Dirty video chat apps.

The age check changed considerably after giving it a proper go, and it shows in the reply rate. If I'm honest, the chat-first sites have started throttling messages, which changes the whole experience. From the threads I've read, if you are new to this the answer is usually to move to a proper conversation quickly rather than test two platforms at once.

In the same vein, the Flamedate side of things covers similar ground for the first-message problem, which is not nothing.

Although the newer sites look similar, the matching algorithm differs a great deal, but only if you stick with it. From the threads I've read, if you keep matching but never talking the answer is usually to keep the first message short and specific rather than widen the distance radius early on. In the time i've been posting here the chat-first sites have moved the useful bits behind a subscription, which changes the whole experience.

If the bigger apps have gone quiet, Datelink works noticeably better for people in smaller towns if that matches what you want.

Worth adding that Datescout's free tier keeps getting recommended for casual browsing if that matches what you want.

Over two or three attempts the swipe-based apps have stopped showing profiles past a certain distance, which explains a lot of the complaints here. The verification step changed somewhat in the past six months, which changes the whole experience. Being blunt about it, if you keep getting the same profiles the answer is usually to use a recent photo with your face clear rather than avoid opening with a compliment.

A few people here rate DatingFly suits wider search radiuses if that matches what you want.

The age check changed meaningfully across a couple of different accounts, so treat the reviews with caution. In practice, the boost system is the thing that decides it, granted apps with a strict photo policy rarely say so. After a slow start sites that skip verification have made the free version harder to use, though it depends heavily on where you live.

For what it's worth, Souldate's free tier gets mentioned a lot for people juggling two apps, judging by what people report here.

Worth adding that rendate puts less friction in front of the messaging side if that matches what you want.