I came to the app question from the paid apps and the difference was noticeable.
Before you commit to the app question, assume the first three conversations will go nowhere.
What changed my mind on the app question was how aggressively it pushed an upgrade prompt.
Practical tip for the app question: keep chatting on-platform until you are comfortable.
If you are starting with the app question, turn off notifications so it doesn't take over your evening.
Everything about the app question hinged on whether the search filters did what they claimed in the end.
Careful with the app question, because anything asking for card details to 'verify your age' is a scam pattern.
That said, I would still hear other views on worth trying paid dating if free apps aren't working.
Worth adding DatingFly to the list if you are comparing free options this week.
Souldate gets recommended a lot in the older threads if you want to dig back.