Backpage Alternatives: Sites for Casual Dating and Classifieds
Backpage used to be the ultimate online hub for all types of ads, from housing and rentals to jobs, services, and personal connections. With its shutdown, many are left searching for similar platforms to meet their needs. Fortunately, you don’t have to worry about finding connections in your area. We’ve identified the best 12 Backpage replacements for casual encounters and dating. These niche, high-quality sites offer a diverse user base from around the globe, ready to connect with like-minded individuals.
Top 12 Alternatives to Backpage for Dating and Classifieds
- AshleyMadison - The premier choice for casual connections
- DoubleList - Your go-to site for diverse classifieds
- AdultFriendFinder - The largest and most inclusive dating platform
- Locanto - The leading international classifieds site
- VictoriaMilan - The perfect choice for discreet dating
- OBackPage.com - A Backpage Personals replacement for dating
- FriendFinder - Discover fun connections anytime anywhere
- Oodle - traditional classified site with personal ads
- BeNaughty - An inclusive dating site focusing on casual fun
- Tinder - Favorite dating app among the young generation
- Flirt - Alternative for flirting and casual dating
- Bedpage - Versatile site for many types of listings
These are the sites you can use as Backpage alternatives for casual hookups with no strings attached. Only one thing to note: as always, watch out for catfishers and other scammers when seeking online adult dating. Now it’s time to reveal the full list of top 15 Backpage replacements.
Ashley Madison - The premier choice for casual connections
Ashley Madison, with over 54 million users, is a premier alternative to Backpage Personals for those seeking casual encounters and dating. It provides quality matches and a variety of interactive features. The platform caters to various relationship types, from casual dating to serious relationships. Its privacy features, such as a panic button and blurred profile pictures, ensure a secure and worry-free dating environment.
Pros:
- Large user base
- Quality matches
- Panic button and blurred profile for privacy
- Women get free access
Cons:
- Pay-as-you-go credit system
- Primarily focuses on casual dating
DoubleList - Your go-to site for diverse classifieds
DoubleList is a highly recommended free platform similar to Craigslist and Backpage, offering various categories for users to post, including personals for dating. With over 40 million users worldwide, it is an inclusive site supporting straight, gay, bi, and curious connections. Its straightforward sign-up process and extensive user base make it a convenient choice for finding compatible dates.
Pros:
- Free to use
- Inclusive of all orientations
- Extensive user base
Cons:
- Basic interface
- Limited features compared to paid sites
AdultFriendFinder - The largest and most inclusive dating platform
AdultFriendFinder is the most inclusive replacement for Backpage Personals, catering to all gender identities and orientations. It suits various dating preferences, including casual encounters, hookups, and long-term relationships. After quick and free registration, users can access numerous features for both free and paid Gold members, ensuring a fun and fulfilling online dating experience.
Pros:
- Inclusive of all identities and orientations
- Free registration
- Various features for interaction
Cons:
- Some features require a paid membership
- Interface can be overwhelming
Locanto - The leading international classifieds site
Locanto is an international classified site offering a “Casual Encounters” section for dating, making it a great Backpage alternative. Users can post personal ads for free, specifying their dating preferences. It connects people from numerous locations worldwide, making it one of the most international classified sites for online dating seekers.
Pros:
- Free to post ads
- International reach
- Easy to find local matches
Cons:
- Limited to classified ad format
- Interface may be less user-friendly
VictoriaMilan - The perfect choice for discreet dating
VictoriaMilan is a dating site that focuses on NSA (No Strings Attached) connections, making it a suitable alternative to Backpage. It ensures user privacy with a strong encrypted security system and features like optional anonymous profiles and a panic button. Premium members enjoy an ad-free experience and additional communication tools for a secure and relaxed dating experience.
Pros:
- Strong privacy features
- Optional anonymous profiles
- Ad-free experience for premium members
Cons:
- Some features require a premium membership
- Focus on NSA connections may limit other types of relationships
oBackpage - A Backpage Personals replacement for dating
oBackpage is a classified site designed to replace Backpage Personals, allowing users to post free dating ads and connect with potential dates globally. It helps increase brand recognition and generate quality leads, featuring a simple posting procedure, user-friendly interface, and 24/7 customer support. While offering extensive reach and credible ads, the ad format may appear basic, and some features are limited compared to premium sites.
