In the age of on-demand everything, it’s no surprise that we can get “dates” (I use that term loosely here) hot to go with the tap of a button. Thanks to classic hookup apps like Tinder and newcomers like HUD and Pure, finding a sexy new friend can be just as easy as ordering a pizza. As for the quality, well, that’s probably the same too — hit or miss, depending on the time of day, where you’re located, and how hungry you are.
Fortunately, you’ve got me, your resident dating app expert (though I prefer modern-day Carrie Bradshaw), to guide you to the promised land, aka the best hookup apps.
I’ve spent the past three years (yes, really) researching, downloading, and testing dozens of top dating apps to find the best ones for all kinds of daters, including the one-night-stand crowd. From discrete sexting apps to dating sites for serious relationships, I’ve swiped and vetted them all. I also consulted a panel of sex and relationship experts to make sure my picks are solid.
How to use hookup apps successfully, according to the experts
For best results, I recommend downloading a handful of apps (niche dating apps, too!) and experimenting to see what feels right. When you’re scrolling through the apps, skip the ones that scream “romance” (we’re looking at you, eharmony).
“Hookup apps help prevent situations where people are on mainstream dating sites with the intention of having a casual hookup but are unclear about these intentions,” Suzannah Weiss, resident sexologist for Biird and author of Subjectified: Becoming a Sexual Subject, tells Mashable. “They also give women a space to be openly sexual creatures without judgment.”
And thanks to our favorite free dating apps, you don’t even have to pay for a premium membership to get results, though there are definite perks if you do. My take? Start out on the free versions. Tinder, Grindr, and Hinge are all good contenders. (Pure is also free for women.) These popular dating apps let you scout, match, and connect with potential partners for free. Think of it as a “try before you buy” situation.
“I think the free tonight section on Tinder makes it really easy to find a hookup,” says Alexander Liebisch, the CEO and founder of TinderProfile.ai. “After talking to 90 of our users at TinderProfile.ai, we found that people who sent their first message in the free tonight section after 10 p.m. on a weekend had a 45 percent higher success rate for hookups than people who swiped earlier in the day on the general section on a weekday and tried to plan out a date.”
Finally, no matter which platform you choose, be upfront and honest about what you want. Because of all the feature-copying happening in the apps lately, most now have special features to let others know you’re looking for something casual.
The best hookup apps of 2025
Whether you’re looking for a one-night stand, a friends-with-benefits sitch, or just want to explore your sexuality, the right app will connect you with someone who’s on the same page. So, I’ve gathered the best hookup app for every type of person, based on my hands-on testing, expert opinions, and user reviews.
How we tested
Recommending hookup apps isn’t something we take lightly. Your time, and more importantly, your safety, truly matter to us. That’s why our selection process goes beyond surface-level swipes.
Here’s exactly how we make sure our recommendations are trustworthy and genuinely helpful:
Hands-on testing: We create profiles, navigate their interfaces, test how well their matching algorithms actually work, and explore all the chat options. We’re looking for apps that are intuitive, effective at connecting people, and have solid user safety features. If an app feels clunky, pushes too many annoying ads, or just gives off a bad vibe, it doesn’t make our list.
Expert and community feedback: We read user reviews across platforms to identify common issues. We also worked with Mashable’s dedicated Dating & Relationships writers to make sure our recs are comprehensive and accurate. Finally, for this particular guide, we also consulted the following experts for their insights.
Continuous monitoring: The app world changes fast (sometimes faster than your relationship status). So, our work doesn’t stop after we hit publish. We continuously monitor app performance, feature updates, and ongoing user feedback. This commitment means we’re ready to make tough calls and update our recommendations anytime an app no longer lives up to its promise.
