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.Cherry.tvBest newcomer3.ChaturbateBest overall cam site4.LiveJasminMost gorgeous models5.MyFreeCamsBest free option6.ImLiveGreat for watching couples7.CamSodaGreat for specific fetishes8.Cams.comTeledildonic features9.Flirt4FreeProfessional cam models10.XcamsMost diverse cam models11.StreamateThousands of streams at any given time12.Lucky CrushRandom one-on-one cam shows13.StripchatBeautiful live stripteases14.BongacamsEasiest cam site to navigate15.BabestationBiggest UK cam site

1.  Jerkmate: Popular and 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 wantIntuitive search functionAdvanced personalized features

Cons:

This is a pricey option

2. 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 affordableFun, game-like interfaceStreamers 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

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:

AffordableBest cam site availableGreat one-on-one performancesYou 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.  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 modelsMobile optionRange of genders, sexualities, and kinks

Cons:

No amateur option

5.  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 freeFantastic performances

Cons:

Can’t view private shows

6.  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 couplesDifferent payment optionsFree archived shows

Cons:

The models aren’t very interactive

7.  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 personalityCaters to a variety of fetishes

Cons:

The models don’t list their prices per naughty activity

8.  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 functionDiverse models

Cons:

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

9.  Flirt4Free: Intuitive search function available

When you visit Flirt4Free you might be inclined to believe that it’s a site like Chaturbate where tons of amateur models can stream their sexual activities. However, Flirt4Free is for the pros. These are seasoned pornstars who deliver gratifying shows to a very hungry audience. And Flirt4Free knows how to give the viewers what they want because it’s been around for so long.

Flirt4Free is certainly one of the most intuitive sex cam sites available because you are able to filter the models on this site by kink and fetish, like BDSM or couples. If you find a model that you particularly love, you can also take a look at their schedule so that you never miss a show.

Flirt4Free might reel in newcomers with the “F” word (free), but cam site enthusiasts know that you’ll end up paying at some point. To their credit though, Flirt4Free allows you to watch public streams and get information about the performers. Private shows will drive you to pay for tokens so that you can direct the lovely cam girl who you’ve chosen to watch. Performers decide their own price-per-minute, so keep an eye out for that before you end up breaking the bank.

Pros:

Free public showsTons of filtering optionsProfessional, pornstar-quality models

Cons:

Models operate on an expensive price-per-minute structure

10.  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 girlsVery kinkyGreat previews for private shows

Cons:

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

11.  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 fromAmateurs and professionals available

Cons:

This site has a lot of annoying adsOutdated web design

12.  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 worldExclusively private shows

Cons:

You can’t filter or searchNot for everyone

13.  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 stripteasesVR featuresProfessional cam girls

Cons:

Sometimes, you only get a striptease

14.  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 priceGreat site design

Cons:

Not great for private shows

15.  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 siteCan actually watch shows for free

Cons:

Not an easy site to navigateSome 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. 

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Phone sex numbers are the quickest way to connect with adults in sexy conversation. When you’re in the mood to have a sizzling conversation with a stranger, there are so many numbers to choose from. Some numbers are chat lines, which introduce you to like-minded people in your area. Others are classic numbers with professional operators.

Whichever version of phone sex you crave, there are plenty of numbers available. Instead of spending all the time dialing, trying to figure out which number is worth your time, we’ve compiled a list of the best phone sex numbers available. And yes, all of these numbers offer free trials. Technically, you can call each of these lines, use the trial, and enjoy totally free!

The numbers in the table below are the cream of the crop. The remaining phone numbers are below the table. Call them all!

Best Free Phone Sex Numbers in 2022

RankBrandPhone NumberFree TrialBest For1.1-800-PHONESEX1-800-PHONESEX5 minutesBest overall number2.LiveLinks1-855-948-478860 minutesRunner-up best3.1-800 Sex Chat1-800-375-22235 minutesBest late night callers4.1-844 Phone Sex1-844-746-63735 minutesMost experienced PSOs5.Taboo Chat1-855-50-TABOO5 minutesBest for chatting taboo topics6.Phone Sex Chat Line1-844-955-011530 minutesBest day time number7.Free Chat Girls1-866-995-533130 minutesBest free trial8.Nightline1-877-834-404460 minutesRunner-up best late night number9.Night Exchange1-866-917-832860 minutesBest for first time callers10.Talk To Me1-800-452-606730 minutesBest mainstream number11.Jet Doll1-800-538-365530 minutesBest for diverse PSOs

Here are even more phone sex numbers that offer free minutes categorized by type:

Late NightDesire’s Chat: 1-888-598-83361-800-SEXTALK: 1-800-SEX-TALKAdult Talk: 1-833-937-ADULTNight Exchange: 1-866-917-83281-800-SEX-LINE: 1-800-739-5463Sexy Live Connections: 1-800-317-4475FreeChatGirls: 1-866-995-5331Redhot Dateline: 1-877-626-8194Two Talked: 1-800-963-7792Nightline: 1-877-834-4044Night Exchange: 1-866-917-8328

PartyCollege Party Line: 1-888-598-3927Girls Party Line: 1-800-307-2625Girls Flirt Free: 1-800-364-4757

KinkExotic Chat Line: 1-888-633-9453Adam and Eve Chat: 1-800-278-5181Kink Connections: 1-855-949-KINKTalk Dirty Chat Line: 1-800-410-2742Kinky Convo: 1-855-936-KINK

LatinaHot Latinas Chat: 1-800-309-9388Beeper Love: 1-855-972-7944Axxess Latino: 1-702-966-2200Hot Latinas Chat: 1-800-309-9388

BlackBlack Phone Chat: 1-800-319-7277Yummyvibe: 1-888-907-0202Howl Line: 1-888-655-6366

Here are in-depth reviews of our top 10 picks:

1. 18000 PHONESEX: Oldest and most reliable phone sex experience – 1-800-746-6373

1-800-PHONESEX has been in operation since the 1980’s and it continues to deliver the most quality, authentic phone sex experience. You speak to paid operators, but these girls know what they’re doing. They guide you through your fantasies and get you off in no time. The free 5 minutes goes by quickly, but the per minute price of $.89/min is reasonable compared to other numbers on the market.

2.  Livelinks: Runner-up best phone sex number – 1-855-948-4788

Livelinks is the number one erotic chat line in the U.S. and Canada, making it the ultimate breeding ground for an intense pleasurable experience. You never have to wonder if you’ll be connected with someone on Livelinks because the number is ringing off the hook constantly. You can enjoy some free phone sex by taking advantage of their free trial, but just know that there’s a good chance you’ll get hooked. The packages are affordable, though, and the raunchy sex chat you’ll be having with hot locals is pretty much priceless.

3.  1-800 Sex Chat: Classic number – 1-800-375-2223

1-800 Sex Chat is a classic sex line number that connects you with live actresses. These women are professionals, so they know how to get you off. These experienced gems are interested in talking about anything and everything you can fathom. No fetish is too kinky, no kink too naughty. You will be asked early on for credit card information (whereas other lines on this list let you have a few free minutes before paying up). If you are wary about the lack of free trial, you can check out the numerous positive reviews online of 1-800 Sex Chat from guys who have called in and had great experiences with the people on the line.

4.  1-844 Phone Sex: The name says it all – 1-844-746-6373

This phone sex number does offer a free trial, but it’s very short (only five minutes). That said, 1-844 Phone Sex is a unique one on this list because it’s the one most similar to a classic late night number. There are so many sizzling conversations to be had on this line with the experienced women who run the show. 1-844 Phone Sex will ask you for payment information pretty early on, so that’s one of the only qualms we have with this number. What we can tell you is that an experience over at this phone sex line is always satisfying and often exceeds our expectations!

5.  Taboo Chat: Discuss your kinks – 1-855-50-TABOO

Taboo Chat is an adult fantasy line for people who want to share their erotic fantasies with each other. This phone sex number is unique because it gives you the chance to choose from fetish categories, such as bondage chat, voyeurism chat, and more. It advertises itself as a safe place where people can talk about their “forbidden fantasies” and secret sexual desires. Many callers choose to remain anonymous on this line because it makes them feel more comfortable expressing their most vulnerable secrets to strangers. Discretion and privacy is taken very seriously over at Taboo Chat.

6.  Phone Sex Chat Line: Perfect chat line/phone sex hybrid – 1-844-955-0115

This number doubles as a chat line, making it the perfect place to dish your naughty fantasies to a local stranger. Everyone who calls Phone Sex Chatline is there because they want naughty phone chat, so there’s no guessing when you call this erotic line. Women can call this number for free, but men will have to pay to chat with someone live. However, before paying, men are able to send hot messages to other members and see who finds them appealing. This can be a good way to decide whether or not Phone Sex Chat Line is right for you.

7.  Free Chat Girls: Affordable – 1-866-995-5331

Free Chat Girls is not an entirely free phone sex number. It does offer a free trial if you choose to give it a test run. Free Chat Girls is an older number, but it’s one that is used pretty frequently. You can choose from different fetishes, fantasies, ethnicities, and experiences. They have an option to call a Phone Sex Virgin, but we are a little skeptical as to how new these girls really are to this world. They are good at acting very innocent, though, if that’s the sort of thing you’re into. You can also call a local city number if you want to talk to someone who is not a PSO. These are just horny locals who want to engage in naughty chat with a stranger!

