Read our full review of Pure.

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.

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.

In August 2025, Pure made a major push to rebrand itself as a "safer, saner, and healthier" space for hookups with its "Pleasure is Power" marketing campaign. More concretely, the app announced a first-of-its-kind partnership with TBD Health to provide users with at-home STD testing kits directly through the app. Users who test can even add a "Verified by TBD Health" badge to their profiles, which gives some peace of mind on multiple levels.

That said, it's a space to navigate with intention. As sexologist Suzannah Weiss notes, Pure isn't as specifically geared toward the kink and queer communities as Feeld, so you may encounter more straight cis men who are just looking for a conquest. The biggest trade-off remains the smaller user base compared to mainstream apps like Tinder, though its recent explosive growth in the European market suggests that may be changing.

Don't let Hinge's "designed to be deleted" tagline fool you. In my opinion, it's surprisingly effective for finding regular hookups, especially if you prefer a bit more connection before getting down to business. If you're in a reasonably populated area and want to find people who are more intentional, even about their casual encounters, Hinge is a great middle ground when Tinder feels too chaotic. Plus, as young people sour on dating apps, Hinge is one of the only ones with a growing user base.

It's not just me, either. Hinge is one of the only dating apps with a user base that's actually growing right now, according to its parent company, Match Group. I think its popularity comes down to one thing: its thoughtful features attract a more active and engaged crowd than you'll find on most swiping apps.

Though it may attract a relationship-seeking crowd, Hinge gives you tools to make your intentions clear. The "Dating Intentions" section lets you advertise exactly what you're looking for right on your profile, so you can filter for people with similar goals. Hinge has also added features to improve safety and manage interactions, like the "Hidden Words" tool that lets you filter out specific words or emoji from incoming messages. Reinforcing its focus on "trust through transparency," Hinge also rolled out a new content moderation policy in late September 2025. Instead of just removing content, the app now notifies users exactly which part of their profile was flagged and gives them a chance to fix it.

Underpinning these features is Hinge's commitment to help its users get off the app and out into the real world. For example, it's now using AI for coaching, with tools like "Prompt Feedback" to help you write better profile answers. Hinge's marketing talks a big game about relationships, but in my experience, its smart features and intentional user base make it a solid option for finding hookups that might just start with a decent conversation.

If you're tired of Tinder, HUD is the best new hookup app, and its tagline is literally "Fun without strings attached." HUD stands for "Honest, Upfront, and Direct," and it's the app for people who aren’t afraid to be their most authentic selves. Translation: If you're into non-monogamy, this is where you'll find like-minded people.

The people on this app aren’t here to find their forever person, but friends with benefits is definitely on the table. You might also find kinksters, ethical non-monogamous folks, and people interested in exploring relationship styles that are a little outside the mainstream. With more than 18 million users and counting, HUD has a lot of possibilities for your next hookup.

If Hinge and Pure had a baby, it would be HUD. This app doesn’t beat around the bush, but it’s also artsy in presentation and has a kinky-fun community behind it.

Like Hinge, you can answer prompts (up to three), add photos (up to five), and note whether you’re into smoking, drinking, or drugs. There’s also a really cool "My Bedroom" feature that lets you choose three "desires" that you’re really into, three "desires" you’re "open" to, and three you’re definitely not into. Examples include "bondage," "butt stuff," and "golden showers." There are tons of "desires" to choose from, even if you’re not that kinky, so have fun with it.

In addition to its "My Bedroom" feature, HUD also has an "Anti-Commitment Mode" badge you can add to your profile to let potential matches know why you're here. You’ll also get to pick your archetype (if you’re not sure what yours is, the app has a little quiz) to help you find your match. You can even add your favorite song to your profile.

The chat features are also a little more developed than what you see in a typical hookup app. You can engage with someone’s profile just by liking or commenting on their prompts, photos, etc. The video chat option also shows both cameras blurred until you both decide to reveal yourselves. Of course, you can get more features with a premium subscription, but the free version offers a lot.

Read our full review of Bumble Premium.

Bumble is the best hookup app for women and non-binary people looking for a casual fling where they can set the pace. If you're tired of unsolicited messages and want to filter out low-effort interactions, Bumble's "Opening Moves" feature (a change from the original "women message first" rule that made it famous) puts you in the driver's seat. It's also great if you want to find someone who's upfront about wanting "fun, casual dates" or "intimacy, without commitment."

"Bumble is a helpful app for women who want to avoid being creeped on and only hear from men they're interested in," Weiss tells Mashable. You have 24 hours to make the first move, then your match has 24 hours to respond — perfect for filtering out those who aren't a good fit if you're looking for a casual hookup ASAP.

