Let’s face the music. We’re living in the 2020s. We must say farewell to the days of Craigslist. No, we’re not talking about using the site to search multiple listings or for their yard sale features. We’re talking about Craigslist Personals. The site’s adult dating options shuttered back in 2018, leaving lovers of the simple yet horny site up in arms. Now’s the time to explore a new generation of websites like Craigslist for dating, romance, and sex.
We know it’s a bit intimidating. How do you turn to other sites after years of depending on the ever-faithful format of CL’s adult classifieds? Or maybe you traded in your Craigslist dreams long ago in exchange for the rapidity and trendiness of apps. In that case, you might wonder, “Why should I return to classified ads?”
Come one, come all; we’ve got answers no matter what brings you here. However, if you’re looking for a strictly classified site for sell groups, this isn’t the article for you! But, if you’ve ever wondered about Craigslist dating or alternative sites for finding romance, we’ve got you covered. Read on for our deep-dive on Craigslist personals, dating, and the best sites to replace it.
Why Look For Craigslist Alternatives for Dating
It’s been a few years since the death of CL’s ad-style dating site. So why should you search for Craiglist personals alternatives in this day and age?
First of all, apps are exhausting. Aren’t you tired of all the swiping? On the surface, dating apps seem the ultimate modern solution to dating and finding hookups. You can search for love on the go and leave it up to an algorithm to do the hard work. But the reality isn’t as ideal. You must pick from hundreds of apps that all do the same thing. How do you know which to download and which to skip? (Besides checking out our list of the top 10 apps for hookups, of course.)
And don’t get us started on all the long questionnaires, quizzes, and icebreaker questions. (Many of which you don’t even care that much about.) Supposedly, entering this information ups your odds of meeting your perfect match. But how often are other users taking the time to read your profile instead of just looking at your pics?
Plus, dating apps have little to no anonymity. This might not seem like a problem to the average dater trying to find a companion. For others either desiring something friskier or even individuals who aren’t open with their sexuality, this is a huge risk. You must enter your full name and photo, which any other user can screenshot and share.
However, you can get down to business with Craigslist-like websites without all the extra fluff. You don’t have to share information you’re uncomfortable disclosing (or irrelevant). On top of that, you can be as specific as you please about what you want in your personal ad listings.
Are There Websites Better Than Craigslist for Dating?
Yes, there are many Craigslist alternatives for personal online classifieds. That’s a welcome relief, considering Craigslist Personals and Adult Classifieds are no longer a thing. CL came up with a smart, simple format for online dating. But others have taken up the mantle and improved it, adding a few benefits.
For one thing, a downside of Craigslist’s classified posting forum was a lack of security. New websites like Craigslist now take customer privacy and safety more seriously. Most online dating pages have some kind of verification process to keep out bots and fake profiles. Additionally, most provide security information and recommendations to educate and inform their users.
Another way that some CL replacements are superior is by updating their business models. Craigslist was barebones; Many dating and sex online platforms now offer more tech-savvy and valuable tools, like live streaming features. If you’re interested in connecting with other daters in a social media-esque way, these updates are for you. Are you wondering which websites we mean? We’ll get into it in the section.
5 Other Websites Like Craigslist for Dating
Let’s break down what we precisely mean when discussing finding alternatives to Craigslist. First, we’re looking for those personal Craigslist ad–style sites. We’re not just seeking out any old online dating experience. If you loved Craigslist, you loved the format.
You liked the call back to the classic newspaper classifieds you found in a Craigslist ad. You enjoyed love and sex seekers putting their desires out there in the quirky style of product listings. Maybe you even got off on peeking into the sex lives of daters when you search specific neighborhoods. It was like hanging out in a town square and listening to everyone’s gossip.
Or maybe you were all about the raunchiness. Because if we’re all being honest, even to this day, sites like Craigslist have an “adult” connotation. Sure, there was plenty of room for earnest lovers and hopeful daters. But it was also one of the few places you could post that you were horny, and someone would respond.
We’ve tried to capture the mood, format, and openness with our list of 5 sites that are an alternative to Craigslist. Keep reading to see which one fits your bill.
1. Websites Like Craigslist Personals US Edition: Reddit
If you’re hoping for websites like Craigslist Personals in the US, we recommend trying Reddit. That’s right, Reddit isn’t just the palace you go to for neighborhood gossip or debating the latest internet subculture debate. Reddit Personals, known as r/r4r, is the place where loved-up Redditors can post and reply to other personal ads.
