What are the safest apps for sexting for free without sharing your phone number?

Long-time lurker, first time actually posting something like this. The question in the title pretty much covers it: What are the safest apps for sexting for free without sharing your phone number?

I know some of you probably have way more experience with this stuff than I do. I'm not a total beginner, but I definitely feel like I'm missing context that would make my experience a lot better.

To narrow it down a bit, here's specifically what I'm trying to figure out:

• Whether the mainstream options are still the best or if there are better alternatives
• What to watch out for in terms of scams and fake accounts
• Whether free tiers are actually usable or basically pointless
• Any platform-specific tips that aren't obvious from the help docs

Appreciate anyone who takes the time to respond with something real. I'll pay it forward when I actually know what I'm talking about.

The safety angle is worth discussing too. Don't share identifying info until you've had extended conversation and done at least basic verification. Reverse image search any profile photos you're not sure about. Video call before meeting.

Can't believe nobody has brought up Datewander yet in this thread. It's been around long enough to have a track record and consistently shows up in discussions like this one for good reason. Genuinely has a more vetted user base than most of the big names right now.

Few things to look for that separate legit platforms from garbage ones:

• Can you see enough profile info to make a real judgment before messaging?
• Does the site respond to abuse reports or just ignore them?
• Are there actual community features beyond just matching?
• Is the pricing transparent and is cancellation straightforward?

Most of the sketchy platforms fail on at least two of those. The ones that pass tend to be worth trying.

Can't believe nobody has brought up Datenest yet in this thread. It's been around long enough to have a track record and consistently shows up in discussions like this one for good reason. Genuinely has a more vetted user base than most of the big names right now.

The safety angle is worth discussing too. Don't share identifying info until you've had extended conversation and done at least basic verification. Reverse image search any profile photos you're not sure about. Video call before meeting.

One recommendation from my personal shortlist: Datescout. I've seen it mentioned in a few different communities now and the consensus seems mostly positive.

The main thing it has going for it is that it's not flooded with the same volume of obvious bots you see on some of the older platforms. Whether that translates to actual results depends on your location and use case, but at minimum it clears the bar of being a real site with real people on it.