16 Best Craigslist Personals Alternative Websites for Casual Dating & More in 2022

When Craigslist Personals became the victim of government interference in 2018, the world of casual encounters and anonymous dating suffered a devastating blow. 

Three years later, people are asking: what will replace Craigslist Personals? 

We don’t just have the answer to your question – we have 16 personal ad sites that surpass Craigslist Personals in its prime. 

Ashley Madison was our #1 pick overall. With 70 million active users looking for a casual dating experience, it doesn’t get much better. Another 15 runner-ups appeal to a wider audience, too. 

Best Craigslist Personals Websites, Reviewed

• Ashley Madison – Best Craigslist Personals replacement overall
• AdultFriendFinder – Personals alternative for casual hookups 
• NoStringsAttached.com – Casual dating site for married people
• R4R Subreddits – 100% free personal ad site for casual sex
• Tinder – Casual encounters site to find local dates
• Hinge – Excellent dating site for meaningful relationships
• Craigslist Missed Connections – Best site for re-establishing IRL connections
• Zoosk – If you have Facebook, you should have Zoosk
• Grindr – Best anonymous hookup app for gay men

1. Ashley Madison – Best Craigslist Personals Site Overall

Pros 

• 70+ million active users
• More girls than guys 
• Fully discrete & anonymous 
• Long-standing site 
• Geared towards affair-seekers 

Cons

• Men have to pay for interaction
• History of data leaks

Ashley Madison is home to 70+ million users from across the globe. Thanks to their unique affair angle, hookups and one-night-stands are the name of the game. That being said, if you’re not okay with playing “homewrecker”, you probably won’t find Ashley Madison appealing. 

Their site is primarily geared towards affair-seekers looking for quick (and drama-free) casual sex. Ashley Madison has had their history of data leaks, but they’ve drastically revamped their security protocols since 2015. 

Because women get to make a free account here, Ashley Madison has more girls than guys – a rarity among classified ads sites. On the flip side of that coin, men will have to pay for continued interaction.

After you send 20 messages, you’ll be asked to spend some money. 

Thankfully, their token-based system ensures that you only pay for what you use. They forgo monthly subscriptions, offering tokens for as low as $0.25 per credit. 

2. Adult Friend Finder – Craigslist Personals Alternative for Hookups

Pros 

• 80 million members worldwide 
• It’s been around for decades
• Find local liaisons and real sex ads
• Unique features like blogs
• Live cam option

Cons

• The “free” version is a tease 

Adult Friend Finder is the best hookup site for unprecedented variety and real sex ads – hey, not everybody is a supermodel, but neither are you! They cater to swingers, fetishists, LGBTQ+ daters, and vanilla guys looking for a quickie. 

AFF has been around for decades, grounding their roots in 1996. With 80+ million users occupying the site in 2022, you’re guaranteed to find somebody who shares your preferences. 

There’s a very diverse selection of local singles to choose from, and their dedicated search tags narrow down your options with just a few clicks. No-frills, casual sex abounds at AFF; and here’s the kicker – not everyone is already married!

While their free version is admittedly unusable, paying $19.95/month for access to millions of people feels like a bargain. Additionally, people looking for virtual sex from home can watch nude live cams and let their imaginations run wild. 

If you really don’t feel like spending any money, AFF’s blogs and forums are free to access.

3. NoStringsAttached – New Craigslist Personals Alternative

Pros 

• Have an NSA affair with ease
• 3.5 million US-facing members 
• Privacy & discretion come first
• Best-in-class security features 
• Simple, straightforward site layout 

Cons

• Premium features are paid 

It’s in the name – NoStringsAttached is designed for one-night-stands and casual hookups among married couples. Eradicate your dead bedroom and respark your romantic side with upwards of 3.5 million members in the United States alone!

You can sign up for free, but don’t expect to do more than drool over your options. 

If you want genuine interaction with sexually frustrated wives and husbands, you’ll need to pay for the privilege. Monthly users will be charged $29.95; but yearly subscribers will pay $12.50/month. 

Best-in-class privacy features allow you to keep your name and profile anonymous; so you won’t have to worry about getting caught with your pants down. 

Plus, NoStringsAttached is very easy to use. Their sign-up process takes less than a minute, and you’ll have access to row after row of dirty classifieds made simple. 