Pros:
- Free and simple to post ads
- Wide range of dating categories
- International reach
Cons:
- Basic ad format
- Some features may be limited compared to premium sites
FriendFinder - Discover fun connections anytime anywhere
FriendFinder.com connects millions of members worldwide, offering a platform for singles and couples seeking casual fun and no-strings-attached relationships. Users can create free profiles, share private photos and videos, and engage in live webcam chats. The site blends social networking with dating features and offers both free and paid memberships (Silver and Gold) for enhanced access. While focused on casual encounters, it actively filters profiles to maintain safety and performance.
Pros:
- Large, diverse user base
- Discreet, caters to various relationship types
- Features private photos, videos, and live webcam chat
Cons:
- Focused more on casual encounters than serious relationships
- Reports of fake profiles, though actively filtered
Oodle - Classic classified site with personal ads
Oodle is a traditional classified ads site offering a variety of categories similar to Backpage, including personal ads like “Men Seek Women” and “Women Seek Men.” It’s a popular alternative for casual dating and hookups, especially after the Backpage shutdown. The site features search filters for age, gender, distance, and more to help users find exactly what they’re looking for. Posting personal ads is free and does not require verification, making it quick and easy to get your message out.
Pros:
- Free to post ads
- No verification needed
- Search filters for precise results
Cons:
- No verification could lead to fake profiles
- Basic user interface
BeNaughty - Inclusive dating site focusing on casual fun
BeNaughty is a versatile online dating platform serving as a Backpage alternative. It caters to various gender identities, orientations, and preferences, primarily focusing on hookups and casual fun, though some users seek more serious relationships. The site offers messaging, video chat, and gifting features. Women can access most features for free, while men need to upgrade to premium membership. New users can also try a 3-day trial for a small fee.
Pros:
- Inclusive of all gender identities and orientations
- Free access for women
- A variety of communication features
Cons:
- Premium membership needed for full features for men
- Primarily focused on casual encounters
Tinder - Favorite dating app among the young generation
Tinder is the world’s number one dating app, renowned for its popularity among millennials and Gen Z. The app allows users to view profiles in their area, featuring photos and brief text descriptions. Users swipe right to show interest or left to pass, and matches are made when both parties swipe right. From there, messaging can begin. Tinder offers a free version as well as a paid tier (Tinder Gold) for additional features and unlimited swiping.
Pros:
- Wide user base
- Simple and intuitive interface
- Free version available
Cons:
- Limited features in the free version
- High competition on the platform
Flirt.com - Alternative for flirting and casual dating
Flirt.com has been running for over 20 years with over a million users worldwide. It caters to people seeking casual dating and hookups, replacing Craigslist Personals. The site has a user-friendly interface and is simple to use from registration. Features include communication tools, a Like Gallery for matches, and video chatting. Users can also send pre-written messages to multiple users.
Pros:
- User-friendly interface
- Essential communication features
- Video chatting available
Cons:
- Fewer features compared to other sites
- Mainly focused on casual dating
Bedpage - Versatile site for many types of listings
Bedpage is a Backpage alternative with a majority of users in the US. It offers a wide range of listings including jobs, houses, services, and more. The site is inclusive and friendly to the LGBTQ community but does not focus solely on personal ads, making it easy to get lost among the numerous listings.
Pros:
- Wide range of listings
- Inclusive and LGBTQ-friendly
Cons:
- Not focused on personal ads
- Can be overwhelming due to the vast number of listings
Final Thoughts
There are plenty of alternatives to Backpage, but not all are created equal. Your best options for dating or hookups are well-known sites like Adult Friend Finder or AshleyMadison. For buying and selling items or Personals Ads , consider Locanto or DoubleList.
While these well-known sites are generally safer, be cautious with lesser-known sites, as they can sometimes be scams. Follow common sense: never send money to strangers before meeting them in person and verifying their legitimacy. Trust your instincts and stay safe!
