The Best Backpage Alternative Sites to Meet People and Buy and Sell Items
Backpage is a website that allows you to post ads for almost anything. It was a website that made national headlines several years ago because of some questionable people using it. Backpage can be used legitimately to buy or sell regular goods, as you can on sites like OfferUp.
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Craigslist has no personal ads, but it is a popular alternative to Backpage. Continue reading to discover twenty other Backpage alternatives. We’ll first cover Backpage alternatives when it comes to meeting people for casual dating (or hookup purposes) like Tinder, then we’ll discuss alternatives for selling and buying goods.
11 Backpage Alternatives for Dating and Meeting People
Many people loved Backpage’s personal ads page, which allowed them to meet other people who are looking for casual encounters. We’ll start by reviewing some of the best Backpage options for casual online dating and hookups.
There are many options available, so it’s worth taking the time to look through them all to determine which one is best for you. You should also be aware that these pages could have the same problems that plagued Backpage, which led to that site being taken down. Please read the following disclaimer.
Although most of these websites are legitimate, some may be scammed or offer illegal activities. You should be cautious when visiting unvetted websites or Backpage-type sites. Always meet in public places and trust your gut instincts.
1.) Tinder
Tinder is a popular dating app that almost everyone has heard of. Tinder is now the most popular dating app worldwide, with over 900 million registered accounts. This is largely because of its popularity among millennials and Gen Z. Tinder is an easy app to use. Tinder shows you random profiles from your area with photos and some text. If you are interested, swipe right or leave. You’ll then be matched up with the people you swiped right to, as well as those who swiped right from your profile. You can then start messaging and continue your journey. There’s also a free version and a paid tier (Tinder Gold), which offers unlimited swiping and additional features.
2.) Ashley Madison
There are probably ads for Ashley Madison that you have seen on these websites. This site is dedicated to connecting adults looking for casual hookups. Ashley Madison’s main advantage is its emphasis on discretion. If you choose to become a paid member, your credit card statement simply will read “Online services.” This is a big plus if it allows you to reach out to people in the same area as you. You can read our complete Ashley Madison review.
3. ) Adult Friend Finder
Adult FriendFinder is a top choice when it comes to alternative to Backpage for romantic interactions. It claims to be the “World’s Largest Dating Site & Swinger Personals Network” and boasts over 100 million registered users. There is a free option, but it is limited in comparison to the paid subscription. Chatrooms, videos, messaging and a paid feature called Stories allow you to discuss your ideal dating life with other people. Learn more about Adult Friend Finder.
4.) Kasual
Kasual, previously known as Yumi is a great Backpage alternative. It’s unique and very cool. Instead of being matched up by algorithm or swiping you are connected randomly to someone and you can start talking immediately and see if there is a connection. The app is available on iOS and Android. It is quite complete. You can opt for Premium membership if you wish. Kasual is an excellent alternative to Tinder and other hookup sites. It’s a site that focuses on casual hookups, which is why it has been rebranded.
5.) Plenty of Fish
Plenty of Fish (or POF) refers to the old dating phrase that “plenty fish in the ocean”. In other words, it’s okay to be single or get broken up with because there are many people out there (billions). It is possible to use POF as an app or website. This is a typical dating site where you are matched with people who share your interests. You can also use the video-date feature to make it easier (especially for women) to meet up with someone you have seen over video.
6.) Pernals
Pernals is an application that focuses on personal ads. You can create your own personal ad and specify what you are looking for. Pernals also lists itself as an alternative to Backpage’s classified ads. These categories include relationship categories such as Backpage’s personals page. You can only download it as an app with either the Apple Store or Google Play.
7.) Bedpage
Another Backpage alternative is Bedpage. It has many categories but the most popular are the “Dating”, and “Adult”. This site is not recommended for those who are looking to conduct illegal activities or scam others.
8.) Doublelist
Doublelist is another similar site to Backpage. The only problem is that you must sign up to browse their site. This tagline says “Connect with straight gay, bi, and curious!” It is easy to see what people are searching for on Doublelist. Doublelist claims to have over three million US users, but there is a chance that you will find someone you like. Be aware of scammers and catfishers.
9.) Oodle
Oodle features are very similar to other dating sites. There are categories like “Men Seek Women”, “Women Seek Women,” and others. You can also filter by age which is useful if you need to narrow down your search. Although there doesn’t seem to be many people using the site, it may be worth a try. It seems that, at least in my area, it has more male users than females. This could make it a less appealing option depending on your needs.
10.) Locanto
Locanto shares a similar setup to Oodle, Backpage personals imitators. There’s, for example, a category called “Casual Encounters”, which has many subcategories. To let others know what you are looking for, you can post a personal advertisement. It appears that Oodle is dominated by men and some of the women postings are quite fraudulent. Locanto can be a good option to meet people if you exercise your best judgement.
