The world that we live in today clearly acknowledges the sexual liberation of humans. For the most part, gone are the days when sex was a taboo subject and when experimentation with sex and sexuality would raise eyebrows. As such, casual sexual encounters and relationships are becoming more common than ever before.
The idea of one has to be in a committed relationship to engage in sexual acts is no more true. We have broken the shackles that used to bind us before from exploring our sex life in a bunch of different ways.
One such aspect that has gained significant popularity in the past couple of years is that of Friends with Benefits (FWB). It basically refers to a sexual relationship between two people who have a platonic connection with one another instead of a romantic one. And today, the growth of platforms for finding people with this sentiment and interest is only increasing.
People who are looking for friends with benefits usually don’t have a long-term goal when it comes to expectations from one another. Of course, they love spending time with each other even outside the bed, but they don’t have any commitment towards each other.
Extremely platonic by nature, the base of their relationship lies in the motto of ‘no strings attached'. Depending on person to person and relationship to relationship, the degree of involvement with each other can vary. Essentially, both the people involved get to write their own rules.
But despite its popularity, it can be difficult in finding people with similar interests in your locality or social network. This is where the friends with benefits dating sites come into play. With them by your side, you can rest assured that you will find yourself immersed among a great network of similar-minded people. Some of the popular FWB sites are as follows.
10 Best Friends With Benefits Websites Review
Adult Friend Finder

Relationships: Affairs, Hookups
Profiles: All singles*
Gender Ratio: 65% male and 35% female*
User Base: 25.5 million visits/month*
Popularity: Over 100 million active users worldwide*
User Rating: 3.5/5.0*
Serving lovebirds for a quarter of a century now, Adult Friend Finder has established itself as one of the reliable and trusted platforms for connecting with like-minded people. It is built with the intention of creating a world where everyone can make the most out of their sexuality.
This has been continuously ranked by many publications as the number one website for hookups. When it comes to friends with benefits, it leaves no stones unturned to help you get connected with an ideal match.
Special features
- Vast network consisting of 100 million members.
- The ratio of male and female members is fairly equal.
- High-level search filters help you in connecting with locals.
No matter what your sexual orientation is and no matter what gender you are seeking as part of your search for friends with benefits, you will find everyone here. It is free to register on this website. Once you join, you can take a look at the public photos, video streams, kinky groups, blog posts, and discussion forums, among other things that it has to offer.
Ashley Madison

Relationships: Affair, hookup
Profile: All singles*
While searching for FWB dating sites, one aspect that users look for is how much importance is given to keep their identity discreet. And Ashley Madison is known exactly for that. It lets you have fun while also allowing you to keep your identity discreet.
It is no wonder that over 65 million users have gravitated towards this website for seeking whatever they want to seek. Among the notable features of Ashley Madison is the ability that it gives its user to browse under a nickname. In addition, you also can keep your profile pictures masked, securing your identity.
Special features
- Ability to mask profile pictures for staying anonymous.
- Discreet payment method.
- App-locking PIN keeps your dating activities private.
From swingers to facilitating meetings between married and single folks, Ashley Madison has a recipe for every taste that you may crave for. Its global popularity has been sky-rocketing ever since it stepped its foot in the dating arena back in 2001.
eharmony

Relationships: Long term, serious and deep relationships
Profile: All singles*
Gender Ratio: 51% male and 49% female*
User Base: 4.2 million visits/month*
Popularity: Over 9 million active users worldwide*
User Rating: 4.8/5.0*
eharmony is known for the scientific approach that it takes for matchmaking. It has resulted in bearing countless successful relationships. Now, you may think that for finding friends with benefits, you don’t require meticulous matchmaking.
But, let us tell you that when you are clubbed with the right person irrespective of what you are looking for, it helps in establishing a better sense of understanding and clarity. This is why so many people who are looking for a friend with benefits sign up for eharmony.
Special features
- Its members include 51% men and 49% women, thereby ensuring more equal chances of matching.
- Video date for premium members.
- Expert dating advice through blogs writer by licensed journalists and psychologists.
Its members come from various diverse backgrounds covering more than 200 nations. Therefore, your chances of finding a friend with benefits in your locality are higher with the help of this website. So, dive into the world of online dating and see for yourself the surprises that await you.
Zoosk

