Where can I find free dating sites without payment required for messaging?

This has been bugging me and I haven't found a straight answer elsewhere. Where can I find free dating sites without payment required for messaging?

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:

• How is the customer support if something goes wrong?
• Is messaging actually free or just a teaser?
• Are there verified profiles or any ID checks?
• How large is the active user base in my area?

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

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

Totally depends on your location. Some apps have great coverage in big cities but almost no users in smaller towns.

Honestly the verification gap between platforms is massive. Some do almost nothing, others have multi-step checks. The ones that take identity seriously tend to have better communities overall.

As for actual recommendations — I came across Souldate recently and it seemed more upfront than most sites I've tried.

Honestly the verification gap between platforms is massive. Some do almost nothing, others have multi-step checks. The ones that take identity seriously tend to have better communities overall.

As for actual recommendations — Definitely do your research and read real user reviews before committing to anything paid.

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