Last updated: 1 oct 2026
Health disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian before starting a weight loss plan. Calorie tracking apps may not be right for people with a history of disordered eating.
Our top picks
WeightWatchers is the best weight loss app for most people in 2026, because it pairs a simple food system with real community support. If you want a free app, Cronometer is the strongest option, and Noom is the best pick for emotional eating.
Weight loss apps fall into two groups. Tracking apps (Cronometer, MyFitnessPal, Lose It!, MacroFactor) help you log food and see your calories and nutrients. Program apps (WeightWatchers, Noom, Mayo Clinic Diet) add a structured plan, lessons or coaching on top of tracking.
We compared seven apps on price, free features, food database quality, coaching and ease of use. Prices are US prices checked in late September 2026 and may change with promotions.
- Best overall: WeightWatchers
- Best free app: Cronometer
- Best for emotional eating: Noom
- Best food database: MyFitnessPal
- Best for beginners: Lose It!
- Best adaptive calorie coaching: MacroFactor
- Best budget program: Mayo Clinic Diet
Weight loss apps compared
| App | Type | Free plan | Paid price (US, Sept 2026) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WeightWatchers | Program (Points) | No (trial offers) | Core from about $10–$12/mo on annual plans | Structure and community |
| Cronometer | Tracker | Yes, with barcode scanner | Gold $59.99/yr or $10.99/mo | Free tracking and nutrient detail |
| Noom | Program (psychology) | No (low-cost trial) | About $209/yr or $70/mo | Emotional eating |
| MyFitnessPal | Tracker | Yes, no barcode scanner | Premium $79.99/yr; Premium+ $99.99/yr | Huge food database |
| Lose It! | Tracker | Yes, limited | Premium $79.99/yr; Lifetime $299.99 | Beginners |
| MacroFactor | Tracker + adaptive coaching | No (7-day trial) | $71.99/yr or $11.99/mo | Experienced trackers |
| Mayo Clinic Diet | Program (habits) | No | About $144–$180/yr; $49.99/mo | Budget program with experts |
The best weight loss apps, reviewed
1. WeightWatchers — Best overall
Price: Core from about $10–$12/month on a 10–12-month plan, or about $23–$24 month to month. Core+ adds workshops and coaching.
The WeightWatchers app turns food into Points: protein and fiber lower a food’s value, while added sugar and saturated fat raise it. A long list of ZeroPoint foods needs no tracking. The 2026 app added Modes (Lose, Maintain and All-In), photo logging, macro tracking, sleep tracking and a body-composition scan.
What sets it apart is support. Core+ members get unlimited live workshops and coaching, plus tracks for GLP-1 users, menopause and diabetes.
- Pros: Simple, flexible system; strong community; well-researched program
- Cons: No free plan; coaching costs extra
2. Cronometer — Best free app
Price: Free with ads. Gold costs $59.99/year or $10.99/month.
Cronometer has the most complete free plan of any tracker we compared. You get barcode scanning, calories, macros and dozens of vitamins and minerals, all from curated and verified food data. Gold removes ads and adds photo and voice logging, longer reports and a fasting timer.
- Pros: Excellent free plan; accurate data; cheapest paid upgrade
- Cons: Smaller restaurant database; can feel technical
3. Noom — Best for emotional eating
Price: About $70 month to month, or $209 billed upfront for 12 months (about $17.42/month).
Noom focuses on why you eat. Daily lessons inspired by cognitive behavioral therapy cover stress, cravings and habits, and foods are sorted into colors by calorie density. Coaches check in through in-app chat, supported by an AI assistant.
- Pros: Strong mindset focus; easy food guidance; private experience
- Cons: Expensive month to month; long plans are charged upfront
4. MyFitnessPal — Best food database
Price: Free with ads. Premium costs $79.99/year or $19.99/month; Premium+ (with meal plans) costs $99.99/year or $24.99/month.
MyFitnessPal has the largest food database, with almost every brand and many restaurant dishes. It also syncs with 35+ apps and devices on its free plan. The main drawbacks: barcode scanning requires Premium, and many database entries are user-submitted, so check that numbers look right.
