Looking to use an app to lose weight, but not sure how to fit it into your nonstop schedule? A great weight loss app can help automate the difficult parts of weight management in the background, so you can stay focused on work while still making real progress.
We tested and selected the best weight loss apps of the year. If you want to meet with a dietitian, need help with meal planning, or simply want to feel more motivated, we’ve got an app for you. Read on to see our selections for a variety of needs.
Best Weight Loss Apps of 2026
- Best Weight Loss App Overall: Noom
- Best Weight Loss App for iOS: Simple
- Best Weight Loss App for Motivation: Reverse Health
- Best Weight Loss App for Meal Planning: Nourish
- Best Weight Loss App for Workouts: BetterMe
- Best Weight Loss App for Android: Digesti
- Best Budget Weight Loss App: WalkFit
Best Weight Loss Apps Comparison Table
Best Weight Loss App Overall: Noom
Noom
App store ratings
Base price
Subscription options
Special features
We like the psychology-based approach
Folks who want insight into their eating habits and structured lessons
- Lessons that help with triggers, emotions, and habits related to ways of eating
- Color-coded system that doesn’t eliminate certain foods
- Includes food and activity tracking, coaching, and peer support in one app
- Requires daily logging
- Coaching quality may vary
- More expensive than basic food tracking apps
Our Thoughts on Noom
Noom is our pick for the best overall weight loss app because it uses psychology-based lessons to retrain how users think about food, exercise, triggers, emotions, and more. We like that Noom focuses on healthy behavior change– “This is the gold standard for weight loss, to address underlying habits of weight gain instead of just addressing symptoms,” says our medical reviewer,
Jillian Robillard, MS, RD, LDN, CSSD.
It has built-in meal planning and tracking, optional coaching, and community support. We think all of these factors will help you stick to new habits and will ultimately lead you to long-term weight loss success.
Grant used Noom for over nine months. He rated his overall experience a 5 out of 5, finding the app easy to use. “The app was more of a weight loss and calorie tracker with some fitness elements incorporated; I found it fairly easy to stick with,” he said.
“The app’s recommendations are presented in a way that’s easy to understand. It centers around replacing wasteful calories with other, more filling foods that can help you lose weight. I like that the program is fairly customizable—it tailors to your body weight, goals, activities you like to do, all based on an initial survey,” Grant said. He rated the instructions as a 4 out of 5.
When it comes to accountability, Noom has plenty of support available. “There are plenty of hyper-specific community groups that you can join, such as young weight losers, active men, pregnant women, and more,” Grant said. He didn’t feel any body shaming whatsoever, and frankly felt the opposite. He noticed that many folks were encouraging others to continue on their weight loss journey even if they weren’t seeing immediate results, which helped him stick with it. He rated accountability a 4 out of 5.
“The program definitely helps you to rethink some of the foods you are subconsciously eating, which has helped me cut back on unnecessary snacking, use of unhealthy oils, and moderation of sweets—all of which has helped me lose weight,” said Grant.
Our tester was delighted with his results after nine months of using Noom: “This program helped me lose nearly 70 pounds. I attribute the first 24 pounds that I lost directly to Noom—it helped me to understand that I was eating more calories than needed, which helped me clean up my diet. It felt like a game, getting to the right number of calories for my goals.”
Grant stopped using Noom about a year, once he reached his goal weight and he had learned how to build a sustainable diet.
Read our full Noom review.
Best Weight Loss App for iOS: Simple
Simple
App store ratings:
Base price:
Subscription options:
Special features:
We love that Simple is compatible with the Apple Watch
Folks who want to track both fasting and activity
- Track food, fasting, hydration, and activity all in one app
- AI coach and success score that reward consistency
- Quick, app‑based workout prompts and videos
- No recipes
- Free version is limited; paid subscription includes advanced features
- Intermittent fasting is not sustainable for all for weight loss. It's also not necessary for weight loss
Our Thoughts on Simple
The Simple app is our pick for the best weight loss app for iOS because it includes multiple features that will sync well with your Apple Watch or iPhone. There’s a home screen widget so you can see your fasting timer and other progress without having to open the app. Simple also syncs with Apple Watch, so you can start or finish a fasting period and track on your watch and have it sync up directly with your phone.
Pete tested the free version of Simple for seven days to support his intermittent fasting routine. He followed the plan consistently throughout the week, and overall, had a positive experience using the app. Pete rated his experience a 4 out of 5.
