Need Cheap Psychics? Here Are the Best Deals for 2025

Published in cooperation between Psychic Aura and the East Bay Express

Psychic readings can help you gain insights and clarity, but since they’re charged by the minute, the trick is to find a site with skilled psychics at a fairly low rate.

To make things easier for you, we’ve done a deep dive looking for the best cheap psychic readings online at sites like Purple Garden. Explore our list of cheap psychics that can help save you a lot, thanks to free credits, introductory offers and free minutes.

Quick Overview of the Best Cheap Psychics in 2025

How Much Do Psychics Cost?

The going price for an online psychic reading in 2025 can be anywhere from 98 cents per minute to as high as almost $40 per minute (and sometimes more).

As an estimate, $20 to $30 per minute comes to between $1,200 and $1,800 per hour, which can be steep.

The good news is that most online psychics charge between $4.99 and $7.99 per minute, which is more realistic. Still, in these times of global inflation, it’s still a big expense for many.

Some sites like Kasamba offer new customers free or discount minute packages to help you get started, so let’s take a look at where you can save enough to make your psychic session affordable.  

Detailed Reviews of Cheap Psychics Online | 2025

Wondering, “Where can I find cheap psychics online?” Whether you’re a veteran of online psychic readings or you’re planning to try one for the first time, the following list can help you get psychic guidance without breaking the bank.

1. Purple Garden—Overall Best Cheap Psychics Plus $30 Free Credit

purple garden

Highlights

  • 900-plus available psychics
  • A featured cheap psychic every week
  • Video, phone and chat readings

Prices and Promos

The cost of a psychic reading on Purple Garden ranges from as low as 99 cents per minute to as much as $24.99 per minute. However, after a simple search, we found 160 cheap psychics who are highly rated and charge $1.99 per minute or less.

In addition, all new customers to the site will receive a free $30 credit that is applied to their first paid reading with some of the best psychics online.

What Clients Think of Purple Garden

Purple Garden has an overall customer rating on Trustpilot of 4.4 out of 5 based on more than 160 total reviews.

One Trustpilot reviewer named Anna said that, whenever she feels down, Purple Garden is like her personal psychologist. She was able to find several advisors who were able to calm her down and give her motivation [1].

Another Trustpilot reviewer called Faith praised the customer service team and its ability to handle difficulties. She also thought most of her readings were good. However, she added that the quality of the readers can vary, which can be a problem sometimes if your regular reader is busy [2].

A reviewer named Brenna thought it was really helpful that she could talk to psychics at Purple Garden who could give her clear insights and appreciate what she’s been feeling [3].

>>Get a Cheap Psychic Reading on Purple Garden for as low as 99 cents per minute

2. California Psychics—Best Cheap Phone Psychics Plus $1, $2 and $4 per Minute

california psychics

Highlights

  • 30-plus years online
  • Only the top 2 percent of psychics make the cut
  • Phone and chat readings

Prices and Promos

The prices charged by California Psychics range from a low price of $4 per minute to as much as $23 per minute, though both are essentially outliers. The majority of psychics on the site are affordable psychics who are charging between $5 to $8.50 per minute.

All new customers to California Psychics get to experience a real cheap phone psychic with a trio of discount packages costing $1, $2 and $4 per minute. The $1 per minute package grants you access to readers with three to five years of experience. The $2 package features readers with five to 15 years of experience, while the $4 package presents readers with 10-plus years of experience.

What Clients Think of California Psychics

California Psychics has a 4 out of 5 customer rating on Trustpilot based on over 3,000 total reviews.

One user on Trustpilot named Wera felt the readers on California Psychics were all beautiful and trustworthy souls who gave him the best readings of his life. He also suggests to anyone out there reading his review to give California Psychics a try, as he believes they won’t regret it [4]. 

Another Trustpilot reviewer called Sonya said she always feels so much better after talking to the readers on California Psychics. She has been really impressed over the years, saying that a few of them are truly the real deal when it comes to what she imagines a psychic to be [5].

Anne, a Trustpilot user, also said her California Psychics experience has been great, except for how a lot of the readers don’t post the times they’ll be available in their profiles. The reviewer says she isn’t psychic, so it’s hard for her to guess when her favorite readers will be available [6].

>>Get a Cheap Psychic Reading on California Psychics for $4 or above

3. Keen—Most Cheap Psychics Plus Five Minutes for $1

keen

Highlights

  • Search for cheap psychics by price
  • Handy mobile app 
  • Online chat and call sessions

Prices & Promos

The prices for psychic readings at Keen start as low as $1.99 per minute and go as high as $15 per minute. However, after employing the site’s easy-to-use search filter, we were able to pull up a list of almost 70 readers charging under $3 per minute and four charging the minimum of $1.99 per minute.

All new customers on Keen are eligible for the free introductory offer of five minutes for just $1.

What Clients Think of Keen

Keen has an overall customer rating on Trustpilot of 4.1 out of 5 based on nearly 800 total reviews.

Johannah, a Trustpilot user, feels Keen offers comprehensive and polite guidance to user questions, it’s quick to refund money if there’s a problem with a call and customer support is easy to contact. Overall, she feels the Keen team is very approachable [7].

Another user on Trustpilot named Lise also echoed kudos for Keen, saying she connected with a great reader who really helped her and was also very friendly. She liked the new customer discounts, and overall, she felt it was a really great service [8].

A third Trustpilot reviewer, Samin, was grateful for Keen, saying he turns to the site whenever he feels sad or anxious. Sometimes, the readers give him solutions to what’s bothering him, but mostly, they are just polite and respectful and that alone always makes him feel a little better [9].

>>Get a Cheap Psychic Reading on Keen for $1.99 and up

4. Kasamba—Best Love Psychics Plus 50 Percent off and Three Free Minutes

kasamba

Highlights

  • Great for love and relationship readings
  • Large menu of readings and subjects
  • Phone and chat readings

Prices and Promos

The prices for readings at Kasamba start as low as $1.99 per minute and can go as high as $39.99 per minute. After a custom search for psychic readers charging under $2.99 per minute, we were able to uncover more than 120 total psychics.

All new customers visiting Kasamba are eligible to get 50 percent off their first scheduled reading plus an additional three minutes free.

What Clients Think of Kasamba

On Trustpilot, Kasamba has an overall customer rating of 4.2 out of 5 based on over 1,400 total reviews.

A user on Trustpilot named Keery said her reading on Kasamba was both affordable and remarkably accurate. She was so impressed that she recommended the site to some friends, who also said their readings were extremely accurate, and they’ve also recommended Kasamba to others [10].

Another Trustpilot user called Ron says he’s been using Kasamba for a while now, and he’s been getting a lot of valuable insights from the psychics he’s spoken with. As far as he’s concerned, it’s honest and usable advice that’s certainly worth the time and cost [11].

One more Trustpilot user, Jerry, had generally good things to say in his Kasamba review, yet he did have reservations. His reading was very good and he will go back; it’s just that he feels it’s cumbersome to move around the website, likewise on the phone app (even with an update) [12].

