Sorry, but can you even imagine living in a world before sexting? Sure, handwritten love letters may sound romantic and such, but we’re simply too impatient (and, frankly, horny) for that. Enter: sexting apps, aka the perfect platforms through which to exchange your dirtiest thoughts and/or pics as quickly (and safely!) as possible.
The dopamine rush that comes with crafting the perfect sext and the anticipation (followed by the gratification) of getting one back is the ultimate high. It's basically your duty as a hot person living in the modern world to take advantage of it. Hot sexts can create romance-novel-worthy sexual tension that could turn into a hot hookup, fan the flames of passion in a relationship, or just get you all kinds of turned on for the hell of it.
Oh, and not only is sexting a way to tease and turn yourself on, but it can also be a method of sexploration. By discussing kinks and fantasies remotely, you can gauge how they make you feel before trying them out in real life.
“Sexting is a fabulous way of trying on kinks that are floating about your head but often reconsidered due to sexual shame for going against the status quo,” says Melissa A. Vitale, a rep for pleasure tech brand ZALO USA. “With apps created to safely explore desire, you can dip your toe into what turns you on and close the app if you realize it's actually not your cup of tea.”
So yeah, suffice it to say that sexting is a powerful tool. And with great power comes, well, some risk. When it comes to sexting, there are always going to be some privacy concerns re: having your most intimate chats and pics seen by anyone other than their intended recipient. The good news is that technology has majorly caught up in recent years, meaning you now have a wide selection of secure (and often super glam) sexting apps at your literal fingertips. Read on for 10 of our favorite sexting apps that will keep your sextiest exchanges safe.
1. Signal
This app uses end-to-end encryption, meaning it ensures that once you’ve hit "send," a message cannot be intercepted and read by anyone else until it reaches the device of the intended recipient. Trust, there will be no weirdos reading those texts. You can also tell the app to auto-delete your messages—on both sides of the convo—after a certain period of time if you want to ensure your horniest displays of affection aren't just chilling out there in the ether indefinitely. You can video call, message, or group message as you please on this *chef's kiss* sexting app.
Who It’s For:
Signal is pretty mainstream, meaning that your sexting partner might already have it downloaded, and the layers of protection are intimidating in the best way possible. So, if you want secure sexting but don't feel like explaining an app to the lucky receiver of your sexts, Signal is for you.
Platform Info:
- Available on iOS, Android, and desktop
- End-to-end encryption
- Super secure (there's no need to select a private mode as it's all private)
- Voice messages
- Group messages
- Encrypted stickers (and you can make your own)
- No ads
- No trackers
Price:
Free
2. Snapchat
Listen, Snapchat was basically the original sexting app—maybe not officially-officially, but we all implicitly understood what to do with a platform that auto-erased our photos/messages. Sure, Snapchat has come a long way since we sent our first disappearing nudes, but this bonafide social media staple is still a great sexting app, FYI. You can control how long your photos and messages are visible, and the app gives you a helpful heads up if someone takes a screenshot. For playful sextchanges that give you (at least some) control over the future of your steamiest messages, Snap is still the way to go. Sometimes there’s nothing wrong with sticking with the classics.
Who It’s For:
Snapchat is not only a pretty safe way to sext, but it's just cute. And popular. Snapchat is for those who want to sext in comfort and love pop music.
Platform Info:
- Available on iOS, Android, and desktop
- Screenshot notification
- Disappearing messages
- Anonymous profiles
- Fun in-app tools like stickers and cute filters
- Group chats
- Public stories
Price:
Free to download and use; in-app purchases available.
3. Headero
In case you missed it, there’s a brand new generation of sex-positive dating apps on the rise, and Headero is very much at its forefront. An inclusive environment where open-minded daters can be up front about their sexual desires and boundaries, Headero is the perfect place to start some steamy chatting with a new sext partner. And if you’re just looking to sext with no expectation of taking your sextuationship offline, Headero even lets users slap a handy “chat only” label on their profile. “Some folks have felt pressure on other dating apps to go outside of their comfort zone to avoid being called a ‘tease,’ says Headero creator, Stephen Quaderer, CEO of ThotExperiment. Headero lets you say bye bye to any such shamey nonsense and sext your little heart out.
Who It’s For:
Because Headero lets you both sext and, should you desire, meet people, it's pretty perfect if you're curious about dating or thinking about dipping your toe in the water. And, because the app's origin story is that it's for oral sex, Headero is a great choice if you want to make sure you're only chatting with/meeting people willing to take their time going down on you. No selfish sexting partners, please.
Platform Info:
- Available on iOS or Android
- Lots of filter options to find what you’re looking for
- Active support team
- Comes with guidelines around emotional, psychological, and physical safety, not to mention, safe(r) sex
Price:
Free to download and use; In-App upgrades starting at $4.99/week.
4. ZALO
Yes, ZALO makes some of the most beautiful, high-tech pleasure products out there, but did you know that gorgeous thrusting vibe can also be part of your sext game? The ZALO Remote app boasts all kinds of cool features—like connecting your toys to your favorite songs so you can literally vibe to your fave music—including the ability to sext with a partner from afar while you play. Oh, and if video sex is your thing, the app’s video-chatting feature puts Skype sex to shame.
Who It’s For:
If you're a snob about your vibrators, which you deserve to be, skip the apps and sext straight through your sex toys.
