The market for discreet encounters and extramarital dating platforms is dominated by several key players, each with distinct approaches and strengths. In this detailed analysis, we examine the main platforms, their differentiating features, business models, and what they really offer their users in 2025.
Ashley Madison: The Giant of Extramarital Affairs
Ashley Madison positions itself as the most recognized brand worldwide in the niche of extramarital dating. Its massive user base, exceeding 80 million registered profiles, and claims of thousands of new registrations daily, underscore its market dominance.
Key Features
- Privacy and Discretion: Anonymous profiles, blurred/masked photos, and private photo galleries that require a "key" granted by the user for viewing.
- Discreet Billing: Supposedly with generic descriptors, although banks are warned that they may override them.
- Travel Features: Options like "Travel Man" for finding encounters in other cities.
- "Affair Guarantee": Offered in some packages.
It's inevitable to mention the data breach suffered in 2015, an event that marked the platform. Since then, Ashley Madison claims to have significantly reinforced its security measures and continuously invested in protection, moderation, and investigation of imposters.
The business model is based on a credit system, which users (mainly men) buy to initiate communications. This system is frequently perceived as expensive. Women, on the other hand, can often send messages for free, which incentivizes their participation.
Victoria Milan: The Anonymity Specialist
Victoria Milan presents itself as a strong competitor to Ashley Madison, particularly standing out for its anonymity tools and its focus on users trapped in unsatisfying marriages.
Unique Privacy Tools
- AnonymousBlur™: Allows blurring, partially redacting, or adding masks to profile photos, for free.
- Panic button: Instantly redirects the user to an innocent website.
- Anonymous billing: To hide expenses on bank statements.
- Profile verification: Option to obtain a blue mark, increasing credibility.
Profiles on Victoria Milan are detailed, including information about the user's best qualities, marital status, and the type of relationship they're seeking, allowing users to assess compatibility of intentions. Initial communication is facilitated through "Likes" and "Winks," while premium users can send virtual gifts.
The pricing model is subscription-based, with reported costs varying from $27.12 USD for one month to $8.14 USD monthly on an annual plan. Some users have reported difficulties canceling subscriptions and unresponsive customer service.
Figures regarding the size of its user base show inconsistencies, with estimates ranging from 580,000 members to over 4 million registered people.
Gleeden: The Platform Designed by and for Women
Gleeden emerges as a major player in the European market, with a particularly strong presence in Spain. Its unique positioning lies in being a platform "designed by and for women." Founded in France in 2009, Gleeden claims to have more than 11 million users worldwide, with over 1 million in Spain.
Woman-Centered Approach
- Free for women: The platform is completely free for female users.
- Female control: They control the interaction, deciding who can follow them, evaluating male members, and secretly sharing opinions with other women.
- Constant moderation: Features 24/7 moderation to maintain community quality.
Regarding privacy and security, Gleeden commits to following data protection principles and participates in programs like Safe Harbor. They carefully monitor profiles to prevent inappropriate content, implement verifications, and allow users to report inappropriate behavior.
For men, Gleeden uses a credit system without mandatory subscription, based on pay-per-use. Registration and profile creation are free, but actions such as sending or reading messages, initiating chats, or viewing private albums require the purchase of credits.
Gleeden's target audience is primarily married people (with a reported ratio of 60% men, 40% women), in an age range of 30 to 45/55 years, looking for emotional and/or physical connections outside their primary relationship.
AdultFriendFinder (AFF): The Veteran of Casual Encounters
AdultFriendFinder (AFF) is characterized as one of the oldest casual encounter platforms, operating since 1996, and one of the largest worldwide. Estimates of its user base vary, with figures exceeding 80 million mentioned. A key aspect is that it explicitly welcomes married people looking for "sexual escapades".
Distinctive Features
- Adult content focus: Discussion forums, live chats, live webcams, and video chats, facilitating various forms of sexualized interaction.
- Free environment: Described as a "laid-back and free" environment where users can openly express their fantasies.
- Active community: More than just a dating site, it also involves the exchange of erotic content and participation in virtual communities.
In terms of privacy, AFF claims to have improved its security and verification systems, although it's relevant to mention that it has suffered data breaches in the past. Private communication requires Gold membership, with reported prices of approximately $27.95 USD for one month, or $20.95 USD monthly with a three-month subscription.
Comparative Table of Costs and Pricing Models
| Platform | Pricing Model | Example Costs | Common Cost Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashley Madison | Credit-Based | 100 credits for ~$49-74 USD. Each message costs credits (8-12 credits/message) | Very expensive for men, confusing/costly credit system per action |
| Victoria Milan | Subscription | 1 month: ~$27-45 USD/month; 12 months: ~$8-11 USD/month (depending on plan) | Difficulty canceling subscription, customer support issues |
| Gleeden | Credit-Based | 30 credit pack: ~€25-28 EUR; 60 pack: ~€40 EUR. Free for women | Expensive for men, charges for almost all interactions |
| AdultFriendFinder | Subscription (Gold) | 1 month: ~$28 USD/month; 3 months: ~$21 USD/month | Requires payment for essential features like private chats |
| Serena Blake | Freemium | Basic features free, optional Premium subscription | Balance between free functionality and premium |
Strengths and Weaknesses: Which Platform Is Best?
The analysis reveals key trade-offs that users must consider:
- Ashley Madison and AFF offer the largest user bases, but this comes with greater exposure risks and potentially high costs.
- Victoria Milan stands out in anonymity tools, but has a smaller user base.
- Gleeden presents a unique woman-centered proposition, free for them, with a stronger geographic presence in Europe.
- Serena Blake (our platform) combines the best of all worlds: advanced discretion, real profile verification, and a balanced freemium model.
Conclusion: Choosing the Right Platform
Since there's no "perfect" platform, the choice should align with individual priorities:
- For maximum discretion: Victoria Milan and Gleeden stand out for their explicit anonymity tools.
- For larger user base: Ashley Madison and AdultFriendFinder offer the greatest global reach.
- For budget-conscious users: Gleeden (for women) and platforms with free browsing like Serena Blake.
- For specific focus: Gleeden for the European market, and Serena Blake for those seeking a balance between discretion and authentic connections.
We invite you to explore our complete comparison where we analyze in detail how Serena Blake positions itself against these major platforms, offering an alternative that combines maximum discretion with profile authenticity and a transparent cost model.
Back to Blog