Key Takeaways
Since 2012, our dating editors have kept up with online trends and new developments in the online dating scene.
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Doublelist is a personals site that rose in popularity after Craigslist Personals shut down.
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NaughtyCharm has our vote as a top alternative because it offers a quick, anonymous signup as well as search filters and photo swiping.
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For LGBTQ+ dating, our top choice is KinkyPeopleMeet because it has an array of nonbinary identity options.
Anonymous dating took a big hit when Craigslist personals 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 no-names-needed experience paired with enhanced security features to keep it from being shut down.
Casual sites like Doublelist surged in popularity because many daters like their privacy. They don’t want to hand over a ton of personal details and fill out bios, prompts, and questionnaires just to view profiles.
For those missing the classifieds of yesteryear, these casual dating sites and apps keep things straightforward (while prioritizing user safety), and they cost $0 to join.
Best Overall Sites Like Doublelist (1-5)
Plenty of hookup sites compete with the likes of Doublelist. Over the past decade, I’ve explored nearly all of them. Here are my top picks for singles seeking a quick, hassle-free dating service.
NaughtyCharm
- Relationships: Hookups, Chats
- Match System: Search by encounter, location, and more
- Our Experts Say: NaughtyCharm is a premier hookup app where you can feel comfortable expressing your desires. Plus, it’s free to join, browse, and flirt.
- Browse Free: View Photos Now
At NaughtyCharm, casual sexual encounters are the name of the game, and plenty of adult content gets things steamy long before you make first contact with another member.
The adult dating site has an extremely fast signup process that only requires a person’s age, ZIP code, gender, and email address. Only the email address is verified. Users choose a username instead of their actual name.
Pros
- Anonymous profiles
- Quick signup
- Affordable
Cons
- No video content
- Little verification
A photo wasn’t needed for initial browsing, but eventually the pop-up to upload a photo couldn’t be skipped. However, I found that the photo didn’t need to clearly show my face to be accepted. Based on my browsing, it seems underwear shots and pics in sheer clothing are approved as well.
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.
NaughtyCharm’s free membership includes search filters by age, location, and appearance. Profiles tend to lack much detail, but they always have at least one photo up. It’s free to send likes and read messages, but getting into full chats will require an upgrade. Prices start at $2.99 for a three-day trial.
- 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 launched in the 1990s (one year after Craigslist), and it made a name for itself by allowing nudes to be publicly displayed.
Signing up under an anonymous username is quicker than making a cup of coffee. When I joined, I was pleased to see the variety of options for poly groups, couples, fluid, trans, and queer users. It’s an exceptionally open-minded and kink-friendly place to mingle.
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 has a ton of live profiles (over 105 million ads are in the database) and X-rated photos and videos to excite free members. It’s free to leave a comment or publish a post in the discussion forum.
You can use kinky search filters to find classifieds for just about any kind of sexual encounter you’re looking for, but you’ll need a Gold membership to contact members one-on-one.
Fling.com
- Relationships: Casual Dating, Hookups, Friends with Benefits
- Match System: Search filters
- Our Experts Say: Fling.com keeps things casual and connects horny adults with video and direct messaging. It doesn’t ask for real names, but it will verify photos as genuine to ensure catfish don’t last long here! Our Review »
- Browse Free: View Photos Now
No-strings dating is a way of life here. Fling.com 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 based on fetishes, looks, and online status. Best of all, it’s free to join and send messages.
Pros
- Video chat
- Online games
- Verified photos
Cons
- Limits on chatting
- Not the largest membership
This fling dating site offers various ways to connect, including video chat, making it a fantastic platform for engaging with others, no matter your sexual orientation or proclivities.
Members can choose to verify their photos and profile information, and those who do so will have a badge on their profiles. There’s a sorting mechanism that lets you see only verified profiles in your area.
- 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. Our Review »
- Browse Free: View Photos Now
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 fetishes like bondage and roleplay.
Users can watch video content, look at naked photos, and read erotic stories while they search for the right hookup candidate either by browsing member profiles or participating in the community forum.
Pros
- Free browsing
- Photos not required
Cons
- Inactive profiles
- Smutty content
While free members can enjoy plenty of sexy fun, Gold members on FriendFinder-X get additional perks like expanded messaging access and live video content from performers on the site. Gold members also benefit from increased visibility on the platform.
- 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
If you’re looking to keep your sex life discreet, Ashley Madison offers all the tools you could ever want. While it takes a little more time to sign up for Ashley Madison (about 5-10 minutes), the app keeps you just as anonymous as Doublelist.
