Online dating has been around longer than I have. Match.com DOB: 1995. My DOB: 2000. That means my dating scene has always been influenced by the internet in one way or another. The first app I ever tried was Tinder.
I’ll be honest, the first time I went on Tinder, I was looking for more than a casual relationship. All of my friends (and acquaintances, for that matter) treated Tinder like situationship window shopping. Nobody really went into it with expectations for a serious relationship.
But I figured that there had to be people who were using Tinder in a more serious way. And there definitely are! I just didn’t meet them in my town.
If you’re looking for something serious, don’t go to a hookup platform. And if you’re looking for a hookup, your experience is going to be so much better on a platform that has your desires in mind.
We’ve tested out each of these platforms to see how useful they are in the search for a hookup. Check out our reviews.
Registering for an account on Adult Friend Finder (AFF) is like speeding into the fast lane of the online dating world. This hookup site puts you in the center of action and encourages sexy singles and swingers to satisfy their secret fantasies. Anyone over 18 can join AFF and browse millions of profiles for free, but only full-fledged members have access to the revealing content in the community forums and chat rooms.
- One of the largest adults-only sex communities
- Free and fast registration process
- Dating forums and live chats foster live flirtation
- Browse Adult Friend Finder profiles 100% free »
AdultFriendFinder is about “the joy of being an adult”– that means you can leave any timidness at the door. On AdultFriendFinder, you have everything you need to express yourself without shame.
The platform is perfect for you if you’re looking for a sexually diverse, discreet, and passionate dating experience.
If you’re just looking for sex, you can be honest about it on AdultFriendFinder. Actually, the more honest you are, the better. Sign up for free and get instant access to a large and thriving community. AdultFriendFinder has users across the country and has helped millions of people step into their sexiest fantasies.
Ashley Madison is a breath of fresh air for single or attached folks experiencing a sex slump. This exciting dating site and app offer tons of opportunities to mingle, match, flirt, and hook up discreetly. Over 80 million profiles await you on Ashley Madison, and it’s free to create an anonymous account.
- Discreetly arranges one-night stands and extramarital affairs
- More than 80 million profiles worldwide
- Travel-friendly features for seeking matches in other cities
- Browse Ashley Madison profiles 100% free »
Sure, Ashley Madison may be known as the affair dating site. But that’s not all it’s good for. Ashley Madison’s discreet approach keeps finding a hookup on the low easier than ever. Lots of singles on the search for a casual and steamy hookup are attracted to the platform’s judgment-free and private approach.
Ashley Madison has over 80 million members. The site has a gender ratio of 71% male to 29% female, making it a favorite among men and a great place for women if they want an expansive pool of potential matches.
Ashley Madison makes match recommendations based on your specific preferences and allows advanced profile search, meaning you can find the people who fulfill your fantasies.
3. BeNaughty
When it comes to arranging hookups, BeNaughty is fast, easy, fun, and safe. This dating site has built a global network of sexy men and women who want to skip the small talk and cut right to the chase. If you’re interested in short-term romance, BeNaughty is the place to go and get your flirt on.
- A global network of naughty singles over 18
- Ability to blur nude and explicit content, if desired
- Advanced search filters and one-on-one messaging
- Browse BeNaughty profiles 100% free »
BeNaughty is the spot for you to explore your sexuality and have some fun with no-strings-attached sex. The site is made for hookups, so you won’t have to shy away from letting others know what you want.
BeNaughty keeps it discreet and encourages users not to hold back when it comes to their desires and fantasies– this means you can be upfront about your kinks and fetishes.
The platform gets over 13 million visits every month and has a balanced gender ratio, with men representing 48% of users and women users at 52%. This makes it a great site for men, who often outnumber women on hookup sites. You can search BeNaughty profiles using gender, age, location, and orientation filters.
OneNightFriend keeps things real by offering singles the chance to mix and mingle without making a big commitment. They don’t even need a subscription to join the ranks of casual daters. This tried-and-true hookup website is part of a larger network of sex-positive communities that empower individuals to find local hookups more quickly and privately than they could at a bar or club.
