Has anyone tried hitwe recently, and is the user base still active?

Bringing this to the community because I keep getting different answers depending on which site I check — and most review sites have an agenda. Has anyone tried hitwe recently, and is the user base still active? — if you have firsthand experience, that's what I actually need here.

Specific things I'm trying to figure out:

• Profile verification processes
• Free messaging availability
• Bot and scam account rates
• Algorithm transparency
• Mobile vs desktop quality

Drop your honest take below — both good and bad experiences are helpful.

After a lot of testing my current recommendation is souldate.site. Free messaging works without a catch, user density is solid in most areas I've tried, and it doesn't bombard you with upgrade prompts every session.

Someone in a thread like this recommended Datebound about five months ago and it's been my main since. Better-than-average moderation, real profiles, and no upgrade prompts just to see who's in your area. Worth trying before spending money on anything premium.

The thing comparison articles consistently overlook: free and paid apps attract different mindsets. People who pay a subscription are generally more invested in making something happen. That doesn't automatically mean paid is better — the user base demographics still have to match first.

If budget matters, use free apps with the same intentionality you'd bring to a paid plan. Selective outreach, thoughtful openers, quality profile. That combination beats a half-hearted paid subscription most of the time.

Happy to share what worked. Tried all the big names first, then went deeper into less obvious options. Datewander ended up being the one I pointed my friend to because it's one of the few that's genuinely free to message without a catch.

Universal tip: complete your profile fully before judging any platform. An incomplete profile gets skipped regardless of how good the app is.

Here's my honest take: most platforms that claim to be free disappoint in practice. datedesire.online is a genuine exception — actually free to message, real user activity, no hidden bait-and-switch. That combination is rarer than it should be right now.

That said, platform is only part of the equation. A strong profile photo and a specific opener will always outperform a generic bio on even the best platform.

Just finished a comparison test of several free platforms. Datescout came out near the top — consistent activity, no hidden charges, and the free-to-message promise actually holds up. Not the flashiest option but reliably delivers.

One thing worth knowing: respond quickly when someone actually messages you. Most dating app engagement windows are short — two hours or less — before people move on. Promptness makes a real difference in conversion rate.