no more.
Online opportunities for casual dating took a big hit when Craigslist personal ads disappeared from the internet in 2018. Fortunately, Doublelist rose to the challenge as a Craigslist alternative in the same year. The personals site offers the same level of user-friendly experience with enhanced security features designed to keep it from being shut down.
Since the downfall of Craigslist personal ads and Backpage, casual sites like Doublelist have gained popularity. They offer the same value proposition to anyone missing the Craigslist casual encounter experience. These dating sites and apps keep it simple while helping users keep it safe, whether you’re ready to put it all out there or want to stay anonymous.
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Best Overall Sites Like Doublelist (1-5)
Many hookup sites have raced to compete with personals sites such as Doublelist. And I’ve reviewed just about all of them over the last 10 years. These are our top picks for single people seeking a fast dating experience.
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…”
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1. BeNaughty
User Base
Gender Ratio
Popularity (Visits/Mo.)
Free Trial
All Singles*
48%*
52%*
13.3 Million*
Browse Profiles Free
BeNaughty doesn’t limit sexual activity. Casual sexual encounters are the name of the game, and plenty of adult content on this adult dating site gets things steamy long before you make first contact with another member.
The open-minded site encourages users to include photos and videos, as sexy as they dare to be. If you prefer to keep things a mystery, you can use features such as Full Safe Mode to restrict who can see and contact you on the platform.
Pros
- Anonymous profiles
- Quick signup
- Affordable
Cons
- No video content
- Little verification
Every woman on BeNaughty gets access to unlimited messaging and additional features, but men on the hookup site have to pay for one of three premium membership packages to get the full benefits of BeNaughty. The Extra Security package offers HTTPS encryption, browser history clearing, and incognito mode, while the Chataholic package provides read receipts, unlimited messaging, and other communication-related perks. The Premier Dater package provides the best of both worlds, combining security and communication perks galore.
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…”
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User Base
Gender Ratio
Popularity (Visits/Mo.)
Today’s Deal
All Singles*
65%*
35%*
25.5 Million*
3 Months @ $19.95/Mo
Adult Friend Finder launched in the 1990s (one year after Craigslist), so it is a natural alternative for those seeking a hookup. It’s easy and quick to sign up, and once you’re a member you can participate in chats, read and post to the forums, and view plenty of naughty content.
Looking for a casual encounter on AFF isn’t all that different from posting a personal ad, so you don’t have to learn any new skills or figure out any complicated tools.
Pros
- Poly-friendly
- Video streaming
- X-rated content
Cons
- Limited free communication
- Pop-up ads
As one of the most popular adult dating platforms, AFF offers a lot of options, no matter where you are in the world, you can engage in naughty chats with singles, couples, swingers, and other sexual adventurers. A free membership includes basic browsing, but you may want to upgrade to a premium membership to make the most out of the judgment-free atmosphere.
You can find classified ads for just about any kind of sexual encounter you’re looking for, but you’ll need a premium membership to contact other members one-on-one.
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…”
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User Base
Gender Ratio
Popularity (Visits/Mo.)
Free Trial
Singles & Couples*
64%*
36%*
1.2 Million*
Browse Members Free
Like many hookup sites and apps, FriendFinder-X is open and honest about why users are there. But FriendFinder-X takes things a step further by offering a welcoming space for kinksters, including tools geared specifically to helping people connect and bond over kinks and fetishes. Users can watch video content, look at photos, and read erotic stories while they search for the right hookup candidate either by browsing member profiles or participating in the community.
Pros
- Free browsing
- Photos not required
Cons
- Inactive profiles
- Smutty content
Although there’s plenty of sexy fun for free members, Gold members on FriendFinder-X get a lot of special perks, including expanded messaging access, and live video content by performers on the site. Gold members also get perks in terms of higher visibility on the platform, and you can set an automatic reply to messages to make sure you don’t miss out on an opportunity for a hookup.
Relationships:
Casual Dating, Hookups, Friends with Benefits
Match System:
Search filters, Suggested matches
Our Experts Say:
“SaucyDates is a straightforward hookup site with a reputation for safe dating. The team manually checks profiles and photos. Naughty pics are allowed…”
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4. SaucyDates
★★★★★
User Base
Gender Ratio
Popularity (Visits/Mo.)
