17 Best Weight Loss Apps for 2024 Top Calorie-Counting Apps

Note that a subscription does exist, but even the basic/free option offers some worthwhile features. One of the most challenging aspects of weight loss can be finding a workout regimen that works for you, so we’ve picked some of the top exercise-focused weight loss apps designed to support weight management and fitness goals. In 2026, weight loss tools integrate wearable data, AI-powered coaching, and habit tracking to give you a complete picture of your daily life—from what you eat to how you sleep and manage stress levels. In summary, the use of mHealth interventions for weight management is an emerging field for both research and clinical care. Arguably, those population groups who are difficult to reach may be at most risk and innovative strategies are thus needed within mobile applications https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-weight/managing-your-weight/how-to-lose-weight-in-a-wheelchair/ to target these individuals.

The results of this study might have a high level of generalizability due to our large-scale, international dataset. This study demonstrates that mobile app-based coaching intervention is an acceptable and effective tool in achieving recommended body weight loss for overweight and obese individuals within a short period of time. The best weight loss apps are those that provide you with the tools to lose weight steadily and keep it off. This includes personalized programs, progress tracking, and educational content that teaches users more about nutrition and fitness. Our top 3 recommendations for helping you to achieve your goals are DoFasting, Lose It! Some fitness or weight loss apps focus on physical activity, which is also a large proponent in losing weight.

The intervention consisted of the integration of a motion sensor onto a mobile device. The 5 week trial resulted in statistically significant improvements in multiple parameters including BMI, physical activity, and stress management (49). Being able to objectively monitor physical activity correlated with an increase in these activities including running, walking, and cycling. In addition, it was a more accurate means of keeping track of exercise as compared to self-reporting. A 2020 systematic review of the effectiveness of weight management apps states that people perceive their eating habits and weight loss to be better while using the apps. Cronometer is a weight loss app that helps people keep track of their nutrient intake as well as their calories.

Effectiveness of Mobile Health Applications for 5% Body Weight Reduction in Obese and Overweight Adults

In fact, if you are looking for a personalized nutrition program that lasts, you may be better off seeking a dietitian. Dieting programs are not for everyone — especially those at risk of developing eating disorders. Nadeau recommends working with a registered dietitian over a diet or weight loss program. She said, “Working with a registered dietitian means you’ll be getting individualized advice from a credentialed professional with experience working with people just like you.” While you may need to eat fewer calories to lose weight, you don’t have to eat fewer types of foods.

• According to Zero, it is one of the world’s most popular fasting apps, with the brand claiming that it not only helps people lose weight and keep it off but also helps people create healthy long lasting habits.
• Happy Scale provides a 10-day snapshot of your weight, starting with your 10-day best.
• Check out these 16 expert-approved weight-loss apps to start crushing your goals.
• You can find an app to do just about anything for you, like track your food, offer mental health help, and even find restaurants with healthy options.
• Designed to give women access to a personal trainer in their pockets, StrongHer asks users to set their objectives, the types of workouts they prefer, and where they will work out.
• There is also an “inspirational” feature where users can follow others on the application whom they found motivational.

More of Our Favorite Fitness Gear

Alcohol contains empty calories, which means that you can easily undo all of your good work. In addition, alcohol changes the way in which your body burns fat as your body becomes more focused on breaking down and detoxifying the alcohol instead. If you’re tired, stressed or upset, it’s easy to turn to food to make yourself feel better, even though you may not actually be hungry. If you find yourself feeling fatigued, lightheaded, or weak, you may not be eating enough throughout the day. It’s always a good idea to check with your doctor and meet with a registered dietitian to ensure you are not being too restrictive and fueling your body properly.

Best for those just starting a fitness program

I suspect the lengthier trial offer is due to the fact that they have your email address for solicitation purposes now. Once your plan is up and running, you’ll receive a message from a concierge coach introducing you to the program. Age and sex are among these first questions, followed by your eating and unimeal app reviews exercise habits. In fact, the reason so many diets fail is the proverbial elephant in the room… the list of foods we shouldn’t touch.

