Published in cooperation between Panther Sexy and the East Bay Express
Backpage was shut down by the U.S. Government in 2018 for allegedly enabling sex trafficking, but the site’s uncensored classified ads section never really stopped. Many alternative sites arose after that, and we’ve compiled the best Backpage alternatives right now.
These sites are designed to replace the casual hookups and casual sex ads that Backpage was so well-known for.
You can use these alternate sites to check out free classified advertisements or even post some sexy ads yourself.
First Look at Backpage Alternatives Websites
- Adult FriendFinder—Backpage’s best alternative
- Ashley Madison—Married people dating
- Euro Girls Escort—Escort listing for outside the United States
- Tinder—Most popular easy dating site
- Slixa—A true VIP experience
- Escort Directory—Most similar design to Back Page
- Erotic Monkey—Classified ads just like the original
- Alt.com—BDSM and fetish fun
- Reddit Dirty R4R—Free forum for discussion
- SkipTheGames—For people looking for specific services
Top 10 Sites Like Backpage, Rated and Reviewed
Our top picks for dating and casual encounters, from mobile apps to Backpage alternative sites.
Many let you post free classified advertisements for yourself, while others just show you results like Backpage classified ads.
1. Adult FriendFinder—Best Backpage Alternative Site Overall
Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Adult FriendFinder (AFF) is that you can start with a basic account completely free of charge. If you’re looking for a website full of horny 30+ singles (and swingers!) to fill the void of Backpage or Craigslist Personals, AFF is probably it.
It’s a very sex-positive website!
And if you happen to experience trouble starting convos, there are plenty of great icebreakers that help you to get the conversational ball rolling. On top of that, there are live cams, erotic stories, sexy chat rooms and more.
If you’re concerned about your online security, you don’t need to worry about exposing your private information on AFF. Adult FriendFinder has several security features that help safeguard user data.
What’s more, users generally play well with real pics on their posts and message you quickly and naturally. It’s not surprising to find a partner who wants to hook up for free or is willing to offer to hook up on the first date free of charge.
Open-minded? Check. LGBTQ+-friendly? Check. One of the best Backpage alternative websites? You better believe it.
Pros
- Meetups with people from diverse cultures
- Live webcam action, NSFW photo albums and videos
- Intimate dealings with a very low chance of getting ripped off
- A “sex university” with tons of educational content, extraordinary magazines, cool groups and forums
- Affordable membership plans
Cons
- Inactive profiles
- Minor risk of catfishing
- Requires Gold membership for essential features like messages and likes
2. Ashley Madison—New Backpage for Married People
Ashley Madison is unlike any other dating or adult platform whatsoever, especially if your spouse is giving you a headache. If you’re married and are merely a curious explorer looking for a new experience, this site should be at the very top of your list.
We can’t help but praise Ashley Madison for the remarkable work they put into concealing your identity. Married people can seamlessly use digital mask filters over their faces so nobody, including their spouses, uncovers their private rendezvous.
Cunning.
Backpage had significant weaknesses in curbing romance scammers who take on fake identities in their dark swindling schemes. On the other hand, this Backpage alternative overflows with glamorous women and handsome men with real money and sex appeal.
To crown it all, Ashley Madison lets women join for free, helping to grow the number of female users over time. While AM may not look like Backpage and Craigslist Personals did, this hookup site can definitely fill the void left behind by Backpage … pun intended.
Pros
- Hide your identity with digital mask filters
- Guaranteed trust from worldwide dating profiles since 2001
- Mix of marrieds, singles, couples, swingers
- Easy to use if you’re not tech-savvy
Cons
- Only women can use the platform for free
- Bots and data breaches in the past
Check out our full review of Ashley Madison and the price of its hookups!
3. Euro Girls Escort—Best Professional Escort Services (Non-U.S.)
The first time you visit Euro Girls Escort, you’ll find personal ads and escorts from nearly every corner of the globe, save for the United States Even in Moscow and Nairobi, you’ll get just the sexiest independent or agency workers alike.
