Steve Johnson · Follow
Published in · 6 min read · Aug 1, 2024
Craigslist, as the OG classifieds site, offers people from around the world a place to post about everything in life, ranging from house, automotive, and rent, as well as dating. It enables men seeking women or women seeking men to post ads in the Personals section. But since the closure of Craiglist Personals, finding casual encounters and dating online has become difficult and many users have been stuck.
For those who still want to meet new friends or dates to have casual encounters online and meetups, a replacement for Craiglist Personals is in demand. Using these new Craiglist Personal sites and apps, it will take no time for you to find a hookup partner or a date that suits you perfectly.
Best Craiglist Personals Alternatives for Dating and Hookups
- AdultFriendFinder - Best alternative for craigslist dating
- Bedpage - Alternative with easy access
- AshleyMadison - Perfect for Confidential casual encounters
- Reddit Personals - Free alternative for short- or long-term dating
- VictoriaMilan - For discreet adventurous relationships
- Locanto Personals - Inclusive Craiglist Personals lookalike
- FriendFinder - Alternative for Hookups and Various Relationships
- Tinder - Younger’s Top Choice for hookups
- BeNaughty - A place for casual fun
- Plenty of Fish - Free site for matching and dating
- Flirt - Dreamland for flirty singles
- DoubleList - Old-school alternative of Craiglist personals
To directly show you the detailed alternative go-to places for casual dating online, here is a full list of the 15 best sites and apps like Craiglist Personals.
AdultFriendFinder - Best Alternative for Craigslist Personals
AdultFriendFinder is a leading adult dating site for everyone over 18, known as the best replacement for Craigslist Personals. It caters to around 80 gender identities and orientations, allowing users to provide basic info upon sign-up and start searching for matches using filters like age, gender, and location. The platform offers chatrooms, live streams, and direct messaging with both free and premium membership options.
Pros:
- Extensive member base
- Multiple ways to connect
- Inclusive of diverse preferences
Cons:
- Ads for free users
- Presence of fake profiles
Bedpage - Alternative with Easy Access
Bedpage, a lookalike of Backpage, offers a similar personal ads section and various categories like Craigslist Personals. It’s a free platform that requires no registration process, making it accessible to everyone. However, users may find it challenging to navigate due to the numerous ads. Despite this, Bedpage is a practical alternative for those seeking casual encounters without the hassle of signing up.
Pros:
- Free to use
- Dedicated sections for dating& personals
- No registration required
Cons:
- Difficult navigation
- Numerous ads
AshleyMadison - Perfect for Confidential Casual Encounters
Ashley Madison is a top-notch dating site launched in 2002, catering to individuals seeking hookups, casual dates, or long-term relationships. With over 80 million registered users, it offers a vast community for exploring desires. The platform provides user-friendly search and communication tools, robust security features like anonymous profiles, and a modern app with features like video calls and confidential payments.
Pros:
- Free for women
- Strong security and privacy features
- User-friendly app
Cons:
- Pay-as-you-go credit system
- Presence of fake profiles
Reddit Personals - Free Alternative for Short- or Long-Term Dating
Reddit’s R4R (Redditor for Redditor) subforum is a dedicated space for online dating, both short- and long-term. It’s free to use and has a massive user base, offering diverse preferences for online dating. Users need to be patient and filter through posts to find compatible matches. Posting your ad can also increase the chances of finding suitable dates on this platform.
Pros:
- Free to use
- Large and open-minded user base
- Specialized categories for dating
Cons:
- Not specifically designed for dating
- Scammers may exist
VictoriaMilan - For Discreet Adventurous Relationships
VictoriaMilan is an ideal site for discreet NSA (No Strings Attached) relationships, catering to individuals seeking both short- and long-term connections. With over 6 million users, it has a strong presence in European countries. To ensure safe and private online dating, VictoriaMilan allows anonymous accounts and unnamed billing statements, making it a secure choice for casual dating and hookups.
