Times are changing fast as new technology disrupts old habits and traditions –– just look at the online dating scene! Online dating has become a popular way for people to meet and date. This may have not been the case pre-COVID, but it certainly is now. Various dating apps and sites have paved the way for love – or lust – to blossom.
Online dating has helped a lot of people fulfill their dating needs in more ways than just one. Singles can try casual dating apps that invite flirtatious chatting, sex dating, and more short-term connections. Whether you’re looking for a sex buddy or a one-night stand, there’s a dating app out there to fit your needs. Here are some of our favorites!
Overall Best Free Hookup Apps for Women
We researched some of the best free hookup apps with free messaging features so that with just a click of a button, you can hook up with whoever at whatever time!
1. 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 »
The Flirt.com website was created to help singles discover new people and go on fun dates. The team believes that the first step to every great love story is with a flirty conversation. If you’re nervous about diving into the dating scene, Flirt.com can help pave the way.
As silly as this may sound, flirting isn’t always a natural thing to do. Testing out your flirting abilities on Flirt.com can help you build confidence before jumping into a new relationship.
Flirt.com is a dating site with a flirtatious environment and few barriers to communications. Members can discover new friends, sexting partners, and local singles who share similar interests and sexual appetites. Members can get to know one another by sending each other photos or videos. To narrow down the search, Flirt.com offers niche dating categories that members can take advantage of to find community and connection.
“I was looking for a girl that I could have some fun with. I wanted someone that would be my friend as well as my lover and found my ideal match thanks to Flirt.com,” said a user.
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 »
Ashley Madison is a married dating app that is all about taking risks and having discreet affairs to satisfy all types of sexual desires and needs. Ashley Madison believes in connecting people without judgment or stigma. Many members are married or in a relationship, but they’re looking for something more in their sex lives. For an app this exciting you would expect it to cost you a pretty penny. Luckily, Ashley Madison is completely free to join and download.
Ashley Madison has over 15,000 daily active members and has seen over 80 million signups from all over the world. As an international dating app, members don’t have to feel confined to just finding local matches. If you’re on a business trip and want to find a one-night stand, Ashley Madison can hook you up. Some couples even use the app’s services together for polyamorous dating experiences.
“We as a couple decided to use this app and made a profile for my lovely wife. Within a day she got many requests from men directly asking to meet. There were many requests but we were able to sort and find a few genuine men and finally narrowed down to one. In a few weeks she went on a date with him and had an amazing time,” said an anonymous user in a review.
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 »
Who doesn’t like to be a little naughty every now and again? The BeNaughty dating website offers anonymous chat features designed to facilitate casual hookups. Singles finally get a chance to date as they please without all the pressure to settle down. By using the smart geo search feature, members can find local hookups from any desktop, laptop, or mobile device.
BeNaughty thrives off clever icebreakers and flirtatious pictures. Its active members build connections through spicy and engaging conversations. BeNaughty encourages its members to be open and honest about what they’re looking for. Being honest about your intentions online makes the dating process a lot better and helps you avoid wasting time.
BeNaughty is free to join, and single women enjoy unlimited messaging with a basic membership. Men have some limited chat options, but they’ll need to upgrade to a premium plan to message anyone they like.
Best Free Dating Apps for Chat Features
The beginning of an online relationship or romance starts with an online chat, and the following two dating apps provide enough free communication features to get online daters off on the right foot.
4. Match
Match.com has come a long way since it launched in April 1995. This well-reputed dating site has honed its match algorithm to identify long-term compatibility and facilitate countless first dates, serious relationships, and successful marriages. Match’s esteemed dating experts go to great lengths to guide singles to a seriously good match.
- Match is the world’s longest running dating site
- The Discover section has search filters by interests, looks, lifestyle, and more
- Match is available in 50 countries and 15 languages
- Browse Match profiles 100% free »
Thanks to the dating app Match, singles get to be themselves and go after exactly what they want. Match is not only popular because of the number of quality matches it has produced but because the team puts user experience first. Match is free to join and has targeted search filters for finding local date options without having to pay a dime.
Match has a free Top Picks feature that identifies highly compatible matches for its members. Top Picks are based on members’ preferences and interactions on the app and website. All Top Picks enjoy free communication on the dating platform. It’s easy to have a casual chat on Match, and — who knows — it might just lead to something more!
Christian Mingle is a faith-based dating website for singles who want a relationship grounded in Christian values. People of all religions and backgrounds turn to this site in hopes of meeting a good Christian man or a good Christian woman. Christian Mingle’s claim to fame is that it has the highest percentage of Christian members of any dating site or app in the world.
