Dating requires a whole lot of effort – The process of getting out of the house for one, then having to find a person you actually click with, then having to choose the right place and time to meet. All the while hoping everything goes well and hoping you get a shot at getting lucky afterwards. Sounds like quite the effort.
To make your dating life easier, we have the best craigslist personal alternatives you can use now. (Updated September 2025)
Modern technology has certainly made dating a lot easier than it used to be. With features on sites like Craigslist Personals, you only had to sit back, relax and send a few text messages and you had a date or even hookup!
However, Craigslist Personal is no longer available. Many people have been complaining how their love lives are going to be without Craigslist Personals. They also wonder if Craigslist Personal Ads will ever be featured again. The true answer is NO. Craigslist personal ads will never ever be back to life again.
Why Did Craigslist Remove Personal Ads? In March 2018, Craigslist shut down its personals section due to the passing of FOSTA-SESTA (Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act and Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act). These laws made platforms liable for user-generated content that could facilitate sex trafficking, forcing Craigslist to eliminate the personal ads section entirely to avoid legal risks.
The Impact on Online Dating in 2025: Since Craigslist’s departure from the personal ads space, the online dating landscape has evolved dramatically. According to recent statistics, over 44 million Americans used dating apps in 2024, with the market continuing to grow by 8% annually. The closure of Craigslist Personals created a massive gap that numerous platforms have tried to fill, each with their own unique approach to connecting people.
Here are the best Craigslist Personal alternatives right now and why you need to try them out
1. Pernal (The most similar to Craigslist Personal)
Pernals works similar to Craigslist Personals and is widely considered the closest replacement available in 2025.
The process of making a new account is simplified and users can get it done instantly. Pernals does not require Facebook login, which is absolutely a huge plus for privacy-conscious users. Users only need to put in their nickname, email address, and password.
After the account is made, users can create a Personal Ad, then send it for approval. When the Ad is approved, other users can see it. Users can browse all Ads within any cities and choose to chat with anyone who they have interest with.
New Features in 2025: Pernals has added enhanced verification options, improved chat functionality, and better location-based matching. The platform now supports video chat integration and has implemented stronger safety measures including photo verification and report systems.
Pro Tips for Success:
- Write detailed, honest personal ads that stand out
- Use recent photos that accurately represent you
- Be specific about what you’re looking for to attract compatible matches
- Respond promptly to messages to maintain engagement
2. Badoo
It’s got a gigantic user base with over 500 million registered users worldwide as of 2025, and it’s almost as popular as Tinder, yet unique enough to stand out among all others.
But is this enough to make it worth your while? Well, that’s up to you to decide.
Why You Should Try It – The one great feature that makes Badoo stand out is that you can upload a picture of a person whose appearance you have desire for and the app will find matches who look similar using advanced AI facial recognition technology.
However, the feature which makes people love Badoo even more is that the app can also match you with people based on your interests and location, and the number of matches is unlimited.
2025 Updates: Badoo has introduced new safety features including video call verification, improved blocking and reporting tools, and AI-powered conversation starters. The platform now offers better integration with social media and enhanced privacy controls.
Success Strategies:
- Complete your profile thoroughly with multiple high-quality photos
- Use the “Lookalikes” feature strategically to find your preferred type
- Engage actively with the community features to increase visibility
- Take advantage of the verification system to build trust
3. Grindr
Once again, Grindr is quite a popular choice, and it’s definitely worth mentioning – it’s been called the ‘LGBT Tinder’ and that’s definitely true in some regards, but it’s more unique than that.
With over 13 million users all over the world in 2025, it’s definitely worth a try. You will have a wide variety of choices that you might find your special one or someone just simply for hookup.
Why You Should Try It – Dating is hard, as we mentioned, but it’s even more difficult than usual for people who aren’t straight.
This app makes it much easier for you to find your match since you don’t have to guess if the other person shares your sexual preference or not.
Besides that, Grindr is really simple to use, and you won’t either scratch your head or find yourself struggling to learn how to find the right match.
