What’s New

Never miss a copy! Paid print subscriptions are available for 12 issues, 26 issues, and for 52 issues from the Reader Store.

Chicago Reader print issue dates

The Chicago Reader is published in print every other week. Issues are dated Thursday. Distribution usually happens Wednesday morning through Thursday night of the issue date. There will be one extra non-print week between the final issue of 2022 and the first issue in 2023. Upcoming print issue dates through through June 2023 are:

12/22/2022
1/12/2023
1/26/2023
2/9/2023
2/23/2023
3/9/2023
3/23/2023
4/6/2023
4/20/2023
5/4/2023
5/18/2023
6/1/2023
6/15/2023
6/29/2023

See our information page for advertising opportunities and editorial calendars of upcoming issues.

Read More

’Tis the season for unbridled consumerism masking as some of us insisting that “gift giving is my love language!” While we can’t stop the avalanche of gifting that is already in motion (although Reverend Billy would disagree), we can encourage you to check out some local pop-up holiday markets and consider purchasing directly from Chicago artisans and small businesses. Here’s a few on tap today:

The Greater Chatham Initiative and the website The Black Mall cohost Holiday Pop Up on the 9 this week, a multi-site and multi-day celebration of local businesses along 79th Street from State to Cottage Grove. Shops are open from noon-7 PM through Sun 12/18, and offer specials, winter wear, art, plants, and more, including special guests. Actor Isaiah Washington is slated to appear today at the Initiative’s Annex at 737 E. 79th from 4-6 PM, and actress and author T’Keyah Crystal Keymáh appears for a book signing from 2-5 PM on Sat 12/17.
My Block My Hood My City and the Chicago Defender Charities cohost a celebratory tree lighting ceremony at 35th Street and King Drive tonight, and neighborhood gift shop Absolutely Anything Essential invites neighbors and friends to stop by for hot cocoa and holiday shopping. Cocoa and fellowship will be served from 4:30-5:30 PM at the shop (3521 S. King Dr.) and the tree lighting is scheduled for 5-5:15 PM. The shop will then stay open until 7 PM for your gifting needs.
Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce hosts Damen At Night, a holiday shopping event from several businesses along Damen Avenue between Argyle and Montrose. From 5-8 PM, participating shops will be open for extended hours, offer refreshments, deals, and host additional pop-up vendors.
The Makers Market, which focuses on local small shops and creators, visits Movement rock climbing gym in Lincoln Park (1460 N. Dayton) from 6-9 PM; while there you can inquire about free tours or book a climbing session.
Festive Collective party store (2643 N. Milwaukee) hosts a Holiday Night Market tonight from 7-9 PM, offering cocktails, treats, live music, and pop-up vendors including artist Chris Uphues, bang trims from Emmy Katz of Golddust Studios, and free gift wrapping for all purchases from Orange Beautiful. (SCJ)

The live storytelling series Grown Folks Stories serves up real life tales from a variety of Chicagoans—some work as teachers, comedians, or are otherwise old pros at public speaking, but some storytellers at Grown Folks are just moved by the experience to tell us all about their own lives in five minutes (which always results in the best and funniest moments). The series started as an ongoing event at Silver Room and tonight celebrates 12 years of community with a special evening at the Promontory (5311 S. Lake Park Ave. West) hosted by comedian and storyteller Lawrence Binkey. Doors open at 6 PM (and you should get there early if you want to sign up for a chance to perform), with the show starting at 7 PM. Open to those 21 and older; advance tickets are at Eventbrite. (SCJ)

East coast? West coast? Which is the best coast? Hold up. When it comes to rap, we cannot forget about the no coast (midwest). Tonight at Golden Dagger (2447 N. Halsted), Cruzin, Billy the Kid, and Big Pink will be repping the ocean-to-ocean range of emergent lo-fi hip-hop beats—but, like, the good kind—not that played-out Spotify shit! Prepare for a night of soulful lyricism and laid back vibes. Tickets are $15, and you must be 21 or up. The show starts at 8 PM. (MC)

Read More

There is power to be found in pushing back, there is community to be made in forming resistance. In A Rebel’s Fantasy at FLXST Contemporary, curator Michael Rangel brings together seven artists from Chicago and beyond to remind us of the pure joy found in relishing rebellion, in pushing against the regulations, expectations, and constraints that bind us. With an eye on the “outsiders, the weird ones, the queer, and the monsters,” the exhibition forms a safe space for those of us on the margins, a place for experiences to visually overlap and intersect. 