7.  Nightline: Kinkiest callers – 1-877-834-4044

Nightline lets callers connect with each other for erotic or more hardcore sexual conversation. They have a customizable feature that makes it stand out from other lines. When you dial into Nightline, you have the option to select a chat category to make finding like-minded matches easier. Their name might have you believing that you can only call at night, but Nightline is available to users 24/7. Whenever you are in the mood, Nightline will be there for you. We will admit though that both the quantity and quality of callers improve as it gets later into the night. New users can enjoy a free trial.

9.  Night Exchange: Best for extreme kink – 1-866-917-8328

Night Exchange is an adult line that allows you to flirt with hot local singles, 24/7. There are peak hours that usually fall between 8 PM and 1 AM. The line itself connects you to flirty individuals who want to talk about their kinks to you. But if you hop onto their website, you’ll find that Night Exchange allows other forms of communication like direct messages. Plus, you can search by fetish on their homepage to find people who are into the same kinks as you.

10..  Talk To Me: Most unique options – 1-800-452-6067

This effective phone sex number has a unique model that tons of folks love. They offer a large variety in terms of communication methods. From calls, to cams, from texts, to Skype, there are endless ways to use Talk To Me. The women you will speak with are all rated (from one to five stars) by other callers, which gives you a chance to request only the best partner for your phone fun. Each has their own fantasies that they love to talk about. If their kinks match yours, give it a go. Customers usually report that Talk To Me is high quality.

11  1-800 Jet Doll: Seasoned professionals – 1-800-538-3655

Jet Doll has been in operation for more than 20 years now, giving it major chops in the phone sex industry. Though the webpage appears to be out of date, the line has managed to keep up with the times after all these years. When you dial the Jet Doll number, a rep will answer to set you up with your phone sex session. The women of Jet Doll are professionals, so this won’t be your run-of-the-mill phone chat experience with a local hottie. People who prefer Jet Doll to other platforms enjoy that there’s no question that the Jet Doll girls know what they are doing, and know how to do it well. They can satisfy any kink or fetish you can come up with, all directly through the phone.

How To Act on A Call

You might be nervous about your call, but there’s nothing to be worried about. When you call into these lines, you will be connected with people who are also down to have phone sex with you. There’s no need to fear rejection because whether the person is an operator or a local like you, they all know why they’re on the phone in the first place. As far as how to behave, acting respectful is key. Ask questions if you want to know what turns your phone sex partner on and tell them about your fantasies. When you are describing kinky things, try to be imaginative and descriptive. This will enhance the world of imagination that you’re creating on the line.

Phone Sex FAQs

Should I call a classic phone sex number or a chat line?Some folks love their old school lines. These are lines that you dial into. The person on the other line is a professional who is willing to talk about whatever you’re into! Meanwhile, chat lines connect you with regular people in your area. A late night line might not connect you to phone sex experts, but they will lend themselves to a more genuine and meaningful experience. It’s also exhilarating to meet new people over a sexy chat line. Plus, there’s always a chance to meet up in real life with the person you’ve met on a chat line. Other phone sex numbers don’t offer that possiblity. More than that, chat lines usually offer much longer free phone sex trial periods.

Is it possible to have phone sex for free?

Free phone sex is just a phone call away! The reason why it’s possible to have phone sex for free is because sex chat lines almost always offer free trials. There are always going to be so many numbers out there for you to try, so when you’ve used up your free minutes at one line, hop onto another! Each number offers a different amount of free minutes. Some lines only allow you to message other users with those minutes rather than chat with a live person. This is why free phone sex is possible, but can be tedious if you decide you never want to pay for your time.

What should I expect when calling a phone sex number?When you call a number for phone sex, you will be introduced to someone who works for the line or matched with other locals. Initially, you’ll be prompted to follow some basic instructions that will inform you on how to get started. Prepare for the automated voice on the line to be sultry and dramatic. On a sex chat line, you’ll have the chance to record a greeting and listen to other greetings. That’s how you’ll decide who you want to talk to! Let them know you’re interested by sending them a message or connecting live on the line!

Are phone sex numbers safe?There is a lot to consider when calling a phone sex line. You might worry about how it appears on your bill, fear for your privacy, or wonder if your conversations are being recorded. The lines on this list are discreet, private, and allow anonymity if that’s what you choose. They are usually run by large companies who make your safety a priority. They have reputations to uphold and don’t want to compromise that by compromising your security. Sex lines also often utilize secure billing systems and toll-free numbers (which are untraceable).

What kind of people call sex lines?People just like you! Tons and tons of people call phone sex numbers. They are often normal folks who are looking to spice up their sex lives. Phone sex is one of the quickest, easiest, and safest ways to do that with new people.

How Do Free Trial Sex Lines Work?

Most sex lines operate in the same fashion. The steps laid out for you below are applicable to most erotic chat line numbers.

State your chat line name: Most people want to remain anonymous on sex lines, so they’ll make up a nickname or pseudonym for the call.Start your free trial: You will be instructed on how to begin using your free trial.Record a greeting: A greeting is a quick recorded blurb about you. You can use your greeting as an opportunity to state what you are into and looking for. If another caller is into the same things you are, they’ll likely connect with you.Match, message, meet: Once you record your greeting, you can listen to other greetings. Send users messages or meet them live for an erotic phone chat!

Safety Tips:

Phone sex is a thrilling experience. And, for the most part, it’s one of the safest ways to have sexual contact with someone you don’t already know. However, there are always risks involved with trying new things. That’s why you should always keep these safety tips in mind when calling a phone sex line:

Don’t share personal information.

This is the most important safety tip of all. Do not reveal identifying information about yourself to strangers on phone sex lines. That information includes but isn’t limited to: your full name, your banking information, your home address, social security number, or personal facts. You are speaking to someone on the line who you’ve never met before. There is no reason why they’d need any of this information.

Talk about your boundaries.

Phone sex requires consent from both parties. While calling a late night number implies that you are interested in having phone sex, it doesn’t tell your partner what your sexual boundaries are. Perhaps there is language you find offensive or subjects you don’t want to talk about. Be vocal about your boundaries so that your partner knows how to respect them.

Hang up if you feel uncomfortable.

Some bad apples can ruin it for everyone. Don’t let a bad person ruin your phone sex experience. If someone is being abusive to you on the line, you have the right to block that person, hang up, or report them to the phone sex company.

Trust your intuition.

If your gut is telling you that something isn’t right, trust that feeling. No amount of phone sex is ever worth jeopardizing your safety. Plus, there are always so many callers to choose from. It’s easy to hang up on someone who is making you feel strange and have it with someone else.

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There are so many ways to meet new people, but nothing is more adventurous and electrifying than calling a phone chat line. It’s exciting to think about all the new people you could meet through a phone dating line, all from the comfort of your own home. It’s a testament to how far dating has come, and how phones have enhanced our ability to make meaningful connections.

We’ve put together a list of the top chat lines in 2022. The top 10 are in the table and the runner-ups are below.

Best Free Phone Chat Lines of 2022

RankBrandPhone NumberFree TrialBest For1.LiveLinks888-901-268860 minutesMeeting local singles2.FreeChatGirls866-995-533130 minutesBest free trial3.Local Hot Chat888-710-26255 minutesGreat singles4.Livetalk800-444-LIVE10 minutesHybrid naughty/singles5.RedHot Dateline855-933-061030 minutesLate night chat6.Vibeline866-488-080930 minutesMeeting black singles7.Fonochat866-605-301630 minutesChatting with latina singles8.Talk121855-677-054530 minutesBest early day number9.Phone and Flirt800-381-54555 minutesBest flirty line10.Desires Chat888-598-83365 minutesBest confessional line

More Chat Lines To Call

Moonlight Line: 855-677-0538Local Hot Chat: 888-710-2625Lover’s Lane: 509-876-5930Adult Talk: 833-937-ADULTHowl Line: 888-655-6366Azul Line: 888-589-4999Sexy Live Connections: 800-317-4475Hollar Line: 888-650-2223Taboo Chat: 855-50-TABOOExotic Chat Line: 888-633-9453Lavalife Voice: 877-800-5282Girls Flirt Free: 800-364-4757Social Voice USA: 844-706-5518Hot Latinas Chat: 800-309-9388Latino Phone Chat: 888-702-8887Nightline: 877-834-4044Questchat: 888-889-6565Black Singlez: 800-287-3991Night Exchange: 866-917-8328Español Chat: 888-674-8887College Party Line: 888-598-3927Black Phone Chat: 800-319-7277America’s Hottest Talk Line: 206-876-56711PartyLine: 562-621-1201Grapevine Personals: 250-984-3322Metrovibe: 877-390-6677TangoPersonals: 800-810-8108MegaMates: 866-718-4930Metrochat: 206-876-56751-800-DATE-LINE: 800-DATE-LINE1800Personals: 213-687-7675Party Lines Uncensored: 712-432-4800

Chat Line 101

These toll-free numbers can be used to flirt or start a full-blown relationship with a hot local single. What’s more is that they all offer free trials, so you might even meet that special someone without paying a dime.