4. Reddit R4R – Best 100% Free Craigslist Replacement

Pros 

• 100% free site like CL Personals 
• Post ads and message other members
• Easy to filter by location and post flair
• 1+ million active users on the daily 

Cons

• Not strictly for NSFW purposes 
• You can only post one ad per day

Reddit R4R doesn’t get enough love, but only nerds use Reddit. 

Approximately 1 million users occupy R4R in hopes of meeting like-minded people for casual sex and meaningful connections. Whether you’re here for swingers, vanilla hookups, or BDSM-inspired liaisons, Reddit R4R has it all. 

That said, the subreddits aren’t strictly designed for NSFW purposes. 

You’ll find plenty of people here to meet new friends or bond over shared interests. Thankfully, it’s easy enough to sort by post flairs. You can delineate your options by age, location, and gender to pinpoint netizens that share your preferences. 

We should mention that Reddit R4R is 100% free-to-use. 

There are no paywalls – you can post ads, direct message other users, and reply to other personals with no strings attached. That being said, you’re only allowed to post one ad every 24 hours. Comparatively, you can message with or respond to as many people as you’d like!

5. Tinder – Craigslist Dating Site That Connects Local Singles 

Pros 

• Swipe on local singles for free
• 75+ million global members 
• 56% of members are active daily
• Constant influx of new members 

Cons

• Around 80% of members are guys 
• There are like limits for free members 

Tinder popularized rapid-fire swiping. 

They’re not technically a classifieds site, but with 75+ million members on board, it’d be a carnal sin to exclude this dating platform from our list. Better still, you can swipe on up to 100 singles for free every single day.

Users save time and energy with profile pictures that put a face to your potential love interests. Although 80% of Tinder’s user base is male; 56% of all members flock to Tinder on a daily basis. 

Additionally, there is a constant influx of new people to swipe right on. 

If you want to send unlimited likes and see who swiped right on your profile, you’ll need to pay for Tinder Gold. Payment plans begin at $24.99/month, but annual subscribers are charged a measly $10 per month. 

6. Hinge – Best Craigslist Alternative for Meaningful Relationships 

Pros 

• 6 million active monthly users
• Built for meaningful connections
• Voice prompts foster emotional intimacy
• Detailed profiles leave no stone unturned 

Cons

• Restrictive like limits for free members 
• Higher-than-average subscription pricing 

Hinge prides itself on being a safe haven for users who are sick of Tinder’s rapid-swipe functionality. 49% of the users here are between 18-29 years old; which shows that younger people aren’t completely immersed in hookup culture. 

Free users are only allowed to “like” 5-10 profiles each day, which cuts down on spam. In our opinion, they may have swung too far towards the other end of the spectrum. 

Even still, 6 million members use Hinge on a monthly basis. If you’re here to build meaningful connections with people in your area, it’s easy to set up a detailed profile. In addition to optional voice prompts, you can specify your preferences and deal-breakers. 

If you want to surpass Hinge’s swipe limits and see everyone who likes you, you’ll be asked to pay $19.99 per month. 

7. Craigslist Missed Connections – Foster Missed IRL Connections 

Pros 

• It’s the new Craigslist Personals 
• Reach out to people you’ve seen IRL
• You can post whatever you want 
• 100% free to use 

Cons

• Not strictly for meeting random people 

Craigslist Personals may have fallen, but their “Missed Connections” section is alive and well. For all intents and purposes, Missed Connections is the rebranded version of CL Personals. You can post ads, reply to other personals, and send direct emails to members for free. 

CL Missed Connections stands out for its potential to rekindle possible meetups. 

A cute girl on the bus smiled at you, but she left before you could get her number. If she happens to browse through CL Missed Connections, there’s a good chance she’ll reach out if she’s interested!

At the same time, don’t expect to find many people looking for casual hookups straightaway. While you’re allowed to post whatever you want, many of CL’s “Missed Connections” posters are looking for people they’ve already come across in real life.

8. Zoosk – Craigslist Replacement Integrates With Facebook

Pros 

• Sign up with Facebook 
• Connect with local singles on FB 
• 35+ million global members 
• Offers “icebreakers” to spark conversations

Cons

• Must pay to message other people 

If you have an existing FB account, you can get started with Zoosk in less than 30 seconds! 

