If you’re looking to date outside of your marriage or have a discreet affair, then Ashley Madison is the place to be.
Launched in 2004 with the slogan ‘Life is Short, Have an Affair’, Ashley Madison is home to over 40 million members, all after one thing – secret side action!
Sound like something that appeals to you? Want to know how to message on Ashley Madison without paying?
Then you’re in the right place – we’ll show you how below.
(PS: if you need a bit more information on the site, read our in-depth Ashley Madison review).
Is Ashley Madison Worth It? Our Recommendation Upfront
Ashley Madison is a wonderful place to find companions outside of your marriage. The website is well-designed, has plenty of fun features, and an active user base.
The Ashley Madison app is free to use for a limited time, and new users can also get some free messaging credits.
Of course, Ashley Madison is 100% free for women, a fact that’s led to an excellent guy/girl ratio.
When you consider this free trial, excellent guy/girl ratio, and special features (more on this below), we give Ashley Madison a solid 4.5/5 rating, and if you’re looking for discreet affairs, you won’t find a better platform.
Ashley Madison Pros and Cons
Pros Of Ashley Madison
- The site has a high-end feel to it
- Privacy tools
- Women message free
- 30-day free trial for men
- Solid guy/girl ratio
- Hide your face in any photos you upload
Cons Of Ashley Madison
- Basic filter and search tools
- Some fake profiles and escorts
How To Message On Ashley Madison Without Paying
Is there a way to message on Ashley Madison without paying? Yes, by taking advantage of the site’s 100 free credit offer.
It’s free to send and receive messages if you’re a woman. Men, on the other hand, must buy credits to send messages to other users.
Credit packages cost between $0.33 – $0.74 for each credit depending on the amount purchased. The largest credit package of 1,000 credits also comes with the ability to highlight your profile for 30 days for free.
Highlighting your profile will make it appear at the top of search results, meaning more visibility and more matches!
Want more than 100 free credits?
You can sign-up with a Message Plus account. If you do, your first credit package purchase will come with 30 days of free messaging!
Ashley Madison Member Structure
People from the United States, Canada, Brazil, and Spain make up the bulk of Ashley Madison’s user base.
And guess what?
Every single one of them wants a fling. Members tend to be in their middle years but there’s no shortage of under 30 members to connect with as well!
Members
Almost 44 million people use Ashley Madison, with the majority of users being located in the US.
Member Activity
Over 220,000 people join Ashley Madison every month. While AM is certainly an affair-focused website, you don’t have to be married or attached to join.
In fact, many men join in the hopes of finding a lonely or attention-starved housewife.
Gender Proportion
The precise sum is unclear at this time. On the other hand, Ashley Madison has made a concerted effort to get real women (as opposed to bots) to join.
How have they done this?
Women get free unlimited messaging capabilities!
Age Distribution
- 18-24 (19%)
- 25-34 (27%)
- 35-44 (17%)
- 45-54 (15%)
- 55+ (22%)
How Does Ashley Madison Work?
Ashley Madison operates like any other popular online dating site. The difference, however, is its focus on adultery. Some people even use the site in search of polyamory relationships.
The primary goal of the website is to provide visitors with a private space where they can seek discreet side action outside of their marriage.
To facilitate this, Ashley Madison provides users with several privacy tools. For example, you can blur out your face in any photos you upload, change the appearance of the mobile app icon, and create private photo albums.
These private photo albums let you give temporary access to only members you choose, meaning all your face-bearing photos can only be seen by those you want to.
Even if you’re primarily interested in the question of ‘how to message on Ashley Madison without paying’, it’s still worth keeping these privacy tools in mind. Who knows, they might save you!
Ashley Madison Sign Up Process
Ashley Madison’s sign-up process is simple and straightforward. Simply enter your email address, create a username/password, and click the ‘Register’ button.
From there, you’re free to upload pictures, search for members, and send a message to anyone that catches your interest.
Ease Of Use
The design and execution of Ashley Madison’s user interface are superb. Everything is simple to understand and use.
Main sections of the site are convenient and the menu bar makes it easy to navigate between the different sections.
The only drawback is the lack of search filters, which compared to sites like Adult Friend Finder and Seeking.com, are quite limited.
RELATED: Adult Friend Finder Review
Still, you can browse users based on criteria like proximity, body type, age, and ethnicity. You can further filter members by what they’re after, with popular options being ‘something long term’, ‘something short term’, and ‘anything goes’.
Chat, Messages, And Free Credits
How to message on Ashley Madison without paying? The easiest way is by taking advantage of the site’s 100 free credit offer.
You can also sign-up as a Message Plus member, giving you 30 days of unlimited free messaging!
Unlike most dating apps, Ashley Madison lets you see who’s visited your profile for free. You can also read all received messages for free.
Profile Quality
The quality of available profiles varies widely. Some profiles won’t have any data filled out, while others will be highly thorough.