>>Get a Cheap Psychic Reading on Kasamba for $1.99 per minute or more

5. Everclear—Customized Matches With Cheap Psychics Plus Three Free Minutes

everclear

Highlights

  • Double-vetted cheap psychics 
  • Personalized matches
  • Chat and phone readings

Prices and Promos

The prices for readings on Everclear range from as low as $1.99 per minute to as high as $19.98 per minute. After conducting a search, we found that both the previously mentioned high and low prices were outliers. Many readers on Everclear charge between $2.99 and $4.99 for phone and chat sessions.

All first-time customers to Everclear will receive three free minutes when they have their first scheduled reading.

What Clients Think of Everclear

Everclear has an overall customer rating of 3 out of 5 on Trustpilot, but keep in mind that is based on two customer ratings only.

One user named Keaka gave Everclear a five-star rating based on her experience with a pair of psychics she works with for different sorts of questions. She hasn’t really tried any other readers on the site, so it seems she has found her niche at Everclear [13]}.

The other Trustpilot rating is from an individual named Dwight. He doesn’t say much except for an ominous declaration of “beware of this site,” yet he doesn’t say why. It’s likely not because Everclear is too expensive [14].

On an r/psychics Reddit thread titled “The Best Love Psychics? Reddit Recommendations?,” a user named Monosql said that his experience on Everclear was great. The psychic really listened to his story and did a reading that offered some really good insights [15]. 

>>Get a Cheap Psychic Reading on Everclear for $1.99 per minute and above

6. Sanctuary Psychic Reading—Affordable Psychics for Chat Plus Five Minutes at $4.99

sanctuary psychic reading

Highlights

  • Ideal for chat readings with cheap psychics
  • Free horoscopes and daily tarot cards
  • A full menu of reading types and subjects

Prices and Promos

The prices charged by Sanctuary Psychic Readings range from a low price of $2.99 per minute to as much as $28.99 per minute and more. 

Our search revealed that you have an option to choose prices from low to high or high to low, so since we were looking for cheap psychics, we set the metrics for low to high. The majority of Sanctuary psychics are actually in a very affordable price range of $3.99 to $5.99.

Many of the psychics charge different prices for the different types of readings the site features, even when done by the same psychic. The menu of reading types offered by Sanctuary Psychics consists of: Universal, Psychic, Tarot, Energy Healing, Past Life and Mediumship readings.

In terms of promos, all new customers to Sanctuary Psychic Readings are eligible for an introductory offer of five minutes for just $4.99.

What Clients Think of Sanctuary Psychics

Giving Sanctuary a 9.3 out of 10 rating, ConsumerRating.org cites advantages like an easy-to-use platform and highly vetted readers yet also thinks its network of psychics is too small and specialized [16]. 

A review in MysticMag praised Sanctuary for its client questionnaire that helps customers find the right reader, its multiple vetting procedures and its astrology app that introduces millennials to astrology [17]. 

>>Get a Cheap Psychic Reading on Sanctuary for $2.99 per minute and up

7. Psychic Source—Most Experienced Cheap Psychics Plus $1 per Minute and Three Free Minutes

psychic source

Highlights

  • The oldest online psychic site with 35-plus years of experience
  • Chat, phone and video readings
  • Extensive “Articles and Media” section

Prices and Promos 

The psychic readings on Psychic Source range in price from as low as $1.99 per minute to as much as $17.99 per minute. Our search revealed a mid-range between the two for most readers, with the average reading price for a cheap reading being approximately $5.99 to $7.99.

All new customers at Psychic Source are eligible for $1 per minute introductory packages of 10, 20 and 30 minutes, plus an additional three minutes free.

What Clients Think of Psychic Source

On Trustpilot, Psychic Source has an overall customer rating of 3.5 out of 5 based on more than 700 reviews.

An anonymous Trustpilot user said that whenever they need guidance on their love life or just a perspective on anything that might be bothering them, they know they can rely on Psychic Source. Most of the time, the readings there are so accurate, it blows the reviewer’s mind [18]. 

Another Trustpilot reviewer, Anne, said there are many really good psychics on Psychic Source, yet the quality varies. That’s why she appreciated the site’s customer service department. They don’t argue and are usually quite prompt when it comes to issues about refunding not-so-great readings [19]. 

A Psychic Source customer on Trustpilot named SC says he has talked with some really good readers, but he tries to stay away from chat readings. That’s because he feels many of the psychics are real slow typers, which adds to the cost [20].

>>Get a Cheap Psychic Reading on Psychic Source for $1.99 per minute or more

8. AskNow—Top Cheap Tarot Readings Plus Five Free Minutes and $1 per Minute

asknow

Highlights

  • Many cheap psychics are experts on tarot card readings
  • Call and chat sessions
  • Tiered pricing for different budgets

Prices and Promos

AskNow offers a two-tiered pricing system that makes a quality psychic reading affordable for almost any budget. Whether you prefer tarot readings or other types of sessions, the rates of a competent and experienced Top-Rated Reader costs $5 to $10 per minute, and an extremely experienced Master psychic charges $11 per minute and up.

New customers get $1 per minute deals with the Top-Rated Psychic of their choice, plus an additional five free minutes.

What Customers Think of AskNow

AskNow has an overall customer rating of 4.1 out of 5 based on over 90 reviews.

Petra, a reviewer on Trustpilot, said her experience with AskNow has been nothing short of amazing. The psychic she spoke with was a blessing whose guidance has definitely made a difference in her life. Customer service was also very helpful; representatives made her feel like a valued customer [21].

A Trustpilot user named Venus says her reading on AskNow was nothing short of being absolutely thrilling. It was smooth, professional and deeply insightful from start to finish, so she can’t wait to have another session [22].

One Trustpilot review from Patricia points out what could be an honest mistake. She said that after her free five minutes with a Master Psychic, she was then connected to another Master Psychic whom she didn’t choose for her regular reading. Thinking the connection was to a mid-priced reader, she was surprised when the bill came [23].

>>Get a Cheap Psychic Reading on AskNow for $5 and above

9. Oranum—Best Video Readings Plus $9.99 Free Credit

oranum

Highlights

  • Free spiritual content on reader profiles
  • Easy-to-search tool with price filter
  • All cheap psychics are available on video 

Prices and Promos

Readings on Oranum start as low as $0.98 per minute and go as high as $9.99 per minute and more. The user-—friendly search filter lets you set not only the price you’d prefer for your cheap psychic, but you can also choose their years of experience and language. 

All new customers that sign up on Oranum will get a free $9.99 credit to start.

What Clients Think of Oranum

On Trustpilot, Oranum has an overall customer rating of 3.5 out of 5 based on over 110 total reviews.

Emma, a reviewer on Trustpilot, says she’s been patronizing Oranum for the last few months. There have been times when she literally cried tears of joy for the loving guidance she’s received. In her opinion, the readers on the site are genuinely kind and considerate and she’s thankful for them [24].

Another Trustpilot reviewer called Business Encounters said that the readings on Oranum are generally a lot better than at other sites they have tried. They have had good experiences with kind, compassionate and insightful readers who don’t just simply tell them what they want to hear [25].

