I’m trying to lose weight and looking for free apps that can help me track my progress, stay motivated, and manage my diet effectively. Can anyone recommend apps that have been really helpful for them? I’m on a tight budget, so I can’t pay for subscriptions or premium features.
Okay, real talk: everyone says there’s an app for everything, and for weight loss, that pile is HUGE. But some of them are garbage. Honestly, the free ones that don’t completely invade your privacy with ads or push you into premium every three seconds are rare birds. Here’s what’s worked for me:
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MyFitnessPal – It’s like the OG diet tracker. You input your food, and boom, it screams at you when you’re over your calorie goal. Free version’s decent, but yeah, expect a guilt trip from the premium ads.
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Lose It! – Simpler than MFP, imo. If logging food feels like a chore, this one makes it slightly less painful and even kinda fun with the barcode scanning. I mean, scanning snacks into oblivion? Priceless.
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Yazio – Weird name, but it’s a combo of meal planning and calorie tracking. The free version actually gives you a ton unless you’re obsessed with getting super detailed stats…like chill, Karen.
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FitOn – Free workouts galore. Like, amazing ones. Yoga? HIIT? Something you attempt once and swear to try again “next week”? All in there.
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Nike Training Club – If you wanna feel like an athlete while dying on your living room floor, this is the one. Free workouts and legit trainers yelling at you like you joined a boot camp.
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Pacer – Tracks steps and reminds you that walking to the fridge doesn’t count as cardio.
If you’re into step challenges, you’ll vibe with this.
Also, heads up: none of these apps will lose weight for you (tragic, I know). They’re tools, not magic potions. You still gotta show up and do the thing. But hey, free calorie counters and workout prompts are better than nothing, right? Test some out and see what clicks—worst case, you delete and pretend it never happened.
Alright, so let me just add a few thoughts to what @hoshikuzu said. I think they’ve got quite a solid list going, but let me throw a couple more ideas (and maybe a bit of shade) into the mix.
1. Cronometer – Now, here’s one app that doesn’t get enough hype. Sure, MyFitnessPal has been around forever, but Cronometer focuses more on micronutrients, which is excellent when you wanna really understand what’s going into your body. Free version? Completely usable. Ads? Minimal. You want to know if you’re getting enough magnesium for brain gains? This app’s your friend.
2. Zombies, Run! – You wanna mix cardio with a little terror? Get chased by imaginary zombies! It’s got storytelling, missions, and, oh yeah, you’ll accidentally burn calories while pretending you’re in an apocalypse. Honestly, it’s free fun that distracts from how much you hate jogging.
3. Habitica – Okay, hear me out. Not your typical “weight loss app,” but if you’re struggling with motivation, this gamifies healthy habits. Fail to complete your daily goals? Your little avatar dies. Dramatic? Yes. But strangely motivating.
4. SparkPeople – Total throwback vibes here because it’s been around FOREVER. The app looks outdated, but sometimes you don’t need flashy interfaces, just solid tracking and helpful forums. Though, fair warning—it’s not perfect for everyone (clunky UI, perhaps), but hey, it’s free.
Now, here’s where I slightly disagree with @hoshikuzu. I don’t get the hype around Yazio, tbh. Tried it, and the free version felt like an extended ad for premium features. If you’re cool without having too much customization, sure, but if not…meh.
But let’s be real, like they said—apps are tools, not miracle workers. None of them can haul you out of bed or delete that late-night donut binge (wishful thinking). Just pick the one that vibes with your style—science geek? Go Cronometer. Thrill-seeker? Zombies. Lazy and craving old-school? SparkPeople. Start small, and remember: deleting an app after three days is an underrated fitness strategy. 
Let’s approach this with a fresh lens because @byteguru and @hoshikuzu already threw out a solid lineup. But hey, room for other contenders, right?
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Healthy Out
Ever get stuck figuring out what to eat when dining out? This app’s all about helping you make healthy choices at restaurants. Filter by cuisine, dietary preferences, or calorie counts. PROS: No cooking involved, great for eat-out lovers. CONS: Limited for those not in major cities. -
Calorie Counter by FatSecret
Yes, another calorie tracker (yawn, I know), but this one has a tight balance of usability and minimal premium nags. PROS: Community support and decent weight monitoring tools. CONS: Interface isn’t exactly slick; feels a tad dated. -
8fit
Want workouts and meal planning neatly packaged? 8fit has your back. While the premium unlocks more, the free version is surprisingly robust. PROS: Short, effective workouts. CONS: Meal plans in free mode are limited. -
Fooducate
This one stands out a bit—it grades food items based on their healthiness. So, next time you’re tempted to grab that sugary granola bar, it’ll call you out. PROS: Educational, barcode scanning is solid. CONS: Analysis can sometimes feel a bit simplified or judgmental.
Now, where some of these outshine ideas like Yazio (sorry, still not my fave) is in their versatility. I’ll throw shade at apps that shove premium in your face 24/7—there’s nothing worse than an app that promises “free” but is really a glorified billboard. Competitors like MyFitnessPal and Lose It! are generally great but can feel overwhelming when you just want simple and straightforward tools.
No app, including something like Zombies, Run! (I agree with @byteguru—it’s hilariously entertaining), will magically melt the pounds off. All these tools just help you stick to your plan. Don’t stress finding the “perfect” app; just look for one that gets you moving or keeps your diet on track without frustrating you. You’re already on the right path!