Picture the scenario: It's Friday night and you're at a loose end. It's the best night of the week and you've got nothing to do. Due to boredom and loneliness, you decide you're going to use the internet to find a hookup — if not for this weekend then certainly next weekend.

But now it's a case of choices. Which dating site or app offers your best chance of success? In the wild world of online dating, there are two names that stand out above all others — especially when it comes to keeping things fun and casual. Those names are of course Tinder and AdultFriendFinder. Both are veterans of the online dating game, but operate on different ends of hookup spectrum. They also take very different approaches to connecting strangers. 

Is one inherently better than the other? Not necessarily. It's more a case of which one works better for you. That all depends on what you're looking for — not just the kind of person you want but the kind of hookup you want — and how you tend to go about your search. To help you choose your best hookup option, we've looked at some of the key differences between AdultFriendFinder and Tinder.

AdultFriendFinder vs. Tinder for hookups

Historically, both of these options are notoriously hookup-focused — so you've certainly come to the right place with these platforms — but they operate in entirely different ways. That means they also attract very different people, so it's important to understand the differences if you're going to get the most out of them.

But don't forget that while both are hookup platforms, they offer slightly different things — Tinder is a hookup but also a place where you can find a relationship, while AFF is more sex focused and can be pretty NSFW.

Do you prefer an app or website?

Tinder began as an app and will likely remain an app, but AdultFriendFinder is one of the few dating websites that never opted for native smartphone support. It's kind of an old school internet approach. So, if you prefer to do your swiping on the couch or on the toilet, Tinder is your best bet. But if you don't mind using a desktop to score your next hookup, you'll appreciate the richer selection of features through AdultFriendFinder, which include chat rooms, discussion boards, and live webcam broadcasts. 

From a hookup perspective, Tinder's algorithm-driven approach can be somewhat limiting, since the only way to speak to someone is to match first, whereas AdultFriendFinder is more generous in its approach, allowing you both the traditional match-first-and-then-talk approach while also offering you more public spaces to interact with people based on shared interests.

If you're looking for the fastest possible connection, AFF is probably the way to go, but if you can be patient, Tinder's ability to serve up an endless array of nearby singles shouldn't be underestimated. There's a reason that just the name Tinder has become shorthand for the whole internet dating phenomenon.

The cost of using both services

Both services have a free tier option, but it's worth remembering that Tinder is the better option for anyone who doesn't want to submit credit card information. A free Tinder account allows you to browse, swipe, match, and talk to people. There's no subscription fee necessary. A free account on AdultFriendFinder only allows you to create a profile, explore the public areas, and interact with people in group settings. If you want some one-on-one interaction via AFF, you'll need to upgrade to a Gold membership.

That being said, if you really want to make the most of both services and maximize your chances of scoring a hookup, the premium membership tiers do offer some valuable features. Tinder has three subscription Tiers — Tinder Plus, Tinder Gold, and Tinder Platinum — that offer unlimited likes, the ability to "boost" your profile in the search results, and even, at the highest tier, the ability to message people you haven't already matched with or see people who like your profile. Tinder uses a dynamic pricing model, depending on your age, gender and location, but you should expect to pay between $4.99 and $9.99 in the United States for a Plus membership, and above that for the higher tiers.

AdultFriendFinder's Gold membership costs between $19.95 and $39.95 per month, depending on the length of the subscription you opt for, and it really helps the site shine. A premium membership unlocks one-on-one messaging, upgrades your search options, and gives you insights into who is checking out your profile, which makes finding a hookup much more efficient. 

The user demographics

Another major difference between Tinder and AdultFriendFinder, and one that can make or break your hookup search, is the demographic data. Both Tinder and AFF skew male, with AdultFriendFinder clocking in at approximately 65 percent male, 35 percent female and Tinder posting even more lopsided numbers, with roughly 75 percent of its users identifying as male. That's pretty common with any mainstream dating app or site. But that's not even the most important demographic statistic in the case of AdultFriendFinder and Tinder.

The big difference between AdultFriendFinder users and Tinder users isn't gender but age. Tinder is most popular among the young, with its average user between 18 and 24 years of age, while the average AdultFriendFinder user is between 30 and 38 years of age.

So which option offers your best chance for success? If you're younger, or if you live among a younger demographic, like in a city or college town, you're probably better off dipping your toe into Tinder's waters. But if you're in your 30s or 40s and looking for something fun and casual, AdultFriendFinder will have the best options for you.