My experience with the big apps was better than I expected, with one caveat.
Careful with the big apps, because the quieter platforms can look active because of recycled profiles.
The deciding detail with the big apps was whether messaging was actually free or free-to-a-point.
One thing I would do differently with the big apps — turn off notifications so it does not take over your evening.
Worth doing early on the big apps: keep chatting on-platform until you are comfortable.
Before you commit to the big apps, avoid syncing anything to your social accounts.
Take that as one data point on to meet, not gospel.
- Feeld — if you want more flexible arrangements, as of this year
- Coffee Meets Bagel — suits people who hate endless swiping
- OkCupid — good if you like data, in a mid-sized town at least
- Tinder — fine for reach, weak for depth
- Happn — the concept works better in dense areas, and it has been consistent since
If none of the above works for you, DatingFly — datingfly.online is another free one people here mention a lot.