When it comes to hookup sites and apps , reputation matters. After all, a company can buy all the advertising it wants, but if it doesn't deliver the goods, word of mouth alone will cause it to sink.

In the dating app world, lots of contenders have come and gone, but only a handful have stood the test of time, and those that have survived have done so because the word got out that they work. Here are five hookup sites and apps that are extremely popular among their own users, and what makes them so special:

Tinder

Tinder is obviously super popular. With some 75 million monthly users across 190 countries , Tinder is still the go-to app for finding fun connections.

Hookup apps for everyone

AdultFriendFinder — readers’ pick for casual connections

Tinder — top pick for finding hookups

Hinge — popular choice for regular meetups

It's also well worth a premium subscription, since that unlocks unlimited likes, profile boosting, and the ability to swipe through singles across the world, which makes planning…