One reviewer on Reddit named Tiffani_wallace said that once she tried a video reading on Oranmu, the deal was sealed for her. Since then, she wouldn’t think of trying another site for a video session. It was the free live chat option that made up her mind. That’s where she can ask live psychics a free chat question and then watch them answer it live in real time [26].

>>Get a Cheap Psychic Reading on Oranum for 98 cents per minute and up

10. PsychicOz—Top Spiritual Readings Plus 99 Cents per Minute and Three Minutes Free

psychicoz

Highlights

  • Phone, chat, video and email video readings
  • Comprehensive search filter
  • Strict screening process for psychics 

Prices and Promos

Readings on PsychicOz start as low as $2.99 per minute for chat, phone, and video and go up to $9.99 for an email reading.

Every new customer gets the first three  minutes of his or her reading free, along with a choice between a pair of $0.99 per minute offers for 10 and 15 minutes. 

What Clients Think of Psychic Oz

On Trustpilot, PsychicOz has an overall customer rating of 4.6 out of 5 based on a total of over 50 reviews.

According to a Trustpilot user named Lori, the reader she chose for her psychic reading was absolutely on point with what was going on in her life. It was an amazing experience, and she looks forward to doing it again if life ever corners her again [27].

An anonymous Trustpilot user said Psychic Oz is a great company with legit psychics. You can pick just about anyone and their readings are right on the money, while they get right to the point, the user said. Customer service is also great, always friendly and accommodating [28].

Another Trustpilot reviewer, Tee, wasn’t that happy with the customer support team. He was frustrated with the lack of response after following up with multiple emails about an issue [29].

>>Get a Cheap Psychic Reading on PsychicOz for $2.99 per minute or more

How to Find Affordable Psychic Readings Online

We would like to share some of the tricks we discovered to help you find cheap psychics who can answer your questions; from past present future readings to dream analysis.

Decide on the Type of Reading

Knowing what you want to talk about is an important part of choosing the type of reading you should get. If you’re having romantic difficulties, then a site specializing in love like Kasamba would be a good choice. If you’re drawn to a specific type of reading like tarot, then AskNow could be the site for you.

Set a Budget

Finding the best cheap psychic reading is imperative if you’re on a budget, particularly since psychic readings are charged by the minute. As a result, picking a site that provides both free and discounted minutes for a single session gives you the chance to get insights without emptying your wallet.

Browse Psychics

Go for a site with a comprehensive search filter, informative reader profiles and transparent customer reviews to assist in your search. 

Compare Promos

All the sites offering cheap psychics online are not alike when it comes to how much savings you can get. Purple Garden has the largest new customer credit, Psychic Source offers the most flexible $1 per minute deal and Kasamba has the most free minutes for a free psychic reading. Figure out which offer for a free psychic chat fits your financial needs.

Read Reviews

Customer reviews are one of the best ways to see how good a psychic is where the rubber meets the road: an actual reading. Find out what other people who’ve paid for the service have to say about a psychic’s accuracy, communication style, sensitivity and giving your money’s worth.

How To Get the Most of Your Psychic Reading

Getting the most out of your psychic reading for the lowest price is vital when your budget is limited.

Free minutes with cheap psychics sound good, but the most you’ll likely get from the reputable sites is between three to five minutes, whether you prefer a live chat or call.

On the other hand, the most practical discount in the cheap psychic readings game is discounted minutes, particularly $1 per minute deals of 20 minutes or more.

If you find a site that combines both, like Kasamba or Psychic Source, then you’re on your way to significant savings and a lot more reading time with psychics, clairvoyants, astrologers, tarot readers and more.

For example, if a site offers 30 minutes at $1 per minute plus three free minutes, that means you get 33 minutes for $30. Compare that to an average $4.99 per minute reading where you’ll only get five minutes for the same price.

FAQs on Cheap Psychics

These are some questions that readers have been asking about cheap psychics and where to find them.

How Much Do Psychics Cost?

Many private psychics who work in person typically require you to book half-hour or hour sessions that can range anywhere from $50 to $100 for 30 minutes and from $150 to $200 or more for an hour. Online psychics charge by the minute, with prices ranging from 99 cents per minute to $40 per minute and more. An online reading can cost between $10 and $200.

Does the Pricing Differ With the Communication Method?

Yes, email readings are generally the cheapest form of psychic reading due to their flat rates. Chat readings, phone readings, video readings, and in-person readings are all progressively more expensive because of their price per minute rates, regardless if you need advice about love, career or something else.

Can Cheap Psychics Still Be Accurate?

Yes, it is a misconception that more expensive psychics are necessarily more accurate. Less expensive or cheap psychics can be just as accurate. After all, many powerful psychics consider it a spiritual duty to provide their services to those who are less fortunate and in need of spiritual guidance.

Do Cheap Psychics Offer Free Trials?

Yes, many online sites with moderately priced and cheap psychics have free trials in the form of free or discounted minutes to increase their client base by offering their psychic services at a more affordable rate.

Cheap Psychics: Conclusion

In these times of global inflation, unless you’re a rich kid, you’re probably aiming to save money wherever you can.

Psychic readings seem expensive because they charge by the minute and it’s easy to lose track of time. Yet, with these deals, we’ve made you aware of sites like Purple Garden and more where cheap psychics are accessible through free credits, intro offers, free minutes and other great deals.

You don’t need to be psychic to figure out how to afford one, which is why we wrote this guide.

Good luck, and namaste.

