10 Best Craigslist Personals Alternatives (2024)

In the recent past, Craigslist was the go-to platform for hookups and dates. Since security was such a big thing, CL was a safe place for people who wanted to hide their identity. This brings us to the question, did Craigslist remove personals? The answer is yes, unfortunately. In 2018, Craigslist terminated its personals section after a bill was passed by the US Senate. It violated the law and at some point, it became a haven for spammers.

Thankfully, a lot of alternatives have popped up. The type of website you visit will depend on what you’re searching for. The following  Craigslist personals replacements will help you find casual sex, one-night stand, dates, or even a serious relationship. Let’s jump right in!

Other personal sites like Backpage were also forced to close because of the overwhelming amount fo sex traffickers, but this shut down brought a lot of legit hookup platforms and alternatives for sex listings. Here are some of the new sites like Craigslist that you can use to find local dates and hookups.

1. Doublelist.com (See alternatives)
2. AdultFriendFinder
3. Ashley Madison
4. ClassifiedsFactor
5. GiganticList
6. FetLife
7. MegaPersonals
8. KinkyHookup
9. ClassifiedAds
10. Kijiji
11. ClubSissy
12. RealJock
13. Switter

1. Doublelist.com 

Best for local classifieds 

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Doublelist catered to the needs of the LGBT community and straight people seeking serious relationships or one-night stands. Once users signed up, they could access personal ads for free. Doublelist.com became a popular hub for members who wanted to satisfy their sexual needs. It excelled in providing a mobile-friendly interface and fast performance. For those unsure of its usefulness, reviews from other members highlighted its value. The platform accepted profiles of all ages and operated in more than 20 countries. Moreover, it allowed members to find others based on sexual criteria and geographical location.

Since its inception, Doublelist built a solid reputation within the international community. It also worked hard to protect its members. Users had to be at least 18 years old to join, and violations of the terms led to irreversible bans. Additionally, members were prohibited from using censored words—a policy partly inspired by the reasons behind Craigslist personals’ shutdown.

At its peak, Doublelist was estimated to receive over 60,000 submissions daily, with most users coming from the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States. After clicking the signup button, users were directed to a page to fill in their details. Following confirmation via email, they were redirected to the main page, where they could view the number of people online. The platform aimed to create a safe space for members to connect.

2. AdultFriendFinder 

AdultFriendFinder

4.70 (10909 votes)

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Best for local encounters: Read full review

3. AshleyMadison 

Ashley Madison

4.96 (12378 votes)

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Best for milfs and affairs

Ashley Madison has earned quite a reputation for itself over the years. Mainly for the unique service that the site offers. Ashley Madison is a website that was created especially for people who are looking for an extramarital affair. And whether you agree with it or not, the site has enjoyed a ton of popularity. 

Now, if you’re looking for a Craigslist Personal’s alternative, Ashley Madison is a little bit different than what you may be used to. Ashley Madison actually helps it’s users find a match, so you’re not left out in the cold. When you use Ashley Madison it’s easy to find like-minded users looking for discreet relationships.

At the end of the day, the site is mainly used for finding casual hookups, so make sure that’s what you’re looking for. Because this site has been in the game for so long, you can rest assured you’ll find a hookup.

4. ClassifiedsFactor

ClassifiedsFactor

4.50 (9759 votes)

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ClassifiedsFactor has a classic look and feels to it; however, the sites with the classic look tend to be quite intuitive and functional. This is the case for ClassifiedsFactor as well, and you probably can land the services or items you’re after in minutes just by starting your browsing journey using their left navigation menu. Yet again, this classified advertising site is a Craigslist alternative that you should never miss, go ahead and give it a try right now!

5. GiganticList

GiganticList

4.50 (9486 votes)

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GiganticList is a must-see website if you’re in the market to find a Craigslist alternative. As its name suggests, it contains a gigantic list of ads covering common categories that you can expect to come across on a free classified advertising website. You also are in luck if you live in less populated areas as GiganticList most likely covers more cities or areas than most other sites out there. Go ahead and give it a try now!

6. FetLife 

FetLife

4.84 (9504 votes)

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Best for kinks and fetishes

FetLife is a social network that allows users to post sex ads. You need to create an account to see the classified section. When you browse through the listings, you’ll find ads like seeking prey, seeking hunters, rope bunnies, and more. The idea is to send tingles down your spine.

The signup process is straightforward. Once your registration is verified, a confirmation code is sent to your phone. The site also prompts you to write your fetishes and kinks. But the best way to get started is to join groups (the engine that drives FetLife). And just like other algorithm dating site, you can send private messages or post blogs. Because the user base is extremely large, you’re likely to find the perfect match. The fun starts when you click on the `kinky and popular’ button.

To access full-site functionality, you should upgrade to paid members. You can access archival and video-based content. FetLife protects your information from third parties. But just like other networking sites, they collect statistics on user engagement.

7. MegaPersonals

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Best for personal and classifieds 

MegaPersonals was restricted to persons over 21 years old. It catered to people interested in casual sex, hookups, or no-strings-attached encounters. The platform offered five options: men seeking women, men seeking men, women seeking men, women seeking women, and trans individuals. For those seeking long-term relationships, it was likely not the ideal site. Because the focus was on casual connections, the signup process was quick, taking only 5-10 minutes.

Users first selected their gender identity and specified the kind of person they hoped to meet. Then, they shared an email address and selected a username. When designing the profile, descriptive words were recommended to capture the attention of other members. Lastly, users provided their date of birth and location.