“A Rebel’s Fantasy”Through 12/31: Wed-Fri 2-5 PM, Sun 2-5 PM, Tue by appointment, FLXST Contemporary, 2251 S. Michigan, Ste. 220, flxst.co

The mixed media paintings of Humberto Maldonado remind us that, in order to rebel, there must be something to rebel against. In works such as How’s Your Head?, Maldonado offers us that something—the restricting and damning industry of organized religion—by physically using religious tokens such as cross necklaces in his queer-centered paintings. Enrique Nevarez’s textured paintings also borrow religious iconography while rendering ultra-feminine, highly-saturated scenes of pink frosting-like paint and glitter. These works show a world where religion and playfully sexual beings can exist in tandem instead of in conflict—no matter the sexual preferences or kinks. 

Brianna Noble, The One, 2021, Oil paint, acrylic, and chain on unstretched canvas, 45.75 x 36.5 x 0.1 inches Credit: Courtesy of FLXST Contemporary

Sexual/sensual bodies also have a place in Brianna Noble’s work, which not only allows femme Black folks to take up space and agency, but also simply lets them just be sexual according to their own rules. There is so much joy present in the works in the exhibition that we almost forget that this is meant as a “rebellion.” Unfortunately, other people’s pleasure, the act of being joyful, is often seen as a rebuttal, an act against a regulation or constraint that existed before us, made by others without our consent. Whose rules? Not ours. There is an air of hopeful resilience in the works that, one day, these acts won’t be a rebellion—they will simply be.

Read More

There is power to be found in pushing back, there is community to be made in forming resistance. In A Rebel’s Fantasy at FLXST Contemporary, curator Michael Rangel brings together seven artists from Chicago and beyond to remind us of the pure joy found in relishing rebellion, in pushing against the regulations, expectations, and constraints that bind us. With an eye on the “outsiders, the weird ones, the queer, and the monsters,” the exhibition forms a safe space for those of us on the margins, a place for experiences to visually overlap and intersect. 

“A Rebel’s Fantasy”Through 12/31: Wed-Fri 2-5 PM, Sun 2-5 PM, Tue by appointment, FLXST Contemporary, 2251 S. Michigan, Ste. 220, flxst.co

The mixed media paintings of Humberto Maldonado remind us that, in order to rebel, there must be something to rebel against. In works such as How’s Your Head?, Maldonado offers us that something—the restricting and damning industry of organized religion—by physically using religious tokens such as cross necklaces in his queer-centered paintings. Enrique Nevarez’s textured paintings also borrow religious iconography while rendering ultra-feminine, highly-saturated scenes of pink frosting-like paint and glitter. These works show a world where religion and playfully sexual beings can exist in tandem instead of in conflict—no matter the sexual preferences or kinks. 

Brianna Noble, The One, 2021, Oil paint, acrylic, and chain on unstretched canvas, 45.75 x 36.5 x 0.1 inches Credit: Courtesy of FLXST Contemporary

Sexual/sensual bodies also have a place in Brianna Noble’s work, which not only allows femme Black folks to take up space and agency, but also simply lets them just be sexual according to their own rules. There is so much joy present in the works in the exhibition that we almost forget that this is meant as a “rebellion.” Unfortunately, other people’s pleasure, the act of being joyful, is often seen as a rebuttal, an act against a regulation or constraint that existed before us, made by others without our consent. Whose rules? Not ours. There is an air of hopeful resilience in the works that, one day, these acts won’t be a rebellion—they will simply be.

Read More

The Chicago Cubs came into this off-season with a lot of hype. The word on the street was that they were going to go out and spend a lot of money in free agency to try and compete in 2023. So far, that just hasn’t happened.

Rumors of signing any two of the four big shortstops available actually had some steam. Now, only one of them remains and it is the worst of the four (although Dansby Swanson is still a very good player). Now, the signings of Cody Bellinger and Jameson Taillon carry less weight.

It is also much less exciting when they sign a reliever like Brad Boxberger. Jeff Passan of ESPN is reporting that the Cubs are bringing in the former Milwaukee Brewers reliever on a one-year contract at 2.8 million.

He is a 34-year-old right-handed pitcher but he had a pretty good 2022 season. He isn’t elite or anything like that but he is going to give you some quality innings and get out of them with minimal damage.

The Chicago Cubs signed Brad Boxberger to a one-year contract for 2023.

In 64.0 innings pitched last year, he had 68 strikeouts with an ERA of 2.95 and a WHIP of 1.234. All of his stats accumulated him a WAR of 1.1 which isn’t bad for a reliever that was used in some moderately hard situations.

He should be able to come to the Cubs on this cheap deal and provide them with some quality stuff. When they are inevitably out of it by the trade deadline, they can flip him to a contender for assets that will help them out in the future.

