Sexting apps can be fun and low-risk if you do it right. Check out our list of the best sexting apps for intimate conversations and more explicit connections, updated for November 2023.

In a world where online dating and casual hookups have become the norm, dating can still feel exhausting. Sometimes, just the thought of putting on “real” clothes, coming up with witty conversation starters, and commuting to the actual meetup spot can be tiring. No matter what kind of encounter you plan, when it comes to dating, there’ll always be some sort of physical effort required.

The good news? There is one loophole: Sexting.

What is sexting?

Sexting is the art of sending sexually explicit photos or messages to one or more consenting people via text. Like sex itself, sexting “is an opportunity for you to liberate yourself, explore what you want in bed, and get to know your partner better,” writes Mashable sex and relationships reporter Anna Iovine. “Sexting can benefit both you and your budding relationship (or hookup, or however you define it).”

Once viewed as taboo, sexting is now definitively mainstream. According to a 2023 survey of U.S. adults by the market research platform Statista, 77 percent of participants said they’ve sent at least one sext — that’s up from 45 percent in 2019 and just 14 percent about 10 years ago.

Sexting’s recent surge in popularity is due at least in part to the pandemic, which gave rise to a new era of digital dating. But it also helps that there are now a number of apps that make sexting easy and safer than standard SMS messages.

How to find the best sexting apps

Not all apps for sexting are created equal, and some of the best ones aren’t even built for dating purposes.

To help you make the most of your sexting experience, we tested some of the top private chat apps. Based on our research and hands-on testing, we’ve narrowed our list to a few apps that prioritize privacy, safety, and user-friendliness for sexting. They’re also pretty affordable, with some even offering free options.

Here are the best sexting apps for all your NSFW exchanges.