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Jul 28

The 6 best weight loss apps, reviewed by a registered dietitian – Fortune

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How we test

Our team of fitness and nutrition experts tested dozens of weight loss apps for functionality, value, extra features, and customer experience. We narrowed down the list to these six programs to help you reach sustainable, healthy weight loss goals.

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Chris Mohr, Ph.D., RD, an experienced sports nutritionist, provided his expertise for this article. Lily Moe and Jessica Coulon, two seasoned health editors, also provided their review. Kelly Uhler fact-checked each claim for accuracy.

Thanks to dozens of weight loss apps available online, staying accountable to your health goals is easier than ever. But that doesnt mean that every weight loss app is created equally. While studies show that mobile apps can successfully help people lose weight while cutting costs, some programs can set unrealistic goals, setting you up for failure and frustration. ( 1 )

Thats why our team has tested dozens of popular weight loss apps to help narrow down the best options for your needs. We evaluated each app based on several factors, including how easy they were to use, sustainability, and the amount of personalization offered. Heres a look at the best weight loss apps in 2024, according to our team of experts.

To evaluate your risk of an eating disorder or disordered eating, take the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) free assessment . For additional support, please contact the NEDA helpline at 1-800-931-2237 .

Receiving high marks for its effectiveness and sustainability from our product testers, Noom earned our pick for the best weight loss app overall. Its centered around the psychology of food choices, using scientifically proven techniques to promote sustainable habits. And, its one of the few weight loss programs that addresses all aspects of weight loss

Medical disclaimer: This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. For health advice, contact a licensed healthcare provider.

Noom uses psychology to help you build healthier lifestyle habits.

Personalized meal plan No

Noom is a psychologically driven weight loss program that provides personalized coaching, interactive daily lessons, and community support to help you reach your health goals.

Pros

Uses behavioral therapy to help you change your relationship with food

Includes daily lessons, which many customers find helpful

Offers a trial period of 7 or 14 days

Cons

Constant food logging may become time-consuming

Monthly plan is more expensive than other weight loss apps

Personalized meal/exercise plan not included

Available on iOS and Android mobile devices, Noom is a popular weight loss program that uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to change habits that directly impact diet and exercise. A 2023 study found that this technique may help people implement behavioral changes that result in long-term weight loss. ( 2 )

As with anythinglike exercise, nutrition, sleepconsistency of daily habits is the most important piece for long term success. What is done most of the time is more important than what is done some of the time. Apps that encourage check ins, visits with dietitians, even touch points with friends or colleagues, can all offer the necessary support, which is why Noom can help with outcomes.

Chris Mohr, Ph.D., RD, Fortune Recommends Advisor

Within Nooms app, youll have 24/7 access to coaches for support and guidance. Although the company says youll receive a response within 24-48 hours, our tester appreciated that her coach replied much faster, usually within a few hours.

Its worth noting that while Noom coaches go through a structured program with in-depth behavior science training and can provide basic nutrition advice, they arent dietitians. If you have any concerns that require a registered dietitian youll want to look outside the app.

Registered dietitians can also offer additional, personal support above and beyond an app. Research has confirmed the effectiveness of having a dietitian in your corner, adds Mohr. ( 3 )

Noom is meant to be flexible, with no foods off-limits. Instead, the program uses a color-coded system to guide you toward better food choices. Foods are classified as orange, yellow, or green based on their calorie density, a feature our tester found to help improve her eating habits.

Nuts or avocados, for example, may be calorie and nutrient dense, but also wonderful for you. Color coding foods based on their calorie density can be a useful tool most of the time, but its important to understand there are some limitations. This is where a registered dietitian can complement the app and ultimately user outcome, says Mohr.

She also commented on the apps ease of use and found the food logging system helpful.

Most of the food that I eat is already saved in the app. I scan whatever I can, and it comes up automatically. Then, its saved as a favorite or appears at the top of my food choices if I have it often.

Team product tester

Noom also offers daily lessons to teach you the foundations of healthy living, including nutrition, sleep, stress management , and self-care. These personalized lessons, lasting 5-15 minutes each, are interactive and include quizzes and challenges to keep you engaged.