- For singles interested in God-centered relationships
- Over 3.5 million monthly users around the world
- Available as an app on Google Play and the App Store
- Browse Christian Mingle profiles 100% free »
Aren’t you tired of playing the dating game? Christian Mingle helps serious daters by putting faith and values first in the search for a partner. This is a leading dating resource that singles can use to meet local Christians.
Christian Mingle creates a personalized experience with an array of match and chat options. At no cost, members can send profile likes and smiles to one another. There are some free messaging options available, but a premium membership will unlock much more freedom to connect with absolutely anyone you like.
I always recommend Christian Mingle to my single Christian friends. The niche dating site has been introducing Christian couples since 2001, and it has many success stories to back its name and reputation in the industry.
Best Hookup Apps That Are Totally Free
Let’s talk about the bottom line: If it’s most important to you to pay nothing and still chat with users online, the free hookup apps with totally free messaging are what you need. Here are some longstanding favorites that are known for free chat features without strings attached.
Facebook launched a dating service, cleverly dubbed Facebook Dating, on a mission to expand its ability to connect people in meaningful relationships. The dating app is completely free to use and provides unique matchmaking features, including the Secret Crush option that taps into your Friends list to find mutual matches. Facebook Dating is only accessible through the Facebook app, and it has yet to gain as much traction as the more established names in the industry.
- Totally free communication for all users
- Dating activity is separate from the mainstream FB newsfeed
- Detailed profile information includes Facebook events and interest groups
- Browse Facebook Dating profiles 100% free »
If you’re looking for a dating app that’s free with no catch, Facebook Dating is your best bet. Facebook Dating is completely free from start to finish. The app focuses on connecting singles who share the same interests and beliefs.
Facebook Dating is an extended version of Facebook, so it has a large dating pool at its disposal. The Facebook Dating team encourages members to swipe and chat for free — all they need is the Facebook app downloaded on their favorite mobile device to get started.
“Our mission is to give people the power to build community and bring the world closer together,” said the Facebook Dating team.
The most unique feature on Facebook Dating is its Secret Crush option, which allows users to disclose any Facebook friend they have a crush on. If that person identifies them as one of their crushes as well, the app will do a little matchmaking and let the two people know they dig each other. The Secret Crush information will stay completely private unless the crush expresses a mutual feeling of admiration.
7. 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 »
At some point, we all need help in the love department –– and that’s OK! The dating app OkCupid uses its smart love formula and quizzes to change the way people date. OkCupid focuses on matching members based on what actually matters to them. A personalized questionnaire is the foundation of its compatibility ratings and match suggestions.
OkCupid has an engaging dating profile setup that provides a lot of deep and interesting information about a person. It goes way beyond one basic photo and a headline. The OkCupid dating profile focuses on showing off your interests, background, and what you’re looking for in a potential partner.
Whether you’re interested in a romantic relationship or just a quick fling, you can express that on your profile to ensure your matches are on the same page. Based on specific preferences, OkCupid’s matchmaking algorithm can curate long-lasting matches.
OkCupid is free to use and download. However, members can only send out a free first message to those that catch their attention. For the conversation to keep going, both members have to like each other’s profiles and unlock the ability to send more than one message to each other.
“One of the best dating apps out there and I have tried a LOT. The extra features to assess compatibility are awesome. All the free stuff offered on this app makes it so easy to find connections even if you don’t buy into it,” said an OkCupid user in a review.
Plenty of Fish lowers the cost of romance by allowing casual daters to send private chats for free. It’s easy to make a fast connection thanks to Plenty of Fish’s free messaging system. On average, POF members send over 1 billion messages a month, and these chats often lead to romantic encounters in the real world.
- Free instant messages for all singles
- Over 150 million members in 20 countries
- The MeetMe section highlights local hotties
- Browse Plenty of Fish profiles 100% free »
Have you ever heard the phrase, “There’s plenty of fish in the sea”? Well, it’s true! The dating app Plenty of Fish reminds singles that there are so many single people to get to know. Plenty of Fish is one of the most relaxed and sociable dating apps on the market. If you’re looking for a new dating experience with upgraded features, Plenty of Fish is a good option to try.
“We know online dating isn’t one-size-fits-all, so we’re letting you choose your own adventure and connect with other singles in a way that feels right for you. Whether you’re into spicy dating games, live streaming, or sending a good-old-fashioned DM, we’ve got lots of options to make finding your person actually fun,” said the Plenty of Fish team.
Plenty of Fish supports a positive and respectful dating experience by setting limitations on how members can contact one another. Members can send out free messages by being a mutual match or by sending out a First Contact. This process helps members avoid stress by reducing the number of unwanted messages in their DMs.
The POF communication system allows for individuals to shoot their shot, but it keeps harassment out of the conversation. Once singles make a match, they receive unlimited messaging with one another, unless a person choose to use the block button.
FAQ: How Do Hookup Apps Work?
