Oakland's Best Dating Apps & Sites in 2021 (From the Experts)
The best dating apps in Oakland are right at your fingertips. While it can be challenging when you don't know where to start, there's no need to worry because we've got the best recommendations for you.
After diving into hundreds of differing dating sites and apps, we're confident that we can find the perfect one that fits all of your wants and needs. We understand that Oakland is a unique, special place, so it's important the dating sites are tailored just for our area of California.
Almost 427,000 people live in our city, and 35% of them are single. No matter what your preference we have the best dating site for you below:
#1 - Loosid (Android; iOS) is the best dating app in Oakland if you're sober
Loosid is a dating app made for people living without alcohol and other addictions. Loosid is unique because it is all about connecting sober people with each other. It even has suggestions for dates that don't involve drinking. Users can share why they're sober. They don't need to be addicts, they may just choose to live a life without alcohol.
The app does claim to be a multi-platform community providing dating, events and recovery resources. We love the idea for people that have chosen a sober lifestyle and want someone to share in that lifestyle.
Why Loosid is a great dating app in Oakland
- Provides a great community environment to find others like you
- Helps match based on common interests
- Isn’t all about swipes
What we don’t like about it
- Small dating pool
- If a user is in recovery, it’s usually recommended they shouldn’t date soon after giving up alcohol
#2 - eHarmony (Android; iOS) can't be beaten for long-term relationships
eHarmony is extremely popular here and has an amazing track record of helping Oakland locals find long-term partners by using matching algorithms. This app does the best job of matching you up with compatible potential mates that we've seen.
You don't have to scroll for hours. The app does all of the tough work for you. Of course, you might not make a perfect connection outside of the algorithms. Usually, it works like magic. The toughest part is answering all of the questions. It's important because this is how they match you with other single people. You can build chemistry before you even meet.
If you're serious about finding long-term partners this is the site for you.
Why eHarmony is one of the best dating sites in Oakland
- The best success rate out there for long-term relationships
- 70% of users find their future spouse within a year
- Makes it pretty easy to form connections
What we don’t like about it
- It definately takes more time than most to get started
- Not super popular with those 18-22
#3 - Luxy (Android; iOS) connects people who think they are upper crust
Luxy is the best Oakland dating site for successful people who are only looking for top notch companionship. The app calls itself a millionaire matchmaking club and does what it can to deliver on that (for the most part).
It only allows what it considers the top of the line, cream of the crop to sign up. That means the rich and beautiful people in the world. You can still do the whole swiping left and right drill like on other apps but it's for a very different group of people than most.
We like it because it weeds out all of the random stragglers but it also weeds out a lot of good people just because of their bank account.
Why Luxy might be the best app for you
- Only users that make six-figure salaries and are judged as beautiful people can join
- Luxy’s FaceMe feature lets users share their social media accounts in the message exchange so they can video chat
- Does a good job of vetting for the most part
What we don’t like about it
- Even if you make the cut for your bank account, users can throw you off the app if they don’t think you’re good looking
- Smaller dating pool
- It’s pretty shallow for dating and you are going to run into a lot of intolerable people
#4 - AFF is the best hookup app in Oakland
AFF has been the top hookup app in Oakland for the past few years. If you're just looking for some fun in bed without a long-term relationship this is the app you need to try first.
There are plenty of apps and sites that claim to help you find some sexy fun but this is the only option we've seen consistently deliver, even for normal-looking guys. Nothing else really comes close, unless you're really good looking (then Tinder is a solid choice).
With over 60 million active users, a ton of them in Oakland, there just isn't a better way to meet a lot of other singles looking for the same thing. If you want the best hookup site in Oakland you've found it.
