The best sex and dating apps for hooking up

Read our full review of AdultFriendFinder.

Tinder(opens in a new tab) may not want to advertise as such, but we all know what it's mostly used for. 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, so you can see how getting laid would be the main goal of most users. 

It's fast, 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 that it's nearly impossible to not find like-minded people who are also DTF.

Though it's pretty much free for general use, Tinder does offer three upgrades: Tinder Plus, Tinder Gold, and Tinder Platinum. These include extras like the opportunity to undo a left swipe, 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. 

We know what you're thinking: "How am I going to find a hookup on a relationship site?" Yes, we know Match(opens in a new tab) isn't the raunchiest place, but it also has a massive user base (7.4 million paid users, to be exact) so even if you're not looking for a long-term relationship like many members, there's a pretty high chance you'll find a users also looking for something risqué (anything can be a hookup app if you want it to be, right?).

One main difference between Match and most of the other sites we've listed (other than AdultFriendFinder maybe) is that Match sees a way more diverse age range. Sure, there are loads 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 perfect alternative. You'll obviously have to fill out some survey questions about your likes and dislikes, so this isn't the place for impatient people. However, it would be a good idea to let the public know exactly the type of relationship you're looking for in your bio, just to make sure it doesn't get awkward if someone wants a second date. Don't worry, it's less serious than eharmony and gives you much more freedom to clown around — we'd just suggest that you at least be open to the idea of a serious relationship after a hookup if you're going to be on Match. You have to test drive the car before you buy it, right?

Match is also great because you're pretty much in control: You'll get a certain number of matches that they think you'll like per day, but you also have free reign over the search bar and can see who's nearby. This means you're able to feel out the selection and see if there are any certified hotties in your area, rather than waiting for them to give you choices or going one by one (like on Tinder). They might not have as much in common with you as your suggested matches would, but hey, does that really matter when it comes to a one-night stand?

With an absolutely massive member base and unique features, XMatch(opens in a new tab) is one of the top sites out there offering all kinds of sex. 

XMatch caters to users seeking sexual encounters of every variety, making hooking up easier than ever before. It’s the epitome of an adult dating website, and in many ways, the hookup site more closely resembles a porn site with an extra layer of social networking thrown in. 

Like much of the activity (and users) on the site, registration is easy, allowing members to dive into their sexual fantasies in under a minute. The site is widely uncensored, so it’s not exactly one you’d want to open on your work computer, but behind all the overt sexual expression lies a dating platform that provides hand-picked matches, a way to discover others based on similar sexual interests, and seemingly endless opportunities to network while turning yourself and others on. 

The site is literally called iHookup(opens in a new tab) and it's used for exactly what it sounds like — need we say anything else? 

It's slightly less risqué than its main competitor AdultFriendFinder, but still clearly used for the same thing. One of the main differences between iHookup and the numerous other sites used for hookups is that your feed won't make you feel like you've been violated. Members actually post pictures of their faces (instead of their nether regions) and put effort into their profiles. It's a really nice change of pace for people who are in the mood, but not so in the mood that they need porn shoved in their face. (It's still X-rated though, don't you worry — you'll realise that when you're bombarded by gross ads.)

On the downside, the website is more of a Facebook for horny people than an all-encompassing hookup site. There aren't nearly as many ways to get involved with other horny members, and that might just be because the user base simply isn't as big (however, give it a year or two and we wouldn't be surprised if it competed with the ranks of eharmony). iHookup also offers many "what are you like?" and "what are you looking for?" questions that can be displayed on your profile, and they even give you a "between the sheets" sex compatibility ranking for each user you come across. To see everything the site has to offer, you will have to dig a bit deeper. It seems kind of pricey for a site that hasn't yet made its mark on the world, but they guarantee that if you don't get a hookup in your first three months, they'll give you three months for free. 

Because the member base isn't as robust and is more spread out geographically, you might want to be a little more lenient with your mile radius when it comes to the matches they suggest. You'll probably be able to find a nearby hookup, but iHookup is a way better place for someone looking for a cute sexting partner from another country. Which is totally fine — sometimes you just don't feel like leaving the house. 

GetitOn(opens in a new tab) is all about helping adults meet their sexual equal, and that's really what hooking up is all about, isn't it?

GetitOn includes everything you would expect from a dating site, with one major extra. The site goes beyond the basic format of most hookup sites and offers an adult compatibility test to help you find a partner who is compatible in bed. 

The idea behind the sexual compatibility test is to enable you to specify your sexual chemistry in terms of likes, dislikes, fetishes, and fantasies. The result is that you (hopefully) find someone who gets your motor running, and vice versa.

There is a free version to try out the site, but most of the features are blocked. So if you really do want to find your sexual equal, you'll have to dig deep.

Specialising in discreet sexual encounters, No Strings Attached is perfect for anyone looking to have an affair. 

The site works for singles looking for attached individuals, just as much as it is for attached individuals looking for sexual arrangements outside of their current situation. 

Due to the heavy influence of video on the site, including member-uploaded videos, live streams, and video broadcast ability, the site also meets the needs of those interested in cyber sex encounters. 

No Strings Attached(opens in a new tab) caters to single or attached individuals looking for discreet casual sex, either in-person or online. 

GayFriendFinder(opens in a new tab) is a gay community where single men meet other men for chat, dating, and hook-ups. So pretty much anything you could want.

The site has great chat and forum features to help you get to know your potential connection. You'll be encouraged to upload photos to make your profile more attractive but you are under no obligation to do so. Joining is completely free but most communication as well as viewing full profiles requires paid membership, so if you want to find a match then you kind of need to stump up the cash. 

After you've signed up, you can browse the many profiles that have a truly global feel. Even as a standard member you can create hot-lists and send ice-breakers to guys that take your fancy, but to initiate contact via email or chat you'll need to upgrade.

SwingTowns(opens in a new tab) is made for swingers who are looking to connect with other singles or couples for sexual encounters.

Set up and registration is fast and easy, and leaves you with a profile, complete with profile photo and background image, much like Facebook.

SwingTowns doesn't require heaps of information from you. You are just asked to give a little basic information about yourself, as well as the kind of partner you are looking for (single, couples, bisexual, gay, etc).

Also similar to Facebook is the news feed feature, where you’ll see new photos and updates of people you follow, as well as general trending posts within the larger community. This feature can also be toggled so you only recieve posts from people in the same region as you.

There are a number of search options available on the website. So if you are looking to get multiple players in on the act, you are in luck. You can utilise the search function if you are interested in polyamorous relationships.