If the Cubs landed Carlos Correa, Trea Turner, or Xander Bogaerts, this is a signing that would be nice because adding some solid relievers when you expect to win is needed. However, nothing they have done so far will move the needle despite the hype coming into December.

Hopefully, Boxberger can pitch well so they can get something out of him. If the Cubs have a good year and win more than they lose, he will help them. If not, as mentioned before, trade him. It isn’t a bad signing at all. It is just underwhelming.

Read More

Read More

Through a little over the first quarter of this season, the Chicago Bulls still have an alarming number of questions to sort through if they want to make a playoff push this season.

With the offseason additions of Goran Dragic and Andre Drummond providing more depth than most of us initially believed, the Bulls have the benefit of being one of the deepest rosters that could go toe to toe with anyone in the league on any given night.

However, the problem has been, as it tends to be with most Chicago sports teams, consistency. Despite great wins against Boston (twice), Milwaukee, and Miami, they also have losses to Orlando, Oklahoma City, and San Antonio.

In a season where they’ve now gotten off to an 11-15 start and 3.5 games separate the 5th and 12th seeds in the East, those 3 losses loom significantly.

DeMar DeRozan, one of the lone bright spots, has been continuing to show that he still has a lot to offer in a league that had left him for dead not even two years ago.

However, this has shifted the focus onto the other two stars of the Bulls: Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic – the former now having a new level of scrutiny attached to his name fresh off of inking a 215 million dollar extension this past summer.

Scrutiny of the Chicago Bulls has heightened in lieu of Zach Lavine’s contract.

I said earlier that Zach LaVine has the potential to be a 50/40/90 type of player, and that taking this jump is paramount for the Chicago Bulls to reach the lofty expectations set forth by their front office this preseason.

Through 22 games this season, LaVine has fallen short of that mark shooting 44/36/83 from the field, three, and free throw line, respectively.

He’s also averaging 22 points, a tick down from what he did last year. It’s also important to note that LaVine has been working himself back from injury and has shown glimpses of returning to his old self as of late.

In lieu of the scrutiny LaVine has faced, it’s important to consider the question of how he is struggling, if at all.

Is he producing inconsistently? Is there one aspect of his game severely lacking in wins versus losses? Or is it something bigger – perhaps in the way he goes about getting his numbers? And if it is something bigger – who is to blame: him or his oft-scapegoated coach Billy Donovan?

Zach LaVine has played in 10 wins and 12 losses so far this season, averaging 34 minutes a contest.

Points, Rebounds, and Assists are the most utilized stats used when quickly trying to evaluate a player. Though it’s not perfect, combining them (PRA) would paint an adequate picture of the total contribution of a player to his team’s output in any given game.

Overall, LaVine has averaged a PRA of 30.5 this season. A combination of 21.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game.

Interestingly enough, in both wins and losses, LaVine’s PRA differs by just 0.4, averaging 30.7 PRA in wins and 30.3 PRA in losses. Considering that PRA combines 3 individual statistics, this is a basically negligible difference.

With most of Zach’s PRA tied to scoring, this is the most obvious place to look in order to identify where Zach’s impact has a direct influence on the outcome.

Predictably, LaVine makes 3.6 threes per win, but only 2.2 per loss. Given that the Bulls are one of the worst three-point shooting teams in the league, it’s no surprise that when Zach gets more threes to fall, they tend to win.

However, what stands out when looking at his basic counting numbers in W/L splits is how in the Bulls’ 10 wins, he averages 1.3 fewer shot attempts than he does in their 12 losses.

Perhaps there’s still an element of Zach’s “hero-ball” game that shows up in this difference in shot attempts between wins and losses – especially close ones. The Bulls have been involved in a lot of clutch games this season, defined as 5 point margin with under 5 minutes to go, and are 0-6 in such games.

Additionally, he averages one more assist per game in wins versus losses which in combination with a lower shot attempt count could highlight his importance as a floor general in addition to being a pure scorer.

Adding further context, LaVine shoots almost identical percentages from the field in wins and losses but experiences over a 15 percentage points swing from three in wins (45%) and losses (28%).

The swing in both 3-point makes and 3-point percentage between wins and losses appears, on the surface, to have the highest correlation with the Bulls’ odds of winning.

This not only speaks to the Bulls’ general lack of shooting but also their dependence on LaVine to go crazy from three more than any other facet of his game.

For example, when Zach LaVine hits 4+ threes OR shoots greater than 45% from three, the Chicago Bulls are 6-2.

They are 4-10 otherwise. It is evident from all this data that the Chicago Bulls could take the pressure off of his three-ball by either stepping up around him as a team and making more threes or by acquiring players who do.

