The best sex apps offer instant access to a world of flirtation, attraction, and sexual freedom. While hookup sites cater to a lot of anonymous browsing, local sex apps bring even more functionality to the table, connecting singles in a fast-paced swipe network.
Of course, not all sex apps are what they’re cracked up to be. Some tease users with fake profiles and false promises, and others have become overrun with spammers. We’d like to help today’s savvy casual daters avoid such seedy places, and that’s why we’ve picked several legit dating apps that can facilitate hookups and threesomes.
We’ve taken a close look at some amazing sexy apps so you can discover spots where a bit of flirting might turn into sexting, and that sexting could lead to a laid-back date.
Best Overall Sex Apps
Let’s cut right to the chase, shall we? After all, casual daters aren’t about wasting time, so here are the overall best sex-positive dating apps where singles and swingers can find plenty of hotties online.
1. NaughtyCharm
When it comes to arranging hookups, NaughtyCharm 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, NaughtyCharm 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 NaughtyCharm profiles 100% free »
First on our list is NaughtyCharm, the go-to hookup app for singles about town. Anyone who desires a no-strings-attached relationship can use NaughtyCharm’s search tools to find willing playmates.
NaughtyCharm has had several crowning achievements since its launch. Its most popular feature is the Like Gallery, which uses a swiping system to establish mutual matches quickly. As you rate various profile pictures, you can discover what you like and see what’s out there.
If you’re feeling extra confident in your flirting abilities and want to save some time, why not send a mass message to all NaughtyCharm users who align with your dating preferences? It’s a fun way to see who responds!
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 91 million profiles await you on Ashley Madison, and it's free to create an anonymous account.
- Discreetly arranges one-night stands
- More than 91 million profiles worldwide
- Travel-friendly features for seeking matches in other cities
- Browse Ashley Madison profiles 100% free »
Ashley Madison has made waves in the dating scene by liberating married individuals from the bonds of monogamy. The affair dating app helps single and not-so-single people meet new partners for casual encounters. The dating platform has over 54 million members total, and it sees upwards of 5.7 million monthly active users.
Available on the App Store and Google Play, the Ashley Madison app is free to use, and its security features ensure confidentiality for married people seeking discreet hookups and sex. Users can search for free locally or in other towns and cities.
If you’re aiming for an out-of-town encounter, try the Traveling Man or Traveling Woman feature to explore dates in different cities. It’s a great way to connect with an attractive partner during a business trip or vacation cruise.
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 »
The thing about AdultFriendFinder is that it’s not exactly a dating app. It’s more of a mobile-friendly hookup site for adults. However, we’ve placed it at the #2 spot on this list because it has over 100 million users in its database, making it one of the largest hookup communities ever.
AFF is packed with people who love exploring their feelings, trying new partners, and making their sex lives more exciting. Anyone over 18 can join AdultFriendFinder, and many singles, couples, and groups have used this sex-positive environment to liven up their nights.
There are countless ways to dive into the action and build intimacy on the AFF website. You can browse enticing profiles, send messages, watch video broadcasts, or explore X-rated content on the dating forums. AdultFriendFinder has nurtured over 14 million group discussions about sexual health and activity. AFF members are often quite open about their party preferences, so shed your inhibitions and join in the fun.
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 has gotten attention by encouraging “good girls to do bad things” on a no-holds-barred sex platform. Men, women, couples, and groups can create profiles here anytime they want to mix things up in the bedroom.
FriendFinder-X provides excellent tools for finding attractive, sexually active individuals nearby. By sending explicit messages, singles and swinger couples can quickly set up spontaneous hookups.
FriendFinder-X is more akin to a mobile-friendly site rather than a sex app, which we see as a plus because you don’t need to download anything on your phone. Instead, you can access it from any Android or iOS device.
This discreet hookup and dating site can satisfy your desires for a potential partner with a simple search through local singles.
5. Tinder
First impressions matter on Tinder. The dating app gives its users the chance to find romance by liking the photos and bylines of local singles. The app's casual atmosphere encourages flirty conversations that quickly lead to exchanging numbers or arranging in-person dates. Every week, Tinder facilitates over 1.5 million dates and hookups in 190+ countries.
