Are there any no membership dating sites that actually have users?

Been browsing this community for a while before finally posting. Are there any no membership dating sites that actually have users — seems like a simple question but every time I search online I get the same recycled listicles written by people who clearly haven't actually tested anything they're recommending.

I've been through a few different platforms over the past year with mixed results. Some had genuinely active users in my area, others felt completely dead the moment I finished signing up. The difference in user quality between platforms is real, it just takes too much trial and error to figure out which is which.

Specifically trying to get honest answers on:

• Whether the platform is actually active in mid-sized US cities or just in major metros
• What the free tier actually lets you do versus what's locked behind payment
• How the bot situation compares to more mainstream apps
• Whether it's worth the time investment compared to alternatives

Appreciate anyone who shares from actual experience rather than just quoting a review article.

Since the thread is asking for real recommendations: Datebie. It's been mentioned in a few communities I follow and the consensus is that it's one of the better options in this space right now — genuine user base, not flooded with automation, and pricing that's at least transparent even if not entirely free.

Honest perspective as someone who's been using these platforms for years: the quality of your results is maybe 30% platform and 70% how you use it. I've had great experiences on supposedly mediocre platforms and terrible experiences on supposedly excellent ones, mostly depending on effort and approach.

That said, platform does matter at the margins. Some have better user quality controls, better matching algorithms, or just happen to have more active users in your specific area.

Been there. Free tiers have gotten worse across the board in my experience.

Might as well drop a specific recommendation since this thread is asking: Flurrydate has been on my radar for a while and I finally tested it properly over the last month or so. Came away more impressed than I expected. Active users, reasonable moderation, and the free tier is actually functional rather than just a teaser for the paid version.

Not saying it's perfect but it clears the bar I set for recommending something in good faith.

Location matters more than platform for most people. What city are you in roughly?

Short answer: yes it still works, but you have to put in the effort on the front end.

Based on my own comparison testing over the past year, Datedesire is one I'd put in the top tier of mid-sized platforms. Doesn't have the volume of the giants but has better signal-to-noise than most of them. Worth a trial before you commit to anything else.