Nowadays, it is rare to see things like phone books, printed newspapers, and Backpages, but we still need the information these tools provide.
Backpage classified ads are short advertisements that individuals post for a small fee. For years, Backpages were used by small businesses selling particular goods and/or services.
Many people would even use Backpages and post ads to meet new people. Unfortunately, this is now a thing of the past. So, what are some new Backpage alternative options and how do you know which sites are worth it?
Not to worry. We curated a list of the 11 best Backpages alternatives in 2023:
Ashley Madison - Best Backpage alternative overall
WellHello - Best for fun dating
Seeking - Best for elite dating
Adult Friend Finder - Best for casual dating
Pernals - Best for posting ads
Oodle - Best classified ads site with multiple categories
Locanto - Best for local listings
Craigslist - Best site to post free ads
FetLife - Best for social networking
Doublelist - Best for potential dates
FinderMaster - Best for free classifieds ads
What Are the Best Alternatives To Backpage for Dating?
Ashley Madison - Best Backpage Alternative Overall
Ashley Madison is a leading dating platform. The site is similar to Backpage ads, in that you can find dates with like-minded partners who have similar interests and preferences.
Features
This site is easy to navigate no matter how comfortable you are with technology.
Use their “Traveling Man” feature to find local dates wherever you are. You can also send gifts and have one-on-one chats with other members.
Price
Signing up is free, but to use the site to its full potential, you can purchase credits. The basic package gets you 100 credits for $59.
Women get to sign up for free, making Ashley Madison one of the most popular sites for finding dates.
>> Read full Ashley Madison review
Pros
Great for discreet dating
Fair pricing
Cons
The user interface needs updating, but it's still very easy to use
WellHello - Best for Fun Dating
WellHello is a dating site that allows you to find people who share similar interests. Similar to Backpage ads, you can find individuals who are looking for dates or something more casual.
Features
Similar to Backpage dating, WellHello helps you find dates with personal ads. You can post free classified advertisements and see who you meet.
With a paid membership, you can send messages, make friends, look through photo galleries, and enjoy video chats with other members. This can be done either on the WellHello site or you can download the app on your phone.
Price
You can make your profile for free, but to use all the special features, you will have to sign up for WellHello’s Premium Package plans. Costs range from $1 per day or only $7.45 for a month of fun.
Pros
Video chat feature
Wide selection of partners from a diverse background
Cons
A large selection of profiles can get overwhelming
Seeking - Best for Elite Dating
Seeking is an elite dating service for singles looking for a serious relationship. If you know what you’re looking for, Seeking is a great site to find your next date.
Features
Seeking's sign-up process verifies who you are before you can become a member.
Once you are verified, you can use the search feature to find dates based on your interests and preferences.
With a membership, you can send messages to other members and boost your profile so more people can find you.
Price
Seeking allows you to set up a profile for free, but if you want to meet people and go on dates, you’re going to want to sign up for a membership.
Prices start at $19.99 per month and go up depending on which plan you decide on. You can always save if you pay for 3 months in advance.
>> Read full Seeking Review
Pros
This site has memberships worldwide
Elite and exclusive dating experience
Cons
You need to subscribe to access all site features
Adult Friend Finder - Best for Casual Dating
Adult Friend Finder is the best dating site for those looking to find casual encounters. Better than any Backpage, you can easily find dates with like-minded people on Adult Friend Finder.
Features
Adult Friend Finder has a lot of free perks, like viewing other members' photos and videos, joining blogs and groups, and even saving the profiles you like.
But, with a paid membership, you can see full profiles, send direct chats, and watch live streams. You can even send gifts to members and let them know how much you like them.
Price
Signing up is free and the site comes with a lot of free features, but there is no doubt that a membership is worth it. Prices start at $19.95 a month, which is well-priced compared to other Backpage dating apps.
>> Read full AdultFriendFinder review
Pros
Great pricing and frequent discounts
Casual dating site similar to Backpage ads
Cons
Great for casual dating, but there are better options if you want something more serious
Pernals - Best for Posting Ads
Pernals is a great Backpage replacement. This site has an adult classified section, with an easy-to-use interface and plenty of fun features at your disposal. You can search through various personal ads until you see something that you like.
Features
With Pernals, you can post ads and photos to start conversations with like-minded adults. A paid membership provides access to Pernals's chat system.
Plus, you can browse without having a public profile to keep your interests a secret until you’re ready to connect with someone. Then, post free classified advertisements and see who you meet
Price
Posting ads and searching the adult classified section is free on Pernals. If you want to comment on other classified ads, you will need to get a membership, which starts at 14.99 a month.
Pros
Strict terms and conditions for user safety
A wide-ranging classified site similar to Backpage
Cons
Plenty of classified ads to look through, which can get overwhelming
Oodle - Best Classified Ads Site With Multiple Categories
There is so much to do on Oolde. You can build your business with classified advertisements or post ads to find dates. Time to start using one of the largest free classified ads sites the web has to offer.
Features
Oodle is a Backpage site that has personal ads, but unlike other sites, you can message your dates for free.
Price
The site is free for personal ads. If you’re a small business looking to advertise nationwide, you might want to look into the Featured listings section. This will get your listing highlighted and seen by more people.
Pros
Full-fledged classified site
Free personal advertisements
Cons
Various types of ads are found on Oodle
Locanto - Best for Local Listings
Locanto is the best Backpage alternative site you can use. Make your small business known with classified advertisements that reach people all over the US. Locanto is also great for finding dates and casual connections with others on the platform.
Features
With Locanto, you can sign up through your email and start posting photos and ads.