- Safety settings ensure accountability for users
- Free login and browsing via search filters
- Profile pictures are recommended but not required
- Browse OneNightFriend profiles 100% free »
Looking for a special friend, just for one night? OneNightFriend is the place to start your search. The platform’s name gives a big hint at what its user base is looking for– casual, fun, and sexy no-strings-attached meet-ups. OneNightFriend gets more than 500,000 visits monthly and offers a straightforward process to find casual dates.
You can use basic search filters like location, age, and appearance, and send likes to profiles that are piquing your interest. You can swipe through profiles and save the most attractive ones to your profile’s favorites section.
OneNightFriend is free to join, but if you want to improve your chances of finding a hookup, the paid options offer expanded features.
5. Flirt.com
If casual sex is your goal, then Flirt.com can be your wingman. This sex site offers anonymous browsing, advanced searches, and private communication, all for free, to help single men and women find a potential partner and arrange sexual encounters that satisfy their secret fantasies.
- A massive user base of over 70 million dating profiles
- Send a free private message or Flirtcast to get something going
- Exchange nude pics or adult videos with a Flirt member you trust
- Browse Flirt.com profiles 100% free »
Flirt.com is one of the most established hookup sites out there. The platform looks a lot different than it did when it burst onto the scene in 1997. You can search for potential links by location, age, appearance, and interests, and tap into extensive matching and messaging features. Flirt.com welcomes any kind of dater who wants to use their platform, with spaces for heterosexual and LGBTQ+ daters alike.
You can send winks to show other users you’re curious about them. If you want to cast a broad net, you can use the Flirtcast feature, which shows off your profile and relationship intentions to several users all at once. Flirt.com’s chat rooms connect you with multiple users at the same time, so you can keep your options open when you’re searching for a fling.
FriendFinder-X offers sexy singles the gratifying experience of meeting hot dates within a few clicks. This hookup site is designed to excite people’s imaginations and fill them with sexual energy. Whether you’re chatting privately or in a group forum, singles and swingers can be upfront about their sexual desires, fetishes, and fantasies.
- A casual personals site for singles, couples, and groups
- Profiles have suggestive photos and strip tease videos
- Chat live via a two-way webcam or private messaging
- Browse FriendFinder-X profiles 100% free »
FriendFinder-X is your go-to spot to find casual encounters, secret affairs, and plenty of sexy online connections. You can find hookups in your local area or expand your search radius to find users from farther away. The site gets 1.2 million visits every month and keeps a gender ratio of 64% male users and 36% female users, making it a slightly more attractive choice for women looking to get it on.
Discretion is at the forefront of the platform’s approach, so you can express your desires and fantasies without fear of being judged. It’s all game on FriendFinder-X. You can explore live webcams, spicy chat rooms, and community boards that organize in-person swinging events and sex parties.
7. Feeld
If you’re exploring threesomes, group play, or any kind of non-monogamous arrangement, Feeld is the place to start your search.
The app allows you to link your profile with up to five other members, making it easy for people in open or polyamorous relationships to find connections alongside their partner(s).
You can browse profiles without the pressure of having to swipe one way or another, and you can also talk to several users at once using the group messaging feature.
Feeld offers more than 20 sexuality and gender options so you can express yourself authentically. The app offers daters a safe avenue to fulfilling, sexy, and empowering sexual experiences.
8. Kasual
Kasual, formerly Yumi, connects you to nearby singles looking for a casual hookup. You don’t have to put any of your personal information on your profile when you’re signing up (nope, not even an email address), meaning you can stay truly anonymous.
The app doesn’t even require you to put your face in your profile pic– it’s up to you to decide how much you want to protect your privacy.
Kasual uses a location-based matching software, so you’ll only receive suggested users who are in your local area.
The app doesn’t use a swiping interface. Instead, it shows users stacks of profile cards with a 50% chance of finding someone compatible in each stack.
9. HUD
HUD gives you the chance to step into someone’s bedroom, without ever leaving your own. HUD is a casual dating community with 17 million worldwide users.
