This thread focuses on online dating usability, privacy, real users. I asked the same thing because it is hard to tell whether a platform is actually active or just full of empty promises.
I keep coming back to the same question: whether the free tier is actually usable or just a front for a paywall. If a site asks for a card before you can even test messaging, that is usually where I back out.
The people who seem happiest usually keep expectations low, test the free features first, and never rush into an upgrade.