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. These recommendations are even more important post-pandemic as many singles have turned to dating apps rather than meeting people in person.
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 and 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 - Tagged (Android; iOS) offers users a chilled online dating experience
Tagged is a great dating app for people who want a more chilled online dating experience. Dating apps can be overwhelming, turning people off from online dating, but Tagged hopes to reignite people’s interest in it.
It includes plenty of fun features that help people form genuine connections, such as the ability to play games with matches or live stream to them. Tagged created a community of chill people who want to meet people in a fun, yet laidback way.
Why is a great dating app in Oakland
- All users are laidback
- Break the ice by playing games with your matches
- Watch member’s live streams to get to know them better
What we don’t like about it
- The free version includes advertisements
- Livestreams tend to lag
#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 definitely 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 top of the line and the cream of the crop, for membership. 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 that consistently delivers, 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. The app lets its members like certain parts of a profile. And this allows the users to break the ice.
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 definitely 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 – Zoosk is one of our favorite dating apps in San Diego (Android; iOS)
Zoosk is the perfect dating app for young singles looking for something serious. It’s a great alternative to hookup-centric apps like Tinder as it can help users find genuine connections instead.
It has over 35 million users, plenty of which are Oakland locals, so you should be able to find a date. Swipe through profiles yourself or receive a daily match recommendation from Zoosk to save time.
Why Zoosk is worth trying
- Massive user base
- Receive daily match recommendations
- Good balance between men and women on the app
What we don’t like about it
- You need a paid membership to send messages
- No algorithm for offering compatible match recommendations
#8 - 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 use it for attention
#9 - 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 (except for eHarmony, which tends to be better) that are searching for love.
People over 50 are usually done with flings and fun. Our Time focuses on making matches that are different from 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 from 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
#10 - 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 you're 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”
#11 - 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
The Best Dating Sites in Oakland for Long-Term Relationships
After reading about 11 great dating apps, you may still be unsure about which one to download. If you know what you’re looking for on the apps, you can choose one that’s made for you, improving your chances of finding the perfect match. So, if you’re looking for a long-term relationship, here are two of the best dating apps for you to try:
eHarmony is the best Oakland dating site to find something serious
eHarmony is one of the most well-known dating sites on the market as it’s been around since 2000. Since its release, it has helped over 600,000 people in the United States alone find love and get married. The site’s success is partly due to the detailed questionnaire that all users complete upon signing up.
The questionnaire asks users about their preferences, interests and lifestyle to get to know them better, and match them with other users based on compatibility. Not only does this save you time, but it also helps you find someone you might actually have something in common with, making it easier to get a conversation started so you can start planning a date.
Hinge is the app that’s meant to be deleted.
The creators of Hinge actually want you to delete it because they know that means you’re likely to be in a happy relationship. Profiles are a bit more detailed than other dating apps as you upload pictures and answer three conversation prompts. To match with someone, you then comment on or like a specific picture or prompt. This encourages you to actually look through a person’s profile, rather than blindly swiping left or right.
The Best Hookup Sites in Oakland
Not everyone is on dating apps and sites to find true love. Instead, you might just be after a hookup or casual fling. If that sounds more like you, try one of our favorite Oakland hookup sites:
AFF is one of the best casual dating sites in Oakland
Another well-known dating site is AFF. Its reputation is a little less pure than eHarmony’s, though, because it’s clearly advertised as a site to find hookups. This ensures everyone on the site is looking for the same thing, so no need for awkward conversations about your intentions.
AFF is a paid dating site, which can put some people off, but consider it an investment in your future. The paid membership also gives you access to plenty of fun features, like erotic stories, live webcam shows and adult live chats. With over 60 million users on the site, you’re sure to find a hot Oakland local to hookup with.
Tinder is the best free hookup site in Oakland
As we’ve already discussed, Tinder is the perfect app for finding hookups. In fact, we think it’s the best free hookup site in Oakland. Using it is super easy and most users are on it to find a hookup, so you shouldn’t struggle with getting those matches and meeting up with hotties near you.
The Best Free Dating Sites in Oakland
Have you ever heard the saying, “You get what you pay for?” While free things are fun, this saying is true, especially when it comes to dating apps.
We know many singles, ourselves included, that have had much more success on paid dating apps and sites than free ones. This is because people who pay for memberships tend to be more serious about the experience.
If you’re not ready to pay for a membership right away, you can take advantage of a free trial or app first. This lets you test the waters so you can get to know what features you like. Just don’t expect too much from the free experience.
Here are the three best free dating sites in Oakland for you to try:
- Hinge
- Bumble
- OkCupid
You can easily use these apps for free or pay for additional features to enhance your experience.