Rather than swiping through images on a vapid app, chat lines promote conversation and help you get to know your match on a deeper level. It’s also great for more sexual relationships too! Most chat lines follow a similar setup:

Call the numberRecord a personal greeting in which you introduce yourselfListen to other greetings to see who sounds most appealingSend private messages through virtual mailboxesRequest to chat live with someoneHave an awesome phone chat experience

Scroll below for in-depth reviews of the best free phone chat numbers.

1. LiveLinks: 888-901-2688 – Best overall chat line

LiveLinks is the most prominent and well-known chat line in North America. For genuine connections, there’s no better line than LiveLinks. Not only has it been around since the 90s, but it’s also famous for its ability to establish all sorts of relationships, from the friendly to the romantic. Not many lines cater to such a large variety. It also implements great features, like the ability to add people you like to your Hot List. Like most lines, women chat for free. First-time male callers can enjoy a hefty one-hour trial, which is an extremely generous amount of free time that can be used to get to know a special someone.

2. FreeChatGirls: 866-995-5331 – Best for new chat line callers

FreeChatGirls is a naughty adult line where the ladies always talk for free. It’s a phone sex line without any paid operators, only real people who are just like you. This chat line is for hot like-minded individuals who want to dive into their fantasies with strangers on the phone. You are allowed a half-hour free phone chat trial, which you can use to meet up with a kinky girl on the line. Once you use up that time, you’re going to want to purchase one of their affordable memberships.

3. Local Hot Chat: 888-710-2625 – Best hybrid naughty/singles number

Local Chat may appear to be on the risqué side of phone dating, but it caters to callers of all types. Whether you’re looking for something serious or spicy, Local Hot Chat delivers. The gender ratio skews female, so if you’re want to chat with a single lady, this is the number to call. The 5 minute free trial allows you to browse profiles and request connect. As soon as you talk live, you’ll have to pay. But it’s worth it. The memberships are affordable. What’s one downside? The user interface (IVR) system is a little outdated, but it gets the job done.

4. LiveTalk: 800-444-LIVE – Best for real connections

LiveTalk provides a safe and secure phone dating environment for adults over the age of 18. People come to LiveTalk when they want to meet someone who is like-minded and genuine. Locals from different cities across the U.S. flock to this newer chat line. While it hasn’t been around since the 90s like LiveLinks, it’s one of the most favored and talked about chat lines right now. This premier phone chat service does a great job of connecting folks who are truly interested in creating a bond. You will never meet anyone flaky when you call LiveTalk.

5. Redhot Dateline: 855-993-0610 – Best late night number

Redhot Dateline is a line most notable for its ability to link sexy individuals to each other for steamy phone chat. It’s a very popular line, making finding a match a seamless experience no matter when you call in. If you are seeking a little wild fun, Redhot Dateline is for you. However, if romance is more your pick, we’d suggest heading to one of the lines dedicated to dating rather than erotic chat. Redhot Dateline doesn’t shy away from its namesake; it really is red hot. The only unfortunate thing about Redhot Dateline is that the 30-minute free trial is limited. To take full advantage, you’ll need a membership.

6. Vibeline: 866-488-0809 – Best black chat line

Vibeline has long been a chat line that has attracted Black callers. But in more recent years, it has expanded into a more diverse bunch of young and trendy folks. It’s known as a pretty “hip” line, which is why it brings in a younger and more vibrant crowd. Callers on this line are looking for all sorts of relationships. Some want something serious, but many are seeking a flirty fling. Women can talk on Vibeline free of charge and men can take advantage of that sweet 30-minute free trial. These 30-minutes can be spread out over time if you’d like, which is a nice and unique touch that other chat lines usually don’t offer.

7. Fonochat: 866-605-3016 – Best latina chat line

Brought to you by the same people who created LiveLinks, Fonochat is the best Latinx chat line available for Hispanic singles in your area. It’s an exciting place where Latinx people and those looking for Latinx partners can come and be themselves. If you prefer to chat in Spanish, that’s an option for you at Fonochat (but you don’t have to if you don’t want to). Like Livelinks, Fonochat allows you to create a Hot List of potential partners. You can also send private messages to people you wish to explore a friendship or relationship with.

8. Talk121: 855-677-0545 – Best to meet local singles over the phone

Talk121 is a chat line that’s been around for a long time and has done a good job at keeping up with the tech innovations in the chat line space. It’s a great competitor in the chat line game and keeps the other lines on their toes. Thousands of people call into Talk121 on a regular basis, and they stay because the line is always very reliable. Though aged, it doesn’t feel like an outdated chat line. It’s a leader in the industry and promotes everything from friendship to long-term relationships.

9. Phone and Flirt: 800-381-5455 – Best for quick, flirty phone chat

This safe and discreet chat line is used by people who want to laugh, flirt, and have a good time. When calling Phone and Flirt, there’s an underlying expectation that you are there to have a frisky good time. That doesn’t mean that all the callers are looking for erotic chat. Some are simply seeing who can give them those chat line butterflies. Phone and Flirt is very popular for this reason, saturated with younger flirters who love how unexpected and surprising this line can be.

10. Desires Chat: 888-598-8336 – Best for confessional

Desires Chat is a leading chat line that operates solely for adults who want to share their secret desires with one another. Discretion is taken very seriously over at Desires Chat, so you should feel completely free to let your wild side out on the line. There’s a level of open-mindedness not seen on every chat line that attracts some of the most interesting callers. Get lost in conversation with one of these dreamers on the Desires Chat line. You will feel as sexy as you will liberated.

Chat Line Dating FAQsHow did you judge these lines?We look at a lot of things when deciding which chat lines are best. The first are reliability and call volume. We don’t want you calling a chat line that gets little to no calls because that means your dating or chatting options are far too limited. We chose lines that get a lot of callers, even during non-peak hours of the day. They also have to have free trials so that you can enjoy a taste of their features before you even pull out your wallet. And finally, we judge these phone chat lines based on user experiences we’ve read about, like on Mr. Chat Line, heard about, or experienced ourselves.

What should I say in my chat line greeting?Your chat line greeting is what other callers will hear before they decide if they want to meet you. It’s an introduction and should sound like one. But remember, you are going after someone for a flirty or romantic relationship. You aren’t at a job interview. With that in mind, try to keep your greeting short, sweet, and interesting. Show your personality off without taking up too much time. And make sure you sound excited when you are speaking. This will attract others to you!

Are chat lines safe?Chat lines are one of the safest ways to flirt with a stranger. Again, you are virtually meeting a new friend from the comfort of your very own home. As far as physical safety, that’s pretty much taken care of! Chat lines also work very hard to make sure they are both safe and secure so that you’ll feel as comfortable as possible expressing yourself on the line. You can always change your name if you wish to remain anonymous, and no line will ever share identifying or sensitive information. Be wary of people on chat lines who try to coax information out of you that feels too personal.

What happens when the free trial is up?When your free trial is up on a chat line, we’d encourage you to try another trial! But if you love the line you’ve just called or want to spend more time with a certain phone date, you will need to purchase a time package. These are usually pretty affordable. If you want to have erotic chat, chat lines are far less expensive than traditional phone sex numbers with much longer free trials.

How likely am I to hook up because of a chat line?Calling a chat line is like going to a popular local bar. There are so many people who you’ll meet that live very close to you. Most chat line callers are calling so that they can eventually hang out in person. That common goal of connecting with new people in your area is what makes chat lines such a unique and reliable way to meet someone new to flirt with, hang out with, and hook up with.

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It’s as simple as this: we all have sexual urges from time to time. Occasionally, we don’t have the energy required to find someone to meet IRL (in real life) for a quick hookup to satisfy our NSFW (not safe for work) needs. In the digital age, sexting is the newest form of casual sex available to us. We are lucky to have that type of human connection available to us by just the tap or click of a button.

For those of you who haven’t tried it, sexting is a unique way to sexually interact with a stranger or someone you know via messages, photos, videos, voice notes, and more. It’s instant, easy, and gets the job done! You don’t have to woo anyone or take them out for drinks before you start sexting. It can happen right away, with someone you’ve only met seconds before on a sexting site.

Sexting is also a much more reliable and safe way to engage in sexual activities with people you may or may not already know. That’s why we love these sites and apps. Is there a catch? Only one: There are so many hot sites to choose from! That’s why we’ve taken the time to list and review some of our favorites. Below you’ll find over 20 sexting sites that will get you off quickly! Oh, and most of them are free.

