Key takeaways:
Weight loss can be a challenge for many people. Weight-loss apps can help you reach your goals.
Many weight-loss apps come with free features. But to get the most out of an app, you may need to pay for a premium membership.
Some of the most common features of weight-loss apps include calorie counting, food tracking, and exercise logging.
A weight-loss app can help you reach weight goals, eat nutritious foods, and get more exercise. Having a weight-management support tool at your fingertips can help make you more aware of your eating habits, food choices, and behaviors.
Below, we’ll take a look at the features of some of the most helpful weight-loss apps. Plus, we’ll share an expert’s advice on what to look for in a weight loss app and how to use these apps to get the best results.
Best premium weight-loss apps
Premium weight-loss apps cost money. In return, you’ll get extra features to help you on your journey. Many apps offer subscription discounts if you sign up for a longer period of time. Let’s take a look at some top premium weight-loss apps.
1. DoFasting
DoFasting promotes intermittent fasting, an eating pattern where you cycle between periods of eating and periods of not eating. Intermittent fasting focuses more on when you eat than what you eat. After having users take a comprehensive quiz, the app creates a customized plan. Features include over 5,000 recipes, as well as a library of articles with information about intermittent fasting.
To download: DoFasting for Android and DoFasting for iPhone
2. Keto Cycle
Keto Cycle is designed for anyone new (or not so new) to the low-carb, high-fat ketogenic diet. The app puts together a personalized plan based on your age, health, and lifestyle. It offers guidance from keto experts, meal-planning guidance with over 10,000 keto recipes, and robust community support.
To download: Keto Cycle for Android and Keto Cycle for iPhone
3. Simple
Simple is a diet-free weight-loss app that focuses more on making nutritious food choices, not eating “rules.” Its AI personal assistant, Avo, has been trained by research and experts. You can upload photos to log your meals and get instant feedback on your food choices.
To download: Available on: Simple for Android and Simple for iPhone
4. LoseIt! Premium
LoseIt! is first and foremost a calorie counter and nutrition tracker. If you want to know if you’re getting enough macronutrients, this app will tally the fats, proteins, and carbohydrates you eat daily. In addition to helping you track meals and scan food labels, LoseIt! can track your blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol, as well as your sleep cycles.
To download: Lose It! for Android and Lose it! for iPhone
5. Noom
Noom uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) strategies to help you better understand your food choices and behaviors. The app provides daily support and accountability tools to keep you on track. Noom includes a database of over 1 million food items, meal plans developed by registered dietitians, and more than 1,000 interactive lessons.
To download: Noom for Android and Noom for iPhone
6. Perfect Body
Perfect Body promotes the idea that if you eat what you love, you’re more likely to stick to your diet. The app teaches nutritious, sustainable eating habits. It adjusts meal plans to meet your body’s needs as you lose weight. And it offers space to add a personalized exercise plan.
To download: Perfect Body for Android and Perfect Body for iPhone
7. WeightWatchers
WeightWatchers uses a daily points “budget” based on your current weight and weight-loss goals. No foods are off-limits, but staying within your points budget is key to losing weight. WeightWatchers includes over 13,000 recipes and 24/7 access to a live coach.
To download: WeightWatchers for Android and WeightWatchers for iPhone
Best free weight-loss apps
If you prefer a free weight-loss app, there are plenty that offer helpful features. And most allow you to add additional premium features at a cost. Let’s look at some of the best free weight-loss mobile apps.
1. Fitbit
You’ve probably heard of Fitbit devices for tracking steps. The app, which can be used without a Fitbit device, can also support your health and fitness journey. It tracks your food, activity, and sleep. Fitbit can also help you increase physical activity and track your heart health. Plus, the app offers tips for getting better sleep and reducing stress.
To download: Fitbit for Android and FitBit for iPhone
2. Cronometer
Cronometer is a comprehensive calorie counter that tracks fats, carbohydrates, and protein. It also tracks your exercise habits. Cronometer supports particular diets (like keto or vegan) and includes a database of over 1.1 million foods.
To download: Cronometer for Android and Cronometer for iPhone
3. Fooducate
Fooducate’s daily meal suggestions and behavior tips may make it easier for you to stick to your diet plan. Fooducate lets you personalize food choices for different health conditions. But note that some of these features require a premium account. Its calorie calculator also lets you know if you’re eating too many or too few calories.
To download: Fooducate for Android and Fooducate for iPhone
4. Lifesum
Lifesum tailors meal plans to fit your food preferences, including keto and Mediterranean diets. Lifesum empowers users to build more nutritious eating habits, improve sleep, and increase activity levels.
To download: Lifesum for Android and Lifesum for iPhone
5. MyFitnessPal
MyFitnessPal helps you track your daily calorie intake by subtracting the calories you eat to show how many you have left. Its nutrition insights let you know what’s working and what’s tripping you up, so you can adjust your choices. MyFitnessPal offers free calorie tracking, a personalized daily plan, and a database with over 18 million foods from around the globe.
