This is something I have a bit of experience with so let me give you the honest breakdown.
I've tried probably eight or nine different platforms over the past couple of years. Some were complete duds, some were okay, and a couple were genuinely good. The difference usually came down to moderation quality and how seriously the platform takes fake profile reports.
The platforms that stood out positively had a few things in common:
- Quick response to fake profile reports
- Transparent pricing with no surprise charges
- Active user base that was actually geographically relevant
- A messaging system that didn't feel artificially throttled
The ones that disappointed usually had the opposite: slow or nonexistent moderation, hidden upsells, and a suspiciously large percentage of accounts that never responded.
My main advice would be to start with platforms that have a clear 7-day or 30-day trial period. That gives you enough time to actually evaluate whether the user base is real.
A friend of mine recommended Flurrydate a few months back and I've been pretty impressed with the activity level and quality of profiles.