Who suits whom
Illicit Encounters vs Local Sex Meets: Which Fits You?
Illicit Encounters is built around discretion. We are built around casual sex.
Illicit Encounters calls itself a discreet dating site for the UK and Ireland, so it suits adults who want privacy first, including people who are already attached. Local Sex Meets suits adults who want a casual meet and would rather say so on a profile.
Local Sex Meets
A site for adults who want a casual meet, with the intent stated on a profile.
Illicit Encounters
A UK and Ireland website built around discretion and private messaging.
How do the two compare on the basics?
| Topic | Local Sex Meets | Illicit Encounters |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | For adults who want casual sex, with suggestions that weigh distance | A UK and Ireland site that labels itself a discreet dating site |
| How you start | Join with a username, add a photo, choose your tags | Join from its home page, saying whether you are from the UK or the Republic of Ireland |
| Where you use it | Your browser, plus a home-screen shortcut if you like | Its website. Apple’s UK, Irish and US stores listed no app under its name on 3 November 2026 |
| Checks it describes | An optional ID check for a badge, and a live video check by a moderator | Age assurance before profiles show. No photo or ID check named in its terms or privacy policy |
| Age rule | 18 or over; 21 in four US states and where adulthood is set higher | Terms say over 21. Privacy policy says 18 or over |
| Cost | Three levels: Classic limits daily messages and VIP lifts the limit. Details on the pricing page | Joining is free, it says, and full messaging needs an upgrade. Its terms make payments non-refundable |
Credit where due
Why people choose Illicit Encounters
It knows exactly what it is for.
Discretion is the pitch. Its tagline is ‘Discreet. Safe. Exciting.’ and its feature headings include ‘Completely Discreet’ and ‘Anonymous Messaging’. It says chat stays on the site, so you need not hand over a personal email address.
Browse before you pay. You can build a profile and look around before deciding to upgrade for full messaging, it says.
Age checks come first. Its privacy policy says no profile shows until age assurance is done, using facial age estimation, phone-number checks or a credit-card check. It says these are designed to meet the ‘highly effective’ standard under the Online Safety Act 2023, which is its own statement, not a finding by Ofcom.
Plain about its audience. Its home page carries a disclaimer that its service is not suited to everyone.
Where Local Sex Meets takes a different line
- Casual sex is the stated purpose, and tags such as Discreet Meets and Ready Now say so before anyone writes.
- A username stands in for your name and email, and only your nearest town or city shows.
- Pass the optional ID check, at no charge, and a blue tick badge appears. A live video check with a moderator is also on offer, needing no documents.
- Instant blocking, easy reporting, a warning when a chat is steered to another app and a person on support at any hour.
Which one fits your situation?
- Pick Illicit Encounters if
- You are an adult in the UK or Ireland who wants discretion first, including if you are already attached, and you are happy with a website instead of an app.
- Pick Local Sex Meets if
- You want casual sex, would rather say so on your profile, and like checks and blocking tools you can switch on.
Keeping it private and keeping it safe
Share a town, not an address
Keep your street, workplace and full name out of early chat. Our safety page shows what we hide by default.
Stay on the site
If a new contact pushes you towards another app or asks for money, read the dating scams guide first.
Meet in public
Pick a busy place and arrange your own way home. Meeting for sex safely covers the rest.
Questions about Illicit Encounters
What is Illicit Encounters?
A UK and Ireland website that puts discretion first and describes itself as a discreet dating site. The site says it has run since 2004, which is its own claim, and its footer names Online Tech Support Ltd as the company behind it.
Is Illicit Encounters free?
Its home page says joining is free with no obligation, with a paid upgrade for full messaging. Its terms say money paid is non-refundable. Our levels and costs are on the pricing page.
Is there an Illicit Encounters app?
Apple’s UK, Irish and US App Stores listed no app named Illicit Encounters, or sold by its operator, when we searched on 3 November 2026. Local Sex Meets runs in a browser.
Is Illicit Encounters legit?
Companies House shows Online Tech Support Ltd, the company behind it, was incorporated in 2007, and the Information Commissioner’s Office register lists it. A registration is not an endorsement and says nothing about any member, so judge each profile yourself.