Best Sexting Sites and Apps For NSFW Messaging in 2022

Best Free Sites:

Best for local sexting – Instabang Best overall sexting website – ArousrBest new sexting site – SweetsextBest for messaging with models – SnapchatFor advanced sexters – SextFriendBest anonymous sexting site – SkibbelBest for sexting beginners – Sext LocalPopular sext and hookup app – TinderBest for couples who sext – BetweenGreat for intellectual sexting with real people – Zoosk

Best To Meet New People:

Best for dirty talk with local strangers – Ashley MadisonGreat for fetishes and kinks – Adult FriendFinderBest for shy people – FriendFinder-XBest for finding new naughty text friends – Kik FrienderExchange nudes with locals – BangSexting

Best Free Sexting Forums/Chat Rooms:

Best free random chat – Talk With StrangerMost reliable free sexting message board – /r/sextingfriendfinderPopular chat room site with all sorts of categories – ChatzyRaunchiest chat rooms with multiple people – LewdChat

Best Encrypted Messengers:

Most secure encrypted messenger – ConfideBest protection against screenshots – DustMost user-friendly messenger – SignalYou can erase messages from other devices – Wickr

1.) Instabang: Get Nudes Fast

Instabang, formerly known as SnapSext, is another free sexting site where you can pay for erotic texts. However, you won’t be paying by credit but rather paying for time-based packages. For example, you can pay by the day or sign up for an entire month.

Instabang has the quickest way to find someone to send you nudes. This is because it has an effective search engine, so you won’t waste your time browsing through their gigantic user base. It is also a way to find someone to hook up with, if you choose to search locally.

This is a sexting site with a lot to offer. There are regular people to talk to and professional sexters. But if you get bored sexting, you can always check out their live streams, cam girl chat rooms, nudes exchanges, and live video action.

2.) Sweetsext: Try Something New

From the wonderful folks who bring you Instabang comes SweetSext, a brand new sexting site that delivers the goods.

In most ways, SweetSext is the true spiritual successor of the famous SnapSext (RIP). The interface is almost identical and the girls are just as hot. Since it’s been a few years, the girls tend to be pretty experienced when it comes to dirty talking.

In addition to exchanging nudes, you can catch live stream content or chat with multiple girls at once in the chat rooms.

3.) Ashley Madison: Originally A Site For Affairs

Ashley Madison is an amazing website for meeting new people. Whether you are in the mood to sext, exchange photos, find a new hook up, or just fool around, Ashley Madison will deliver all of that to you and then some.

This site does get bad press because it’s famous (or shall we say, infamous) for supporting affairs. Oh well, we aren’t here to judge you for indulging in forbidden fruit. What we can say is that the people who sign up for Ashley Madison are always “in the mood.” That is what makes it so easy to find someone who is excited and willing to have a naughty chat with you. Even more exciting is that these people usually live close by to you, just in case you’re in the market for some physical action.

It should be mentioned that those you meet on Ashley Madison probably are going to be older than 20 years of age and they might already be in a “committed” relationship. But, it is still the best way to meet someone new to sext—hands down. Check out our full Ashley Madison review for more.

4.) Arousr: Meet Professional Sexters

Arousr is an exciting free sexting site where you can pay to sext (payment occurs in the form of credits). When you sign up for Arousr, they’ll gift you a sweet 100 free credits to chat with the paid talent.

Arousr is certainly a site that caters more towards men. Women sign up for Arousr because they enjoy sexting and want to get cash for it. When you use your credits on Arousr, you are essentially paying gorgeous ladies to flirt and send hot messages to you. There are pros and cons to this, but one thing we love about the credit system is that it incentivizes women to keep the chat extremely sexy and interesting.

This sexting site also has some fun features that you can take advantage of, like video chat or voice notes. And, like we said, these women you are paying have every reason to make your experience as enjoyable as possible.

5.) LewdChat: Erotic Chat Rooms

LewdChat is an anonymous sexting site where you can find someone to send erotic messages to in a snap. You literally only need to plug in a temporary username, and you’re off to the races!

Here is how most people use LewdChat to sext: First, they check out the chat rooms that LewdChat has to offer. They are set up like regular chat rooms, but the subject matter is raunchy. If you’ve ever experienced a chat room before, you will feel right at home. As people explore the chat rooms, they often find another user in the room that turns them on. If that user is down, the two will move to private messaging.

LewdChat is for someone who doesn’t have time to waste. They want to sext, and they want it right now. With the fast sign-up process and subsequent launch into naughty chat rooms, LewdChat makes it easy to find someone to sext. Don’t expect bells and whistles on this site though. It’s very basic, but that is on purpose.

6.) Bangsexting: Talk To Strangers About Your Fantasies

Bangsexting is a messaging platform where users come to express their sexual fantasies to hot strangers on the web. It’s an adult matching site that pairs compatible sexters with one another. And it’s strictly for sexting or hookups—not dating. This is made extremely clear when you visit the homepage. “No bots, no long dates, and no spending lots of money on unnecessary things,” are all part of the rules of Bangsexting.

Bangsexting was created as a place where people didn’t have to feel shy about their desire to sext. Through Bangsexting, you can chat with people in your area. This allows for the sexting to evolve into an in-person hookup, if that is what you’d prefer.

Signing up is easy and requires you to answer four questions about your sexting preferences. From there, you’ll be matched with other users on the site. Bangsexting also offers a feature which allows you to stay anonymous throughout the entire process.

7.) Reddit: Free Message Board

We’d be surprised if you haven’t already heard about Reddit. It’s one of the most popular message boards on the worldwide web, where people can come to express themselves on virtually any topic you can think of. This includes nudes and erotic messages.

There are plenty of messageboards (called subreddits) that cater to sexting fiends, but our favorite is r/sextingfriendfinder. It shouldn’t be hard to see why. The name of this subreddit pretty much says it all! It’s designed as a meeting place where strangers can come to find sexy friends. While you are searching for the erotic sexter of your dreams, you can explore the sexy or nude content that already exists on the forum.

Reddit is absolutely free to use, so you know the folks posting in sexting subreddits are there for the right reasons. In other words, you won’t be paying anyone to sext. These subreddits are full of genuinely horny individuals who want to have a little bit of fun. If someone wishes to be paid for their erotic texts, they will likely inform you right there on the subreddit page.

8.) Kik Friender: Find New People To Talk To On Kik

Kik has long been a reliable app for open-minded people. Plenty of sexters have used Kik (a free app) to connect with people because it’s an anonymous messaging app. It masks your identity through usernames within a sexy and accepting environment. But you need the username of the person you want to sext before you can enjoy all the perks that Kik has to offer. This can be done easily by searching the hashtag #kikme on Twitter, or you can use Kik Friender!

Kik Friender is a site that can be used in conjunction with Kik for the ultimate sexting experience. Use Kik Friender to find usernames of the hottest people around so that you don’t have to spend your time searching for those usernames. Kik Friender allows you to make friends all over the world and find new sexting partners to explore your fantasies with.

Right when you hit the homepage, Kik Friender introduces you to a list of beautiful people (primarily women) in the form of thumbnails. These people are selected based on their activity on the Kik platform. Keep in mind that many of the ladies found on Kik Friender are expecting to be paid for their nudes.

9.) Talk With Stranger: Unique Sexy Chat Rooms

Talk With Stranger is a random chatting site where no registration or payment is required. Yup, it’s totally free. Simply visit the website and get to meeting new people! But, beware of the ads that seem to overtake the homepage (the price you pay for free chat we suppose). Talk With Stranger has some of the best sex chat rooms available to you on the web, which is why it’s ideal for people who love sexting.

Talk With Stranger is a unique chat room site because it offers an array of desirable sexting categories for you to choose from. There are LGBTQ+ chat rooms, rooms for lonely people, younger chat rooms, and rooms for people who want to sext and find love. Pick a chat room that seems interesting and you’ll immediately be introduced to like-minded people.

If you connect with someone in a chat room, you always have the option to move from the public chat forum into a private chat room where pictures and videos can be exchanged. Talk With Stranger is a wonderful way to meet people to sext on the Internet discreetly and anonymously.

10.) SextFriend: Meet Other Experienced Sexters

SextFriend is a combination site that is for both sexting and adult dating. For a matching site, they’ve got one of the quickest and easiest sign-up processes. Within five minutes of hopping onto SextFriend, you could be sexting with a hottie.

SextFriend is not for those who are new to sexting. It doesn’t really hold your hand through the process. It’s for the more advanced sexters and adult daters who know exactly what they are looking for. SextFriend lets you sign up for their services and then throws you into the deep end of the adult dating pool. Whether you are searching for a hookup or a kinky conversation on the web, your fate is in your own hands when you use SextFriend.

SextFriend is known as a vibrant sexting community and caters to all sorts of sexting needs. Through the platform, you can meet people to sext, use their messaging feature, video chat, and send photographs. You can also move from texts to a real meetup in a jiffy if that’s what you are after. However, if you’d prefer to simply send naughty messages to people through the site, you can do that too.

11.) Chatzy: Most Straightforward Chat Site

Chatzy is a quick, straightforward, no-frills chatting platform. Though the website feels a bit out-of-date, it does a fantastic job at connecting people for the purposes of sexting and erotic chatting.

Joining the platform could not be easier. All you really need is to create a username. Once you do, you are welcome to enter one of the various Chatzy chat rooms and join in the conversation. There are all sorts of chat rooms on Chatzy, and they don’t all have to do with sexting. To find the naughty rooms, use the Chatzy search function to look up sexy keywords that will introduce you to the sexting chat rooms you prefer.