- The dating app of choice for millions of sexually active singles
- Accelerating the dating process through swiping
- Has led to over 97 billion mutual matches
- Browse Tinder profiles 100% free »
Tinder has embraced hookup culture with the motto “single, not sorry.” Android and iOS users can play the field on this casual hookup app and pick up dates who aren’t looking to settle down anytime soon.
When it launched in 2012, Tinder created the swiping culture that currently dominates the dating scene.
This fast-paced app is responsible for over 65 billion matches globally, and it inspires over 1.5 million dates per week and it’s still growing! Local singles are sure to find hot dates with a few swipes on the Tinder app.
6. OkCupid
OkCupid's free communication features make it great for singles seeking a no-strings-attached hookup. The dating site and app allow singles to create a brief profile and dive into match recommendations within minutes. Singles can swipe up a storm until they strike a good match and take the conversation to the next level.
- Free private messaging available to all members
- Users can state that they're seeking hookups on their profiles
- Responsible for 50,000 dates per week
- Browse OkCupid profiles 100% free »
OkCupid is a free dating site and app where singles can date on their own terms. You can send as many messages as you want on the platform without paying a cent — and that appeals to casual daters who aren’t looking for a long-term investment in the dating scene.
Every year, OkCupid creates more than 91 million romantic connections by allowing users the space to express themselves and find a fun-loving partner who shares similar interests and goals.
If you want a hookup, you can put that on your OkCupid profile under the “Looking for” section and make your intentions clear from the get-go. You can confide in the online dating app and trust its matchmaking power to improve your sex life one free message at a time.
Best LGBT Sex Apps
The adult dating apps we’ve listed are undeniably great resources for straight singles, but they may not have enough potential matches to satisfy LGBTQ+ singles seeking companions. When the mainstream dating scene runs dry, gay men, lesbian women, and other queer singles can depend on LGBTQ-friendly apps to provide date options across the spectrum of sexual orientation.
The following LGBT sex apps boast of having match features that can spark same-sex hookups and casual dating experiences.
7. 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 supports the world’s largest gay hookup network, with millions of profiles to its name. The site maintains a strict no-girls-allowed space. It’s all men seeking men here.
If you’re searching for a hot guy in the gay dating scene, start by setting up a free account on MenNation and explore the online world. With a variety of effective search tools, you can be guided to the most appealing profiles, turning a vast dating network into a few promising date options.
MenNation keeps gay men swiping and matching at a break-neck pace, and nothing stands between you and a casual encounter on this discreet hookup platform.
8. HER
A lesbian named Robyn Exton founded HER because she recognized that not all dating sites and apps look out for the unique needs and interests of LGBTQ+ womxn. The HER community does a great job of connecting its users in a fun-loving and active community. Its easy social networking tools are great whether you're fully out of the closet or just starting to question your sexuality.
- Free private messaging to all mutual matches
- Post comments or send likes to connect with local lesbians
- A safe, friendly, and one-of-a-kind dating app
- Browse HER profiles 100% free »
HER is the top sapphic dating app out there, with over 15 million users.
Dedicated to helping women who love women connect, HER isn’t really a hookup app. However, it is a safe, intentional space for women, trans, and non-binary people looking for any sort of relationship. You can search incognito, or go loud and proud with highly customizable profiles and plenty of special interest groups to connect with.
Premium users enjoy one free Thirst Mode credit each month, bringing your profile into the spotlight and framing your picture with a shimmering gold border. Whether you’re on the hunt for a long-term partner or just a quick fling, HER can connect you with queer women nearby.
9. Grindr
Grindr facilitates hookups by telling local singles where the hottest guys in town are and giving them a direct line of communication. It's easy to jump into this active dating pool and start flirting with gay and bisexual men near you.
- Sexually active men can create free profiles
- Matching system uses GPS information to find local dates
- Millions of prospects available in 192 countries
- Browse Grindr profiles 100% free »
Finally, Grindr has our vote as one of the best gay dating apps because it uses location data to find local hookup options within the same ZIP code.
Since 2009, Grindr has been leading the pack among sex dating apps for gay men. The app aims to pinpoint the hottest and nearest dates, so queer men can meet up and enjoy a quick hookup. It’s a men-only space, and its swiping feature fuels anonymous flirtations among gay, transgender, queer, and bisexual singles—whether they’re out and proud, just experimenting, or still in the closet.