Today’s Deal
All Singles*
67%*
33%*
46,500*
Sign up FREE
SaucyDates is a trusted name in the hookup scene. It began in the U.K. and has expanded into the U.S., Canada, Australia, and India. Its location filters ensure you only see folks in your neighborhood, though.
When you join SaucyDates, you have a lot of options to customize your profile. The platform has 20+ gender identities built in, and photos are mandatory for all users.
Pros
- Nudes allowed
- Vetted profiles
- Active moderation
Cons
- Smaller user base
- No video
The team checks every profile before it goes live to ensure it meets the community standards. But, worry not sex seekers, naughty photos are allowed here.
As a hookup app, SaucyDates is all about living in the moment and being upfront about dating intentions. Its membership base has been vetted by moderators who are passionate about making sure scam artists don’t bum out the vibes.
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…”
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User Base
Gender Ratio
Popularity (Visits/Mo.)
Free Trial
All Singles & Attached*
71%*
29%*
65 Million*
Browse FREE
Ashley Madison isn’t a free classifieds site, but if you’re looking to keep your sex life discreet, the platform offers all the tools you could want. While it takes more effort to sign up for Ashley Madison, the site and app help keep you just as anonymous as you’d be on an online personal ad board, making it a great Doublelist alternative.
Pros
- Discreet billing
- Photo blurring
- Privacy assurances
Cons
- Men pay to chat
- Website required ID check
You can blur your profile picture or lock all your pictures behind a password-protected vault. Ashley Madison also offers browser history clearing and a panic button that immediately navigates you away from the platform to avoid someone peeking over your shoulder.
Women on Ashley Madison can access the best features of the site — including messaging other members — completely free of charge. Men on Ashley Madison have to pay for credits, which they use for everything from messages and chats to virtual gifts and video chat experiences. Ashley Madison keeps things discreet for its users. The affair dating platform uses discreet billing codes, and you can even use unconventional payment methods, such as gift cards, to keep your sex life under wraps.
Best LGBTQ+ Sites Like Doublelist (6-7)
Gay, lesbian, and queer folk know that the best dating app for straight singles may not be the best dating app for their specific needs and preferences. That’s why we’ve picked two gay and lesbian hookup sites that are known to facilitate same-sex matching, poly introductions, and sex-positive chatting for people across the spectrum of sexuality.
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…”
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6. MenNation
User Base
Gender Ratio
Popularity (Visits/Mo.)
Today’s Deal
Singles & Couples*
95%*
5%*
780,000*
Start for Free
Given the history of classified ads as a tool for gay men to connect, it should come as no surprise that the loss of Craigslist personals was hard for man-loving men who wanted to keep their anonymity. Fortunately, MenNation offers all the anonymity any man could want, while also providing a welcoming atmosphere for gay, bisexual, pan, or just curious straight men who want to experiment.
Pros
- Large membership base
- All male profiles
Cons
- Overwhelming interface
- Limits on free chats
MenNation isn’t shy about the purpose of the site. As soon as you join, you’ll see X-rated content everywhere you look. The gay hookup site also offers a lot of value for free members, since everyone on the platform can access community features as well as watch a lot of content without having to pay.
Free members can also look at the top message in their inboxes without using a credit card, but you’ll want the premium membership for unlimited communication options and access to Buzzmode, which lets you remotely control another user’s wearable sex toy during live video performances.
Relationships:
Fun Dates, Serious Relationships
Match System:
Search and get match recommendations
Our Experts Say:
“Zoosk is a go-to for busy lesbian women because the site will do all the work for them. All they have to do is upload some information and photos…”
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7. Zoosk
User Base
Gender Ratio
Popularity (Visits/Mo.)
Today’s Deal
All Singles*
48%*
52%*
28.9 Million*
Start Zoosk for FREE
For woman-loving women, finding a safe space for casual sex and community can be a tricky proposition, but Zoosk keeps things simple and secure. You download the app or join the website with minimal information required for your profile, and you can set search parameters for your dream lady. Best of all, it’s free to join.
Pros
- Video chat
- Compatibility matches
- Verified photos
Cons
- Limits on chatting
- Inactive accounts
Zoosk has a ton of communication tools, including video chat, so it’s a great place to get a feel for other members and connect with those in the queer community. You can even send instant messages to members who are online and tickle your fancy.