You can also create a chat room if you wish or move into a private room with another Chatzy user. For fast anonymous chat, Chatzy is a nice option because it doesn’t bog you down with any distractions or advertisements. It’s a plain and simple chat room platform with nothing standing in your way of juicy messaging. However, if you are trying to meet a local or have a more in-depth experience, we’d suggest looking elsewhere for your sexting needs.

12.) Skibbel: Random Sext Chat

Skibbel is a free application that was created specifically for sexting. It creates random chat opportunities with other people who want to send naughty messages, photos, or videos to one another.

If you are a fan of Omegle or Chatroulette, you’ll surely enjoy Skibbel. In fact, Skibbel calls itself the “better Omegle,” and we’d have to agree. Omegle has an old-school feel whereas Skibbel is a very modern, user-friendly, and attractive platform designed for sexting and sexting alone.

If you are a bit of an exhibitionist, you can take advantage of Skibbel’s livestream feature where you can broadcast a video of yourself to the Skibbel community. However, if you’d prefer to sext one-on-one with a stranger from around the globe, you can do that too.

Unlike Omegle, Skibbel requires that you set up a profile (don’t worry, it’s very simple and doesn’t take long). Skibbel prides itself on anonymity, so it will never ask you for your e-mail address or any identifying information. It just wants to know your gender, what you are looking for, and a sentence or two about yourself.

13.) Sext Local: Adult Dating App + Sexting Site Hybrid

Sext Local takes the features of a local dating app and applies it to a fun, free sexting site. With Sext Local, you will meet real people in your area to talk to. This is also good for someone who might want to meet IRL.

With other adult dating apps, it’s hard to know whether or not your match will be comfortable sexting immediately. With Sext Local, there is no guessing. All users who sign up must fill out a questionnaire that ensures that they are on board, willing to sext, and able to adhere to the safety guidelines.

Sext Local knows that images and videos are an important part of sexting, so they have features to accommodate that sort of communication. People love this site because the user base is full of real and genuine locals. Catfishes are few and far between on Sext Local!

14.) Snapchat: The Original Nudes App

Snapchat is an extremely popular app where folks can send each other disappearing images and utilize fun filters. If they want to share something with all of their Snapchat friends, they can create a story (similar to the ones you see on Instagram) that disappear after 24 hours. It’s easy to see why it’s referred to as the “original nudes app.” However, today it’s used mostly by tweens to communicate with one another through innocent images. Like all sites and apps, you need to be careful about who you are engaging with.

There are still plenty of people who use Snapchat for hot pics and texts. People feel good about using it for that type of material because it notifies users if their messages are saved or screenshotted.

Plenty of pornstars will use Snapchat as another way to lure customers and make a living. They often refer to their Snapchat handles as “Premium Snapchats” because they will cost you a premium to view and interact with. There are sites all over the web listing the best Premium Accounts that are worth spending your money on.

You can use Snapchat to securely sext with people you already know, meet new sexting friends, or engage with Premium accounts for a fee.

15.) Friend Finder X: A Casual Sexting Site

Friend Finder X is technically a hookup site, but sexting is widely encouraged between the users on the platform. On the home page, you will be informed that the folks you’ll meet through Friend Finder X are regular people, not pornstars or sexting professionals.

Most people use Friend Finder X to find casual sex, but they are always eager to flirt through the message function before meeting up. This means that raunchy communication happens frequently on the Friend Finder X platform.

Friend Finder X will put you through a small sign-up process and then introduce you to their user base in the form of thumbnail photos. If you are a man seeking a woman, you will notice that the ladies on Friend Finder X are on the younger and raunchier side.

It’s an adult dating site that aims to skip all the dating awkwardness and head straight to the sexual side of a casual relationship, so don’t be shy to initiate sexting with any of the Friend Finder X users who you meet.

16.) Confide: Most Secure Messenger App

Confide is an extremely secure instant messaging system. It’s basically the Fort Knox of sexting apps. But it’s not specifically for sexy chat. Confide is used by business professionals and regular people as a way to send encrypted messages. Each message that is sent or received immediately self-destructs after it is read. It is also screenshot-proof and encrypted.

This might feel like overkill for some, but sexting and exchanging nudes can be seriously risky when in the wrong hands. Using Confide is a way to confidently send those raunchy notes without the fear or paranoia that they’ll be leaked to the public or cause problems in your life.

Confide is not a site where you can go to meet new sexters. It’s best used with someone you already know as a way to keep sexting sexy, and without worry or fear.

17.) Dust: Most Anonymous Encrypted Messenger

Dust is very similar to Confide in that it’s an encrypted secure messaging system that can be used for nudes along with other confidential information. Its main function is disappearing messages and providing security.

You can use your social media platforms to sign up with Dust, but that doesn’t mean that it’s not secure. It is simply a way to figure out which of your friends or followers also use the Dust app. It’s good for seeing if an old flame or former hookup also uses Dust. However, if you don’t feel comfortable signing up with your social media account, you can always choose to provide the bare minimum which is simply a username and password.

All of your texts will self-destruct in 24 hours. You can also choose to delete messages if waiting 24 hours for destruction is too long. Dust is also clever in that it never shows your name on your messages. So if someone wants to be sneaky and take a photo of your messages on their phone with another device, Dust won’t allow your name or username to link in any way to that image. However, screenshotting isn’t disabled on Dust.

18.) Tinder: Swipe Through Potential Sexters

Tinder is a free hookup app that tons of people swear by. Its primary use is to find someone to either go on a date with or hookup with, but there’s no reason why it can’t be used for sexting.

Tinder is a swipe-based application that allows you to swipe left for “no” and right for “yes.” What are you saying yes or no to? It’s pretty much based on who you think is hot or not. When you find someone worth swiping right on, Tinder will notify you if it’s a match. Then, you can begin chatting.

If you want to find a sexting friend that could also be a hookup friend, Tinder is the app for you. However, you might find yourself wasting time on people who aren’t in the mood to sext with you. Many users of Tinder are seeking a relationship, so they aren’t keen on getting right to the sexual stuff. You might offend some folks with your naughty messages, but it’s OK because there are so many users on the app at any given time. You are bound to find someone quickly who wants to send naughty messages to you.

19.) Adult FriendFinder: Talk About Your Fantasies

Adult FriendFinder is a site recognized by many as an effective hookup site. It’s beloved by adult daters, swingers, and sexters. Hanging out on Adult FriendFinder is like going to a sex party. You never know who you are going to meet, but everyone is in the mood.

While it’s used primarily for meetups, the people on Adult FriendFinder love to sext. There are so many unique ways to chat with fellow hot strangers on Adult FriendFinder. You can sext through e-mail, instant chat, live streaming, or video chatting. You can also rate people based on their sex appeal.

Adult FriendFinder also makes your sexting search a breeze with their advanced search function. Narrow down your options by filtering by hotness rating, looks, or even kink. Adult FriendFinder is fantastic for those who have very specific fantasies and fetishes in mind.

20.) Zoosk: Meet Real People To Sext

Zoosk is a popular dating app that is used for a variety of relationship types. It’s on this list because sexting tends to be a popular activity for users of the app.

When you visit Zoosk, you’ll notice that the app itself feels very clean. There aren’t suggestive images and it presents itself as a serious dating app. You can browse other members on the app to figure out who you are attracted to. With 40 million people using Zoosk, you have many options to choose from.

It’s an adult dating app that requires verification, so catfishes and scammers never slip through the Zoosk cracks. That’s really what makes it great for sexting, aside from their massive selection of users.

Sexting is something you’ll need to ask for in the messages with your matches because it’s not explicitly what Zoosk was made for. That being said, sexting happens frequently between two Zoosk users who feel an attraction to one another.

21.) Wickr: Reliable Messaging Application

Wickr is a reliable, safe messaging app that is widely used amongst sexters and other people who wish to keep their information private. It’s rumored that Wickr is the messaging platform which celebrities use to safely and discreetly sext!

It’s become very popular because it is genuinely safe and secure. Wickr, like other messaging applications, utilizes end-to-end encryption for all types of messages (including text, video, photos, and more). It provides a secure way to exchange private messages with someone who you already know. It won’t introduce you to strangers on the web, but it will make you feel more at ease and secure with people who you already know.

Wickr doesn’t offer screenshot protection, but does have a very useful “Shredder” function. The Shredder allows you to permanently erase your messages, photos, or videos from another person’s device without issue. You can also select a time limit for all of your messages which causes them to self-destruct once that time limit is up.

22.) Between: App For Sexters In A Long-Distance Relationship

Between is a free sexting site for people who already know each other. This Korean-built chat app allows for multiple forms of private communication between two people. For instance, you can chat, call, send nudes, video call, and more.

It’s best used between people who might already be in a relationship (potentially a long-distance one) and want a platform that is used exclusively for their sexual mobile relationship. This has a lot to do with the other special features which Between offers. There is a way for two Between users to share each other’s schedules, making it easier to know when sexting is on or off the table. We can all agree that sexting is easiest when not in the middle of an important meeting or at breakfast with Mom.

Again, Between is free unless you choose to go premium. We can assure you that you won’t need to pay in order to enjoy Between. However, you can shell out some change if you want to experience some of their more personalized features.

