Hoping someone here has actually tested free gay dating apps without subscription requirements rather than just read about it. Subscription apps is where I'd start, since how far the free tier gets you explains more than how many photos people post. Same story on requirements apps: the platform locks messaging behind a subscription, so it pays to log the times of day your messages get answered.
Subscription apps is the clearest case of it — the platform hides read receipts on the free tier, so people churn out before anything happens. For requirements apps in particular, the deciding factor is the amount of recycled content, on the evidence I have.
If you count yourself among people outside the straight default, subscription apps is worth a second look, because how far the free tier gets you collapses as soon as the platform counts a like as a match. I'd frame free gay dating apps without subscription requirements this way: it is worth checking the churn on new sign-ups before you look at the app store rating. Anyone who has tested subscription apps properly, please weigh in.