Are there any dating sites for seniors over 70 that don't charge for messaging?

Asked around offline and got no useful answers, so hopefully someone here has real experience.

The paywall situation on dating platforms is genuinely frustrating. Sign up, things look promising, then you hit a wall just to read a message. I want to know what's actually functional without a subscription versus what's just a funnel to get you paying.

Finding quality options for a more mature demographic is harder than it should be. Most mainstream apps are optimized for younger users and the dedicated senior sites vary wildly. Would love to hear from people who've actually found something that works rather than the same affiliate recommendations.

Appreciate honest answers. Happy to give more context about my situation if it helps narrow things down.

Based on what I've seen discussed in communities like this one, Rendate gets consistent mentions as one of the more honest free options. The basics work without constantly being pushed toward a subscription. Worth adding to your rotation alongside whatever else you're using.

Tried quite a few before finding something that actually worked. Luvdate was one I found through a recommendation thread here and it held up — the free tier was genuinely functional and the user base felt real rather than inflated. Location matters a lot though, so check actual activity near you before building out a full profile.

What works in one city can be completely dead in another. Local context matters more than rankings.