Relationship: Flexible dating, fun & short term dates, serious relationships
Profiles: All singles*
Gender Ratio: 48% male and 52% female*
User Base: 3.9 million visits/month*
Popularity: Over 40 million active users worldwide*
User Rating: 4.7/5.0*
As much as progressive the present world has become, but it can’t be denied how terms like friends with benefits still are considered taboo in certain places. Since physically finding people who are interested in the same is difficult, Zoosk allows its members to use its platform to find the same.
With a wide range of members that come from over 80 countries, you are able to mingle with people who share the same mindset as yourself. Hooking up is certainly more convenient with Zoosk where you have the power to choose how you want to interact.
Special features
- Available in 25 languages.
- Dating advice through countless efficient blogs.
- Its behavioral matchmaking technology learns from your actions in order to help you connect with an ideal match.
Around 3 million messages are exchanged among members of Zoosk daily. And in between waiting for responses from those you are interested in, you get the chance to leisure yourself through all its enriching dating-themed blogs and articles.
Friend Finder-X

Relationships: Casual encounters, hookup
Profile: All singles & couples*
Gender Ratio: 64% male and 36% female*
User Base: 1.2 million visits/month*
Popularity: Over 90 million active members worldwide*
User Rating: 3.6/5.0*
If you are wondering as to how to find friends with benefits online, look no further than Friend Finder-X. Despite its name focusing on friendship, we can assure you that you will find more than friendship on this highly sought-after dating website.
It serves as a gigantic pool for horny singles who are looking forward to having some fun with their time. No matter what sexual orientation you belong to, this one will cater to all your sexual needs. From one-night stands to long-term sexual relationships, they provide it all.
Special features
- Live video chat helps in enhancing steam conversations.
- It has a search filter based on your locality as well as what physical features you want in your friends with benefits.
- Options for maintaining discreet identity.
Friend Finder-X understands that sexual urges and needs are completely natural. No one needs to be ashamed for exploring their sexual cravings. And what better way to help you with that than connecting people who are looking for friends with benefits.
Tinder

Relationships: Friendship, Casual date, romance
Profile: All singles*
Popularity: Over 57 million users worldwide*
User Rating: 4.1/5.0*
One of the most popular geosocial dating networking-based applications that have emerged in the last decade, Tinder is without a doubt, a brand that speaks for itself. From casual hookups to long-term relationships, millions of subscribers visit Tinder daily to satiate their requirements.
Accessible through both a web browser in computers and mobile app, this has been deemed by many as one of the best apps for friends with benefits. All you need to connect with the person that you like is swipe right to their pictures. And if they swipe right you as well, then there’s no looking back.
Special features
- No unnecessary disturbance from unwanted users since only those who are matched with you can text you.
- The premium feature – Tinder Gold – allows you to get a sneak-peek into those who have already liked you before you swipe them left or right.
- ‘Super Like’ feature multiplies your chances of matching with the person whom you like. Every member gets one ‘Super Like’ every month to use.
- Profiles can be integrated with your Instagram account giving you a better picture of your potential partner’s life.
The best aspect of Tinder is how transparent it is. Therefore, it is considered to be highly safe compared to most other apps for friends with benefits. With the premium passport feature, you can even swipe at your upcoming vacation destinations before you reach there. In other words, it allows you to match in different destinations.
Grindr

Relationships: Casual dating, hookups, relationships
Profiles: All gay, bisexual men*
Popularity: Over 3.2 million daily active users*
User Rating: 3.2/5.0*
Most of the other websites that we have mentioned on this list cater to people of all sexual orientations. However, if you are specifically looking for gay, bi, trans, and queer men, then Grindr is for you.
It is the largest dating website and app for the said target audience and is available globally. This is also geosocial dating networking-based application and is primarily noted for hookups, one-night stands, and friends with benefits. However, it also has members who are looking for long-term relationships and dating.
Special features
- You can ‘tap’ someone’s profile to see if they are interested in you, which they can tell you by ‘tapping’ you back.
- The premium version- Grindr Extra – lets you have access to more tribes (categories that you are interested in).
- Available option for maintaining discreet identity.
- Ability to see if users are online or not, thereby ensuring faster, better flow of communication.
You are able to look at the pictures posted by the members and read their bios. It allows for texting whom you want to get in touch with as well as video-call them. In addition, you can share your precise location with them if you are interested. Furthermore, you also have the ability to star-mark your favorite profiles so that they don’t get lost in the mix.
Lesbian Personals