23.) Signal: For Discreet Communication

Signal is a secure open-source messaging platform that is free for you to use. While it wasn’t created with sexting in mind, it offers the security you’d need to have discreet sexting fun.

Like other messaging applications, Signal is a place where you can send naughty encrypted messages to someone. You can also set your messages to self-destruct on a timeline of your choosing. Whereas other messengers will automatically destroy your messages immediately or within 24 hours, Signal gives you the power to control when the message disappears from your partner’s screen.

Signal is a fantastic sexting app for people who want to keep their nudes discreet. Worrying while sexting kind of takes all the fun out of it. Signal will help you keep that fear at bay and allow you to simply relish in your naughty fun! With Signal, you can send voice or text messages, videos, photos, and more.

How To SextThe idea of sending dirty words through a phone or computer might make you anxious, but that’s OK. With practice, you will begin to feel more comfortable and develop your own style of sexting. However, there are some things to know before you’re able to master the art of sexting.

Always get consent: It can be tempting to send unsolicited nudes to someone, but it’s never a good idea. You want enthusiastic consent before you engage in any sexual activity with another person, including sexting. Remember that your text partner is sharing intimate private thoughts or photos. Do not share or screenshot without their consent.Only do what you feel comfortable doing: Draw the line if you feel uncomfortable. Perhaps your sexting style doesn’t include photos or videos because sending those gives you anxiety. That’s fine! Set boundaries for yourself so that you can move through erotic messaging confidently.

Take the pressure off of yourself: Sexting isn’t something that people are automatically experts in. There is a learning curve to this. You might stumble through a few sexting sites and experiences before you get a rhythm going.

Get creative: Sexting is a writing exercise. You are using your words to evoke feelings of passion from your partner. That’s why you’ll want to use your imagination and creativity. Describe how you are feeling in intricate detail. It will keep things hot!

Have nudes on hand: Sexting is usually quite fast-paced. Having nudes in your library will make them easier to send quickly. That way, you don’t lose momentum by trying to get the perfect shot!

Example Sexts

This is a good example of a nice rhythm. The partners here are playing off of one another and carrying on as if they were speaking to one another. There is a building momentum here where you can tell that they are both really turned on.

These partners are very descriptive and making a nice use of emojis to convey passion. Notice how the woman is describing how she likes to be pleasured, and the man is responding by playing into her fantasy.

The man who is sexting is extremely specific, which makes it easier for his partner to respond. He also breaks up his sexts and it flows really well, as if he were telling a sultry story.

Sexting Site Safety TipsCybersex is hot, but it comes with some personal responsibility. When you meet someone new on the Internet, or share intimate photos, you immediately are placing yourself in a vulnerable position. For some, the risk is part of the thrill. But you always want to put your safety first.

Don’t give out your personal information: OK, we know this sounds silly. What could be more personal than a spread-eagle shot of your junk? Here, personal information refers to info such as your home address, banking information, social security number, and other identifying details. Sadly, scammers love to find prey anonymously through the Internet.Use encryption when you need to: We’ve all seen tabloid headlines that read, “Celebrity Nudes Leaked!” The second-hand embarrassment is nearly tangible as we read an article containing images of the nudes or screenshots of Instagram DM sexts. Had those celebs simply sent their pictures through encrypted messenger, they wouldn’t be available for everyone to see. That’s why these apps are available to you too. Use them if they make you feel more secure while sexting.

Is Sexting Better Than Dating?First off, the two aren’t mutually exclusive. You can sext someone you are dating. You can also use apps to find a stranger to send naughty messages to. To answer the question simply, different strokes for different folks. Sexting is far more casual than in-person interactions. But there are major benefits to sexting:

It’s safe: If you can be smart about your privacy online, sexting sites offer ways to connect with new people without placing yourself in physical danger.

It’s easy: Sexting is very convenient. If you’ve got a phone and Internet connection, you can find someone to sext in just minutes.

It’s fun: Due to the veil of the Internet and the ability to remain anonymous, you might feel more comfortable letting your freak flag fly.

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Carmen Neely in her studio Credit: Nolis Anderson

When I first set out to profile gallerist and art dealer Mariane Ibrahim, she didn’t exactly decline, but she didn’t immediately say yes, either. 

After being heavily profiled over the past couple of years—both for her curatorial style as well as her unconventional path to Chicago’s gallery scene via Seattle—the gallery’s focus was understandably on its artists and program in general, versus Ibrahim herself. Her roster of represented artists is indeed magnificence rising, and she’s been praised for “championing young artists of the African diaspora.”

In September 2019, after seven years in Seattle, Ibrahim moved her gallery to Chicago. Two years later, she inaugurated a second gallery in Paris (which is where Ibrahim lived before moving to the United States). I visited her gallery in Paris in January of this year. In reconsidering my approach to this profile, I found inspiration in the work of artist Carmen Neely, whose paintings were included in the Paris gallery’s second show, a dual exhibit of Neely’s large-scale abstract paintings alongside artist Ferrari Sheppard’s figuration works. 

I had seen Neely’s paintings online prior to making Ibrahim’s gallery a destination while in Paris, and I was immediately enamored with the writerly energy she brings to her work. Neely’s practice of collecting memories and conversations—in sweeping brushstrokes of fuschia, purple, and cyan concealing underwritten layers of journal entry and personal archives—is the purest form of storytelling. 

Carmen Neelycarmeneliz.com

Neely’s own story mirrors Ibrahim’s in many ways, which is why fulfilling the technical subject of this profile’s wish to do so through her artists and their work first and foremost is actually really easy. 

In 2020, Neely left a job in academia to pursue her practice of painting full time. 

“I came to Chicago with that goal and intention, really not knowing anything else,” she said. “I immediately put feelers out and requested support from literally anyone I knew who had any connections to anybody [here].”

All destined to become our mothers, a 2022 painting
by Carmen Neely Credit: Courtesy Mariane Ibrahim

She ended up meeting Ibrahim through some mutual acquaintances not long after arriving in Chicago.

“I had known about her gallery and sort of been following what she was doing, but it wasn’t even necessarily that I moved to Chicago for that to happen. I just felt pulled towards [Chicago] . . . in some weird universal way I was also pulled to the gallery.  I think everything that’s happened has been part of that sort of invisible attraction, because it has all felt so—sort of—seamless, and the fit feels so natural, and it’s been easily supportive and not just from [Ibrahim] and the gallery, but from the community in Chicago. Now I’ve been here for two years.”

What initially made me want to write about Ibrahim was an interview I read with her in ARTNews magazine, specifically this quote about Chicago and why she chose this city when considering where she’d relocate her gallery:

“Chicago appealed to her for its particular kind of American-ness. ‘I felt like for the first time I was in America,’ she said of her first visit a few years ago. ‘New York is so international—it’s its own country, in a way—but in Chicago I felt like, this is the capital of America, with all its history and architecture and economy and politics.’”

Mariane Ibrahim GalleryTue-Sat, 11 AM-6 PM, 437 N. Paulina, 312-877-5436, marianeibrahim.com“Theater of Dreams,” a solo exhibition from Ugandan artist Ian Mwesiga, is on view 9/17-10/29.

Ours is a city that is getting increasingly widespread attention for its gallery scene, and West Town specifically is quickly emerging as Chicago’s emergent gallery district. Mariane Ibrahim Gallery’s location at Paulina and Hubbard is a stone’s throw from the Monique Meloche Gallery and just a short walk to Chicago Avenue, i.e. “gallery row,” now home to the “Grand Dame’s” eponymous Rhona Hoffman Gallery, PATRON—all of which Ibrahim noted as galleries she admired in her ARTNews interview—ARC Gallery, and so many more. 

Now having had a presence in Chicago for three years, and in the midst of increasing coverage of Chicago’s art scene, Ibrahim said she still feels like Chicago has been the best decision for her gallery and program. 

“The city has not failed to continue to garner the gallery’s vision, while also continuing to be a key advocate for the importance of culture,” Ibrahim told me via email. 

Neely moved to Chicago from Oklahoma, “a very conservative space.”

“I felt like I was the only dark-skinned person in [my work] department and surrounding departments on faculty,” she said. “And during that time COVID really hit, and we started isolating, and then George Floyd was murdered, and I’m kind of feeling like I’m on an island . . . I came to Chicago not knowing a lot about it—just knowing that there was an arts community and that there were some really successful people who kind of built a practice there and then stayed for a long time, and I thought that must mean something.”

In the same 2019 interview with ARTNews about her move to Chicago, Ibrahim also noted the sense of community within Chicago’s art scene as a factor in her decision. When I asked her how she perceives that community now, she said the same sense of congeniality continues.

“We continue to embrace each other, in ways you don’t see in other cities,” she said via email. “It is common for dealers to have dinner, to attend one another’s openings, to recommend clients and visitors to each other’s spaces. We emphasize our success is each other’s success, it is a fluidity that attracts people to Chicago, and what the city stands for.”