Their dating app uses your existing information to curate behavior-based matches, protect your sensitive data, and pinpoint local singles. An enormous and diverse member count allows members to connect with people they’ve never met before. 

There are 35 million active users to scroll through; and nearly all of them use Facebook. Notably, Zoosk offers a “verified” badge to members who register via FB or Twitter. It’s clear they take personal security very seriously, and we commend Zoosk for keeping things safe. 

Unfortunately, you have to pay before messaging with other members. Annual subscribers get the best deal, since they’re charged $10 per month for unlimited access. Look on the bright side – if you don’t know what to say, you can pull Zoosk’s “icebreakers” out of the magic hat!

9. Grindr – Best Craigslist Personals App for Gay Men

Pros 

• Completely anonymous hookup app 
• 27+ million registered users worldwide
• Geared exclusively towards LGBTQ+ folk
• Filter by specific kinks and preferences 

Cons

• Free users don’t have many options 

Grindr is the best dating app for gay men. 

They’re home to 27+ million users worldwide, and there’s always somebody looking for a quickie. The main focus here is NSA and LGBTQ+ oriented casual sex. To that end, you can filter by tens of specific kinks and preferences to find your ideal one-night-stand. 

You don’t even have to upload a profile picture to get started, leaving you 100% anonymous. Grindr also lets you switch your app icon to avoid drawing attention. Even though you can sign up and message people for free, premium users have the most fun here. 

Free users can see a grand total of 9 profiles, while XTRA members can pay $19.99/month and view up to 600 profiles. So long as you can pay $39.99/month, unlimited members will enjoy everything Grindr has to offer. 

10. Victoria Milan – Best Classifieds Site for Complete Anonymity

Pros 

• 6.2 million active members 
• Anonymity is their #1 priority
• Main focus lies on extra-marital affairs
• Anonymous Blur + Panic Button allow for discretion

Cons

• Must have a paid account to do anything 

Victoria Milan boasts 6.2 million active members. However, their standout features prioritize your safety and security. The site is designed for extra-marital affairs, and they understand that discretion is essential. It’s like Ashley Madison with added security features! 

Their “Anonymous Blur” feature allows members to blur their profile pictures. If your spouse or partner comes across your profile, you’ll have a good amount of plausible deniability. You can also push their “Panic Button” – you’ll instantly be redirected to another website. 

Unfortunately, only paid members can interact with married women. You’ll need to purchase at least 3 months upfront; but we’d recommend their annual subscription. At its cheapest, Victoria Milan will cost you $29.99/month out of pocket. 

We’re not complaining about their pricing. There are more women than men looking for someone to make them feel comfortable and sexy, which bodes well for younger singles. 

11. Feeld – BDSM Dating Site Like Craigslist Personals

Pros 

• Over 2 million global members 
• Choose from 20+ sexual orientations
• Prioritize kink compatibility before matching
• All users can send messages for free 

Cons

• App is generally dominated by men 

Open-minded people looking for kinky encounters, polyamorous unicorns, and the ability to express their identity without boundaries will love Feeld. You can choose from 20+ sexual orientations and gender classifications upon regisration. 

Top that, Grindr!

Beyond their eye for inclusivity, Feeld is home to 2+ million active users. 

While the app is generally dominated by men, it’s not impossible to find a woman (or couple) who shares your preferences. You can virtually announce your kinks and sexual desires via your profile.

Better still, all members can get started and message people for free. If you want to see people that like you, you’ll be asked to pay $11.99 per month for a Majestic membership. Their paid subscription isn’t necessary, but it’s nice to have a leg up on the competition (and avoid creeps).

12. POF – Top Craigslist Personals Alternative With Free Video Chat

Pros 

• Claims to be the world’s largest dating site 
• Video chat with other members for free
• 150+ million fish in the sea 
• Pricing begins at just $10/month 

Cons

• Plenty of fake ads & profiles 

With 150+ million active members worldwide, there are plenty of fish in the sea at POF. They’re home to a healthy mixture of men, women, and LGBTQ+ users! Although scammers, catfishers and fake profiles are prevalent, you can video chat with other members for free. 