Relationships: Friendship, casual date, serious relationships
Profiles: All lesbian, bisexual, and queer women*
User Base: 500,000 visitors/month*
User Rating: 4.2/5.0*
Keeping in mind intersectionality, here is an exclusive website dedicated to lesbian, bisexual, trans, and queer women. This dating website is counted among the most popular lesbian sex-positive dating websites.
Free from the clutches of men, this website provides a free space for women to be themselves and explore their sexuality. From forums for BDSM to video strip teases, this is definitely worth signing up for if you are interested in friends with benefits online dating.
Special features
- Instant messenger helps you in getting to know a fellow member better.
- Great source for finding interested women in your locality.
- Easy and user-friendly interface.
In addition, Lesbian Personals also has options for facilitating polyamorous relationships. If you are a single woman, your friends with benefits can be a fellow single woman, or a hot straight couple, or anything in between. Celebrate your sexuality and be a free spirit.
Plenty of Fish

Relationships: Friendship, date, romance, relationship
Popularity: Over 90 million registered users worldwide*
Profile: All singles*
Evident by its name, Plenty of Fish has numerous options for you to choose from when it comes to your dating needs. To give you an idea of its enormous reach, around 3 million members log in to this dating website daily.
Available in numerous countries, it is slowly but steadily making its mark be felt among the best FWB sites. The best part of this website is that it allows you to text anyone you see a potential match in without spending any extra money.
Special features
- User-friendly interface.
- A huge network of 150 million people in around 20 countries.
- Free membership allows texting anyone you want.
With a dynamic layout, this website will surely catch your attention. It is also known for being one of the very few dating apps that feature live streaming. So, as you can see, the opportunities available with this website are endless. Sign up and connect with your local friends with benefits.
OkCupid