>>Get a Cheap Psychic Reading on Purple Garden for as little as $0.99 per minute

References

  1. Anna U.S. (2025, July 18) Review of Purple Garden on Trustpilot https://www.trustpilot.com/users/6879c96b192bd363b8c6edf8 
  2. Faith U.S. (2025, July 11) Review of Purple Garden on Trustpilot https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.purplegarden.co?stars=4 
  3. Brenna U.S. (2025, July 29) Review of Purple Garden on Trustpilot https://www.trustpilot.com/users/68883492b7b8171b22607672 
  4. Wera U.S. (2025, August 6) Review of California Psychics on Trustpilot https://www.trustpilot.com/users/6892af95b7b8172e576c587f 
  5. Sonya U.S. (2025, August 1) Review of California Psychics on Trustpilot https://www.trustpilot.com/users/658486818727aa0012988bf4 
  6. Anne U.S. (2025, July 21) Review of California Psychics on Trustpilot https://www.trustpilot.com/users/5ba3c77e4de5666d34ae751a 
  7. Johannah KR (2025, July 2) Review of Keen on Trustpilot https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.keen.com 
  8. Lise NO (2025, June 23) Review of Keen on Trustpilot https://www.trustpilot.com/users/6684131505430dd94a79162c 
  9. Samin U.K. (2025, May 13)  Review of Keen on Trustpilot https://www.trustpilot.com/users/5ab809134de5666d34833ded 
  10. Kerry CA (2025, July 20) Review of Kasamba on Trustpilot https://www.trustpilot.com/users/687d99bf192bd3a348ca593d 
  11. Ron Sapir Eliyahu IL (2025, July 1) Review of Kasamba on Trustpilot https://www.trustpilot.com/users/68639d5f2f2478702a33644c 
  12. Jerry J U.S. (2024, September 16) Review of Kasamba on Trustpilot https://www.trustpilot.com/users/66e8b1bbfb6f8761fb223de6 
  13. Keaka Trudeaux U.S. (2023, August 31) Review of Everclear on Trustpilot https://www.trustpilot.com/users/64f0fdfc471b150011722b63 
  14. Dwight U.K. (2025, April 1) Review of Everclear on Trustpilot  https://www.trustpilot.com/users/67eb6f55257601fde792da26 
  15. Monosql U.S. r/psychics The Best Love Psychics? Reddit Recommendations? (2024, August) Review of Everclear on Reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/psychics/comments/1d7vsso/the_best_love_psychics_reddit_recommendations/ 
  16. ConsumerRating.org Review of Sanctuary Psychic Readings (2025, August) https://consumerrating.org/online-psychics/reviews/sanctuary/ 
  17. MysticMag Review of Sanctuary Psychic Readings (2025, June 27) https://www.mysticmag.com/reviews/sanctuary/ 
  18. Customer U.S, (2025, July 16) Review of Psychic Source on Trustpilot https://www.trustpilot.com/users/66e0e472b64adb58c16a29b6 
  19. Anne U.S. (2025, March 18) Review of Psychic Source on Trustpilot https://www.trustpilot.com/users/5ba3c77e4de5666d34ae751a 
  20. SC U.S. (2025, May 30) Review of Psychic Source on Trustpilot https://www.trustpilot.com/users/68139b81b83f2c711b6ba2ef 
  21. Petra Lane U.S. (2025, April 13) Review of AskNow on Trustpilot https://www.trustpilot.com/users/66a94358e2a36a1f429062c6 
  22. Venus U.S. (2024, July 30) Review of AskNow on Trustpilot https://www.trustpilot.com/review/asknow.com?page=2&stars=5 
  23. Patricia Larocca U.S. (2025, February 20) Review of AskNow on Trustpilot https://www.trustpilot.com/users/67b73a0230e5fe85c195552c  
  24. Emma H. U.S. (2024, July 8) Review of Oranum on Trustpilot https://www.trustpilot.com/users/668b55cc47406e22fad020c5 
  25. Business Encounters TN (2024, March 22) Review of Oranum on Trustpilot https://www.trustpilot.com/users/65fdb0e759b26800127c6968 
  26. Tiffani_wallace r/psychics Oranum Review: Do video readings Feel Like In Person Sessions (2025, February) Review of Oranum on Reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/psychics/comments/1im4gt6/oranum_review_does_video_readings_feel_like/ 
  27. Lori U.S. (2025, May 12) Review of PsychicOz on Trustpilot https://www.trustpilot.com/users/68217282b83f2c45cf796f14 
  28. Customer U.S. (2025, March 9) Review of PsychicOz on Trustpilot https://www.trustpilot.com/users/67cda1c19a702638b69fff11 
  29. Tee U.S. (2021, January 9) Review of PsychicOz on Trustpilot https://www.trustpilot.com/users/5ff9be4b03e8b7001a6ec217

Best Swinger Sites to Find Swingers Near You (2025)

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Published in cooperation between Lust Panther and the East Bay Express

While older swingers fondly remember the days of hitting up swinger clubs, it’s now easier than ever to meet swingers nearby via the top swinger sites. It’s even better for younger folks new to swinging and just looking to test the waters.

These platforms for the swing lifestyle bring an unmatched variety of choices to your fingertips.

Furthermore, these swinger sites give you the skinny on exclusive swinger events and swinger parties you’d likely never find otherwise. You can enjoy streamlined features that make it easy to find your perfect matchup, even if you just want a little online fun.

Ready to explore the best places to meet swingers?

First Look—Top-Rated Swinger Dating Sites

Best Sites for The Swing Lifestyle, Reviewed

1. Swap Finder—Best Swinger Site Overall

swap finder

Pros

  • 40-plus million members worldwide 
  • It’s like Instagram for swingers 
  • Connect with local couples online 
  • Many different orientations to choose from

Cons 

  • You have to pay for instant messages 

Pricing 

  • $39.95 for month-to-month subscription
  • $26.95 per month for 3 months 
  • $19.95 per month billed annually 

Instagram might be cracking down on erotic photos, but SwapFinder openly invites swingers to share their most intimate moments with 40-plus million other members worldwide. It’s a lot like Swinger Facebook, if we’re being honest.

On that note, you’ll find a slew of live cams and naughty snapshots to scroll through here.

If you’re here to fantasize about jumping into the swinger lifestyle with both feet and meet swingers nearby, there’s plenty of fodder for you and your partner to drool over. 

Beyond SwapFinder’s social media functionality, you’ll be able to connect with a broad range of local couples online. SwapFinder makes it easy to find your perfect partner, giving you the option to choose your preferred orientation and go the distance with location-based filters. 

While you can create your free account and browse the platform, you’ll need to pay before sending or receiving any instant messages. SwapFinder and AFF use the same pricing tiers, giving annual subscribers the best deal for just $19.95 per month

Features

  • Browse through local adult personals for free 
  • Affordable subscription pricing for new members
  • 40-plus million members to choose among 

>>Start swinging on Swapfinder

2. AdultFriendFinder—Top Social Media Platform for Swinger Dating

adultfriendfinder

Pros

  • 80-plus million members 
  • Plenty of variety to choose from
  • Best for one-night stands 
  • Built-in identity verification

Cons 

  • Useless without a paid membership 

Pricing 

  • $39.95 for month-to-month 
  • $26.95 per month for 3 months
  • $19.95 per month billed annually 

AdultFriendFinder is the best online dating club to meet swingers nearby and abroad today. With 80-plus million members using the site worldwide, it offers an unmatched variety. 

You can use in-depth search filters that give you the option to sort by distance, location and sexual orientation. 

Alternatively, fetish-friendly swingers will have access to AFF’s “kink filters.” Whether you’re into anal, D/S dynamics, masochism or CNC, you’re bound to find couples who share the same sexual preferences. 

You can create a free account to get started, but the site is useless without a paid membership. 

At its cheapest, you’ll pay $19.95 per month to send instant messages, view not safe for work live cams from real members and browse AFF’s forums to find exclusive swinger parties in your area. 

It’s not hard to find casual sex with AFF, but most other users aren’t interested in long-term setups. If you’re OK with experimenting across a wide range of couples in your area, you should definitely consider AdultFriendFinder as one of the best places to meet swingers nearby.

