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What are you looking for?
The big, long-running name in adult dating
Flirty, no-strings connections
Discreet casual dating, US-focused
A community built for BDSM and alternative lifestyles
Adult dating sites are not interchangeable. Some are huge and general, others serve a specific niche, and almost all of them charge for the features that matter, like messaging. This comparison covers four options and, more importantly, who each one is for and what signup looks like, so you can decide before you hand over any card details.
We use the same checklist for every site, described in full on our How we review page:
Expect a card at signup. All four sites below ask for a valid credit card. On some, it is used to verify your age before you get access. On others, you make an initial purchase to unlock full features. Neither is unusual in this category, but it is the step where people get surprised, so read the final screen carefully.
Check renewals. Before you pay, look for whether a trial or first purchase turns into a recurring subscription, and note how to cancel. Our guide to adult dating site billing walks through what to check.
Protect yourself. Use an email address that is not tied to your real name, and avoid sharing your location, workplace or social accounts early. Our guide on whether adult dating sites are safe covers scams and fake profiles.
These guides answer the questions people ask most before joining:
Looking for something more specific? See the best BDSM and kink dating sites or sites like Adult FriendFinder.
One of the longest-running adult dating platforms, launched in 1996, focused on casual encounters and hookups.
A casual dating platform built around flirty, no-strings encounters and spontaneous connections.
A US casual dating platform where adults can connect, chat and arrange encounters discreetly.
A dating community for the BDSM and alternative-lifestyle niche, around since 1996.
Our top pick is Adult FriendFinder. Check the price and terms on their site before you pay.
Visit Adult FriendFinder →Joining is often free or low-cost, but most adult dating sites limit what a free account can do. Each site in this comparison asks for a credit card at signup, either to verify your age or to make a first purchase, so read the offer on screen before you enter card details.
Some use a card as an age check before granting access, others require an initial purchase to unlock messaging and full features. Either way, confirm what you will be charged and when it renews before you submit.
Adult FriendFinder and Fling are both built around casual encounters. Adult FriendFinder has been running since 1996, while Fling leans toward flirty, no-strings connections. NaughtyCharm is a US-focused option.
ALT.com is a dating community for the BDSM and alternative-lifestyle niche and has been around since 1996.