Here’s another amazing detail about this forum—the classified ads give you great detail, unlike traditional sites like Backpage.
As for the contact information, it is easy to find because EU Girls Escort cares that you get instant connection upon clicking on direct message icons.
You’ll also easily see multiple categories for attributes like hair color, age and nationality. You may also select your preferred busts type and figure out if someone is a smoker or not.
Overall, EU Girls Escort is user-friendly with an interactive design, flexible features and customizable filters.
Pros
- Outstanding profile details save you time digging deeper
- Direct contact information guarantees swift engagements
- VIP girls worldwide
- Straightforward women who respect business
Cons
- No posts from U.S. escorts
- Overwhelming posts and profiles if you don’t apply filters
4. Tinder—Most Popular Dating and Hookup Similar to Backpage App
We couldn’t write this Backpage alternatives guide without mentioning the king of hookup apps, Tinder … the most popular dating platform accessible via mobile app. With Tinder, you could get casual sex sooner than you may believe.
What’s more, it’s free.
You can easily browse through potential partners in your local area, swiping left and right to your heart’s content. Tinder has an extensive user base filled with regular people looking for hookups, as well as escorts who will send you private messages on their rates.
Assuming you’re not so familiar with this reliable platform, there’s that classic swiping action on your smartphone screen to accept or turn down someone based on their profile. You simply swipe right to like them and potentially hook up, or you swipe left to start seeking another match.
You can only talk to mutual matches (people who swiped right on you too), so there isn’t too much awkwardness.
Pros
- No hefty signup fees
- Incredibly large pool of users, especially young people
- Numerous escorts if you prefer no-strings-attached
- Paid upgrades available
Cons
- Superficial by design
- Free profiles are limited
- Fake profiles could get you ripped off
5. Slixa—Outstanding Backpage Alternative for the VIP Experience
Some Backpage alternatives can get messy and crooked, but not Slixa. They have stringent policies against sex trafficking, sexual abuse and other nasty means of getting the job done. Slixa’s escort directory covers Australia, the United States, Canada and the UK.
Slixa offers a reputation that’s hard to replicate if you’re looking for a VIP experience and premium services online. The site runs replete with classified ads for gorgeous women who’ll leave you craving more. There are no pimp games here.
You’ll likely find a sleek experience with Slixa, as top magazines like Forbes and Business Insider have featured it. What’s more, you’ll easily land expert masseuses and professional female escorts.
When it comes to privacy, Slixa does a commendable job. One of the features gives you an option to hide nudity if you’re a member. There are also filters for personal attributes like ethnicity, hair color, body type and age, among others.
Pros
- Escorts from diverse backgrounds
- Direct contact details of escorts
- Professional classified ads for easy posts
- High-class clients; narrow risks of Splenda daddies
Cons
- Unclear benefits of becoming VIP
- Pithy information on escorts
6. Escort Directory—Closest Resemblance to the Backpage Website
Escort Directory is a top escort site that’s extremely similar to Backpage. While it’s a classified ads directory, you may not get those distinct parts about non-sensual services. It’s a place to post ads for adult services.
Introductory profiles will show you the names, location, age and even an airplane icon so you can arrange for travel. The site is LGBTQ+ friendly. To crown it all, there’s a currency selector, so you don’t have to worry about exchange rates.
Providers at Escort Directory offer classic massages and memorable tours besides getting dirty in BDSM activities. You won’t just hit it and leave—you’ll leave knowing it was worth it and can review your provider.
You can search the personal ads by names and phone numbers if you want a rematch—what more can you ask for from a Backpage alternative website?
Pros
- Appealing natural photos
- Provider location guarantees easy access
- Unhidden contact details
- Porn stars for a VIP experience
Cons
- Some women may not be real escorts
- Certain providers are extremely discreet
7. Erotic Monkey—Best Replacement for Classified Backpage Ads
With Erotic Monkey, you may never spank the monkey again. Real escorts offer unmatched classified ads and tell you clearly what they want. If you’re looking for Backpage replacement websites, EM is as straightforward as it gets.
