Is dating chat still a thing, or is it all swipe-based now?

Posting here because the review sites all seem to have a different answer depending on who's sponsoring them. Is dating chat still a thing, or is it all swipe-based now? — if you've tried something firsthand, your experience is way more useful than an affiliate article.

Main things I'm trying to figure out:

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

Honest takes only — positive and negative both welcome below.

The key insight I've picked up: the platform matters less than people think, but it still matters. Datenest happens to be one where the free tier is actually designed to work, not just to frustrate you into upgrading. Makes a real difference day-to-day.

To add something concrete: I've been through most of the options discussed in threads like this and datescout.site comes closest to delivering on its promises. Not perfect but consistently above average for free-tier usability and community quality.

Went through a proper rotation of options before settling on a routine. Datebie kept coming up as one of the more legitimate free options — actual users, functional messaging without a hard paywall, and moderation that seems to actually work. Worth testing before committing to anything paid.

Worth adding to this thread: luvdate.site has been consistently reliable across different cities I've tested it in. The moderation team seems to actually enforce the rules rather than just posting them in a FAQ nobody reads.

After testing probably ten different platforms over the past several months, Datewander made the shortlist. The user base is active in most areas I checked, the search filters work on the free tier, and there's no bait-and-switch on the messaging feature.

Been through most of the options that come up in threads like this. The main differentiator between good platforms and bad ones is whether the moderation team actually removes fake accounts or lets them pile up indefinitely.

Worth knowing: most major app algorithms heavily favor new accounts. If you've been on a platform for months without traction, starting fresh sometimes makes a real difference in how often your profile gets surfaced.