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The best hookup apps, reviewed: I swiped until my thumb hurt. Tabitha Britt is a freelance writer and editor. Aside from reviewing dating apps and sex toys for Mashable, Tabitha is also the founding editor-in-chief of DO YOU ENDO — a digital magazine by individuals with endometriosis, for individuals with endometriosis.
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She has a Master's degree in Creative Publishing and Critical Journalism from The New School of Social Research and is a grad of Sextech School. You can find more of her work in various online pubs, including National Geographic , Insider , Kinkly , and others. on November 8, 2025. Editors and writers independently select products unless marked Sponsored or Promoted. Sponsored content is a paid ad, while content marked Promoted is chosen by Ziff Davis leadership. We may earn an affiliate commission if you buy through our links. Promoted cards do not include input from individual authors. Overview. Best hookup app. Tinder. Jump to Details. Go to Tinder. For those looking for sex. AdultFriendFinder. Jump to Details. Go to AdultFriendFinder. Best anonymous hookup app. Pure. Jump to Details. Go to Pure. Best dating app for regular hookups. Hinge. Jump to Details. Go to Hinge. Best hookup app for women. Bumble. Jump to Details. Go to Bumble. Best new hookup app. HUD. Jump to Details. Best for open relationships. Feeld. Jump to Details. Go to Feeld. Best for queer men. Grindr. Jump to Details. Go to Grindr. Best for queer women. HER. Jump to Details. Best dating app for inclusivity. OkCupid. Jump to Details. Go to OkCupid. Best for cruising. Sniffies. Jump to Details. Go to Sniffies. Honorable mention. FetLife. Jump to Details. Go to FetLife. See 7 More. Table of Contents. Table of Contents. In the age of on-demand everything , it’s no surprise that we can get dates" (and I use that term loosely) hot to go with the tap of a button. Thanks to the best hookup apps, finding a sexy new friend can be just as easy as ordering a pizza. As for the quality, well, that’s probably the same too — hit or miss, depending on the time of day, where you're located, and how hungry you are. Fortunately, you’ve got me, your resident dating app expert (though I prefer modern-day Carrie Bradshaw), to guide you. I've personally vetted all of the best dating apps to separate the contenders from the pretenders. I also consulted a panel of sex and relationship experts to make sure my picks are solid. What to know before you swipe. My number one rule is to be brutally honest about what you’re looking for. You’re here for a good time, not a long time — so own it. That also means staying in your lane, don't go looking for a one-night stand on an app like eharmony. Hookup apps for everyone. AdultFriendFinder — readers’ pick for casual connections. Tinder — top pick for finding hookups. Hinge — popular choice for regular meetups. "Hookup apps help prevent situations where people are on mainstream dating sites with the intention of having a casual hookup but are unclear about these intentions," Suzannah Weiss, resident sexologist for Biird and author of Subjectified: Becoming a Sexual Subject , tells Mashable. "They also give women a space to be openly sexual creatures without judgment." And here's a little insider secret I picked up from Alexander Liebisch, the CEO and founder of TinderProfile.ai: Timing is everything. He found that people messaging on Tinder's "free tonight" feature after 10 p.m. on a weekend had a 45 percent higher chance of hooking up. So, whether you're looking for a one-night stand, a regular FWB situation, or just a space to explore your sexuality, I've got you covered. Based on all my hands-on testing and expert consultations, I’ve broken down the best hookup app for every type of person and mood. Tinder. Best hookup app. Go to Tinder. The Good & The Bad. Free version hits you with ads "Swipe fatigue" is real, so prepare for it Very little profile info means you're judging mostly on looks User base skews male. Our review: Who it's for: Even after all my testing, if someone asks for the quickest, no-fuss way to find a hookup, my answer is still Tinder. While it might not explicitly label itself as a hookup app any longer, you know why you're here. And despite losing some users lately, it's still one of the biggest platforms out there, having made 97 billion matches worldwide, and hookups aren't hard to come by. (Pro tip: Use the "Free Tonight" feature, especially on weekends.) It's built for rapid-fire connections, not lengthy love stories (though some people, including Mashable's own Tech Editor, met their long-term partners on the app). Why we picked Tinder: Love it or hate it, Tinder remains one of the most popular dating apps for a reason. It's fast, easy, and reliable, making it an easy choice for my top pick. "Tinder, hands down, is the best app for hookups," Michelle Herzog, LMFT and AASECT-certified sex therapist, tells Mashable. "Over the past decade or so, it’s morphed from being the early 20s hookup central to a place for adults of all ages to go for a quick one-nighter." That popularity is especially true on college campuses. Weiss also notes that, "Tinder is probably the most popular hookup app among college students. There are enough people on it that most users will have no trouble meeting people both on and off campus." Despite attempts to appear more relationship-focused (like evolving "Double Date" into "Modes"), Tinder's heart remains casual. There's also been some positive change in terms of safety and authenticity (which is always a plus). This