Heartbreak

9 Best Dating Sites For Married People Interested In Cheating

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A study led by John Cacioppo of the University of Chicago's Department of Psychology found that "More than one-third of U.S. marriages begin with online dating, and those couples may be slightly happier than couples who meet through other means."

But there's a darker flip side to online dating sites and dating apps like Tinder and Bumble — specifically, "married dating" sites, where cheating spouses or spouses-to-be can search for a willing partner in infidelity on the down-low.

Husbands and wives may vow to be there for each other, forsaking all others through sickness and health, until death do them part, but statistics show married men and women alike are cheating more frequently now than ever before. And, naturally, online dating platforms are well aware of this fact.

While we can't blame online dating sites for creating this dilemma, the fact that there's actually a decent market for free cheating sites and dating sites dedicated to married people wanting to have affairs is a little baffling. Why even get married if you're just going to be cruising around the dark online world of married dating sites?

Cheating is never OK, and this seems a little too far out the box, even for a social media-based society. But as unbelievable as it may sound, it's real.

RELATED: The Unfiltered Truth Behind Why Married Men Cheat

But Ashley Madison isn't the only site where you can step outside your marriage or relationship, as evidenced by the following list of successful dating sites for married people. And that's why we rounded them all up for you — because we're helpful like that.

Here are 9 dating sites for married people who want to cheat:

1. Marital Affair: Best For Casual Dating

This popular dating website is geared more towards married people but also allows for non-commital singles to be involved as well. This is a site for those who are curious about meeting someone new, fast. The site states that you could easily find someone to connect with intimately as soon as the night you sign up.

People use Marital Affair because it promises discretion and even gives some pointers for how to get the most effective results out of your affair. The site is also not all about hooking up; you can find someone to talk to or confide in as well.

A great feature of the site is their member's diaries, where you can write down your fantasies and share them with the Marital Affair community.

Summary from the site itself: "Dating a married man or woman can be a dangerous and risky affair, but with us? Privacy is king. If you are looking for a secure form of adult dating then married dating with MA could be ideal. Just sign up and the risk and danger is limited to pleasurable amounts that come with the fast-paced and sexy world of married dating."

Cost: Free to join

2. Married Secrets: Best SIte For Hook-Ups

Married Secrets looks pretty tacky, but I don't imagine that anyone browsing on this site would really care. There isn't a lot of information on their home page, but they do have several testimonials you can read through. But they have been helping married people find affairs for 17 years.

People, according to the testimonials, use the dating service to find bliss, joy, and happiness outside of their marriage.

Summary from the site itself: "If you're married, but looking, Married Secrets can help you find discreet married affairs that you take as far as you want, whether just a little flirting, a passionate encounter, romantic married affairs, married dating, or affectionate companionship."

Cost: Free to join

3. Victoria Milan: Best Free Married Dating Site

Victoria Milan is a new European dating site that has reached 6.2 million users since its creation. The site is specifically designed for married and attached people seeking an affair.

The site itself offers to find what you are looking for, and guarantees a safe and anonymous/confidential online environment so you don't have to worry about your privacy being invaded.

Simple and to the point, Victoria Milan offers some pretty snazzy features — one being the "panic button" (and yes, it's exactly what it sounds like). If you need a quick getaway from the site, you hit the always visible panic button and it immediately takes you to an innocent site.

Another big aspect of the site that attracts people is that it's completely anonymous. The site doesn't let you use your real name or even parts of it in your profile, and also allows masking photo tools where you can put a black box, a mask, or blur your photo so you can't be recognized.

The site doesn't allow you to connect to your social media, and to take it a step further Victoria Milan won't show up on your bank statement (they change their names often so your significant other won't get nosy).

Summary from the site itself: "Whether you seek an innocent and friendly web flirt, a casual one-night stand, or a long-term real-life affair, Victoria Milan promises to provide you with a safe, anonymous and confidential online environment... Our members are people just like you, seeking to relive that magical feeling once again."

Cost: 6-month membership for $239.94, with monthly payments of $39.99

4. Hush Affairs: Most Discreet Affair Site

While the name Hush Affair says it all, the motto says so much more: "Your desires are our secrets." Also, that's all the affair website's home page gives you unless you sign up, so discreet is the word when it comes to this site!

Summary from the site itself: "Friendship and even innocent flirting are just the beginning of the unforgettable experience our site will offer you. Here, you can find yourself a partner of your dreams! Once you complete your profile, our unique system to assess mutual compatibility guarantees the best match for you."

Cost: Free to join

5. Illicit Encounters: Best Affair Site For UK Dating

Illicit Encounters is the largest online dating site in the UK. You can read through reviews only actual members can write to see if this site is for you.

This site actually "specializes in creating a non-judgmental, no-pressure environment" for its members. Their user base ratio is more balanced than other dating sites out there, which is one of the reasons why people choose IE.

