Best hookup apps and dating sites to find casual sex with no strings attached

Who it's for:

If you believe that a potential partner's political stance or social consciousness is just as important as their physical features, OkCupid can lead you to the sexy, woke side of the internet.

Whether you're passionate about social justice or political activism or just want to have a meaningful conversation, OkCupid goes beyond surface-level attraction and allows you to find genuine connections with like-minded individuals.

This isn't your typical hookup app — it's a place where like-minded individuals come to connect on a deeper level.

Why we picked this:

This hip LGBTQ-friendly site has won the hearts of liberal millennial singles by dedicating a portion of its profile-building prompts to the current political climate: weed, guns, vaccinations, women's rights, and more topics are covered. This coupled with badges for voting and open pronoun and orientation options helps to reel in an informed, respectful, and sex-positive crowd. Dry-humored graphics do a lot to alleviate pressure, too.

While a paid plan offers the most extensive features, you can still use its search filters without ever paying a dime. In other words, you can literally search for the keyword "hookup" — or any other common interests that might be important to you — and see what users have those words in their profile. Even easier is marking down the type of connection you're looking for on profile preferences — both "new friends" and "hookups" are options.

On a website that can lean more relationship-oriented, it's still simple to find people looking for the same casual connection as you. 

Who it's for:

Hinge is *officially* geared more toward relationships, but if you're upfront with your intentions, it's as useful of a hookup app as Tinder — especially in more populated areas.

Hinge(opens in a new tab) marries the modern, instantaneous feel of swipe-based apps and the relationship-focused atmosphere of sites like eharmony(opens in a new tab) or Match(opens in a new tab). Hinge literally labels itself the relationship app or, as I prefer, the "anti-Tinder(opens in a new tab)." You scroll like Instagram, creating a smoother (and less judge-y) feel than swiping. It's a chill alternative for singles down for a hookup but would see where things go with the right person.

Why we picked this:

With the free version, you can send up to eight likes per day (unlimited with the paid version) and set preferences based on age, ethnicity, and religion. If you're searching for a hookup, this level of compatibility might not be necessary, so you're probably good with the free version.

Though it may attract a relationship-seeking crowd, one of Hinge's newest features is your profile's "Dating Intentions" section. This feature lets you specify your dating intentions directly on your profile, alongside other key information like location and age. While it may not include explicit hookup-specific language, it sets the tone — and tells you probably not to send a message to the cutie looking for a "Life Partner." Ever up to date with the times, Hinge has also added a section to indicate whether you're looking for a monogamous or non-monogamous relationship (or if you're figuring it out).

Read our full review of AdultFriendFinder.

Who it's for:

If you're looking for a casual hookup and prefer a straightforward and no-frills approach to online dating, Tinder is the app for you.

Tinder(opens in a new tab) may not want to advertise as such, but it doesn't have the reputation as a hookup app for no reason. Yeah yeah, we know the amount of success stories of happy couples who met on Tinder is growing rapidly, but it's way easier to find a date for the night than it is to find someone looking for a long-term relationship. Using Tinder for the latter includes deciding if you want to interact with someone based on nothing but profile pictures and a quote from The Office, so yeah, you can see how getting laid would be the main goal of most users. 

Why we picked this:

It's fast and easy, and if there's one app that even the shyest, most skeptical people will be on, it's Tinder. Sure, you may get carpal tunnel from swiping so much, but I guess that also means it's nearly impossible not to find like-minded people who are also DTF. Profiles with a blue checkmark indicate that the person has been verified with a video selfie, so you can stay safe even while swiping for nothing serious.

Though it's pretty much free for general use, Tinder does offer three upgrades: Tinder+, Tinder Gold, and Tinder Platinum. These include extras(opens in a new tab) like the opportunity to undo a left swipe (bless), send "Super Likes" to people you're really into, see who has swiped right on your profile, and in the case of Tinder Platinum, message users before they've even matched with you. 

Who it's for:

Grindr(opens in a new tab) is the go-to hookup app for gay guys. It's one of the only mainstream dating apps for gay men, and you can truly find a range of relationship types through the platform — yes, obviously, this includes casual hookups.

