Key Takeaways
Our team of experts has tested hundreds of dating sites to determine which ones can offer a safe casual dating experience.
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Ashley Madison is the best alternative to Backpage because it is anonymous and has free chatting for women.
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With a fast signup, NaughtyCharm is a great option for casual dating with no real names.
In 2018, U.S. law enforcement agencies cracked down on personals sites, like Backpage and Craigslist Personals in a push to make online dating a bit safer and more reputable.
Since Backpage has shut down for good and Craigslist has removed its personals as, many casual daters are left wondering where they can go to place a classified ad to meet people online.
Not to worry, there are over 8,000 dating sites out there, and many of them have proven effective and safe options for finding casual sex. We’ve picked out some of our favorite free casual dating sites to help singles who are seeking an alternative to their old standby. Let’s get to it!
Best Sites Like Backpage & Craigslist Personals
Over the years, several top hookup platforms have become the go-to alternatives to sketchy personals sites. You can explore them for free and without worry about the nefarious activities running rampant on Backpage.
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 is a scandalous dating site (and app) with a reputation for keeping secrets and letting desire take the lead. Single and married people can explore possibilities and have a romantic affair that makes them feel alive.
Pros
- No real names
- Mask or blur your face in pics
- Search filters by appearance
Cons
- Only women can chat for free
- Lengthy signup
Since 2001, Ashley Madison has attracted 90 million curious, restless, and open-minded daters. I liked that the discreet features included a photo-masking tool, so I didn’t have to show my face to join in the fun. As a woman, I could send messages straightaway for free, while men paid for credits to chat with me.
Ashley Madison puts privacy first first. Real names are not required, which is similar to Backpage, but some verification (notably with photos and location) does come with the basic membership so it’s a good deal safer. There’s even a mandatory ID check for profiles flagged as suspicious.
2. 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 »
NaughtyCharm is a sex-positive hookup website where singles can send flirty messages and create matches without paying subscription fees. We consider NaughtyCharm to be one of the best Backpage alternative sites because it has a fast signup with only five questions needed to complete.
Pros
- Register in under 1 minute
- Very little identifying info needed
- Free browsing across multiple cities
Cons
- Smaller active dating pool
- Must upgrade to send messages
- Not all profiles have photos
Once you have a valid profile picture (no stock photos or nudes), you can start browsing profiles and chatting with anyone who catches your eye on NaughtyCharm. Mutual matches are not needed.
NaughtyCharm requires users to add photos, verifying that individuals are genuine and willing to put themselves out there. If you spot a fake profile or suspicious ad, you can report it to NaughtyCharm, and the moderators can block or remove that person from the site.
3. Fling.com
Fling.com is a casual dating network with a sleek interface and fast matchmaking. The website boasts having over 2 million verified photos, ranging from car selfies to bikini pics. There’s also live video available. Members can send pictures, gifs, and videos in the private messaging windows. Fling profiles put turn-ons and kinks front and center, so members can cut to the chase and start sexting.
- Fun video technology
- Free anonymous browsing
- No location limits on searches
- Browse Fling.com profiles 100% free »
Dynamic. Bold. Kinky. Fling.com is full of horny adults who come right out and ask for casual sex. There is no playing coy here. Though it doesn’t allow nudes, many members like to share some steamy and suggestive profile pics.
Pros
- Free messaging, no matches needed
- Search by who’s online now
- Descriptive profiles include fetishes
Cons
- Overcrowded dashboard
- Paywalls on video chat rooms
Fling.com delivers fast connections based on sexual chemistry and turn-ons. Its chatting tools include messaging, video chat, and private photo swapping.
The anonymity of browsing with a username on Fling.com is reminiscent of Backpage’s vibes — but Fling does a better job at vetting new profiles (over 2 million pictures verified and counting) and keeping users safe.
Victoria Milan is a married dating site where affairs happen with no one being the wiser. It lets members mask their face, keep personal details hidden, and flirt anonymously by sending a wink or favoriting a profile. This discreet space embraces people looking to date in secret, and it has attracted over 5 million members and counting!
- Anonymity tools to hide faces in profile pictures
- Travel dating tools widen the match pool
- Over 16,000 new members joining every day
- Browse Victoria Milan profiles 100% free »
Victoria Milan is an affair dating site that has created a streamlined system where online conversations lead to real-life romances. It doesn’t cost anything to join the hookup site and explore new matches. Posting sexy photos is free as well.
Pros
- Open to affairs and secret dating
- Profile verification options
- Search filters by looks and lifestyle
Cons
- Smaller membership
- Not all profiles have pics
Over the last decade, Victoria Milan has established itself as a secret keeper with a strong emphasis on privacy. Members don’t need to add a photo, but height and weight are required fields. There are a ton of search filters, including looks, smoking, diet, relationship status, piercings, sex drive, and turn ons.
With just an email address, individuals can set up a profile, search for dates, and enjoy private chats in a safe and friendly space with no presumptions of anything long term.
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 a hookup site “where good girls do bad things.” It’s an anonymous space to explore your sexuality and arrange a casual encounter with potential love interests. I didn’t have to add a photo to read and respond to messages.
