For years, Craigslist has been the go-to platform for people looking for nearly any service or connection from buying products, selling them to even personal intimate relations. Its simplistic design provided Craigslist with a well earned reputation, as countless users sought after everything ranging from local gigs to used furniture, and even dating. Still, the closure of Craigslist personal ads in 2018 left a significant number of people looking for alternatives.
The good news is that numerous other platforms cater to personal connections, personal ads, classifieds and community bulletin boards making them excellent alternatives to Craigslist Personal. Platforms like starbackpage, obackpage, and 2backpage are distinguished from the rest due to their ability of recreating the experience that many users cherished with Craigslist. And while those are great, there’s plenty of other options worth checking out as well.
What Are The Best Alternatives to Craigslist Personal?
Before the shutdown of its personal ads section, Craigslist Personal was widely appreciated for its flexibility and vast user base. Following the shutdown, users were tasked with the challenge of finding similar platforms that allowed for the posting of personal ads. These new platforms come with their own advantages, such as:
Anonymity and Privacy: Just like Craigslist, many of these alternatives can be used to connect without having to share excessive personal information.
Local Focus: Similar to Craigslist, these platforms aim to connect individuals in certain geographical regions, thus allowing users to find people in an easier way.
Range of Offerings: These alternatives have users that seek everything from casual encounters to more genuine relationships, allowing for a greater type of connections.
With that being said, let’s dive into the 10 Best Alternatives to Craigslist starting off with the very best, starbackpage.
1. starbackpage – Best Alternative To Craigslist Personal
If you’re looking for a site to fulfill all of your needs relating to Craigslist Personal, look no further than starbackpage. Users can post personal ads and browse as they see fit. They are able to find numerous individuals who are willing to engage with them, be it for a casual encounter or a long-term relationship.
What makes starbackpage stand out?
User-Friendly: Just like Craigslist, starbackpage comes with an intuitive interface that even a novice user can navigate without any difficulty. This makes it easier to browse through ads and post new ones.
A Great Selection of Categories: For those seeking to find casual relationships, adult services, or simply new friends, starbackpage provides ample categories to pick from while searching for personal connections.
No Fees Involved: starbackpage is completely free of charge which further enhances its appeal. The absence of subscription services or fees associated with posting personal ads or dating services makes starbackpage even more alluring.
Regional Focus: Similar to most social networking sites, the site allows users to connect with other users in their local vicinity so they can find people in their region without any difficulty.
If you want to find someone to chat with but would prefer a more user-friendly option than Craigslist Personal, then starbackpage is definitely one of the best alternatives for you.
2. obackpage – A Competitor of starbackpage
Another alternative to starbackpage is obackpage, which provides a more streamlined Craigslist-like design but with added functionalities that boost user engagement. Despite its simplistic design, the site comes with different sections for dating, casual meetups, and personal ad sections, so it caters for those wishing to make new personal relations.
Why go for obackpage?
Focus on Personal Ads: obackpage focuses more on personal ads which ensures that users around the area can easily find others to interact with. It also allows a high degree of anonymity, enabling people to post without revealing too much identifying information.
User Experience: The design is intuitive which improves user experience, especially for first-timers as they can start using the site immediately without going through a lengthy onboarding process.
Local Listings: obackpage, like Craigslist, centers around local listings, which is an effective strategy for people who want to meet others face to face.
For users who prioritize anonymity and local linkages, obackpage offers the best alternative to Craigslist Personal.
3. 2backpage – A Dependable Alternative to Craigslist
2backpage, as the name implies, is a blend of Craigslist; functionality and visual arrangement. While it functions like the other sites mentioned above, 2backpage surpasses them by providing greater personal and classified ad connections. It still remains one of the most dependable and sought-after alternatives to Craigslist Personal.
What makes 2backpage famous?
Privacy: The same as Craigslist, 2backpage allows people to post personal ads without overexposing their details. This feature is an advantage for those who want to keep their identity hidden while viewing personal ads.
Wide Range of Options: Aside from Personals, Services, Adult ads, and countless others, 2backpage has more categories to offer compared to its alternatives, increasing the number of connections desperate users are capable of establishing.
Proximity: 2backpage enables users to connect with people in their vicinity just like Craigslist did whether searching for one-night stands or long-term relationships.
Among the Craigslist alternatives, 2backpage stands out for its unparalleled selection of categories and strong commitment to privacy.
4. Backpage: Predecessor to 2backpage
Backpage was the finest personal ad platform before the surge in popularity of 2backpage and obackpage. While the original Backpage has now been taken offline, the site has inspired many others to continue providing services it offered.
What keeps Backpage relevant?
Enduring Backpage Reputation: Backpage is synonymous with personal ads and classifieds. It is known for its straightforward approach and ease of use, both of which have survived on the new websites inspired by its legacy.
