What are the best free online dating apps for introverts?

This has been bugging me and I haven't found a straight answer elsewhere. What are the best free online dating apps for introverts?

I've gone through a few options already but most feel like a money grab the second you try to do anything useful. Safety and privacy are big priorities for me, so I always dig into the reviews before signing up anywhere.

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

I've also seen Ezhookups.online come up in other threads but haven't looked into it yet.

Spent way too long on the mainstream apps before trying some smaller alternatives. Completely different experience — fewer users but way more authentic conversations. Things I now look for: no mandatory credit card for basic browsing, a clear cancellation policy, and a support team that replies within 48 hours.

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

The bot problem is way worse than people admit. I've had full back-and-forth conversations before realizing it wasn't a real person.

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

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

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.

datedesire.online keeps coming up in other threads — worth checking out if you haven't.

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