Let’s be honest from the get-go: choosing the best dating apps in Chattanooga is more difficult than you would imagine. There’s simply a “paradox of choice” when it comes to dating sites in Chattanooga - too many options, too little time! With an abundance of platforms to choose from and more than enough “experts” weighing in on what apps work, avoiding apps that don’t work or waste your time is the goal in our modern dating paradigm.
Trust us, dating has changed. In the past, hitting up some of the biggest bars in Chattanooga (like Hair of the Dog Pub and The Bitter Alibi) was virtually a guarantee to find some new love interest or a new sexy hookup. Or, maybe you’re studying at UTC and it felt like it was only a matter of time before you crossed paths with someone looking for what you’re looking for.
To make things a lot more difficult, the ongoing Pandemic has significantly changed the way people date not just in Chattanooga, but in the rest of the world, as well. With all of us still getting used to the "new normal", meeting new people now comes with certain considerations, including health, lifestyle, vaccination status, and more.
Whether you want something casual or you’re hoping for lasting love, these are the top Chattanooga dating apps and sites. Keep reading and happy dating!
The 5 Best Dating Sites in Chattanooga Right Now
Not all dating apps are created equal. Nor do they all work the same for people in Chattanooga. To help you get the best success when it comes to online dating, we chose 5 of the best dating sites based on the following criteria:
- Popularity in Chattanooga
- Cultural fit for the city
- Ease of use
- Free features
- Paid features
- And more
In the next section, you’ll discover our 5 dating site recommendations for Chattanooga, Tennessee.
#1 - eHarmony (Android, iOS) is one of the best dating apps in Chattanooga for singles looking for serious relationships
eHarmony is extremely popular in Chattanooga for people looking for long-term commitments. Unlike other dating apps, eHarmony requires users to fill out a detailed questionnaire about their preferences, interests, and hobbies. This not only creates a more accurate way to connect users with real matches, but also screens out scammers, spammers, and timewasters.
As with dating in general, persistence and patience are key with eHarmony. Also, keep in mind that 70% of users find their future spouses within a year of using eHarmony, just goes to show that the algorithm works!
Why eHarmony is one of the best dating sites in Chattanooga
- Best success rate out for long-term relationships among all dating apps available
- Easy to form legitimate connections based on shared interests and personality types
- Designed for serious users
What we don’t like about eHarmony
- Requires significant time investment
- You can’t search for matches on your own
- Not popular with younger demographics
#2 - Hinge helps guys increase their pool of dates and hookups
Hinge may not seem like the first choice when it comes to dating apps in Chattanooga, but that’s precisely the point. Avoid the tried-and-true paths of heavy competition and plenty of scammers by using Hinge.
With only 6 million active users, you’re likely to have some overlap with other apps or meet other dating “refugees” that are tired of Tinder scammers, Bumble’s clunky way of communicating, and Coffee Meets Bagel’s elitism. Plus, Hinge has some of its own features that other apps lack. These include “icebreaker” questions and the photo prompt feature that lets you add a little bit of humor to your photos.
Why Hinge is one of the best dating apps in Chattanooga for men
- Unique user base
- User profiles are more in-depth than other apps
- The icebreaker questions and photo prompts give you more ways to reach new matches
What we don’t like about Hinge
- The free version is very much just a test drive; you’ll need to pay to get the full benefits
- There is no desktop version if you prefer dating sites
#3 - AFF is the best dating site in Chattanooga for casual relationships and FWBs (try it free here)
AFF is the best Chattanooga hookup app right now. If you’re tired of run-arounds and too many strings attached, AFF is a breath of fresh air when it comes to finding women who are ready for fun in the bedroom. When people use AFF, you know that they’re looking for the same thing, which makes it MUCH easier to get to the point!
Featuring an easy-to-use interface and tons of great features (more so if you sign up for paid membership), you’ll notice how AFF is way better for hookups than Tinder. First, AFF has significantly fewer scammers than Tinder. Second, age verification is very important on AFF - no jailbait or catfishing. Last, there’s an implicit understanding on AFF of being discreet - on Tinder? Not so much…
Check out their free trial below and see for yourself.