Once an account was ready, users could begin chatting. To find active members, users could scroll through the list and match based on criteria. Like other premium sites, MegaPersonals allowed members to get to know others on a more personal level. Sharing more detailed information increased the chances of finding compatible matches. However, a single picture in a profile was often insufficient to attract messages, clicks, or likes.

MegaPersonals performed well in terms of safety. However, given the potential for scams, users were encouraged to follow safety tips to protect themselves. Suspicious activities could be reported directly to the site. Members were advised to rely on their instincts during interactions and to trust their gut if something felt off. The servers were located in various countries to enhance safety.

MegaPersonals offered a free trial period, but access to key features was limited. For unlimited access, users needed to upgrade to a paid membership.

8. KinkyHookup 

KinkyHookup

4.66 (9115 votes)

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If you have a sexual kink, Kinkyhookup.com will meet and exceed your expectations. Hundreds of people join this site for online hookups and discreet sexual encounters. The site consists of a kinky community specifically for people interested in BDSM. While most dating sites have fake profiles, this site allows you to meet real people. You’ll be amazed by the simple features on the site that helps you connect with other people from all walks of life. And when you join the community, you’ll get someone who fits into your description of fun.

To register, you simply create a profile and fill in the necessary information. Be sure to include a photo, location, and age. If you’re looking for something discreet, you won’t go wrong with Kinkyhookup. All the information you give is held with the utmost confidentiality. For some sites, you can take days or weeks before you find someone who piques your interest. At Kinkyhookup.com, everything will be laid out for you at once. Whether you’re traveling alone or on a business trip, you’ll need a way to explore your sexual kink.

The site is all about sex and is a golden ticket to instant communication. At the top of the personal page, you can update your preferences to refine the results. In terms of the user interface, the site will meet and exceed your expectations. Every feature is well laid out, so you don’t have to click around to find anything. The type of membership is where things get interesting. You can reply to emails, message people, visit chat rooms, etc. But when you upgrade to premium membership, you’ll get tons of escorts lingering on the site. Kinky hookup is suited for people who are in a sexual rut but are not looking for a long-term relationship. Sometimes, it’s better to skip the talk and have sex.

9. ClassifiedAds  

ClassifiedAds

4.36 (8923 votes)

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Best for local dates and escort classifies

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This site has been around since 2001 and was originally used to list popular items like cars, jobs, and real estate. Today, ClassifiedAds has a section that replaced CL personals. You can choose from a wide range of categories including men seeking women, men seeking men, casual dating, missed connections and more. It boasts of intuitive interface and has less strict policies. The website is mobile-friendly and loads pretty quickly.

10. Kijiji (Canda) 

Best for Canadian classifieds

Kijiji was a popular alternative to Craigslist classifieds. It provided personals options such as men looking for women, women looking for men, and those interested in non-sexual meetups. Users could navigate to the community section and select categories like long-lost relationships, missed connections, friendships, and more. The search feature was particularly helpful for those with specific interests. Since the website was only accessible within Canada, users needed to be clear about their intentions upfront.

In terms of privacy, Kijiji prioritized user security. It implemented measures to protect conversations from online hackers, ensuring they remained private between participants. However, users who posted inappropriate content were promptly banned.

11. ClubSissy

ClubSissy

4.29 (8280 votes)

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Beat for gay and LGBTQ encounters

This site was considered safe for anyone who is sissy. Club Sissy welcomes all sissies (transsexuals, transgender, etc.). If you’re looking for sex without any obligations, this is the best site for you. To register, you simply provide your name and registration process. Whether you’re looking for like-minded men or women or a casual meet up, you can be sure to find someone. By being a member of Club Sissy, you’re a step closer to finding someone who understands you.

The good thing about Club Sissy is that you can find casual hookups that meet your description. If you don’t feel a connection, you can unmatch the users. This site gives you the freedom that you don’t get from other dating sites. And depending on your needs, there are different ways of interacting with potential matches. You can chat, text, or use voice memos. Since there are many registered users, you can test the waters before you make your final decision. While you can access the basic features for free, paid subscriptions allow users to shut the ads down. The free trial period allows you to make informed decisions.

12. RealJock 

RealJock

3.50 (8071 votes)

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Beat for gay classifieds

RealJock is a gay site where you can find loads of like-minded gays looking for a sexual encounter. A common feature in this site is lots of muscular men. To get started, you simply need a username and a password. And the best part is that you don’t need to pay for anything to access the features on the site. You can send messages and browse profiles without paying a dime. What’s more, you can upload multiple pictures and find sexually explicit images of members. In the forum section, you’ll find lots of information on how to keep fit and keep your man satisfied.

13. Switter 

If you preferred to use sex escorts to find casual encounters, Switter was a go-to platform. It was the largest and most unique platform for people seeking no-strings-attached connections. Unlike most dating sites that provided discussion rooms and forums, Switter introduced a new dimension with its free speech feature. Much like other social media sites, users could post their thoughts using videos, links, pictures, GIFs, and more.

The platform also included a listing option for sex workers. In the past, sex workers faced challenges in connecting with clients, but Switter offered a stress-free way to engage with a thriving community. It was one of the first platforms that gave sex workers control over the terms of use. However, due to its nature, Switter faced roadblocks, including issues with server hosting.

Switter was built on an open-source network but hosted on the webmaster’s servers. It did not censor users for being part of the adult industry, including camgirls, pornstars, and escorts. Since the company operated outside the United States, it was not subject to US domestic laws. For users concerned about privacy, Switter allowed accounts to be set as hidden, ensuring they would not appear in searches or feeds.

With Craigslist personals no longer in existence, Switter became a viable alternative for those who preferred not to rely on bars or clubs to meet like-minded individuals. It catered to a wide variety of sexual kinks, making it a notable option among similar platforms.