Ranking updated
Weight loss apps: what helps day to day
Most people who quit a weight loss app quit because logging becomes a chore or the scale jumps and kills motivation. The apps below each attack one of those problems: Macrova, TrackAI and YouCal log a meal from a photo, Weighly turns noisy weigh-ins into a trend, and LifeFast times a fast.
How we picked: apps from the Censuus catalogue whose own store description is about losing or managing weight. Features come from each developer’s description. This is general information, not medical advice: pregnancy, eating disorders, diabetes and other conditions call for a doctor before any diet or fast.
Log meals without the chore
Photo logging is the main reason to try a newer app. Macrova, TrackAI and YouCal estimate calories and macros from a picture of the plate, which takes seconds instead of a search through a food database. Photo estimates are approximate, so check portions on meals you eat often. For a deeper comparison of counters, see calorie counter apps.
Watch the trend, not the scale
Body weight moves every day with water, salt and sleep. Weighly smooths daily weigh-ins into a trend line, forecasts a goal date as a range and explains a plateau, which keeps one bad morning from ending the plan. The developer states it is not a medical device.
Fasting and simple counting
LifeFast is a minimal fasting timer on Android. Eat it counts calories and macros in Ukrainian, with barcode scanning and meal planning, and Intake is a plain calorie log without streaks or advice. Fasting is not for everyone; read intermittent fasting apps and ask a doctor if you have a condition or take medication.
| App | What it does | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| MacrovaCensuusApp StoreGoogle Play | calories and macros from a food photo, AI diet and workout plans | people who want a plan, not only a log |
| TrackAICensuusApp StoreGoogle Play | snap a meal, get a log of what you ate | quick logging on iPhone or Android |
| YouCalCensuusApp Store | photo logging with calories, protein, carbs and fats | people tired of database searches |
| WeighlyCensuusApp Store | smooths daily weigh-ins into a trend and a goal forecast | anyone discouraged by scale swings |
| LifeFastCensuusGoogle Play | minimal fasting timer and schedule | intermittent fasting on Android |
| Eat itCensuusApp Store | calorie and macro counter with barcode scanning and meal planning | a Ukrainian-language counter |
| IntakeCensuusApp Store | minimal calorie log, one-time purchase, no gamification | people who only want to track |
Frequently asked questions
Which app helps you lose weight?
An app helps by making tracking easy enough to keep doing. Photo loggers such as Macrova, TrackAI and YouCal speed up logging, and Weighly shows your weight trend instead of daily jumps.
Can an app count calories from a photo?
Yes. Macrova, TrackAI and YouCal estimate calories and macros from a photo of the meal. The estimate is approximate, so check portions on meals you eat often.
Is a weight loss app safe for everyone?
An app is a tracking tool, not a medical plan. If you are pregnant, have an eating disorder, diabetes or another condition, talk to a doctor before dieting or fasting.