The Best Calorie Counter Apps to Achieve Your Weight Loss Goals

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Calorie counter apps are useful tools to have on deck if weight loss, changing your eating habits or increasing your activity level are part of your overall health goals. These handy apps can be accessed right from your smartphone, tablet or computer and help you track your food intake, log your workouts and set dietary or fitness goals with a step-by-step plan for each. Many calorie trackers also provide recipes and tips for healthy eating; in fact, studies have found these apps to be successful in weight management and managing chronic conditions.

Calorie trackers can help you achieve your weight loss goals while also teaching you healthy eating habits for life. Plus, calorie counting apps can pinpoint trouble points you may not have recognized otherwise, such as consuming too much sugar or cholesterol. Still, with so many meal plan apps and fitness apps available today, knowing where to start can be tough. If weight loss or changing your eating or fitness habits is on your to-do list, a calorie tracker may be right for you. These are our picks for the best calorie counter apps of 2024.

This content is meant to be informative, but should not be taken as medical advice. It is not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention or treatment of health problems. Always speak with your doctor before starting any new supplement or exercise regimen. 

If you are someone who has a history of disordered eating, some features within weight management apps may be triggering. You can get help for disordered eating via the National Eating Disorders helpline.

Our Picks for the Best Calorie Counter App of 2024:

• Best Overall Calorie Counter App: Noom
• Best Calorie Counter App for Paleo Diet: YAZIO
• Best Calorie Counter App for Intermittent Fasting: DoFasting
• Best Calorie Counter App for Weight Loss: WW (WeightWatchers)
• Best Free Calorie Counter App: MyFitnessPal
• Best Calorie Counter and Fitness Tracker App: Fitbit
• Best for Simplicity: Noom
• Best Calorie Counter App with Coaching: YAZIO
• Best Calorie Counter App for Keto Diet: WW (WeightWatchers)
• Best Calorie Counter App and Meal Planner: Lifesum
• Best Calorie Counter and Health App: MyPlate

Best Overall Calorie Counter App: Noom

Key features:

• Cost: Free 14-day trial, then $70/month or $209/annually
• iPhone rating: 4.7/5
• Android rating: 4.3/5
• Availability: iOS and Android
• Free version? No

Noom is often hailed as the holy grail of all meal planning programs, and that’s why we’ve ranked Noom as our best overall calorie counter app. Rather than simply allowing you to log your calories, Noom helps users learn about behaviors that lead to unhealthy food choices and eating habits, such as social triggers or emotional eating. It focuses on reducing daily calorie intake by helping you learn which foods are green, or have low-calorie density, and which foods are red, or have high-calorie density. This intuitive learning, paired with a strong support system that includes virtual coaching, is what gives up to 78 percent of Noom users weight loss results.

Pros:

• Addresses the root cause of unhealthy eating and encourages good eating habits
• Teaches you which foods have low- or high-calorie density
• Quiz helps tailor program to your needs and goals

Cons:

• Expensive program
• Requires a lot of time commitment
• Labels foods as unhealthy based on calorie content (like almond butter) rather than nutrient profile

Check out our in-depth Noom review for more information about the popular weight loss app. 

Best Calorie Counter App for Paleo Diet: YAZIO

Key features:

• Cost: $6.66/month or $3.33/month with annual subscription
• iPhone rating: 4.7/5
• Android rating: 4.3/5
• Availability: iOS and Android
• Free version? Yes 

Though newer to the diet app space, YAZIO is quickly climbing as one of the most favored macro and calorie tracking apps because it breaks down both macronutrients and micronutrients in all food logged. (Your macronutrients are the nutrients you use in large amounts, such as fat, protein and carbohydrates, while micronutrients are nutrients you use in smaller amounts, like vitamins and minerals.) Since YAZIO has a built-in support system for specialty diet plans, including a whole slew of healthy recipes for certain diets, we’ve selected this calorie tracker as our top pick for paleo diets because you can easily choose custom macronutrient targets designed for paleo. YAZIO’s recipe database makes it easy to both find and create recipes to match your paleo diet, plus track the macros for those recipes. 