Pros
- Discreet billing
- Photo blurring and masking
- PIN to unlock
Cons
- Men must 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 — 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.
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 for their specific needs and preferences. That’s why we’ve picked two LGBTQ+ hookup sites that are known to facilitate same-sex matching, poly introductions, and sex-positive chatting for people across the spectrum of sexuality.
- Relationships: Hookups, Casual Dating, Kinky Chats
- Match System: Search by age, location, gender, kinks, and appearance
- Our Experts Say: KinkyPeopleMeet is a sex-driven site where kinksters share their fantasies without shame. It’s a dynamic community for hooking up. And the photo and video galleries offer plenty of titillating inspiration as well. Our Review »
- Browse Free: View Photos Now
KinkyPeopleMeet is a fun hookup site where fantasies run the show. The community forum has sections for all sorts of fetishes, including BDSM, feather play, poly dating, and roleplaying.
When you join, you have a lot of options to customize your profile and let others know what you’re into and willing to try. The signup options include over a dozen gender identities and orientations, so people across the sexuality spectrum will feel welcome.
Pros
- Nudes allowed
- Video streaming
- Filtering profiles by who’s online now
Cons
- Smaller user base
- Overwhelming interface
Naughty photos are common here. If you’re not looking to see a bunch of body parts, though, you can turn on filters to blur out the X-rated bits on profiles.
KinkyPeopleMeet has search filters and match lists that make it easy to find local hotties. It has more verification tools Doublelist, and profiles tend to have more information on them. Plus, the community is carefully managed by dedicated moderators who work hard to ensure scammers don’t ruin the vibe.
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. Our Review »
- Browse Free: View Photos Now
As a Friend Finder site geared toward men seeking men, MenNation provides a welcoming atmosphere for gay, bisexual, pan, or just curious straight men who want to experiment. Guys in the closet will feel secure knowing they don’t need give a photo or their name to chat up people here.
Pros
- Large membership base
- All male profiles
- Little personal info required
Cons
- Overwhelming interface
- Limits on free chats
MenNation is upfront about its purpose. As soon as you join, you’ll notice X-rated content everywhere you look. Free members can post in the public chat room and comment on photos, but they’ll run into paywalls on certain video content.
Premium membership unlocks unlimited private messaging as well as remote access to sex toys used by live video models in the streaming section.
Best Senior Dating Sites Like Doublelist (8-9)
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.
DateMyAge
- 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. Our Review »
- Browse Free: View Photos Now
DateMyAge is a dating site made for older singles. It doesn’t market itself for hookups exactly, but it does offer privacy options such as incognito mode.
The membership on the site is predominantly singles over 40 seeking a new start after a divorce or retirement. The features are simple, with just two tabs to navigate: Search and Inbox.
Pros
- Free registration
- Descriptive profiles
- Video and voice note features
Cons
- Many paid add-ons
- More long-distance matches
While you can sort by city, members are restricted by location. Some matches may be in a totally different country, and that can make hooking up in real life a bit of a challenge. Video and voice note features help bridge the distance when there’s a cultural divide.
One standout feature of DateMyAge is its credit system, which lets users choose the features they want and skip those they don’t. If you’re planning to get in a conversation, a credits bundle is a necessity. But if you want to take things slow, look around, and send a few flirts without strings, the free membership will do just fine.
OurTime.com
- Relationships: Dates and Relationships
- Match System: Search by profiles by zip and more
- Our Experts Say: OurTime is well-known in the over-50 dating crowd, particularly because it has a ton of helpful search features and an easy layout. Our Review »
- Browse Free: View Photos Now
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 for making matches in the over-50 age range.
All mutual matches (profiles that have liked each other) can send messages without paying. Not all search filters are free, though, so that can make finding a compatible profile a bit more time-consuming.
Pros
- Mature members
- Free communication
- Safety checks
Cons
- Photos required
- No video
A major benefit to OurTime for senior singles is the safety assurances that come with the deal. Senior daters are popular targets for scammers, so OurTime vets all new members and removes anyone suspicious or inappropriate.
Each dating profile undergoes a thorough verification process, and photos are required to gain access. On top of that, the mutual matching system ensures that singles only talk to people they actively like and approve.
OurTime also makes it easy to report and block anyone who bothers you. Contact customer support to handle any issues with harassment or fraud.