Another big pro of the site is that they don't sell your personal information to other dating sites. In their own words, "when you sign up to IllicitEncounters.com, that's all you're signing up to!" Another neat feature of theirs is password protection on photographs.

Summary from the site itself: "Our members have one thing in common — they are all looking for a little romance outside their current relationship. Whether that's the occasional bit of flirtatious chat, a regular coffee date, or a full-blown affair, that's up to them."

Cost: Illicit Encounters is completely free to join, but to access premium features, you have to upgrade to a paid plan. Paid plans start at £149 for one month (roughly $206 USD).

RELATED: The Reason 67% Of Married Women Want To Cheat

6. Gleeden: Best For Women

Gleeden is the first extramarital site made by women only. And yes, they are very proud of that fact. The site values security, anonymity, quality, and freedom. So, if you vibe with those values and want to support women-founded businesses, here's your site!

You don't always have to be at your desktop to use it; they have an app for your phone so you can take it on the go.

Gleeden is completely free for women; men, on the other hand, are actually vigorously evaluated by women in order to get on the site. So, you can rest assured that your safety is in the hands of your fellow females, and can chat at ease knowing the guy on the other end isn't a serial killer.

The best feature of the site is that you get individualized advice from Gleeden experts, and with over 8.2 million members it must be working.

Summary from the site itself: "Whether you are looking for an affair in your area or a lover miles away from you while on a trip, Gleeden.com gives you a specific platform to safely get in touch with members worldwide... Gleeden.com is run daily by a 100 percent female team: women are empowered for ultra-discreet encounters!"

Cost: Free for women, but men have a credit system to contact members on the site. The purchase of credits ranges from $14.99 to $499.

7. Ashley Madison: Most Popular

Ashley Madison is a heavy hitter when it comes to dating while married. While there are so many dating sites for cheating, Ashley Madison was actually the first site to streamline the process of affair dating.

Ashley Madison is going strong with over 30 million users signed up. Many thought Ashley Madison only hosted men and sugar babies, but that's actually a misconception; there are plenty of married women who are seeking secrete affairs and flock to the site.

Because Ashley Madison has been around for so long, they've completely dialed in on their user experience. The site is so advanced, it was also the first cheating site to make the transition to an app that's basically Tinder for married people.

The site's best features are geared toward men. They have the Priority Man option, which highlights your profile in search results in your area to help you stand out from the competition. There's also the Traveling Man option, which tells the Ashley Madison community you are traveling for work or vacation and helps you connect with women from that area who are looking for discreet relationships.

The one feature both men and women can use is the Priority Mail option that highlights your message and puts it at the top of that person's inbox.

Summary from the site itself: "Rule #1: Don't get caught!"

Cost: Free for women, but men seeking women or women seeking women have to purchase a premium package to start chatting, which ranges from $54.99 to $249.99.

8. AdultFriendFinder: Best For Swingers And Sugar Baby Dating

Adult FriendFinder is an excellent option for all types of casual dating, including affairs. This site is great for finding threesomes, swingers, and sugar daddies. The idea of the site is a basic friend with benefits type deal — you can chat, but the end goal is something more steamy.

Many people use this site because it gives you control, not an algorithm when it comes to finding matches. But one of its best features is that there are no limits as to who you can message; you can browse as many profiles as you want. They also offer super-advanced search tools to find what you want.

Since the app doesn't lean on an algorithm of any kind, you do need to put effort into writing a good user bio. If you're seeking a discreet encounter, make that clear to other users. Other than that, Adult FriendFinder is a straightforward and easy-to-use app for finding affairs in your city.

All you need is a valid email address to sign up, no phone number is required!

Summary from the site itself: "Looking for sex? Hoping to meet someone special for a hot, sexual relationship or even just a quick fling? Sign up at AdultFriendFinder.com to access our thriving sex community and satiate your need for amazing sexual experiences. Adult FriendFinder has helped millions of people find traditional partners, swinger groups, threesomes, and a variety of other alternative partners."

Cost: Free to join

9. Heated Affairs: Best For WIld Flings

“The world’s largest cheating site!” boasts the website.Heated Affairs is for people who are really trying to spice things up. This website is all about passionate, wild flings. Period.

Aside from finding discreet encounters, members can also get married dating advice to help them on their extramarital journey. One of the best features is that you can access professional adult chat hosts for some online fun.

Summary from the site itself: “Find online affairs and cheating spouses, flirt, chat, see sexy member photos and video, married dating advice, and much more!”

Cost: Free to join, but to access premium features, you can sign up for a premium membership. Paid membership starts at around $40 per month.

RELATED: The Disturbing Reason Married Men Really Visit Cheating Sites

Kiarra Sylvester, MEd, is the founder of Black Girl Book Collective and a sex educator on a mission to decolonize the Black women’s sexuality. Through her NPO, she gets to read and introduce Black, queer literature to Black girls in hopes that when she doesn't have the words to help them advocate for themselves, the words of Lorde, Walker, Butler, and Angelou will guide them.