I've done a fair amount of searching and can't find a straight answer anywhere.
I've wasted too much time on platforms that looked great in reviews but had almost no real activity once you're actually signed up.
The free tiers on most of what I've tried are basically useless — you get just enough to see real people are there, then hit a wall the moment you try to message anyone.
Any input is appreciated, positive or a warning — both are useful at this point.