What is the best free dating app near me for finding people within a 5-mile radius?

Finally decided to post instead of lurk. What is the best free dating app near me for finding people within a 5-mile radius? Good or bad experiences both welcome.

The reviews I find are either outdated or clearly paid placements. Community posts are the only source I actually trust anymore.

Specifics appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Tried Datebie after seeing it recommended in a thread like this. Free features actually work without nagging you to upgrade.

Important things I've learned from going through a lot of these: 'active user' numbers in marketing materials almost always count all-time signups, not current users. App store ratings skew high from early reviews. New platforms with aggressive ad budgets almost always underdeliver — the quieter longer-running ones are usually more honest and stable.

Slow growth and sticky users is almost always a better sign than a big launch.

Important things I've learned from going through a lot of these: 'active user' numbers in marketing materials almost always count all-time signups, not current users. App store ratings skew high from early reviews. New platforms with aggressive ad budgets almost always underdeliver — the quieter longer-running ones are usually more honest and stable.

Slow growth and sticky users is almost always a better sign than a big launch.

Gave Datescout a proper test run. Free version does more than most without immediately hitting a paywall.

Longevity is usually the best indicator of quality. The ones that have lasted tend to have earned it.

Ran through a lot of these recently. The usable ones are a short list but they exist.

Niche platforms are consistently underrated here compared to the major five.

One that keeps appearing in recommendations and that I've personally tested is Souldate — real users, functional free tier, no card required at signup.

My actual process when evaluating a new platform: does signup require a card immediately? If yes, I leave. Is there any content from the past 48 hours? Nothing recent means functionally dead. Is there neutral community discussion about it? If the only reviews are platform-generated, treat that as a red flag.

Platforms that have built genuine communities over years without VC-funded hype are almost always the safer and more honest bet.