Neither Neely nor Sheppard were officially represented by Ibrahim at the time of their group show in Paris. Now they both are. And when Ibrahim’s official representation of Neely was announced in late March of this year, Neely once again spoke of the community in Chicago that attracted both her and Ibrahim.

“Mariane and I both took major leaps of faith investing in this city as transplants, and have found so much support and community here,” she said in an internal press release. “It’s truly energizing to be aligned in this way. I’m excited to continue expanding with the gallery in our growth outside of this space, but there’s something that feels really special about having an anchor together in Chicago.”

“Carmen is poetic,” Ibrahim said via email. “She has an ability to express emotive energy through strokes, color and composition in a way that is esoteric, and beautiful. We are thrilled to have her in our program, and as our first local Chicago artist.”

When I spoke with Neely for this piece, she had just returned to the States after a seven-week stint in Europe, including Paris. I shared with her Ibrahim’s quote that originally inspired me, about Chicago as the capital of America.

“Especially since I’m just coming from this seven-week long stint in Paris and in Europe, which is a space in which she grew up in and was from . . . I understand maybe in this moment that particular contrast that’s resonating with her that maybe I wouldn’t have in the same way if I hadn’t just had this experience,” Neely said. 

“I understand the contrast between Chicago and Paris and how they actually work interestingly together. The fact that she has galleries in these two cities that have these very different feelings . . . it feels very balanced in a way. And . . . Mariane has mentioned to me how she also feels like she hasn’t been in Chicago for very many years, but it’s a home to her, too.”

Throughout her time in Europe, Neely journaled. She sees writing as a natural extension of her painting practice, which is not only an exercise in documenting, but translating. 

“When you’re in a space that is unfamiliar or you’re confronted by people’s interpretation of you . . . that is something that [we’re] not necessarily used to living with every day, you suddenly have this heightened sense of awareness of new things about yourself and other people. That inevitably, I think, stimulates growth, but also makes you become even more aware of the ways that you live day-to-day in the familiar space that you occupy.”

For now, and hopefully for always, Neely and Ibrahim both occupy Chicago. 

“Really just in two years I’m like, ‘I’m sure that this is the place that I should be and I want to be,’” Neely said. “And I am so excited and energized by the spirit of the arts community in Chicago.”

Neely’s first gallery solo exhibition will take place in Chicago at the Mariane Ibrahim Gallery during Spring/Summer 2023.

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This article was originally published by City Bureau, a nonprofit civic media organization based on the South Side.

For formerly incarcerated residents, accessing resources is vital to surviving when reintegrating back into society. Most face challenges when applying for jobs due to the stigmatizing effects of their criminal record. We’ve compiled a list that includes employment programs and legal aid resources to help those making a transition from incarceration to community.

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This article was originally published by City Bureau, a nonprofit civic media organization based on the South Side.

For people who have been incarcerated, monthly cash assistance could be the support they need to rebuild their lives.

“When I got out, I had to go to a shelter,” said Corey Randall, 51, who has spent years incarcerated. “Nobody helped me do anything and I’m by myself so everything I got now, I had to work for it.” 

He has struggled to find full-time employment with benefits. So, he’s focused on the jobs that he could get—temporary service jobs and minimum wage employment without benefits. He now works at a corner store in West Garfield Park, where he prices and restocks items.

Randall is not alone. Formerly incarcerated people often face discrimination when they apply for jobs, which contributes to people reoffending and going back to prison, also known as recidivism. The discrimination is more acute for Black people with a criminal record. To help change that pattern, organizations across the country are offering cash—with no strings attached. 

In Chicago, Equity and Transformation, a west-side nonprofit founded by and for formerly incarcerated people, launched the Chicago Future Fund last year with a simple idea—to alleviate the hardships of life after prison or jail by giving individuals cash for them to spend how they see best, said Rachel Pyon, the Chicago Future Fund program manager.

Under the program, 30 formerly incarcerated people are receiving $500 per month for 18 months without any restrictions or work requirements. The participants—mostly men, all between the ages 18 and 35—say they have spent the money on everything from rent to bills to Christmas presents for their kids to child support, according to Pyon and Nik Theodore, a professor of the Department of Urban Planning and Policy at the University of Illinois at Chicago and the director of the Center for Urban Economic Development, which is evaluating the program. 

Theodore said the majority of participants in the program face multiple barriers of unemployment, economic insecurity, and hardships. Participants earn less than $12,000 per year and while a few have part-time, temporary, or full-time jobs, “a lot of folks are still pretty much in and out of the labor market and relying on informal work and hustling to try to make ends meet,” he said.

Theodore expects that the cash assistance will help stabilize participants. That stability, he said, would allow them to seek housing that better fits their needs and jobs that better fit their skills—as opposed to whatever they can get in a crisis.

“I think a big piece of this is strengthening the autonomy of individuals to start to make decisions, not based on just sheer economic necessity, but from a slightly more comfortable position where better decisions can be made,” Theodore said.

The program is widely praised as Chicago’s first privately funded guaranteed income pilot program. To select participants, Equity and Transformation, which also goes by the acronym EAT, used a randomized process for people who met criteria. 

Popular support for guaranteed income has grown since the federal government gave Americans stimulus checks to stay afloat during the pandemic. Chicago and Cook County each started their own cash-assistance pilot programs earlier this year, which are now the largest in the U.S. While neither program excludes people based on their criminal history, nor tracks their individual charge or conviction, they are not specifically for formerly incarcerated people, which is where Equity and Transformation’s Chicago Future Fund comes in. 

The idea of giving unrestricted cash to formerly incarcerated people might give some people pause. Critics argue against such programs because they believe participants will use funds to engage in illicit activity, incentivizing them to remain unemployed.  

However, Richard Wallace, founder and executive director of Equity and Transformation, said his organization follows a prison abolitionist model that focuses on the individual. The organization neither tracks the criminal charges of its participants nor sets stipulations on how the money is spent, he said. That’s because Wallace believes giving cash to Black Chicagoans impacted by mass incarceration and the War on Drugs is an essential step toward rebuilding people’s sense of community and individual dignity. 

Wallace sees guaranteed income as a solution to the recidivism and economic inequality that many formerly incarcerated people face. Unconditional cash, he said, may not solve systemic racism or rectify centuries of anti-Black oppression, discrimination, and criminalization, but it can act as a lifeline that enables formerly incarcerated people to focus on their well-being, families, and careers without worrying about unexpected expenses.

According to a 2021 press release, the first round of the Chicago Future Fund was supported by several organizations, including BLM Global Network Foundation, The Movement for Black Lives, and Black Freedom Collective. That same year, the organization reported to the federal government it received $1.6 million in gifts, grants, and contributions in its fiscal year 2020, which ended in July of 2021. 

“There are more than 100 pilots in the nation, and some of them are funded by private dollars,” said Harish Patel, director of Economic Security for Illinois and a manager of the Chicago Resilient Families Initiative Task Force, which studied the scope of the city’s guaranteed income pilot. The Chicago Future Fund “is prioritizing a certain group of people who need cash the most, and I’m hoping that there are a lot more privately funded organizations that prioritize certain groups of people who may get left behind by a massive city pilot.”

If successful, the Chicago Future Fund could provide advocates the argument they need to ensure people with criminal records have a financial safety net after being released.

Equity and Transformation plans to expand the program in the fall to service 100 additional people. The first round focused on participants from West Garfield Park. This round, the nonprofit will also focus on people who live in Austin and Englewood. The expansion is being funded by FTX, a Chicago-based cryptocurrency exchange, which promised to provide recipients with a zero-fee cryptocurrency bank account and financial literacy education—an innovation that Mayor Lightfoot lauded.

“Through this new FTX pilot, we will be able to ensure that residents from underrepresented backgrounds can access cash assistance, an innovative financial service, and financial education in one place,” Lightfoot said in a May press release announcing the expansion. “I thank FTX for partnering with EAT on this important initiative, which will ultimately make our post-pandemic recovery that much more equitable and inclusive.”

Randall, who works at the corner store in West Garfield Park, said such a program would have been life-changing when he’d been released from incarceration. He’s served nonconsecutive sentences on drug-related offenses. But he still could use the help. Randall, who plans to apply for the program when applications open in the fall, said he would use the money on “needs for my house.”

“I don’t have much, but I try to help a lot of people and try to save because it’s hard out here,” he said.

Since 1979, an estimated 3.3 million adults in Illinois have been arrested or convicted of a crime and may be living with the stigma and limitations of a criminal record, according to Never Fully Free, a Heartland Alliance report published in 2020. The report found more than 1,000 “permanent punishment laws” in Illinois that restrict the rights of people with records. The majority of those laws prevent or hinder access to employment by, for example, requiring background checks. Research shows applicants with criminal records are about half as likely as those without records to hear back from employers. 

“We’ve seen so many people in our program actually applying for many jobs but not seeing any results,” said Pyon.

Stable employment can reduce recidivism. But because people with records have difficulty finding employment, they often end up in temporary, low-paying jobs. Pyon said unrestricted cash can help people who have been incarcerated attain some financial stability to turn around their lives and avoid reoffending.

