These Are the Best Weight Loss Apps Now and for 2020, According to Experts
We know that losing weight isn't an easy feat. It requires a ton of motivation, willpower, and support, and at the end of the day, shedding pounds isn't just about the number on the scale. It's about overhauling your lifestyle and making positive, permanent changes. That's where weight loss apps come in.
Weight loss apps can connect you with dietitians, doctors, and trainers to help you navigate everything from what to buy at the grocery store to choosing a healthy dish at a restaurant. They can also be a great source of motivation, providing support through active online communities. And if you need some help on the fitness front, the best weight loss apps are equipped with on-demand workouts from top trainers that you can do right at home. Best of all, they connect to smart watches and wearables, like an Apple Watch or Fitbit, so you can keep track of your progress and make informed health decisions —everywhere and at any moment.
To help you make the most worthwhile downloads, we tapped some of the top dietitians and personal trainers for the best weight loss apps out there.
Best Overall: MyFitnessPal
4.7 out of 5 stars
Free with in-app purchases, iOS and Android
This top-rated weight loss app pairs your workouts with a nutrition plan because we all know that you can't truly lose weight without one or the other. Built with a food database of more than six million foods, a barcode scanner, food log, and 300+ cardio and strength workouts, you get a 360-degree picture of your overall health. Plus, you can connect with the online community for motivation, support, and tips. What's more, it's compatible with Fitbit, Jawbone, Runkeeper, MapMyFitness, Strava, and the Health app on an iPhone.
An iTunes reviewer says, "I spend maybe five minutes a day total logging my food intake. I like that it includes nutrition breakdowns, so I can pinpoint when I'm lacking iron, calcium, etc. in my overall diet."
Best Diet App: Weight Watchers
4.8 out of 5 stars
Free with in-app purchases, iOS and Android
There’s a reason people tout weight loss benefits from the program, and this app lets you in on the secrets without needing to attend in-person meetings. You can track your food and fitness progress as well as chat with others in the community for motivation and support, says Rebecca Gahan, CPT and owner of Kick@55 Fitness in Chicago. You can also sync it to any smart watches or devices to convert daily steps into points.
An iTunes reviewer raves, "With the ability to walk into a grocery store, scan a barcode and instantly know the points value of a food, I can shop healthy and proactively without fear. I can also pair my activity tracker so I know the value of each activity I complete."
Best Weight Loss App With Coaching: Noom
4.6 out of 5 stars
Free with in-app purchases, iOS and Android
With Noom, there’s a weight loss coach by your side throughout your journey. Using psychology-based approaches, the app reveals your weight loss obstacles and provides tips for making better adjustments, making it a terrific tool for personalized attention. What’s more, if you have medical conditions, like diabetes or heart disease, the app tailors its program accordingly.
An iTunes reviewer says, "This app is helping me change small habits one day at a time and it’s doing more for my brain than my body right now. I am moving more and making better food choices. I have not lost much weight yet, but my mind is definitely changing, and I truly believe that weight loss and a healthy body is in my near future."
Best Healthy Cooking App: Fooducate
4.7 out of 5 stars
Free with in-app purchases, iOS and Android
It’s pretty difficult to drop the pounds if you’re unsure of what “healthy” really means. That’s why Fooducate is a great app for educating users on what makes a nutrition label high or poor quality so that they can keep the right types of foods in their pantry and fridge. Scan the label to see a list of ingredients in the product and its health grade to compare to other options. Beyond food, you can also track sleep, mood, and fitness.
An iTunes reviewer writes, "Fooducate helps me be more aware of every bite I put into my mouth because I know I will have to enter it into the app. I like that it also helps me understand more about the quality of ingredients and nutrients I'm consuming."
Best Dining Out App: HowUDish
4.5 out of 5 stars
Free with in-app purchases, iOS
The HowUDish app can help you find healthy food picks at local eateries, so you can always meet your weight loss goals, no matter where you decide to dine, explains Summer Yule, MS, RDN. “They have low-calorie and low-carb options as well as information on fiber and protein content. (They can also filter by other types of diets, such as vegetarian.),” she says. You can also rate your dish and the restaurant and share your thoughts with the online community. It's convenient if you're traveling and want to stick to a healthy eating routine.
One iTunes reviewer says, "This app has pretty much everything you could want in an app that helps you manage your diet. It's ridiculously easy to use and focuses on the type of diet you have selected without excluding other options completely."
Best Nutrition App: Healthie
4.7 out of 5 stars
Free on iOS and Android
Healthie is the perfect tool for virtual communication over video or phone to speak to a dietitian when you don't have time to meet in person. You’ll also have a better recall of meal details, as you can see what you’re eating through photos, as opposed to a written food journal, says Brooke Zigler, MPP, RDN, LD.
