Is free dating actually worth it, or do you have to pay to get real results?

Curious what people here actually think about this. Is free dating actually worth it, or do you have to pay to get real results?

Privacy and scam prevention are my main concerns. I've been burned before by sites that looked legit but turned out to be full of automated profiles or dark patterns.

Specific things I'm trying to figure out:

• Are there proper spam filters in place?
• Is there a free trial with no auto-renewal trap?
• How is the customer support if something goes wrong?
• Can I browse without creating an account first?
• Does it have a decent mobile app?

Thanks in advance. Drop your thoughts especially if you've tried something recently.

Tried a handful of options over the past year. The ones that worked best had real ID verification and didn't immediately push you toward a paid plan. Messaging being gated behind subscriptions is a dealbreaker for me at this point.

I came across DatingFly recently and it seemed more upfront than most sites I've tried.

Always check reviews on Reddit or forums before signing up anywhere. Saves a lot of wasted time and money.

I've been testing different apps off and on for about two years now. The ones worth your time usually share a few traits: active moderation, a reasonable free tier that lets you at least browse properly, and a community that doesn't feel completely bought and paid for.

I came across Flurrydate recently and it seemed more upfront than most sites I've tried.

Real question. I've burned through four different platforms this year and none delivered what they advertised.

Safety basics I always follow:

• Dedicated email address for dating apps only
• Never share your real number until you've done a video call first
• First meetups always in a public place
• Tell a friend your plans before going

Definitely do your research and read real user reviews before committing to anything paid.