Features 

  • Dedicated filters for BDSM-friendly swingers nearby
  • Affordable subscription pricing 
  • Plenty of variety across 80-plus million members 

>>Find a new fling on AdultFriendFinder

3. SDC—Best Swingers Dating App for Newbies and Beginners 

sdc

Pros

  • Seek, discover and connect 
  • Best for newbies to the lifestyle 
  • 3-plus million members worldwide 
  • Easy to find IRL events 

Cons 

  • Must pay before interacting with couples 

Pricing 

  • $29.95 for month-to-month subscription
  • $59.94 for 3 months (billed upfront) 
  • $99.96 for 6 months (billed upfront) 
  • $150 for annual membership

SDC stands for Seek, Discover and Connect. SDC presents swinger newbies with a fantastic introduction to the lifestyle, giving them leeway to meet swingers nearby and couples on their own schedule

Unlike other swinger sites, SDC’s forums are filled with exclusive invitations to beginner-friendly swinger parties and swinger events. Along with 3-plus million members worldwide, you’ll have access to unique search filters that narrow down your options. 

SDC’s inclusive community is accessible to LGBTQ+ couples, single guys, unicorns, women and married individuals looking to spice things up a little bit. Unfortunately, free members are only allowed to browse through existing posts and navigate through SDC’s forums. 

Before you interact with any married dating couples, you’ll need to shell out a bit of cash, as you’d expect in all the best places to meet swingers.

We’d recommend going for SDC’s annual membership, which will cost you $150 upfront. On the bright side, this figure works out to a very affordable $12.50 per month. 

Features

  • Easy to find parties and IRL swinger events for beginners
  • Search for LGBTQ+ couples, guys, women, non-binary and trans folk 
  • Subscription pricing works out to $12.50 per month

>>Start your swingers’ adventure on SDC

4. Ashley Madison—Best Swinger Dating for Discreet Encounters

ashley madison

Pros

  • Find discreet encounters and affairs
  • 70-plus million members worldwide 
  • Best for casual sex and one-night stands

Cons 

  • You won’t get anywhere without paying 

Pricing 

  • As low as $0.25 per credit
  • $29.99 per month for subscription

Currently, 70-plus million members use Ashley Madison to find casual sex, engage in marital affairs or bring their spouse along for the ride, making it one of the best places to meet swingers. 

Discretion is at the forefront, which means you’ll have to pay a steep price to join the Ashley Madison community. Unfortunately, Ashley Madison charges $29.99 per month for continued access. Each message you send will also cost you 5 credits, which can get expensive. 

That said, steep pricing tiers prevent bots and trolls from invading your personal space. 

Features

  • Best for real users seeking casual sex
  • Great for swingers and affair-lovers

>>Get swinging discreetly with Ashley Madison

5. Alt.com—Top Swinger Dating Website for Inclusion

Alt.com

Pros

  • Great site for alternative preferences
  • 2-plus million monthly active users 
  • Find men, women and LGBTQ+ couples in your area

Cons 

  • You can’t send messages for free 

Pricing 

  • Silver—$22.94 per month 
  • Gold—$34.44 per month 

Looking for where to meet swingers nearby for kinky encounters? ALT.com is designed for swingers with unconventional kinks and alternative preferences. 

It’s one of the best places to meet swingers for BDSM-inspired search filters with a boatload of proximity-based profiles, giving you a broad variety of male, female and LGBTQ+ partners to choose from. 

The site has been around since 1995, and it attracts upwards of 2 million users every month. With so many options at your fingertips, we’re willing to wager on your success. While you can browse through profiles upon registration, you can’t message other couples for free. 

To interact with local members, you’ll need to pay for a Silver-tiered subscription ($22.94 per month). If you’re planning on sticking around for a while, its annual Silver membership will cost you a mere $10.29 per month. 

Features

  • Designed for alternative kinksters and swingers
  • Browse through local profiles to find your perfect match
  • Equivalent mixture of genders

>>Find kinksters and swingers on Alt.com

6. Kasidie—Best Place To Meet Swingers Nearby for Events and Real-Life Connections

kasidie

Pros

  • Focus on real-life events/parties
  • Travel-friendly
  • Strong community vibe

Cons

  • Outdated website design

Pricing

  • 1 month: $19.95 per month
  • 3 months: $15 per month
  • 12-month offer: $10 per month

Kasidie is your top pick if you’re looking for one of the best places to meet swingers, focused on getting people out of the house and into real-life swinger meetups. You can join it for swinger lifestyle conventions in Vegas or casual house parties down the block.

You will enjoy using Kasidie again since it’s travel-friendly. You can connect and match with other interesting swingers nearby when vacationing or attending swinger events in another location.

The highlight of the site is the fun Kasidie Kash reward system. You can earn credits by engaging on the site (pretty much like airline miles), which bolsters your profile ranking on the platform, increasing your chances of winning a date/hookup.

For $19.95 per month, you can enjoy premium perks like exclusive placement and full messaging access.

Features

  • Detailed profiles for easy connections
  • Find swinger dates nearby
  • Offers event discounts 

>>Join Kasidie for the Best Real-Life Swinger Events

7. Pure—Meet Swingers for Spontaneous Hookups and No-Strings Fun

pure

Pros

  • Great for spontaneous meets
  • Anonymous sign-up
  • Location-based matching

Cons

  • Smaller swinger community

Pricing

  • 1 week: $14.99
  • 1 month: $29.99
  • 3 months: $57.99 total
  • 6 months: $92.99 total

Pure is all about fast and spontaneous hookups where you can sign up, browse, match and meet up in less than a day, making it one of the best places to meet swingers. 

The site’s design aims to connect interested users for casual encounters within 24 hours of matching. It’s like a digital version of speed dating, where you only meet after agreeing on Pure’s platform. 

Pure is so thorough with this model that chats auto-delete 24 hours after your first engagement. This helps keep things short, straightforward and fun. This also goes for any dating or hookup ad you may have previously posted.

While Pure is not an exclusive swinging platform, its fast-paced casual dating model and tons of active users make it one of the best places to meet swingers if you clarify your intentions from the start.

Features

  • Appeals to singles and couples
  • Can extend chat time if needed
  • Great for casual hookups

>>Meet Swingers Nearby Quickly on Pure Here

8. Swingers R4R on Reddit—Best Free Swinger Website

swingers r4r reddit

Pros

  • 100 percent free collection of adult personals
  • 336,000-plus active members 
  • Easy to sort by post flairs and location
  • Post and message others without paying 

Cons 

  • Single guys can’t “post” per se 

Pricing 

  • It’s free 

SR4R, otherwise known as “Swingers R4R,” is found exclusively on Reddit. Consider SR4R the new Craigslist Personals for adventurous couples. It’s home to 336,000 active members and counting, making it one of the best places to meet swingers in a large crowd.

You can post, comment and message directly with other couples for free!

This subreddit is constantly bustling with new activity. It’s easy to sort by post flairs (hard swap, soft swap, etc.), location (down to the state) and age (it’s just a number). While couples are heavily encouraged to post personal ads, single guys are prohibited from posting to the forum. 