Price
Locanto is free for personal ads. Prices for premium features, like boosting your ad to the top of search results, start at around $3.95/ per post.
Pros
Tons of different categories
Free for personal ads in your local area
Easy-to-use platform
Cons
Best suited for national personal listings, but Locanto does have listings in other locations (i.e. New Zealand, Latin America, etc)
Craigslist - Best Site to Post Free Ads
Craigslist is one of the most popular classified sites in the world and for good reason. Craigslist is available in Venezuela, Africa, and many more countries. You can make ads for various goods and services all from one site.
Features
Once you choose a location, you can find anything from Craigslist - from nearby furniture to apartment rentals.
Craiglist uses cookies to set your location, but that doesn’t mean you can't search for items across the globe.
Price
Craigslist is one of the original free Backpage networks. You can also boost ads to reach wider audiences for as little as $1.
Pros
One of the best free classified sites
Worldwide presence
Affordable boosting options
Cons
So many ads posted that it can be time-consuming to look through
FetLife - Best for Social Networking
FetLife is another great place for classified advertisements. On FetLife, you can search through community posts and discover other couples and/or singles that way.
Features
First, set your location on the site. That way, you are more likely to find like-minded individuals near you.
You can then browse through other people's profiles and personal ads. You can also post free classified advertisements for others to see.
Members can even join groups, send direct messages, and view photos and videos.
Price
Like other free Backpage services, making a profile and a personal ad is free on FetLife.
But, to make the most of what FetLife has to offer, we recommend getting a membership. Costs are extremely affordable, starting at $5 a month.
FetLife even has a satisfaction guarantee policy. If you aren’t happy with your membership within 7 days of purchase, you can receive a credit.
Pros
Free classified ads
Affordable membership fees
Tons of site features
Cons
This platform is more for community posting, rather than personal ads
Doublelist - Best for Potential Dates
Doublelist is a place for those who used to look through classified ads back in the day. This site has plenty of adults seeking new partners and works similarly to the other free classified sites on this list.
Features
To get started, set your location and begin browsing for adult partners in the ad section.
You can post free classified advertisements and see who you meet. If you find someone you like and feel comfortable with, you can exchange contact details to start texting or chatting on the platform.
Price
Like other sites on this list, making a profile and an ad is extremely easy and free for users of the site.
Pros
All user contact details are verified
Free to use
Cons
So many different ads to sort through
FinderMaster - Best for Free Classified Ads
FindMaster is one of the most advanced classified advertisement sites worldwide. You can search by country and scroll through a huge list of different categories.
It's one of the best Backpage alternatives to make ads for rentals, items, and more.
Features
FindMaster features posts from all over the world. This means you can connect with just about anybody.
Price
You can make classified ads and respond to them all for free.
Pros
Great Backpage alternative
Various categories available
Cons
So many options available
What Are the Best Alternatives To Backpages for Dating?
Sites like Ashley Madison, Adult Friend Finder, WellHello, and Seeking are among the best Backpage alternatives, making it easy to find dates and casual relationships.
Backpages were originally created for people looking interested in specific kinds of dating. So, a lot of new Backpage alternatives, like Ashley Madison and Adult Friend Finder, were developed with that in mind and now cater to that exact audience.
Are Backpage Alternatives Legal?
Yes, the Backpage alternatives on this list are legal to use.
As always, use discretion when searching the internet and communicating with other users.
Are Backpage Alternatives Safe To Use?
Yes, the Backpage alternatives on this list are also safe to use.
Here are some helpful tips you can follow to stay safe when using Backpage alternatives:
Keep your contact information separate from your personal accounts.
Don’t share too much.
If meeting someone in real life for the first time, choose a public space.
Never share your financial information.
How Can You Get Started With Backpage Alternatives for Dating?
To get started with Backpage alternatives for dating, follow these steps:
Choose the site that's right for you.
Sign up and create an account on the site.
Fill out your profile.
Choose a payment plan if you wish to upgrade your account.
Start browsing through the site.
What Can You Post On Backpage Alternatives?
You can create and find ads for almost anything on Backpage alternatives - including dating. The goal is to make it as easy as possible to meet other people.
Here are some of the most common things people post about:
Finding dates
Finding partners
Finding someone to chat with
Think of what you want and put it out into the universe. There is so much available to you just by looking through Backpage alternative sites.
Backpage Alternatives FAQ
Why Was Backpage Shut Down?
Backpage was shut down many years ago due to some inappropriate behavior. Luckily, there are tons of alternatives, like dating sites and apps, available today that are even better than the original.
What Is the Best Free Backpage Alternative?
The best free Backpage alternatives for classified ads include Doublelist, FetLife, Craigslist, and Oodle.
Do Backpage Alternatives Have Free Classified Ads?
Yes, many Backpage alternatives have free classified advertisements. You can also choose to pay a small fee to boost the post.
Are These Sites Secure?
Yes, all of the sites recommended in this article are secure. They do everything they can to keep member information and data safe.
Still, it's important to always be cautious when doing anything on the internet. Do not give out any personal information or financial information, and only use sites that have policies in place to protect the info you have provided to them.
Bottom Line
There are plenty of Backpage alternative sites available today. These handy online platforms are great for finding dates, and some of the true classified websites (Craigslist, Locanto, Oodle, etc.) help you buy and sell stuff online.
Overall, the best Backpage alternative is Ashley Madison. As far as Backpage alternative sites and casual dating apps go, Ashley Madison is one of the leading platforms for meeting new people and dating online. We can't recommend it enough.
