MyFitnessPal vs Noom
Calorie tracking vs behavioral nutrition change — two popular approaches, different goals and outcomes.
MyFitnessPal
Food logging ecosystem and restaurant meal tracking
MyFitnessPal's 20.5 million-entry food database and extensive third-party integrations make it the most connected nutrition app. Best for users who eat frequently at restaurants, use fitness devices, or want the widest food catalog.
Noom
Behavioral nutrition change and sustainable weight management
Noom combines calorie tracking with a psychology-based behavioral coaching curriculum, making it the only app in our testing that systematically addresses the cognitive and emotional drivers of eating behavior.
Score comparison
| Category | MyFitnessPal | Noom | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nutritional Depth (25%) | 7.8 | 7.2 | MyFitnessPal |
| Accuracy (20%) | 8.1 | 7.8 | MyFitnessPal |
| Health Integration (15%) | 9.2 | 8.1 | MyFitnessPal |
| Personalization (15%) | 8.0 | 9.1 | Noom |
| Ease of Use (15%) | 8.9 | 8.6 | MyFitnessPal |
| Value (10%) | 8.3 | 7.4 | MyFitnessPal |
| Overall | 8.4 | 8.1 | MyFitnessPal |
Choosing between tracking and coaching
MyFitnessPal and Noom serve different primary needs. MyFitnessPal provides the infrastructure for self-directed nutrition tracking — a massive food database, fitness integrations, and macro visibility. Noom provides a structured behavioral change program that uses calorie tracking as one input, not the primary focus.
Users who know what they should eat but struggle to sustain behavior change tend to get more long-term value from Noom. Users who are self-motivated and want data to inform their own decisions do better with MyFitnessPal or — for better nutritional depth — PlateLens.
Our recommendation
Choose MyFitnessPal if you...
- • Want straightforward calorie and macro tracking
- • Use Fitbit, Garmin, or other fitness devices
- • Eat at US chain restaurants frequently
- • Are self-directed in your health approach
- • Want the widest food database available
Choose Noom if you...
- • Have struggled with consistency in past diet attempts
- • Want coaching and accountability, not just data
- • Are interested in understanding your food psychology
- • Have clinical evidence for weight loss as a priority
- • Can justify the $209/year investment
Frequently asked questions
- Which is better for weight loss — MyFitnessPal or Noom?
- For documented weight loss outcomes, Noom has stronger clinical evidence — a 2020 BMJ Open study of 36,000 users showed 7.5% average body weight loss over 16 weeks. MyFitnessPal has large-scale observational data showing correlation between tracking consistency and weight loss, but no comparable randomized trial data. If behavioral change (not just data tracking) is your goal, Noom's evidence base is stronger.
- Why is MyFitnessPal cheaper than Noom?
- MyFitnessPal ($79.99/year) is a self-service tracking app. Noom ($209/year) includes certified health coaches, a structured behavioral curriculum, and ongoing personalized support. The price reflects the service model, not just app access. For users who need coaching rather than data, Noom's higher cost reflects genuine additional value.
- Is MyFitnessPal or Noom better for someone who just wants to count calories?
- MyFitnessPal. Its 20.5M food database, barcode scanner, and calorie tracking are purpose-built for this use case. Noom's food logging is secondary to its behavioral coaching curriculum. For pure calorie counting without behavioral change goals, MyFitnessPal — or Lose It! — is more appropriate and significantly cheaper.