Why we picked this:

On the surface, Grindr is a hookup-oriented app, so finding another guy looking for a one-night stand or friends with benefits won't be too much work. The app is location-based, so instead of swiping, you can message anyone nearby, making it pretty much as easy as finding someone to link up with within the hour. You can set your expectations about what you're looking for and whether or not you accept NSFW pics, but don't be surprised if you're greeted with an unsolicited dick pic or two, regardless of your preferences.

That's not to say that Grindr isn't also a place to find serious relationships, but that's not what you came here for. Grindr is technically for gay, bi, trans, and queer people, but you'll mostly find cis men on there. 

Who it's for:

Pure is the place to be if you're looking for uncomplicated and no-strings-attached hookups without the pressure of defining the relationship. Say goodbye to mixed signals and awkward conversations about "What are we?" Pure is where you can find a booty call who won't try to text you earlier than midnight.

The app's rules encourage users to "pretend like you're strangers afterward," making no-strings-attached sex the only name of the game. The surge of blatant sex positivity is a breath of fresh air compared to other dating apps that try to convince you that you'll find your soulmate.

Why we picked this:

Pure offers a unique and discreet approach to casual hookups. The app's self-destructing feature ensures that your uploaded selfies, personal information, and conversations disappear after 60 minutes, promoting spur-of-the-moment and borderline anonymous hookups. There aren't even any profiles — it's just a feed of personal ads that let you get directly to the point of what you're looking for. People on the app aren't shy, which means you can put exactly what you want out of hookup and expect that you'll get some responses.

After you write your ad, the app uses your geolocation and sends out the sex version of an Uber request, so you won't have to worry about finding out your match lives across the country. 

Though you can find someone down for pretty much anything, Pure doesn't have that same sketchy vibe as Adult Friend Finder. If you receive a photo that looks like it might be a nude, for instance, the app will cover it with a filter that literally says, "Looks like a nude," so you can choose whether or not you want to see it.

Plus, using filters is free, a nice perk when trying to find someone to get down with, even if you're not looking for anything serious. Of course, you should still be smart about meeting up with strangers, but for no-strings-attached relationships, Pure is a pretty good place to be. 

Who it's for:

HER is a platform created by and for queer women, providing a safe and inclusive space to connect with women and nonbinary folks without worrying about being sexualized by skeevy men. While HER isn't exclusively designed for hookups, it offers a vibrant community where you can explore casual encounters or even find meaningful relationships. With over four million active users, the app is brimming with opportunity.

Why we picked this:

If you're looking for a simple way to mention you're not springing to jump into anything long-term, the "Looking for" section of the profile provides a "something casual" tag that'll be displayed out in the open on your profile. To streamline your search, you can filter users by this tag (and more) if you're willing to pay for a membership. Adding it to your profile is completely free of charge, though. 

Beyond focusing on romantic and sexual relationships, HER has created an inclusive space for the 2SLGBTQ+ community. This is an excellent breeding ground for friends with benefits. 

HER lets you use your phone number, email, Apple ID, or Facebook/Instagram account to sign up. Like other apps on this list, HER has added a check mark badge to photo-verified profiles. The app even runs like Facebook with a feed filled with events, media, and more specifically tailored to the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

Who it's for:

Whether you're in the mood for a leisurely swiping session or you're ready to get straight to chatting, this app offers the best of both worlds.

While the initial sign-up questionnaire may give the impression that Plenty of Fish (POF) leans more towards relationship-oriented connections, the app's main draw is that you can chat with any user, even if you haven't matched — that includes seeing who's nearby and online. This ease of communication means finding someone not looking for anything serious isn't all that difficult. 

Why we picked this:

With POF, you can also mark in your profile that you're looking for something casual, giving you an easy way to chat with someone a bit before deciding to meet up without giving the wrong impression. And if you feel like doing a bit of screening before saying hello, there is a tab where you can swipe through potential matches. Plus, if you're more into exchanging steamy messages than meeting in person, you can set your search radius to a worldwide radius free of charge.

