Many people were left wondering where to go after Craigslist removed its personal section. Everything from making new friends to casual connections and long-term relationships was on offer through their services. Now that Craigslist has shut personals down, it has created a gap in the market for many users. Luckily for you, there are alternatives that work just as fine.
This article will touch on the best 9 alternatives to Craigslist personal for 2025 using dependable sites 2backpage, obackpage, and starbackpage. All of these websites will give you similar results and experiences for users looking to connect. Let’s get into it!
1. 2backpage
If you are looking for the closest thing to craigslist personals, 2backpage is your best chance. This website, for instance, is tailored to have the look and feel of the original craigslist site so people of all levels can easily browse.
Why Choose 2backpage?
- Familiar and simplistic layout
- Usage is completely free and offers numerous posting options
- Highly recommended for personal ads, friendly casual encounters, and friendships
Like craigslist, 2backpage also allows users to post personals, place advertisements for casual encounters or seek new friends, etc. Whether you wish to make new friends or connect with the old ones, 2backpage is the right place to go.
2. obackpage
For those who wish to find something new on Craigslist personal ads, obackpage is a great option. The site is modern and visually appealing so it is rapidly increasing in popularity. It serves individuals interested in casual socializing as well those looking for serious relationships.
What Are The Distinct Features Of This Site?
- Simple signup procedures
- Frequent visitors to an active site
- Multiple options to choose from
If it is simplicity you are after on a Craigslist personal ads substitute, look no further than obackpage with its more relaxed policies and greater flexibility.
3. starbackpage
This is yet another entry in the list of trustworthy alternatives to Craigslist. It has an extensive range of personal advertisement classes which makes it easy for you to find exactly what you need. The site is well kept and allows users to interact in a very safe manner.
Why starbackpage Deserves To Be Noticed
- Good navigation design
- Less spam because of strict moderation
- Perfect for informal rendezvous or local dating relationships
If you need a site to help you quickly meet new people, starbackpage is the one for you.
4. DoubleList
A Fun Application with a Community Focused Feature DoubleList is a personal alternative used to make personal advertisements and it has gradually gained popularity. The application strives to build a community-centric atmosphere which enables its members to respond and post personal ads.
Features of doublelist
- Cost free
- Active community always posting
- Enhanced Security Measures Through Verification Ads Check
If You Missed The Casual Encounter Section Of Craigslist, You might want to try DoubleList.
5. FriendFinder
A single FriendFinder account enables a user to network or date, so the website does not limit an account owner in their preferences. The webpage provides multiple profile customization options for users to easily find other users with proper matching interests.
Why use FriendFinder?
- Verified user base
- Excellent profile search parameter
- Different methods of user interaction provided for easier networking
Unlike other websites, FriendFinder caters to users of all kinds whether searching for friends, dates, or even just someone to hang out with.
6. AdultFriendFinder
AdultFriendFinder is a good choice when looking for someone for a casual hookup. An extensive adult dating site, a person can easily find someone who would match their desire because of the many features available.
Key Features of AdultFriendFinder
- Booster with millions of users daily
- Sophisticated search and communication options
- Ideal for liberal people
AdultFriendFinder earns its place as a Craigslist personal’s alternative due to its more casual approach to dating and offering a wider scope of opportunities.
7. Locanto
If seeking local connections, then Locanto can be your first stop. As with the site above, this one is also categorized as a personal ad website and users can post ads regarding dating, friendships, and other relations.
Reasons to Try Locanto
- Heavy concentration of local ads
- Simple, user-friendly design
- Users are allowed to browse and post ads free of charge
Locanto should be your go-to website if you are searching for people nearby and want to make new friends.
8. Seeking
This website is specifically designed for users interested in making serious connections with people and was formerly known as Seeking Arrangement. It’s more akin to being a social networking site.
What Makes Seeking Stand Out
- Users focused on forming quality connections
- Verbose profiles permits forming better matches
- Highly effective in long-term dating and searching partners
Instead of relying on chance encounters, you can go on the internet and open Seeking. If you need a more serious relationship then seeking can surely hit the spot and serve as an even better alternative for a more mature Craigslist.
9. FetLife
This isn’t your regular dating website, but rather an interest based niche site. FetLife is perfect for people having uncommon interests and looking for like-minded people which can be quite difficult to achieve on traditional dating sites.
FetLife’s Best Features
- FetLife provides discussions on Fetish Culture.
- Concentrate on broad topics such as Fetish alternative lifestyles.
- Widely engaged as well as encouraged by users.
If you are searching for deeper social relationships, fetlife.com could be just what you’re looking for.
Why Did Craigslist Shut Down Its Personal Ads?
Due to changes in legislation in the United States in 2018, federally, the friends that one could make online in Craigslist were mostly limited to its site. A significant part of the population moved to the paypal-friendly card payment system buying closed FetLife accounts, buying pages turned into spam hubs due to multiple fake users. In simple words, the passing of the FOSTA-SESTA law made it more dangerous for sites to carry personal ads because they could potentially face liability suits due to user content that encourages illegal activity.
How to Stay Safe on Personal Ad Sites
If you are using personal ad sites like Craigslist, ensure that you are following the guide below to make sure you are safe.
- Your instincts are often correct, so if something feels amiss, it probably is.
- Always inform the moderation team of any suspicious behaviour.
- While most of these platforms have some level of safety protocols, being careful is always a good idea.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the best alternative to Craigslist personals?
Due to its wide variety of personal advertisement categories, 2backpage is one of the best replacements for Craigslist personals and is well-known for having a similar interface.
2. Are these alternatives to Craigslist free?
Most of the alternatives, including 2backpage, obackpage, and DoubleList, are completely free. Some sites do have premium features for costs, but browsing and posting ads usually do not require payment.
3. How do I remain secure while using these sites?
Always arrange to meet someone in a public location, do not give out personal information too quickly, and always flag suspicious users or activities to the moderation team.
4. Can I use these alternatives for serious dating?
Yes. While some platforms are strictly for casual users, others such as Seeking and FriendFinder are aimed towards people looking for serious relationships.
Conclusion: Choose Your Favorite Alternative to Craigslist Personal Ads
Craigslist can remove personal ads, but that isn’t a limitation of the past because in 2025, alternatives are more than capable of filling the shoes. In addition to 2backpage, there are obackpage and starbackpage which, as the name suggests, are personal ad sites. So, if you are searching for a casual relationship, friendship, or even a serious relationship, you will be able to find it with the help of these websites.
Best of luck and enjoy meeting new people, but don’t forget to stay safe!