Related Post: How To Count Your Macros: A Complete Guide

Pros:

• Highly accurate macro and calorie tracking
• Analyzes food habits to provide helpful insights
• Includes huge database of healthy recipes

Cons:

• Free plan offers limited access
• Free version doesn’t connect to all smart watch apps

Best Calorie Counter App for Intermittent Fasting: DoFasting

Key features:

• Cost: $74/month for a one-month plan; $46/month for a six-month plan
• iPhone rating: 3.4/5
• Android rating: 4.3/5
• Availability: iOS and Android
• Free version? No

DoFasting is an app specifically focused on intermittent fasting, or switching between fasting and eating on a regular schedule. While there is some controversy surrounding intermittent fasting, some studies show that following this type of diet helps reduce obesity and the risk for cardiovascular disease. DoFasting includes various fasting programs with customizable eating windows, so you can tailor your diet to your day and/or use of appetite suppressants. It also features an intermittent fasting timer and more than 5,000 in-app recipes to help you track the number of calories you’re consuming to stay within your calorie budget. In addition, DoFasting has a daily water intake tracker to make sure you stay hydrated while fasting.

Pros:

• Customizable fasting programs
• In-app recipes for healthy meals
• Daily water intake tracker

Cons:

• Not compatible with non-fasting diets
• Users complain of poor in-app functionality
• High per-month price tag

Best Calorie Counter App for Weight Loss: WW (WeightWatchers)

Key features:

• Cost: $43/month for a one-month plan; $23/month for a six-month plan
• iPhone rating: 4.8/5
• Android rating: 4.6/5
• Availability: iOS and Android
• Free version? No, 30-day free trial

WW (WeightWatchers) is a household staple in weight management, and while the program previously revolved around manually writing down your food intake, the smartphone app iteration includes easy food tracking with the touch of a button. WeightWatchers is based on a points system that allows users a certain number of points to spend on food per day, so you can technically eat what you want (like packaged foods), as long as you stay within your points budget. It also includes zero-point foods that don’t count against your budget. Led by healthcare and weight management experts, the highly-robust WeightWatchers program is touted as one of the best in the industry and also includes virtual or in-person coaching to help you stay on track.

Pros:

• Eat what you want within your points budget
• Strong community and support system
• Access to free, all-level workouts

Cons:

• Requires a membership to use
• Counting points can be time-consuming
• Users may experience weight gain after stopping the program

Best Free Calorie Counter App: MyFitnessPal

Key features:

• Cost: $19.99/month for premium version
• iPhone rating: 4.7/5
• Android rating: 4.2/5
• Availability: iOS and Android
• Free version? Yes

MyFitnessPal has millions of users, thanks to its massive food library that includes more than 14 million foods to log. This free calorie tracker can help you achieve various weight loss or fitness goals, like eating low-carb, staying in a calorie deficit or maintaining a high-protein diet. You can customize your weight loss goals, track macros and see exactly how many nutrients you’re getting.

Users enjoy MyFitnessPal because it’s easy to use, lets you create your own recipes and has intuitive food logging that remembers which foods you eat and your typical serving size. You can also plug in your weight and body measurements to track your changes over time. While MyFitnessPal is free, you can purchase an optional paid version that lends you added features, like barcode scanning for quick food logging, but the free version is enough for most people.

Pros:

• Create your own recipes for faster logging
• Customizable weight loss goals and macros
• Free version doesn’t skimp on features

Cons:

• Some users report glitchy barcode scanner
• App can sometimes underestimate your calorie requirements
• Can be time-consuming to log food intake

Best Calorie Counter and Fitness Tracker App: Fitbit

Key features:

• Cost: Free or $9.99/month for premium version
• iPhone rating: 4.2/5
• Android rating: 4.2/5
• Availability: iOS and Android
• Free version? Yes

Fitbit focuses on achieving all-around wellness, from helping you stay active to monitoring your sleep and eating habits. While you don’t necessarily need a Fitbit smartwatch to use the calorie tracker on the Fitbit app, a Fitbit smartwatch can be helpful to see exactly how many calories you burn while exercising (which creates a more accurate calorie budget). On the Fitbit app, which is free with an optional premium version that includes additional insights, you can track your weight, keep a food diary, measure your hydration and set overall weight loss goals. Similar to MyFitnessPal, Fitbit also features a barcode scanner for quick calorie estimates. One of the perks of using the Fitbit calorie tracking program is that you can access your dashboard on your desktop, which can be useful if you want to seriously dig into your goal process charts.

