Tired of Pornhub? These raunchy dating sites are worthy alternatives

Who it’s for:

If you prefer a more curated experience, Sssh.com features ethical, feminist porn. If you're interested in a cinematic (but still very NSFW) take on adult entertainment, it's one of the few options that caters specifically to women. Instead of an endless scroll of “money shot” videos and gangbangs, Sssh.com focuses on storylines and real intimacy. The producers want you to feel the empowerment their actors and actresses exude and the genuine connection between performers.

Why we picked this:

A lot of the content on PornHub, and other tube sites like it, is impersonal, unoriginal, unethical, or all of the above. Sssh.com brings art and personality back into the picture with premium porn with provocative storylines that’ll have you biting your lip and clenching your favorite vibe in suspense. (All thanks to Angie Rowntree, the founder and director of the site's original films.)

In addition to original films, Sssh.com also features VR experiences, an erotic photo gallery that’s definitely worth exploring, and original novels and stories (if you’re into erotica). And for anyone with qualms about the ethics of pornography, the site has received the APAC (Adult Performer Advocacy Committee) stamp of approval.

For guys, women, or non-binary folks looking for a more modern alternative to Sssh.com, you can also check out Ersties.com.

Read our full review of AdultFriendFinder.

Read our review of Tinder Platinum.

Who it's for:

Tinder is a mainstream dating app that’s mostly designed for hookups, but that’s not to say you can’t find a real relationship on it. Still, if you're tried of watching videos on the Hub and looking for an IRL play partner, Tinder is full of men and women who are also looking to hook up. Just remember to be respectful (opening a convo with a NSFW message is a major no-no here) and upfront about the fact that you're seeking no-strings-attached fun.

The typical users (around 75 million, by the way) are around 26 years old, but the app’s popular with people outside that age range, too. If you’re in your 40s, though, you might want to branch out beyond Tinder to meet people in a similar age group (here are some other dating app options for single folks over 40).

Why we picked this:

Sure, Tinder may not be the best porn dating site, but we’d be crazy not to include it. It’s just too good for finding quick hookups without dealing with the creepiness associated with some of the other NSFW sites (cough, AdultFriendFinder, cough) out there.

Tinder’s swipe-right-swipe-left interface makes it easy to match with people you're attracted to, and thanks to the app’s Relationship Goals feature, which lets you display a “badge” on your profile that lets the world know whether you're looking for a relationship, hookup, or friend, you can easily find others who are down for the same thing. Plus, the newish ID verification requirement and AI-powered “Photo Selector” help keep things a bit safer.

Who it's for:

If you're looking for a kink and fetish dating app, FET is a pretty good place to start, especially if you're new to the scene and want to feel your fantasy without judgment from others.

This dating app (no desktop version) is ideal for kinksters (and people who are kink-curious), fetishists, and anyone else who's open-minded and wants to explore their sexual preferences beyond the traditional norms.

Whether you're into role-playing, consider yourself a Dom or a Sub, or have any other specific kinks or fetishes, FET is a community-driven platform designed to serve a wide range of sexual interests and desires.

Why we picked this:

FET is the ultimate kink and fetish dating app, full stop. Not only does it have a large and diverse user base, but it also features educational materials for people who are new to kink and/or BDSM.

From the start, you can take a BDSM personality test and choose roles to be displayed on your profile (e.g., submissive, little, master, rigger, rope bunny, etc.). And, if you'd like to match with someone based on their BDSM personality, the app has a special section for people who align with your specific kinks and/or fetishes.

There are tons of ways to connect with others, including forums (sectioned by category, like foot fetishes, pet play, etc.), chat rooms, "ads," which are like personals that go up on an Instagram-like feed, and private messaging.

FET is also big on catching fake profiles and scammers. The app lets you verify your profile for free with a selfie verification that's sent to a human support team (though it takes a while to get approved). The app also prohibits findom, pay pigs, sugar babies/sugar daddies, or sugar mommy relationships to make sure that the platform remains focused on genuine kink and fetish connections rather than monetary transactions or exploitation.

