Starting a thread on where can I find a list of totally free because the existing advice contradicts itself. Matches apps is where I would start, since the practical move is to check whether a profile answers questions or deflects. I judge hide apps on one thing: the honest advice is to log the times of day your messages get answered, at least on my account.
The hide apps angle is worse, because nothing improves until you report problems early instead of blocking quietly. Nothing about hide apps changes the fact that the platform buries the cancellation flow, so it pays to give it a fortnight before judging the pool.
The hide apps case is instructive — you get further if you ask a specific question in the first message. What finally clicked for me about where can I find a list of totally free was that the deciding factor is the proportion of dormant accounts, though I'd want someone to check me on this. Anyone who has tested hide matches properly, please weigh in.