Weight-Loss Apps

Looking to make this the year you actually shed those pounds and keep them off, you might want to try a super-convenient weight-loss app. To help you find the one that best fits your needs, we’ve reviewed the top apps and highlighted the different features they offer.

Lose It!

Lose It! was created to help you seamlessly track your calorie count and the foods you consume on a daily basis. When you initially log into the app, you’ll be asked to input your starting weight, weight goal, gender and height. The app will then suggest a daily calorie budget, or you can determine one on your own.

As you eat throughout the day, you can easily input the foods you’ve consumed and then get a glance at the number of calories you’ve eaten as well as how many you have left for the day. The app will also subtract calories for exercise, calculating the number of calories burned per workout. Your ongoing weight loss can also be tracked, measured and viewed.

Best features:

• Large database with calorie counts for most foods, including many menu items in popular restaurant chains.
• Favorite foods are saved for easy future reference.
• Eating patterns and pitfalls are identified, along with appropriate suggestions.
• Barcode scanner for automatic calorie counts on packaged foods.
• Snap It – you can snap a picture of the food you’re eating and the app will guess which food it is. Then, you simply select the right one to calculate the nutrition facts.

Glaring glitches:

• Not every food or restaurant will show up in the database.
• Snap It guesses are sometimes completely off the mark.
• The app is free, but many features are only available on the premium, paid version at $39.99 a year.

My Fitness Pal

Similar to Lose It!, My Fitness Pal will track your calorie count throughout the day and allow you to search for calories counts of popular foods. It also includes an exercise feature.

Best features:

• Database of foods and restaurants that is more comprehensive than most other weight-loss apps.
• Can scan barcodes on packaged foods for automatic calorie counts.
• Can be easily integrated with many exercise apps.

Glaring glitches:

• Inaccurate calorie counts on many foods.
• More confusing interface.

Weight Watchers

Created for the Weight Watchers dieting program, this app is best used for those following one of the company’s weight loss plans. The app can track foods consumed via the Points Plus or Simply Filling program.

Best features:

• Barcode scanner for packaged foods.
• Snap & Track feature allows you to snap photos of foods for quicker tracking.
• Message board for members to connect and share tips.
• 24/7 chat support option staffed by group leaders and weight-loss professionals.
• Analyzes eating patterns and offers “Insights” for suggested changes.

Glaring glitches:

• At $19.99 a month, the app is expensive.
• The interface is difficult and hasn’t been updated in a while, causing the app to occasionally crash without warning.
• Food database does not include every food.
• Does not allow for easy weight-loss tracking.