Are there good meet up sites for singles that aren't focused on romance?

Not looking for marketing copy — want real community input here. Are there good meet up sites for singles that aren't focused on romance?

A lot of online advice on this topic is clearly outdated or commercially motivated. Looking for genuinely firsthand input from real users.

Specific things I'm trying to figure out:

• Does it have a video verification option?
• Does it actually work without a credit card at all?
• Does it have a stable mobile app?

Thanks in advance. Especially helpful if you've tried something in the last few months.

Also spotted turndate.site come up in another thread but haven't had time to investigate it yet.

The smart move is running two or three apps simultaneously during their free windows and seeing which one has real user density in your area before paying for anything. The overlap in user bases between apps is massive anyway.

One platform worth checking out is Datewander — it keeps coming up in similar threads and the feedback has generally been positive.

Privacy settings on most of these are minimal at best. Read the fine print before signing up anywhere new.

Safety habits I follow on every platform without exception:

• Dedicated email address used only for dating apps
• No real phone number until after a successful video call
• First meetups always in busy public places
• Tell a friend the location and check-in time
• Trust your gut if something feels automated or scripted

Datebound has come up in a few of these discussions — anyone here tried it recently?

Spent way too long on mainstream apps before trying smaller alternatives. Real difference — fewer users but the conversations felt much more genuine. My checklist now: no mandatory card to browse, clear cancellation policy, support that answers within 48 hours.

Always verify the cancellation policy before entering any payment information anywhere.

Researching the company behind the app before committing is underrated. A quick search can save a lot of grief:

• Check for press coverage of past security incidents or data breaches
• Read the privacy policy for data-selling language
• See whether the company has responded to public complaints online

I've seen Rendate mentioned a few times across different threads — seems more upfront than the mainstream options.

Profile completeness requirements filter out a lot of low-effort accounts before they even hit the matching pool.

Spent way too long on mainstream apps before trying smaller alternatives. Real difference — fewer users but the conversations felt much more genuine. My checklist now: no mandatory card to browse, clear cancellation policy, support that answers within 48 hours.

One platform worth checking out is Datebie — it keeps coming up in similar threads and the feedback has generally been positive.