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I hate cables with a passion, like any other reasonable human being. Power banks do a great job of consolidating cables, but they can be just as unsightly and difficult to deal with as the rest of your cords.

Planning a trip and making sure you hit every destination or restaurant can be stressful, which is why a lot of people use travel planners or itinerary apps. But did you know you can build a trip itinerary on Google Maps? Not only that, but all the most memorable stops on my last vacation came from two Google Maps habits.

I had spent months refining my Linux desktop environment. Every config file had a place, my command line tools were selected for the way I worked, and my desktop shortcuts, panel layout, themes, and custom scripts were configured exactly the way I wanted.

I love portable power stations so much that my wife and I have backed up our home with Anker SOLIX batteries instead of an automatic gas generator or a built-in home battery. Here's what I've learned after having just experienced three power outages in the span of two weeks.

A new tablet can be great for typical uses such as browsing the internet or watching shows and movies. If you're thinking about buying a new tablet for another purpose, then it's worth considering whether an old eReader could do a better job.

Waze is good at what it does, but what it does comes with the cost of privacy. Companies love to claim you need to lose privacy to get certain features. That's not true. There are plenty of features that you can keep without needing Waze or its way of sending information to servers. You can pick open-source alternatives to Waze and Google Maps and have the same features.

Fire TV is built around streaming services, but my favorite app does something more. NOVA Video Player lets me build a polished, Netflix-style library from my own local files, without needing to run a Plex or Jellyfin server. It makes a Fire TV device so much more powerful.

You can protect your home server against many different kinds of failures if you're smart about it. But how can you protect yourself against losing your internet connection when the ISP is at fault?

Finding the perfect app in the Play Store can sometimes feel impossible. You’re trying to fit your specific needs with solutions that were made for other people’s needs. Now, with AI-powered coding in Android Studio, it’s remarkably easy to simply make your own app. Let me show you.

When Windows XP arrived in the early 2000s, desktop wallpaper became a PC status symbol. Two decades later, however, I've gone the opposite way: my Windows desktop is a flat shade of gray. It might look boring, but I've got good reason to keep it that way.

3D printer filament is hygroscopic, which means it’ll suck moisture out of the air. So-called “wet” filament can cause all manner of problems with your prints, including stringing, adhesion problems, and total failures.

I got tired of movie recommendation engines that I used never working right. They never actually captured why I liked a movie, or how to best recommend a new movie to me. So, that's when I decided to build my own with AI and my Plex watch history, and I wish I had done this sooner.

TL;DR: Watch Liverpool vs. Como in a 2026 pre-season friendly for free on SportyNet. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Pre-season is all about getting ready for the upcoming season, and if that means playing the same team twice in a single day, so be it. Liverpool are facing off against Como in a pair of behind-closed-doors games this weekend, and you can watch both live with a simple hack.

If you're interested in watching Liverpool vs. Como from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Liverpool vs. Como?

Liverpool vs. Como in a 2026 pre-season double-header kicks off at 6:30 a.m. ET and 1 p.m. ET on Aug. 16. These fixtures take place at Anfield.

How to watch Liverpool vs. Como for free

Liverpool vs. Como in a 2026 pre-season double-header is available to live stream for free on SportyNet.

SportyNet is geo-restricted to Brazil, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can live stream Liverpool vs. Como for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Liverpool vs. Como for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Brazil

4. Visit SportyNet

5. Watch Liverpool vs. Como for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Liverpool vs. Como without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream these fixtures before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for SportyNet?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on SportyNet, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries, including Brazil

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices, including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream Liverpool vs. Como for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Watch Schalke 04 vs. Real Madrid in a 2026 pre-season friendly for free on SportyNet. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

What can we expect from José Mourinho’s Real Madrid this season? We honestly have no idea, but we'll get a valuable insight when his side travels to face Schalke 04 this weekend. Naturally, Real Madrid will expect to win. But anything can happen in a fixture like this. Experimentation is likely, after all.

If you're interested in watching Schalke 04 vs. Real Madrid from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Schalke 04 vs. Real Madrid?

Schalke 04 vs. Real Madrid in a 2026 pre-season friendly kicks off at 11 a.m. ET on Aug. 16. This fixture takes place at the Veltins-Arena.

How to watch Schalke 04 vs. Real Madrid for free

Schalke 04 vs. Real Madrid in a 2026 pre-season friendly is available to live stream for free on SportyNet.

