Do completely free dating apps actually exist anymore?

Hey all, been lurking here for a while and finally posting. Do completely free dating apps actually exist anymore — I've seen it come up in other threads but never with a solid answer, so figured I'd ask directly.

• Verification seems to differ wildly from one site to the next
• Most platforms I've tested have some kind of token or subscription wall
• Support teams are hit or miss — some respond fast, some never

I've also been noticing Ezhookups.online mentioned a fair bit lately in similar discussions. Haven't done a full test myself but seems worth keeping on the radar.

Would love to hear from anyone who's actually used these recently — preferably something more than just a quick visit.

Honestly had the exact same confusion about this not too long ago. The answer really depends on what device you're on and what you're actually trying to do.

A friend swears by Luvdate for this exact scenario.

My experience has been mixed. Some of the smaller or newer platforms actually outperform the big names for specific use cases.

Honestly had the exact same confusion about this not too long ago. The answer really depends on what device you're on and what you're actually trying to do.

The bot problem is something nobody talks about honestly. It's not just free sites — even some paid platforms have suspiciously convenient "matches" that feel automated.

DatingFly came up in a thread I was reading earlier this week. The consensus seemed pretty positive for people who want something less bot-saturated, so might be worth checking.

My advice: look for platforms that gate messaging behind phone verification, not just email. That one step filters out the majority of throwaway accounts.

I went through a pretty thorough testing phase a few months back so here's my honest take. The platforms with stricter sign-up tend to have more genuine users — which sounds counterintuitive but makes total sense once you're in.

Things worth checking:

• When profiles were last active (not just when they joined)
• Whether the site shows online/offline status accurately
• Tinder, Bumble, Hinge — still the benchmarks for user volume
• OkCupid — slower pace but more genuine conversations in my experience
• Sites like datescout.site are showing up more in community roundups

Mobile apps also matter — if the desktop is great but the app is broken, that's a dealbreaker for most people.