Pros:

• Daily water intake tracker
• Can be used without Fitbit smartwatch
• Accessible on smartphone or desktop

Cons:

• May overestimate calorie burn if you’re active
• Premium plan may not be worth it
• Requires a lot of time and commitment

Best for Simplicity: Noom

Key features:

• Cost: Free 14-day trial, then $70/month or $209/annually
• iPhone rating: 4.7/5
• Android rating: 4.3/5
• Availability: iOS and Android
• Free version? No

Need a straightforward way to track what you’re putting in your body? Noom strategically takes a simplified approach to counting calories. Each food falls in a green, yellow or red zone based on the nutrients it contains. This doesn’t mean you have to cut out foods you love—rather, the app provides insights on what kind of nutrition it will be providing you and what will be the most effective. While it seems pretty direct, Noom was created to psychologically change the way users look at food and instill healthier eating habits. With a subscription, you’ll be able to chat with coaches and community members on your progress.

Pros:

• Sets timeline for your goals and mini-lessons to explain psychological patterns behind eating habits
• Calorie counting adjusted to your specific needs
• Access to database of recipes and nutritious foods to put into your diet

Cons:

• Pricey
• No recipes readily available to help with daily meal planning

Best Calorie Counter App with Coaching: YAZIO

Key features:

• Cost: $6.66/month or $3.33/month with annual subscription
• iPhone rating: 4.7/5
• Android rating: 4.3/5
• Availability: iOS and Android
• Free version? Yes 

Ready to get started on working towards your goals, but want someone to keep you accountable so you stay on track? YAZIO may be just the best food tracker app you’ve been looking for. YAZIO Pro users get access to the app’s Nutrition Coaching feature, plus analyses based on their eating habits, personalized meal plans and more. Anyone who is new to the realm of meal and calorie tracking might need a little extra guidance to stick to their diet and goals, and YAZIO offers users an easy way to do so. In addition to the coaching and insights, users also gain access to YAZIO’s immense database of healthy recipes, simplifying the process of figuring out what sort of meals to cook while still eating healthy. 

Pros:

• App includes coaching, analytics, recipes and personalized meal plans
• Cheaper than most paid calorie counter apps

Cons:

• Many features aren’t available with free version

Best Calorie Counter App for Keto Diet: WW (WeightWatchers)

Key features:

• Cost: $43/month for a one-month plan; $23/month for a six-month plan
• iPhone rating: 4.8/5
• Android rating: 4.6/5
• Availability: iOS and Android
• Free version? No, 30-day free trial

WW is a highly-rated calorie counter app that helps you maintain a diet that fits your lifestyle. We especially love this calorie tracker for keto diets, since WeightWatchers allows you to easily limit your carbs and increase your fat intake to lose weight. One of the best features of this app is its focus on getting your calories from the right sources, which can be difficult to manage when following a keto diet, especially if you’re learning the difference between healthy and unhealthy fats. 

Related Post: The Best Keto Meal Delivery Services You Should Try

The points system used by WeightWatchers makes it easy to understand if you’re opting for a healthy, nutritious option or a less-healthy choice for a snack, and that applies to high-fat and high-protein foods that you’ll consume on a regular basis when doing a keto diet. 

Pros:

• App includes community and coaching for support and tips
• Points system for mindful eating

Cons:

• No free version available

Best Calorie Counter App and Meal Planner: Lifesum

Key features:

• Cost: $8.33/month for 12-month premium plan
• iPhone rating: 4.7/5
• Android rating: 4.4/5
• Availability: iOS and Android
• Free version? Yes with limited features

Oftentimes, calorie tracking isn’t just for counting calories. Many people use calorie trackers for meal planning, which can help you maintain healthy eating and stay within your calorie budget. Our favorite calorie counter app and meal planner is Lifesum, which offers one- to three-week meal plans (such as keto burn or vegan) with four pre-planned recipes each day, meaning you don’t have to come up with your own recipes if you don’t want to. Yet don’t expect to be limited to a handful of boring recipes. Lifesum has hundreds of recipes that are nutritious and easy to cook. You can also select recipes that follow your lifestyle and food preferences, like high protein or clean eating. While Lifesum is technically free, the free version has limited features, so you may want to consider upgrading to a paid premium plan to get the most out of this meal planning app.

Pros:

• Integrates with many popular health apps and smartwatches
• Choose from a wide range of diets and food preferences
• Track food, exercise and water intake

Cons:

• Free version is very limited
• No community or virtual coaching
• No desktop version

Best Calorie Counter App and Health App: MyPlate

Key features:

• Cost: $9.99/month for premium version
• iPhone rating: 4.7/5
• Android rating: 4.6/5
• Availability: iOS and Android
• Free version? Yes

MyPlate Calorie Counter by Livestrong ranks as our best calorie counter and health app because of its user-friendly interface, easy food logging and connection to the larger Livestrong community, which focuses on leading a healthy lifestyle. This simple calorie tracker works like many others: you log your food, exercise and water intake, and see your nutritional breakdown. The nice thing about MyPlate, however, is that you can also see your net calories by day, week and more, which can help you pinpoint what’s working and what’s not working in your diet. Another strong feature of this app is its eight-week meal plan that includes custom recipes tailored to your food preferences and shopping lists so you can easily recreate recipes at home. If you’re looking for an easy-to-use calorie counter and health app, this program is it.