To download: MyFitnessPal for Android and MyFitnessPal for iPhone
How should you use a weight-loss app?
Each weight-loss app has different features. So you should choose the app that best aligns with your goals.
Weight-loss apps can help you:
Find community
Set weight-loss goals
Set exercise goals
Track calories and/or carbs
Log meals
Monitor physical activity
Scan food packages
Interact with other users
Get support from weight-loss coaches
Read or listen to motivational messages
Learn strategies to overcome emotional overeating
What should you look for in a weight-loss app?
Weight-loss apps can vary quite a bit. Some promise rapid weight loss, while others focus on healthy habits for the long term. Becca Krukowski, PhD, a behavioral weight management expert and spokesperson for The Obesity Society, shared tips for choosing a weight-loss app.
Shoot for realistic weight-loss goals
“Make sure to avoid the weight-loss app equivalent to ‘get rich quick’ schemes, where there are promises of losing large amounts of weight in short periods of time,” Krukowski said. “Reasonable weight-loss apps will have you aim for about a pound per week of weight loss.”
Choose the app that fits your preferences
“All weight-loss diets are similar in their level of success, so it’s important to choose an app that you can enjoy and maintain over the long term,” Krukowski said. “For example, if you commonly find yourself getting ‘hangry,’ intermittent fasting may not be the best fit for you.”
Gradually increase your physical activity
“Physical activity is particularly important for maintaining weight loss,” Krukowski said. “Choose an app that incorporates gradual increases in physical activity.”
Log your weight regularly
Krukowski suggests using an app that makes it easy to track your weight and see trends over time.
“Tracking your weight lets you know how well the changes that you’re making with your diet and physical activity are working for you,” Krukowski said.
Track what you eat and drink
“Diet tracking is one of the best predictors of who will do well in a weight-loss program,” Krukowski said. “Make sure your app includes an easy diet tracking system.”
Features that can make tracking easier include a “foods you eat frequently” option, barcode scanners for food packages, and recipe importers.
Look for community and accountability
Krukowski highlighted the importance of community support.
“Weight loss can be tough without accountability and support,” Krukowski said. “Look for an app with accountability features and social support for when you’re experiencing challenges.”
Risks of weight-loss apps
Weight-loss apps can be a helpful tool for many people. But they’re not for everyone. For people with eating disorders or a history of disordered behaviors around food, weight-loss apps can worsen symptoms.
One study found that people who used a calorie-tracking app for weight control were more likely to:
Become preoccupied with food
Engage in all-or-nothing thinking about food
Have food anxiety
Engage in purging behaviors
For these reasons, if you have experience with disordered eating, you may want to avoid weight-loss apps. You can check in with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian, who may be better able to support you in finding a comfortable weight safely.
Frequently asked questions
There’s no one highest-rated weight-loss app. That’s because there are many different platforms that rate weight-loss apps. Some apply ratings based on user feedback, like the ratings you see in the Apple App Store and Google Play. Other platforms use different criteria. But if you’re curious about an app, it can help to read different kinds of reviews. Then you can try its free version to see how you like it.
There isn’t quality research to show that hypnosis apps work for weight loss. In general, hypnotherapy seems to work best when you combine it with other treatments, like CBT. If you’re curious how hypnotherapy may help support your weight-loss goals, it’s best to connect with a healthcare professional.
There’s no one highest-rated weight-loss app. That’s because there are many different platforms that rate weight-loss apps. Some apply ratings based on user feedback, like the ratings you see in the Apple App Store and Google Play. Other platforms use different criteria. But if you’re curious about an app, it can help to read different kinds of reviews. Then you can try its free version to see how you like it.
There isn’t quality research to show that hypnosis apps work for weight loss. In general, hypnotherapy seems to work best when you combine it with other treatments, like CBT. If you’re curious how hypnotherapy may help support your weight-loss goals, it’s best to connect with a healthcare professional.
The bottom line
Weight-loss apps can be very helpful if you’re looking to lose a few pounds (or more). They promote nutritious eating habits, physical activity, and community support. Some apps also help you better understand why you make certain choices and how to change your behaviors. Since most apps have free versions, you can try them out before paying for premium features.
Why trust our experts?
References
Eikey, E. V. (2021). Effects of diet and fitness apps on eating disorder behaviours: Qualitative study. BJPsych Open.
Ghelani, D. P., et al. (2020). Mobile apps for weight management: A review of the latest evidence to inform practice. Frontiers in Endocrinology.
Messer, M., et al. (2021). Using an app to count calories: Motives, perceptions, and connections to thinness- and muscularity-oriented disordered eating. Eating Behaviors.