“I am able to give immediate photo food journal feedback to clients instead of waiting two to three weeks in between appointments to go over a written food journal,” Zigler says. Together, you’ll be able to see the exact portions and ingredients in each meal.
It also connects you with lactation consultants, massage therapists, naturopaths, chiropractors, and personal trainers. Plus, you can sync the app up with your FitBit and the iHealth app on Apple phones.
Best Workout App With Variety: All / Out Studio
3 out of 5 stars
$8.99 monthly subscription/ $59.99 annual subscription on iOS
Whether you're looking for a 15-minute HIIT workout to do at home or a kettlebell flow you can do at the gym, the All / Out Studio app is filled with hundreds of on-demand workouts you can do anywhere, anytime. Choose from yoga and meditation to dance cardio, barre, and strength training. The best part is you can tailor these workouts to your fitness and weight loss goals. No equipment? No problem. The app has plenty of great bodyweight workouts that don't require any dumbbells or resistance bands. You'll see some familiar faces on the app too, including Prevention's Larysa DiDio and Betina Gozo.
Best Fitness App: Nike Training Club
4.8 out of 5 stars
Free with in-app purchases, iOS and Android
Whether you want to focus on improving endurance, strength, or mobility, the Nike Training Club app has the perfect workout for you. It's designed with beginner, intermediate, and advanced workouts that also offer low-impact modifications and different intensities. You can find workouts that last anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes, whether you want to do yoga, HIIT, strength training, or running. Plus, there are four- to six-week plans led by Nike Master Trainers for building more muscle and getting lean.
One iTunes reviewer raves, "Love the workouts. Great variety, interface—it has everything you need to get or stay in shape. The content is absolutely fantastic. I haven't found a better workout app!"
Best Celebrity Fitness App: Jillian Michaels App
4.7 out of 5 stars
Free with in-app purchase, iOS and Android
Celebrity trainer Jillian Michaels is no stranger to helping people lose weight. She was a trainer on The Biggest Loser and has countless fitness DVDs that have helped thousands turn their life around. Now, you can train with Michaels one-on-one with her app, which has customized daily workouts based on your fitness level and goals. Each workout includes a video with Michaels demoing how to do every move properly. What's more, Michaels's app comes with meal plans designed by professional chefs and dietitians, so you can trust that the food tastes just as good as it is for you. While Michaels has been vocal about her disdain for the keto diet, her app includes plans for vegans and Paleo diet followers.
An iTunes reviewer says, "I just completed the 30-day beginner program with Jillian's app and can say that I lost about 15 pounds after a month of doing it. The workouts are mixed and always leave me sweating but not feeling discouraged. I love that at the end of each workout, you can say whether it was easy, hard, or perfect so the app adjusts to your next workout."
Best Fitness Tracking App: Fitbit
4.2 out of 5 stars
Free with in-app purchases, iOS and Android
While hitting 10,000 steps daily is a great goal, Fitbit knows that it takes more than that to lose weight and change your lifestyle. That's why their app allows you to track your daily activity, sleep, calorie burn, weight, hydration levels, and food intake. For example, your all-day activity doesn't just count your steps but your resting heart rate — the lower the number, the fitter you are — the number of miles you've walked or ran, and the calories you burned during active minutes.
In terms of diet, it helps you keep your calorie intake in check by logging your food with the barcode scanner and providing calorie estimates for certain foods and dishes. And for every goal or major milestone you hit, the app sends you a motivational badge to keep moving towards the right direction.
Best Fitness Traveling App: Aaptiv
4.7 out of 5 stars
Free with in-app purchases, iOS and Android
You can work out wherever and whenever you want, thanks to Aaptiv's audio-based fitness classes. From HIIT to running to cycling to yoga, one of Aaptiv's certified personal trainers will guide you through a workout so you don't have to think about what the next move should be. Each audio workout is tailored with a carefully curated playlist to give you a boost when you need it the most. Every week, 30 new workout routines are added and if don't have access to WiFi, you can download the classes to your phone and listen to them offline. Get unlimited classes for $14.99 per month and a 100% money-back guarantee for annual plans within 30 days.
An iTunes reviewer says, "Like many reviewers, I've been looking for something like Aaptiv forever. I'm not a fan of gyms, videos, or on-demand workouts. I find them distracting. Aaptiv is like having a trainer on call. So far I've used them for spinning and outdoor running. They push you while also being supportive. In addition, the music is great. I'm seriously smitten with this."
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