He rated the accountability features of the app as a 4 out of 5. “There isn’t a community feature or personalized coaching. The app does have an AI assistant, which can answer questions and provide guidance on healthy recipes and workout ideas,” Pete said. Simple also offers easy-to-read articles written by a dietitian that provide extra guidance on nutrition and fasting. The accountability aspect comes from the app’s reminder system, which keeps you aware of when your fasting window starts and ends, so you stay on track.
Pete found the program easy to stick with, rating sustainability a 4 out of 5. “The overall tone of the app is supportive. It’s non-judgmental, and when you log ‘less-healthy’ meals, the app offers ways you could potentially improve the meal. This is helpful and can make the program feel more sustainable for people who are learning how to build more nutrient-dense meals,” he said.
Our tester felt that his nutritional needs were met by the program. “In all honesty, the nutritional information of the food log may not be completely accurate since you aren’t inputting the exact food into the tracker, meaning the app doesn’t consider portion sizes,” said Pete, mentioning the only downside he experienced. If you’d like to shop for meals that have clear nutritional information, check out our review of healthy meal delivery services.
Best Weight Loss App for Motivation: Reverse Health
Reverse Health
App store ratings
Base price
Subscription options
Special features
We love the detailed intake quiz to build custom nutrition, movement, and mindset plans around midlife hormonal changes
Women over 40
- Plenty of personalization to help you reach your goals
- Menopause-aware nutrition and workouts
- Structured, 12-week programs
- Subscription cost is higher than basic tracking apps
- Customer service feedback is mixed
- App and platform can be glitchy, per reviewers
Our Thoughts on Reverse Health
Reverse Health is our pick for the best weight loss app for motivation because it includes optional one-on-one or group coaching, plus chat access to health coaches, which can help with accountability. There’s also a large (80,000+ members) community of women which can also boost feelings of social support.
Paige tested Reverse Health for a week, rating her overall experience a 5 out of 5. “My overall experience was great,” she said. “I could absolutely see myself using this app longterm to reach my goals. It was easy to stick to and fun to navigate.”
She was pleased with the guidance the app gave her. “The recommendations in the app were very easy to understand and were helpful for beginners or for experienced individuals. The educational components interact with the program so that the user can learn aspects of diet and exercise that they can continue to apply to their life,” Paige said.
“The meals were surprisingly simple and satisfying. I did not feel like I was going hungry. Recipes were very easy to follow and had simple ingredients,” said Paige. She rated the recommendations a 5 out of 5.
Paige found the app’s reminders helpful, too. “The app sent helpful notifications that reminded me to complete a workout or track my food. The reminders were helpful but not rude. This app was great at providing healthy, sustainable habits that I could use and apply in the future,” she said.
Best Weight Loss App for Meal Planning: Nourish
Nourish
App store ratings
Base price
Subscription options
Special features
We love the meal tracking insights the app provides
Executives and busy professionals who want personalized guidance from a credentialed expert
- Work with a licensed registered dietitian (RD)
- Frequently covered by health insurance
- Uses evidence-based tools
- Availability varies by insurance plan and location
- More complex than a simple calorie-counting app
- Requires scheduled check-ins, which can feel like more of a commitment
Our Thoughts on Nourish
Nourish is our pick for the best weight loss meal planning app because it goes beyond simply tracking calories—it’s a true expert-led app that fits into a demanding professional life. Instead of asking you to piece together advice from generic content, the app connects you directly with registered dietitians who can tailor strategies to travel schedules, stress, medical conditions, and performance goals.
Pete tested Nourish and rated it a 4 out of 5 overall, based on user reviews and app functionality. Unlike calorie-counting apps, Nourish is “designed to help you improve eating habits, meet health goals, and manage nutrition-related conditions rather than just track calories,” as Pete describes it.
The app provides healthy recipes and meal ideas curated to support individual goals, and the educational components are tied directly to your goals through dietitian guidance rather than generic nutrition articles. Pete emphasized that everything is highly customizable because it’s based on your one-on-one work with a registered dietitian, who builds targets and recommendations around personal goals, health history, food preferences, and lifestyle.
For user interface, Pete gave it a 3 out of 5, noting that while the app lets users log meals and estimate calories and macros using AI. He described: “Nourish isn’t designed as a standalone food-tracking app the way Cronometer or MyFitnessPal is. The tracking features are meant to support the dietitian-led guidance you’re getting rather than coach you by themselves.”
For instruction and education, Nourish earned a perfect 5 out of 5 because, per our tester: “Your registered dietitian explains your personalized plan during appointments and through in-app summaries, and they break things down based on your goals and lifestyle rather than giving generic diet jargon.”