Recent Improvements: In 2025, Grindr has enhanced its privacy features, introduced better filtering options, and added group chat functionality. The app now includes health resources and safer dating tips, making it a more comprehensive platform for the LGBTQ+ community.
Safety Tips for Grindr Users:
- Use the app’s built-in safety features like sharing your location with friends
- Meet in public places for first encounters
- Trust your instincts and report suspicious behavior
- Consider using a temporary phone number from services like MobileSMS.io for added privacy
4. OkCupid Dating
For most people who have been using the internet for quite a long time, you’ve certainly heard of OkCupid before – and it’s still alive, probably now it is much better than you can imagine.
The website is definitely not what it used to be, and the app is something that’s tailor-made for those who are sick of the ‘swipe left, swipe right’ routine of Tinder.
Why You Should Try It – On OkCupid Dating, the motto is ‘You’re more than just a photo,’ and the app lives up to that promise.
Not only does this app focus on your looks and who’s available in your local area right now, but it also takes into account much more than that. You can enter your preferences for location, age, religion, and interests to give you matches that suited to you as a person.
However, you need to pay to use most of its advanced features. The price is not too steep though – $39.99 per month as of 2025.
The features it does offer are worth paying for and they allow you to find even better matches than you otherwise could.
What Makes OkCupid Unique in 2025:
- Comprehensive personality questionnaire with over 1,000 questions
- Advanced matching algorithm based on compatibility scores
- Detailed profile customization options
- Progressive values and inclusive features for all orientations and identities
- DoubleTake feature for more thoughtful swiping
OkCupid Success Tips:
- Answer plenty of questions to improve match quality
- Write a detailed, engaging profile that showcases your personality
- Use the messaging system thoughtfully – reference profile details
- Be honest about what you’re looking for in terms of relationship type
5. Plenty of Fish
For many people who run into a dilemma that you do not want to pay for all the extra features but still love using dating apps which are similar to Tinder, then here is a perfect solution for you.
Plenty of Fish is an app almost identical to Tinder, but you can use it almost completely free of charge.
Why You Should Try It – With this app, you can check all the profiles you want and send as many messages without needing to pay a dime. It’s got more than plenty of users as well, and you don’t have to worry about running out of ‘fish‘.
It also matches you with people in your area, and you can use it all the time with unlimited matches available.
POF’s 2025 Features:
- Enhanced chemistry predictor test
- Live streaming feature for real-time connections
- Improved search and filtering options
- Voice messaging capabilities
- Better spam and fake profile detection
Maximizing Your POF Experience:
- Take the chemistry test for better matches
- Use the “Meet Me” feature to quickly browse potential matches
- Participate in forums to increase your visibility
- Keep your profile updated with recent photos and information
6. Coffee Meets Bagel
If you’re a woman who regularly uses a dating feature like Craigslist personal, Coffee Meets Bagel is the ideal dating app to try – it puts the power in your hands and helps you avoid all the harassment from creepy people.
Why You Should Try It – This is how the app works – men on the app are presented with 21 matches, and they have 24 hours to ‘pass’ or ‘like’ those matches.
Women on the app receive 6 curated matches per day from the pool of men who already liked them, and the women have the option to match with them or not.
As a result, you never have to be matched with someone who you don’t like. You have the right to choose who you want to contact with.
There are also other security nets, including the option to only match with friends of friends on your Facebook profile or the fact that profiles cannot be accessed manually – only through matches.
Coffee Meets Bagel’s Premium Features in 2025:
- Activity reports showing who viewed your profile
- Read receipts for messages
- Additional discovery preferences
- 6 monthly super likes
- Profile boost feature for increased visibility
7. Bumble
Different from Craigslist personal, Bumble is based on the idea of giving women the power to choose who they want to talk with, rather than men.
It’s a different approach and one that yields a lot of benefits for both sexes, so you shouldn’t feel like it’s not for you if you’re a guy.
Why You Should Try It – The main feature of Bumble is that, when two people like each other and a match is made, only the woman can start the conversation, if she wants to.
Do you know what that means, ladies? No more terrible pick-up lines, that’s right! Well, unless you use them, but that’s already a breath of fresh air in the world of dating apps.