You can find flings, casual relationships, and hot hookups using HUD’s extensive features designed for young and open-minded daters.
HUD’s My Bedroom™ feature gives you a glimpse into what other users are into. Each user can choose a Bedroom Archetype for their profile.
Your Bedroom Archetype lets other users know what turns you on in the bedroom, making it simple to find sexually compatible partners.
10. DOWN
Getting started on DOWN is simple. You create your profile, verify you’re a real person, and then explore the platform’s 13 million users who are just as ready for casual sex as you.
DOWN uses a swiping mechanism similar to Tinder’s, but with a twist.
Instead of just swiping left for yes and right for no thanks, users have three options. You can tap Date if you want to explore something more serious, tap DOWN if a hookup is more your speed, or swipe left if you’re not feeling any connection.
This way, you and all your DOWN matches will know what the expectations are from the get-go.
11. PURE
PURE is an anonymous dating app inspired by the Uber format, if you can believe it. Once you’ve decided you’re in the mood for a hookup, you can post a personal ad to the app and wait for interested users to interact.
PURE is designed for shameless dating, so you should include as much information as you’re comfortable with in your ad. Write openly about yourself, your desires, and what you’re looking for from a connection.
You can fully customize your PURE profile to let other users know what you’re looking for. Whether that’s a friend with benefits, a casual date, or a long-term sex buddy, PURE gives you the tools to express what you truly want.
FAQs: Do Casual Hookups Work?
If you’re wondering if casual hookups work, it depends on what you mean by “work.”
It’s super important for you to have measured expectations going into casual online dating. You’ll have to explore a lot, and maybe have a few misses, before you find a strategy that works for you. If you want to have fun, explore your desires, and enjoy a few hookups, casual dating is the niche for you.
You can absolutely find great sex using the internet. People do it all the time! Apps and sites will do a good job connecting you with people who are down for a hookup, but it’s up to you to make it work.
Is Tinder Good for Finding Sex?
Tinder is such a popular app because it’s good for finding sex. The platform is jam-packed with features and caters to a younger audience. It’s one of the biggest platforms out there– having made 97 billion matches worldwide– and hookups aren’t hard to come by.
Since Tinder is a mix of people looking for flings and people looking for commitment, being upfront about your intentions and expectations is important.
Be honest about what you’re looking for and set your relationship type to casual. Filter profiles using relationship type, and try to swipe right only on other users who are looking for something casual.
Is There a Better App Than Grindr?
If you’re a gay, lesbian, or queer dater, you should consider using a LGBTQ+ app to find hookups. While nearly all of these sites welcome LGBTQ+ users, you’re going to have the best experience when you use an app that’s been designed for queer daters.
Grindr is known for its simple interface and engaged user base, and is one of the most iconic dating apps out there. The app was founded in 2009 and was one of the first of its kind to use location-based matching. Not to mention it has more than 3 million active users.
You can quickly find a hot hookup– maybe even only zero feet away– using Grindr. Tons of other users are on the app looking for a hookup, too, so there’s no shortage of great profiles to browse.
If you’ve tried Grindr and it’s not your thing, or if you want to try a new platform, SCRUFF and MenNation are massively popular platforms whose robust user base could give Grindr a run for its money.
SCRUFF
SCRUFF’s user base is smaller than Grindr’s, but the platform still packs a big punch. The app serves over 20 million users across 180 countries and uses a location-based matching system similar to Grindr’s.
You can use customizable filters to swipe through potential matches, and if location-based swiping isn’t your thing, you can also browse users who live in different areas.
If you’re a frequent traveler, SCRUFF’s venture features are made for you.
You can publish your travel agenda on your profile before you leave, so by the time you get to your destination, you’ve already had the opportunity to connect with locals.
MenNation
MenNation’s user base is full of gay and bisexual men looking for a fun, casual hookup. The site boasts 79 million members and 780,000 monthly visitors. You can connect with other men in your local area or beyond– it’s up to you to decide how you explore MenNation.
