For most people, each day is filled with various activities and interactions with familiar faces. But how do you connect with new people and expand your circle beyond those you already know, especially when it comes to dating and hookups?

More and more people of all ages are turning to digital connections, downloading hookup apps to meet like-minded people for one-off encounters, spontaneous flings, or no-strings-attached connections.

The use of online dating apps and sites has nearly tripled since 2013, which means that the competition between these platforms has increased significantly. With so many options out there, how can you know which one is the best for you and your needs?

Worry not! We got you and your dating life under control. In this article, you can explore the best hookup apps available in 2025, whether you are looking for a quick hookup, a flirtation, or something more adventurous.

1. Kasual

Kasual (formerly known as Yumi) is a hookup app that creates a secure and fun environment for people looking for casual encounters, with an emphasis on protecting your identity. The only information you need to provide is your location, your ideal partner’s gender, your gender, and your profile picture.

What Kasual has to offer:

  • You are allowed to keep your face hidden.
  • Messaging is completely free.
  • It welcomes all genders and orientations.
  • You can sign up as a couple in a single account.
The fun starts when you play a fun matching game – flip a Kasual Card that lets you meet new people with a 50% chance of finding someone nearby who’s looking for the same type of encounter.

It’s perfect for singles looking for casual dating, and although it’s a hookup app, Kasual doesn’t tolerate nude and explicit content.

2. YOLO

YOLO is a hookup app designed for singles, open couples, swingers, and polyamorous people looking to match, chat, date, and hook up. If you are into casual encounters, threesomes, or long-term flings, YOLO is the door you need to open to get limitless possibilities in exploring consensual, safe, and adventurous relationships.

What YOLO offers you:

  • All profiles are verified.
  • Discretion and the option to hide your face and control who sees your profile and your age.
  • Video profiles as a fun way to connect.
  • Shared communication and group chats for couples.
With a cosmic vibe, YOLO is an app that brings together open-minded people of all sexual interests and orientations looking for FWB (Friends With Benefits) or NSA (No Strings Attached) fun.


3. HUD

The HUD app is all about casual, no-strings-attached (NSA) dating for people who value authenticity, transparency, and privacy. To make a profile on HUD, you’ll have to add your name, date of birth, location, type of connection you are looking for, the gender you are interested in, your gender, and your profile picture.

What can you find on HUD:

  • Browse through profiles using the Match Feed feature.
  • Dating prompts that can increase profile matches.
  • Engaging with other users by sending likes and messages or using Dating Prompts.
  • Female-friendly features such as photo filters and blurs.
  • Video chat, voice, and video messages link to the Spotify account.
No matter where you come from and where you find yourself in the sexual orientation spectrum – you will find a welcoming, inclusive environment where you can be your true self on HUD.

4. Hily

Hily brings a refreshing approach to the dating app scene by celebrating your true self. This hookup app is designed to help people meet others in a natural and relaxed way while making meaningful connections released from the pressure of finding true love.

What Hily has to offer:

  • Compatibility quiz that helps ensure connections are based on mutual compatibility.
  • Built-in safety check before meeting a person.
  • Personalized flirt and chat icebreakers for a smooth start to the conversation.
  • Zodiac synastry test to ensure compatibility based on astrology.
With Hily, you can get help in creating your profile so it reflects your true personality and increases your chances of finding someone who is genuinely compatible with you. Whether you’re looking for something serious or casual, or simply want to network and meet new people, you can do it on your own terms – no stress, no pretenses.

5. PURE

PURE is a sex-positive hookup app, often considered a feminist dating app that lets women set their own rules. This app promotes clear and open communication about intentions, ensuring that both parties have a say in what type of experience they are looking for.

What does PURE have to offer:

  • Personal Ads, where users can describe the kind of experience they’re looking for.
  • Global connectivity is not limited by location.
  • Privacy and security protection with features such as chat timers and photoprotection.
  • Women-friendly features.
With PURE, you have to wake up your creative side while creating Ads. Once you post your unique and personal Ad, you can browse through others’ Ads and connect with those who share similar interests and intentions.