Best Senior Dating Sites Like Doublelist (8-10)
If you’re over the age of 50, you may not feel like the online dating world is a viable option for you. But it’s becoming more senior-friendly all the time. The following dating sites and apps provide a safe and casual dating space for senior singles hoping to start anew.
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…”
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8. OurTime.com
User Base
Gender Ratio
Popularity (Visits/Mo.)
Free Trial
Mature Singles (50+)*
48%*
52%*
8.9 Million*
Over 50? Start FREE
Older singles have needs too, and OurTime understands that a lot of senior daters want to keep things simple. The dating site has a streamlined layout and guides new users step by step in creating a profile, so it’s easy to get started. And, like on a personals site, you can set your preferences so OurTime matches you with the local people who share your interests.
Pros
- Mature members
- Free communication
- Safety checks
Cons
- Photos required
- No video
Another major benefit to OurTime for senior singles is the safety assurances that come with the deal. Senior daters are popular targets for scammers, and OurTime takes the safety and security of its members seriously. Each dating profile undergoes a thorough verification process, and every profile photo must pass a review to make sure it’s not fake or too risqué for the dating platform.
OurTime also makes it easy to report suspicious accounts and block anyone who bothers you. Contact customer support and tech support through the site or app.
Relationships:
Friendship, Casual Dates, Serious Relationships
Match System:
Search by age, location, height, education, ethnicity, and religion
Our Experts Say:
“SilverSingles caters to relationship-minded singles over 50 with simple, safe, and effective online dating tools…”
Full Review »
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★★★★★
User Base
Gender Ratio
Popularity (Visits/Mo.)
Today’s Deal
Mature Singles (50+)*
41%*
59%*
800,000*
Sign up for FREE
Sometimes the best alternative to a classified ad site is a senior dating site that has been around for decades. Silver Singles certainly fits the bill and offers a lot of the same functions that you’d see on sites like Doublelist.
Unlike classified ad sites, where you write up your ad on a daily or weekly basis, Silver Singles has a static dating profile and personality quiz that provides a lot more information to help build relationships. Plus, you don’t have to constantly post new details to garner new matches.
Pros
- Quality-driven matches
- Lifestyle filters
- Serious dating
Cons
- Pricey upgrades
- Too niche
Silver Singles has a free membership that offers unlimited browsing and the opportunity to get to know senior matches in the area. Users can set their date preferences to narrow the dating pool to their ideal candidates, and if they discover a perfect match, all it takes is an upgrade to a paid subscription to start exchanging messages online. Only paid members enjoy the full benefits of SilverSingles, but there’s no time limit or pressure to subscribe unless you’re ready to up your dating game.
Relationships:
Serious Dating, Long-term Relationships, Pen Pals
Match System:
Search filters, Suggested matches
Our Experts Say:
“DateMyAge provides local and international matches for singles who are over 50 and hoping to entertain a long-term love interest…”
Browse Free:
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10. DateMyAge
★★★★★
User Base
Gender Ratio
Popularity (Visits/Mo.)
Today’s Deal
All Singles*
43%*
57%*
128,000*
Browse Profiles FREE
DateMyAge is a common Craigslist alternative for older singles. The membership on the site is predominantly senior people seeking a new start after a divorce or retirement. The features are simple, and you can choose to let DateMyAge steer you to the right match or take the initiative and browse profiles without paying a dime.
Pros
- Free registration
- ID checks
Cons
- Many paid add-ons
- Mixed reviews
One major benefit that DateMyAge offers over conventional sites is a credit system that allows users to opt into the features they want and skip the features they don’t want. You’ll also want to look into upgrading if you intend to send private messages.
Best Chat Sites Like Doublelist (11-13)
Whether you’re mingling on a dating site, chat room, or personals forum, it all starts with an online conversation. Singles who are feeling chatty can depend on these three chat sites to help them look for local matches.
11. OkCupid
OkCupid launched in 2004, and the dating site remains committed to keeping all the core features free for all members. As a dating app, OkCupid offers everything you’d want in a classified ad and then some, as long as you’re willing to put in a little effort when it comes to building a profile.
OkCupid suggests compatible matches based on your personality quiz responses, but you can also browse local profiles and international matches by using basic search filters.