Best Weight Loss App for Workouts: BetterMe
BetterMe
App store ratings
Base price
Subscription options
Special features
We like that it zeroes in on nutrition and workouts
Athletes who want app-based guidance on how to eat and train
Our Thoughts on BetterMe
BetterMe is our pick for the best nutrition app for workouts because it treats food as a core part of performance, not an afterthought. By pairing structured workout plans with practical nutrition guidance, it helps athletes think about fueling and recovery in the same context as their training load.
Paige tested BetterMe and found it reasonably priced, giving the pricing a 4 out of 5. She explained, “The baseline price is $14.99 per month. The app was easy to set up but there were so many pop ups encouraging me to upgrade to lose weight faster, when my goal wasn’t weight loss,” she said.
Workout variety and instructions both earned 5 out of 5. “There is an extensive list of workouts within each genre of workout,” Paige shared, adding, “I really appreciate the workout variety and felt it kept me excited.” She also noted that the videos include audio prompts, timers, and even the ability to cast to a larger screen.
For progressive overload, Paige awarded a 5 out of 5, emphasizing: “Each workout is labeled as newbie, medium, advanced. And I feel like it really aligns with the workout and allows for progressive overload.”
In terms of accountability and workout quality, BetterMe performed well. Paige gave accountability a 4 out of 5, noting that while the app offers challenges and group workouts you can join, these features are an extra up charge. “There are also push notifications that remind you to keep accountable,” she added.
She also noted the flexibility of the program: “Most of the workouts you can do without equipment. If the equipment is recommended, it is minimal,” with the option to purchase the same gear featured in the videos. However, she pointed out that “the interactive aspects are an upcharge. Some users may not want to pay more than baseline for these features. The baseline price is very fair, I think it would be better if some of the upcharges were cheaper.”
Best Weight Loss App for Android: Digesti
Digesti
App store ratings
Base price
Subscription options
Special features
We were really impressed by the site’s UX/UI
Folks who want to improve their digestive health and lose weight
- Recipes are simple and easy to follow
- Meals are structured to be anti-inflammatory
- Content may feel generic and not personalized
- Lots of reviewer complaints about auto-renewals and refunds on Trust Pilot
- Pricing is not clear until after you take the initial quiz
Our Thoughts on Digesti
Digesti is our pick for the best Android weight loss app. Digesti is unique in that it tackles problems that many other weight loss apps don’t: stress, poor-quality sleep, bloating, and stubborn weight.
Beth tested Digesti for one week. “I found the set up very easy and user friendly. The initial quiz asks questions about your stress levels, activity levels, current weight, weight goals, and general metrics. Then, you get information about cortisol and how the program can help,” she said.
Beth noted that the next step is to select a plan and pay, and that there’s no option for a free trial. Users must select a one-week, four-week, our 12-week plan. “I did find the assessment a bit too long,” she wrote. “I was flying through it, but I could see some users taking more time if they were being more thoughtful and intentional about their answers. It’s pretty detailed, and you have to skip through a bunch of information and additional offers before your account is even activated, which is a bit of a drawback.”
Our tester was impressed with the UX/UI on Digesti’s site, rating the user interface a 5 out of 5. “The dashboard clearly shows your daily tasks, such as completing a daily mood assessment, joining a challenge (such as no eating while watching tv or no soda challenge), logging water intake, and completing a task from academy, which is like a mini lesson from an MD,” she said.
The site is clearly organized in different tabs, Beth explained. Under ‘Eat,’ you can access a meal planning system, which offers suggested meals and a shopping list. Under ‘Move,’ you can access your exercise plan and a library of workouts. Under ‘Track,’ you can track water intake, calories, weight, and steps. There’s even a stress relief tab that offers guided meditation.
Overall, Beth said she “was blown away by all the things you can do on this app” and thought it was laid out very nicely so that anyone could navigate the site. Overall, she rated her experience and the instructions both a 5 out of 5.
Best Budget Weight Loss App: WalkFit
WalkFit
App store ratings
Base price
Subscription options
Special features
We love the variety of walking workouts
Beginners who want to focus on walking for weight loss
- Options for treadmill, indoor, and outdoor walking
- Gamefied, has badges and other rewards
- Tracks your steps, calories, distance, and more
- Some features are behind a premium paywall
- Focused solely on walking, not other forms of exercise
- Some reviewers mention the app can be glitchy
Our Thoughts on WalkFit
WalkFit is our pick for the best budget weight loss app because you can download and use it for free. Some of the features are behind a premium paywall, but remain affordable—a full year’s subscription to WalkFit is $34.99 as of this writing.
Paige tested WalkFit, finding the setup of the app simple, rating it a 5 out of 5. “The app was very easy to set up, and guided you through the process with lots of options,” she said.
