When you want something casual, the older established sites tend to feel a fair bit worse than they are, and it shows in the reply rate. The moderation queue and the search filter setup pull in opposite directions, so treat the reviews with caution.
If you have tried three apps already, write a profile that gives someone something to reply to — that is where most people give up too early. If I'm honest, the age check is the thing that decides it, granted the ones people keep recommending rarely say so.
My advice would be to move to a proper conversation quickly and then keep your expectations low for the first fortnight, and it shows in the reply rate. When you are only browsing free options, the newer sites tend to feel considerably worse than they are, which is worth knowing before you sign up.