Pros:

• Very user-friendly
• See net calories by day, week or more
• Custom meal plans for different diets

Cons:

• Serious dieters may find the app too basic
• Some users report food tracking glitches
• Exercise logging may not always be accurate

How to Choose the Best Calorie Counter App for You

There are a number of factors to consider when choosing a calorie counter app that’s right for you. First, you’ll want to consider the cost. Many calorie trackers have free versions, but you’ll often need to upgrade to a paid plan to access premium features, like custom macro tracking. It’s important to find an app with a calorie counter for food that not only meets your budget, but gives you the features you need to be successful if you decide to stick with a free version.

As for features themselves, consider what will help you achieve your health goals. This could be anything from meal planning, to food education, a built-in food tracker for barcodes, to even virtual coaching, but be sure that the app you select meets your criteria. A calorie counter app that’s compatible with an Apple Watch or Google Pixel Watch can also be helpful if you keep up with your apps on a smartwatch.

Lastly, consider how much time you’re able to devote to your calorie counter program. More intensive apps, like Noom, incorporate food education that may require a deeper commitment than a straightforward food tracking app like MyFitnessPal. It’s essential to be able to commit, because an app that makes you feel stressed in the long run will make you less likely to stick with it—and therefore your goals.

How We Chose the Best Calorie Counter Apps

We chose the best calorie counter apps on our list based on cost, average user rating, features (like barcode scanners), range of tracking metrics, personalization options and compatibility with other apps like Google Fit or Apple Health. Overall, we picked apps that can help you achieve various weight loss, diet or fitness goals, while giving you the tools you need to be successful.

Related: ​​The Best Weight Loss Apps to Help You Meet Your Goals and Make Lasting Diet Changes

Calorie Counter Apps FAQs

What is a calorie?

A calorie is how much energy the body is either receiving from food or burning through regular functions. The term “burning calories” is a quick synopsis of thermogenesis, or how the body processes food by way of factors like your metabolism rate and basal body temperature.

What is the most accurate way to count calories?

Many popular calorie calculators like MyFitnessPal and Fitbit have an extensive food database that allows you to plug in the exact brand of the food you’re eating. Some programs even allow you to scan barcodes on the backs of food items for accurate calorie counts; you’ll just need to add the correct serving size you’ve consumed. If you’re eating rice, liquids or fresh produce, you can use a scale, measuring cup or measuring spoon to gauge how many calories you’ll eat.

What is the easiest way to count calories?

Calorie tracking apps are the easiest way to count calories. One popular approach is to set a calorie goal for yourself (such as 1,600 calories per day), then plan your meals accordingly to stay under that number. Buying food items that list calories per serving can also help you count calories.

How many calories should I eat per day?

The USDA 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends 2,000-2,400 calories for women aged 19-30; 1,800-2,200 calories for women aged 31-59; and 1,600-2,000 calories for women over 60. The guidelines recommend 2,400-3,000 calories for men aged 19-30 years; 2,200-3,000 calories for men aged 31-59; and 2,000-2,600 calories for men over 60.

Your daily recommended calorie intake may vary depending on age, metabolism, levels of physical activity and overall health, and may be different if you’re trying to lose or gain weight.

Related Post: How Much Weight Can You Lose in a Month?

Is it safe to count calories?

There is mixed research on whether or not counting calories is safe. Some studies find that calorie trackers are useful tools for maintaining a healthy weight and managing chronic conditions, yet other studies point to concern over counting calories as contributors to eating disorder symptoms. You may want to consider speaking to a registered dietitian or nutritionist before pursuing a weight loss plan, and be sure to stop any programs that lead to unhealthy habits.

Final Thoughts

Calorie counter apps can be helpful for weight loss or as part of an overall diet. They can also help you change your eating habits, log your workouts, learn healthy recipes and make sure you’re getting enough nutrients. Food logging or meal planning can be an effective way to identify or maintain your health goals, but it’s important to use a calorie tracker equipped with the features you need to be successful. If you’re not sure which app is right for you, consider our picks for the best calorie counter apps of 2024 to learn more about different apps available.

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