To get started, youll be asked detailed questions about your background and health goals. Noom uses this information, along with your height, weight, and activity level, to develop a customized plan and suggest a daily calorie target. The average plan length is 16 weeks but may be longer or shorter depending on your health goals.

One drawback our tester mentioned was that, as she answered questions, the app kept telling her that she would reach her target weight sooner. I started to feel really overwhelmed with Noom telling me I could lose 20 pounds in less than four months, she commented.

Like most weight loss programs, Noom doesnt recommend the app for people with a history of an eating disorder.

Many customers have experienced weight loss and better lifestyle habits with Noom, finding the personalized daily lessons to be particularly helpful.

One Trustpilot reviewer says the lessons have improved her relationship with food.

At first, I was skeptical. I thought the lessons were teaching me pretty obvious things but as the days have gone on Im feeling much better and the lessons are forcing me to change my relationship with food.

Emma M., Trustpilot reviewer

A few users have reported billing errors and note that the apps food tracking feature could use some improvement. Verified Trustpilot reviewer Amy mentioned inaccuracies with food logging, saying Ive found so many things that are different to what the nutrition labels say. So then you have to manually add, and check everything twice.

Simple uses the latest technology to help users lose weight and keep track of their fasting at an affordable price.

Intermittent fasting has helped many people lose weight, and using a fasting app like Simple can keep you on track without breaking the bank.

Pros

Includes a large library of educational content and videos

Fasting tracker displays on your phones lock screen

Free version includes more features than other basic weight loss apps

No calorie counting is required

Cons

Nutrition scores do not consider portion sizes

Designed specifically for intermittent fasting

Simple is an intermittent fasting and meal-tracking app designed to help you lose weight, build healthier habits, and improve your relationship with food. A 2022 study showed that intermittent fastinglimiting the amount of time you eat each daymay help with weight loss and reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes in overweight people. ( 11 )

Understand that while some research has found fasting may be an effective tool, it is just one tool among many, and certainly not a magic bullet, says Chris Mohr, Ph.D., RD. In my personal experience, as a dietitian for 20+ years, I have found that those who are more balanced with their meals and intake have the most long term success.

But Simple offers more features than most fasting apps, like fasting time reminders, a library of nutrition education, and personalized guidance. Simple users also have 24/7 access to Avo, an AI-powered health coach that can provide meal suggestions, weight loss tips, and motivation. And, on the apps home page, youll find a daily task list to help you stay on track, including reminders for daily readings and setting your fasting schedule.

We liked that Simple makes food logging easy, which we think is especially helpful for busy people. In addition to typing in what you eat, you can also upload a photo or use your voice to log your meals.

With Simples Nutrition Scores system, youll receive instant feedback on your logged meals. Note that scores are only estimates and assume average portion size. When I logged five servings of spaghetti for dinner, it only counted the meal, not the portion size, and gave it an optimal score. If you consume more calories than your body needs during your eating window, you might not lose weight.

Simple connects with Apple Health, Fitbit, or Google Fit to sync your steps, water intake, and sleep data.

Many features on the app are included with the free version, though youll have to upgrade if you want to receive a customized plan that includes features like daily tasks and personalized insights.

Simple has over 200,000 ratings on the Apple App Store. A majority of users report being successful with the app. A verified Apple App Store reviewer, with the username Kawimer, loves that the app improves accountability while providing education about fasting.

This app is one of the best I have ever used for staying on track and learning more about the healthy sides of intermittent fasting.

Kawimer, Apple App Store customer

Trustpilot reviewer Jessica C. loved the apps reminders and that it showed her when she was in fat-burning mode. However, she did question the accuracy of Simples nutrition scoring system, saying, I dont think Simples nutritional evaluation of food intake is accurate, but I realize it has a lot of other components that are very helpful.

Future is a fitness app that comes with custom workout plans, coaching, and unlimited workouts.

Future connects you with personal trainers who create workout routines based on your goals, background, and available equipment. The app doesnt offer meal plans or nutrition coaching, though many coaches are qualified to answer basic questions and help you determine your daily macronutrient needs.