SportyNet is geo-restricted to Brazil, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can livestream Schalke 04 vs. Real Madrid for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Schalke 04 vs. Real Madrid for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Brazil

4. Visit SportyNet

5. Watch Schalke 04 vs. Real Madrid for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Schalke 04 vs. Real Madrid without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for SportyNet?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on SportyNet, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries, including Brazil

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices, including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream Schalke 04 vs. Real Madrid for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Watch RC Lens vs. PSG in the 2026 Trophee des Champions for free on ITVX. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Domestic seasons are fast approaching. This weekend showcases some of the final friendly fixtures before the new campaigns officially begin, but over in France, there's something more significant taking place: the Trophee des Champions.

Cup winner RC Lens face off against Ligue 1 champions PSG in this showpiece event. We're expecting a fiery contest between the passionate rivals.

If you're interested in watching the 2026 Nations Championship from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is RC Lens vs. PSG?

RC Lens vs. PSG in the 2026 Trophee des Champions kicks off at 2:45 p.m. ET on Aug. 16. This fixture takes place at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis.

How to watch RC Lens vs. PSG for free

RC Lens vs. PSG in the 2026 Trophee des Champions is available to live stream for free on ITVX.

ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can livestream RC Lens vs. PSG for free from anywhere in the world.

Livestream RC Lens vs. PSG for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

4. Visit ITVX

5. Watch RC Lens vs. PSG for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch RC Lens vs. PSG without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for ITVX?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on ITVX, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries, including the UK

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices, including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream RC Lens vs. PSG for free with ExpressVPN.

The best HBO Max deals and bundles in August 2026: Best Disney+ Bundle Deal Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max Bundle $19.99/month with ads, $32.99/month ad-free Get Deal Best Hulu Bundle Deal Hulu and HBO Max Bundle Add HBO Max from $10.99/month Get Deal Best Student Deal HBO Max Student Save 50% on HBO Max Basic With Ads Get Deal

Looking for some exciting new films or shows to watch this summer? HBO Max is the place to find them. With the latest season of House of the Dragon available to stream and major movies like Backrooms arriving on the platform soon, there are plenty of exciting things to watch.

If these have caught your eye, the good news is that HBO Max has several bundles available at the moment worth checking out, including a popular bundle with Disney+ and Hulu.

We've broken down that offer and other bundles below, so you can find the best option for you. With streaming prices on the rise, offers like these are a great way to save some cash while accessing your favorite services.

SEE ALSO: Now streaming: How to watch 'The Drama' starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson

Alongside bundles, we've also broken down HBO Max's standard plans in case you're interested in its service on its own.

Best Disney+ bundle deal Opens in a new window Credit: HBO Max Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max Bundle $19.99/month with ads, $32.99/month ad-free Get Deal Why we like it

The HBO Max, Disney+, and Hulu bundle is a top-tier choice for those looking to have access to some of the biggest streaming services around. Starting at $19.99 per month, this bundle grants you access to Hulu, Disney+, and HBO Max's streaming services for a much lower price than what you'd pay for them on their own. If you've already got Disney+ and Hulu subscriptions, this bundle is worth every cent. If you're interested, there are two plan options to choose from:

• Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max Bundle (with ads) — $19.99 per month (save 42%)

• Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max Bundle (no ads) — $32.99 per month (save 41%)

Best Hulu bundle deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu and HBO Max Bundle Add HBO Max to your Hulu base plan from $10.99 per month Get Deal Why we like it

If you're not interested in the Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max mega bundle, you can just get Hulu and HBO Max together if you already have a Hulu base plan, which starts at $11.99 per month. HBO Max Basic with Ads can be added onto your plan for $10.99 per month, or you can splash out on the HBO Max Standard plan for $18.49 per month.

• Hulu with HBO Max add-on — from $10.99 per month

Best student deal Opens in a new window Credit: HBO Max HBO Max Student Discount Students save 50% on HBO Max Basic With Ads Get Deal Why we like it

It's always nice when streaming services have a deal for students, and HBO Max's offer is definitely worth taking advantage of. Students who can verify their status with UNiDAYS are eligible to get the HBO Max Basic With Ads plan for just $5.49 per month. That's a 50% discount off its $10.99 monthly price. After verifying your status, you'll receive a unique code to redeem the discounted plan on HBO Max.

• HBO Max Student Discount — $5.49 per month (save 50%)

HBO Max's monthly plans

HBO Max offers several subscription plans. If you don't mind sitting through ads, HBO Max's Basic With Ads plan starts at $10.99 per month, or the annual plan is $109.99 per year. If you can't stand ads and don't mind spending a bit more, the Standard plan costs $18.49 per month or $184.99 per year. If you really want to go big on an HBO Max plan, you can spring for the fancy Premium plan, which costs $22.99 per month or $229.99 per year.