Pros
- Nudes allowed
- Free to communicate in public forum
- No real names required
Cons
- Video streaming costs money
- Not all matches are local
FriendFinder-X helps singles discover sexy dates who are nearby and currently online. You’ll find it easy to charm someone in this enthusiastic dating network, which is even larger than Backpage ever was.
As soon as you post your ad, you can jump into the fray on discussion forums where people post photos, polls, stories, and meetup info. If you want to verify that your online crush is legit, you can upgrade to Gold Membership to arrange a two-way video chat on FriendFinder-X and establish a good vibe before meeting in person.
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 »
Since 1996, AdultFriendFinder has established itself as the go-to classified website for singles, couples, and groups in need of a sexual release.
The ads on AFF say things like “I’m looking for friends with benefits” or “I’d like to meet for coffee and see where things go.” They do not seek money or gifts for sexual favors.
Pros
- Free to post and comment in the forum
- X-rated photos and videos
- Kink filters and tags
Cons
- Overcrowded interface
- Some paywalls and ads
This reliable hookup site boasts a huge community of sexy singles and swingers, having created over 4.5 million connections so far.
The AFF community forum is more than a Backpage replacement site — it’s a safe solution that has free classified ads, group discussions, erotic blog posts, video broadcasts, and live member chatting to turn up the heat and get members in the mood to party.
7. SparkMeets
SparkMeets 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 SparkMeets profiles 100% free »
SparkMeets offers easy access to easy dates, and it took me under 30 seconds to create a profile. It only needs your gender, age, ZIP code, and email address.
You don’t have to put in much effort to find a date. As soon as you post your profile, you can begin swiping, searching, and messaging in this sexy community.
Pros
- Open-ended for all daters
- Search filters by appearance
- Affordable plans start at $2.99
Cons
- Fewer local matches
- Mixed intentions
The service encourages users to freely pursue their desires online. SparkMeets lives up to its name by sparking connections in its Like Gallery, which is essentially a swipe carousel. It doesn’t require mutual matching to open a chat window.
The site will do some work behind the scenes to vet new profiles, so you won’t be accosted by unsavory folks upon signup.
8. 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 100 billion mutual matches
- Browse Tinder profiles 100% free »
Since 2012, Tinder has become one of the most popular dating apps in the world because it gives singles the power to decide who shows up in their inbox. You can swipe through its profile listing to find a person who measures up to your standards.
Pros
- Free messaging with matches
- Verified profiles
- Fast-paced photo swiping
Cons
- Swipe fatigue
- Ghosted conversations
Unlike personals sites, Tinder boasts matchmaking tools that can recommend compatible people and help you focus on local dates. Its mutual matching system speeds up the dating process and ensures you only message people who are actively online and interested in you.
As of 2026, Tinder has seen over 100 billion matches and facilitates more than 1.5 million dates per week.
Best LGBTQ+ Sites Like Backpage & Craigslist Personals
A few years back, Match surveyed 1,000 LGBTQ+ singles in the U.S. to find out how they felt about the modern dating scene. The results indicated that gay men love the single lifestyle.
Only 40% of gay men expressed a desire to get married someday, just 36% were interested in having children, and 68% mentioned they had dated someone they met online.
If you’re gay, single, and want to play the field, I recommend trying these queer-friendly hookup sites.
9. 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 »
First up, we have MenNation, the largest gay hookup site on the market. Millions of men have followed their libidos and found dates on this classified site, which is open 24/7 to anyone feeling horny.
Pros
- Quick and anonymous signup
- Some free communication
- Nude photos and videos
Cons
- Only Gold Members can send private messages
- Some inactive profiles in the mix
As you can tell from its name, MenNation is a men-only site, and it requires users to be at least 18 years old to create a personal ad and take part in the fun. This website can escort men to a casual sex life where they’re in control.
MenNation provides a judgment-free dating zone exclusively for men. Whether you’re gay, bisexual, queer, or questioning, this is the place for no-strings-attached fun with local guys. Transgender men are welcome too, with options to filter matches or go incognito for safety.
10. HER
The HER team believes in the unequivocal power of queer womxn, and its niche dating community lets these strong female voices ring out loud and clear. Whether you’re looking for a date, a travel buddy, or an interesting conversation, you can mingle freely and safely here.
- Welcomes women of all orientations
- Moderators patrol the app 24/7
- Location-based matches and events
- Browse HER profiles 100% free »
HER is a female-friendly app for LGBTQ+ women seeking local dates and new friends. Its newsfeed is engaging and community-driven, and it has strict guidelines to protect its users.
Pros
- All profiles verified as female
- Free messaging
- Strict moderation practices
Cons
- Few rural profiles
- Mixed intentions
HER welcomes women from all walks of life. With over 15 million downloads in the past decade, it holds a good reputation in the LGBTQ+ community. The biggest grumbles I’ve noticed are about men sneaking into the app trying to connect with bisexual or lesbian women.
HER has moderators to remove catfish profiles upon detection. And you can always use the block button to get rid of anyone making you feel uncomfy.