Heck, you can even figure out the bust sizes, incall and outcall rates. What a treat! The only thing we may frown about is that Erotic Monkey primarily focuses on the United States Still, if you’re reading this from the United States … you’re in luck!
On top of all of this, if you prefer to browse safely, then you can filter out erotic images too! I mean, we’re not sure why you would do that … but it’s an option.
Pros
- Detailed profiles
- Access to sexy, young adults
- Direct contact information
- Reviews give a better gist of providers
Cons
- Very few information updates
Find more with our full Erotic Monkey review here.
8. Alt.com—BDSM Ads Similar to What You Would Find on Back Page
If you understand the BDSM reference right away, you probably get the whole gist of Alt.com—and understand why it’s very different from all other adult dating sites.
It has all the stuff you can’t get away with posting on other dating sites, even Tinder and Adult FriendFinder.
Alt.com explores a number of taboos and you can match up with locals or people across the world for a frank discussion of your common interests—all of which are extreme, sexual and very niche.
You can follow Doms and subs and get updates on their social media profiles, along with many NSFW photos of what they enjoy doing to themselves and their partners.
You can also find some paid services here, such as BDSM partners who charge for their time and knowledge. You can also check out online services, live webcam shows, chat rooms, pictures and hot BDSM videos.
With similar features and functionalities as Facebook, you can follow, like and share your favorite BDSM friends and acquaintances.
If your interests are too extreme for Tinder, you know where to go!
Pros
- Fetish-specific partners are available
- Promotions allowed
- You can follow and befriend users like a social network
- Search new friends by fetishes and taboos
Cons
- The site may be a bit complex to use
- Some stuff is not for all tastes
9. Reddit Dirty R4R—Backpage Type Of Forum With Free Posts
Reddit Dirty R4R is better than free classified sites because you can get casual sex without hectic processes. You only have to download the app and there you go—describe your interests briefly and wait.
It takes no time before you start a productive convo with like-minded individuals. And if you follow the posting rules, you’ll likely avoid getting blocked and secure a trusted membership.
One thing I love about Reddit is that you don’t need to provide too much personal information to get laid. No posts, no crafted bios, nothing. You also don’t have to worry about parting with a few bucks.
Pros
- Free access
- Countless daily interactions and hits
- No membership prerequisites
Cons
- Hard to stand out
- Limited users in your local area
10. SkipTheGames—Most Explicit Backpage Alternative
Sites like Craigslist and Adult FriendFinder have always been very subtle about some of the “services” offered.
Backpage was not subtle and no wonder it was in hot water with the U.S. Government.
SkipTheGames is similarly explicit and isn’t much for innuendo in its listings for escorts as well as the escort ads themselves.
Unlike the Backpage website, however, SkipTheGames’s server is not located in the United States but in Europe, where most sex work has legal channels established.
Nevertheless, there are plenty of United States-based ads for adult services, and most of the language is fairly explicit.
However, the adult site does state that there are ways to get in contact with the site owners for legal purposes, which indicates the site does not intentionally facilitate trafficking or endorse other harmful practices.
Pros
- Real escort ads in U.S. cities
- Explicit descriptions of services
- Photos of escorts and other adult suppliers
- Easy-to-glance format, like Backpage
Cons
- Ads are not filtered—be careful!
- No classifieds besides sex
Safety Tips for Using a Backpage Alternative Site
You shouldn’t get too reckless when you secure your date and meet for the first time. Here are a few tips to stay safe on these Backpage alternatives:
1. Only meet in a secure public place at first (for your own safety)
Backpage and Craigslist were the Wild West of the internet, and many of these sites like Backpage are no different.
There are plenty of crazy and/or dodgy people on the internet, so be careful and meet someone in public before going somewhere more … private.
2. Never give personal details like full names, addresses, and bank details
There are some small details that an escort needs to know, and there are some details that you need to keep to yourself.
Don’t reveal your name, where you live, or your bank details to anyone on these websites. Pay in cash and use an alias where possible.