It’s nice to see POF offer a virtual way to connect that doesn’t involve the exchange of personal information. Members can also send and receive messages for free. Users get the option to verify their identity, which drastically reduces the amount of spam you’ll have to deal with. 

When this many people flock to a dating site, it’s impossible to avoid bots and fakes in some capacity. Thankfully, scams are highlighted in bright red ink. If you want to send unlimited likes and see who likes you, POF charges a mere $10/month. 

13. Happn – Modern Version of Craigslist Casual Encounters 

Pros 

• Break the ice IRL with likes and chats 
• Offers a refreshing change from endless swiping 
• Connect with local singles you’ve seen before
• 100+ million global users to meet 

Cons

• Must have a Facebook account to register 
• Rural residents have a limited selection

Happn is the modern version of CL’s “Missed Connections”, and we’re here for it. 

The app has gained 100+ million global users for its standout feature, which helps you break the ice IRL. When you’re close to another member, you’ll get to like their profile and send a message! 

Whether you’re at Trader Joe’s, the movies, or the boardwalk; Happn takes the pressure off. Instead of making the first move in-person, you can soft-approach potential love interests online. If somebody likes you back, you’ve got the “green-light” to introduce yourself IRL. 

Geo-targeted matching benefits people in big cities, but those in rural areas will have a limited selection. Even still, you can foster IRL connections from wherever you are!

Unfortunately, you need to have a Facebook account before signing up. 

14. Tryst (Formerly Switter) – Site Like Craigslist for Easy Meetups

Pros 

• Free site for sex workers and clients
• They recently moved to Tryst.link
• Book independent escorts online 
• Everything is up-front, no games 

Cons

• Yeah, you’re gonna pay for it 

Switter recently moved to Tryst.link, but they haven’t lost an ounce of quality in the process. This free site is home to thousands of local escorts, and you can use their dedicated search filters to narrow down your interests. 

After you create your free account, you’ll have access to a diverse selection of escorts! 

New users join the site every day, and you can find an escort’s personal information in their profile. The best part? You don’t have to pay a dime for this virtual intermediary. 

Independent, pre-verified workers are looking for new clients every day. There are virtually zero fake profiles here, which is an astounding achievement. If you know what you want, it’s easy to secure some action with just a few clicks. 

15. DoubleList – Where to Go After Craigslist Personals 

Pros 

• 60+ million active members
• Diverse selection of personal ads
• Dedicated and specific search filters
• It’s 100% free to use 

Cons

• You will need to avoid fake profiles 

DoubleList is home to 60+ million active users, and they get straight to the point. As the second coming of CL Personals, their classifieds site focuses exclusively on connecting casual daters. Diverse post flairs and filters narrow down your options. 

You can post ads, reply to other people, and enjoy full functionality for free.

Once you sign up with your email address, you’re off to the races. Diverse filters and ad flairs narrow your search by gender, intention, location, and keywords. If you know what you’re looking for, it’s easy to find your match made in heaven.

Of course, with any free personals site, you’re bound to encounter some fake profiles. Thankfully, it’s easy to spot the bots and avoid the scammers. 

16. Locanto Personals – Location-Based Personal Ads

Pros 

• Dedicated “Personals” section
• 1.6 million monthly visitors 
• 100% free to post ads here 
• Sort by location and get down to business

Cons

• Plenty of guys and fake profiles 
• Not strictly for NSFW purposes 

Locanto attracts thrift shoppers, item sellers, and casual liaison seekers all-the-same. Like the old Craigslist, Locanto’s dedicated “Personals” section is filled with real sex ads. They’ve got 1.6 million monthly visitors, and you can search for classifieds in your town or city. 

Members can buy a car or book an erotic massage all the same, making Locanto feel incredibly versatile for SFW and NSFW purposes. 

While you’ll have to scroll past a lot of guys and obvious scammers; their site is 100% free-to-use. Once you find your first diamond-in-the-rough, you’ll understand why Locanto Personals is so popular.

You can narrow down your options by gender, specific keywords, fetishes, and intention. All that said, Locanto facilitates customizable (and free) dating casual encounters.