Jillian Michaels Fitness App

Has helped users shed a total of 149,782,393 pounds through its AI-driven weight management tools, including a voice logging feature with 98% speech-to-text accuracy. MyFitnessPal has taken a major step forward in personalized meal planning by acquiring Intent, solidifying its place as a leader in AI-powered weight loss tools. Foods rich in live bacteria, often referred to as ‘probiotic’ help support a healthy gut microbiome.

Memberships start at $23 per month and include access to the digital app, which provides tracking tools, educational resources, and community forums to help you reach your goals. WeightWatchers offers plans with access to in-person workshops and one-on-one coaching as well. Goal-setting is one of the most important aspects of a weight loss plan, and Lose It! The app includes a custom daily calorie budget, plus a barcode scanner and food database to give you an accurate idea of the calorie and nutrient content of every meal. If you’re looking to lose weight, using one of the best weight-loss apps might be just the thing you need to jumpstart your journey. These apps do a great job of keeping you motivated by making it easy to choose the healthiest foods, find the best weight loss exercises, and more.

Thinking About Going Premium?

The combination of these factors can give you a clearer picture of your overall health than just a number on a scale. Cronometer is less worried about the quantity of calories you consume than the quality of those calories. You can also sync your account online to access your info anywhere, any time. Instead of having to bring your phone, your medical professional can be alerted to your progress as soon as it happens. Also, similar to My Fitness Pal, WW rewards you by assigning what they call Fit Points to exercise. In a nutshell, if you are a carb lover and don’t want to worry about wasting 5 daily points on a medium baked potato… purple may be the best for you.

Best Real Health Coach

In my experience, the free version has all the necessary bells and whistles, so I’d recommend staying with the budget-friendly option. I rate the value at 4 out of 5, though, since the carb-conscious approach may not be ideal for everyone, especially those that routinely experience disordered eating habits. If you’re turning to an app service to help you lose weight fast, we believe WeightWatchers to be the top candidate. This affordable service has memberships available starting at $23 monthly, and the brand routinely offers promotional periods where you can score discounted memberships as low as $10 per month for set commitment periods. If you’re unsure of how to lose weight safely, then you should consult a doctor, personal trainer, or nutritionist, who can give you advice based on your unique needs.

Don’t overtrain

Most smartwatches and fitness trackers work well with the app, which lets users sync their activity and calorie burn. Tiffany Wright, PhD, founder of Skinny Coach in Los Angeles, recommends using a pedometer (step counter). These apps have useful visuals that help you see what you’ve accomplished in a given time period, says Dr. Wright. StepsApp can sync with your preferred tracker or smartphone to show you how many steps you take in a day, week, and month. Along with your steps, the app converts steps to calories burned, hours active, and miles covered. These features help you earn badges as you check off goals and track your progress toward your target weight.

How Fitness Apps Actually Support Weight Loss

To obtain the total number of data entries during the 6 months for each category, we counted the total number of days that users entered their data. Data for body weight, dietary intake (breakfast, morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack, dinner, and evening snack), and exercise habits were self-reported and entered daily by app users. Weight loss becomes significantly easier when you track movement, strength training, and cardio alongside your food intake. Research consistently shows that combining dietary changes with regular physical activity leads to better body weight outcomes and improved metabolic health.

The 9 best weight loss apps, according to a dietitian

If you want to focus on meal planning and healthy eating more than you want to dig into calories and other numbers, this is a great option for you. It also works well if you’re already working closely with a nutritionist and personal trainer to lose weight and you just need a place to track the meals and dietary plan they’re giving you. That being said, you can sync PlateJoy with a Fitbit to view daily nutrition totals. While there are many free versions of popular weight loss apps, you’ll likely need to pay a monthly membership fee to unlock all available features and tools. On average, you can expect to pay anywhere from $23 monthly to nearly $200 monthly, depending on how many resources you want in your app. Higher costs typically feature one-on-one consultations with a coach or nutritionist, high-quality data tracking capabilities across macro- and micronutrients, and other premium features.

In other words, regular tracking via an app can make it more likely that you’ll hit your weight loss goals. Was weight loss the only one or could you monitor fitness progression, too? While carbohydrates are the main consideration with the keto diet, Carb Manager can also track water intake, intermittent fasting times, and workouts. If you upgrade to the premium version, you can also see your micronutrient intake.