month, Tinder announced that all new U.S. users will soon be required to complete a facial recognition scan (Face Check) using a video selfie. This "Face Check" was designed to help verify that the user is real, matches their profile photos, and isn't using the same face across multiple accounts. And the initial results seem promising: Tinder reports this has already led to a more than 40 percent decrease in reports of bad actors where implemented. While I always recommend upgrades like Tinder+ or Gold for extra features, this mandatory verification is a big step towards making the platform safer for everyone swiping. Details. Free version: Yes One month of Tinder Plus: $22.48 Six months of Tinder Plus: $90 ($15 per month) One month of Tinder Gold: $36 Six months of Tinder Gold : $126 ($21 per month) One month of Tinder Platinum : $45 Six months of Tinder Platinum : $162 ($27 per month) Go to Tinder. AdultFriendFinder. For those looking for sex. Go to AdultFriendFinder. Our review. Details. Basic version: Free One month of Gold: $27.95 Three months of Gold: $62.82 ($20.95 per month) 12 months of Gold: $179.40 ($14.95 per month) Go to AdultFriendFinder. Pure. Best anonymous hookup app. Go to Pure. The Good & The Bad. Risk of catfish due to anonymity (always be cautious!) Smaller user base compared to mainstream apps, success depends on location. Our review: Who it's for: Pure is for the adventurous dater who is so over the mainstream options and the endless stream of low-effort "heys" on other platforms. If you're looking for uncomplicated, no-strings-attached hookups where you can be direct about your desires without judgment, this is the dating app for you. It's unconventional, artsy, and built for anonymity. In my experience, it's also the place to be if you're looking for witty, steamy conversations or just some super hot phone sex with a stranger. Plus, because the app is completely free for women, it has an impressive 50:50 gender split, the highest in the industry. That's a major draw in a dating app landscape dominated by male users. Why we picked Pure: I picked Pure because it's "hot, weird, and way better than Bumble" for finding a casual connection. Its core features are designed for direct, exciting encounters: chats and photos self-destruct in 24 hours, and the app never even asks for your name, guaranteeing total anonymity. In my four weeks of testing, I was honestly surprised by the results. The conversations were leagues above what I've found on other apps, and I received hundreds of likes daily, even outside of a major city like New York. While anonymity can be a concern, Pure balances it with safety features like Photo Verification and a "True Photo" request, which lets you ask for a live photo in your chat to confirm you're talking to a real person.
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Article:
The best hookup apps, reviewed: I swiped until my thumb hurt. Tabitha Britt is a freelance writer and editor. Aside from reviewing dating apps and sex toys for Mashable, Tabitha is also the founding editor-in-chief of DO YOU ENDO — a digital magazine by individuals with endometriosis, for individuals with endometriosis.
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She has a Master's degree in Creative Publishing and Critical Journalism from The New School of Social Research and is a grad of Sextech School. You can find more of her work in various online pubs, including National Geographic , Insider , Kinkly , and others. on November 8, 2025. Editors and writers independently select products unless marked Sponsored or Promoted. Sponsored content is a paid ad, while content marked Promoted is chosen by Ziff Davis leadership. We may earn an affiliate commission if you buy through our links. Promoted cards do not include input from individual authors. Overview. Best hookup app. Tinder. Jump to Details. Go to Tinder. For those looking for sex. AdultFriendFinder. Jump to Details. Go to AdultFriendFinder. Best anonymous hookup app. Pure. Jump to Details. Go to Pure. Best dating app for regular hookups. Hinge. Jump to Details. Go to Hinge. Best hookup app for women. Bumble. Jump to Details. Go to Bumble. Best new hookup app. HUD. Jump to Details. Best for open relationships. Feeld. Jump to Details. Go to Feeld. Best for queer men. Grindr. Jump to Details. Go to Grindr. Best for queer women. HER. Jump to Details. Best dating app for inclusivity. OkCupid. Jump to Details. Go to OkCupid. Best for cruising. Sniffies. Jump to Details. Go to Sniffies. Honorable mention. FetLife. Jump to Details. Go to FetLife. See 7 More. Table of Contents. Table of Contents. In the age of on-demand everything , it’s no surprise that we can get dates" (and I use that term loosely) hot to go with the tap of a button. Thanks to the best hookup apps, finding a sexy new friend can be just as easy as ordering a pizza. As for the quality, well, that’s probably the same too — hit or miss, depending on the time of day, where you're located, and how hungry you are. Fortunately, you’ve got me, your resident dating app expert (though I prefer modern-day Carrie Bradshaw), to guide you. I've personally vetted all of the best dating apps to separate the contenders from the pretenders. I also consulted a panel of sex and relationship experts to make sure my picks are solid. What to know before you swipe. My number one rule is to be brutally honest about what you’re looking for. You’re here for a good time, not a long time — so own it. That also means staying in your lane, don't go looking for a one-night stand on an app like eharmony. Hookup apps for everyone. AdultFriendFinder — readers’ pick for