All free members can exchange messages on OkCupid without needing to pay anything. Just take note that you cannot send a second message until your crush messages you back.
Pros
- Free chatting
- Unique profiles
- Compatibility matching
Cons
- Long signup process
- Flaky members
A-List members pay to get access to incognito browsing and advanced search filters that narrow the list of potential hookups more efficiently. It’s not necessary to upgrade to a paid plan on OkCupid, but it can accelerate the online dating experience in some ways.
12. Locanto
Locanto is a free classified ad site that is all about community. It isn’t just for hookups, but some of that does go on here. The personals ad section offers enough X-rated content to keep things hot, and users definitely don’t shy away from being direct about what they want.
The site even helps steer you in the right direction with categories based on gender and what users are looking for (hookups, kink, gay, lesbian, threesomes, etcetera).
Pros
- Helpful tags to sort ads
- Photos not required
- Explicit profiles
Cons
- Few options for rural people
- Little verification
Because Locanto is a free and popular website, you may have to do a lot of filtering to get the exact kind of connections you want. Be aware that you may also have to deal with some measure of spam when you post an ad. But if you’re willing to vet potential dates on your own time, Locanto offers the Craigslist experience at the same price.
13. Oodle Personals
Oodle Personals is a lot like Craigslist personals because Oodle is a fairly simple online classified ads site. The personals section is chock-full of ads as well as missing connections. The streamlined format makes it easy to navigate, whether you’re browsing ads or looking at replies to your messages.
Pros
- Simple ads
- Search by city
Cons
- Binary gender options
- No video
- No verification
The Oodle site will use your location to automatically serve up the ads to people closest to you first. From there, you can filter based on gender, type of relationship, and other options to make sure you’re not wasting your time. Oodle also offers profile verification, making it easy to avoid fakes and scammers.
Oodle became part of the FriendFinder network to broaden its appeal to daters, and that has been good news for singles seeking easy access to a lot of date prospects.
FAQs: Is Doublelist Free for All Singles?
Yes! Doublelist is a completely free online personals site, and you don’t have to pay anything to sign up or communicate with other users. The only real restriction is that you have to adhere to the Doublelist Code of Conduct, which has some common-sense precautions to ensure member safety.
A major aspect of the Code of Conduct is that the site prohibits sex workers from using the platform, so it isn’t quite a complete replacement for sites like Backpage. You also have to be 18 or older, and the Doublelist site takes a zero-tolerance policy toward harassment and violent or harmful messages.
Is the Craigslist Personals Section Down for Good?
Craigslist Personals shut down permanently in 2018 in response to stricter laws regarding advertising prostitution and other erotic services online. The U.S. Department of Justice cracked down on the Backpage personals site, and Craigslist leadership took proactive measures to avoid the same fate.
The online platform has no intention of bringing personals back because it’s extremely difficult to monitor and remove user-generated content, and mods missing any ads posted by sex workers could jeopardize the entire site, not just the personals section.
Is Online Dating a Safe Way to Meet People?
Yes, online dating is a safe way to meet new people. Whether it’s through a dating website, a message board, or forum like Reddit, or free classifieds, you can safely meet people online for casual sex, romance, or friendship, just as you can meet them in person in the real world.
It is a good idea to be careful and cautious when dating online, of course. Don’t meet someone for the first time in their home, and don’t invite them to your home if you haven’t met them in person. Never get in a vehicle with a person you don’t really know. And under no circumstances should you ever send money to an online crush — even if you’ve been in contact for months, you never really know who they are or what their intentions are.
As long as you’re taking some basic precautions and keeping your wits about you, online dating is as safe as any other method of meeting people.
If you’re feeling nervous, I’d say start with a free profile that will open you up to the opportunity to meet people you might not otherwise have ever encountered.
Sites Like Doublelist Keep Online Dating Simple
You don’t have to stick with a mainstream dating site to keep your love life (or your sex life) interesting. Classified ad boards like Doublelist make it easy to reach out and connect with new people, whether you’re looking for your next casual encounter or want to find the person you spotted in the grocery store but couldn’t work up the nerve to talk to.
The Craigslist personals ad board may be gone, but you can still get the full experience from Craigslist alternative sites like Doublelist!
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