However, it's worth being upfront about Bumble's recent fumbles. In April, Bumble faced user backlash over reports of previously blocked or left-swiped profiles reappearing in feeds, a significant trust issue for users. To make matters worse, JPMorgan recently downgraded Bumble's stock, citing slowing growth, accelerating revenue and paid user declines, and hotter competition from rivals like Hinge. The analyst warned that a bounce-back might not even be expected until 2027 (yikes!).

Despite these recent issues and a challenging market, Bumble still stands out for many users. You can chat via text, voice, or video without spending a dime, and free users still have access to basic filters like age, distance, and verified profiles. While premium features (Bumble Boost or premium membership) offer advanced filters, they're not essential to find a potential hookup buddy.

Feeld is for the explorers: the singles, couples, and polycules looking to ethically explore non-monogamy, kink, and alternative relationship styles. If you find the binary options on most dating apps to be limiting, Feeld's inclusive, consent-forward environment is a breath of fresh air. It’s a hub for people practicing "relationship anarchy" and believe in creating their own connections without rules or hierarchy.

Full disclosure: I previously removed Feeld from this list. Its late 2023 rebrand was a well-documented disaster, leaving users with an app that was not only buggy but also had serious privacy flaws, like sharing their specific town or neighborhood instead of a simple distance.

So, why is it back? Because despite that major fumble, its importance to its community is simply unmatched — a fact echoed by experts like Weiss, who recommends it for its sex-positive features.

For finding a hookup, Feeld’s features are unparalleled in their specificity. The free “Constellation” feature lets you be transparent by linking your profile with up to five partners, and you can use more than 20 labels to define those connections, from "Lover" and "Dom" to "Friend with benefits." (While this feature links your profiles, your private chat histories and existing connections are not shared with your partners.) The app also offers detailed desire and kink tags, from "Bondage" to "Cuddling," so you can find exactly what you're looking for.

Feeld is a nonjudgmental space for exploring non-traditional connections, and recent data from its own "State of Dating Report" shows that its members who practice relationship anarchy report feeling less lonely and having stronger support networks.

Grindr is a popular hookup app for gay men. Correction: Grindr is the hookup app for gay men. As one of the leading mainstream dating apps designed exclusively for the LGBTQ+ community, it offers a range of relationship possibilities, but it is, without a doubt, a common spot to find a fast and casual hookup.

I do want to note that more recently, Grindr paywalled some match features and has been experiencing bugs. Still, it's undeniably the king of gay dating apps, especially for fast hookups with other men.

Beyond just basic hookup functionality, Grindr has been expanding its offerings and even dipping into AI. For example, it's testing AI-powered chat summaries for paid users and an "A-List" of matches curated by AI, which also includes profile and chat summaries. (While user reaction to A-List on Reddit has been mixed, Grindr reports positive feedback from early access users and a rise in Unlimited sign-ups.) They've also rolled out "Right Now," a feature to instantly see who's online for a speedy meet-up, and recently enhanced it with "Live View," an interactive map that shows you where nearby users in the feed are.

However, the platform has faced its share of backlash for inconsistent moderation. In late July 2025, Grindr banned the phrase "no Zionists" from user profiles, only to reverse the decision after a week. In a 2024 presentation, company heads noted nearly 3.5 million people also use the app for things like getting restaurant recommendations or finding LGBTQ+ events. This led to the "Roam" feature, which lets you temporarily drop your pin anywhere in the world to check out the scene before you get there.

To its credit, Grindr has made moves to become safer and more authentic. In February 2025, they launched an in-app Safety Center, and more recently came "Taken on Grindr," an optional timestamp feature to prove photos are fresh. In a major push for user well-being, Grindr has also rolled out a suite of industry-leading sexual health features. These include the ability to share your HIV status on your profile, opt-in reminders to get tested for PrEP, and even access to free at-home HIV test kits.

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." Launched in 2015 to meet a growing need in the lesbian dating scene, HER isn't exclusively designed for hookups, but it offers a vibrant community where you can explore casual encounters or even find meaningful relationships. With more than 15 million users, the app is brimming with opportunity for whatever you're looking for.

HER makes it easy to signal your intentions. The "Looking for" section on your profile lets you add a "something casual" tag, which is displayed out in the open. More recently, the app introduced "Feelings," a feature that lets you add temporary, expressive tags to your profile like "Hook up" or "Flirty" to show exactly what kind of connection you're craving.

