MyFitnessPal vs Lose It: Which App Really Helps You Build Better Habits?

If you’re trying to lose weight, track macros, or simply understand your daily eating habits better, two apps always come up: MyFitnessPal and Lose It! I’ve personally used both of them for years—sometimes switching back and forth depending on where I was in my fitness journey.

Since you’re probably wondering “Which one is actually better for me?” this guide breaks everything down using real experience, not generic app descriptions. I’ll walk you through the differences, the surprises I found, and what actually helped me stick to healthier habits.

Let’s dive in.

MyFitnessPal vs Lose It — Quick Comparison

Here’s a simple summary before we go deeper:

Feature	MyFitnessPal	Lose It!
Food Database	Largest in the industry	Smaller but more accurate
Ease of Use	More tools, more complex	Extremely simple
Macro Tracking	Excellent	Good but limited in free version
Barcode Scanner	Very accurate	Good scanner + “camera scan”
Integrations	Fitbit, Garmin, Apple Health, more	Apple Health, Fitbit, fewer others
Ads in Free Version	Yes, heavy	Yes, lighter
Premium Price	Higher	Slightly cheaper
Best For	Macro-focused, long-term logging	Beginners, clean tracking

Both apps work, but they help in different ways.

What Makes MyFitnessPal Strong (and When It Struggles)

I’ve used MyFitnessPal the longest, mainly because it gave me a sense of structure when my eating habits were all over the place years ago. Here’s what stands out.

MyFitnessPal Pros (from real use)

✔ 1. The biggest food database—almost everything you eat is already there

This is MyFitnessPal’s superpower. Whether it’s a packaged snack or something homemade, you’ll likely find a near match.

✔ 2. Perfect for macro tracking

If you’re into fitness, weight training, or specific diets (keto, high-protein), the macro breakdown is incredibly helpful.

✔ 3. Great integrations with Fitbit & Garmin

Your workout data, steps, and calories burned sync in seconds.

✔ 4. Barcode scanner is very accurate

It’s fast and rarely misses items, which helped me stay consistent during busy weeks.

If you’re using a Fitbit, this step-by-step tutorial shows you how to connect it easily: How Do I Connect Fitbit to MyFitnessPal?

MyFitnessPal Cons (from daily frustration)

❌ 1. Too many ads in the free version

This is probably the #1 complaint. Sometimes it feels like ads show up between every other screen.

❌ 2. Food database isn’t always “clean”

Because users can upload entries, you’ll find duplicates or inaccurate calories.

Example:
I once scanned a yogurt pack and got three different calorie results. Small thing, but frustrating.

❌ 3. The interface feels a bit older than Lose It

It works — but it’s not the most visually refreshing app.

If your MyFitnessPal app is not syncing properly, I created a full guide here:Why Is MyFitnessPal Not Syncing? Here’s What Helped Me.

Lose It — Simpler, Cleaner, and Sometimes Surprisingly Accurate

I first tried Lose It during a period when MyFitnessPal felt overwhelming. Within minutes, I understood why so many beginners love it.

Lose It Pros (based on long-term testing)

✔ 1. Clean, modern, beginner-friendly design

Everything feels lighter, calmer, and less cluttered.

✔ 2. The database is smaller but more standardized

You’ll see fewer duplicate entries, which helps when you need accurate nutrition logging.

✔ 3. The “photo food scanner” is shockingly good

You point your camera at a food item, and it guesses what it is.
It’s fun—and surprisingly accurate.

✔ 4. Very motivating for weight loss goals

Lose It focuses more on habit building, not just numbers.

Lose It Cons (what made me switch back sometimes)

❌ 1. Fewer free features than MyFitnessPal

For example, detailed macro tracking often requires Premium.

❌ 2. Limited integrations

It works well with Apple Health and Fitbit, but not as many devices as MyFitnessPal.

❌ 3. Smaller community

If you like forums or support groups, MyFitnessPal wins here.

Tracking Accuracy — Which One Logged My Meals Better?

During one of my “test weeks,” I logged everything into both apps at the same time. Here’s what happened:

➤ Lose It gave me more accurate calorie counts for fresh foods.

Its database felt cleaner.

➤ MyFitnessPal won for packaged items.

Almost every item existed in its huge database.

➤ Barcode scanner: MyFitnessPal was consistently faster.

If logging speed matters to you, MyFitnessPal wins.

Premium Price — Which One Gives More Value?

MyFitnessPal Premium

Higher price but unlocks:

• Full macro tracking
• Meal plans
• More detailed insights
• No ads

Lose It Premium

Slightly cheaper and unlocks:

• Advanced food insights
• More accurate macro controls
• Patterns and habit analysis

Which one is worth paying for?

If your goal is serious macro tracking, MyFitnessPal Premium is better.
If you want a calm, simple, habit-based approach, Lose It Premium wins.

If you’re wondering whether Premium is worth the money, here’s my honest review: Is MyFitnessPal Premium Worth It?

Which One Should You Choose?

Here is the simplest way to decide:

Goal	Better App
Beginner trying to lose weight	Lose It
Someone focused on macros	MyFitnessPal
User who logs frequently	MyFitnessPal
Someone who hates clutter	Lose It
Budget-conscious user	Lose It
Person using Fitbit/Garmin daily	MyFitnessPal

My Real Experience After Using Both Apps for 6+ Years

This is the honest part.

I started using MyFitnessPal in my early 20s when my eating habits were messy and emotional. I needed structure, and MyFitnessPal gave me that. Logging everything—even imperfectly—made me more aware of how much I was actually eating.

Years later, when life got busy, I found Myself burned out from constant logging. That’s when Lose It felt refreshing. It didn’t overwhelm me. It didn’t make me feel guilty about “perfect tracking.”

But eventually, when I got into strength training and needed accurate macros, I returned to MyFitnessPal again.

The truth? I still switch between the two depending on what season of life I’m in.

And that’s exactly why this comparison matters.

Final Verdict — MyFitnessPal vs Lose It

If you want the most features, the biggest database, and macro precision, choose MyFitnessPal.

If you want simplicity, fewer frustrations, and a cleaner experience, choose Lose It.

Both apps can help you hit your goals — the real question is:

➡ Do you want powerful tracking, or do you want an easy tracking habit you can stick with?

If you love tracking habits, you can also check out my experience with the weekly habit tracker: MyFitnessPal Weekly Habits Tracker.

Frequently Asked Questions