Health

I Tested the Best Apps for Building Intimacy—These Are My Honest Thoughts

Now downloading more pleasure.

By Lauren Zielinski, MSN, CNM
messy bed best sex apps

We’re all familiar with the adage there’s an app for that—and there’s plenty of proof that it rings true. You can download everything from productivity-boosting apps to journaling-made-easy solutions to even apps that help you cut down on screen time (a bit of a paradox if you ask me). But intimacy apps? Revolutionary. In today’s digital age, the best sex apps are transforming how we approach intimacy and sexual wellness.

They’re here to help you completely upgrade not only your sex life but the relationship you have with intimacy in every sense of the word. To familiarize myself with what’s out there and provide a (well-tested) review of the best sex apps for intimacy, I took a deep dive into several separate apps. Each is centered around the act of hanky panky and has been developed to improve things like sex, desire, sex education, and relationship communication. After my experience, I can confirm with confidence: yes. There is definitely an app (and a lubricant) for that.

woman in pjs on bed

Why do we need intimacy and sex apps?

Historically, hiccups within our sex lives or relationship dynamics surrounding sex often went unaddressed. This left sexual needs frustratingly unmet and one or both partners feeling sexually or emotionally unheard. These are big-hitter issues that can lead to relationships ending or becoming sexually stagnant.

But in 2024, what was once taboo, too intimidating to bring up, or maybe not even on our radar, is now integrated into an app. Intimacy apps are designed to make talking about and working on our sex lives approachable, educational, and reassuringly normal. Cue the Salt-N-Pepa—let’s talk about sex!

I downloaded several apps and learned some surprisingly steamy and wild things (the world of kinks never fails to leave me slack-jawed). From mild to wild, let’s dig in.

The Best Sex Apps for Intimacy in Every Relationship

Coral: Best for Building Connection

Developed in 2019 and backed by a host of sexual health and wellness experts, Coral focuses on evidence-based methods of improving sex lives and connections. In 2021, the app launched a feature called “couples connect” that hosts in-app secure messaging with daily prompts to encourage you and your partner to embrace flirtation and open sexual communication. The app also offers anonymous or private opportunities to ask experts specific questions or troubleshoot challenges you’re working through.

Key Highlights:

  • Step-by-step lessons on topics like connection, feeling confident during sex, and learning to get out of your head and embrace pleasure
  • Sexy playlists
  • Curated weekly exercises, such as learning to create space for sex
  • Games designed for couples or solo play
  • Mindfulness practices geared toward building eroticism and getting in the mood
  • Game-changing sex tips
  • Brief audio sexual health lessons

Pros:

Coral offers TONS of content and is mindful of supporting diverse experiences. I loved the emphasis on practicing ways of connecting deeper not only with your partner or partners but also with yourself.

Cons:

There’s loads of free content on the app, but it does come with a bit of a price tag: $60 annually. Broken down though, for $5 a month you’ll get an experience that’s akin to sex therapy in an app. In my opinion, absolutely worth it.

Download Coral

hand lighting candle

Rosy: Best for Addressing Sexual Wellness, Therapy, and Education

What started as an app designed to support women with a low sex drive has transformed into a community-based platform where women can connect over a broad swath of sexual wellness concerns. The wellness plans and general structure of the app are intended to educate, empower, and give you sexy content to boost desire.

The Dallas-based founder is an OB/GYN who was perplexed by the idea that there was plenty of treatment offered to men with low sexual drive. But for women, there were few resources, training, or education options available. Rosy is a go-to for anyone looking to address sexual dysfunction or hiccups you may be experiencing. From physical to mental to the emotional components of sex, Rosy offers space and support for it all.

Key Highlights:

  • Educational videos on topics like over-the-counter medications to erotica and more
  • Audio-based erotic short stories to get you in the mood
  • Community discussion boards where you can connect, share, and learn from others using the app
  • Access to personal or small group coaching sessions addressing topics such as juggling it all and taking the shame out of self-pleasure

Pros:

You start your experience with Rosy by taking a quiz and providing information on what you’re looking to accomplish. After that, the app sets you up with personalized wellness plans, plenty of audio content to get you feeling sexy, and access to community forums and coaching. Rosy takes a medical and therapeutic approach to sexual wellness concerns that, in my opinion, is desperately needed. It’s doing so much in terms of widening accessibility and embracing uncomfortable conversations.

