Smart, Safe, No-Strings-Attached: Finding the Best Site for Casual Dating
Online dating has made it exponentially easier for today’s singles to find love—or lust, as the case may be. Today’s dating sites cater to people and relationships of all stripes, from singles looking for marriage to those interested in simple companionship, short-term dating, no-strings-attached relationships, and casual dating.
Many online dating sites make space for all of the above by allowing you to list your relationship preference as serious, casual, and many grades in between. Others are dedicated solely to one or the other, at least in theory. Though popular dating apps have drawn millions to their screens for swiping, meeting, and having fun, dating sites have become equally popular amongst singles looking for something less committal than a long-term partner.
The options are endless: completely free dating apps, subscription-based dating platforms, sites that make matches for you, and sites that let you scroll through on your own. So, how does one decide? If you’re looking for legit casual dating apps and sites to find casual partners, what are the most important things to consider? Read on for some information on navigating the dizzying, ever-growing pool of places to meet a partner for safe, responsible connections.
Define What You’re Looking For
Before you start swiping, it helps to define your own goals, expectations, desires, and limits. This will not only help you articulate your own boundaries, but it will encourage you to be honest and upfront with those you meet, which is important for ensuring that the experience is consensual, respectful, and safe for all parties involved.
Since the term “casual dating” can mean a few different things, consider what you in particular, are looking for. How much time do you want to invest in a potential match? A one-night-stand may be different than a no-strings-attached relationship that implies an ongoing thing that simply lacks the commitments of of a more traditional relationship. This can help you decide which app or site to use, and how to present your expectations in a way that will match you with others looking for the same thing.
How Will You Use Your Casual Dating Apps?
Do you plan on swiping primarily while you’re out cruising the bars? Do you see yourself scouting potential NSA-partners from a well-lit living room? The answers may make a difference in helping you find the best app or site for casual dating. Location-based dating apps, which connect you to those in your immediate vicinity, are geared towards those who are out, about, and looking for a connection that night. However, casual dating doesn’t have to be limited to who’s closest; for some people, a casual partner still needs to be someone they connect with beyond mere physicality. Dating sites with full profiles that let you select your relationship style, with options such as ‘looking for something casual’ or ‘interested in casual dating,’ may be better if you’re looking for a no-strings-attached partner or want to be more deliberate in choosing a match. Deciding when you’re most likely to look for casual dating and how you’d like to view and communicate with them, will help you narrow down the choices and find a platform that best suits your needs.
How to Stay Safe
The most important factor to consider when choosing a dating app is safety. To what ends does the app or site go to protect you? Do users have to register with a verified Facebook account? Does the site offer safety measures to protect you from inappropriate or abusive matches? Beware of free dating apps that don’t require any accountability, and familiarize yourself with your dating site’s policies on privacy, abuse, and accountability. It’s hard to control the situation once you’re in it, so choose a site or app that provides the best chances of making sure someone is safe before the meeting happens. It’s always wise to meet in a public space for the first time, share the details of your date with a friend beforehand, and exercise caution when meeting someone in person.
Our Top 3 Picks
- 1Ideal dating app for hookups and fun
- Pricing - $0.99-$.50 per day
- Free version - Yes
- Age range - 25-45
Ideal dating app for hookups and funRead BeNaughty ReviewThere's nothing wrong with wanting a relationship that only lasts a short time. And being upfront about it can help you find people who are looking for the same thing. BeNaughty helps users find local hookups and casual dates without judgment or restrictions. And with over 40,000 new members weekly, it has no shortage of people available for these kinds of connections.
Like most swipe-based dating platforms, BeNaughty lets you swipe "yes" or "no" to profiles and only allows you to contact someone when there's mutual interest. The site also provides icebreaker questions and chat rooms to help users connect.
Men can engage in up to five free chats, while women get all premium functionality for free including unlimited messaging. Members can also pay extra for added visibility and security, which includes private browsing, encryption, and history clearing.
Why we chose BeNaughty: With many mainstream dating apps, it can be difficult to make your intentions clear, which can lead to miscommunication and hurt feelings down the line. BeNaughty's users are transparent about what they're looking for, so you can cut right to the chase. Plus, sign-up is quick and easy—no questionnaires, just a simple two-step registration process.
Our experience: We liked that the site has many different and fun ways to interact with other users, including chat rooms, forums, and virtual gifts. We think this site is a breath of fresh air, especially for being upfront about your sexuality and preferences.
BeNaughty Pros & Cons
PROS
Video and photo sharingFree for females to respondFlexible membership packagesCONS
Not really for serious relationshipsSmaller dating pool than most - 2
Trusted site with millions of users- Pricing - As low as $19.99
- Free version - Yes
- Age range - 25-55
Trusted site with millions of usersRead Match ReviewMatch - Best for finding a variety of relationship styles
Match is one of the most popular online dating platforms out there, with millions of users in over 60 countries. This site is a fantastic choice for those seeking serious relationships because profiles include many prompts to learn about users' personalities, lifestyles, and interests.
After creating a profile on Match, you'll get access to limited free functionality. However, you need to become a paying member to send messages. Plus, you'll need to devote time to this app by uploading photos, writing a detailed bio, and answering a lot of questions.
Users seem very happy with Match's customer service, particularly the expert dating coaches who are available to all paying members.
Why we chose Match: Match has an inclusive user base, which allows its users to identify as various genders and sexual orientations and connect with a lot of different people. In addition, social media and phone verification keep fake users to a minimum.
Our experience: We enjoyed taking advantage of the features that make Match stand out from other dating apps and sites, such as read receipts on messages and unlimited video chatting.
Match Pros & Cons
PROS
Experienced, well-trusted dating siteHigh-percentage of success storiesAllows up to 26 profile photosCONS
30-minute sign-up processMore traditional than other sites - 3
Digital matchmaking for seniors- Pricing - As low as $7.49
- Free version - Yes
- Age range - 50 and up
Digital matchmaking for seniorsRead Ourtime ReviewOurtime - Best for singles over 50
Ourtime is geared toward giving the 50-and-up crowd a chance at love. But you don't have to be in your 50s to sign up; anyone interested in dating people who are 50 and over is welcome to join.
With a premium plan, you can send messages, virtual gifts, or even "flirts" to show interest, but you won't have access to these features unless you pay for a monthly subscription.
Ourtime users say they like the focus on user privacy and security. The site ensures its members stay safe while exploring possible connections by providing safety tips for both online and in-person dating. However, some have complained about technical problems and a lack of racial diversity among its active members.
Why we chose Ourtime: Singles over 50 are a large and growing demographic. Ourtime gives singles a way to date without worrying about being rejected because of their age.
Our experience: We saw many profiles with generic bios on other apps. We liked Ourtime's unique prompts that ask users to answer three quirky questions so others can get to know them better. These questions include: "What's your favorite kind of date?", "Which do you prefer - morning or night?" and "Which do you prefer - sweet or savory?" We also appreciated the option to search for various match criteria, including religion and zodiac signs, to find people whose beliefs and interests were compatible with ours.
Ourtime Pros & Cons
PROS
Large user baseHelpful customer supportReal-world singles events and outingsCONS
Limited matching technologyNeed paid membership to send messages