I often like to look at the duo of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum as an ideal pair for LaVine and DeRozan to emulate. However, DeRozan doesn’t take or make nearly the number of threes either Brown or Tatum do thereby putting even more pressure on LaVine’s shot.

This season, the duo of Brown and Tatum have combined for 57 points per game, including 6 3-point makes on 16 attempts per game. By contrast, the duo of LaVine and DeRozan have combined for 48 points per game, including 3 3-point makes on 9 attempts per game.

It’s no coincidence that the Brown/Tatum duo averages 9 more points per game than the LaVine/DeRozan duo who also happens to be making three more three-pointers per game.

As a result, the Bulls must also be active in the trade market and look at talented shooters that could provide more depth and help around LaVine. Names such as Buddy Hield and Joe Harris come to mind as potential options.

However, for the time being, they need to find better ways of optimizing LaVine’s path to 21 ppg which he has produced regardless of wins or losses. The Chicago Bulls are over-reliant on Zach LaVine’s three-point shooting to fuel their wins.

Read More

Read More

Read More

Adult cam sites are all the rage. There has never been a better time to interact with a live cam girl. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that we all feel so isolated, and connecting with a live model is more satisfying than watching prerecorded videos.

These days, most adult actresses and models offer their services via virtual camming platforms. There are quite literally hundreds of thousands of cam girls you can video chat with, so how in the world do you choose? These cam sites deliver the goods in terms of adventurous women, seamless camming experiences, and sexual gratification. But each site is unique in its own special way. From private shows to free options and special performers, there is a lot to digest.

We’ve taken the time to break down which cam sites are best and why. Stick to this guide and you’ll certainly have the best cam experience possible.

The Best Adult Cam Sites of 2022

RankSiteBest For1.JerkmateBest modern cam website2.Sl*trouletteBest cam/chat hybrid3.ChaturbateBest overall cam site4.Flirt4FreeProfessional cam models5.LiveJasminMost gorgeous models6.MyFreeCamsBest free option7.Cherry.tvBest newcomer8.ImLiveGreat for watching couples9.CamSodaGreat for specific fetishes10.Cams.comTeledildonic features11.XcamsMost diverse cam models12.StreamateThousands of streams at any given time13.Lucky CrushRandom one-on-one cam shows14.StripchatBeautiful live stripteases15.BongacamsEasiest cam site to navigate16.BabestationBiggest UK cam site

1.  Jerkmate: Best modern new cam site

Jerkmate is a really unique cam site because it allows its users to filter the models they search for by personal preference. You can specify your preference in gender, kink, and even body type. It’s a matching system between viewers and cam girls, which makes it feel pretty special. Once you match with someone, you have the option of also becoming a cam model. You can stream a video of yourself watching the cam girl, which is pretty nice. Think of it as if Chatroulette, Tinder, and Chaturbate had a love child. Most people enjoy watching private cam shows because they are longing for a connection, sexual or otherwise. Jerkmate delivers that in spades.

Jerkmate also hires actual pornstars and professional cam girls to stream live. Going one-on-one with one of the pros is unlikely and really expensive. However, if you prefer your cam girl to be an actual pornstar, you can view their live shows with other users on the site. These women will expect you to give them tons of tokens if you want them to do anything specific, but this is pretty normal for camming websites.

Beyond the two unique and exciting options that Jerkmate provides, it’s also very easy to use. It’s got a modern feel to it and selecting a show to watch could not be easier. If you don’t love who you’ve been matched with, you can also browse the expansive list of categories that Jerkmate has to offer. Those categories range from BDSM to Sex Toys and everything in between. As far as pricing goes, it’s up to the model. Expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $100 per hour watching one of the Jerkmate shows.

Pros:

Models can see you if you want
Intuitive search function
Advanced personalized features

Cons:

This is a pricey option

2. Sl*troulette:Best chat/cam combo

Sl*troulette may not have quite the reputation as Chaturbate, but it’s been around quite some time—since 2010, in fact. That means they’ve got more than ten years’ experience in the cam game. And they deliver.

Sl*troulette is the X-rated version of Chat Roulette. Like Chat Roulette, Slut Roulette randomly pairs you up with another videocam. There’s no pressure—if you’re not feeling it, you can just keep clicking.

Overall, Sl*troulette is a fun spin on traditional cam sites given the randomness innate to its design. This may or may not appeal to you personally, however.

There are two main downsides to Sl*troulette. One, the sign-up process feels spammy and can be annoying. Two, there are a lot of pop-up ads on Sl*troulette, often even covering the video of the cam performer you’re trying to watch. That can get frustrating, as you might imagine.