Who it's for:

Grindr is the dating app for gay men. It's specifically designed to cater to the needs of the LGBTQ+ community, offering a safe and welcoming space for gay, bi, trans, and queer men to connect.

Why we picked this:

No. 1 gay app Grindr gives you instant access to hundreds of gay and bi profiles of guys in your nearby area — and since it’s one of the most popular gay and queer apps out there, there are a lot of members.

It works like Tinder in that you upload a profile with pics and a little bio, then you can see who’s closest to you and strike up a conversation and exchange pics — members can also leave voice messages in the in-app chat.

The filters are great, too: You can find only people who have uploaded photos with their faces and also filter by what other users are looking for. The site is as casual as you want it to be — while plenty of men use it for hookups, many have also found partners on it. 

Who it's for:

Sniffies is a map-based hookup site for gay and bi cruisers who just want to fuck. The platform’s not designed for finding a relationship; it’s just for getting down and dirty with whoever’s nearby. As soon as you pull the site up, you’ll see a map lit up with user profiles that are often just a dick pic and their proximity to you.

So, if you’re not looking for labels or commitment and you just want to connect with other horny users for a hot encounter, Sniffies might be worth checking out.

Why we picked this:

Calling all bears, twinks, otters, and more: While Grindr has been dominating the gay men’s app scene for a while now, Sniffies offers a different experience for men who are interested in a no-frills romp in the sheets with a stranger. This cruising site (no app download required) is all about fast, anonymous hookups without the pretense of relationships or courtship.

The site’s completely free to use, but if you want extras (e.g., advanced search filters, unlimited messaging, live play, and the ability to host group gatherings), you can upgrade to a premium subscription, though we’re convinced that the free version will get you where you need to go. The “Cruiser Filters” lets you filter your search by age, endowment size, body type, and sexuality, which is more than enough to help you find the right guy for the job.

There are also a few safety features in place, so you’re not forced to meet up with someone at their house right away. Plus, you can see who’s the most active or experienced on the site by their “hosting status,” which can help give you an idea about who's an actual regular and who’s just peeking around.

Who it's for:

PURE is a hookup app for anonymous casual encounters. It's designed to get you laid quickly and discreetly, with no strings attached. However, if you live in a small town or rural area, your options may be limited as the app is more popular in larger cities.

Why we picked this:

PURE is a hookup app, plain and simple. It's designed to get you laid, like now. It's kind of like the modern-day version of the personals section in a newspaper. All you have to do is create a profile, post an ad, and wait for interested people to reach out. And it's completely free for female users.

You can add photos and "turn-ons" to your profile or choose the Devil's Bones game, which lets you speak with a potential match via an audio call (which you can change to video whenever you want).

The app doesn't show your name or email, making it ideal for secret rendezvous. It also has a screenshot prevention feature that adds an extra layer of security for users concerned about privacy. All chats are deleted when you leave, and you can block and report users who make you feel uncomfortable or unsafe.

Note: Subscription pricing is subject to location.

Who it's for:

Candy.ai is basically an AI companion site that lets you chat with a virtual partner. It's ideal for anyone who's too shy or socially anxious to interact with real people. (It's also great practice for those who want to improve their conversation skills, in and out of the bedroom.)

Why we picked this:

Unlike Character AI (which lets you create poorly generated AI virtual partners and characters to chat with on an outdated interface), Candy.ai is the real deal. It lets you create your dream partner, and you can customize every aspect of their appearance, personality, and interests, including their career and sex drive (nympho is one of the options, obviously).

If you'd rather choose an AI model to talk to, you can pick from hundreds of AI companions with different personalities and backgrounds. There are even anime options for those who have a hentai kink.

Although you have to pay to chat with the model you create, it's free to chat with the AI companions already available on the site. Though, if you want to hear their voice, you'll need to upgrade to a paid subscription.

You can also ask the AI models to send you naughty photos or engage in explicit conversations, making it a perfect choice for anyone who wants a virtual sexual experience without actually talking to another human. (It's a pretty good way to practice sexting and explore your desires in a safe and non-judgmental environment.)