11.) Ebackpage
Ebackpage, which is a Backpage clone, is almost identical in appearance to Bedpage. There are personal ads, just like Backpage. And, as Bedpage, you can also find adult and dating categories. However, this site did not appear to have many users posting. For example, in the section “Women seeking men”, the last post was May 2021. This site is worth a look, but you should be wary of scammers.
9 Backpage Alternatives for Classified Ads Posting
Although the websites and apps mentioned above all aim to connect people for dating, Backpage is a one-stop shopping for all things. This next group of Backpage alternatives will be focused on websites where you can place ads to buy and sell goods.
1.) Craigslist
Craigslist is a well-known and trusted site in the United States. Craigslist is a favorite of mine. Although scams can be a problem with any site in this review you should still be cautious. I have had many smooth and easy transactions with people from my local community. Craigslist’s “personals” page has been removed in the wake the Backpage scandal. However, it is still a great place to look if you are looking to sell or buy something in your local area.
2.) Offerup
Offerup is a site that allows you to buy and sell goods. Although you can access it from your desktop, the app is better. You can also ship items, which is a big advantage over Craiglist. This means that you can search for stuff all across the country, as long as they are willing to ship the item. This opens up more options for both buyers and sellers. Offerup also offers a “free” section that allows you to take advantage of people’s quick sales.
3.) 3.) Pennysaver
PennySaver is another website that is very popular for those who want to save money. There are many options for searching real estate listings, cars and bikes, jobs, services, and even pets. The PennySaver has more than 50 years of experience and still uses the original printed mailers and classifieds to help people save money. Another great Backpage alternative is the PennySaver. It has a local focus, so you can save money on plumbers or dining out.
4.) Kijiji
If you live in Canada, Kijiji is the ideal Backpage alternative. You can search in English or French on this Canadian site. There’s also a Kijiji Autos section for those looking to sell or buy a car. You select your area and then your city, just like Backpage. Kijiji is a great place to find deals on everything, including apartments, pets, and services.
5.) Geebo
Geebo claims to be “Safe Community Classifieds”. To that end, Geebo offers a “Scams & Shams” page. This encourages users to use certain safety practices such as buying locally, meeting in public places, bringing a friend and listening to their gut. These are great rules that can be applied to all of the sites reviewed, but Geebo does a nice job trying to make it safer. Geebo also offers a job portal to help you find your next employee. It costs $299 per month, but it is a very affordable service.
6.) Gumtree
Gumtree, the Craigslist for the U.K. is a great place to start if you live there. You can peruse job listings, cars, gaming consoles, apartment listings, etc. Gumtree allows you to rate people you do business with. This is a great feature that will give you a better idea of whether they are trustworthy and trustworthy before you begin engaging with them. Gumtree generally has good online reviews. People appreciate the user-friendly interface.
7.) Free Ads Time
Free Ads Time allows you to post classifieds anywhere in the world. It doesn’t seem to have many users as there aren’t any listings for my particular city, which is a fairly large one. Free Ads Time, like most other sites, has all the usual categories. This means that you can search for houses or apartments to rent, roommates and jobs. You can also look for cars, furniture, clothing, jobs, pets and more.
8.) Want Ad Digest
Want Ad Digest is similar to Penny Saver, in that it dates back over 50 years. This site focuses on the East Coast and caters to states like New York, New Jersey. Vermont, Massachusetts. Connecticut. Want Ad Digest can be used to search for watches, electronics and cars. You’ll find all the usual categories you are used to on other sites with a focus on cars, trucks and powersports trailers.
9.) LetGo
LetGo’s basic idea is found in its name. It encourages us to let go and allow others to enjoy it. LetGo, a newer app, shares some similarities with OfferUp (see below). It’s only available via mobile apps (iOS and Android). LetGo, like OfferUp is about giving you access to the “secret economy right here in your area,” according to their website. You can also rate other users who transact with you on LetGo, just like OfferUp and Gumtree. This makes these sites feel safer than the others.
Final Thoughts
There are many Backpage alternatives. However, all these reviews will show that not all Backpage alternatives are created equal. Some of these are better than others.
If you are in the U.S., it is a good idea to stay with one of the top dating and hookup sites like Tinder, Adult Friend Finder or AshleyMadison or another similar one. If you are looking to sell or buy stuff, OfferUp and LetGo are your best options. Kijiji is the best option for Canadians, while Gumtree is the best choice for U.K. residents.
While some sites are safe, others can be prone to scams. Follow common sense. Never send money to strangers until you have met them in person and verified that they are legitimate. Trust your instincts and be safe!