Below, we've broken down what each plan includes, per HBO Max's website, so you can learn a bit more before you buy.

Basic With Ads — $10.99 per month, $109.99 per year

• Stream on two devices at once

• Full HD 1080p resolution

Standard (Ad-free) — $18.49 per month, $184.99 per year

• Stream on two devices at once

• Full HD 1080p resolution

• 30 downloads to watch on the go

Premium (Ad-free) — $22.99 per month, $229.99 per year

• Stream on four devices at once

• 4K Ultra HD video quality (as available)

• Dolby Atmos immersive audio (as available)

• 100 downloads to watch on the go

If you're wondering where to start once you've set yourself up with an HBO Max subscription, we've got an excellent selection of recommendations to point you in the right direction. Looking for a great TV show to kickstart your next binge-watching session? Have a look through our roundup of the 20 best TV shows streaming on HBO Max. Or if you prefer movies, we narrowed down the 25 best movies on HBO Max to make your next movie night a spectacular one.

TL;DR: ChatPlayground gives you access to 20+ AI models, and a lifetime subscription is only $54.97.

Opens in a new window Credit: ChatPlayground AI ChatPlayground AI: Lifetime Subscription (Unlimited Plan) $54.97
$619 Save $564.03   Get Deal

Anyone who has used AI knows that one model can be incredible at one type of task and then laughably awful at something that seems extremely similar. ChatGPT may be great at writing emails, but ask it to write anything longer, and you run into a wall. That’s why it’s so common to use multiple models, but paying for each one is expensive. If you want a smarter way to work, ChatPlayground is a new platform that gives you 20+ popular AI models, and a lifetime subscription is only $54.97 (reg. $619).

Using ChatPlayground is really simple. Just enter a prompt, choose which models you want to send it to, and watch results come in. Seeing them lined up side by side makes it so much easier to compare the output from different models, and then you just pick the one that works for you. You can finally close all your other AI tabs and let your computer breathe.

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It’s not all text. You can also generate images with top AI image models, work on code, and tune your prompts for sharper responses, all in the same interface. Upload a PDF or an image, and the models answer questions about that document directly, so research and reference work all stays in the same place.

Your chat history stores records of past conversations, so you can always go back and check previous results. The Unlimited plan also includes priority access to new features and future models as they land, which is really important because even the most popular AI models are still in their infancy.

Stop paying a separate bill for every AI model. Get lifetime access to ChatPlayground on sale for $54.97. Sale ends Aug. 16 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Whether you're single and looking for some quick fun, online or offline, or in a relationship, trying to experiment with non-monogamy, the internet has no shortage of viable hookup and kink-friendly sites and apps for you to explore. 

By far the oldest and most popular of the bunch is AdultFriendFinder, with millions of registered users worldwide, but if you've exhausted its potential or just want to explore alternatives, there's a wide variety of sites out there catering to short-term fun, kink exploration, and polyamory. 

Opens in a new window Credit: AFF AdultFriendFinder   Learn More

Here are four of our favorite AFF alternatives in 2026:

Ashley Madison

In internet notoriety, Ashley Madison might even surpass AdultFriendFinder on the list of "naughty" sites, largely because it was founded in 2001 as a way for married people to be unfaithful. And they weren't subtle about it: the site's actual slogan at launch was "Life is short. Have an affair." 

However, in 2026, Ashley Madison underwent a rebrand, with less focus on adultery and more on non-monogamy, as reflected in the site's new slogan: "Where Desire Meets Discretion." The mechanics of the site will be familiar to anyone who has used a dating site, with some key differences. First, profiles are anonymous by default, with the option to upload hidden or blurred photos, only unlocked when you consent to give a chat partner a "Private Key." Second, the app has a Stealth Mode feature that hides the icon and mutes notifications, so another person using your phone won't accidentally stumble on the app.

Another major similarity to AFF: Ashley Madison skews both male and older, with the 2015 data breach revealing that roughly 80 percent of the site's users are men, and the most active age group is 30-49. 

Of course, you don't actually have to be married or in a long-term relationship to use the site. And there's a strong incentive for women to sign up, since most of the site's features are unlocked for free for female accounts. 

