Illicit Encounters suits you if
You're married or attached and want a site made only for affairs, with invisible browsing and private billing.
Comparison, checked 15 October 2026
Old F-Buddy vs Illicit Encounters: Discreet Fun Compared
Two UK sites that take privacy seriously, built around two different kinds of secret.
An affairs site, or a no strings site for grown-ups
Illicit Encounters, established in 2004, is a UK discreet dating site for married and attached adults, and for singles who want a discreet relationship. Old F-Buddy, online since 2012, brings together grown-ups after no strings fun with an older partner, single or attached; half its members are 45-plus.
Both keep your identity under wraps. The difference is the focus: Illicit Encounters is built around affairs, while Old F-Buddy is built around age, with discretion for everyone who wants it.
Side by side
| Old F-Buddy | Illicit Encounters | |
|---|---|---|
| Since | 2012 | 2004 |
| Made for | No strings fun with an older partner | Married and attached adults, and discreet singles |
| Age focus | Half our members are 45 or over | No age focus stated; search by age range |
| How you meet | Daily matches, local search, messages, VIP chat rooms | Search, daily Matchfinder matches, messages, Say Hello |
| Paying | Classic membership, then paid VIP and VIP Plus plans | Gold to read and send messages, plus Gold Plus, VIP and credits |
| Privacy tools | Username, nearest town only, blurred explicit photos | Invisible and Holiday modes, private billing |
| Where | Any browser, plus a phone web app | Website only, UK and Ireland |
What Illicit Encounters does well
Illicit Encounters has been a UK name in discreet dating since 2004, run by a UK company. It says every profile is reviewed by a person in the UK before it goes live, and it checks ages through specialist providers. Its privacy features are built for people with something to hide: Invisible and Holiday modes, and billing designed to stay private. Women get full Gold membership at no charge under its own pricing, and it offers daily Matchfinder suggestions alongside search.
If you're married, want an affair and like the idea of a site made only for that, it's a well-established choice. Its helpdesk runs from 9am to 10pm every day.
Where Old F-Buddy fits better
Old F-Buddy is for anyone who wants no strings fun with an older partner, whatever their situation. Some members are attached; some are divorced, widowed or happily single. What they share is age and intent: most are 35 or older, and all of them joined for something casual.
Discretion is built in. Your profile shows a username and a town, nothing more. Explicit pictures stay blurred unless the viewer taps to see them, and one tap blocks anyone you'd rather not hear from. You can use Old F-Buddy in any browser or add it to your phone's home screen, and the support team is on hand 24 hours a day. Our guide to keeping a discreet fuck buddy has the habits that keep it quiet.
Our honest verdict
Which one should you choose?
Old F-Buddy suits you if
You want an older lover with no strings, attached or not, kept private and easy to arrange from your phone.
Illicit Encounters questions
Is Illicit Encounters a UK site?
Yes. It was established in 2004, is run by a UK company and serves the UK and Ireland. It is a website, with no app in the UK app stores.
Can I join Old F-Buddy if I'm married?
Yes, if you're 18 or over. Be honest with the people you meet about your situation, and use the privacy tools: a username, your nearest town only and photos you choose.
What's an Illicit Encounters alternative for over 50s?
Old F-Buddy: half its members are 45-plus, and no strings fun is the whole idea. Our comparisons page covers the other options.
More comparisons
More side-by-sides live on our comparisons page, along with our guide to fuck buddy sites for over 50s.
Keep it between the two of you
Choose a username, set your town and meet grown-ups who value privacy.
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