The best sexting apps for those NSFW exchanges

Read our full review of AdultFriendFinder.

Who it's for:

DUST is a secure messaging app for people who want to keep their conversations private without paying a premium. It features end-to-end encryption, self-destructing messages, and anonymous messaging.

Why we picked this:

DUST, a Snapchat-like app with added encryption, prioritizes the security and privacy of disappearing messages. Unlike other platforms, DUST allows you to connect with your contacts without linking social networks, ensuring a more discreet experience. Messages are automatically erased after 24 hours, regardless of whether they have been read. Plus, users can delete messages from their own and other users' phones.

The app offers screenshot notifications so you know if someone tries to capture your messages. It also maintains anonymity by never displaying your name alongside your messages, preventing any possible direct associations.

No self-identifying information is required to sign up, and nothing is permanently stored. The "delete message" feature adds an extra layer of protection for those moments when slip-ups happen. It's also worth noting that DUST does prevent screenshots in some areas of the app on Android devices. However, for other operating systems, such as iOS, anyone can still capture and save what you send, so keep that in mind and exercise caution if you use a non-Android device.

Who it's for:

Confide is a secure messaging app that allows you to have honest, unfiltered, and confidential conversations. It's the go-to secure messaging app for executives, professionals in sensitive industries, and people who crave flirty, off-the-record chats.

With end-to-end encryption and self-destructing messages, your secrets are locked tight—no screenshots, forwarding, and automatic deletion from both devices after being read.

Why we picked this:

Nothing quite knocks the libido out of you like finding out your private messages have been screenshot and shared against your will. While receiving a "screenshot notification" might offer some comfort, it's safe to say that most of us would prefer to have no incriminating screenshots floating around. This is where Confide comes to the rescue.

The app's core feature revolves around the "no screenshot" guarantee. Thanks to its innovative "ScreenShield technology," every message sent or received on Confide can only be viewed one line at a time.

To read, users either run their finger or mouse over the message line-by-line until they have read the entire thing (lines disappear immediately after they're read). Additionally, Confide takes extra measures to ensure your privacy by never displaying a user's name on the same screen as the message.

The breakdown: Plenty of Fish really has all the makings of a great sexting app. First of all, its reported registered user base is over 150 million worldwide, with 57 million connections made every week. Like its name would suggest, there are plenty of fish in this sea, and odds are, some of them are looking to sext. To conveniently narrow your search, the dating app's (somewhat long) introductory survey allows you to specify what you're looking for upfront. When you choose "something casual/no commitment," you're much more likely to find someone in the same boat as you and can shorten the whole "what are you looking for" step of getting to know someone. Discretion is also something to be valued at Plenty of Fish, since they don't require you to connect any social media when signing up. Technically, you don't even have to use your real name — a username will suffice. Once your profile is created, you can search random profiles based on the criteria of your choice, use their UltraMatch feature which matches you based on compatibility, their “meet me” feature, which is basically the dating site's hot or not option, or just see who’s nearby. All communication between members is totally free, so you don't have much to lose. 

Why it's good for sexting: Plenty of Fish rolled out some new features in 2020 that definitely upped its sexting potential. Users can now date over video and even live stream to a group. This lets users get more personal by seeing and even hearing each other in real time (which, let's face it, can be a lot hotter than words on a screen) without having to fork over their phone number. 

Cons: Aside from a lengthy sign-up process, some of the features on Plenty of Fish are designed to encourage longer interactions. We imagine few things are worse than realising you don’t even vibe with someone after you’ve already sent them mirror shots of your private bits. 

The breakdown: Snapchat has moved its way up the app food chain to become a staple in the mainstream social media roster, putting it on the same plane as Facebook and Instagram. But we haven’t forgotten its early roots, stepping into the spotlight as the OG sexting app. 

You can add all the filters and celebrity stories you want, but Snapchat is still a great sexting app. The app’s main original function enables you to send pictures to other users which will automatically disappear within a few seconds. Users can choose a time limit of 1-10 seconds, or choose the infinity option which lets the recipient view the photo for as long as they want before they close out of the window. Additionally, the app also has a feature that notifies the sender if the recipient screenshots their photo. What that means: you can send bae a brief glimpse of the goods without worrying if they’re secretly showing it to others behind your back. 

Why it's good for sexting: The more people are in a space, the more chances you have to find what you’re looking for. 

Cons: While the screenshot notification gives you the benefit of knowing when someone screenshots your pictures, it doesn’t really do much for you after the fact, since all you can really do at that point is confront the person and hope they’re respectful of your privacy. 

Check out our full review of Tinder Platinum.

Tinder might seem like the last place to find a date if you're over 40. It's known for being a hookup app for younger people. But when I asked my Facebook friends about their favorite apps for dating in your 40s+, I had multiple people tell me they or their family members had success with Tinder and enjoyed using it. So, it is not hopeless as you might think!

Tinder is responsible for more than 43 billion matches in its lifetime. It's the OG swiping app, showing you profiles that you can either swipe right to like or left to pass. If you and another user both swipe right on each other, it's a match and you're free to message each other.

Profiles are pretty basic with just some photos and a bio, so it's easy to see why Tinder isn't immediately recognized as a serious relationship matchmaker. That said, it's definitely still possible to find people who aren't just looking to hook up. But it's also pretty easy to find someone who is looking to hook up if that's what you're looking for. Do what you want! Live your life!

The app has three paid tiers: Tinder Plus, Tinder Gold, and Tinder Platinum. Plus gives you unlimited likes, five super likes a day, one boost a month, removes ads, and lets you backtrack on your last swipe if you accidentally swiped left on someone you were interested in. Tinder Gold has all of these features plus you can see who likes you before you have to swipe on them and you get top picks every day aka your most swipe-worthy potential matches. Tinder Platinum adds on the Gold features, plus gives you priority likes.

The shitty thing about Tinder is that these paid features can cost more for users over 30. Pricing varies by location, so be sure to check in the app for the most accurate prices.