Pros:

Worldwide camgirls 
Hottest categories 
Great private shows 
Previews pictures/photos of camgirls

Cons:

Basic tipping features 
Need to tip to access full nudity show

3. Chaturbate:Number one cam site in the world

There’s a good chance you’ve heard of Chaturbate. Not only is the name genius for a camgirl site, but Chaturbate has managed to stand the test of time. We can’t believe it’s been ten years since it was created back in 2011! It’s hailed as the best cam site available by millions of users because it has the most diverse and explicit portfolio of models who use the platform to stream.

When you get to the Chaturbate home page, you’ll be greeted with various thumbnails of women or scenes. That’s your sneak peek for what is to come when you actually click on one of these images. Immediately you’ll be launched into a wonderfully raunchy cam show completely free of charge. At first blush, it looks like most of these cam girls are doing solo shows, but once you take a deeper dive, you’ll find couples, threesomes, and other unique and interesting live shows to choose from. You can also search for shows by filtering by the huge list of categories or tags. Though busy looking, Chaturbate is very easy to navigate and explore with so many live feeds to watch for free.

You’re probably wondering if Chaturbate is completely free. The answer to that is both yes and no. While you can enter any live show for free, you are really walking into a teaser of sorts. The women on Chaturbate are trying to get you to eventually pay for a private show, which is what most people want anyway. We will admit though that the teasers are often very explicit and can usually get the job done before you even grab your wallet.

You likely will reach for your credit card though, because Chaturbate is famous for delivering satisfying one-on-one shows. They operate on a token system. As you spend more time watching the show, your tokens will begin to dwindle.

Pros:

Affordable
Best cam site available
Great one-on-one performances
You get a lot out of a free account

Cons:

Most models need to reach a certain token amount before they fully perform

Check out our complete Chaturbate review if you’re looking for more info.

4. Flirt4Free: Intuitive search function available

Boasting nearly 3 decades of sex cam savvy, Flirt4Free has really carved a niche for itself as the cam site for gentlemen of refined tastes. While some freemium sites might offer a grab bag of amateur models, F4F shines for fans who yearn for a premium, top-shelf experience.

Their homepage is populated by elite-level camgirls from all over the world who know how to cater to your every desire. They’re virtually all “hair and make-up ready” and dressed to kill in gorgeous lingerie. But while Flirt4Free boasts a premium experience, premium does not necessarily imply “vanilla.” Finding the fetish models to feed your kink is easy using an intuitive category filtering system.

The “Free” in Flirt4Free might seem like something of a misnomer at first glance. While there’s always something hot going down in any number of public chatrooms, the real spank-bank-worthy action is saved for pay-per-minute private shows. Judging from many of the model reviews, Flirt camgirls tend to appeal to fans who want to go deeper on their fantasies. The top models tend to be surrounded by devout followers who crave repeat performances.

But while pay-per-minute shows may seem be daunting cost-wise, many models offer cost conscious options like semi-private “multi-user” and “group shows.” Some even allow members to negotiate their private show rates before a performance.

Pros:

Premium quality cam girls
Great variety of fetish models
Easy to filter categories

Cons:

Can be pricey
Fewer models compared to freemium sites

5. LiveJasmin: Known for having stunning models

The most noteworthy thing to say about LiveJasmin is that the women on this site are drop dead gorgeous. They are diverse, in shape, stunning, manicured, and all around perfect cam girls. You will notice this the minute you hop onto the home page. It looks extremely put together, modern, and professional.

These women don’t seem to be filming themselves from dimly lit bedrooms. Instead, it feels like a whole studio operation with professional porn stars. This is a pro for most, but some viewers enjoy that amateurish feel. If you are into the amateur stuff, then steer clear of LiveJasmin because it’s all top notch here. LiveJasmin is full of very recognizable and famous cam girl faces. That’s what makes it one of the best cam sites around.

Other than the beautiful stars and modern interface, there’s not much about LiveJasmin that makes it stand out (except for the fact that they have a nice mobile option, but who wants to watch a cam girl on their cell phone?). It’s set up like many other cam sites and takes you through the same process and the features are the same. A nice perk though is the fact that LiveJasmin caters to every type of gender and sexuality, giving it a distinctly diverse library of models and streams to choose from.

Pros:

Beautiful recognizable models
Mobile option
Range of genders, sexualities, and kinks

Cons:

No amateur option

6.  MyFreeCams: Actual free shows

For those of you shopping for cam sites on a budget, there’s no better site for you than MyFreeCams, also known as Jerk N’ Cum. Yes, the shows on this site are actually free. This is obviously the biggest perk that MyFreeCams has to offer.

