Hookup apps, compared honestly
Every app here, what it is actually for, and the catch. No made-up star ratings.
Which app, quickly
- Just want something casual: Pure or Tinder.
- Open relationship, kink or curious: Feeld.
- Couple looking for a third: Feeld or 3Fun.
- Gay or bi men: Grindr.
- Queer women: Her.
- Something that might turn into more: Hinge or Bumble.
Tinder
The default swipe app, and still the biggest pool of people in most UK towns.
- How it works
- Swipe on photos; match if you both like each other; then chat.
- Good
- Largest user base; works almost everywhere in the UK.
- Watch out
- Intentions are mixed, so you will need to say what you want early.
- Cost
- Free with paid tiers
Feeld
The app for open-minded singles and couples: non-monogamy, kink and curious.
- How it works
- Build a profile with desires and boundaries; connect as a single or link with a partner.
- Good
- Upfront about intentions; couples-friendly; strong in UK cities.
- Watch out
- Much smaller outside big cities.
- Cost
- Free with paid tiers
Pure
Built for no-strings meet-ups, with posts that expire so nothing lingers.
- How it works
- Post that you are free; people nearby respond; chats disappear after a set time.
- Good
- Clear about casual intent; privacy-focused.
- Watch out
- Smaller pool than Tinder; paid to post.
- Cost
- Subscription
Grindr
The location-based app for gay, bi, trans and queer men.
- How it works
- Browse a grid of people nearby, sorted by distance, and message directly.
- Good
- Huge and very active user base.
- Watch out
- Share your location with care; profiles are distance-sorted.
- Cost
- Free with paid tiers
Her
Dating and community app for lesbian, bi and queer women and non-binary people.
- How it works
- Profile-based matching plus community spaces and events.
- Good
- Built for queer women rather than bolted on.
- Watch out
- Smaller outside big cities.
- Cost
- Free with paid tiers
Bumble
Swipe app where, in heterosexual matches, women message first.
- How it works
- Swipe to match; matches expire if nobody messages in time.
- Good
- Fewer unsolicited messages for women.
- Watch out
- Less casual in tone than Tinder.
- Cost
- Free with paid tiers
Hinge
Prompt-based app marketed as 'designed to be deleted'.
- How it works
- Like or comment on a specific photo or prompt to start a conversation.
- Good
- Better conversations than swipe apps.
- Watch out
- Mostly relationship-minded, not really for hookups.
- Cost
- Free with paid tiers
AdultFriendFinder
Long-running adult community site for casual encounters, swingers and kink.
- How it works
- Profiles, groups, chat and live cams in one site.
- Good
- Very explicit about intent; large international membership.
- Watch out
- Expect many upsells and inactive profiles; pay only after testing free features.
- Cost
- Free with paid tiers
3Fun
App for couples and singles looking for threesomes and group dates.
- How it works
- Link profiles as a couple and browse singles or other couples nearby.
- Good
- Niche is clear.
- Watch out
- Small user base in many areas.
- Cost
- Free with paid tiers
Kasual
Anonymous hookup app with no real names and no social log-in.
- How it works
- Create an anonymous profile, swipe and chat.
- Good
- Privacy-first sign-up.
- Watch out
- Smaller, and quieter outside cities.
- Cost
- Free with paid tiers