Best Dating Apps for Casual Hookups
Tinder
Tinder is the largest dating app in the world, but it is not designed for serious connections. Between the tiny caps on profile length, the over-emphasis on photos, and the video game-like mutual swipe mechanics, Tinder is built for casual connections.
The key to using Tinder for a casual connection is to be honest without being outrageous. Don’t downplay what you are looking for, or make it sound like you might be looking for something more. Put it out there that you are looking for fun, but then let people know some things about you that make you a fun person to be around outside the bedroom. Even if you are just looking for a hookup, you will get much better connections if you sound like someone who is actually fun to hang out with.
Seeking
Seeking is a very different kind of app. Instead of just trying to win someone over or gain their attention like most dating apps, Seeking, or Seeking Arrangement as it used to be called, connects people based on more of a mutual benefit situation.
Think of it as a sugar daddy situation. There are people on Seeking who want something (someone to travel with, money for college, shopping trips, mentorship), and there are people who can fulfill those wants in exchange for companionship.
Apps like Seeking are very transactional by nature and are definitely not for everyone. I’ve had several clients over the years who have used Seeking from both sides of the equation. As long as you go into it with a full understanding of what you are getting into, it could be exactly what you are looking for.
Facebook Dating
Facebook’s dating feature is honestly horrible when it comes to finding a serious connection, but its convenience and ease of use make it perfect for casual connections. You don’t even have to download a new app or pay any money. If you have the Facebook App, you’ve already got Facebook Dating. Just click the tab, and you are good to go.
When you reach out to someone on FB Dating or any other app, keep the tone casual, but don’t be gross. When a guy sends an unsolicited shot of his dong, it does not impress women. If they wanted to see it, they would have asked for it. Meanwhile, when a woman sends an unsolicited nude pic, it’s a good sign that you are talking to a scammer and not a real person. It doesn’t matter how casual your goal is; it is always smart to keep your clothes on until you meet.
Adult Friend Finder
AFF is the granddaddy of adult dating. What sets it apart is that AFF is almost more of a community than a normal hookup site. There is room in your profile to give a lot of information about what you are looking for. There are chat rooms, and members can even create blogs within the platform where they discuss fantasies, stories, and post pics.
One thing to keep in mind with AFF is that, while you may be able to find casual connections, you will probably not find them quickly. The site has a little more of an old-fashioned sensibility to it, and that can be refreshing in a world of swiping.
If there were a casual connection site where people give a detailed outline of what they are looking for, AFF is it. If you try shooting your shot after only looking at photos, you will fail. Read the profiles. Find out what the other person is looking for. If you’re a fit, go for it. You won’t be able to fake it. The members on AFF have a pretty good radar for BS, and they will call you out on it.
Feeld
If your idea of fun is more than a duo, Feeld is the app for you. While it can be a good dating app for any casual dater, it was designed for couples seeking a third, and the unicorns or love them.
If you’re asking, “What’s a unicorn?” That is a pretty good sign that Feeld may not be for you.
Pure
There is no connection more casual than a connection made on Pure. Think of it as the Mission: Impossible of hookup apps. You sign up, list your turn-ons and what you are looking for, and then post your ad. It will go out into the feed for the next 24 hours. After that, the ad self-destructs and leaves no trace.
Pure is a great app for people looking to hook up now. You can be as passive or proactive as you want. You don’t have to post your own ads; you can check the feed to see if someone is looking for the same kind of “activity” as you.
In the end, it doesn’t matter if you are looking for the love of your life or to make some great memories with new people. If you don’t make a good first impression, the only hooking up you’ll be doing is hooking up the DoorDash driver with a great tip. So, before you make all the wrong moves, let us help you write a great profile that will help you stand out in all the right ways.
Check out our services, or give us a call at 888-447-7634.
Dating Apps Better for Serious Relationships
There are some dating sites and apps that are geared towards finding a casual connection. Some cover the entire spectrum of relationship goals, from casual to matrimonial, and then there are the ones where I would avoid unless you are looking for something serious. Let’s get those out of the way first.
eHarmony
This isn’t going to come as a surprise to anyone, but eHarmony is the last dating app I would recommend if you are looking for someone to hook up with. From its launch, eHarmony has been aimed at the long-term relationship and marriage crowd. If you are looking for a husband or wife, or someone with whom you can start a family. eHarmony could be a great option for you. If you are just looking to date around and have some fun, don’t waste your time or the time of anyone there for something more.
Coffee Meets Bagel
Believe it or not, there was a time when CMB was known for having the highest per-capita rate of unsolicited d!ck pics of any dating app. However, as Hinge, their main competitor, has grown, CMB has transitioned to a more serious-relationship centric dating app. While they are a swipe app, they slow down the process, so you are forced to focus on each potential match. This forced thoughtfulness gives you the time and space you need to assess potential matches. As a result, it just isn’t the kind of app where people gravitate to for a booty call.
ChristianMingle
It’s not just about ChristianMingle, but any religiously centered dating app. Religious dating apps are for serious dating only. If you are looking to keep it casual, it is best to also keep it secular.
Sex is part of dating. For some people, it is the icing on the cake, and for others, it’s the whole dessert. Next to finding a loving partner with whom they can share their lives, it is one of the biggest concerns my clients bring up when we talk about their dating goals. They either aren’t getting any and really want some, or they are annoyed with the number of people who seem to be singularly focused on trying to get it from them on a dating app. With that in mind, I wanted to take a few minutes on this hot summer day to talk about which dating apps/sites you should, and should not, be using if you want to find something closer to a fling than someone to share the rest of your life with.
Summary: Best & Worst Casual Dating Apps
Best apps for casual connections:
- Tinder – Designed for casual. Just don’t be a creep.
- Seeking – Transactional setups; know what you’re getting into.
- Facebook Dating – Convenient and free; just stay classy.
- Adult Friend Finder (AFF) – A classic. Community-driven, detail-heavy, and better for those who actually read profiles.
- Feeld – For adventurous folks, poly, and ethically non-monogamous connections.
- Pure – Post a listing, make a connection, disappear. Ultra-casual.
Not great for casual hookups:
- eHarmony – Built for marriage, not mingling.
- Coffee Meets Bagel – Slower pace, more relationship-minded.
- ChristianMingle (and most religious apps) – Keep it serious and spiritual.
You’ve got one shot to make a great impression. Don’t waste it. Let us help you write a dating profile that actually works. Call us or check out our services today.