Because it’s free and the models don’t charge you to watch their shows, you might be skeptical of the quality but you truly have nothing to worry about. The women on MyFreeCams are as skilled as they are gorgeous. They are also down to get into some very kinky activity, which is why you’re watching cam girls in the first place!

The one thing that you can’t really access on this site is private chat or one-on-one video sessions. But what can you really expect from a cam site that doesn’t cost you a dime? You can of course purchase tokens on MyFreeCams and try your luck asking one of the models for a private show, but it’s not very likely to happen. These models are used to the dynamic of the site and aren’t normally willing to make an exception for anyone. These models also aren’t the most responsive to requests in their chat box. That’s potentially because it’s oversaturated with guys like you asking them to do a million different things. If you’re OK with just being a voyeur for free, MyFreeCams is a fantastic budget-friendly option for you.

If you decide that you’d like to pay for MyFreeCams because you can afford to or you’ve got extra cash lying around, you will be given the keys to their entire library of cam girl archives. You can check out their old videos. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but there are folks out there wholove it.

Pros:

Genuinely free
Fantastic performances

Cons:

Can’t view private shows

7.  Cherry.tv:Best new cam site

Cam sites such as Jerkmate and Chaturbate may have the lion’s share of attention, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t plenty of other sites popping up all the time. While many of these aren’t worth your trouble, some of them may turn out to be major competitors.

One such site is cherry.tv, from the people over at Cherry Models. The site has only recently gone live and is still in Beta mode, which means for now they only have cis-women and trans women cam girls. That said, the platform will be opened up to everyone in the next version. 

One cool thing about Cherry.tv is that it isn’t just another cam site like any other. They’re attempting to introduce more “gamification” to the concept, so cherry.tv allows models to “level up” by gaining experience points (xp). Streaming gets cammers XP as well as receiving certain gifts from fans. 

Cherry.tv won numerous awards in 2021, such as “Best Emerging Company” and “Emerging Web Brand of the Year.” They are also one of the best sites out there in terms of compensating streamers. So, if you want the vast majority of your hard-earned money to go to the actual cam model, then cherry.tv is a great option for you. 

Pros:

Relatively affordable
Fun, game-like interface
Streamers receive almost all of the tips

Cons:

In beta mode (no male models or couples)
Just started so not a ton of active models yet

8.  ImLive: Old-school cam site featuring couples

ImLive is the granddaddy of cam sites. It’s been around for almost 20 years and has managed to continue to captivate viewers with the changing times. ImLive is a streaming site where models and couples perform sex shows for their audiences. There’s not much more to it. However, not all sex cam sites offer couples shows, so if you like watching two people get it on then ImLive is your best bet.

The pay structure at ImLive gives you options, which is a definite plus. You can either pay by the minute or send models tips. There are also plenty of models and shows to choose from, so you’ll never have a dull moment on this popular cam site.

Yes, ImLive dubs itself a free cam site, but we know what that really means. You can watch archived shows for free, but the live goods are going to cost you. The shows are usually worth it, but don’t expect a ton of interaction from the models. They tend to fall short in their personal relationships with viewers and fans; however, the shows themselves are a treat to watch.

Pros:

Great for watching couples
Different payment options
Free archived shows

Cons:

The models aren’t very interactive

9.  CamSoda: Cam girls with the best personalities

CamSoda operates like most cam sites do. There are free rooms that you can enter to view live adult cam shows, but if you want the women to do anything specific during the show, you will need to spend. However, CamSoda is really affordable. This is because the models don’t charge you per minute. It’s based solely on your donations.

The one drawback to CamSoda is their pricing structure. Most cam sites will allow you to enter free cam shows, but not before informing you of what you should tip the model or what each naughty activity costs. Getting a girl to perform a desired sexual act is going to require linking up with the other guys in the chat and pooling that money until the model’s “goal” is reached. Each model comes up with a different money goal per show and tries to seduce the viewers into paying up. You can’t blame them; camming is their job.

Private shows aren’t really a thing on CamSoda. However, the models on this cam site are very interactive. They actually pay a lot of attention to the chat as their show is live and they make you feel like you are actually in the room with them while they are performing. People have complained before that some models on CamSoda talk too much or spend too much time replying to their fans.

Pros:

Interactive models with personality
Caters to a variety of fetishes

Cons:

The models don’t list their prices per naughty activity

10.  Cams.com: Cam site with a teledildonics option

Cams.com is one of the more unique and advanced cam sites on this list. You might not know it by just visiting their website because initially, it looks like your average cam site. There are free shows that you can enter and you have the ability to filter by model, body type, and gender. This is one of the few sex cam sites that contains female shows in addition to male shows, trans shows, and nonbinary shows. We find that to be a huge plus as it caters to a much wider audience of viewers.