Best Chat Sites Like Doublelist (10-11)
Whether you’re mingling on a dating site, chat room, or personals forum, it all starts with a conversation. Singles who are feeling chatty can depend on these three chat sites to help them get something going.
10. OkCupid
Launched in 2004, OkCupid is committed to keeping all the core features free for all members. All free members on OkCupid can exchange messages without spending a dime. Just keep in mind that you can’t send a second message until your crush replies to you.
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. The prompts and quiz questions touch on a variety of topics, and there’s not a limit on how many you can choose to answer.
OkCupid uses your personality quiz answers to suggest matches and calculate compatibility scores. But you can also dive into local profiles and international matches using straightforward search filters.
Pros
- Free chatting
- Descriptive profiles
- Compatibility matching
Cons
- Long signup process
- No nudity allowed
Premium members enjoy perks like incognito browsing and advanced search filters, making it easier to find potential hookups. While upgrading to a paid plan on OkCupid isn’t necessary, it can certainly speed things up.
11. 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 section is the space for horny people seeking to scratch a particular itch.
Users definitely don’t shy away from being direct about what they want like “would prefer an average to smaller c*ck for comfort” and “looking for single or married women who want to be eaten out.”
Pros
- Helpful tags to sort ads
- Photos not required
- Explicit profiles
Cons
- Few options for rural people
- Little verification
I saw ads from people who identified as gay, trans, straight, married, bi-curious, and everything in between. I could sort for “casual encounters,” that hardly seemed necessary since maybe 1 in 20 said they were looking for anything remotely serious.
Given that Locanto is a popular and free website, some filtering and scrolling is required. Expect some spam when posting an ad. However, if you’re ready to screen potential dates on your own, Locanto offers a Craigslist-like experience without the price tag.
FAQs: Is Doublelist Free?
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 key part of the Code of Conduct is that the site prohibits sex workers from using the platform. You must be 18 or older to join, and Doublelist strictly enforces a zero-tolerance policy against harassment and harmful messages.
What Is the Best Free Alternative to Doublelist?
AdultFriendFinder is our top pick for a free Doublelist alternative. It has over 105 million profiles in its database, a quick anonymous signup, and plenty of free browsing to keep things interesting before you commit to a paid plan. NaughtyCharm is a close second if you want something even more stripped-down and fast.
Is the Craigslist Personals Section Down for Good?
Craigslist Personals shut down permanently in 2018 in response to stricter laws regarding advertising prostitution 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 team has no intention of bringing personals back because it’s extremely difficult to monitor and remove so much user-generated content. And if moderators happened to miss any ads posted by sex workers, it 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 a 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 a bit nervous, starting with a free profile could be a great way to meet people you might not have crossed paths with otherwise.
Are There Hookup Sites Like Doublelist That Don’t Require a Photo?
Yes, quite a few. FriendFinder-X and MenNation both let you browse and interact without uploading a photo. Locanto doesn’t require one either. Just keep in mind that profiles with photos tend to get significantly more responses, so going photo-free may slow things down.
Our Methodology
At DatingAdvice.com, we firmly believe that all reviews should begin with a test account and a firsthand experience trying all the features, both free and paid. Our reviewers have decades of experience with online dating and understand the diversity of needs and intentions that must be met.
For a list like this one that focuses on casual dating and anonymous browsing, we consider our five core criteria from the perspective of a hookup seeker.
- Popularity: Does it have a diverse collection of active profiles that seem genuine?
- Ease of Use: Is signing up quick and frictionless? Did we run into any glitches when browsing?
- Safety: Do the verification tools do a good job at catching fake profiles?
- Value: Is the free membership satisfying and flexible to quick dating action?
- Features: Do the match tools and search filters help casual daters find local profiles?
We’re looking for quick registration processes that keep details to a minimum. We want to see a lot of profiles fall under different cross sections of the dating population.
And, most critically, we want there to be safety assurances that allow adults to find sexual encounters without worrying about underage users or catfish profiles.
Our reviewers systematically rate each dating site according to how it works and who it serves, and our editors return periodically to update our reviews for accuracy.
Sites Like Doublelist Keep Online Dating Simple
You don’t have to stick to mainstream dating sites to spice up your love life. Sites like Doublelist offer an easy way to connect with new people. Whether you’re on the hunt for a secret affair, a sext buddy, or a FWB connection, these platforms have you covered.
Craigslist personals may be gone, but you can still get the same anonymity, the same sex-driven ads, and vastly better security from the sites on this list!