Why AFF is the best
- There are a ton of people on it (over 50 million)
- Actually focused on helping people find a good time
- Users are very open about what they want
What we don’t like about it
- Not the most user friendly at first
- Be prepared for some ads that are not safe for work
#5 – Hinge (Android; iOS) leverages your social network
Hinge is a dating app that is perfect for the user that actually reads a profile. Most apps don’t allow you to only like certain parts of a profile. It allows the users to break the ice this way.
You also have to actually look at a profile before swiping left or right. You can’t just judge a book by its cover. We love this app because it’s all about combining people of all ages aiming to get them the best connections. It matches you based on interests and preferences instead of location or looks. Hinge isn’t about the one-night stand.
Why Hinge is one of the best Oakland dating apps
- This app is more about dating than hooking up
- Profiles are detail-oriented
- Many users for a great pool of people
What we don’t like about it
- Reading every profile can definatly take some time
- Ties into your social profiles which can impact your matches if you’re not very social
#6 - Clover (Android; iOS) wants you to meet up fast
Clover is one of the best Oakland dating apps because it's a mixture of many different apps thrown together but it's really focused on getting you actually talking quickly (not just messaging). We love the date planning section where there is a pull-down list of venues.
The Meetup mixer section helps plan a community date so you aren't so nervous alone. You can even start your own mixer. One of the most popular parts of the app is the section where you can see everyone's profile. You look through the options deciding on each. If you like them, the ball is in your court to plan the date.
Why Clover is a great option
- Action oriented so you’re not stuck messaging for weeks
- Unrestricted chat and multiple communication options
- You can request and confirm dates
What we don’t like about it
- Not as many matches as we’d hoped
- Has a lot of features but many people don’t even use them
#7 - Tinder (Android; iOS) is the dating app everyone has tried
Tinder is the dating app you have to include on every list. Tinder is famous for swiping left or right to show interest but sadly not famous for being a great experience for most people using it. We have to include it on our list of the best Oakland dating apps but it isn't going to be near the top.
One of the best things about Tinder is that it has a million options. If you don't like the first few profiles, you keep swiping until you find someone that interests you. That's great for someone that's pretty hot but for the more normal-looking among us it isn't a recipe for success in many cases.
Why Tinder is a great dating app
- If you’re a pretty attractive person you’ll have solid options
- A lot of people are using it, especially under 25
- A very simple process
What we don’t like about it
- Hard to find success for most guys
- Lots of women just using it for attention
#8 - Our Time (Android; iOS) is one of the best dating sites for the 50+ crowd
Our Time is one of the best Oakland dating apps for people over 50 years of age that are young at heart (except for eHarmony, which tends to be better) searching for love.
People over 50 are usually done with flings and fun. Our Time focuses on making matches that are different than what users wanted in their 20s. Users scroll through different profiles finding those that match with them.
We like this app because it's different than the ones for millennials. It's got a deeper feeling than many other random apps out there.
Why Our Time is worth considering
- It’s super easy to use
- Free trial
- Curated matches help users find potential mates just for them
What we don’t like about it
- Not as popular as some apps limit a user’s search
- Ads are annoying
#9 - Kinkoo (Android; iOS) helps you find VERY specific preferences
Kinkoo is the app if you want to get kinky, Kinkoo is one of the best dating apps in Oakland for you. It's a fetish and BDSM app sometimes called Tinder for the kinksters. Kinkoo doesn't care if your straight or LGBT, it welcomes everyone.
This app is free but it does make you pay extra for virtual gifts. Kinkoo does match you with potential mates using an algorithm. There is a "feed" for you to scroll because Kinkoo is all about consent and its importance in the BDSM community. They want you to feel compatible with potential matches before connecting.
Why Kinkoo is for you
- Very focused on specific tastes
- Unique, artistic design
- Most members are interested and respectful of your preferences
What we don’t like about it
- There are a few scammers only looking for a “paid” relationship
- Many impersonal messages as some members are only looking for a quick hookup
- Lots of users looking for affairs to step outside the marriage for “fun”
If you are looking for more great guides to finding the right dating apps check these out:
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