3. Arrange for a video call, so you see whether the person in the profile exists
This is just common sense. You can’t get catfished if you speak to the other person on live video call and they are who they say they are. They could still be dodgy, so be careful, but it greatly reduces the risk for sure.
This video calling also helps to remove tension and lets you know what you’re getting into.
Sites like Adult FriendFinder and Seeking do provide video chat services, so make good use of them before arranging to meet.
4. Be upfront about your desires and intentions before any fun begins
Make sure your partner likes the same activities as you, and obtain consent before making a move.
This keeps you both on the same page and usually makes for a more fun sexual experience all around. Escorts are professionals who should respect your boundaries and preferences.
5. Bring protection, and always use it.
STDs and babies are something that you probably don’t want from a Backpage alternative site. Use protection so you don’t end up regretting your eventful night!
FAQs for Backpages and Other Back Page Alternatives
Reading about these Backpage clone sites gives you a lot of information at once.
If you still have questions about how it all went down, read on.
What was Backpage?
Backpage was a classified ads website, similar to Craigslist, founded in 2004 and then shut down in 2018.
The site was not exclusively for dating or hooking up, but also featured other categories like automotive, rentals, services and community ads. However, the adult services sections garnered the most attention and notoriety.
Whereas Craigslist removed its adult services as far back as 2010 in response to controversy, Backpage continued on—until the site drew criticism from the U.S. government.
In 2018, the U.S. Department of Justice seized Backpage and charged its owners with 100 counts of indictment for facilitating prostitution, as well as money laundering and conspiracy.
The end result remains a point of controversy. However, one that hasn’t stopped is the public’s interest in “Backpages” and other Backpage alternatives that are rising up in the original’s place.
Where Can I Find Free Classified Advertisements?
Escort Directory is the free classified advertisement site that’s closest to Backpage in its design.
You’ll have plenty of personal ads to scroll through, and all of them offer adult services. You can also find free classified ads on Erotic Monkey and Reddit Dirty R4R.
While it’s not exactly a free classified site, Adult FriendFinder has a free version and it delivers great results. You have to make a profile to use it, but you can keep your personal information hidden for privacy.
Are Hookup Sites Dangerous?
Hookup sites may be dangerous, especially if they have no guarantee for policies against sex trafficking, romance scams and sex offenses.
Read each site’s guidelines before you sign up or interact with any of the ads.
Beyond keeping yourself safe by adhering to the site’s terms of use, you also need to stay safe when you meet up. It’s always best to ensure the other person is real before you make plans with them.
Face-time or video call your partner beforehand if possible! If they refuse to answer or show their face, it may be a huge red flag.
New to hookups in general? Read our feature on how to handle hookups for first-timers.
Are Backpage Alternatives Legal?
Obviously, consenting adults are allowed to do whatever they want behind closed doors.
However, U.S. law prohibits solicitation and manipulation in any form.
Online adult advertising is different from going to strip clubs, but you’ll want to play it safe for both options. Keep your privacy and valuables safe at all times to prevent drama or legal troubles.
Final Verdict—Which Backpage Replacement Site is Best?
Adult FriendFinder is clearly the most useful Backpage replacement and the one that most captures the spirit of the original site—without doing anything illegal.
Completely legal in the United States, Adult FriendFinder remains one of the most visited and popular sex sites in the United States and worldwide, thanks to its live cams, huge membership, forums and adult community.
In addition to promoting casual sex sites, AFF also has strict anti-trafficking policies and doesn’t even allow escorts to explicitly advertise their services. That means you have full protection from getting mixed up in anything illegal, or other online scams.
If you’re looking for a hookup partner, fast, AFF won’t disappoint.
Whatever Backpage offered for adult companionship, you’ll find it on the other platforms listed here.
While there may be no full way to replace Backpage and the experience that it offered at the time, these modern websites are a great way to look for sex, escorts, or just casual hookups in 2025 and beyond.
Why not check out AFF today and start meeting new people?
