Casual, compared
Tinder Hookup App or Naughty Singles? Choose by Mood
Tinder and Naughty Singles suit different moods. Here is how to tell which one fits tonight.
Tinder is a mixed-intention app: it does not call itself a hookup app, and its guidelines keep sexual wording off public profiles. Naughty Singles is adults-only, and its daily matches weigh the kind of relationship you want. For a very large, mixed crowd, pick Tinder; to be upfront, pick us.
Choose by mood
Which one fits your mood tonight?
You want to be upfront from hello
Try Naughty Singles. Your profile carries the relationship type you want, from casual to friendship, and your daily suggestions take it into account.
You want to look around at your own pace
Try Tinder. It calls itself the place to meet someone new and see where a spark might lead, and it is free to use.
You want to bring a friend along
Try Tinder. Double Date pairs you with a friend to match other pairs, and Group Hangouts lets friends chat with other groups.
You want a grown-up crowd
Try Naughty Singles. It is for adults only, and about six in ten members are 35 to 54.
Tinder suits you better when you want variety and company: different people looking for different things, and ways to meet with friends beside you.
What Tinder says
Is Tinder a hookup app?
Tinder does not call itself one. Its app-store text describes “the place to meet someone new and see where a spark might lead”, and its community guidelines add that sometimes “the talking leads to more”.
The guidelines also draw a line at public profiles. Sexual content, sexual desires and looking for sex stay off them, while private conversation is fine “if everyone is okay with it”. Consent matters, in Tinder’s own words.
TechCrunch reported on 14 December 2022 that Tinder had launched Relationship Goals, with options running from “long-term partner” to “short-term fun”. A Tinder spokesperson told NBC News in July 2023 that 40% of members were looking for a long-term relationship, against 13% looking for a short-term connection.
And once people meet? A 2018 study in The Information Society followed up 1,038 Belgian Tinder users aged 18 to 29. Of the 571 who had met a match in person, 23% reported at least one one-night stand, 31% a casual sexual relationship and 27% a committed relationship with another Tinder user. The sample was young, so treat it as a clue rather than a verdict.
The honest read: people do find casual dates on Tinder, and Tinder never promises them. You will meet people who want other things, so say what you want and believe the answer.
On any app
How do you say what you want?
Decide your own line first
Before you open a chat, know what you want and what is off the table: one evening, a regular catch-up, a flirty chat, no overnight stays. Clear to you means easy to say.
Put it in one light sentence
A short line on your profile does the job. Most apps give you a spot for it, and on Naughty Singles it is the relationship type you pick. Our casual dating profile tips help with the wording.
Ask early and ask kindly
Within the first few messages, try “What are you looking for right now?” It is a normal question, and the answer saves you both an evening.
Believe the answer
A no is a no, and “not sure” means not yet. If your answers do not line up, thank them and move on. Our casual dating rules cover the manners.
Meet somewhere public
Choose somewhere busy, let a friend know your plans and arrange your own ride home. The one night stand guide covers the etiquette.
The practical bits
How do cost, apps and checks compare?
Cost
Tinder is free to use, with Plus, Gold and Platinum subscriptions and pay-per-use extras such as Super Likes and Boosts. Naughty Singles has Classic, VIP and VIP Plus, and the pricing page shows every plan.
Where you use it
Tinder runs on iPhone, Android and the web. Naughty Singles runs in your browser and from your home screen, as our hookup app page explains.
Checks on new members
Tinder’s March 2026 announcement says Face Check, a short video selfie, is required for new members in the UK and a list of other markets that includes the US, and earns a Photo Verified badge. Our ID and video checks are optional and show as a badge, so ask questions when one is missing.
Message nudges
Tinder uses AI prompts, “Are You Sure?” and “Does This Bother You?”, to flag messages. We warn you when someone tries to take a chat to another app. The safety page lists the rest.
Tinder hookup questions, answered
Is Tinder a hookup app?
Tinder does not describe itself as one. It calls itself a place to meet someone new, keeps sexual wording off public profiles and allows it in private chat when both people agree. Members want different things, so say yours early. On Naughty Singles, the relationship type you choose feeds your daily suggestions.
Can you find a one night stand on Tinder?
Some members do. In a 2018 study of 1,038 Belgian Tinder users aged 18 to 29, 23% of those who had met a match reported at least one one-night stand. Tinder promises no outcome and many members want other things, so ask plainly and respect the reply.
Is Tinder free?
Tinder says you can use it for free, with optional Plus, Gold and Platinum subscriptions and pay-per-use extras. Its prices vary and appear in the app. Naughty Singles has three levels of membership, and every plan is on the pricing page.
How do I say I want something casual on Tinder?
Tinder’s guidelines do not allow looking for sex on a public profile, so stay light: a line about being here for fun with no pressure works. Save the detail for chat once you both seem keen. Our guide to how to find a hookup has more ideas.
Can I use Tinder and Naughty Singles together?
Yes. They are separate services with separate accounts and their own rules. Keep your habits the same on both, and stay on the platform until you trust someone. Our guide to the best hookup apps lines up more options.
Say what you are after and see who answers
Pick your relationship type, check your daily suggestions and take it at your own pace.
Create your profile