Cams.com is not only ahead of the game in terms of their diversity, but they are also very technologically advanced. If you are someone who watches a lot of VR porn, you are familiar with the term teledildonics. In VR, teledildonics are bluetooth sex toys that synch up to what you are watching. For the purposes of cams, it allows you to control the sex toy that the performer is using, which is insanely cool and futuristic! It brings an entirely new level to cam shows and makes you feel like you are intimately interacting with a model right there in the room with them.

This cam site is one where you have to pay by the minute, which can get really pricey if you plan on spending a lot of time on the site. Yes, there are free shows, but they aren’t all that good. It’s worth checking out the paid ones though because of all the unique features.

Pros:

Teledildonics!
Advanced search function
Diverse models

Cons:

If you aren’t in it for the teledildonics, there are better options

11.  XCams: Diverse Euro models

XCams is a special cam site for folks who have eyes for European cam models. They flourish on XCams, though it’s a lesser-known site than the rest. It’s surprising that it flies under the radar because there are always so many models available at any given time for anyone to watch.

Diversity is the name of the game over at XCams. While they feature tons of Europeans, these models are really diverse in their backgrounds, performance styles, and kinks that they love to get into. It’s fun to browse through the thumbnails of videos on the XCams homepage because you get a peek at all the unique shows they have to offer.

Each model decides what you’ll pay for a show. Before you commit, you’ll be shown a preview, told where the model is from, and told how many credits you’ll need to pay for your time. You will get 25 free credits just for signing up, which will give you about five minutes on average.

Pros:

Beautiful diverse cam girls
Very kinky
Great previews for private shows

Cons:

Models operate on an expensive price-per-minute structure
Small amount of free credits when you sign up

12.  Streamate: Most options

If you’re after quantity, Streammate is a good option. There are literally thousands of models online at any given time when you head over to the site. It doesn’t matter if it’s during your 12 PM lunch break or after midnight, this site is always busy. It’s the cam site that never sleeps.

The Streamate performers also love to please. Truthfully, it’s because they want to be tipped well, but you can rest assured that any model you watch on Streamate will work very hard to earn your affection. They are very engaging, personable, and (of course) sexy.

Streamate is a no-frills site that takes you straight to the action. It doesn’t need all the bells and whistles because it provides a large amount of really great shows. You can use their simple and intuitive search function to filter your options, making Streamate one of the easiest sex cam sites to navigate. And their filtering options get really specific, so you can find exactly what turns you on. There is also a “Newcomer” section for the viewers who love to watch fresh talent or want to discover new models.

Pros:

Thousands of models to choose from
Amateurs and professionals available

Cons:

This site has a lot of annoying ads
Outdated web design

13.  LuckyCrush: A combo of a cam site and Chatroulette

LuckyCrush is a cam girl site that randomly matches you with flirty ladies. It’s newer, but it has managed to attract millions of users on a monthly basis. People like to say that LuckyCrush is a healthy mix of a cam site and a random chat site like Chatroulette. It’s probably what you wished Chatroulette could be when you were too young to know about cam sites. Men and women are randomly paired for an erotic video chat.

LuckyCrush is confident in its unique model, which is why it offers first-time male visitors a brief free trial. After that, you will need to purchase credits to enjoy the site. Women come to LuckyCrush hoping to make money, so stocking up a little bit will do you some good.

Because LuckyCrush is totally random, you might be paired up with a hottie who is on the other side of the world. Don’t worry if you don’t speak her language. LuckyCrush has a built-in translation feature that makes it easy to communicate with models from all over the world. It’s an exciting approach to cam shows.

Pros:

Personally meet models from all over the world
Exclusively private shows

Cons:

You can’t filter or search
Not for everyone

14.  StripChat: Interactive stripteases

StripChat is a cam site with some special perks. On the surface, it’s a way to view beautiful live stripteases performed by stunning models. Some of them just like to strip and others take it up a notch by displaying naughty activities. In that regard, it’s a little different from your average sex cam site. You can check out the videos for free and tip the models, like you normally would. These tips are given in the form of tokens, which you will need to purchase beforehand.

The women on StripChat are not amateurs. They are women who seem to fit right into the porn industry. They really know what they are doing and they are fantastic at putting on a show for an audience. This is also a site that sadly caters exclusively to the male gaze. In other words, there isn’t any real gender diversity unless you head over to their couples section. However, everything, including the lesbian scenes, seems to be shot exclusively for purely heterosexual males.

