Lose It! vs. MyFitnessPal: A Head-to-Head Review
When embarking on a health journey, a reliable food tracking app can be an invaluable tool. Both Lose It! and MyFitnessPal offer extensive features for monitoring calorie intake, exercise, and nutritional goals, but they approach the task with distinct philosophies. MyFitnessPal, an industry veteran with a massive user-generated database, was acquired by Under Armour in 2015. Lose It!, which debuted in 2008, has built a reputation for its user-friendly design and motivating interface. The ultimate choice between them often comes down to which app's style and features best align with your personal needs.
The User Experience: Interface and Ease of Use
The interface and overall user experience can significantly impact consistency and long-term adherence to tracking habits. Many users find Lose It! to be more visually appealing and intuitive, with its clean design and encouraging, gamified features. The visual tracking tools are clear, offering at-a-glance views of your daily calorie budget and progress. Lose It! also makes it simple to log foods and saves your regular meals for quick access.
MyFitnessPal has a functional, no-frills interface that some users prefer for its straightforwardness. Its longevity means many long-time users are already accustomed to its layout, and for those who simply want to log calories without extra features, it can be very efficient. However, some find it cluttered with a more dated feel compared to the modern design of Lose It!. The free version of MyFitnessPal contains ads, which can be distracting.
Food Database and Accuracy
The accuracy and size of a food database are crucial for effective tracking. MyFitnessPal boasts one of the largest food databases on the market, with over 20 million items, including many restaurant dishes. However, because a significant portion is user-generated, entries can be inconsistent and inaccurate. This requires users to double-check entries, ideally looking for verified items marked with a green checkmark. MyFitnessPal's recipe importer, where you paste a URL to automatically add ingredients, is a powerful and time-saving tool.
Lose It! also has a large database and relies partly on user-generated data, leading to potential inaccuracies similar to MyFitnessPal. To combat this, Lose It! allows users to filter for only verified foods. Its barcode scanner, which was once a free feature, has been placed behind a paywall for newer users. For those who pay, Lose It! offers innovative logging features, including 'Snap It,' which estimates calories from a photo, and a highly-rated voice logging function.
Free vs. Premium: What’s Behind the Paywall?
The feature sets for the free versions of both apps have changed over time, with each moving more tools behind their premium subscriptions.
Lose It! Free:
- Basic calorie tracking
- Barcode scanner (sometimes free for older users, a premium feature for most new users)
- Limited macro tracking
- Goal setting and progress tracking
Lose It! Premium:
- Full barcode scanning access
- Advanced macro and nutrient tracking (including net carbs, sodium)
- Intermittent fasting timer
- Meal and exercise planning
- Personalized insights and patterns
- Exclusive community challenges
MyFitnessPal Free:
- Basic calorie and exercise tracking
- Logging food via manual search
- Water intake tracking
- Access to community forums
- Extensive food database
MyFitnessPal Premium:
- Barcode scanner
- Macronutrient tracking by gram or percentage
- Intermittent fasting tracker
- Meal planning tools
- Ad-free experience
- Premium+ tier for more advanced features like meal planning integration
Comparison Table: Lose It! vs. MyFitnessPal
| Feature | Lose It! | MyFitnessPal |
|---|---|---|
| Free Barcode Scanner | No (mostly premium now for new users) | No (premium only) |
| Macro Tracking | Limited on free, advanced on premium | Limited on free, advanced on premium |
| Food Database | Large, good restaurant options, user input can be inaccurate | Very large (20M+ items), extensive restaurant options, user input can be inaccurate |
| Recipe Import | Manual creation, no URL import feature | URL import for recipes available (premium) |
| User Interface | Visually engaging, intuitive, gamified | Functional, straightforward, may feel dated to some |
| Price | Premium often offered at a lower annual cost | Premium subscriptions often more expensive |
| App Ecosystem | Good integration with devices like Apple Watch | Extensive compatibility with many fitness trackers and apps |
Community and Motivation
Both apps include community features to help with motivation and accountability. Lose It! has groups for members to connect, share recipes, and offer support. The app's milestone features celebrate your progress, which users find encouraging. MyFitnessPal has active discussion boards and forums where users can find support and tips. While the community on both platforms can be a source of motivation, it is important to be mindful of potentially unhealthy or restrictive discussions that can arise in any weight-related forum.
Which App Should You Choose?
The choice depends on your priorities. If you value a modern, intuitive interface, a motivating experience, and potentially lower premium pricing, Lose It! is an excellent choice. Its voice logging and 'Snap It' photo features offer convenient ways to log food for premium subscribers. However, be mindful of user-generated data and the recent shift of its barcode scanner to a premium feature.
MyFitnessPal remains a powerful choice, especially for those who need access to an exceptionally large food database and extensive device integration. Its recipe import feature is a major plus for home cooks. However, the cost of its premium subscription is higher, and the free version is more limited, particularly since the barcode scanner was moved behind a paywall. A full review can be found on PCMag, offering further insights into MyFitnessPal's features and value. Ultimately, both apps are effective tools for calorie tracking when used consistently. The best app for you is the one you will use most consistently to achieve your goals.
Conclusion
When comparing Lose It! and MyFitnessPal, the key differences lie in their design philosophy, free-to-premium feature distribution, and community aspects. Lose It! offers a more modern, gamified, and user-friendly experience, while MyFitnessPal provides a robust, data-focused platform with a more extensive database. While MyFitnessPal's database is larger, both platforms contain potential inaccuracies from user-submitted data. MyFitnessPal has extensive device compatibility, whereas Lose It! offers unique features like photo and voice logging for premium users. The decision ultimately rests on your preference for user experience, specific feature needs, and budget. Both apps are proven tools for weight management when used with consistency and awareness.