The app also functions like a social media platform, creating an inclusive space for LGBTQ+ users with a social feed, events, and media. While the interface can feel a little clunky at first, it's not too difficult to navigate. For safety, HER offers photo-verified profiles with a checkmark badge.

The biggest news for HER in 2025 was its acquisition by Match Group in May. The move was met with apprehension from its user base, with many on Reddit fearing the "enshittification" of another beloved queer platform. While HER founder Robyn Exton expressed optimism and Match Group CEO Spencer Rascoff pledged to "protect" what makes the app special, the sapphic community is largely holding its breath to see if they live up to that promise. As of September 2025, we haven't reported on any problems related to the acquisition.

Read our full OkCupid review.  

OkCupid isn't just for serious relationships — it's actually a surprisingly solid option for finding casual hookups, especially if you appreciate connecting with someone beyond just their looks. Its unique matching algorithm digs deeper, focusing on your interests, values, and even your stance on social issues. This means you can find people who genuinely vibe with your personality and lifestyle, which often leads to more meaningful (and, let's be real, potentially hotter) encounters. Plus, it was way ahead of the curve on gender identity, sexual orientation, and tackling social issues before it was even trendy.

This LGBTQ-friendly site has won over open-minded singles by dedicating a good chunk of its profile-building prompts to important topics like politics, social issues, and even kink or ethical non-monogamy options. (OkCupid beat Hinge by about six years when it came to including options for polyamorous users). This progressive attitude helps attract an informed, respectful, and sex-positive crowd. In fact, a recent OkCupid survey revealed that 79 percent of its users say sexual compatibility is "very" or "extremely" important to relationship success.

While a paid plan offers the most extensive features, you can still use its powerful search filters without spending a dime. You can literally search for the keyword "hookup" or mark "hookups" as your preferred connection type in your profile, making it easy to find others on the same page.

With around 30 million users, there's plenty of opportunity to find casual connections, and thanks to its extensive questionnaire, you might actually connect on a deeper level beyond just physical attraction, making those encounters even more satisfying.

Sniffies is a web-based cruising platform built for one thing: finding sex, right now, with minimal small talk. Sniffies was deemed too hardcore for the App Store, and so it's not technically an app. It's a hookup destination for men seeking men who want spontaneous and anonymous encounters.

The vibe is explicit and unapologetically focused on sex, so don't come here looking for a long-term relationship. While it's free to use and focused on anonymity, paid Sniffies users get additional privacy features for extra peace of mind.

If you feel like Tinder and Grindr aren't direct enough, I'd like to introduce you to Sniffies, the hookup platform that brings cruising into the 21st century. It launched an official iOS app in March 2025, only to be kicked out of the App Store by May for being, well, too horny for Apple. But if you downloaded the app before it was removed, and haven't deleted it, it should still work.

As soon as you enter the website, you'll see a map of guys nearby who are looking for action in your area. (You don't have to deal with registering for an account or anything — pull up the site, choose to browse anonymously, complete the age verification and captcha, and you're in.) The "Cruiser Filters" let you search for exactly what you're into, from body type to endowment size to your favorite sex positions.

It's also totally free to use, but a premium membership will get you perks like unlimited messaging, ad-free browsing, extra privacy, and read receipts.

If your idea of a perfect match is someone who can discuss the nuances of rope suspension one minute and step in as Dungeon Master for your next D&D night, you should probably be on FetLife. To be clear, FetLife is a social network for the kink community, not a hookup app in the typical sense. That means users might not appreciate it if you try and treat it like a swiping app like Tinder. Still, as the online social destination for established kinksters, it's a great place to meet new sexy friends who share your very specific interests.

We think FetLife is also the best hookup app for gamers, for lack of a better option. While there isn't a hookup app made exclusively for gamers (at least, not one worth recommending), FetLife has become the de facto choice for those in the community looking for something more niche or kink-friendly. Its user base attracts a lot of self-described nerds, and there's a surprising amount of overlap between the gaming and kink communities.

Unlike swipe-based apps, FetLife operates as a social network, and that community focus is exactly why it's our top pick for gamers. Weiss also recommends FetLife as her top choice for gamers: "FetLife is popular among gamers and even has some subgroups specifically for kinky gamers,” says Weiss. “The app/site tends to attract nerds and other fringe communities."

These spaces allow you to connect with and vet potential partners based on shared interests, from specific kinks to fandoms and gaming genres. This unique intersection of kink and gaming culture (which you definitely won't find on any other dating app) makes FetLife the best choice for finding a hookup where your passions aren't just a line in your bio, but the foundation of the community.