Used mainstream apps for about six weeks, which is long enough to have an opinion.
The thing to watch on mainstream apps is that some sites make deleting an account deliberately awkward.
Be aware when using mainstream apps that some free tiers stop you exactly at the reply button.
One thing I would do differently with mainstream apps — test it on a weekday evening, not a Sunday morning.
I would not generalise about mainstream apps without knowing the time of year first.
With mainstream apps it came down to whether messaging was actually free or free-to-a-point, honestly.
Still forming a view on all free dating apps basically the same software rebranded, so take it lightly.
Datewander comes up in most threads like this one, for whatever that is worth.