Cons:

There’s less content available on Rosy than on the Coral app. With that too, my initial impressions found it to be pretty female-centric and focusing on male/female or female/female relationships with less space or visibility for other folx. The app does offer *some* free content, but the majority is behind a paywall.

It can get pretty pricey, but the more expensive platinum plan does include two group coaching sessions and personal coaching sessions each month. It may be helpful to think of this as a therapy bill because the content is truly medicine for whatever you’re dealing with.

Download Rosy

Kindu: Best for Sexy, Flirty Fun 

This app is light and easy to use. It aims to encourage intimacy, increase play, and get you and your partner thinking about sex and proactive ways to spice up your sex life. Think Tinder meets truth or dare, but only you and your partner are swiping.

Here’s how it works: Create an account on the app and link up to your partner’s account. Toggle to the “den” section of the app where you can swipe through a number of content “decks.” You and your partner privately swipe through suggestive cards with ideas to enhance connection and pleasure. If you and your partner both swipe yes on the same card, it’ll show up in another tab labeled “matches.”

Essentially, the app provides sexy suggestions and ideas for things like having sex outside, experimenting with gentle bondage, or roleplaying. This offers a comfortable and pressure-free opportunity for you and your partner to connect on ideas you’re both intrigued by but may be too shy to discuss.

Key Highlights:

  • Free to download, plus you’ll receive a daily deck of ideas for no extra cost
  • All content is relatively affordable compared to other apps
  • User-friendly design and experience
  • Offers creative ideas for new, varied ways of experiencing pleasure
  • Easy for both partners to use and connect

Pros:

Kindu offers a broad range of ideas from mildly experimental to the more risqué, satisfying all levels of interest and flavors of desire. It’s simple and easy to navigate and lets you go back to access matched cards or archive cards to return to later. It’s great for couples who want to play, have fun, and keep things light.

Cons:

Some of the ideas and decks might be a little intense for some couples. While it helps you step outside of your comfort zone, it may be a lot to take in initially. This app also doesn’t focus on therapy or wellness. Instead, it’s a pretty basic tool and resource for light and easy fun. If you are looking for more therapy-based work, I’d recommend opting for one of the other intimacy apps instead.

Download Kindu

best sex apps

Lover: Best For Personalization 

Lover is a sexual wellness app designed to provide personalized education, guidance, and exercises to improve sexual health and satisfaction. It was developed by a team of sexual health experts, including psychologists and sex therapists, to make sex therapy more accessible and affordable.

Key Highlights:

  • Personalized sexual wellness plans
  • Educational content on various sexual topics
  • Guided exercises and activities for individuals and couples
  • Anonymous Q&A with sex experts
  • Tracking tools for sexual health and satisfaction
  • Audio and video content for learning and arousal
  • Specific programs for addressing common sexual issues (e.g., erectile dysfunction, low libido)

Pros:

The Lover app is built on solid science and expert knowledge, so you know you’re getting legit advice. What’s cool is how it personalizes everything to fit what you need. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to spice things up, it’s got you covered with tons of topics. Plus, it’s super private, so you can explore without feeling awkward. It’s way cheaper than seeing a therapist in person, and they consistently add new stuff to keep it interesting. Oh, and it doesn’t matter if you’re Team iPhone or Android—it works on both. Basically, it’s like having a sex coach in your pocket, without the hefty price tag or scheduling hassles.

Cons:

The subscription can hit your wallet pretty hard if you’re on a tight budget. And if you’re dealing with some heavy stuff, you might find chatting with a real therapist face-to-face more helpful. Some folks have griped about glitches and wonky interfaces, which can be a mood-killer. Lastly, while they try to cover a lot of ground, the content might not tick all the boxes for everyone, especially if you’re looking for super specific or diverse info.

