How to Choose Between Noom and MyFitnessPal
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Despite some harsh language I’ve used in the past , I don’t believe weight loss apps are inherently evil. However, putting too much trust in an app can backfire. You rely on it to tell you how many calories you need, accurately track your calorie intake and burn, calculate your calorie needs, and effectively motivate you to achieve healthy goals so you see results. You trust the app to be your calculator, coach, and confidant. So how do you decide which weight loss app is right for you?
Both Noom and MyFitnessPal are heavyweights in the fitness tracking market. I’ve used both apps for years with varying results and can confidently speak to the pros and cons of each. Here’s what you need to know to decide which app deserves a spot on your home screen, depending on how you want to achieve your goals.
Different weight loss philosophies
MyFitnessPal is a well-known calorie-counting app, and it certainly appeals to a wide audience. It’s essentially a sophisticated food diary that helps you stick to your calorie budget with simple tracking. There’s no need for manual management or in-depth psychological analysis—just data, goals, and data-driven reporting.
Noom, on the other hand, positions itself as a psychology-based weight loss program that aims to change your relationship with food through behavioral science, daily lessons, and cognitive strategies. The idea here is less about restriction and more about understanding why you eat what you eat. If you’ve always been put off by the overly simplistic “calories in, calories out” approach to weight loss, then Noom’s philosophy is a real find. On the other hand, how “anti-diet” can a weight loss app be? Let’s explore further.
Pricing
If your wallet is more of a deciding factor than your philosophy, here’s what you need to know.
MyFitnessPal offers a truly functional free version , which includes basic nutrition tracking, a workout log, and access to an extensive food database. If you’re willing to go without the extra frills, you can use MyFitnessPal for free indefinitely. The Premium version costs $79.99 per year or $19.99 per month and includes features like barcode scanning, meal scanning, custom macros, intermittent fasting tracking, and ad-free access. There’s also a Premium+ plan for $99.99 per year or $24.99 per month, which includes all the Premium features plus a meal planner.
Noom is a subscription-only service, offering a free version after a 14-day trial. Pricing varies depending on the length of the agreement, typically starting at $42–$70 per month for shorter subscriptions, while the 12-month plan drops the monthly cost to approximately $17.42 per month. The most common price is a four-month subscription for $169 (approximately $42.25 per month).
Winner : MyFitnessPal for budget-conscious users; Noom’s lowest monthly fee requires a long-term commitment.
User interface
MyFitnessPal features a clear and simple interface focused on data entry. The main screen displays your calorie budget, macronutrients, and a simple diary for recording meals and workouts. The app is effective and practical—perfect if you just want to log your lunch and move on with your day. However, I understand why some users find it, to put it mildly, too superficial and boring.
Noom offers a more colorful and engaging interface with several sections, including a food journal, lessons, group chat, and progress tracking. The app uses a signature color-coding system (green, yellow, red) to categorize foods by calorie content. While this makes the app more interactive and perhaps even game-like, it also means more screen time. Noom acknowledges that you’ll spend about 15 minutes a day in the app, and it features plenty of animations to keep you focused. Some users might find this appealing; I find it insidious. Remember, Noom doesn’t actually go beyond the classic “calories = bad” formula. It just highlights it with color.
Here’s a screenshot of MyFitnessPal on the left and Noom on the right; you can quickly see which one is more straightforward for tracking calories and which one is more ” psychological .”
Winner : MyFitnessPal for those who quickly record data; Noom for those who want an engaging daily experience.
Food database and registration accuracy
MyFitnessPal has an extensive food database, but with a major caveat. It’s largely user-generated, which is both a plus and a minus: you can find almost anything, but the accuracy of the data can vary greatly. Premium users get barcode scanning and food scanning features for faster registration.
Noom claims to have a database of over 3.7 million food items, though users often report accuracy issues . The app focuses more on a color-coding system than on precise nutritional information. While the app allows barcode scanning and food logging, user reviews suggest the database is not as reliable or functional as MyFitnessPal.
Winner : MyFitnessPal.
Recipe logging and meal planning
MyFitnessPal lets you create your own recipes and save your favorite dishes for quick reference. You can enter all the ingredients, specify servings, and the app will calculate the nutritional value of each serving. This is a favorite feature for home cooks. The premium version offers tailored meal plans.
Noom allows you to create recipes, but this feature isn’t as sophisticated or user-friendly as MyFitnessPal. Noom, again, focuses less on the details of meal planning and more on teaching you to instinctively make better choices through educational content.
Winner : MyFitnessPal.
Education and behavior change
MyFitnessPal is the world’s most popular calorie tracker. It provides basic nutrition information and tracks your progress, but it doesn’t offer structured training or behavioral guidance. You’re expected to know what to do with the data it collects.
This is where Noom sets itself apart from others, claiming to be more than just a diet app. It’s built on daily psychology-based lessons that cover nutrition, habit formation, emotional eating, and cognitive behavioral techniques. At the start, you’ll take a 10-minute quiz to personalize your program, and then you’ll receive articles and interactive content daily. While this might not be for me, I personally know that many users find this educational approach more sustainable than simply counting calories. Depending on your subscription, you can also access a personal trainer and group support.
Winner : Num.
Exercise tracking and integration
MyFitnessPal easily syncs with fitness apps and wearables (Fitbit, Apple Health, Garmin, Strava, and others) and adjusts your calorie budget based on your activity. You can manually record your workouts or let your devices do the work.
Noom includes basic workout tracking and syncs with some popular apps and devices, but that’s not the app’s primary focus. Noom encourages physical activity but emphasizes that weight loss is primarily about food choices.
Winner : MyFitnessPal.
Community and Support
MyFitnessPal offers community forums where users can connect, share tips, and support each other. This is a useful resource, but it’s somewhat disconnected from the main app interface.
Noom integrates community support directly into the app through group chats, where you can connect with others on similar timelines. Higher-tier subscriptions include personalized coaching, which can provide personalized guidance and accountability.
Winner : Noom for comprehensive support; MyFitnessPal for its commitment to self-improvement within the community.
Bottom line
There is no one-size-fits-all solution here—it all depends entirely on your needs, budget, and learning style.
Choose MyFitnessPal if you’re looking for a free or budget-friendly option, already understand the basics of nutrition, and prefer simple calorie tracking. It’s ideal for those who are motivated, enjoy analyzing data, and value freedom without the pressure of learning.
Choose Noom if you want more than just a food diary—if you want to understand the psychology behind your eating habits and achieve lasting behavioral changes. Yes, it’s significantly more expensive, but if traditional calorie counting doesn’t work for you, you’re paying for structured training, coaching, and a comprehensive program, not just a tracking tool.
For many, the choice comes down to this: do you need someone to teach you how to fish, or do you already know how and just want a good fishing rod? MyFitnessPal is the rod. Noom is the fishing instructor who will teach you technique and monitor your progress.