Forty-three percent of people released from prison in Illinois recidivate within three years of their release, according to a 2018 report by the Illinois Sentencing Policy Advisory Council, a nonpartisan sentencing advisory group created by the state’s General Assembly in 2009. Recidivism is costly: Illinois taxpayers pay around $151,000 when someone reoffends and goes back to prison. In 2018, the council estimated recidivism would cost Illinois some $13 billion over five years.

Marlon Chamberlain, project manager of Fully Free, a Heartland Alliance campaign that pushes to eliminate permanent punishments in Illinois, said guaranteed income programs also alleviate the psychological burden of having to go from being incarcerated to being self-sufficient and supporting a family. 

“When most people come home from prison, they don’t have anything. They’re pretty much starting over,” he said, adding that individuals often need basic essential items such as hygiene products, bus fare, and clothing. 

Chamberlain said that knowing that there is a financial cushion gives people returning home from prison a sense of stability, more room to explore their passions and pursue work that they value.

“I think it gives you the opportunity to breathe and think about what you want to do [after incarceration] without the worry of ‘I need to take care of myself now,’” Chamberlain said. 

Leslie Hurtado and Brian Young Jr. are 2022 City Bureau Summer Civic Reporting Fellows. Sarah Conway, City Bureau’s senior reporter covering jobs and the economy of survival in Chicago, contributed to this report. You can reach her with tips at [email protected].

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Last Sunday, the Chicago Bears‘ season-opening victory over the San Francisco 49ers was an upset that started to change the narrative surrounding the team.

Entering the game last Sunday, the talk was that the Bears would be one of the worst teams in the NFL this season.

While one game is certainly a small sample size, the Bears’ performance last Sunday seemed to suggest that the team will be a much more competitive team this season than originally expected.

With the forecasted weather conditions for the Bears’ game against the 49ers, the expectation was that running back David Montgomery would solidify the idea that the offense will be run through his legs this season.

Montgomery did manage to be effective in pass protection in the Bears’ victory last Sunday but the fourth-year running back only managed 26 rushing yards on 17 attempts.

Under new offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, the Bears have shifted to a zone-running scheme and there were offseason questions as to how Montgomery would fit into the scheme.

Those questions remain after Week 1 and could force the Bears to make a change at the running back position.

Backup running back Khalil Herbert thrived in his playing time in the Bears’ opener. Against the 49ers last Sunday, Herbert rushed for 45 yards and a touchdown on 9 carries.

While the Bears certainly won’t be making a switch at the running back position this week, it certainly is a situation that is worth monitoring.

Khalil Herbert could soon force a big change in the Chicago Bears backfield.

Montgomery is in the final year of his rookie contract with the Bears. Much like the situation with linebacker Roquan Smith, the Bears first want to see how Montgomery fits within the new regime before deciding whether or not to bring the running back after this season.

History is not on Montgomery’s side. The shelf life of a running back in the NFL, outside of the running backs in the elite tier, is not kind to the player.

As such, the wise business decision for NFL teams without a running back in the elite tier is to always let the rookie contract of their current running back play out and then draft their replacement.

The Bears drafted Montgomery’s likely replacement last year in Herbert. Before Herbert can solidify his position as the next starting running back for the Bears, there are areas in his game he will need to address.

Particularly, Herbert needs to be better in pass protection. However, if he continues to be the more effective running back on the field for the Bears, a change in that position is very likely.

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It’s a fool’s exercise, listing the Chicago theaters that have come and gone over the past quarter century. I tried but gave up when I hit 24 at 17 years in. From Angel Island to Zebra Crossing, it’s a list that speaks to the ephemeral nature of both the art form and the waves of artists that come and go in a brutal business. 

Then there’s Northlight Theatre, launched in 1974 by Northwestern grad student Gregory Kandel, whose final thesis—as Northlight’s artistic director B.J. Jones remembers it—essentially required him to create an Equity theater from scratch. 

Actor Mike Nussbaum (please take a moment to google if you do not know this name) served as artistic director in the early days of the then-named Evanston Theatre, which found a home at Evanston’s Coronet movie theater. 

But the Coronet was razed years ago, and for the past 25 years, Northlight Theatre (recollections vary as to when the name changed) has been a tenant in Skokie’s North Shore Center for the Performing Arts. Its next 25 years are hinged on its pending move back to downtown Evanston. 

After five years in the works, plans seem to be falling together. This summer saw the demolition of a long-vacant Thai restaurant on the 87,500-square-foot parcel at 1012-16 Church Street where Jones plans to build the new Northlight, a three-story building slated to start construction in October 2023. 

But new construction is hardly the only building driving Northlight’s Evanston-based endeavors. The theater’s teaching artists and educators have spent years building connections with Evanston, tending the theater’s local roots even as its brick-and-mortar presence remained out of town. 

“We don’t have a conservatory. We don’t teach acting to professionals. Our programming is about helping people use theater in everyday life,” says Christina Lepri-Stringer, Northlight’s director of education and community engagement. 

By the theater’s count, outreach efforts engaged some 4,000 people in 2021, including hundreds of students from Evanston’s public schools through programs ranging from playmaking workshops in elementary school classrooms to creative writing classes for grandparents. 

“If you’re not engaging with your community as a theater, you’re a tourist attraction. And those are great, but that’s not who we are,” says Jones, an Evanston resident of over 30 years who took on the artistic director’s position in 1998, just as the theater moved to Skokie. “Theater as civic engagement. It’s a concept that goes back to the Greeks.” 

Meeting the ideals of ancient Greece will be easier when your theater is within a block of the el and the Metra stations, something Northlight has lacked since it moved to Skokie. From the Loop, you’d need at least an hour and a transfer to get close enough to the North Shore Center to walk the final blocks, which include a heavily trafficked intersection that has proven extremely hazardous for pedestrians in the past.

“We’re looking at a time when the next generation doesn’t have, doesn’t want, cars. So moving right next to the el is a big, big deal in making theater more accessible to more people,” says Jones. 

He’s also keen to run his own box office and autonomously schedule the season’s programming. Northlight is the Center’s official resident company, but its schedule must accommodate other North Shore Center tenants who use the same space the theater does. 

But frustrations with scheduling and box office transit haven’t dimmed Northlight’s attempts to engage. The company is now in its fourth year working with the Evanston Scholars program, wherein Evanston Township High School juniors apply to join a multiyear program aimed at helping them navigate the process of applying to college, then college itself, and ultimately the transition to the working world. 

Northlight’s teaching artists have been crucial toward helping students succeed in college and beyond, says program director Demisha Lee. 

“Folks might wonder how a theater artist can help with the college process. They can help with everything—how to use your voice in an admission interview. How to meet new people, how to deal with roommates,” Lee says. 

“I’ve seen students on the quieter side realize they could speak up, talk loudly, even talk to a stranger, and get through it. We’re about to launch these students into a whole new world, and the teaching artists make a space where they prepare for that in a way,” Lee adds. 

It’s a two-way street, says Lepri-Stringer, who began her career with Evanston’s Mudlark Theater. Some of her work at Northlight involved the Grandmothers Raising Grandchildren group, which is offered through the Levy Senior Center in Evanston. 

“When I taught that class—no, taught isn’t the right word. When I facilitated that class I remember being intimidated walking in, wondering what I could possibly teach people who had so much more life experience than me,” Lepri-Stringer says.

“I was humbled by the life stories these individuals were willing to share. And it wasn’t about crafting a perfect scene or plot. It was more about opening a room where they could write and thankfully present feedback to each other.”

Northlight artistic director B.J. Jones (left) and executive director Timothy Evans. Courtesy Northlight Theatre

On Church Street, Jones and Northlight executive director Timothy Evans envision a home where classroom space is available for seniors and students alike, where concerts and TED talks light up dark nights, and meeting rooms turn the place into a community hub. 

The theater will reportedly generate an eye-popping $56 million within five years of completion, according to a financial study done by Hunden Strategic Partners. That figure includes everything from a year’s worth of construction work to an uptick in nearby dining, Evans says. The city stands to benefit as well, to the tune of some $644,000 in increased local tax revenues, according to the Hunden study. 

Northlight has raised roughly half of the $25 million capital campaign it needs to complete construction, but the theater’s opening isn’t projected until 2024. Before the pandemic, community resistance derailed initial plans for a theater inside a 37-story building on Sherman Avenue. Northlight returned in 2019 with plans for the Church Street address.

The building designed by Eckenhoff Saunders includes rehearsal rooms, community rooms, a 300-seat thrust theater, and no condos. (The Barn Steakhouse, an upscale eatery located on an alley that borders the property’s southern edge, remains in place.) Evanston’s city council signed off in April 2019. Everything was on track—until it wasn’t. 

“When the pandemic hit, of course, we put all that on the back burner. The priority became surviving,” Evans says. Now, the focus is expanding back to include building. In April, Evanston awarded Northlight $2 million toward the move from its $43 million in federal pandemic relief money.

Lee has high hopes as well for the future of her young scholars.  

“I see the difference the teaching artists can make. You see the scholars at the beginning of the day and the end, and you can tell something’s been shaken loose. They’re more open. We get a lot of tickets for them too, and that’s wonderful. Having a building right here where they can access that theater—that’s going to make a difference.”

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