It’s super easy to hook up with gay men using Grindr’s location-based system. It’s a three-step process. You match, you chat, and then you ask, “Wanna meet?” Sometimes the person will be one bar over or a block away, and that proximity is awfully tempting to casual daters.
What’s the Best App for Sexting?
We’ve listed a lot of great hookup apps to help sex-driven singles get some action, but not everyone is eager to jump straight to bed. Some people would prefer to send sexually explicit messages and photos (aka sexting) without making an IRL commitment. For these daters, a sex app can help them build confidence, create intimacy, and work on their moves and pickup lines.
NaughtyCharm is a good sexting app because it allows singles to send private messages using an anonymous profile. It helps a single person explore kink conversations without making any commitment.
NaughtyCharm is a terrific chat app for sexy singles seeking a sexual encounter, but it’s not the only game in town. Other sexting apps offer useful features like automatically deleting chat history and facilitating video chats, so a user can choose to bare everything to a potential partner of any sexual orientation.
What are the Best Free Hookup Sites?
We’ve already touched on this because most well-known hookup sites are also — get this — hookup apps. That’s right, they go both ways! A popular online dating website can diversify its audience, expand its reach, and increase sexual activity on the platform by creating a companion app.
Almost all the casual sex apps on this list—except for Tinder—have a casual dating site that boasts the same matching capabilities and features.
AdultFriendFinder has a solid claim as the best hookup site around because it is a veritable goody drawer of sexy profiles and erotic content. The dating service is available in the App Store, but Android users have to access the mobile-friendly site if they want to meet a sexual partner.
AdultFriendFinder provides a judgment-free zone where singles and swingers can chase their desires freely.
Finding a casual hookup, a casual relationship, or some other casual encounter should be no problem on AdultFriendFinder, and you don’t need a Facebook profile or social media login to get started. That’s why we rate AFF as the best hookup app for anonymous sex.
Is Tinder Just a Hookup App?
Though Tinder is often seen as just a hookup app, it actually offers so much more. It can ignite a romance just as easily as it can lead to a casual encounter. We’ve heard countless success stories from couples who met on Tinder.
Tinder is downloaded by people for a variety of reasons. It’s hugely popular. Some users are just exploring, others are seriously searching, and some are merely browsing. Yet, many are hoping to connect with someone special for more than a fleeting encounter.
Tinder recently conducted a survey revealing that 50% of U.S. adults who have used a dating site or app say they were looking for a committed romantic relationship. While some respondents might hesitate to admit their interest in casual encounters, our dating experts see it as a positive sign that many younger folks on Tinder are genuinely seeking potential long-term matches.
What’s the Best Alternative to Craigslist Personals?
The Craigslist personals section closed up shop in March 2018 in response to a government crackdown on online sex trafficking. Craigslist did not want to be held responsible for the actions of its sex-crazed users, so it got out of the dating game for good.
Don’t worry, though, because many alternatives to Craigslist can still get you in the arms of a sexy stranger.
Pernals, for instance, closely resembles Craigslist in its setup, but this personals app also has a few surprises in store. The app has categories, including strictly platonic, misc romance, and casual encounters, to help users find exactly the type of relationship they desire.
The kink talk and personal ads on Pernals are similar to former Craigslist activities in the local hookup section. But Pernals puts greater emphasis on safety and sexual wellness.
The Best Sex Apps to Satisfy Your Carnal Desires
No dating app—even the most sex-focused one—can promise romance. That’s entirely up to you. These top-rated platforms bring you together with attractive singles in a shared virtual space. While a leading sex app might offer search filters, messaging tools, and matching algorithms, only you can turn these features into genuine connections.
If you want to enjoy casual sex with a new person, then you’ve got to put in the work on a chat app and charm potential matches.
Ultimately, any app is just a tool and can’t guarantee success. Your actions are what truly determine your success on casual dating platforms. If you play your cards right, you can win over potential matches, add some spice to your sex life, and boost your self-confidence over time.
Just remember, a local hookup or a one-night stand may not happen after every message. It may take some persistence and patience to arrange a sexual encounter with a stranger. But perhaps all that foreplay will make the result that much more gratifying. Have fun!
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