10 Best hookup apps for 2025, tested by experts

Read our full review of AdultFriendFinder.

Read our full review of Bumble Premium.

Bumble is a smart choice for women and non-binary people looking for a hookup or 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.

Grindr is a popular hookup app for gay men. Correction: It's 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.

We do want to note that more recently, Grindr paywalled some match features and has been experiencing bugs. Still, it's by far the most popular gay dating app, even if we've been looking into other options.

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 (similar to Gmail's feature) and an "A-List" of best 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 and available for a speedy meet-up.

In a 2024 presentation, company heads noted nearly 3.5 million people use it 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 for an hour to check out the scene before you even get there.

The app has also made moves to become safer and more authentic. In February 2025, they launched an in-app Safety Center to centralize privacy info and resources. More recently came "Taken on Grindr," an optional feature that adds a timestamp to photos snapped with the in-app camera ("Taken on Grindr — just now") to prove they're fresh. While these features show Grindr is trying to respond to user concerns about trust and transparency, neither is a silver bullet; the timestamp is opt-in and only applies to pics taken directly through their camera. Consider these steps in the right direction, but maintain a healthy skepticism. After all, knowing a photo was taken "just now" is one thing, but it doesn't guarantee a good or safe hookup.

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 for whatever you're looking for.

HER makes it easy to signal your intentions, whether you're looking for a fling or something more. 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 to show exactly what kind of connection you're craving at that moment. You can choose tags like "Hook up," "Flirty," or "Bottom vibes" and add a note for context, helping you connect with people who are on the same page with less guesswork. You can also add interests like "kink" or questions like "Top, bottom, or switch?", making it simple to find others on the same page.

Beyond just dating, HER has cultivated a truly inclusive space for the 2SLGBTQ+ community, making it an excellent breeding ground for friends with benefits. The interface might feel a little clunky compared to Tinder at first, but it's not too difficult to navigate after a quick learning curve. Plus, HER offers photo-verified profiles with a checkmark badge, and the app even runs like a social feed with events and media tailored to the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

Now, for the big news. Earlier this month, Match Group (the conglomerate behind Tinder, Hinge, and many others) announced it had acquired HER. While HER founder Robyn Exton expressed pride and optimism, stating that Match Group "sees the value in this incredible space we've built" and will provide resources without changing "the heart of HER," the community reaction has been, well, apprehensive. Many users on Reddit threads voiced uneasiness, with some even declaring it "time to request to have your data deleted," fearing the "enshittification" of yet another beloved platform.

Despite this apprehension and growing distrust of dating apps consolidating under one company, Match Group CEO Spencer Rascoff has pledged to "protect" what makes HER special. Whether Match Group lives up to its promise to nurture this deeply community-focused app, rather than homogenize it, remains to be seen. For now, the sapphic community is largely holding its breath.

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. 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 with someone on a deeper level beyond just physical attraction, making those casual encounters even more satisfying.

Don't let Hinge's "designed to be deleted" tagline fool you. 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, but you're not ready to settle down.

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 in people with similar dating goals (and filter out those searching for a "Life Partner"). More recently, Hinge added "Match Note," a feature that lets you share private details pre-chat. While some may use it to get more serious conversations out of the way, you could leverage it to subtly flag relationship preferences or expectations early.

Hinge has also added features to improve safety and help manage interactions. The "Hidden Words" tool lets you filter out specific words, phrases, or emoji from incoming messages. It also introduced "Your Turn Limits," which requires you to respond to some unanswered messages before liking new profiles. While it might seem like a push toward commitment, it can actually incentivize engaging with potential hookups already in your queue instead of just endlessly collecting matches.

Underpinning these features is Hinge's ongoing commitment to help its users get off the app (and elsewhere) 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 so you can show up more genuinely. Hinge marketing talks a big game about relationships, but its thoughtful features and slightly more intentional user base make it a solid option for finding hookups that might start with decent conversation. It's a good middle ground if Tinder feels too chaotic, but you're not ready to settle down just yet.

Pure is the place to be if you're looking for uncomplicated, no-strings-attached hookups without the pressure to define the relationship. Say goodbye to mixed signals and awkward conversations about "What are we?" Pure is where you can be openly horny without shame or judgment.

The app encourages users to maintain a sense of anonymity post-interaction or to "pretend like you're strangers afterward," making no-strings-attached sex the only name of the game. In a dating landscape where most apps are trying to be for anyone looking for any type of connection, Pure stands out as it's designed exclusively for hooking up.

Pure offers a unique and discreet approach to casual hookups. Write your ad, and the app does the rest. It uses your geolocation and sends out the sex version of an Uber request. If any users who meet your preferences like what they say, the app connects you. Using filters is also free, which makes searching for the right match much easier.

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.

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

"Some people also like the app Pure for finding hookups," says Weiss. "It’s a little less progressive than Feeld in that it’s not specifically for the non-monogamous, BDSM, or queer communities, so you will get more straight cis men who are looking for a conquest or don’t really understand good communication or consent practices," she adds. "[Despite] people like that, it is a space where you can be open and direct about your sexual fantasies and find someone to fulfill them without the frills of dating."

Basically, if you don't want to spend time setting up a lengthy profile or wading through a sea of users looking for something more serious, Pure lets you get to the point. The biggest trade-off? The smaller user base compared to more general dating apps like Tinder. But hey, at least you know the person on the other end won't ask you to be a plus-one at their friend's wedding.

HUD is a newer app for people who aren’t afraid to be their most authentic selves. 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 has an "Anti-Commitment Mode" feature that literally puts a badge on your profile (if you toggle it on, that is) that lets other users know that you’re not looking for anything serious.

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 add your favorite song to your profile, too.

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.

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: We 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.

Read our full review of Match.

While Match is famous for finding long-term partners, its huge and diverse user base means there are definitely individuals open to casual hookups, especially if you're in your 30s, 40s, or beyond and tired of the younger crowd on other apps. It's not for instant gratification, but if you have patience and the budget, you can find quality casual encounters here.

Match might not be the raunchiest spot, but its sheer volume of users (millions each month) means opportunity for a variety of connections. Unlike other apps, Match attracts a significantly older, more mature, and often more experienced user base. So, if you're at an age where Tinder feels creepy, Match offers a sophisticated alternative for a hookup that might even lead to a connection beyond just sex (if you're open to it).

While it's pricey and the free version is basically useless, the quality and maturity of the user base can be worth the investment for the right person.

Just keep in mind that Match Group (its parent company) recently faced a class-action lawsuit alleging its apps are intentionally addictive and "game-like," as our sister site PCMag reported (PCMag is owned by Mashable's publisher, Ziff Davis). In addition to Match itself, the Match Group owns popular dating apps, including Tinder, Hinge, OKCupid, and Plenty of Fish.

Read our full review of Zoosk.

In theory, Zoosk could be an option for finding a quick hookup given its "pick up and go" philosophy. However, due to its significant issues with dead and fake profiles, we only recommend Zoosk if you've literally exhausted every other hookup app on this list and are feeling really desperate.

Zoosk 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, in theory, Zoosk would 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 the app has some bigger problems. Zoosk may boast 40 million members, but it also has plenty of dead or fake profiles, 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.

The other main drawback is, again, the amount of fake or dead profiles makes this place seem like the dating site version of The Last of Us. 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).