Craigslist shut down its personals section in 2018 after Congress passed strict laws to combat online sex trafficking.
Some people still miss the convenience, anonymity, and interesting stories that came from the defunct service. Fortunately, hookup seekers who want to stay anonymous have tons of alternatives to Craigslist.
The best hookup sites let individuals date in secrecy and safety. And every site on this list is free to join and test out. I know because I tested them without paying a penny.
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 »
If you like viewing adult content, NaughtyCharm is the place to be. The site puts photos right at the forefront, with no rules against showing some skin, so things stay hot while you browse for your next casual hookup.
Pros
- Fast signup, no names required
- Search filters by appearance
- Affordable upgrades starting at $2.99
Cons
- Few verification steps
- Smaller user base
I think I had my NaughtyCharm profile completed within 30 seconds of hitting the homepage. It’s that easy. It asked for gender, location, age, and an email address. The email is verified, but that’s the only real hurdle.
I could only view profiles once I uploaded a photo (it didn’t have to show my face). The search filters by location and appearance made finding my type quick and simple. Then it was just a matter of sending likes and seeing if the feeling was mutual.
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 »
Although Ashley Madison is most known for facilitating affairs, the dating platform is good for a lot more than that. Whether you’re single, married, or somewhere in between, Ashley Madison doesn’t judge. It provides tools to help you keep your sex life discreet.
Women chat for free on Ashley Madison, while men must pay for credits to send more than an intro message.
Pros
- Everyone is seeking no-strings dating
- Photo blurring and masking tools
- Robust security against catfish
Cons
- Flaky chats
- No video features
What impressed me most about Ashley Madison was the photo blurring and masking feature that was built into the photo upload step. I could choose to cover my face if I wanted to keep my identity a secret. I could also add pics to a photo vault where I had express control over who could see them.
Ashley Madison puts a lot of resources into secret dating tools, and its also dedicated to security. My profile raised a red flag somewhere in the moderation sweep, and I was required to upload an ID to confirm I am really who I say I am.
KinkyPeopleMeet’s motto is “anything but boring,” and its community forums live up to that promise. The hookup site is rife with sexual innuendos, explicit photos, and fantasy exploration. Kinksters are loud and proud about what they desire and expect from a potential partner, so there’s no guessing games or playing coy. Whether trading naughty photos or streaming a sex act, members have no qualms getting naughty.
- Nude photo galleries
- Video streaming by couples, singles, and groups
- Kink-based forums for like-minded adults
- Browse KinkyPeopleMeet profiles 100% free »
KinkyPeopleMeet makes it easy to find people who have the same proclivities and fantasies. I had a lot of fun and felt comfortable in this sex-positive world. Chat rooms are low-pressure and flirty, and private messaging is open to anybody with a good pickup line.
Pros
- Anonymous profiles
- Fetishes on display
- No kink shaming
Cons
- Free members can’t see videos
- Few rural matches
KinkyPeopleMeet offers several ways to connect. There are kink-based search tools, niche chat rooms, and photo galleries full of people interested in experimenting in the bedroom.
Most of the messages I got were simple greetings, but a few pushed the boundaries, including one man boldly asking “would you let me tie you up?” Everyone chooses a username (a lot of them have descriptors like “big” or “hot”), so it’s a liberating space for dirty talk.
4. 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 has a quick signup process that only required my email address. I got access in less than one minute. The hookup site keeps everything simple and doesn’t require mutual matching to message.
I noticed a strong preference toward anonymity here. Short bios. One photo. Since profiles lacked much personal information, physical attraction was the primary connection driver.
Pros
- Search in different cities
- Usernames instead of first names
- Photos don’t have to show faces
Cons
- Little profile verification
- No video chat
- Limits on free membership
SparkMeets has search filters by age, location, eye color, hair color, and even tattoos. I could search in any city in the country I registered in. Then there’s a Like Gallery, which shows one profile at a time, similar to Tinder’s swipe carousel.
Upgrading to a premium membership ($2.99 for a three-day trial) unlocks additional benefits, like clearing your browser history, sending messages, and receiving read receipts.
5. 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 to spice things up. Members who are feeling flirty can send pictures and videos in the private messaging windows. Fling profiles put turn-ons and kinks front and center, so members can cut right to the chase and start sexting.
- Fun video technology
- Free anonymous browsing
- No location limits on searches
- Browse Fling.com profiles 100% free »
Finding sex online can feel daunting for newbies, but Fling.com aims to make it easier with fun prompts focused on sexual preferences. The hookup site cultivates an open, inviting atmosphere to get explicit about desires and fantasies. And real names aren’t required.