- Pros: Huge database; best integrations; meal planner on Premium+
- Cons: No free barcode scanner; inconsistent entries; pricey monthly plan
5. Lose It! — Best for beginners
Price: Free with ads. Premium costs $79.99/year (no monthly plan), or $299.99 for lifetime access.
Lose It! has a clean, upbeat design with streaks, badges and challenges that keep beginners motivated. Premium adds Snap It photo logging, voice logging, macro goals, barcode scanning and device syncing. Note that Lose It! doubled its Premium price in late 2025 and is moving its barcode scanner behind the paywall.
- Pros: Easy to use; motivating; lifetime option
- Cons: Free plan is now limited; no monthly option
Read our full MyFitnessPal vs Lose It! vs Cronometer comparison.
6. MacroFactor — Best adaptive calorie coaching
Price: $71.99/year or $11.99/month, with a 7-day free trial. No free plan and no ads.
MacroFactor learns from your own data. It compares what you log with your weight trend, estimates how many calories you actually burn and adjusts your targets each week. That makes it useful when progress stalls. It works best if you log consistently and weigh yourself regularly.
- Pros: Smart weekly adjustments; no ads; clean interface
- Cons: No free plan; best for people already comfortable tracking
7. Mayo Clinic Diet — Best budget program
Price: $49.99 month to month, or about $144–$180 paid upfront for 12 months.
Created with experts from Mayo Clinic, this app focuses on building healthy habits rather than strict counting. Members choose from several meal plans, get tracking tools and can join unlimited group coaching sessions with Mayo Clinic experts.
- Pros: Credible source; flexible meal plans; group coaching included
- Cons: No one-on-one coaching; you need to be self-motivated
How to choose a weight loss app
Pick the app that matches how you like to work: a tracker if you want data and control, or a program if you want a plan and support. The best app is the one you will still open in three months.
Questions to ask yourself
- Do I want a plan or just a tracker? Trackers show your numbers. Programs tell you what to do with them.
- What is my budget? Cronometer, MyFitnessPal and Lose It! all have free versions. Programs usually cost $10–$70 a month.
- Do I eat mostly packaged foods? Barcode scanning saves a lot of time. Check whether it is free in the app you choose.
- Do I need support? If you lose motivation alone, look for coaching, workshops or an active community.
- What devices do I use? Make sure the app syncs with your phone’s health app, watch or smart scale.
Watch out for
- Auto-renewal: Annual plans renew automatically. Set a reminder before the renewal date.
- Upfront charges: A low «per month» price on an annual plan is usually billed in one payment.
- Unrealistic promises: Avoid apps that promise rapid or guaranteed weight loss.
- Very low calorie targets: If an app suggests a target that feels extreme, check with your doctor or a registered dietitian.
Use apps in a healthy way
Apps are tools to build awareness, not a measure of your worth. Small logging mistakes don’t matter much, and a missed day is not a failure. If tracking starts to feel stressful or obsessive, take a break and talk to a professional. The CDC notes that gradual weight loss of about 1–2 pounds per week is more likely to last.
How we chose these apps
We reviewed each app’s official pricing and help pages, app store listings and independent reviews. We compared free and paid features, food database quality, logging tools, coaching and support, and total yearly cost. We excluded apps that promote extreme diets or supplements. We update this page when prices or features change.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best weight loss app in 2026?
For most people, WeightWatchers is the best overall weight loss app thanks to its simple Points system and strong community. If you want a free app, Cronometer is the best choice.
What is the best free weight loss app?
Cronometer has the most complete free plan, including barcode scanning and detailed nutrition data. MyFitnessPal and Lose It! also have free versions, but with fewer features.
Do weight loss apps actually work?
They can help. Research links regular self-monitoring of food and weight with better weight loss results. Apps work best combined with balanced eating, regular activity and realistic goals.
Is Noom or a calorie counting app better?
It depends on your obstacle. If you mostly need to understand portions, a calorie tracker like Cronometer or MyFitnessPal is enough. If stress or emotional eating is the main issue, Noom’s lessons may help more.
Are weight loss apps safe?
For most adults, yes. But calorie tracking is not right for everyone. People with a history of disordered eating, or with medical conditions, should talk to a healthcare professional first.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.