It can be a little bot-filled, you can't look for men and women at the same time, and its livestream feature sets up more of a creator-viewer relationship than a two-people-trying-to-sleep-together relationship, but if you ignore that tab, you'll find that with its four million daily users(opens in a new tab), you really do have quite a few options with Plenty of Fish.

Who it's for:

Feeld is a unique and inclusive dating app designed for people who are interested in exploring their sexuality and embracing ethical non-monogamy.

This app caters to diverse identities, including the LGBTQ+ community, non-binary users, or anyone who doesn't fit into the typical relationship mold. It provides a safe and judgment-free space where users can express their true selves without fear of stigma or judgment.

Whether you're single, in a committed partnership, or somewhere in between, Feeld welcomes people from all walks of life who are open to expanding their romantic and sexual horizons.

Why we picked this:

Sometimes a hookup includes more than one other person, but finding people down for a threesome (or more-some) isn't always the easiest task. Don't be that asshole who goes on a dating app and matches with someone only to later reveal your intentions of finding a third.

Feeld(opens in a new tab) is where everyone on the app is on the same page about what they're seeking. It's an open-minded community that allows you to choose from more than 20 sexual and gender identities, pair your profile with your partner's, list your desires, and create group chats. So yeah, you can narrow down exactly what you're looking for.

The app is sex-positive without looking like a computer virus popup. You can sign up for Feeld as a couple or as a single to practice consensual polyamory (AKA, people openly participating in non-monogamous relationships rather than people secretly cheating on their partners). 

Feeld is free to use but has a paid Majestic membership with bonus features like seeing people who liked you, filtering by desires, sharing private photos, and incognito browsing.

Who it's for:

While match is known for finding a long-term partner, its large and diverse user base also includes individuals who are open to other relationship dynamics, including casual hookups. So, if you're of a slightly more mature demographic, but are still looking for a short-term, no-strings-attached connection, match is a solid option.

Why we picked this:

Anything can be a hookup app if you want it to be, right? We know match(opens in a new tab) isn't the raunchiest place (it's actually known for its relationship success rate), but its massive user base of over seven million people can't be ignored. Even if you're not looking for a long-term relationship like many members, there's a pretty high chance you'll find a ton of users also down for something risqué. 

One main difference between match and most of the other sites we've listed is that match sees a way more diverse age range. Sure, there are a ton of young people on match who are probably on Tinder as well, but match also attracts significantly older, more mature (and probably more experienced in bed) users. If you're at an age where you feel nothing but creepy on Tinder, match is a nice alternative. 

Read our full review of Match.

Who it's for:

In theory, Zoosk is an option for literally anyone. It's known for having a large user base, which should be great for finding a quick hookup, but in reality, the app is full of dead and fake profiles. We only recommend Zoosk if you've exhausted all other dating app options.

Why we picked this:

Zoosk(opens in a new tab) sports a flirty "pick up and go" philosophy when it comes to online dating, so they won't make you answer a torturous string of questions about yourself. Instead, Zoosk monitors your on-site activity and attempts to give you better matches based on what you already like, so if the idea of minimal effort appeals to you, Zoosk might be your place. There are, however, a few caveats.

Specifying the age range and gender you're looking for in a partner does little to narrow down your options. That might be fine for a strict hookup, but finding something past friends with benefits will require more help. Or, at least in theory, it would. Zoosk may boast 40 million members, but it also has some dead or fake profile problems, so chances are you'll see some repeat users. It's also not uncommon for the site to show you people living thousands of miles away, so it might require more patience if you're looking for an in-person connection.

Next caveat: If you are a bi person, you need to make two accounts to look for both men and women. Zoosk will let you set up a second account(opens in a new tab) at no additional cost, but it feels like the easier solution would be to, I don't know, let users look at men and women at the same time. Speaking of gender, there's no support for users who identify as any gender other than a man or woman, so that's disappointing.

The other main drawback is, again, the amount of fake or dead profiles makes this place seem like the dating site version of The Walking Dead. Of course, all dating sites have their fair share of duds, but Zoosk is just feeling that plague a bit more intensely (we've heard it's mostly female profiles).

Like most sites, there is a free version, but it's worthless — AKA you'll need to pay to do anything, including sending messages and, in some cases, making matches. 

Read our full review of Zoosk.