Pros:
- Strong privacy features
- International user base
Cons:
- Limited access for free users
- Paid membership is recommended for full access
Locanto - Craigslist Personals Lookalike for Varied Preferences
Locanto is a classifieds site similar to Craigslist, offering various ad categories, including personals. It is an inclusive platform, welcoming users of all gender identities and orientations. Locanto Personals has sections for long-term relationships, dating, and casual encounters, making it a versatile alternative for those seeking different types of connections. However, users may need to filter through ads to find suitable matches.
Pros:
- Inclusive of diverse preferences
- Various dating categories
Cons:
- Presence of ads
- May require filtering to find suitable matches
FriendFinder - Alternative for Hookups and Various Relationships
Founded in 2003, FriendFinder has become a popular alternative to Craigslist Personals, offering a robust platform for adult dating with millions of users worldwide. The site features advanced search options and live chat, allowing users to connect easily for casual encounters and adult fun. FriendFinder’s user-friendly interface and extensive member base help users find matches based on preferences and location, making it an ideal choice for those seeking casual hookups.
Pros:
- A large and active user base
- Advanced search and live chat features
- User-friendly interface
- Privacy-focused tools like AnonymousBlur
Cons:
- Presence of fake profiles
- Ads for free members
- No app for iOS
Tinder - Young People’s Top Choice for Hookups
Tinder is widely known for casual dating and is a top alternative to Craigslist Personals for short-term connections. With its modern, easy-to-use interface, it’s particularly popular among younger generations. Users swipe right or left to express interest, and when matched, they can start chatting through messages, photos, or text. Tinder offers both free and paid versions, with Tinder Gold providing additional features and unlimited swiping.
Pros:
- Simple and intuitive interface
- Popular among younger users
- Free and premium options
Cons:
- Focuses mainly on casual encounters
- Can be addictive due to the swiping mechanism
BeNaughty - A Place for Casual Fun
BeNaughty is a popular platform for casual dating and hookups, with a global user base. It emphasizes personal experience, particularly for finding high-quality local connections. BeNaughty’s search features make it easy to find potential matches based on specific criteria like age, location, orientation, and even hair color.
Pros:
- Strong focus on local connections
- Detailed search filters
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Presence of fake profiles
- Limited features for free users
Plenty of Fish - Free Site for Matching and Dating
Plenty of Fish (POF) is a versatile alternative to Craigslist Personals, catering to both serious relationships and casual encounters. It boasts a vast user base and user-friendly features. POF offers flexibility with its free basic features and optional premium membership, though some may find the numerous options overwhelming.
Pros:
- Large user base
- Free messaging
- Flexible membership options
Cons:
- Can be overwhelming due to the extensive features
- Presence of fake profiles
Flirt.com - Dreamland for Flirty Singles
Flirt.com is an adult dating service that prioritizes simplicity and privacy, perfect for casual encounters and hookups. It has a diverse user base, mainly young adults in their 20s and early-to-mid 30s. Women can use the site for free, while men can access additional features with a paid membership.
Pros:
- Simple and private
- Free for women
- Diverse user base
Cons:
- Limited features for free male users
- Focuses mainly on casual dating
DoubleList - Old-School Alternative to Craigslist Personals
DoubleList.com resembles the classic classified ads site, Craigslist, with millions of users seeking intimate connections. Registration requires an email and phone number, and the site limits the number of posts and pictures per day. Users can respond to ads or post their own to start interactions.
Pros:
- Easy registration process
- Resembles a classic Craigslist layout
- Active user base
Cons:
- Limits on daily posts and pictures
- Basic interface compared to modern dating sites
Final Thoughts
Even though Craigslist Personals are gone, there are many great alternatives to try. Depending on what you’re looking for and where you are, you can find something that suits you. In the U.S., UK, Australia, or Canada, don’t miss AshleyMadison, Tinder, or AdultFriendFinder.
Safety is always the most important. Be cautious of scammers on these sites. Don’t trust anyone too quickly, and never share your financial information or home address.