Pros
- Engaging games and videos
- Free perks for active members
- AI-generated icebreaker suggestions
Cons
- Inactive profiles
- Videos require credits to unlock
I was pleasantly surprised at how descriptive and honest profiles were. I could learn a lot about a person before deciding to message or send a like (both of which is free).
Fling.com gives users a hotness rating, which shows how active and responsive they are. Members can provide feedback on chats by marking them as “Nice” or “Rude.” And active members receive more perks like greater visibility and more matching privileges.
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 tons of sexy content to keep things hot 24/7. This online playground allows singles and swingers to explore their fantasies, without judgment or harassment.
I only needed an email address to get onboard, and it took about three minutes start to finish. I skipped the photo upload step at the end and still could access all the free spaces.
Pros
- Real names and photos not required
- X-rated content
- Free commenting and public posts
Cons
- Can be overwhelming
- Some paywalls
Think of FriendFinder-X as a combination of a porn hub and online dating site. It’s filled with user-generated X-rated content and erotica, and it’s got a public forum for flirty conversations. I even saw some swingers planning a meetup and sending an open invite to anyone in the area.
Free membership on FriendFinder-X allows public commenting and posting, but a premium membership means full access to strip-tease videos and unlimited private messages.
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 »
Adult Friend Finder has been in the business of helping singles, couples, and groups since the 1990s. With over 105 million ads, the adult dating site continues to offer the biggest platform for casual encounters in the world.
Pros
- Massive nude photo collection
- Age verification required
- Anonymous profiles
Cons
- Women get more attention than men
- Must upgrade for private chats
It’s easy to sign up, post a personal ad, view nude galleries, and take part in spicy chat rooms, all for free. I think the biggest hang-up here is having so many options that it can be time-consuming to navigate. Nudity filters helped me not get distracted by all the body parts on display.
Although the popular site was hacked a decade ago, users can be confident that AFF has learned from its mistakes, and the time-tested privacy features mean total anonymity and orgasmic fun are both within reach.
LGBTQ+ Hookup Sites
Seeking a same-sex match can be difficult in the mainstream dating world, and that’s why certain niche spaces have become popular for LGBTQ+ mingling. We rank the following sites highly because they have great reputations for inclusivity and sexual exploration.
8. 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 »
As a gay hookup site, MenNation stands out from the pack by combining sex with community. If you’re a man seeking men, this space can satisfy your curiosity with video feeds, photo galleries, chat groups, public ads, and private DMs.
Pros
- All male sex-driven content
- Interactive video feeds
- Free commenting
Cons
- Paywalls on private messaging
- Fetishization of gay types
In addition to hookup ads in the forums, MenNation offers live video content and photos to get your motor running. Free members can view all the naughty pics they want and post comments. The only paywalls are on private DMs and certain videos.
Premium members also get access to Buzzmode, a tool that lets you control a wearable sex toy that a live streamer is using.
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 »
Grindr is a well-known name when it comes to gay hookup apps — and for good reason. Since 2009, it has catered to men in the LGBTQ+ community by using location-based matching to help them network in real time.
I think many of us are familiar with the swiping game at this point, and Grindr has absolutely perfected it. Putting hot photos first and making sure everyone you see is within a few miles of your current location.
Pros
- Mutual matches chat free
- Prioritizes local profiles
- Safeguards against harassment
Cons
- Overly superficial
- Ghosting is commonplace
The Grindr app remains one of the most popular apps for gay, bisexual, and queer men to cruise, no matter their sexual orientation. It’s not exclusively for hookups, so you might occasionally see guys looking for friends or relationships. The majority though are up for a one-night stand.
10. Plenty of Fish
Plenty of Fish’s claim to fame is its free communication. Lesbians will never have to pay a cent to read or send messages on this dating site and app. This dating field is brimming with activity, and it doesn’t take a lot of effort make a match and start a conversation. Thanks to its values-driven matchmaking, Plenty of Fish creates over 57 million new connections every week.
- Supports single lesbians seeking love and relationships
- A popular dating site for meaningful conversations
- Ability to report and block any unsavory characters
- Browse Plenty of Fish profiles 100% free »
Plenty of Fish is a free dating site that attracts a casual dating crowd. It’s so famous, it even got a namedrop in the Lady Gaga video for “Telephone.” All messaging here is free and doesn’t require a match first, so that can be a pretty big game changer for app users.
You might need to spend a bit more time vetting profiles, but for a no-cost platform, it’s a reasonable trade-off.
Pros
- Anyone can message anyone
- A variety of search filters
Cons
- Time-consuming to browse
- No video features
- Users have mixed intentions
The POF community sees about 4 million active users daily. That isn’t as big as Tinder, but it’s decent for individuals in relatively populated areas. I had no trouble attracting likes, views, and messages with a bare-bones profile. Within my first week, I’d gotten over 100 profile views.