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How We Chose The Best Craigslist Personals Alternatives

Variety of Active Members

We chose Craigslist replacement sites with the widest selection of active users, so there’s always somebody new to meet. Our best personal ad websites are home to millions of guys, gals, and LGBTQ+ people looking for casual liaisons and NSA adventures. 

Free Personal Ads 

Similar to Craigslist Personals, some of the best online personals are free to use. 

Many of our top hookup sites allow you to post and view other classified ads without spending a dime. That said, some personals services lock premium features behind an affordable paywall. 

Security & Anonymity 

The best personals sites are just that – personal. 

Because our classified ads platforms are secure and encrypted, you won’t have to worry about broadcasting your sensitive information to the world. You can stay 100% anonymous online, which is important for safety purposes.

Site Versatility & Features 

We prioritized Craigslist personal ad sites that offer the same features as the original. Members can browse through free classifieds, swipe their way to a one-night stand, build meaningful connections online, or break the ice with people they’ve already met IRL. 

While many of our top picks are tried-and-true personal ad sites, a good number of them prioritize modernity over classic design. The choice is yours, and the possibilities are endless!

Answering Your FAQs About Craigslist Personals Alternatives

Can You Still Hook Up On Craigslist? 

Yes, you can still hook up on Craigslist. 

That said, you’ll have the best chance of finding a casual encounter via their “Missed Connections” section. This part of their site has all but replaced Craigslist Personals underneath another name.

You can post ads for free, and their forums are filled with people looking for casual dates. However, you might find a lot of men seeking women on the site, which is par for the course.

What Happened to the Now-Defunct Craigslist Personals? 

Here’s what happened to the now-defunct “Personals” section of Craigslist. By March 2018, the platform had become a hotspot for online sex trafficking and child predators. 

Needless to say, the US government took notice and ordered them to close up shop. 

Hundreds of classified sites rushed to fill the power vacuum left behind. In 2022, most dating sites have stolen an element of Craigslist Personals to boost their own popularity. 

This is an absolute win-win for people in the market to meet up with random strangers. 

What’s the Best Online Personals Site for Women? 

As of right now, Tinder is the best online personals like Craigslist for women. By merely existing on the site, you’re 110% guaranteed to receive hundreds of matches from local men (and women, if you’re into that). 

On Tinder and most other sites, women are the prize.

Are There Any 100% Free Craigslist Personals Alternatives?

Yes, there are plenty of 100% free sites similar to Craigslist Personals. 

Reddit R4R, DoubleList, and Locanto are the best free personal ad sites like Craigslist. Even if you wanted to pay a premium for unrestricted access to hundreds of classified ads, you couldn’t. 

Unlike Craigslist, many classified site replacements use a “freemium” approach. While you can enjoy a generous amount of basic functionality without spending money, premium features are locked behind a monthly subscription. 

Important Tips On Staying Safe With Craigslist Personal Ads 

Before you embark on any Craigslist hookups, you should remember that you’re meeting up with a random stranger. You don’t know this person from a hole in the wall, so it’s important to keep your guard up until you get more comfortable around them.

With that being said, follow our tips and tricks to keep yourself safe and anonymous online:

• Your first meeting with somebody should always be in public. 
• You’d rather spend $50 on an Uber (or take public transportation) than be stuck with somebody who makes you feel uncomfortable.
• Download Google Voice for free – don’t give out your real phone number!
• Book a hotel or AirBNB, not a visit to your personal residence.
• Inform a family member or close friend about what you’re going to do. 
• Safe sex is great sex. You don’t want that “I think I’m late” text!
• If somebody asks you for money, they are not looking for casual sex. 
• We’ll say it again – don’t give anybody any of your personal information. 

Final Verdict – Craigslist Personals Alternative Websites

You might be wondering – what are people using instead of Craigslist Personals? 

Although Ashley Madison is the best website similar to Craigslist Personals, you know the old saying – different strokes for different folks! Any of our listed dating sites are a sure bet. Millions of active users are looking for like-minded people to meet up with on the daily. 

We’d suggest sites like Grindr or Feeld for BDSM fetishists and LGBTQ+ daters; but most men seeking women can get free action through Tinder or Reddit R4R. 

Casual encounters don’t always require a previous connection, and we’d implore you to give destiny a boost with our premier Craigslist Personals alternative sites.

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