PURE encourages users to be bold, original, and clear about their desires, and in return, you get a dynamic community of open-minded individuals who are all looking to create thrilling and fulfilling experiences.

6. Feeld

Feeld or “throuples” dating app is an innovative approach to traditional dating and hookups. It’s created for those who don’t fit into traditional dating norms and want to explore fetishes, open relationships, polyamory, or simply want to meet people who share the same open-mindedness.

What can you find on Feeld:

  • Over 20 gender identities and sexualities.
  • Free exploration of polyamory, open relationships, and non-traditional connections, fetishes, or kinks.
  • Compatibility quizzes and features.
  • Non-judgmental and safe space for users to express their sexual desires, fetishes, and relationship preferences.
Feeld is all about understanding that the way you connect with others can be diverse and fluid. This app is perfect for those who want to explore desires, challenge conventional relationship norms, and connect with like-minded people in a safe and inclusive environment.

7. Down

DOWN is a fun and honest hookup app designed to satisfy the desires of everyone on the dating scene – from those looking for casual connections to those aiming for pure love. You choose your path, and the app connects you with others who have made the same choice.

What DOWN offers:

  • “Swipe Down” option for those looking for no-strings-attached fun.
  • “Swipe Date” option for those who seek deeper, more meaningful connections.
  • Interactive and fun icebreakers such as “Would You Rather?” and the “Photo Challenge.”
  • Guaranteed safety with a photo verification process to ensure that users are real and committed to creating a genuine experience.
If you are into full transparency and honesty when it comes to hookups and dating, DOWN is the perfect app for you. This app is not just about swiping – it’s about enjoying the experience while you date on your terms.


8. Grindr

Grindr is a hook-up app designed specifically for the LGBTQ community. It’s the go-to app for gay, bi, trans, queer, or even just curious people who want an easy, fast, and efficient way to meet new people for friendships, casual hookups, or more meaningful dates.

What Grindr offers:

  • Freedom to how much or how little information you want to share.
  • Private albums and photos, where you choose who you want to share with.
  • Interest tags for easier finding of people with similar interests.
  • Filter search and favorites.
Grindr offers more than just dating – it’s your guide to discovering local spots like bars, restaurants, and events. It’s a great tool for the LGBTQ community to connect with ease and peace of mind with a simple and quality Privacy Center.


9. Fruitz

Fruitz is the hookup app that allows you to choose your dating preferences by choosing the fruit. It takes the guesswork out of modern relationships by helping you find people who are on the same page as you.

What Fruitz offers:

  • Pick your relationship type by using fruit as a metaphor. Cherry is for something serious and sweet. Grape is for the light dates without pressure. Watermelon has benefits with no strings attached. Peach is a one-night adventure or fun casual encounter.
  • Fun and engaging chats with hundreds of fun and juicy opening questions.
  • Fruitz Premium with unlimited likes, Pollen to boost your profile visibility, and Daily Crushnotes, where you receive exclusive questions to make your first impressions even more exciting, increasing your chances of matching with someone.
Fruitz’s accent is on simplicity, fun, and honesty. By choosing a fruit that best represents your intentions, you can easily find others who want the same type of relationship, making it easier to get straight to the point. This fun and easy-to-use app gives you tools to connect with people who are on the same page as you are.


10. Badoo

Badoo is one of the largest and most popular hookup apps. If you seek romance, friendship, or casual connections, this app can help you. You make contact through a nearby search function, roulette-type matchmaking, and so much more.

What Badoo has to offer:

  • Big community, counting millions of users across the globe.
  • Simple swipe-and-match option with chat and video calls.
  • Advanced search filters by location, age, interests, etc.
  • Verified profiles and safety features.
If you want a simple, secure, and straightforward hookup app with millions of users from all parts of the world, from various backgrounds and cultures, Baddo is a perfect choice for you.

11. Happn

Happn is a unique hookup app that, unlike other apps of this kind where you swipe through profiles, shows you people you’ve physically crossed paths with throughout your day. If you are intrigued by the possibility of meeting people you’ve seen in your daily routine, this app is just what you need.