Feeld

If you're looking to play the field, so to speak, and want a gender-inclusive, sex-positive app that gives equal consideration to monogamous and non-monogamous users, you'll love Feeld. The app was built from the ground up to cater to kinksters, alternative dating, and polyamory, with one of the standout features being linked profiles: if you're in an open relationship, both you and your partner can use the app together, from linked profiles, as you search for a third (or fourth!) to bring into your world. 

One of the app's main benefits is its culture. People are generally upfront about their wants and intentions, and there's a heavy focus on ethical non-monogamy and consent. 

An added bonus, if you happen to be a data nerd: Feeld regularly polls its own users and releases data about app behavior, so you can learn cool facts about other people using the app, such as just 42 percent of users self-report as being heterosexual, or 55 percent of users say that they discovered a new kink since using the app. 

Naughty Charm

Despite being founded all the way back in 2000, Naughty Charm has largely flown under the radar, especially compared to the other names on this list, but don't sleep on it as a viable hookup alternative to AFF. Because it's part of the Together Networks site platform, including Flirt, UpForIt, and BeNaughty, it has a massive pool of potential matches to offer you, across both North America and Europe, and though signup is very easy, much like with AFF, you will need a paid membership to actually talk to people in a one-on-one setting.

The physical layout of the site is also similar to AFF's, with a top ribbon hosting most of the useful features, but it's noticeably more modern and intuitive in design. And while the site is definitely hookup-focused, it doesn't allow nudity in public-facing spaces, nor do its profiles host dedicated spaces for you to list your kinks. 

If you're a kinkster looking for a compatible partner, there are better options, but if you want some short-term fun and like having a huge pool of potential partners to draw from, Naughty Charm is worth a visit.

FriendFinder-X

Alright, admittedly, this one is a bit of a cheat, since both AdultFriendFinder and FriendFinder-X are part of the same Friend Finder Networks umbrella of websites, but too many people overlook FriendFinder-X in favor of the more notorious big brother site. 

Creating an account isn't quite as fast as with AFF, but after five short steps, you're registered and ready to mingle. Layout-wise, the site is extremely similar to AdultFriendFinder, with user profiles populating the large middle section of the site and Community and Live tabs at the top ribbon, but one instant difference is the status symbols appended to every profile, including yours. Green, the default status, indicates that someone is online and ready to chat, and the site's culture very much promotes that level of spontaneity. 

However, the main downside is similar to AFF: you need a paid account to do almost anything dating-related on the site, from browsing profiles to privately messaging other users. If you want to keep things free, you're confined to the public areas, which include live chats, webcam broadcasts, and personal blogs, but there's plenty of fun here to keep you distracted for hours.

Many of the suspiciously inexpensive robot vacuums cut corners so close to the sun that they quickly shift from helpers around the house to agents of chaos. The more basic the tech under the hood, the more likely you are to come home to a vacuum stuck under the couch (rather than a fully swept home).

Most cheap robot vacuums don't have the suction power or brush roll system necessary to pry crumbs or pet hair out of any carpet pile. That mediocrity extends to many robot vacuum and mop combo models, which don't "scrub" so much as feebly drag a damp cloth across the floor. At that point, it'd be less of a bother to get a decent stick vacuum and do it yourself.

Long story short: Buying a robot vacuum just because it's cheap puts that glorious hands-off cleaning experience in jeopardy. But after testing countless robovacs at home over the past few years, we can personally confirm that not all cheap robot vacuums are crappy. Smart mapping and self-emptying docks are easy to find for just a few hundred dollars, and more premium features like small obstacle avoidance and automatic mop washing and drying are often available below $500.

SEE ALSO: 'Why does my robot vacuum suck now?' Well, when's the last time you cleaned it? Recent changes to this guide

August 2026: I removed the 3i G10+ due to relevancy and stock issues online. The Dreame D20 Pro Plus was added in its place as the best budget robot vacuum for pet hair.

March 2026: I added the Eufy C28 as the best budget roller mop robot vacuum. (It's also the only "budget" roller mop robot vacuum out there right now.) I consider this a replacement for the Eufy X10 Pro Omni, which was the best budget self-washing and drying station for much of 2025.

July 2025: I replaced the Roomba 205 DustCompactor with the 3i G10+. The G10+ has significantly stronger suction and better mapping than the Roomba, plus more advanced features like small obstacle and pet waste avoidance and a livestream pet camera.

In the age of on-demand everything, it’s no surprise that we can get "dates" (and I use that term loosely) with the tap of a button. Thanks to classic hookup apps like Tinder and newcomers like Pure, finding a sexy new friend can be as straightforward as ordering a pizza. As for the quality? That’s about the same as your pizza — hit or miss, depending on the time of day, where you're located, and how hungry you are.

