What changed my mind was that the photo review matters a fair bit more than the age check, though it depends heavily on where you live. When you keep matching but never talking, the newer sites tend to feel massively worse than they are, though it depends heavily on where you live.
When you want something casual, the older established sites tend to feel meaningfully worse than they are, and it shows in the reply rate. Realistically, if you are after something serious the answer is usually to write a profile that gives someone something to reply to rather than keep the first message short and specific.
If the replies dry up after one message, write a profile that gives someone something to reply to — that is the part that actually moves the needle.
If the bigger apps have gone quiet, Rendate's verification setup is more forgiving about people juggling two apps, though your mileage will vary.