Adult discrete dating

If you’re thinking about experimenting with no-strings sex apps, then your smartphone could be an easy way to find a partner.

Sex, including solo sex, certainly has its supposed health benefits, from keeping your vagina healthy and happy, to sleeping better at night. But what if you're looking for no-strings-attached sex and aren't sure where to start?

“As long as you're being straight with people and having a good time, there’s no reason why 40-somethings shouldn’t enjoy no-strings sex as much as Millennials,” says Jessica Leoni, sex and relationship expert with IllicitEncounters.com. Jessica has been counselling couples and individuals about the pros and cons of no-strings sex for more than 20 years. We asked for her advice on using sex apps.

Before you start downloading apps, you need to be sure that fun between the sheets with someone you may never see again is right for you. “You’ll soon know once you’ve tried it,” says Jessica. And there's no need to worry if you've hit your forties, or beyond. “If you’re returning to dating following a split or a divorce, chances are your dating patterns will be pretty much the same as when you were single in your younger years,” says Jessica. “Yes, our desires may change and our libidos may drop a little, but our essential character remains the same.”

Signs that no-strings sex isn’t right for you

Do you think you’d feel awful waking up next to someone who you know you’re never likely to see again? “Then I would suggest no-strings sex is probably not for you and you don’t need to sleep with that person to find that out,” says Jessica. And even regular sex, without commitment, could also lead you to feeling hurt in the future.

“Lots of people have “friends with benefits” who they see on a casual basis for no-strings sex,” says Jessica. “In my experience, these arrangements invariably end in disappointment for one of the parties in the long-run. It sounds sexist, but it tends to be the woman who ends up wanting a more emotional connection.” If you suspect you might fall into this camp, we'd suggest investing in a really great sex toy instead, try a recommended one from our best vibrators guide.

How to choose the right sex app

“Clearly the key thing is that there are lots of available potential partners in your vicinity,” says Jessica. “So I wouldn’t limit yourself to one app. Join a few that seem to cater for your needs. Most offer free trials so you can gauge if it is right for you without forking out at first.” Just make it clear that you're looking for something with no-strings. 

“Everyone dating is essentially looking for sex,” says Jessica. “But lots of daters are looking for a relationship first and foremost and for the sex to come afterwards. So you might find it frustrating meeting that kind of person when your primary objective is sex.” Here’s the dating apps to look out for when you’re looking for no-strings sex in your forties…

Best sex apps for the over forties

“Lumen is aimed at the over-50s," says Jessica. Getting a profile on the site can sometimes feel like you're jumping through hoops, but the effort is worth it. This is because every user must have at least three photos on their profile, a detailed bio and be verified. Not looking for a toyboy? You're in luck."There’s a strong chance your potential matches will be in their 60s and even their 70s,” says Jessica. “Although always bear in mind that at least a third of people dating online will lie about their age, particularly in the early stages of interactions.”

Why Lumen is one of the best sex apps for the over 40s

Firstly, it's free to use. Secondly, out of all the dating apps, Lumen seems to be a more open and trustworthy space. Conversations are encouraged, with messages being deleted after 72 hours if you don't reply, so you won't feel overwhelmed or hassled. This means if someone is not interested in you, you can simply move on and look for other matches.However, sex might not be top priority for every user. “With such a specialised older site, there will be people looking for casual fun, but they will be in a minority," says Jessica. But once you find that person, they'll most likely be who they say they are on their profile.

Tinder is all about being attracted to how someone looks, rather than what they say about themselves. It's easy to sign up. After downloading the app, you can link it to your Facebook profile. You swipe through anonymous photos (up to six, but many people have just one) of potential dates based near you. If you're not interested, then you swipe left. Like what you see? Swipe right and if they also swipe right on you, you will be matched. You'll then both have the opportunity to strike up a conversation (or maybe just send a flirty gif). It's free to join, or you can sign up for Tinder Plus or Tinder Gold from £4.99 a month, which will help boost your profile so more users see it.

Why Tinder is one of the best sex apps for the over 40s

 “Around 20% of Tinder users are in the 35-44 age group. So while it is predominantly a younger person’s app, there are lots of people age 35-plus giving it a go,” says Jessica. “Given its popularity, you’d be a fool not to try it if you are 40-plus and looking for no-strings sex. Yes, you might well find some younger guys turned on by the whole Mrs Robinson thing – and what is wrong with that? They could be a lot of fun and the sex could be great. You are only as old as feel – get out there and see how it goes.”