Pros

Personalized workout plans

30-day money-back guarantee

Syncs with your smartwatch for progress tracking

Cons

Nutrition plan not included

Customer service is only available via email

Research shows that pairing a supervised resistance training program with a reduced-calorie diet thats adequate in protein reduces fat and weight while preserving lean mass in overweight individuals. ( 4 ) Thats why we recommend Future for people looking to build a well-rounded weight loss routine.

Future is one of the best personal training apps out there. It that pairs users with coaches who develop custom training plans that are specific to their goals, equipment, and fitness levels. After taking a short intro quiz, Future will recommend several certified coaches who fit your preferences. If you arent satisfied with any of these options, you will have the option to choose a different coach yourself. And, if you prefer face-to-face communication, you can schedule a FaceTime call with your coach to dive deeper into your fitness needs.

A Future membership includes unlimited messaging with your coaches, who will answer your questions, reach out to you often, and work with you to fine-tune your training plan.

One of our testers liked that her coach frequently reached out to help with accountability.

Most mornings, my coach messaged me with motivational quotes and encouraged me to get my workout in.

Team product tester

Each Future workout includes a short introduction from a coach and an overview of what to expect. Before beginning, you can preview each exercise and watch a video demonstration on how to complete it.

You can also cast workouts to your TV, making it easier to follow along. And, you can also listen to your own music or podcast during your workout, a feature that may help improve the quality of your workout.

The Future Appavailable in the Apple App Store and Google Play Storeis compatible with various smartwatches, including the Apple Watch. Our tester found this feature helpful, eliminating the need for her to keep running over to her phone if she needed to pause for a minute to catch her breath.

While your coach wont watch you train in real-time, they can see when you start and finish a workout. If youre using a smartwatch, they can also see your heart rate and calories burned as you complete your exercises. Further, you can record your workouts and send them to your coach if youre wondering whether youre performing an exercise correctly.

If youre new to exercise or just need added accountability, receiving personal feedback and coaching can be an invaluable resource. ( 5 ) The functionality and personalization of the Future app adds value to the end user, says Chris Mohr, Ph.D., RD.

The Future app has over 9,000 reviews on the Apple App Store. Several users say that the app has kept them accountable and consistent, leading to visible progress. Verified customer Mashka L. from the Apple App Store stated that she has had some injuries after pregnancy, and Future has helped her regain strength.

My coach, Laura-Lynn, creates new workouts for me every week that target my specific needs. We have video check-ins, we message every week and after every workout to make sure my goals are being met. I have some injuries and some changes to my body after pregnancy, but shes able to work around them and help me get my strength back.

Mashka L., Apple App Store customer

Some users note that they would like to see more features added.

Verified customer Andrea W. from the Google Play Store wrote, This program is great in its workouts, but it doesnt incorporate basic user experience for things like displaying data graphics on weight, measurements, step tracking, weekly photo progress, and workout milestones.

Caliber stands out for its personalized exercise and nutrition plans, as well as weekly lessons to help you achieve fitness goals.

Caliber offers programs for all budgets. The premium version offers individual coaching, including personalized training and exercise plans with detailed instructions.

Pros

Includes nutrition and exercise coaching

30-day money-back guarantee

Unique strength balance score to track progress

Free version is available

Cons

Must book a phone consultation to see premium membership options

Limited fitness tracker integration

Sending photos to your coach can be a hassle, according to our tester

Research suggests that combining diet, exercise, and behavior modification is the most effective way to achieve significant and lasting weight loss. ( 7 ) And Caliber does just that. The nutrition and fitness app aims to help people build muscle and lose weight through personalized exercise and nutrition plans, one-on-one coaching, and weekly lessons.

Caliber is available in three tiers, each including different levels of coaching, support, and personalization.

The free version allows you to create your own training program and gives you access to an exercise library and community groups, but it doesnt offer much more in terms of personalized support or guidance. For that, youll need to choose a paid subscription option.

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The 6 best weight loss apps, reviewed by a registered dietitian - Fortune

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