Besides that, Bumble also has a familiar interface similar to Tinder that you’ll instantly know how to use, so there’s no learning curve like with some other apps. The app is not just for dating either – it also has features for making friends (Bumble BFF), networking (Bumble Bizz), and more.
Bumble’s Evolution in 2025:
- Enhanced video calling features with virtual backgrounds
- AI-powered conversation starters
- Improved algorithm for better match quality
- Opening Moves feature allowing women to set automatic first messages
- Voice notes and audio messages
8. How About We
Are you struggling to figure out what to do on the first date or you have the exact, perfect idea of where you want to go but aren’t sure if it might turn the other person completely off?
Well then, How About We is the ideal dating app for you.
Why You Should Try It – The idea behind the app is simple – you offer up tasks that you would like to do with someone, basically dates you would like to go on. The app gives you a choice of different activities in your area.
Based on that, the app will match you with other people who want to go to the same activity and connects you with them, allowing you to easily find a date that shares your particular interests.
Activity-Based Matching Benefits:
- Eliminates awkward “what should we do?” conversations
- Connects you with people who share similar interests
- Creates natural conversation starters based on shared activities
- Reduces first-date anxiety by having a planned activity
9. Additional Emerging Platforms in 2025
Facebook Dating has gained significant traction, leveraging Facebook’s massive user base while maintaining separate dating profiles. The platform offers unique features like Secret Crush and integration with Facebook events.
Hinge continues to grow with its “designed to be deleted” philosophy, focusing on serious relationships through detailed profiles and thoughtful prompts.
The League caters to career-focused individuals, offering a more exclusive dating experience with professional verification.
Tips for Success on Any Dating Platform
Profile Optimization:
- Use high-quality, recent photos that show your personality
- Write authentic, specific descriptions rather than generic statements
- Be honest about your intentions and what you’re looking for
- Update your profile regularly to keep it fresh
Safety Best Practices:
- Meet in public places for initial dates
- Tell friends about your dating plans
- Trust your instincts and don’t ignore red flags
- Use video calls before meeting in person
- Consider using temporary phone numbers for added privacy
Conversation Starters That Work:
- Reference specific details from their profile
- Ask open-ended questions about their interests
- Share something interesting about yourself
- Suggest specific date ideas based on common interests
The Future of Online Dating
As we move through 2025, dating apps are incorporating more AI-driven features, virtual reality experiences, and enhanced safety measures. Video verification, background checks, and improved algorithm matching are becoming standard features across platforms.
The trend is moving toward more authentic connections, with apps focusing on personality compatibility over just physical attraction. Many platforms are also implementing features to combat dating app fatigue, such as limited daily matches and more meaningful interaction prompts.
Privacy is a concern!!!
Any regular user of dating platforms can benefit from the high level of privacy accorded by using temporary phone numbers. And just like a celebrity, you can use multiple verification methods to protect yourself from people trying to access your personal information online. When creating dating profiles, it’s crucial to protect your personal data from potential misuse.
More importantly, using temporary numbers helps you to protect your personal data from prying eyes in cyberspace. How many times have you been asked to enter and verify your personal details including your mobile number when signing up for dating apps? All the time, we’re sure. You don’t have to keep on giving data mining companies your personal data and allow them to invade your privacy.
When it comes to telephone numbers for dating app verification, your best and safest option is to use instantly available temporary numbers from MobileSMS.io. At MobileSMS, we provide you with reliable temporary phone numbers that you can use on any dating website or app, ensuring your privacy remains intact throughout your online dating journey.
Why Use Temporary Numbers for Dating Apps?
- Protect your real phone number from potential harassment
- Maintain privacy if a relationship doesn’t work out
- Prevent unwanted contact from matches you’re no longer interested in
- Keep your personal number separate from your dating life
- Easily dispose of numbers if they become compromised
Consider MobileSMS.io’s All Services 30-day rental plan, which gives you access to multiple platforms with a single temporary number, perfect for trying out various dating apps while maintaining your privacy.