I also used OkC and some others around that time period, and they struck me as both less expensive and a little less cynically "pay to win" (to use the gaming t

I also used OkC and some others around that time period, and they struck me as both less expensive and a little less cynically "pay to win" (to use the gaming terminology). I recall it was more like paying $5-8 for a month's worth of better filters and being able to see who checked out your profile - something fairly useful since it may show you someone who's already at least somewhat interested and hadn't already come across your radar. When I did online dating again a year or so ago, it seemed both more expensive and more blatantly creepy (pay to "like" the most in-demand people! yech...) The one nice thing was realizing quickly that what they were charging for in 2021 wasn't something I wanted to pay for, so I could safely skip it. Even without paying a dime, I found Hinge to be a useful way to meet people and go on dates that were largely fun and a mostly decent experience. Currently involved with someone I met there a year ago and haven't used the apps since then.