// DIET & NUTRITION APPS
Noom vs MyFitnessPal: Complete Diet App Comparison Guide 2025
Choosing the right diet and nutrition app can make or break your weight loss journey. Two of the most popular options—Noom and MyFitnessPal—take fundamentally different approaches to helping users achieve their health goals. While both apps have helped millions track their nutrition and lose weight, they serve distinctly different user needs and philosophies. Noom positions itself as a psychology-based weight loss program that aims to change your relationship with food through behavioral science and daily coaching. It uses a color-coded system (green, yellow, red) to categorize foods and includes structured lessons on eating psychology. MyFitnessPal, on the other hand, is a straightforward calorie and macro tracking app with an extensive food database of over 14 million items. It focuses on data-driven nutrition tracking without the behavioral coaching component. The choice between these apps ultimately depends on whether you need educational support and behavior change guidance (Noom) or prefer a simple, powerful tracking tool (MyFitnessPal). Understanding their key differences in pricing, features, and approach will help you make the best decision for your health optimization journey.
Noom
$199
MyFitnessPal
$79
[FEATURE COMPARISON]
| Feature | Noom | MyFitnessPal |
|---|---|---|
|
Pricing Structure Monthly and annual subscription costs for full access |
$42-70/month (shorter plans) or $17.42/month (annual) | Free version available, Premium $19.99/month or $79.99/year |
|
Food Database Size Number of foods available for tracking accuracy |
3.7+ million foods with accuracy issues reported | 14+ million foods with user-generated entries |
|
Coaching Support Level of personalized guidance and professional support |
Personal goal coach + group coach with 2x weekly check-ins | Community forums only (coaching available in Premium+) |
|
Educational Content Structured learning materials and behavior change resources |
16 psychology-based mini-lessons + daily articles (1000+ total) | No structured education, basic nutritional insights only |
|
Food Categorization System How foods are organized and presented to users |
Color-coded system (Green/Yellow/Red based on calorie density) | Calorie and macro breakdown with customizable goals |
|
Fitness Tracker Integration Compatibility with wearable devices and fitness apps |
Links with 20+ activity tracking devices | Extensive integration (Apple Health, Fitbit, Garmin, Strava, etc.) |
|
Barcode Scanning Ability to quickly log packaged foods via barcode |
Available with subscription | Premium feature only ($19.99/month required) |
|
Free Trial Period How long you can test the app before committing |
14-day free trial | 30-day free trial (plus permanent free version) |
[PROS & CONS]
Noom
Pros
- Psychology-based approach addresses underlying eating behaviors
- Personal coaching support with goal coaches and group guidance
- Daily educational content with 1000+ behavioral lessons
- Color-coded food system simplifies quick decision-making
- Structured 16-week programs designed for sustainable results
Cons
- Expensive at $42-70/month for shorter subscriptions
- Smaller food database with reported accuracy issues
- Requires significant daily time commitment (15+ minutes)
- Limited fitness tracker integration compared to competitors
MyFitnessPal
Pros
- Substantial free version with core calorie tracking features
- Massive 14+ million food database for accurate logging
- Excellent fitness tracker integration with major devices
- Quick food logging with barcode scanner (Premium)
- Recipe import feature for home cooks and meal planning
Cons
- No structured education or behavior change support
- User-generated database can have accuracy inconsistencies
- Ads in free version can be intrusive
- Requires self-motivation and existing nutrition knowledge
[OUR VERDICT]
MyFitnessPal wins overall due to superior value, extensive features, massive food database, and free accessibility, though Noom excels for users needing psychological support.
The choice between Noom and MyFitnessPal depends entirely on your learning style, budget, and weight loss philosophy. Noom excels for users who have struggled with traditional calorie counting and need structured psychological support to change their relationship with food. Its behavioral approach, daily lessons, and personal coaching justify the higher price point for those seeking comprehensive lifestyle change. The color-coding system, while sometimes criticized for oversimplifying nutrition, does help users make quick decisions about food choices.
MyFitnessPal wins for users who already understand nutrition basics and simply need a powerful tracking tool. Its massive food database, superior fitness tracker integration, and free version make it incredibly accessible. The app's straightforward approach appeals to self-motivated individuals who prefer analyzing data over following structured programs. For budget-conscious users, MyFitnessPal's free version provides substantial functionality that many users never need to upgrade from.
For serious behavior change and long-term habit formation, Noom's investment may pay dividends despite the higher cost. However, MyFitnessPal's proven track record, extensive features, and flexibility make it the more practical choice for most users. The free version alone offers more functionality than many paid competitors.
Ultimately, MyFitnessPal emerges as the better overall value due to its combination of powerful features, extensive food database, superior device integration, and free accessibility. While Noom serves a specific niche effectively, MyFitnessPal's versatility and cost-effectiveness make it the winner for the majority of BodyOS users seeking sustainable nutrition tracking.
Our pick:
MyFitnessPal
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