Features

  • There’s no paid membership to navigate through 
  • Specific post flairs and location narrow down your options

>>Swing for free on Reddit/r/swingersr4r

9. FetLife—Best Swinger Site for Fetish-Oriented Hookups 

fetlife

Pros

  • Free-to-use, kink-centered platform
  • Find IRL BDSM parties and swinger events 
  • 10.1 million active members 

Cons 

  • It’s on you to avoid the creeps 

Pricing 

  • $5 per month subscription
  • $240 for lifetime access

With 10.1 million active users and counting, FetLife is the world’s largest kink-centered community and among the best places to meet swingers. 

It’s also completely free to use for swinger couples, allowing exclusive access to information-filled forums with all the latest munches and swinger parties in your location. 

You can message other users, view photos and videos or join groups without paying a dime. That said, its premium membership ($5 per month) gives you the ability to broaden your search perimeters and customize your dating experience to no end. 

If “value for pricing” is important to you, it doesn’t get much better than FetLife. While there are plenty of fake profiles to avoid, they’re incredibly easy to spot.

Features

  • Almost all features are completely free to use 
  • 10.1 million active members
  • Meant for newbies and experienced kinksters

>>Find fellow fetishists and swingers on FetLife

10. Tinder—Top Hookup App With a Huge Swinger Community

Tinder

Pros

  • Basic features are free 
  • 75-plus million active users
  • Match-based on location 

Cons 

  • Not exclusively for swingers 

Pricing 

  • Plus—$7.99 per month 
  • Gold—$24.99 per month 
  • Platinum—$29.99 per month 

Tinder is the original swipe-to-match hookup app, so it’s no surprise that it has 75-plus million users looking for casual sex on a daily basis. While it’s not exclusively one of the best places to meet swingers, Tinder’s every fifth profile appears to be looking for a unicorn. 

Matches are location-based, and you can swipe on up to 100 profiles per day for free.

In order to surpass its arbitrary “like limits,” you’ll need to choose one of its subscription tiers. For most couples, Tinder Plus ($7.99 per month) will suffice. 

Features

  • Huge pool of active men, women and LGBTQ+ folk
  • You don’t have to pay if you don’t want to

>>Use Tinder to find swingers near you

11. Swing LifeStyle—Top Swinger Site for Professional Swingers

swing lifestyle

Pros

  • Join and browse groups for free 
  • 200,000-plus active weekly members 
  • Most users are age 35 to 49 
  • Dedicated mobile app for iOS and Android 

Cons 

  • Must pay to send and receive messages 

Pricing 

  • $19.95 for month-to-month subscription
  • $29.95 for 3 months ($9.98 per month) 
  • $49.95 for 6 months ($8.33 per month)
  • $69.95 for 12 months ($5.83 per month)

If you’d prefer to mingle with couples who aren’t too young or too old, Swing LifeStyle is among the best places to meet swingers for mature audiences seeking in-person meetups with swingers nearby. 

It boasts upwards of 200,000 active weekly members, and most of them are ages 35 to 49! 

You can join for free today. 

When you create your free account, you’ll unlock access to a diverse range of swinger-oriented forum posts and 17,000-plus location-based “groups.” Swing LifeStyle operates on a worldwide scale, so you’re sure to find the details regarding swinger parties no matter where you live.

You can also download Swing LifeStyle’s mobile app for discreet, on-the-go browsing. 

It’s 100 percent free, and it’s available for iOS and Android devices. Better still, its paid video chat feature is seamlessly integrated with its mobile-friendly platform.

Although you’ll have to pay (as in other best places to meet swingers) before sending or receiving instant messages from other members, Swing LifeStyle’s extremely affordable subscription pricing only helps its case. Unlike our higher-ranked picks, it charges just $5.83 per month for a yearlong membership. 

If you’re willing to make coffee at home, we promise you won’t notice a dent in your bank account. 

Features

  • Designed for mature audiences (ages 35 to 49)
  • 200,000-plus active weekly members
  • Extremely affordable subscription pricing
  • Lots of awesome features are free to use

>>Find experienced swingers of SwingLifeStyle 

How We Chose the Best Adult Swinger Sites

Swinger Website Reputation 

The best swinger apps have a time-tested reputation connecting unicorns with open-minded couples while fostering relationships between local swingers. 

Anonymity and Security Features 

We chose the best places to meet swingers that make it easy to conceal your identity online. And your personal information isn’t accessible to the general public with our best swingers websites. 

Value for Price 

Although some dating sites for swingers require upfront payment, we reviewed a mixture of free sites while making an exception for affordable subscriptions. 

Active Users

Our swinging sites are filled with millions of active users, just like other hookup sites. They foster connections between real people, and they make it easy to verify your identity online.

FAQs—Swinger Websites and the Swinging Lifestyle 

Is the Upside-Down Pineapple a Symbol for Other Swingers? 

Yes, the upside-down pineapple is a symbol for other swingers. While the vast majority of people won’t give a second thought to pineapple decorum, it’s actually a secret code

Before the Internet came about, swingers put upside-down pineapples in their shopping carts to broadcast their preferences in public. In the present day, upside-down pineapples discreetly advertise your willingness to meet with other sexually adventurous couples. 

What is the Best Dating Site for Meeting Swingers? 

AdultFriendFinder is the best swinger dating site. With upwards of 80-million active members worldwide, you’re bound to find an ever-increasing number of willing couples on the site. 

AFF’s unique search filters give you the freedom to search for unconventional hookups, sort by matching fetishes and find your preferred sexual orientation. Additionally, users can filter by distance and location to enjoy an equivalent mixture of convenience and variety

At its cheapest, AFF’s membership fee will cost you $19.95 per month out-of-pocket for an annual subscription. 

Are There Any Recommended Tips for New Swingers? 

Before you jump headfirst into swinging parties, events and the lifestyle as a whole, consider our best recommendations for baby swingers.

You and your partner need to discuss your individual boundaries, which should clearly define what you are and aren’t comfortable with. For example, some swingers only allow foreplay and teasing, while others go all the way. 

Secondly, ease your way into swinging.

Don’t worry—willing couples aren’t going anywhere. Discuss and fantasize about the kinds of sexual partners you’d love to get in bed with. 

Finally, come up with a code word. In the heat of the moment, it’s normal to experience hesitation or nervousness related to trying something new with a stranger. Much like a head nod or Morse code, this signal can quickly communicate how you’re feeling to your partner. 

What Are Some Free Swinger Dating Sites? 

Reddit R4R, Tinder, FetLife and Swing LifeStyle are some free swinger sites you can try. None of these sites require a paid membership, and basic features are easily accessible without spending a single penny.

You’ll enjoy adult personals, the latest details on exclusive swinger events and the opportunity to meet a broad variety of willing couples with our best free swinger apps. 

Are There Any Rules to the Swinging Lifestyle? 

No, there are no specific rules regarding the swinging lifestyle. However, each couple defines its own boundaries, so there’s no clear-cut answer to this question. 

On that note, one boundary you should both discuss is “taking one for the team.” You should not have to endure something you’re not comfortable with, just for the sake of watching your partner have a wonderful time. The same principle applies vice-versa

Additionally, you may want to distance yourself from particular couples in the weeks or months following your first encounter. This prevents you or your partner from developing an emotional attachment to somebody. At the same time, you both get to explore a wider variety of options!