Download Lover

Ferly: Best for Mindful Body Awareness 

Ferly is like a digital sex coach that focuses on mindfulness and body awareness. It’s all about helping you get in tune with your sexuality through audio guides, stories, and exercises. Think of it as a chill, judgment-free zone to explore and boost your sexual well-being.

Key Highlights:

  • Guided audio sessions for sexual mindfulness
  • Educational content on sexual health and pleasure
  • Body mapping exercises
  • Erotic stories for arousal and exploration
  • Journaling prompts for self-reflection
  • Meditation techniques for sexual confidence
  • Expert advice on various sexual topics

Pros:

Ferly is super approachable, even if you’re shy about this stuff. The audio format is great for setting the mood and feels more intimate than just reading text. It’s packed with legit info from sexperts, so you’re learning while you explore. The mindfulness angle is pretty unique—it’s not just about getting you where you need to go (hint, hint), but really connecting with yourself. Plus, it’s inclusive and body-positive, which is always a win.

Cons:

Ferly isn’t the app for you if you want more partner-oriented stuff. And if you’re not into the whole mindfulness scene, some of the content might feel a bit woo-woo. 

Download Ferly

Blueheart: Best for Enhancing Intimacy with Therapy Techniques

Blueheart is like a digital couples therapist focused on intimacy issues. It’s designed to help couples work through sexual difficulties using techniques based on sex therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. Think of it as a private, guided journey to reconnect with your partner and improve your sex life.

Key Highlights:

  • Personalized therapy plans for couples
  • Guided audio sessions and exercises
  • Educational content on sex and relationships
  • Tracking tools for progress monitoring
  • Separate interfaces for each partner
  • Sensate-focused exercises
  • Communication prompts and activities

Pros:

Blueheart’s got some solid perks. It brings legit therapy techniques right to your phone, making it way more accessible and affordable than traditional couples therapy. The app is super discreet and lets each partner work at their own pace, which is great for touchy subjects. It’s based on real science, not just fluffy advice. The guided exercises give you practical stuff to try, not just theory. Plus, it’s designed for long-term improvement, so you’re not just getting quick fixes.

Cons:

The app can feel a bit clinical at times—it’s more about fixing problems than spicing things up. Some users might find the pace slow if they’re looking for quick results. It also requires both partners to be on board and committed. Lastly, while it’s cheaper than in-person therapy, the subscription cost can still add up over time.

Download Blueheart

We-Connect: Best For Long Distance Longing 

We-Connect is basically a high-tech wingman for your long-distance love life. It’s an app that pairs with We-Vibe sex toys, letting you or your partner control the action from anywhere with an internet connection. It’s all about bridging the gap when you can’t be in the same room, adding a techy twist to intimacy.

Key Highlights:

  • Remote control of We-Vibe toys
  • Video chat feature
  • Customizable vibration patterns
  • Touch-screen control options
  • Ability to sync with music
  • Secure, encrypted connections
  • Compatible with multiple We-Vibe products

Pros:

We-Connect is a game-changer for long-distance couples, letting you spice things up even when you’re miles apart. The app is pretty user-friendly and it’s got a bunch of fun features like syncing with music, which keeps things interesting. The video chat is a nice touch for that face-to-face connection. Plus, it works with a range of toys, so you’ve got options. And they take privacy seriously with encrypted connections, which is crucial for this kind of app.

Cons:

The app is only useful if you’ve got We-Vibe toys, so there’s that initial investment. Some users report connectivity issues, which can be a major mood killer. If you’re not comfortable mixing tech with your sex life, this might feel a bit weird at first. And while it’s great for long-distance, it might not add much if you and your partner are usually together. 

Download We-Connect

woman lighting candle

Desire: Best for Sexy Challenges 

Desire is like a digital playground for couples looking to spice things up. It’s all about creating fun, flirty challenges and dares to keep your relationship exciting. Think of it as a mix between a sexy game night and a relationship-boosting tool, all wrapped up in an app.