Relationships: Friendship, casual date, serious relationships
Profiles: All singles*
Gender Ratio: 65% male and 35% female*
User Base: 55 million visitors/month*
Popularity: Over 50 million users worldwide*
User Rating: 4.3/5.0*
Although it initially started its journey as a social networking website before transitioning into a traditional dating website, in recent times, it has spread its wing to be more inclusive. Many of its members use it to get connected with local friends with benefits.
Its highly efficient algorithm makes sure that you are brought close to those who share similar interests like yours. Over 50,000 dates are made with this website every week and around 91 million connections are made every year.
Special features
- Quirky layout and design.
- The Premium version allows you to check who has liked you before you like them.
- Incognito mode lets your account stay invisible unless you texted or liked someone on the site.
Its diverse mindset is translated through its options for 22 genders and 13 sexual orientations. So, no matter what type of friends with benefits you are looking for, you will find your match on this website for sure.
Final Thoughts
Don’t hold yourself back in your journey to explore your sexual life. You only live once and you should make the most out of it. If you think you want to have some fun before settling down with your boyfriend or girlfriend, you should definitely try your hands with friends with benefits. And with the vast network of people in these aforementioned websites for friends with benefits, your chances of finding someone who has a similar thought process as yours are extremely high.
Go through these websites, get to know their features up and close and then be the best judge to find out which one is more suited for your needs. Sometimes, friends with benefits result in finding a true lifelong companion, and sometimes it’s a short stint. Whatever it may be, take a chance and enjoy it to the fullest.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What does ‘friends with benefits’ mean to a girl?
It might be surprising for many to hear but the fact of the matter is that women love and enjoy sex as much as their male counterparts do. The patriarchal society that we live in, for the most part, does not acknowledge the sexual urges and cravings of a woman.
So, usually, sex is associated with men. Since the concept of friends with benefits has a sexual connotation, many people would think that most women would not want this. They probably think that only women of a certain type would crave such a relationship because women believe in love and emotions more than a man.
Yes, it is true that women are comparatively more nurturing by nature than men. However, it doesn’t take away the fact that women, just like men, can be sexual beings. Their need for sex is as much, if not more, as men.
So, despite the fact that most women can’t openly celebrate the fact that they have friends with benefits due to societal pressure, it doesn’t take away their acceptance of it. Women, these days, are shying away from celebrating their sexuality. If they want to explore their sexuality a bit better before settling down, who is to stop them?
Women know how to compartmentalize their emotions from their sexual needs. So, even though they are a bit more sensible than men, they know how to let their hair down from time to time. After all, why should boys have all the fun?
Where to find friends with benefits?
People acquire friends with benefits from various places. It can be their colleagues, one of their real-life friends, a neighbor, and everything in between. But, of course, finding friends with benefits can be extremely tricky since it is still considered taboo in many societies. So, you have to tread water lightly in this matter.
If you are looking for a friend with benefits, then taking the help of the internet is ideally considered the best option. With the rise in the number of websites and apps for friends with benefits, your chances of getting one are extremely high in the virtual world.
The online searching of friends with benefits through dating websites and apps is reliable than most other sources for various reasons. First of all, you get to see who you are interacting with by asking for their pictures. Secondly, you get an idea of what kind of thought process they have and whether or not it matches with yours.
Thirdly and most importantly, you get to be in control of how much you want to share with the other person. Both of you can layout the groundwork of your FWB relationship and proceed accordingly.
Remember, when you are physically meeting for the first time, try and stay sober so that your partner forms a good first impression about you.
In addition, many of these FWB websites and apps also give you the opportunity to maintain a discreet identity if you choose to do so. This means that you have the option of sharing your pictures only with those you are directly communicating with.
The geosocial dating networking-based application helps you get connected with interested folks in your locality. Moreover, some of these websites apps can even help you get in touch with friends with benefits in other cities that you are planning to visit as part of your upcoming vacation before you even reach there.
The best part about finding friends with benefits online is that you get to find someone who matches the physical and mental characteristics you are looking for. The filters available on the FWB dating websites and apps help you choose whatever you want – blondes, brunettes, tall, plus size, black, Asian, Caucasian, Latin, and everything in between.
You may not get exactly the perfect partner that has every character trait, but this is as close to perfect as you can get.
How to find a friend with benefits online?
Finding friends with benefits online is a systematic process. During social distancing, when you probably are relying more on online dating, the importance of these FWB sites is even more.
First and foremost, you need to check out the various friends with benefits sites and apps available. Most of them provide a free membership. So, get to know their features and decide which one is more suited for you.
Once you decide upon a website, sign up and start your journey of finding your ideal mate. Go through the profiles that you see and based on which website you choose, get connected with the one you find interesting.
Usually, you get to see people’s pictures and read their bio. These would give you a fair idea about them. If you like what you see, swipe right on their profile, or give them a tap, or simply text them.
If the other person likes you two, just get to know each other’s preferences. Try to gauge where they stand when it comes to understanding the dynamics of friends with benefits relationships. It is better to be on the same page so that there is no unnecessary drama at the end.