Final Thoughts on The Best Swingers Dating Sites 

Whether you’re searching for a one-night stand, a long-term setup, or something in between, millions of other members are doing the same. The top picks above offer the best places to meet swingers nearby for candid fun and casual encounters.

Swapfinder was our No. 1 choice for couples looking to spice up their sex lives, but we’ve got nine runner-ups geared towards a larger audience of swingers. 

Budget-conscious users should give Reddit’s R4R Swingers page a fair shot, while mature audiences and experienced pleasure-seekers will enjoy what Swing LifeStyle has to offer.

BDSM connoisseurs, young couples, discreet daters, and a thriving LGBTQ+ population meet across our best swinger apps. There’s enough variety for everybody’s tastes!

RELATED READING: Sugar dating sites and apps

How Artists Survive Financial Strain in the East Bay

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Published in cooperation between Modzy.com and the East Bay Express

Life as an artist in the East Bay is a balancing act—creative freedom on one side, economic uncertainty on the other. From Oakland’s vibrant murals to Berkeley’s indie galleries, local artists fuel the region’s cultural pulse. Yet, beneath the surface, many face mounting financial pressures that threaten both their livelihoods and their ability to create.

How Artists Manage Unpredictable Income

Ask any working artist in the East Bay, and you’ll hear a familiar refrain: Income is rarely steady. Gigs come and go, grants are competitive and even successful exhibitions don’t always translate to reliable paychecks. Rents in Oakland and Berkeley continue to climb, while costs for materials, studio space and health insurance eat away at already thin margins. For many, the dream of making a living through art is shadowed by the reality of hustling multiple jobs or side gigs just to make ends meet.

Financial Survival Strategies for Artists

Despite these challenges, East Bay artists have developed a toolkit of strategies to weather financial storms. Some form collectives to share resources and reduce costs, while others turn to crowdfunding or local microgrants to support new projects. There’s a growing awareness of the need for financial literacy—artists are attending workshops on budgeting, taxes and contract negotiation, often hosted by local nonprofits or arts organizations. When unexpected expenses arise, a few consider short-term options like best online payday loans, though most approach these with caution, understanding the risks and seeking alternatives whenever possible. Community support, from pop-up sales to mutual aid funds, remains a lifeline for many.

Community Advocacy and the Future for Artists

The East Bay’s creative community is nothing if not resilient. Artists here are not just surviving—they’re advocating for systemic change. From pushing for affordable housing policies to demanding fair pay for public art commissions, local creatives are making their voices heard in city halls and neighborhood meetings. For an up-to-date perspective on local social, cultural and political issues impacting the East Bay community, the East Bay Express provides comprehensive and investigative local East Bay news coverage that deeply engages with the region’s challenges and stories. As the landscape shifts, artists continue to adapt, drawing strength from each other and from the communities they inspire. Their stories remind us that creativity is not just a luxury—it’s a necessity, especially in times of uncertainty.

Legacy and newer players survive by grassroots and grit

East Bay cannabis is truly something for our community to be proud of. Some of the most successful cannabis companies in California—and the world—are still based here and in San Francisco, despite many others closing up shop as adult-use legalization has failed many in this state.

I don’t need to elaborate on over-taxation and over-regulation to local consumers; we all see the results on the price tags in dispensaries and the disruption to our favorite brands.

Operators have had to comply with one absurdity after another just to stay in business. The California excise tax for weed being almost twice that of firearms is but one example. Despite it all, the resiliency and grit that are hallmarks of East Bay culture are being tapped by operators to get weed to the people. Good weed at that.

It all started with the legacy dispensary Berkeley Patients Group, which began in the late 1990s and is still going strong today. It was the first of many important pioneers. Oaksterdam University and the work of Richard Lee, who sadly passed away in July, and Dale Sky Jones broke new ground for so many in our community. Oaksterdam still teaches and advocates for reform to this day. Then Harborside opened its doors in 2006 and put Oakland cannabis on the international media map, making The Town the global face of weed.

Other legacy companies made their own contributions, like Kiva, Jetty Extracts, Oakland Extracts, 7 Stars and Nug. All are alive and well in places like Oakland, San Leandro and Richmond. Not to mention Cookies, the global powerhouse that got started right here in the East Bay and may be the biggest force in all of cannabis.

Newer players like Snowtill in San Francisco, Vertosa in Berkeley, Budist in Oakland and Park Social in Alameda continue to innovate and create new formats or interfaces for cannabis and consumers. Social equity companies like Root’d in the 510 dispensary and the Equity Trade Network bring excellent operations and products to customers, allowing them to support those most harmed by the war on weed.

While it’s tempting to conclude that legal cannabis has no heart, sometimes one just has to poke around. Here in the East Bay and San Francisco, there’s no shortage of excellent operators and products for the people to enjoy and heal from. The operators I’ve listed here are just the tip of the iceberg, so one may keep poking around. They may just hit something that really lights them up.


View this year’s readers’ picks for the Best of Cannabis here.

Local photographer unleashes pets’ personalities

Blending her artistic talent and a strong passion for dogs, Silke van de Grift helps pets at Berkeley Humane and Rocket Dog Rescue get adopted by unleashing—no pun intended—their true personalities for the camera.

Van de Grift’s focus on pet photography began when she adopted and started posting photos of her own dog, Molly—“a shy and anxious little weirdo,” she calls her. As Molly grew closer to her, she noticed the difference it made on camera. Her photos gained attention from friends, and she began photographing their dogs. Eventually, van de Grift volunteered with a friend at the Milo Foundation, a shelter in Richmond. She thought, “Maybe I can actually make this my fulltime thing,” and started her business.

Today, van de Grift photographs dogs for private clients and public shelters with a goal of capturing the authentic character their humans know and love.

Shelter dogs can often be emotionally responsive to their new placement at the shelter, and a camera may only amplify that or evoke other reactions. “The camera is like a big eye looking at them, and that’s very scary,” van de Grift says.

Potential adopters can feel discouraged by poorly representative photos, or when dogs they meet at a shelter don’t run up to them playfully but are instead uneasy or reserved. Van de Grift’s photography for shelters is important because quality photos that accurately depict a shelter dog’s charm help them get adopted. When given the opportunity to choose dogs to photograph, she gravitates toward ones who’ve been there longer or who are less outgoing, understanding they may just need the extra love and attention.

While pretty backgrounds and posed photos are fun, van de Grift’s philosophy is centered around helping dogs feel comfortable and confident. She doesn’t necessarily use any tricks to make her photos happen.

“There are definitely a lot of treats and weird noisemakers,” van de Grift says. “But my style is more relaxed, more like documentary-style.”

Every shoot is different. Generally the task is to gain the dog’s trust, pick a good location, collaborate with the owners and do all of this while the dog is likely distracted by the setting. This can be a challenge with especially reactive or anxious dogs, though van de Grift also recalls fun memories shooting with a new puppy litter: “They were tumbling over each other, falling off the stage and they peed everywhere. It was a mess, but it was a lot of fun.”