Platform Info:
- Available on iOS or Android
- End-to-end encryption
- Video chats
- Connects with toys through Wi-Fi
Price:
Free to download and use
5. HUD
Another rising star in the sex-positive dating app space, HUD (which stands for “Hookup Dating,” BTW) is all about hookups and casual sex. While some hookup apps of yore have gotten a bad rap for being a little on the skeevy side, (*cough* Tinder) HUD provides a platform that prioritizes open communication and consent. If sexting is what you seek, HUD users can specify that they’re open to chatting (including voice calls, video chat, and sending pics) right in their profile.
Who It’s For:
HUD is also a dating app, so it's another great option if you want to meet new people to sext with (and maybe even meet IRL). Because it gives you so much control over how you sext, we recommend this app to anyone who is honestly fed up with other dating apps and the onslaught of often undesirable and seedy messages that can come with them.
Platform Info:
- Available on iOS and Android
- HUD App’s My Bedroom™ feature lets you virtually step into your match’s bedroom
- Like or comment directly on your match's profile
- Chat automatically displays any commonalities
- Video chatting (that starts off blurring until you're ready to reveal)
- Lots of options for inclusivity when setting up your profile
- Customer support team ready to review "sus profiles."
- Safety features like auto-blur photos
Price:
Free to download and use; $49/month Premium membership
6. Dust
Dust functions like Snapchat by adding disappearing messages and pictures. All communication within the app is encrypted and deleted within 24 hours. Another plus? Dust won’t show your name on the same screen as your messages—avoiding any association between you and what your thumbs are typing. Low-key, this could be your way to say “I don’t know her!” should you want to be president someday, or something.
Who It’s For:
Because Dust is so stealthy, it's ideal if you're trying to keep your sexting on the DL or, y’know, if you're considering a run for president one day.
Platform Info:
- Available on iOS and Android
- Messages vanish after 24 hours
- Screenshot prevention on Android (not on iOS)
- Alerts you if screenshot is taken
- End-to-end encryption
- Can opt for anonymous messages
- Lets you know if your data is breached
- Private web browsing available
Price:
Free to download and use; In-app purchases available.
7. Confide
If you’re into sending sexy pics, this is definitely the app for you. While it works similarly to Dust, Confide has a “screenshot blurring” mechanism to its functioning. If a screenshot is attempted, it not only ejects you from the app and notifies the other user, but, wait, it will also gray out that screenshot and make it unrecognizable.
Who It’s For:
Confide is obviously for anyone who really values privacy, but we'll just go ahead and say it. If you're well, stealthily sexting and definitely don't want to get caught, the no-screenshot feature makes this app ideal.
Platform Info:
- Available on iPhone, iPad, Android, Windows, Mac, and Siri
- Available on desktop
- Available in 15 languages
- Group messaging
- Regular security updates
- Available in 200 countries
- Screenshot proof
- End-to-end encryption for message security
- Self-destructing messages
- Only one line of message unveiled at a time
- Sender's name not simultaneously visible
- All communication goes through Transport Layer Security (TLS)
- Industry-standard cryptography
Price:
Free to download and use; Premium membership starting at $4.99/month
8. Flure
Flure is a new-ish dating app that’s all about prioritizing non-monogamy, kink, and queer culture. It's also a community and chat service that comes with a “safe mode,” and people have to ask for your consent before sending any spicy pics (god bless). Plus, the app’s virtual realm is available worldwide, should you want to sext with someone halfway around the world..
Who It’s For:
If you've previously had a negative sexting or dating app experience, Flure is the perfect safe and sexy space to get comfortable and start chatting again without feeling like you've given up control.
Platform Info:
- Available on iOS and Android
- The Flure Sparks Game is an in-app intimacy card deck to help you facilitate conversations with your matches, from vanilla to X-rated
- Chat in Safe Mode
Price:
- $29.99/month
- $44.99/three months
- $107.99/one year
9. Juicebox
Now, if you need help sexting, Juicebox should be downloaded on your phone immediately if not sooner—it’s like *the* virtual guide for sex and intimacy. It offers one-on-one coaching with a professional sex and relationship coach, customized tips, and for your purposes, lets you practice how to sext using its virtual Slutbot, a chatbot designed to help you improve your sexting skills.
Who It’s For:
It's very okay if words aren't your thing. Perhaps you're more of a visual person! Or hey, maybe you’re just busy! So relatable. Thankfully, with the help of technology, you can literally let an app create and curate your sexts for you. Juicebox is for the overworked, the tired, and the visual thinkers who prefer to let someone else take care of writing for them.
Platform Info:
- Sign up via SMS
- Also available on Discord
Price:
Free to use; pay extra for premium features.
10. Justbewild
Okay, so maybe you’re horny and in the mood to sext but don’t have anyone on your roster? No biggy. Don’t go knocking on your neighbor’s door asking for, ahem, a “spatula” (or do, if you have a sexy neighbor that has a spatula), but download Justbewild. As the name rightly suggests, it is one of the fastest growing hookup apps with options for juicy content. The good thing is, only your matches can text you.
Who It’s For:
Justbewild is perfect for you if you're horny, bored, single, or honestly, tired of sexting with your current partner or crush. We appreciate an app that gets straight to the point.
Platform Info:
- Available on iOS and Android
- Only your matches can text you
- Photo verification so you know your matches look like their photos
- Detailed filters to find just who you're looking for
Price:
Free to download and use; Premium starting at $24.99
Kayla Kibbe (she/her) is the Associate Sex and Relationships Editor at Cosmopolitan US, where she covers all things sex, love, dating and relationships. She lives in Astoria, Queens and probably won’t stop talking about how great it is if you bring it up. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram.