What separates StripChat from the crowd is their VR feature. Now, if you don’t have a pair of VR goggles, you are going to want to stop reading because this next part is going to make you really jealous. StripChat’s VR function allows you to throw on a headset and opt in for a private show from one of their pretty performers. It takes live interaction to new heights and is a deeply satisfying cam experience. The videos are in HD, so you won’t miss a thing!

Pros:

HD stripteases
VR features
Professional cam girls

Cons:

Sometimes, you only get a striptease

15.  BongaCams: Affordable, transparent

On the surface, BongaCams likes to pretend that it’s a free cam site full of women, couples, and trans people. If you’ve made it this far in reading cam reviews, you won’t be surprised to learn that every site is going to squeeze some coin out of you at some point. That’s just how these things work. But BongaCams isn’t going to suck you dry by charging per minute. Their models make a living based on their tips, and you are going to eventually want to tip them through the token payment structure.

The good thing about the BongaCams pricing setup is that there are really no surprises. When you enter a free live show, you are shown a list of the models prices per a given activity. For instance, erotic play between two beautiful lesbian models might cost you 100 tokens. You’ll be informed of everything up front, which helps you figure out which shows are worth watching based on your personal preference and what you can afford. You can also try your luck at jumping into a show and mooching off the other viewers who will send tips, but it might test your patience.

BongaCams delivers incredible shows but doesn’t provide many private show options. In the end, BongaCams is a pretty predictable cam site with a token system and great performers. You’ll find a lot of new girls on this site too, because it’s very welcoming to girls who want to get into camming for the first time.

Pros:

Very transparent about price
Great site design

Cons:

Not great for private shows

16.  BabeStation: Huge UK cam site

BabeStation has been around for nearly two decades and is the biggest cam site for UK models. Of all the cam sites, BabeStation is not one that you want to breeze past because it has a lot to offer.

Most sites that have been around for as long as BabeStation have pretty much nailed the cam girl experience. This will become clear to you immediately upon visiting the site. Rather than staring at a bunch of thumbnails, you’ll be plopped into a live show right away. You can of course exit and search for a show that’s a bit more your flavor, but it’s nice to know that you can freely view HD cam shows from the jump.

One thing that BabeStation is missing is an easy way for new visitors to browse and filter. Most of the models are great, but this site isn’t designed to cater to unique fetishes because it’s hard to navigate. Some of the performers are also a little dry. They will sometimes just keep their camera on while they go about mundane tasks, which is more of a voyeuristic experience than an interactive cam show.

BabeStation does offer a ton of promotions at any given time, making it feel very affordable when you decide that you do want to tip a model.

Pros:

Biggest UK cam site
Can actually watch shows for free

Cons:

Not an easy site to navigate
Some performers lack engagement or personality

How to Have the Best Adult Cam Site Experience

If you’re brand new to cam sites, you might feel a bit lost. There are a lot of them, and they’re not all worth your time. Check out the following four tips to ensure that you end up on the best sites and have a great experience. 

Browse before you buy

Do you buy a car without test driving it? Do you buy a house without seeing it first? When it comes to spending your hard-earned money, it’s always good to avoid wasting it. And a good way to throw away your money is to start spending a ton of it on cam sites.

Your best bet is to browse around some of the top cam sites before you sign up for any subscriptions, premium memberships, etc. Many cam sites can even be browsed for free—even the biggest one, Chaturbate. So, it’s recommended to spend some time familiarizing yourself with the various sites out there before spending any cash. 

Privilege quality over quantity

There are some sites with thousands of cam models who are active at any given time. Yet, all those choices may be overwhelming, and it might feel like finding a needle in a haystack to find something of high quality. So, you might be better off finding a site with fewer models but with a higher percentage of fun and engaged and attractive ones.

That said, the biggest cam sites like Chaturbate give you different filtering options and the default is to show you the cammers with the largest number of viewers. This generally means that you can find high quality content without having to look too far. 

Stick to the big names

Camming has exploded in recent years. As you might expect, there’s been a lot of people trying to get a slice of the pie. Tons of cam sites have popped up, and not all of them are created equal—in fact, it’s not even close.

To avoid getting scammed and wasting your money and/or time, stick to the biggest names in the camming world—sites like Chaturbate and MyFreeCams, for example. 

Participate to maximize the experience

Cam sites are all about participation. This is what inherently separates them from regular porn sites. If no one participated—neither chatting nor giving any tips—the cam site wouldn’t exist. The models depend on tips for it to be worth their while, and the chatting helps keep things fun and engaging. 

So, don’t be shy to participate. You might find that it really enhances your overall experience, especially if you tip to get into private shows. Otherwise, you might as well just stick to regular porn. 

Read More