MenNation has tons of X-rated content to arouse the senses and stimulate conversation. The hookup site attracts single men and gay couples all over the world and has grown its network to include over 93 million people. Free members can browse these profiles for as long as they want and send flirts to anyone who catches their eye.
- A massive men-only sex and swinger community
- Browse profiles and send private messages to your favorites
- Profiles feature erotic videos and sexually explicit blogs
- Browse MenNation profiles 100% free »
MenNation keeps things discreet with anonymous profiles and chatting, and extensive communication features so you can plan and organize a hookup without ever having to leave the app. You can even enjoy live shows and public video chats on the platform.
What are the Best Sex Apps for Lesbians?
Gay men don’t get to have all the fun with Grindr. Lesbian dating apps are the best place to start for WLW who are ready to explore. If you’re taking a multifaceted approach and using a few different apps in search of a hookup, you should probably add one lesbian-specific platform to your lineup.
Online dating can be permeated with heteronormative standards and expectations, especially if you use a platform that’s designed for heterosexual daters. Platforms made for lesbian daters offer you an extra layer of safety and understanding that may not be present on other apps.
These lesbian dating apps give you the room to decide what you’re looking for, especially if it’s a hot hookup. Each of these sites brings something different to the user experience. Choose the platform that’s shown a great track record of making the kind of matches you’re looking for.
LesbianPersonals
LesbianPersonals connects lesbians who are ready for some casual fun. The platform has more than 30 million users and attracts about 5,000 new members every month. Users aren’t afraid to be honest about what they want, and you can find plenty of flirty and revealing profiles.
As part of Friend Finder Networks, LesbianPersonals is a fast-paced hookup site built to satisfy. The dating platform caters to women, straight couples, lesbian couples, and groups who are looking to enjoy lesbian sex. LesbianPersonals members can find romance in live video chats or instant message conversations and take things to the next level by exchanging contact information.
- Create a free profile in less than a minute
- Search filters can identify attractive singles and couples in the area
- Strip tease videos, revealing photos, and other adult content
- Browse LesbianPersonals profiles 100% free »
LesbianPersonals is a mainstay in the casual lesbian dating scene, having been around for more than 15 years. While the platform is definitely designed for casual daters, that doesn’t mean it’s only about the looks. You can take LesbianPersonal’s personality test and get potential matches through the matching system.
HER
HER was launched in 2013 to meet a growing need in the lesbian dating scene: a dating app for queer women, designed by queer women.
The platform welcomes lesbian, gender-diverse, and trans users to explore their identities and make new connections. HER’s approach and user base reflect the diversity that lies within the identity of lesbians.
HER uses a standard swiping method which makes it easy for you to filter through plenty of profiles in one sitting. While HER is definitely a place where you can find a hookup, the app focuses heavily on community building and outreach, so it also attracts more serious daters.
You can still look for a hookup, just be honest and match mindfully.
Lex
Similar to HER, the Lex app focuses on the LGBTQ+ community and building online connections that go beyond superficial chats.
The app combines elements of online dating with more far-reaching social media features to create an online dating experience that’s hard to find elsewhere.
Since Lex focuses on building a variety of relationships, not just romantic or sexual ones, there are probably better platforms to try first if you’re looking for casual sex.
This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give Lex a try, but don’t be surprised if most other users aren’t looking for a one-night stand. You could wind up making a good friend and evolve the connection into a friends with benefits situation, but that’s hardly guaranteed.
Prioritize Safety & Honesty in Each Hookup
If you’re going online to look for a hookup, be open about it. There’s no shame in wanting to explore your sexuality, and the online world has plenty of safe spaces that can help get things going.
Choose a platform that caters to your specific needs, whether that’s LGBTQ+ dating or anonymous matching. Explore all the different features to find the platform that offers the ones you want.
Above all, choose a dating app that’s sex-positive. You shouldn’t have to hide your fantasies or shy away from what you’re really looking for, especially if your main motivation in online dating is finding casual sex. Go to the apps and sites that have the features – and the users – to make a great hookup happen.