What Happn offers:

  • Location-based matching.
  • Most of the app’s core features are free.
  • Only matches that meet your criteria are shown.
  • Happn makes it harder for scammers and bots to make accounts.
It’s an app for singles interested in serious relationships and deep commitments, those who want to fall in love or flirt with people they meet every day.

12. Wink

If you are a fan of social media and content sharing, Wink is a hookup app just for you. It’s designed for users who are tired of superficial dating apps and want a more authentic way to meet others.

What Wink has to offer:

  • Focus on personality, not just on appearance, with the possibility to engage with the community by sharing posts, asking questions, and telling stories.
  • Wink’s missed connections feature allows you to reconnect with people you’ve crossed paths with.
  • Customizable profiles where you can add your interests, hobbies, and photos that reflect your true self.
  • Search filters based on criteria like interests, hobbies, and location and unlimited scrolling.
Wink is all about the Vibes, so you can even search for a date for a wedding, a friend for a festival, or casual fun tonight and expand your reach to the world. With this app, you can feel free and safe in a community-driven environment.


13. Her

HER is the world’s most loved dating app and platform designed specifically for lesbian, bisexual, trans, and queer individuals. This app has evolved into an inclusive space where people of all LGBTQIA+ identities can connect, find meaningful relationships, make friends, and share their experiences in a safe environment.

What HER offers:

  • Inclusive dating and connections where you can find a relationship, a casual date, or just someone to talk to.
  • LGBTQIA+ News Feed with vibrant news, updates, and stories.
  • Communities and group chats where you can meet like-minded people with shared passions.
  • Continual updates of features for better user experience.
  • Parties and events are hosted in over 15 cities around the world for the HER community.
HER is not just a hookup app. It’s a place of support and empowerment for the LGBTQIA+ community with fun and informative content and possibilities to connect with people who like and think the same, individually or as a part of group chats.


14. Fet

Fet is a hookup app that goes further compared to the other. This platform is dedicated to those who are interested in exploring kink, BDSM, and alternative lifestyles. It’s a unique and inclusive space where individuals can connect, share experiences, and discover new relationships within the BDSM and kink communities without judgment.

What Fet has to offer:

  • Personalized profile creation with interests, fetishes, and the types of seeking relationships.
  • A focused community for kinksters with free exploration of a wide range of fetishes, from BDSM to D/s (Dominance/submission) dynamics and everything in between.
  • Messaging, connections, public posts, and sharing experiences, tips, and stories related to kink culture.
  • Event listings and meetups, where you can discover local BDSM or kink events, gatherings, and workshops.
This goes beyond the hookup app, and it is considered more of a social platform for the kink and BDSM community where people can connect in a respectful, secure, and open-minded space. Whether you’re looking for new friends, play partners, or long-term relationships, Fet provides the tools to find exactly what you’re seeking.


15. Jaumo

Jaumo is a go-to platform for those looking to find love, make friends, or even explore casual connections. It is an easy-to-use dating app with a simple interface that uses AI matchmaking to connect people and encourages casual conversation that can lead to something more or less.

What Jaumo offers:

  • Effortless options for creating connections – swipe and chat with instant connections, while the app prioritizes meaningful interactions over superficial ones.
  • AI-powered chatbot that helps users break the ice and find highly compatible matches.
  • Profile verification and customizable privacy filters for advanced Safety and Privacy.
  • Like-Minded Communities you can join, such as Fitness Lovers, Global Friends, etc.
With Jaumo, you can explore communities, join meetups with people who share your interests, and find your perfect match. This vibrant dating app, whose name means A New Day, emphasizes meaningful connections online led by personalities.

Conclusion

Sail into this of fun and flings. With so many hookup apps out there, you can pick the one that matches your vibe and start a journey of exciting connections.

Break free and find your tribe – whether you’re looking for like-minded people, casual flirts, or spontaneous dates. Explore your options, and make this year’s dating adventure a blast!

This article appears in Cleveland SCENE 3/27/25.