Why AFF is great
- A massive number of active users (50+ million)
- Fewer timewasters and people just looking for an ego boost
- Paid memberships significantly increase your odds of meeting up in person
What we don’t like about AFF
- Many users can only access AFF via the web app
- Clunky design
- Can feel a bit like a “meat market”
#4 - Match (Android; iOS) remains one of the better dating sites in Chattanooga
When it comes to dating apps, longevity matters. And Match is no fly-by-night dating app. Instead, Match has been around FOREVER - 5 years longer than even eHarmony!
With over 20 million active users, Match helps singles find a significant other for the long term, but without the “singlemindedness” of eHarmony. Even with dating apps appearing each day, Match has a track record of success for dating that is perfect for guys who want to keep their options open and see who they match with.
Why Match is great
- 20 million active users
- Easy to search and filter matches by criteria like “non-smoker”, “athletic”, “has kids”, etc.
- The initial question isn’t long but helps find better matches AND screens out timewasters
What we don’t like about Match
- It’s best used on desktop versus smartphone
- Older demographic
- Not good for hookups
#5 - Christian Mingle (Android, iOS) is the perfect fit for finding like-minded Christian singles in Chattanooga
For those who are ready to settle down with someone that has similar Christian values, Christian Mingle is the go-to dating app. Instead of endless dates or unwanted sexual advances, Christian Mingles is about pairing men and women with those who are committed to their faith and want a life partner.
And don’t think for a second that Christian Mingle is 2nd-rate when compared to secular apps - in reality, there are currently 15 million active users. Pretty good for a niche dating app! Best of all, you can try Christian Mingle for free to test the waters - then upgrade to a paid membership if you think you’ll find love on this one-of-a-kind app!
Why Christian Mingle is a great dating site
- Easier to find like-minded people with similar Christian values
- Access the dating platform via app or desktop
- Plenty of free features to help you explore the app
What we don’t like about Christian Mingle
- If you’re not a practicing Christian, other dating sites may be better for you
- You have to email customer support when you want to cancel instead of being able to do it on your own
- Not the best site/app design
The Best Hookup Sites in Chattanooga
If you’re looking for friends with benefits or NSA action, you’ll only want to deal with apps where your reputation is protected and the success rate is high. Of all the best Chattanooga hookup sites for getting down, only AFF and Tinder really fit the bill. Here’s why.
AFF is a treasure trove of singles looking to hook up
Chattanooga is smaller than you may realize, so it’s great to know that AFF protects your privacy and only enables users to engage those who are serious about having fun. Especially if you’re looking for specific fetishes or a swinging lifestyle, AFF is a relief when trying to get down to business on other apps.
Tinder practically means “hookup” in today’s culture
Tinder is a hookup app, plain and simple. Very much of today’s “instant access” zeitgeist, Tinder makes it easy to swipe on attractive ladies, match immediately, and begin chatting to see what she’s looking for (don’t worry - most users spell this out pretty plainly on their profile).
The Best Dating Sites in Chattanooga for Relationships
When it comes to going on dates to get to know someone, not all yield similar results. Some apps focus on helping you find hookups while others are more geared towards relationships. Below are the best apps for finding long-term relationships:
eHarmony is precise when it comes to finding what you like
eHarmony is extremely popular in Chattanooga and has an amazing track record of helping Tennessee locals find long-term partners by using highly-advanced matching algorithms. This app does the best job of matching you up with compatible potential mates that we've seen. Unlike other apps that let users decide who to match with (based on looks, mostly), eHarmony considers your preferences, likes, dislikes, hobbies, and more when making a match.
Bumble puts the ball in her court
What makes Bumble such a great dating app in Chattanooga is that women make the first move. This changes the dynamic and actually puts less pressure on women to actually respond (instead of fending off endless dick pics, scammers, etc.). It’s also perfect for guys who can never come up with the perfect opening line in other dating apps.
The Best Free Dating Apps in Chattanooga
As with anything, you get what you put into it. The value of paid apps is certainly a requirement for modern dating in Chattanooga, but don’t be afraid to use as many apps as you can handle. You’ll certainly widen your pool of women in Chattanooga, as well as get a few more chances to catch the interest of a partner that only prefers one app versus another.
On the other hand, free apps tend to draw in more users since not all singles are willing to pay to meet new people. Below are the free apps that we’ve tried and would recommend.
- Bumble
- Hinge
- OKCupid
Just keep in mind that free apps can sometimes be full of either competition or scammers. So it’s best to always be on the lookout if a match seems too good to be true!