11. 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 »
Since launching in 2009, Grindr has become synonymous with the gay dating scene, and it has built a massive membership base of over 27 million men — and counting. Even in their heyday, you wouldn’t find that many gay guys mingling on Backpage or Craigslist Personals.
Pros
- Fast-paced local swiping
- All verified male profiles
- Most users are seeking hookups
Cons
- Must pay to swipe in other cities
- Limited filter options
- Very superficial messaging
Grindr uses location data to connect you with hot dates just a short distance away. This gay dating app is perfect if you’re out and about and eager to connect immediately. Your match could be at the bar next door or dancing at a nearby club, and just a few messages can spark something special.
“It’s like fishing. Find a good spot. Put your bait out,” said a Grindr user named Chris. “Some days it’s hard, and no one bites, but another day you may find three encounters in the same day.”
FAQs: Can Singles Still Use Craigslist to Find Casual Sex?
While it’s true that Craigslist officially closed its personals section in 2018, it’s also true that some creative online daters have continued to use its classified ads to meet potential dates. They just can’t do it directly.
Instead of posting a personal ad that they’re looking for a casual hookup, a single person may enter the community forums or strike up a flirty chat with a local dog sitter or handyman. The conversation could still lead to a hookup.
While the site limits posts about adult services, it doesn’t stop the playful connections, flirty chats, and friendships that often grow into more personal relationships.
Can You Still Post Personal Ads Online?
Yes, plenty of personals sites like Backpage still exist. One of them very creatively called itself Bedpage. These sites vary in legitimacy. DoULike tends to have postings that sound real. Bonepage seemed like it had a lot of AI photos and too-good-to-be-true girls.
Classifieds are quick, anonymous, and free, so it makes sense that they still exist in different corners of the web. They’re not always the most polite or rigorously vetted of dating spaces, but they can be a quick and dirty way to get your rocks off.
My pro tip: Avoid a classifieds site that doesn’t verify your information. Modern dating apps have better checkpoints and moderation to hold users accountable and keep fake profiles off the platform.
What Is the Safest Personals Site Like Backpage?
Launched in 2018, Doublelist is a personals site aiming to fill the gap left by Backpage and Craigslist — except without the sex trafficking, prostitution rings, and other scams that got those businesses in trouble. It’s a new Backpage, basically, but with better verification.
The personals section advertises real people, and trustworthy moderators will remove a fake profile upon detection.
Doublelist ensures user authenticity by requiring both an email address and phone number during the signup process, living up to its name by double-verifying its users.
Whether you’re into dating, hookups, chatting, or just looking for entertainment, Doublelist is a safe space where you can express yourself and connect with like-minded folks (not sex workers) nearby. The site is active in over 240 cities and is quickly becoming a popular alternative to Backpage.
Can Couples Use These Sites?
Some of the sites on this list are open to poly-dating and even include registration options for couples. If you’re wanting to date alongside a partner, these adult sites will support that:
- Fling.com
- Adult Friend Finder
- FriendFinder-X
- MenNation
I think you could also get away with it on Ashley Madison and VictoriaMilan, which are known for discretion, but these sites don’t have filters or niche groups for couples dating like on the sites listed above.
How We Chose These Sites
Our team has been reviewing dating sites for well over a decade now, and we’ve honed our process to include a combination of firsthand testing and market research. When putting together a list like this, we look at all the big names in the casual dating space and determine which ones suit the user intent.
Then it’s time to put the sites to the test and create profiles so we can get an inside look at the registration, verification, matching, search, and messaging tools.
Our reviewers rate the sites on a scale of 1-5 according to these five key criteria:
- Popularity: Has an active user base with good variety in age, gender, and location.
- Ease of Use: Simple registration, no confusing or glitching steps.
- Safety: Offers profile verification, reporting tools, and content moderation.
- Features: Dynamic matching and helpful search tools geared toward casual daters.
- Value: The free membership is a good standalone experience with affordable upgrade options.
After the reviewers have made their assessments, they take the average of the five scores to create the overall score for the site.
The overall score plays a big factor in the original ranking of the list, but it isn’t set in stone. We have an editorial review process where we circle back a few times a year to assess real-time performance based on user traffic and internal data. If certain sites are clear favorites of our readers, we will bump them higher on the list.
Personals Sites Can Offer Direct Access to Locals
Backpage and Craigslist Personals may be gone for good, but online dating continues to grow in popularity, particularly among casual daters. Singles can seek hot dates and arrange steamy encounters on dating sites — and we recommend starting with the ones on this list. They have proven successes and solid reputations.
I’ve highlighted several great alternatives to shady personals filled with sex workers. This way, singles can enjoy online dating without the anxiety of encountering fake ads, human trafficking, or law enforcement crackdowns.
These adult services are free to join, so there’s no harm in creating a profile and seeing who’s out there.
If you’re interested in exploring the casual dating scene, then create a profile on two or more dating sites and keep an open mind as you browse, message, and match with people. You never know who you’ll meet online, and that’s part of the fun!
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