It works the way that all of Reddit functions. You make an account with a username, you join the subreddit, and you make a post. Like other forums, you must follow the rules to avoid bans or post deletions. But they’re pretty simple and readily available on the subreddit front page.
There’s also a r/dirtyr4r subreddit for (can you guess from the title?) more explicit Redditor requests. For a better shot at relationships and dating, go to the original Reddit. But if you’re trying to get laid or find an adult fun classified ad or two, this is the place for you.
The pros of using this as your Craigslist replacement:
- It has a simple, clean interface without a steep learning curve.
- Similar to other websites like Craigslist, Reddit focuses on text and (optionally) photos instead of dating profiles.
Here are the cons of the r/r4r forum for dating:
- Separation between the “dirty” and “serious” subreddits. If you’re interested in both, you must switch between them instead of having it all in one place.
- Lack of filtering and sorting options. You can search the forum for specific keywords or sort it by newness, but that’s about it.
- You may encounter a few fraudulent ads, so you must do your due diligence.
2. MenNation: The Best Alternative Dating Site For Gay Men
Are you tired of trawling the internet for the best gay bars near you? Are you seeking out an m4m connection like on Craigslist? Then MenNation is calling your name. Feel free to answer.
For the uninitiated, MenNation is one of the best alternatives to Craigslist for gay, queer, and bi men. It has the same open format where users take the reins. If you’re tired of filling out endless dating bios and swiping, this is your happy place. That said, keep scrolling if you’re looking for someone to walk you down the aisle.
This is the page you go to if you’re trying to dick someone down or vice versa. Make no mistake: MenNation is for casual encounters and hookups only. It’s kind of like using Grindr instead of Hinge.
Pros of MenNation:
- Exclusive to gay men
- Great for sex and play
Cons of MenNation:
- It tends to be NSFW, so be careful where you log in
- MenNation Works on a “Freemium” model. Making an account and using special features is free, but unlike other personal ads sites, the rest is paywalled.
3. Similar Craigslist Websites for Lesbians: LesbianPersonals
Don’t worry. We weren’t about to forget about the ladies searching for Craigslist alternatives. Luckily, LesbianPersonals is here for all your sapphic appetites. As advertised in the title, this is a personals-style website for lesbian, bi, and queer women.
You can post a personal ad and respond to others with a free membership. Like MenNation, paid features like webcams and live streams are available. But again, in just a few clicks, it offers a straight-to-the-point format for flings and flirtation.
Here are the pros of LesbianPersonals:
- A women-only space perfect for lesbians
- Ideal for casual encounters
- Plenty of adult content to enjoy
- Free membership allows you to post and respond to personals
Here are the cons of Lesbian Personals:
- Paid tiers
- You’ll still run into the occasional unicorn hunter
- Not for serious, committed relationships
4. Match.com: The Best Craigslist Personals Alternative for Serious Daters
The last three websites, like Craigslist, that we’ve shared with you have leaned heavily into the casual side of things. Don’t despair, you hopeless romantics and serial monogamists. We did find an excellent option for you: Match.com.
Full disclosure: this site wavers from Craigslist’s original back page ad style. Match.com is closer to a traditional dating service because you make a profile and bio page. You can browse other users based on age, zip code, and appearance. Or, you can lean into an algorithmic setup for the best search results.
However, it’s also a secure site with more of a vetting process, so you’re less likely to run into scammers. Match.com requires a paid membership, but you can snag a free trial to make sure it’s right for you.
Match.com benefits Craigslist lacks:
- Geared toward serious relationships
- Greater security measures
- You’ll find valuable tools to find your best match.
- Mobile apps are available through both the iOS and Google Play stores.
Cons of Match.com:
- Paid service
- Closer to a traditional dating app or website
5. The Only Website Like Craigslist You Need: Doublelist Forums
If you want a site that’s as close to the Craigslist blueprint as possible, DoubleList is for you. Like Craigslist personals, the design and layout are minimalistic and built around the ease of surfing personal ads. It’s also purely a personal ad site. No building a profile; just get straight to typing your classified and linking up with singles.
Another thing that makes it the best of the websites like Craigslist is that it’s wholly location-based. You don’t have to worry about chatting with strangers you’ll never meet. When you log into DoubleList, click on the forum assigned to your city and go from there.
The best part? The signup process takes less than a minute and is completely free. All you have to do is provide an email, come up with a username and password, and you’re all set. And since you use a username, you can stay as anonymous as you like. Are you ready to leave Craigslist personals in the rearview mirror? Å Sign up for your free account today!