casual connections. Tinder — top pick for finding hookups. Hinge — popular choice for regular meetups. "Hookup apps help prevent situations where people are on mainstream dating sites with the intention of having a casual hookup but are unclear about these intentions," Suzannah Weiss, resident sexologist for Biird and author of Subjectified: Becoming a Sexual Subject , tells Mashable. "They also give women a space to be openly sexual creatures without judgment." And here's a little insider secret I picked up from Alexander Liebisch, the CEO and founder of TinderProfile.ai: Timing is everything. He found that people messaging on Tinder's "free tonight" feature after 10 p.m. on a weekend had a 45 percent higher chance of hooking up. So, whether you're looking for a one-night stand, a regular FWB situation, or just a space to explore your sexuality, I've got you covered. Based on all my hands-on testing and expert consultations, I’ve broken down the best hookup app for every type of person and mood. Tinder. Best hookup app. Go to Tinder. The Good & The Bad. Free version hits you with ads "Swipe fatigue" is real, so prepare for it Very little profile info means you're judging mostly on looks User base skews male. Our review: Who it's for: Even after all my testing, if someone asks for the quickest, no-fuss way to find a hookup, my answer is still Tinder. While it might not explicitly label itself as a hookup app any longer, you know why you're here. And despite losing some users lately, it's still one of the biggest platforms out there, having made 97 billion matches worldwide, and hookups aren't hard to come by. (Pro tip: Use the "Free Tonight" feature, especially on weekends.) It's built for rapid-fire connections, not lengthy love stories (though some people, including Mashable's own Tech Editor, met their long-term partners on the app). Why we picked Tinder: Love it or hate it, Tinder remains one of the most popular dating apps for a reason. It's fast, easy, and reliable, making it an easy choice for my top pick. "Tinder, hands down, is the best app for hookups," Michelle Herzog, LMFT and AASECT-certified sex therapist, tells Mashable. "Over the past decade or so, it’s morphed from being the early 20s hookup central to a place for adults of all ages to go for a quick one-nighter." That popularity is especially true on college campuses. Weiss also notes that, "Tinder is probably the most popular hookup app among college students. There are enough people on it that most users will have no trouble meeting people both on and off campus." Despite attempts to appear more relationship-focused (like evolving "Double Date" into "Modes"), Tinder's heart remains casual. There's also been some positive change in terms of safety and authenticity (which is always a plus). This month, Tinder announced that all new U.S. users will soon be required to complete a facial recognition scan (Face Check) using a video selfie. This "Face Check" was designed to help verify that the user is real, matches their profile photos, and isn't using the same face across multiple accounts. And the initial results seem promising: Tinder reports this has already led to a more than 40 percent decrease in reports of bad actors where implemented. While I always recommend upgrades like Tinder+ or Gold for extra features, this mandatory verification is a big step towards making the platform safer for everyone swiping. Details. Free version: Yes One month of Tinder Plus: $22.48 Six months of Tinder Plus: $90 ($15 per month) One month of Tinder Gold: $36 Six months of Tinder Gold : $126 ($21 per month) One month of Tinder Platinum : $45 Six months of Tinder Platinum : $162 ($27 per month) Go to Tinder. AdultFriendFinder. For those looking for sex. Go to AdultFriendFinder. Our review. Details. Basic version: Free One month of Gold: $27.95 Three months of Gold: $62.82 ($20.95 per month) 12 months of Gold: $179.40 ($14.95 per month) Go to AdultFriendFinder. Pure. Best anonymous hookup app. Go to Pure. The Good & The Bad. Risk of catfish due to anonymity (always be cautious!) Smaller user base compared to mainstream apps, success depends on location. Our review: Who it's for: Pure is for the adventurous dater who is so over the mainstream options and the endless stream of low-effort "heys" on other platforms. If you're looking for uncomplicated, no-strings-attached hookups where you can be direct about your desires without judgment, this is the dating app for you. It's unconventional, artsy, and built for anonymity. In my experience, it's also the place to be if you're looking for witty, steamy conversations or just some super hot phone sex with a stranger. Plus, because the app is completely free for women, it has an impressive 50:50 gender split, the highest in the industry. That's a major draw in a dating app landscape dominated by male users. Why we picked Pure: I picked Pure because it's "hot, weird, and way better than Bumble" for finding a casual connection. Its core features are designed for direct, exciting encounters: chats and photos self-destruct in 24 hours, and the app never even asks for your name, guaranteeing total anonymity. In my four weeks of testing, I was honestly surprised by the results. The conversations were leagues above what I've found on other apps, and I received hundreds of likes daily, even outside of a major city like New York. While anonymity can be a concern, Pure balances it with safety features like Photo Verification and a "True Photo" request, which lets you ask for a live photo in your chat to confirm you're talking to a real person.
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