She rated accountability a 4 out of 5. “The app is great with accountability. It gives you the option to receive emails with motivational quotes, which can help keep you going.”
Paige enjoyed the instructions, noting: “There are good verbal guidance and timing cues. The GPS is accurate in showing where you have walked. There was a good variety of workouts. I appreciate that there were both indoor and outdoor walking options.”
The workouts did get harder over time. Paige noted that the app incorporates progressive overload into the walking workouts by escalating time and pace.
For any customer service, you must email them, you can’t chat with anyone in the moment. There are only FAQs listed on the website.
After reading over the app’s reviews, Paige concluded that many folks really love the app, and feel that it keeps them accountable.
How We Tested and Selected the Best Weight Loss Apps
For each weight loss app, our evaluation focused on how well the app supports safe, sustainable weight loss rather than fast, extreme results. Apps were reviewed for evidence‑based guidance, clarity of education, and how well the tools (app functionality, coaching, meal plans) help people build lasting habits.
Setup and Ease of Use
We considered and tested how easy it was to use the app, the clarity of instructions, and how simple it was to start a plan and follow it day to day. Weight loss apps that offered clear onboarding, step‑by‑step guidance, and intuitive tracking tools were prioritized over those that felt confusing, cluttered, or had a steep learning curve.
Accountability
Accountability included access to coaching, group support, progress tracking tools, and reminders. Programs that provided multiple layers of support, such as check‑ins, coaching, communities, or structured progress reviews were rated more favorably than apps that left users largely on their own.
Exercise Instructions
While testing each weight loss app, we walked through its workout features, looking for clear and safe exercise instructions. We also looked for customizable exercise that was suitable for all types of bodies and various fitness levels.
Programming
We reviewed how each app structures its plans over time, including progression, variety, and built-in rest time, instead of one-off workouts. We focused on apps that are adaptable to changing goals or plateaus, and that emphasize slow, sustainable change.
Value
Value reflects how well the weight loss app’s price lines up with its features, level of support, and long‑term usefulness. Our evaluation weighed cost against the quality of education, coaching, tools, and results potential.
Pro Tip
Consider adding in a high-quality protein powder to your weight loss toolkit. A 2026 review notes that supplementing with whey protein can be effective in weight loss.
How to Find the Best Weight Loss App for You
Talking with your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting any weight loss plan is important, especially if you have existing health conditions, are pregnant or postpartum, or take medications that may affect weight or exercise tolerance. Here’s other aspects to consider when looking for the best weight loss app for you.
Your Fitness Goals
Before starting, focus on what your goals are: fat loss, muscle gain, performance, managing conditions like diabetes, or feeling more energetic. Your ideal weight loss app might emphasize strength training, cardio, nutrition habits, or medical oversight.
Accountability
Some folks prefer regular check‑ins with a weight loss coach who reviews logs, adjusts goals, and offers feedback, which can be especially helpful if you struggle with consistency. Or, you might feel comfortable using a self‑guided app and automated reminders and may only want occasional check-ins, or no coaching at all.
Cost
Some apps have one lifetime price, and others are priced monthly or in other bundles of time. Consider how long you’d like to use a weight loss app, when you’d like to reach your goal, and purchase the app based on those factors. Some weight loss apps are initially free, but then premium features may have a cost.
Benefits of Weight Loss Apps
Weight loss apps offer multiple benefits, including:
- Lessons that teach you about ways of eating, exercise, and behavior change to help you lose weight and keep it off
- Accountability and coaching support to help keep you consistent
- Tools for monitoring your nutrition, exercise, stress, and more
- Structured to-dos so you stay on track and make progress
What to Avoid in Weight Loss Apps
With any app, there are aspects to consider. Before choosing a weight loss app, make sure you avoid:
- Apps that don’t protect your personal data
- Offer guaranteed or fast, overnight weight loss results
- Include mean or punishing messaging around workouts or a fixation on disordered eating
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free weight loss app?
We like the Simple app, which is free to use, with multiple features that should sync well with your Apple Watch or iPhone. There’s a home screen widget so you can see your fasting timer and other progress without having to open the app.
What is the highest-rated weight loss app?
Noom is our pick for the best overall weight loss app because it uses psychology-based lessons to retrain how users think about food, exercise, triggers, emotions, and more. It has built-in meal planning and tracking, optional coaching, and community support. As of this writing, it has a 4.7 out of 5 on the Apple App Store, based on about 850,000 reviews.
Do weight loss apps really work?
Yes, a 2023 study showed that weight loss apps can make a noteworthy difference in helping folks lose weight.
