The best sexting apps for those NSFW exchanges

The breakdown: Confide(opens in a new tab) was created based on the idea that your online conversations should be as private as your in-person conversations. According to the site, Confide's goal is to allow users to have "honest, unfiltered, off-the-record conversations." It focuses heavily on the "no screenshot" factor. Using "ScreenShield technology," all messages sent and received on Confide(opens in a new tab) can only be read one line at a time. To read, users either run their finger or mouse over the message line-by-line until they have read the entire thing (lines disappear immediately after they're read). Confide will also never show a user's name on the same screen as the message. 

Why it's good for sexting: Nothing quite knocks the libido out of you like finding out your private messages have been screenshot and shared against your will. While a screenshot "notification" might be better than no notification at all, we're pretty sure you'd rather the screenshot just not exist. Confide(opens in a new tab) is your saving grace in that respect since a screenshot of one line of a sext without your name attached isn't likely to be very incriminating. 

The breakdown: Plenty of Fish(opens in a new tab) really has all the makings of a great sexting app. First of all, its reported registered user base numbers are over 150 million worldwide. As its name would suggest, there are plenty of fish in this sea, and odds are, some of them are looking to sext. To conveniently narrow your search, the dating app's (somewhat long) introductory survey allows you to specify what you're looking for upfront. When you choose "something casual/no commitment," you're much more likely to find someone in the same boat as you, which can shorten the whole "what are you looking for" step of getting to know someone.

Discretion is also something to be valued at Plenty of Fish since they don't require you to connect to any social media when signing up. Technically, you don't even have to use your real name — a username will suffice. Once your profile is created, you can search random profiles based on the criteria of your choice, use their UltraMatch feature, which matches you based on compatibility, their “meet me” feature, which is basically the dating site's hot-or-not option, or just see who’s nearby. All communication between members is totally free, so you don't have much to lose. 

Game-changer: Plenty of Fish rolled out some new features(opens in a new tab) in 2020 that definitely upped its sexting potential. Users can now date over video and even livestream to a group (!). This lets users get more personal by seeing and even hearing each other in real-time (which, let's face it, can be a lot hotter than words on a screen) without having to divulge their phone number. 

Not for impatient sexters:  Aside from a lengthy sign-up process, some of the features on Plenty of Fish are designed to encourage longer interactions. We imagine few things are worse than realizing you don’t even vibe with someone after you’ve already sent them mirror shots of your private bits. 

Read our full review of AdultFriendFinder.

The breakdown: Snapchat(opens in a new tab) has moved its way up the app food chain to become a staple in the mainstream social media roster, putting it on a level playing field with Facebook and Instagram. But we haven’t forgotten its early roots stepping into the spotlight as the OG sexting app. 

You can add all the filters and celebrity stories you want, but Snapchat(opens in a new tab) is still a great sexting app. The app’s main original function enables you to send pictures to other users, which automatically disappear within a few seconds. Users can choose a time limit of 1-10 seconds, or choose the infinity option, which lets the recipient view the photo for as long as they want before they close out of the window. Additionally, the app also has a feature that notifies the sender if the recipient screenshots their photo. What that means: you can send bae a brief glimpse of the goods without worrying if they’re secretly showing it to others behind your back. 

Why it's good for sexting: The more people are on a platform, the more chances you have to find what you’re looking for. 

Cons: While the screenshot notification gives you the benefit of knowing when someone screenshots your pictures, it doesn’t really do much for you after the fact. All you can really do at that point is confront the person and hope they’re respectful of your privacy. 

The breakdown: Few haven't heard of Tinder(opens in a new tab), the widely-used hookup dating app that originated the "swipe right for yes, left for no" concept. The way Tinder works is pretty much just that. Users create a profile to which they can connect their Facebook and Instagram accounts. After filling in some basic info and typing a brief bio (usually no more than three sentences), users can get to swiping. The app shows you other users based on location, and if you find one you like, just swipe right. If someone you like also swipes right for you, it's a match, and you can proceed to message each other. 

Why it's good for sexting: While Tinder(opens in a new tab) is technically a dating app, its reputation tends to skew more toward a hookup app. But unlike more serious, paid apps like Match, Tinder tends to attract people who are open to something casual. Tinder's setup also makes for super easy browsing without the hassle of creating an in-depth profile, so you don't have to fill out all the compatibility-focused questions and can instead focus on the reason you're really there — to find someone you think is hot enough to sext with.

The upgraded memberships come with nice perks if you're using the app for sexting, too. With a Tinder Plus membership, you can choose to keep your profile information private until you like another user's profile. With Tinder Gold, you can see who likes you before you swipe, and swipe around the world (for some cultured dirty talk). Finally, with Tinder Platinum, you don't even need to match with someone to message them — just slide into the DMs immediately. 

Bonus: According to a survey, over 70% of Tinder users never actually meet up(opens in a new tab) with their matches in person. Normally this wouldn't be considered a bonus but in the world of sexting? All we hear is "popular dating app where there's not a lot of pressure to actually meet up." Ding ding ding. We have a winner. 

The breakdown: Dust(opens in a new tab) is another Snapchat-like app that focuses on disappearing messages with the addition of encryption. Though you can connect your social networks in order to see which of your contacts are also using the app, Dust doesn't require you to sign up with anything other than a username and password. Messages are never permanently stored and are all erased after 24 hours, whether they've been read or not. Additionally, users can delete messages from their/other users' phones. Screenshot notifications are a thing, and like Confide, Dust(opens in a new tab) will never show your name on the same page as your message, so a screenshot can never tie you directly to a bit of text.

Why it's good for sexting: Dust(opens in a new tab) is theoretically totally untraceable since you don't have to use self-identifying information to sign up, and nothing is ever permanently stored. However, even the most careful sexters have slip-ups and may reveal too much, which is why the "delete message" feature is great. 

Downsides: Dust actually does prevent screenshots in some spaces on the app (like messaging), but only on Android. But for other operating systems: anyone can still screenshot what you send, so keep that in mind.

Read our full review of Zoosk.

Read our comparison of Zoosk vs. Match.

The breakdown: Zoosk(opens in a new tab) is one of those dating apps that tries to be the best at everything. It's not clear who the app is for. It markets itself as the app to find the one and the app to just have fun and hook up. But, it ends up stretching itself too thin and is subpar for everyone. Like Match, Zoosk gives you a wide variety of ways to browse profiles, including its Carousel feature and Smartpicks option, which is a list of profiles Zoosk recommends. And, although Zoosk (supposedly) has a huge user base of over 40 million singles worldwide, they're super inactive and sometimes just bogus bot accounts. While they claim to offer a photo verification option where users can verify their photos to ensure they actually look like their pictures, it's not very effective at all times.

Why it's good for sexting: Aside from a large pool of members and an easy-to-use app (because it looks like something straight out of 2009), Zoosk's photo verification factor can be really helpful when it comes to sexting. In a world where fake profiles and catfishes are commonplace, knowing that who you're chatting with is actually as hot as you think they are can add a whole new level of excitement to your sext life.

Downside: Zoosk(opens in a new tab) doesn't offer any sort of screenshot protection. However, by paying for membership you're less likely to worry about reaching out to inactive accounts and wasting time talking to people who don't intend to get the most out of the app. Zoosk has also faced legal action for data breaches(opens in a new tab) in the past.