Varied Services Offered: Backpage, like Craigslist, provided a vast array of services from personal advertisements to job postings. It was certainly an all-in-one website for many.
Although the original Backpage is not up and running, its legacy lives on through 2backpage and obackpage.
5. Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace has grown significantly in popularity when it comes to buying, selling, and even socializing in the local community. Aside from its primary purpose for selling goods, it also features a section for housing and jobs. Thus, it serves as a respectable substitute to Craigslist when it comes to personal ads and classifieds.
What are the advantages of Facebook Marketplace?
Limitless Access: Facebook Marketplace potentially has billions of active users, meaning that it can be accessed from virtually anywhere in the world. This allows users to connect with people locally and globally.
Simple to Use: Users can easily register with Facebook Marketplace as it integrates into Facebook. Therefore, users can utilize their existing profiles and connect with others through ads.
Listings without Costs: Ads can be posted at no charge. This is an attractive point for people who are looking to keep costs low.
If you wish to make local connections on Facebook without switching platforms, then Facebook Marketplace is a reasonable alternative to Craigslist Personal.
6. Letgo (Now Integrated with OfferUp)
Letgo was a go-to mobile application for buying and selling items locally until it merged with OfferUp. Now they have formed a more comprehensive platform that embraces local connections, job postings, and other desired services.
What makes OfferUp an excellent choice?
Merged Platforms: With the merger of Letgo and OfferUp, users can now reach a greater audience and have more options when it comes to buying and selling items.
Local Focus: OfferUp is like Craigslist since it focuses on connecting and bringing together people within the same vicinity.
User Reviews: Users reviewing each other increases trust on the platform.
These add more protection against fraud, which has made OfferUp highly recommended for selling items alongside Craigslist.
7. Tinder
This very easy interface has made the app one of the most popular worldwide. It is mostly used for casual dating, though you can also use it as an alternative to Craigslist Personals for romance, friendship, or even just someone to talk to.
What makes Tinder stand out?
Ease of Use: You can easily get new connections in your area with the simple swipe-based interface.
International Scope: While Tinder is known for linking individuals around the globe, it is more locally focused as people can meet other users near their vicinity.
Casual Strategy: For those looking to meet new people as casually as possible, Tinder is perfect which is also what Craigslist Personal offered.
If meeting new people is what you’re looking for and it is within your locality, then Tinder is a great option.
9. Bumble
Bumble is another famous dating app but this time with a unique touch: women have to make the first move. This distinguishes Bumble from Tinder and provides it a more empowering feel.
Why open Bumble?
Conversations Women First: By allowing women to control the conversation, allowing them to feel safer, makes many people feel much more comfortable using the application.
Different Modes: Bumble isn’t only to meet new people, but also includes Bumble BFF (to make new friends) and Bumble Bizz (to network with other professionals).
For those looking for romantic and non romantic relationships but within boundaries, Bumble does a phenomenal job.
9. OkCupid
OkCupid is another great dating site that might not only help you meet new people but uses an extensive questionnaire to match users based on their likeliness to one another, which makes it one of the best options for people looking for something a bit more serious.
What makes OkCupid stand out from its competitors?
Comprehensive Questionnaires: Users’ interests and values are taken into account when matching them with others through OkCupid’s detailed questionnaires and compatibility algorithms.
Inclusivity: OkCupid is known for accommodating all sexual orientations and types of relationships.
For a more profound and meaningful connection, OkCupid offers a great alternative to Craigslist Personal.
10. Nextdoor
Nextdoor operates as a neighborhood-centric platform that lets users post about local services and connect with others around them. While not essentially a dating platform, it is good for finding local connections.
Why use Nextdoor?
Local Community: Its focus on particular areas makes it easier to meet people nearby, making it ideal for those wanting to build new friendships.
Protection: Since Nextdoor is centered around neighborhoods, it adds a level of safeguarding, ensuring that you connect with users within your targeted area.
Those in need of social interaction and looking to get involved with the community can benefit from Nextdoor.
Conclusion
The search for the ideal alternative to Craigslist Personal doesn’t need to be so complicated. If you’re looking for casual dating, making friends, services in your vicinity, or simply a new way to socialize, there is no shortage of alternatives that service the same needs that made Craigslist popular. starbackpage, obackpage, 2backpage, Facebook Marketplace, Tinder, and Nextdoor, each offer something different tailored for different users.
starbackpage may be one of your best options if anonymity is paramount, but every other alternative does have their unique strengths. Whether you prefer posting personal ads, using mobile apps, or a more community approach to building new connections, make sure to leverage each platform’s unique strengths. Choose the platform that best fits your needs and start exploring the possibilities.