Based on your interaction, you can decide on a time and place to meet and work your way from there. If you want it to be a one-night stand, then do that. But if you feel that there is a chance for you two to remain platonic friendship-wise while still pursuing a sexual relationship with each other, then you both can remain in touch with each other.
What is the best site to find friends with benefits?
Each individual and their needs are subjective. You need to remember that what may work for someone else may not necessarily work for you. This is why we recommend you to browse through all the aforementioned friends with benefits websites and apps.
Although all of them have more or less the same features, the interface and matchmaking process differs from website to website. On some sites, only those whom you have ‘liked’ will get to text you. In some, everyone can have the liberty to get in touch with you. So, see for yourself what works for you.
However, based on our research, we have found that Adult Friend Finder, Ashley Madison, eharmony, Zoosk, and Friend Finder-X are the most reliable ones. These FWB sites have helped in connecting millions of people across the globe, resulting in countless successful friends with benefits relationships.
How to ask a girl for a friends with benefits relationship?
A friends with benefits relationship is still viewed by many as a taboo subject. So, you need to practice caution while approaching someone for the same. You need to handle this matter delicately because not everyone will be receptive to it.
Let us break this down into two segments. The first being how to ask a girl for a friend with benefits relationship face to face and the second one asking the same question online.
If there is someone whom you know beforehand and want to ask them out for an FWB relationship, you need to understand their stance on such relationships. Whether it is your friend or colleague, your neighbor or your gym-mate, you simply can’t blurt out the question all of a sudden.
Try to engage in conversations with them and very subtly, bring up the topic of FWB and see how they feel about it. Find out what are their views on having sexual relations that don’t have any romantic inclinations attached to them. Try to keep the questions generalized in nature.
If they are not receptive to it, drop the subject because it does not worth it. However, if they seem accepting of it, repeat bringing up this topic 2-3 times without being too obvious about it. Once you see they are interested, ask them respectfully if they want to get into an FWB relationship with you.
If they say yes, then great! But they say no, try to respect their decision. Just because someone is interested in an FWB relationship doesn’t mean that they are comfortable or interested in being in an FWB relationship with you.
When it comes to online, the process is a bit easier since it doesn’t have the pressure of ruining pre-existing relationships. Once you find a girl that you like on an FWB dating site or app, get in touch with them and start with something pleasant or humorous without being vulgar or rude.
Keep in mind not to pester them continuously or flood their inbox. If they are not responding, it clearly means they are not into you. However, if they are conversing with you, talk to them and lay out the groundwork of what you want, and listen to what they want. Listening carefully is one of the key dating tips that men should keep in mind.
It is of paramount importance that both of you have similar goals so that no party gets hurt later. Try and talk about each other’s “hard no’s”. Discuss your sexual preferences. Once you come to a mutual agreement, take it from there.
What are the signs to know that she wants to be friends with benefits?
You need to have an understanding of body language in order to note the signs that a woman makes to show that she wants to be friends with benefits with you. Of course, not all women are the same. But more or less the following signs are usually universally applicable.
Firstly, if a woman is bringing up the topic of friends with benefits with you in a positive manner, then that is obviously a sign that she is receptive towards it. Now, whether she is interested in being friends with benefits with you or not, that needs to be determined.
Try and see if she remains positive when you express that you are interested in having an FWB relationship. Don’t directly say that you want to be FWB with her, but you are open to the idea in general. If she is interested in you, then she surely would keep on bringing the topic and that should be a sign for you. You can then proceed to ask her out directly.
But, in case if someone is not too direct about it, you need to note certain body language. Sometimes, people say a lot without saying anything with their lips. If the girl you are interested in plays with her hair while talking to you, that can be a sign.
If she smiles coyly at you and stares at you more than your average friend does, she definitely wants some attention from you. If she bites her lips while talking to you one-on-one, then that is another sign that she is potentially waiting for you to ask her out.
If you see her leaning towards you while having a conversation with you, she might be interested in having a connection with you. So, note for these signs, and without being disrespectful or vulgar, ask her out politely.
Chances are high that she would positively reciprocate your offer. But if she doesn’t, then respect her decision and give her some space. Just accept that you read the situation wrong and move on without harassing her.
Are friends with benefits considered hook-ups?
This is highly debatable since both sides of the table can be argued. Usually, people associate hook-ups with casual sexual encounters that don’t have any emotional inclination. They are also referred to as one-night stands.
However, when it comes to friends with benefits, there are some feelings involved. Even though the feelings of romance are not present, the people involved in a friends with benefits relationship still enjoy each other’s company. They have a platonic relationship with each other. They are essentially friends.
Now, the degree to how close your friendship is remains subjective. But in comparison to a one-night stand where you are solely having sex with someone without any platonic or romantic relationship, FWB relationships have certain feelings attached to them.
Some FWB relationships even culminate into long-term romantic relationships, although it is usually rare.
On the other hand, some FWB relationships last only one encounter. It then becomes nothing less than a hook-up. So, in that sense, you can say both of them are the same. So, it depends on individuals to individuals as to how they want to define it. You can put them in the same category or you can keep them different. It all depends on your perception.
At the end of the day, these are all just fancy terms. Therefore, you define them the way you want to define them. As long as you and the other person involved are on the same page, you don’t have to worry about labels.