Photographing dogs is a process that van de Grift finds rewarding not only for the animals, but also for herself, as she takes joy in witnessing the impact her photography has.

PUPPY LOVE AJ plays at the Berkeley Humane studio. (Photo by Silke van de Grift)

“The fun with puppies, puppy kisses and cuddling is great, but seeing them open up and with their new family afterwards is very rewarding,” she says. “The best part is some people hire you afterwards to take photos of the dogs once they’ve been adopted and are happy at their new home, with their new family.”

Seeing the difference between her first impression of a shy pet, versus the final photos, is important to van de Grift. She recalled a shepherd mix rescue who had been initially very uneasy, until she worked with a shelter volunteer to comfort the dog, who eventually revealed an abundant supply of affection and friendliness for the camera. The experience was meaningful to her—she has a blog post about it on her website for those interested in reading more. 

Van de Grift’s work is a strong example of how individual passions and skills can be used to take initiative and create community support that is both enjoyable and mutually fulfilling. She notes that shelters are constantly looking for people to make video content, fix things or help at events. 

“All the small things help, even if it’s just a few hours of your time—that can make a very big difference,” notes van de Grift. And whether it’s a pet shelter or any other organization, she encourages reaching out and taking the first step. “Just email them. You could do anything,” she points out. “There’s always something to do, whatever your skill is.” 

For more info, visit Feral and Fab Photography, feralandfabphotography.com.

See this year’s readers’ picks for the Best of Family and Pets here.

My-O-My serves comfort food with a conscience

Tucked beneath the golden arches of UC Berkeley’s MLK Student Union, My-O-My offers a breezy, build-your-own Mediterranean dining experience that’s fast, flavorful and surprisingly fresh for campus food. It’s a favorite among students juggling classes, thanks to its quick service and customizable bowls, wraps and salads.

The vibe is casual and clean, with upbeat music humming over the sizzle of falafel and grilled chicken. Diners order at the counter, assembly-line style, choosing a base—pita, fries or greens—then layering on mains like shawarma-spiced chicken, beef or lamb. The toppings bar is a riot of color: roasted eggplant, shredded cabbage, lemony cucumbers, pickled onions and creamy hummus. Tahini and garlic sauces are essential: bold, herby and not shy on flavor.

Though it’s a quick bite, nothing feels mass-produced. The pita is warm and pillowy, the proteins are well-seasoned and the produce is fresh. Plus the staff keeps the line moving efficiently, even during the midday lunch rush. And there’s seating inside and on the sidewalk patio.

For students and staff looking for comfort food with a conscience—or for locals just passing by Euclid Avenue—My-O-My delivers Mediterranean staples served up with California casual energy. And in a dining scene where greasy pizza and chain sandwiches often reign, this little campus gem is a refreshing, veggie-packed standout.

My-O-My, 1866 Euclid Ave., Berkeley. Open Mon-Fri, 11am to midnight; Sat-Sun, noon to midnight. 510.356.4460.

See this year’s readers’ picks for the Best of Food and Drink here.

Vintage love never goes out of style

As one steps inside The Wardrobe Project in Oakland, they’ll likely find themself shoulder to shoulder with fellow vintage-lovers, thumbing through racks of handpicked denim, silk blouses and buttery leather jackets.

The space is small, but that intimacy is part of its magic. Conversations spark easily between strangers, and regulars browse while vibing to a carefully curated playlist.

We honor the shop as our editorial pick for its singular blend of style, sustainability and community.

More than just a store, The Wardrobe Project has become a hub for Bay Area creatives. That ethos extends beyond its walls with The Wardrobe Project Flea, a monthly outdoor market hosted just outside Rockridge BART. What started as an extension of the store has grown into a full-fledged street-style celebration: a rotating lineup of local vendors, live-music sets from Oakland talent and an open invitation for anyone to join the scene.

In a retail world that often prioritizes scale over soul, The Wardrobe Project keeps things personal. Every piece is thoughtfully selected. Every event is rooted in connection. And for shoppers across the East Bay, it’s more than just a place to find a great fit—it’s a place to feel at home.

The Wardrobe Project, 5461 College Ave., Oakland. Open daily 11:30am to 6pm. 510.817.4079. thewardrobeproject.com

See this year’s readers’ picks for the Best of Goods and Services here.

Need Cheap Psychics? Here Are the Best Deals for 2025

Cheap Psychics
Published in cooperation between Psychic Aura and the East Bay Express Psychic readings can help you gain insights and clarity, but since they’re charged by the minute, the trick is to find a site with skilled psychics at a fairly low rate. To make things easier for you, we’ve done a deep dive looking for the best cheap psychic readings online...

Best Swinger Sites to Find Swingers Near You (2025)

best swinger sites
Published in cooperation between Lust Panther and the East Bay Express While older swingers fondly remember the days of hitting up swinger clubs, it’s now easier than ever to meet swingers nearby via the top swinger sites. It’s even better for younger folks new to swinging and just looking to test the waters. These platforms for the swing lifestyle bring an...

How Artists Survive Financial Strain in the East Bay

online payday loans, East Bay artist financial strain
Published in cooperation between Modzy.com and the East Bay Express Life as an artist in the East Bay is a balancing act—creative freedom on one side, economic uncertainty on the other. From Oakland’s vibrant murals to Berkeley’s indie galleries, local artists fuel the region’s cultural pulse. Yet, beneath the surface, many face mounting financial pressures that threaten both their livelihoods...

Legacy and newer players survive by grassroots and grit

Legacy and newer players survive by grassroots and grit
East Bay cannabis is truly something for our community to be proud of. Some of the most successful cannabis companies in California—and the world—are still based here and in San Francisco, despite many others closing up shop as adult-use legalization has failed many in this state. I don’t need to elaborate on over-taxation and over-regulation to local consumers; we all...

Local photographer unleashes pets’ personalities

Local photographer unleashes pets’ personalities
Blending her artistic talent and a strong passion for dogs, Silke van de Grift helps pets at Berkeley Humane and Rocket Dog Rescue get adopted by unleashing—no pun intended—their true personalities for the camera. Van de Grift’s focus on pet photography began when she adopted and started posting photos of her own dog, Molly—“a shy and anxious little weirdo,” she...

My-O-My serves comfort food with a conscience

My-O-My serves comfort food with a conscience
Tucked beneath the golden arches of UC Berkeley’s MLK Student Union, My-O-My offers a breezy, build-your-own Mediterranean dining experience that’s fast, flavorful and surprisingly fresh for campus food. It’s a favorite among students juggling classes, thanks to its quick service and customizable bowls, wraps and salads. The vibe is casual and clean, with upbeat music humming over the sizzle of...

Vintage love never goes out of style

Vintage love never goes out of style
As one steps inside The Wardrobe Project in Oakland, they’ll likely find themself shoulder to shoulder with fellow vintage-lovers, thumbing through racks of handpicked denim, silk blouses and buttery leather jackets. The space is small, but that intimacy is part of its magic. Conversations spark easily between strangers, and regulars browse while vibing to a carefully curated playlist. We honor the...
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