Those who are actively seeking an affair are often guarded in their disclosures. There are a lot of individuals who obscure their faces in images because they want to remain anonymous until they’ve earned the confidence of the community.
Moreover, many users hide their photos behind a private photo album and only give access to people they feel comfortable with. If someone messages you and they don’t have a detailed profile, remember – it’s not necessarily a red flag.
Ashley Madison Mobile App
Both Android and iOS users may get their hands on the Ashley Madison app. Much like the desktop version, it has a full set of functionality.
In most respects, it’s identical to the desktop website. The interface is user-friendly, and is perfect for mobile dating.
The mobile app also gives you the ability to change the mobile app icon, letting you set it to something unassuming like a sports betting or news app.
Real-Life Ashley Madison Reviews
While the focus of this article is on how to message on Ashley Madison without paying, it’s worth looking at some real user reviews.
First off…
“I’m very happy I made the choice to test Ashley Madison. We met for lunch, started sending each other sexts, and later, when our schedules coincide, we met in a plush hotel room for four hours of intense sex.”
We still do it a couple of times a month and it’s a whirl. After years of marriage, getting to know someone different has been a privilege”
Let’s look at another…
“It’s amazing that, despite the fact that I don’t like taking risks and am a sensitive person, I’ve found a man who loves me as much as I do. My advice is to be frank and honest, and if a response is given, don’t put off the meeting.
My lover is 70 years old, while I am 63, I know that age is just a number. Although he’s married, I can tell the passion had gone out in his marriage long ago, just like me”.
Types of Ashley Madison Accounts
While you consider the different options of how to message on Ashley Madison without paying, take a moment to weigh some of the premium account options.
Standard Account
With a standard account, men must buy credit packages to send and receive messages. This credit system is strongly preferred by some men as it doesn’t require committing to a monthly subscription.
Moreover, credits never expire, making Ashley Madison a great choice for those who infrequently use online dating sites.
Priority Man
The next step up, a Priority Man account is the same as the standard account with one major difference – their profile gets pushed to the top in search results. This gives them more connections, and as a result, more philandering action.
Message Plus
Sign-up for a Message Plus account and receive 30 days of free messages. To sign-up for Message Plus, simply create an Ashley Madison account and buy a credit package. Once your credit package runs out, you’ll be given the option to continue chatting for 30 days free!
Is Ashley Madison Safe?
Yes, Ashley Madison is safe so long as you exercise caution when meeting up with someone for the first time. Always meet in a public place at first and tell a close friend where you’re going and what time you plan on being done.
As you may have heard, Ashley Madison did suffer a hack several years ago. While this was no doubt unfortunate, it resulted in greatly improved safety protocols and the site hasn’t suffered a breach ever since!
Is Ashley Madison Legit?
Yes, Ashley Madison is legit and has helped married and attached fun seekers find no strings attached company since 2001.
In fact, Ashley Madison is easily the most popular affair-focused dating site out there (with NoStringsAttached being a close second).
The dating site also has a mobile app available for Android and iOS. This mobile app offers all the same features as the desktop site – letting you search for secret hookups on the go!
Is Ashley Madison Free?
No, Ashley Madison is not free and men must purchase credit packages to send messages. That said, the site is 100% free for women.
How to message on Ashley Madison without paying?
The only way is by taking advantage of the site’s 100 free credit offer or joining with a Message Plus account.
Discounts, Offers, And Promo Codes
While looking for promo codes for Ashley Madison, we came up empty. That said, the more credits you purchase at once, the less each individual credit costs.
Of course, you can claim 100 free credits when you first sign-up, giving you the chance to try out the platform risk-free.
Ashley Madison FAQs
What control does Ashley Madison give me over my profile?
Your profile, information, and account are very customizable. It is entirely up to you what you decide to make public. A simple visit to the manage/edit profile page will allow you to make the necessary changes to your profile.
Can I upload a sexy photo?
Yes, users on Ashley Madison are encouraged to upload sexy photos.
If you’re concerned about your privacy, you may use the site’s masking or blurring tools to hide your face in photos. You may boost your chances of finding a compatible partner by uploading a risque picture.
What is the ‘Automatic Private Key Exchange’ on Ashley Madison?
Users of Ashley Madison may use this function to show their private images to anybody they choose.
When this option is activated, the previously obscured or blurry picture of the member is shown.
The ‘Profile Settings’ tab gives you the flexibility to switch this on or off at any time.
How long does the profile approval process take?
When you’ve signed up and completed your profile, the site will be instantly accessible to you.
How can I delete my Ashley Madison profile?
Your account might be temporarily disabled or removed entirely at your discretion.
By deactivating your account, your details will no longer appear in search results, and you will be completely anonymous to other users.
If you delete your profile and then decide to reactivate it, just give the support staff a call.
When you delete your AshleyMadison account in its entirety, all of your personal information will be removed permanently. Anything from notes and photographs to presents and swag counts.
