AdultFriendFinder vs. Pure: Which hookup option is best for privacy and anonymity?

If you have to be discreet about your quest for a hookup , you're probably going to put a lot of weight on a service that can protect your privacy and anonymity.

But in their quest to eliminate bots, spammers, and self-promoters, many modern dating apps have implemented verification technologies that make it harder to remain anonymous while you swipe left and right.

That's where AdultFriendFinder and Pure come in.

These two dating services, the first a website and the second an app, still allow their users a reasonable amount of anonymity while they search for like-minded singles.

Here's how AFF and Pure compare in their privacy features and the extent to which users can maintain their anonymity while using these services.

Opens in a new window Credit: AdultFriendFinder AdultFriendFinder Learn More Opens in a new window Credit: Pure Pure Learn More Signup requirements When it comes to privacy concerns, the signup process is extremely significant, because it's the earliest stage at which a dating app or website can start collecting data from you.

If privacy and anonymity are top concerns for you, it stands to reason that the less you have to divulge, the less you have to worry about.

Both AdultFriendFinder and Pure allow faster sign-ins using either a Google account (AFF) or a Google, Facebook, or Apple account (Pure).

If you're really concerned about privacy, the smart play here is to create a separate "burner" email account and use it during the sign-up process.

For both services, the mandatory minimum data you must provide is very similar and is essential to ensuring your experience caters to your needs: date of birth (age), location, gender identity, and sexual orientation.

Of course, any photos you upload or additional information you provide will also be stored on their servers.

SEE ALSO: Is AdultFriendFinder legit? Only if you can follow these 4 rules.

The one big difference between the two services is that, because Pure is an app and because it can access your phone's geolocation features, it can track you in real-time, either while you use the app or while you have it installed, depending on your phone's permission settings.

While your exact location will never be disclosed to other Pure users, the app will know it, and other users will have a general idea of your proximity, but neither of these things should impose too much on your anonymity, especially if you live in a metropolitan area.