Key Highlights:

  • Customizable dares and challenges
  • Private messaging system for couples
  • Fantasy sharing feature
  • Daily intimate questions
  • Points system for completing challenges
  • Option to create your own dares
  • Couple’s wishlist for date ideas and fantasies

Pros:

Desire offers a fun way to break out of a relationship rut and try new things. The app keeps things fresh with a mix of sweet, romantic, and spicy challenges. It’s great for both new couples still figuring each other out and long-term pairs looking to reignite the spark. The private messaging is a nice touch for some playful back-and-forth. Plus, you can tailor it to your comfort level, so it works whether you’re shy or bold.

Download Desire

Cons:

Some folks might find the gamification of intimacy a bit forced or cheesy. The quality of the experience really depends on both partners being into it. While there’s a free version, the best features are behind a paywall and some users report that the challenges can get repetitive after a while. And if you’re dealing with serious relationship issues, playful dares might feel like putting a band-aid on a bigger problem. 

Okayso: Best for Advice and No-Judgement Support

A quick nod to this amazing resource! Okayso is beyond helpful for teens, young adults, or anyone who wants to ask questions in a judgment-free, chat-style space that is WAY more reliable and vetted than Google. When you log in to Okayso, you’ll find a list of subtopics to choose from depending on the question you want to ask.

The app offers insights from a number of experts on each topic. This way, users can ask specific questions about sex, sexuality, sexually transmitted infections, sexual wellness, relationships, and so many others. From what I can tell, this app is run by volunteers who are sexual health and wellness experts, students in sex therapy or sexual work, and who have invested interest in helping others.

I tested it out with a basic sex question and got an amazing response that was thoughtful, open-minded, and safe. Don’t hesitate to download this one when you have questions you can’t ask anyone else or are too scared to bring up. I feel confident the experts will give you great answers and/or point you in the direction of helpful resources to address whatever it is that’s coming up for you.

Key Highlights:

  • Expert-based deep dives into a range of sexual health and wellness topics.
  • Information speaks to a diverse range of resources, offering something for everyone.
  • An open-minded, inclusive tone and approach.
  • A safe platform where users can feel comfortable asking questions and accessing information.

Download OkaySo

Woman writing in notebook at desk.

A Few Honest Thoughts

I was so impressed, surprised, and frankly—as a women’s health and sex education nerd—delighted to see the abundance of information and support that’s now so easily accessible. These apps are paving the way for so many topics around sexuality and sex to be given the spotlight they deserve. They’re making strides in normalizing speaking about and meeting challenging subjects with compassion, kindness, and empathy.

Find the Best Intimacy App For You

App NameMain FocusUser InterfaceCustomizationPartner InvolvementPrice RangeBest For
CoralConnection BuildingSleek, intuitiveHighOptional$$Couples seeking deeper intimacy
RosySexual WellnessClean, medical-styleHighNot required$$$$Women addressing libido issues
KinduFlirty ChallengesSimple, swipe-basedMediumRequired$Couples wanting light, fun exploration
LoverPersonalized EducationModern, user-friendlyVery HighOptional$$$Individuals seeking tailored sexual advice
FerlyMindful SexualityCalming, audio-focusedMediumNot required$$Solo exploration and body awareness
BlueheartTherapy-based ExercisesClinical, structuredHighRequired$$$Couples working through intimacy issues
We-ConnectLong-distance IntimacyTech-focused, playfulLowRequired$ (app) / $$$ (toys)Long-distance couples with We-Vibe toys
DesireSexy ChallengesGamified, engagingHighRequired$$Couples looking to spice things up
OkaysoQ&A SupportSimple, chat-basedN/ANot requiredFreeIndividuals seeking expert advice
Price Range Key:
$ = Free or low-cost
$$ = Moderate subscription fee
$$$ = Higher-end subscription
$$$$ = Premium pricing

Happy app-browsing! These best sex apps offer a range of features to enhance your intimate life, from personalized advice to couples’ challenges. Like most tough things in life, relationships, self-discovery, and growing more comfortable with yourself are all things that take time and energy. I’m convinced, however, that the resources available now are better than ever—and we’re only just getting started. It’s a good time to be a consenting, sexual person!