Is messaging on Ashley Madison free? How to message on Ashley Madison without paying?
Women looking for males on Ashley Madison may chat free of charge. Credits are required for users to read, send, or initiate a conversation with other members of the site. With a free trial account, you may chat for 30 days free without spending any money.
You can also score 100 free credits upon sign-up, letting you test out the site.
How does the ‘Priority Man’ feature work?
A Priority Man’s profile will appear toward the top of search results, resulting in more messages and greater odds of finding an affair.
What is ‘Priority Mail’ on Ashley Madison?
The Priority Mail feature marks all your sent messages as “Priority”. This guarantees that the message will appear prominently in the target recipient’s inbox.
With a credit-based system, priority messages may be delivered for an additional credit price. Consumers purchase subscription packages, which include priority texting.
What is Member Initiated Contact?
If you’re paying for the service using credits, you can’t use the Member Initiated Contact feature.
Compared to buying individual credit packages, sending messages via the subscription service is the most cost-effective option.
This function allows you to communicate with female members at no cost. Only when you make the first step and start contact do you spend a credit.
The credits you have already used to communicate with other users will allow you to keep doing so at no further expense.
You may test out Ashley Madison’s Member Initiated Contact completely risk-free for 30 days when you sign up for a paid membership. During that time, you may make full use of AshleyMadison’s free trial.
If you don’t cancel your membership before the trial period ends, you’ll begin incurring monthly charges.
You may disable the functionality at any time by visiting the ‘Manage Profile’ section of your account. You are free to stop using this function at any time.
What can I do to keep my Ashley Madison account safe?
For account security, please use an alternate email address. Your email address should only be used for accessing services like Ashley Madison and should not include any of your personal information.
Is it possible to use the Ashley Madison site anonymously?
You may see other users’ profiles without revealing your identity. Each user is assigned a unique identifier, or “username,” upon registration. How much of yourself you want to reveal to other users is up to you.
What is ‘Message Plus’ on Ashley Madison?
Message Plus gives you 30 free days of messaging after you purchase your first credit package. Once you work through all your credits, you’ll be given the option to continue for 30 days, simply accept the offer, and enjoy 30 free days of messages.
How can I create a strong password for my account?
The site provides a password meter so you can get an idea of how safe your password is before you commit to it.
We recommend using a mix of alphabetic characters, numeric digits, and special characters to make a strong password.
How to use Ashley Madison anonymously?
To use Ashley Madison anonymously, use the incognito window in Google Chrome. It is recommended that after each visit to Ashley Madison, you clear your cookies and browser history in Safari or any other browser you use.
How can I protect myself from spammers and malicious emails (phishing)?
To protect yourself from spammers and malicious emails (phishing), stay away from messages that contain links (and certainly do not click them).
Like all dating sites, Ashley Madison does have bots/spam accounts, so if the person you’re chatting with doesn’t seem like a real person, there’s a chance they aren’t.
What’s included in the free membership on Ashley Madison?
Women looking for men may join Ashley Madison for free and use all of its features. Everyone else may join as a “Guest Member” and look at profiles, send winks, and upload photographs without paying a dime.
What payment methods are available on Ashley Madison?
The payment methods available at Ashley Madison are credit cards, PayPal, and couriers checks.
How much does it cost to use Ashley Madison? Are there free credits?
It costs between $0.33 to $0.74 per credit to use Ashley Madison. Of course, women can send unlimited messages free of charge.
After you purchase a credit package, Ashley Madison will give you 30 days of free messages as part of their ‘Message Plus’ plan.
How to message on Ashley Madison without paying?
Wondering how to message on Ashley Madison without paying? The easiest way to is by claiming the 100 free credit package available to all new members.
How can I stop automatic billing for credits?
Yes, you can stop automatic billing for credits by turning off this feature in the ‘Profile Settings’ section.
How can I cancel my subscription to Ashley Madison?
Because Ashley Madison uses a credit-based system in place of a subscription service, you don’t have to worry about canceling a subscription. If you want to take a break from Ashley Madison, you can hide your account or appear offline.
What is the mobile fee? Is this mandatory? How can I deselect this option?
The mobile fee is a one-time $18.95 charge, which once paid, lets members access their account from the mobile app. The mobile fee isn’t mandatory and only applies to users who want to use their account through a mobile device.
How to Message on Ashley Madison Without Paying: Summary
If you skipped to the end looking for an answer to the question ‘how to message on Ashley Madison without paying’, no worries – we got you covered.
The easiest way is by claiming Ashley Madison’s 100 free credit offer.
However, 100 credits won’t keep you going forever. Instead, we recommend taking advantage of the Message Plus deal. To do so, simply purchase a credit package and work through the credits.
Once used up, Ashley Madison will offer you 30 days of free messages. Yes, it’s that simple!
Whichever option you choose, be careful while sneaking around and have fun!