Hookup apps tend to keep things simple and straightforward so a user can get in, get chatting, and get laid without a lot of hassle. The registration will require some basic details: age, first name, gender identity, location, and sexual orientation. Sometimes match preferences will be needed, but you won’t have to fill out a lengthy questionnaire like you would on eharmony.
Once you’ve completed your profile (and added a few cute pics), you can start browsing profiles for a potential match. Send likes or a quick message to anyone who catches your eye. Messaging privileges might be behind a paywall (hookup apps have to make a profile somehow), or you might have a time limit or message limit on your private chats.
Hookup apps tend to be pretty generous with sexy content. You can expect photo galleries and perhaps even livestreaming videos to be available for free. The community rules might allow explicit language and nude pictures for users who have liked each other’s profiles, but moderators will keep an eye out for spammy behavior and harassment, so sext with caution.
Which Apps Help Busy Singles Find Matches?
The best dating apps for busy singles have smart algorithms and proactive matchmaking to make the search for love a bit easier. Elite Singles is a niche dating platform for single professionals who are trying to make room for love.
Elite Singles prioritizes quality over quantity, and its highly selective match system satisfies discerning single women looking for a true partnership. A majority of Elite Singles users have graduated from college, excelled in their careers, and want to find someone special to share in their success.
- Helping over 2,500 singles find love every month
- An intelligent match algorithm uses profile information to reccommend dates
- Caters to relationship-minded men and women
- Browse Elite Singles profiles 100% free »
The Elite Singles app uses an intelligent matchmaking system that delivers quality matches based on members’ preferences and lifestyles. Finding a person who shares a similar lifestyle is beneficial when you’re looking for something serious. Singles don’t have to worry about being judged for prioritizing their career because everyone on the app feels the same way.
It may take some time to fill out eharmony’s personality test, but the results are well worth it. This dating site goes the extra mile to get to know its members and deliver quality matches to their inboxes. Every profile has a compatibility rating to let you know your essential similarities and differences. Plus eharmony has inspired more than 2 million love connections since 2000.
- Designed to satisfy marriage-minded single women
- In-depth compatibility quiz generates high-quality matches
- Personalized Match Preferences on gender, age, income, religion, education, and more
- Browse eharmony profiles 100% free »
eharmony is another popular dating site primarily for serious dating. Members on the app are successful singles who are ready to settle down and find their Mr. or Mrs. Right. Under the motto, “get who gets you,” eharmony matches local singles based on their compatibility. As the number one trusted dating app, eharmony ensures that singles have the tools and insights they need to excel in the dating department.
How Can I Find Hookups Without Apps?
Online dating apps provide an easy way to find hookups but it’s not the only way. You can always try it the old-fashioned way and get out of the house and explore. Local bars, clubs, and events are great places to explore and meet people.
It’s important to note that there are online dating apps that also host various events that help members connect outside of using the app. In 2022, Tinder launched a Festival Mode feature that allows singles to help users connect ahead.
Another great way to find hookups is through mutual friends. As old-school as this may sound, blind dates still serve as a great way for people to connect. Trusting in a friend to set you up on a date can lead you to a great night!
Is the Tinder App Worth Paying For?
In our opinion, Tinder isn’t really worth paying for because the free membership gets the job done! The free membership includes chatting with mutual matches, and you have a lot of swiping freedom as well. The paid subscription is only worth a try if you’re dying to swipe outside your city radius or aren’t satisfied with the swipe list and/or responsiveness of your matches.
In 2012, Tinder pioneered a swiping-based match system that empowered singles to connect with dates who liked them back. Tinder users can message their mutual matches for free on this fast-paced dating app. Since its launch, Tinder has created over 97 billion matches worldwide.
- Supports active daters in 190+ countries
- The swiping system creates over 12 million matches per day
- Tinder Plus members have unlimited likes and 5 Super Likes
- Browse Tinder profiles 100% free »
A free membership on Tinder does have its limits, but most free members find they don’t need unlimited swiping and more filters to make a match and start a chat.
Tinder Plus and Tinder Gold can offer some advantages online, but most users manage just fine without them.
The Casual Dating World Has a Lot of Options Available
It’s safe to say that you can get a lot out of online dating. You no longer have to just use a dating app or site for a romantic relationship. People are starting to recognize the value of casual dating and its impact. There are a lot of benefits with casual dating, that even I didn’t recognize at first. According to sex-positive dating experts, casual dating increases a person’s sense of freedom and independence. By focusing on yourself, you can gain a confidence boost and a higher self-esteem.
Not everyone needs to jump straight into a relationship. I know after I experienced my first break up I needed to take time away from serious dating. There’s a time for everything and if your time now is to casually date then you can do so with an abundance of online dating options available –– and for free!
