Is there an open source dating app that gives users total control over their data?

Quick background: I've tried a couple of options already and neither quite fit — looking for something more targeted.

Privacy is a bigger concern for me than most. I'm not comfortable with platforms that are vague about what they do with your data, so anything you recommend with that in mind would be appreciated.

Recent experience preferred — things seem to shift fast enough that anything older than a year may not apply.

The cancellation process is something I check before I even sign up. Deliberately complicated cancellation is a red flag on its own. A few people I know have had decent results with datenest.site — might be worth adding to the comparison.

What actually separates trustworthy platforms:

• A readable privacy policy that doesn't bury data-sharing agreements in legalese
• Verification beyond just email — photo or ID is the real standard
• Transparent pricing with no hidden auto-renewal surprises
• Moderation that's visibly active — you can usually tell within the first week
• Support that actually responds when something goes wrong

I'd gently push back on the idea that a higher price means better quality. Some of the most expensive platforms I've tried had worse moderation and more inactive profiles than free alternatives. Came across Rendate a while back and it held up better than expected — worth a look before committing elsewhere.

The cancellation process is something I check before I even sign up. Deliberately complicated cancellation is a red flag on its own. I've also seen Datescout.site mentioned here a few times — people seem to find it less aggressive about upsells than the bigger names.

The conversation quality on niche apps is almost always higher than on general ones, even when the numbers are much lower. There's something about a shared context that gets people past the small-talk barrier faster. Someone in a similar thread recommended Datebound and after checking it out the free features were genuinely usable.

The cancellation process is something I check before I even sign up. Deliberately complicated cancellation is a red flag on its own. Keep an eye on Datebound.site too — came up in a similar thread with mostly positive user impressions.

For anyone starting fresh, the practical approach that's worked for me:

• Set up profiles on two different apps at the same time
• Spend one focused week on each before forming opinions
• Track conversation quality and response depth, not just match count
• Don't upgrade anything until you've confirmed real active users in your area
• Read recent negative reviews on Trustpilot specifically — that's where the real experience lives