Weight Watchers has been the top name in weight loss programs for decades while fad diets have come and gone. Still based on a point system, WW has evolved with the times and is now a highly-rated app-based program.
Speaking of other diets, there now are a slew of apps similar to Weight Watchers and some of them are free. While we agree with U.S. News that WW is the best weight loss diet, it’s worth considering other apps that are similar to Weight Watchers.
Here’s a great deal to join (or rejoin?) WW plus our list of the best WeightWatchers alternatives:
Top 7 Apps like Weight Watchers:
1. Noom – Best for Positive Behavioral Change
Noom is a highly-rated WW alternative if you want to dive into the why behind your eating habits. It uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with daily lessons (5-10 minutes) to help you build healthy habits that result in sustainable weight loss.
I’m going to just repeat that because it’s so important in the diet industry: sustainable weight loss!
With Noom you’ll get food and exercise tracking, 1:1 coaching, and a supportive community, plus a 3M+ food database. Unlike counting calories or WW’s Points system, Noom focuses on color-coded calorie density (green, yellow, orange). Plans aren’t cheap and average around $40 per month and you can start with a free 14-day trial. It’s perfect for those who want a deeper, mindset-focused approach.
Quick take: The Noom app is a good alternative for people who want a psychology-driven weight loss program with daily lessons, personalized coaching, and community support to build sustainable habits, even if they’re busy and willing to invest in a subscription
Thinking of joining? You can start with a free assessment at noom.com
2. MyFitnessPal – Best Free App for Easy Tracking
MyFitnessPal is a very popular app like WW if you’re looking for a free, no-frills option. It lets you track calories, macros, and exercise with a huge 11M+ food database and a barcode scanner. The app also syncs with devices like Fitbit for seamless tracking.
MyFItnessPal has an impressive rating based on 2+ million reviews on the App Store and is great for those who want more control and insight into their nutrition and fitness. The free version covers the essentials, while Premium ($19.99/month or $79.99/year) adds extras like meal planning. It doesn’t have WW’s Points or coaching, but its simplicity and low cost make it ideal for straightforward tracking.
Why is it like WW? The MyFitnessPal app is a good WW alternative for budget-conscious individuals who want a free, simple way to track calories, macros, and exercise with a massive food database
3. Healthi App – Similar to Classic WW
Healthi is often hailed as the closest thing to WW, especially for those who loved older WW plans like Blue, Green, or SmartPoints. It uses a “Bites” system that mirrors WW’s points, and you can choose from several plan styles including calorie-based or low-carb.
Highlights include optional free version, barcode scanner, recipe builder, and meal tracking plus community groups and coaching options.
Why is it like WW? The Healthi app is best for former Weight Watchers users who want a budget-friendly alternative with customizable plans like the old Points Plus system, allowing them to track bites, calories, and macros while staying motivated with community support.
3. Lifesum – Best for Personalized Meal Plans
Lifesum shines as a WW alternative for those who crave tailored meal plans. It tracks calories, macros, and water, supporting diets like keto, vegan, or intermittent fasting. You’ll find recipe ideas, a barcode scanner, and habit tracking in a user-friendly app.
The free version handles basics, while Premium ($9.99/month or $44.99/year) unlocks meal plans and deeper insights. Lifesum skips WW’s community and Workshops, but its customization is great for anyone wanting diet flexibility.
Why is it like WW? The Lifesum app is best for health-conscious young adults (age 25-35) who want a customizable, tech-savvy way to track calories, macros, and diets like keto or intermittent fasting, while building sustainable eating habits with meal plans and recipes.
4. Yazio – Best for Calorie Counting and Fasting
Yazio is an excellent app like WW for calorie counting and fasting fans. Its free version lets you track calories, macros, and fasting windows with a 4M+ food database. You can log meals, plan recipes, and track water, plus it syncs with Apple Health.
Premium ($39.99/year) adds fasting plans and advanced stats. Yazio doesn’t offer WW’s coaching or community, but its low cost and fasting features make it a solid pick for beginners or fasting enthusiasts.
Our thought: The Yazio app is a great WW alternative for health-focused individuals who want a user-friendly way to track calories, macros, and intermittent fasting, while benefiting from recipes and fitness tracker integration, especially if they prefer a budget-friendly option with a strong community vibe.
5. Calorie Counter by FatSecret – Best for Free Features and Community
Calorie Counter by FatSecret is a budget-friendly WW alternative with a community feel. The free version offers calorie, macro, and weight tracking, plus a photo-based food diary and barcode scanner.
Calorie Counter has a community feature to share recipes and tips, much like WW’s Connect network. Premium ($6.99/month or $38.99/year) adds meal planning and an ad-free experience. It lacks WW’s coaching and Workshops, but its free tools and social vibe are perfect for peer support.
Who should consider it? The Calorie Counter by FatSecret app is best for budget-conscious dieters who want a free or low-cost, user-friendly way to track calories, macros, and weight while connecting with a supportive global community for motivation.
6. Cronometer – Best for Detailed Nutrition Tracking
Cronometer is a powerful WW alternative for those who want to track more than just calories. Its free version lets you monitor calories, macros, and up to 84 micronutrients (like vitamins and minerals) with a database of over 1.1M foods. It syncs with fitness trackers and offers a barcode scanner for easy logging.
The premium version ($8.99/month or $54.99/year) includes fasting timers and ad-free use. Cronometer doesn’t have WW’s Points or coaching, but its focus on nutrient details makes it ideal for health nerds.
Why is it like WW? The Cronometer app is great for detail-oriented individuals, like athletes, vegans, or those with specific dietary needs, who want a free, accurate way to track calories, macros, and micronutrients while customizing their nutrition goals.
Bonus: SnapCalorie – Best for Free Visual Tracking
SnapCalorie is a hidden gem as a WW alternative, and it’s completely free! Unlike WW, which requires a subscription for full access, SnapCalorie uses AI to track calories by snapping photos of your meals and estimates portions and calories for you. It also tracks water and weight with a clean, ad-free interface.
There’s no coaching or community like WW, but if you’re after a simple, visual way to log your intake without spending a penny, SnapCalorie is a great choice.
Great WW Alternatives, But No Free Lunch!
These 7 Weight Watchers alternatives offer something for everyone, whether you’re into psychology-driven weight loss (Noom), free tracking (MyFitnessPal, SnapCalorie, FatSecret), personalized plans (Lifesum), fasting (Yazio), or nutrient tracking (Cronometer). Most apps have free or low-cost options, making them more affordable than WW’s $23/month. But do you get what you pay for?
Be aware that even though WW costs more than most of these apps and has no free version it still might be the best of this group. That’s because many of these apps will push you from the free or lite version to pay, or just lack the resources, community, and track record of WW.
Thinking of rejoining WW? You can do so for as little as $10 per month. We list today’s best membership offers here
In any event, I hope you click around, read reviews, and do your own research to decide which of these WeightWatchers alternatives might be better for your unique lifestyle and weight loss goals. Thanks for stopping by PrettySweet.com!