Match is exactly what it says on the tin. You are basically searching for people who have interests or beliefs which "match" with your own. This means you search the site by looking at other people's profiles depending on your search criteria. It can take a lot longer than Tinder to read through bios etc, but you'll have more things in common with those you connect with. "The overwhelming majority of members are looking for a new partner rather than a casual fling,” says Jessica. Match is free to sign up, but to use it to make connections you need to pay a subscription, starting at £9.99 per month.

Why Match is one of the best sex apps for the over 40s

As Match is so popular, you will have a huge pool of potentials to pick from. “It’s worth trying Match because it’s one of the market leaders and there will be lots of potential dates,” says Jessica. And the age of the majority of users will be similar to you. “Almost half of Match users are aged 30-49, while 26.5% are over 50 – so there’s perhaps a more compatible age profile than Tinder for the over-40s,' says Jessica. They also host local events where you can meet potential dates in person.

Bumble is very similar to how Tinder works. Based on your location, you look at photos of other users and swipe right or left. But there is a big difference to other dating sites. “With Bumble, only the female in heterosexual matches can make the first move with matched male users," says Jessica. "So, initially at first, everything is done on the woman’s terms." Women have 24 hours to start a conversation and men have 24 hours to respond or the match expires. The app is free, although you can pay extra (around £21 a month) for a Bumble Boost, which includes features such as rematching with expired connections or seeing everyone who has swiped right for you.

Why Bumble is one of the best sex apps for the over 40s

“This is very good for no-strings sex,” says Jessica. "You can pick and choose exactly who you think is appropriate according to your needs.” There is also a video and voice chat feature within the app, so you don't have to give out your phone number, but can talk face to face with someone before meeting. So there's little chance of being catfished.

Using the basic functions of Happn is completely free, but you will have to pay (around £20 a month) for extra features, such as finding out who likes you. It works by location, so once you've signed up and created a profile, you'll be alerted to nearby users and those you have crossed paths with. “Happn is a bit more pot luck than Bumble, because you're matching with people in your immediate vicinity,” says Jessica. “Obviously, there’s a danger that you can keep bumping into an inappropriate match again and again. If you are in London or a big city, that is not a big deal – it’s easy to disappear. Not so easy if you live in a small town.”

Why Happn is one of the best sex apps for the over 40s 

Well, one of the best things about this app is that you won't fall for someone who lives at the other end of the country to you. This is especially good for those over 40 years old, who are more likely to have established lives and less likely to move for a relationship.As you can match to someone in the immediate area, Happn can be great for a holiday fling when you are away. “It can work for no-strings holiday sex," says Jessica. "Especially if you are going to a popular destination – it would be great for Ibiza or Mallorca.”

This one is not technically an app – and there is good reason for that. IllicitEncounters.com is a dating site for those who are already in a relationship. You can access it via your phone, but having an app would potentially give the game away to your partner. 

“This is a niche site for people in settled relationships who want a casual relationship with a consenting adult, who is also likely to be in a settled relationship,” says Jessica. "Men pay to be on the site whereas women can join for free, and male members tend to have a reasonable income." Men pay around £139.99 for four week's membership.

Why IllicitEncounters.com is one of the best sex apps for the over 40s

If you want to have no-strings sex but are already in a relationship, then this site could work for you. “It's highly successful because both men and women are on the same page and one of its biggest selling points is the ready availability of no-strings sex," says Jessica. "It has been established for almost 20 years so there is a vast pool of daters in all areas. Have an affair and be sure that your potential new parter is not going to blow the whistle on your infidelity."

Unlike the other apps, your profile on Pure won't last forever. In fact, after uploading your photos and bio, you have just one hour to get to work and make a match with someone. This is done in a similar way to the other swiping apps, although it will also let you know if you have any mutual connections. After the time limit, your profile will disappear, and you will have to sign up again. "It’s not that well known and you are likely to struggle to find partners outside of the big cities,” warns Jessica.

Why Pure is one of the best sex apps for the over 40s

With profiles not lasting for long, you've either got to decide whether to meet up or not – it definitely doesn't encourage messaging for weeks. This means it's great for no-strings sex. “Pure is a relationship app which has been designed especially for casual hook-ups in your vicinity,” says Jessica. It's also great for privacy, as none of your details are saved on the site.