SEE ALSO: Is AdultFriendFinder the best dating site for Gen Z?

Fortunately, you’ve got me, your resident dating app expert (though I prefer modern-day Carrie Bradshaw), to guide you to the promised land, aka the best hookup apps.

I’ve spent the past three years (yes, years) researching, downloading, and testing dozens of the top dating apps to find the best ones for all kinds of daters, including the one-night-stand crowd. From discreet sexting apps to dating sites for serious relationships, I've swiped through them all. I also consulted a helpful panel of sex and relationship experts to make sure my picks are solid.

How to get the most out of hookup apps

My number one rule is to be brutally honest about what you want. Are you here for a good time? Own it. That means staying in your lane; don't go looking for a one-night stand on an app like eharmony. I mean, just read through Reddit. Women are on these apps (despite what all the dudes think/say) and are looking for FWBs, but they ignore 99 percent of messages because guys either send weird openers or pretend to want a relationship just to get a hookup.

"Hookup apps help prevent situations where people are on mainstream dating sites with the intention of having a casual hookup but are unclear about these intentions," Suzannah Weiss, resident sexologist for Biird and author of Subjectified: Becoming a Sexual Subject, tells Mashable. "They also give women a space to be openly sexual creatures without judgment."

And here's a little secret I picked up from Alexander Liebisch, the CEO and founder of TinderProfile.ai: Timing is everything. He found that people messaging on Tinder's "Free Tonight" feature after 10 p.m. on a weekend had a 45 percent higher chance of hooking up.

So, whether you're looking for a one-night stand, a regular FWB situation, or just a space to explore your sexuality, I've got you covered. Based on all my hands-on testing and expert consultations, I’ve broken down the best hookup app for every type of person and mood.

Recent updates to this guide

• Hinge: Hinge just keeps getting better, so I’ve bumped it up higher on my list as of October 2025. In our most recent update in August 2026, it still earns the top spot. Its user base is growing, and my own recent tests on the app have been surprisingly positive.

• Sniffies (added September 2025): I've added Sniffies, the map-based app for queer men, because it's been gaining a lot of traction. (It got a little too spicy for Apple and was pulled from the App Store, so it's now technically a dating site.) Don't say I didn't warn you about the NSFW content.

• FetLife (added September 2025): FetLife is my new favorite "Honorable Mention." It's not your typical hookup app; it's more of a social network for the kink community (and, oddly enough, the best hookup app for gamers). Just remember: it's a community, so don't treat it like Tinder.

• Plenty of Fish (removed January 2025): POF went through a rebrand recently, and honestly, I'm not impressed. My latest tests showed they removed key features like free messaging with non-matches, and I kept running into the same old profiles.

• Match (removed August 2025): I know some people say they've found casual hookups on Match, but that's not what it's for. Match is where you go to find a serious, long-term relationship, and I still recommend it for that. But for a hookup? You're just fishing in the wrong pond.

Why some popular hookup apps didn't make the cut

You might notice a few apps that pop up in ads or other lists are missing here. That’s intentional. I swipe through the good, the bad, and the downright sketchy so you don’t have to. For an app to make my list, it has to be effective, safe, and worth your time.

Here's a shortlist of apps that didn't make the cut this year:

• Wild: You’ve probably seen ads for this one. On paper, Wild sounds like the perfect casual dating app. In practice, the paywalls are aggressive, the distance filter doesn't work, and you have to pay for anything that's even remotely useful. Unless you're willing to spend serious cash upfront (and hope for the best), the experience feels more limited than with more open apps like Tinder.

• DOWN: This app (formerly "Bang With Friends") is known for its simple "Get Down" vs. "Get Date" feature. It sounds clever, but in reality, the experience is messy at best. Many users report feeling scammed by subscriptions that don't deliver matches, or finding that the few real people on there are... let's say "odd." It’s hard to recommend an app when the main user complaint is "Is anyone real?" Hard pass.

• Facebook Dating: Yes, Facebook has a dating section, and it’s surprisingly massive (and completely free, which is huge). While it's a decent option for casual dating, the vibe tends to be a bit more "friends of friends" and "relationship-focused" than the anonymous, no-strings energy you get from apps like Pure or Feeld. (For Mashable's Chance Townsend, signing up was "the most uneventful dating experience" of his life.) It's worth a shot if you're already on Facebook, but it didn't quite crack my top tier for hookups specifically.