11. OkCupid
OkCupid is a staunch ally of the LGBTQ+ community. The dating site and app made headlines in 2013 when it introduced 22 gender options and 13 orientation options to dating profiles. Few dating platforms have gone to such lengths to ensure that it represents everyone across the sexuality spectrum, and we give it props for connecting gay, bi, and queer men around the world.
- Gay men can express themselves in lengthy profiles
- Expanded orientation options includes pansexual and demisexual men
- Match lists only show guys who meet your criteria
- Browse OkCupid profiles 100% free »
OkCupid launched in 2004 with the goal of keeping every essential feature free, and every CEO who has jumped on board has held to that promise. This site is a leader in LGBTQ+ dating because it was among the first to open its gender and orientation identifiers beyond the binary. It currently has 22 gender options.
Pros
- Detailed profiles that state intentions
- Fluid dating tags
- Fun quiz questions
Cons
- A lot of wordy profiles
- Must compete for attention
The first message is always free on OkCupid (and so are all the other messages), but users will need to form a mutual match to send more than just the one message.
My experience using OkCupid was a positive one as my husband messaged me on the app in 2019. The personality quiz questions and dating profile setup ensure you know a lot about another person before you even say hello.
Other Sites Like Craigslist to Consider
We’ve dived deep into the online dating scene, and let me tell you, there are way more than just 11 options for casual connections. The sites we’ve recommended above fall mostly in the category of “online dating apps” or “hookup sites.”
If you’re more interested in classified listings similar to Craigslist, here are the most popular ones:
These sites all have a classifieds feel and are geared toward casual romance. But their verification and moderation policies are not as robust as that of mainstream dating sites, so proceed with caution here.
FAQs: Why Did Craigslist Remove Its Dating Personals?
After the passage of the Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act and the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act in 2018, Craigslist removed its personals section entirely. The official statement said they couldn’t risk their overall website over the actions of a few unsanctioned users.
Craigslist no doubt felt vindicated in making the right decision when law enforcement seized and closed the Backpage website a month later.
Can I Safely Meet Someone on Craigslist?
Yes, this is still a thing. Although Craigslist shut down the personals section in 2018, enterprising people continue to use the platform to advertise for casual encounters, usually through a fake ad for something else. It’s hard to completely eradicate such behavior.
Definitely exercise caution when meeting people on Craigslist. Ever heard of the Craigslist killer? This space isn’t known for ironclad security. Identities aren’t confirmed, and especially as AI technology improves, it’s increasingly difficult to spot liars online.
Before you agree to a first date, try to arrange for a phone call or a quick video call to check things out first. Once you decide to meet up, choose a coffee shop or another public place. Take reasonable blind-date precautions… and have an exit strategy just in case.
Methodology: How We Rank Hookup Sites
I’ve been writing reviews and lists like these since 2015, and in the process I’ve joined just about every popular dating site and app on the market (from Adult Friend Finder to Zoosk). Our team doesn’t write about a platform that we haven’t tested and experienced for ourselves.
When I’m testing a hookup site, my criteria is all about intentionality, affordability, and anonymity. I’m looking to see if a typical user could expect to keep their identity private and still meet sexually active people online.
Here are the three key points I’m assessing in my rankings:
- Is It Active? Test profiles should get at least a handful of likes, views, or messages within the first week online.
- Is It Safe? The verification steps and security measures should do a reasonably good job at blocking fake profiles.
- Is It Affordable? The free experience should have few limitations.
It doesn’t have to be a completely free experience, but it should offer a lot of value and a decent shot at meeting real dates.
I give a hookup site high marks when I see unique features that look out for the interests of sex seekers, particularly when it comes to staying anonymous or identifying sexual preferences.
And even after we determine our ranking, we continually go back to update and reevaluate the services based on changes made by the site or user traffic on the page. We take reader opinions into account, so if one hookup site seems to be getting more clicks than the others, we’ll boost it in the rankings.
Dating Sites Offer More Security Than a Craigslist Hookup
It’s been years, but many singles still miss the Craigslist personals section. Its absence created an opportunity for new (hopefully safer) services to crop up. Numerous alternatives now offer anonymity and a judgment-free environment for finding hookup partners.
The benefit of browsing profiles online is the utter privacy of it all. No one in your real life has to know what you’re getting up to in the late hours of the night. And you don’t even have to give your real name or upload a photo to join most of these sites.
Don’t put your body at risk while working on your body count! Try a hookup site and get your fix safely.
