MyFitnessPal vs Lose It!
MyFitnessPal vs Lose It!: database depth and community vs logging speed, free barcode scanning and ~$40/year Premium. Verdict by user type.
Strip the brand gravity and this matchup is a value equation. MyFitnessPal offers the largest database, a decade of community content, and the most integrations — with ads on free, barcode scanning behind Premium, and Premium at around $80/year. Lose It! offers the fastest diary in the category, barcode scanning included free, weight-loss-first design, and Premium around $40/year.
For a new user tracking a normal American diet, both databases cover the staples — the difference shows at the margins (regional chains, international brands, niche supplements), where MyFitnessPal's catalog is deeper. For logging speed, Lose It! wins cleanly: fewer taps per meal, a camera-first flow, and suggestions from your own history that actually save time.
Verdict by user type: budget-conscious first-timers — Lose It! (scanning free, cheaper premium, gentler learning curve). Long-haul data hoarders with existing MFP history, or package-food-heavy diets needing the deep catalog — MyFitnessPal. Switching costs are real: years of meals do not migrate between apps. Choose once, then let the streak do its work — and either way, set your own target with the TDEE calculator before the app sets one for you.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, MyFitnessPal or Lose It!?
Lose It! — Premium runs roughly $40/year against MyFitnessPal's ~$80, and Lose It! includes barcode scanning on the free tier. Verify current pricing in each app; promotions move numbers.
Is MyFitnessPal database bigger than Lose It!?
Yes — substantially, especially for international and restaurant items. For common staples and major brands, both cover you; the gap appears at the long tail.
Can I transfer my history between apps?
Not meaningfully — weights and goals can be re-entered, but meal histories do not migrate. Switching costs are the hidden factor in this matchup.
Which has better barcode scanning?
Lose It! — scanning is free there, while MyFitnessPal reserves it for Premium. Database depth behind the scanner still favors MyFitnessPal for obscure brands.
Which app is better for couples or families?
MyFitnessPal — friend/activity feeds and shared challenges are category strengths. Lose It! keeps social features lighter and cheaper.
Which app is faster to log a meal?
Lose It! — camera-first flow and history suggestions make a typical meal 3-5 taps versus a few more in MyFitnessPal. Across three meals a day, that is a minute back daily, which is what habits are made of.
Which free tier is better?
Lose It! for scanning (free versus paywalled) and lighter ad load; MyFitnessPal for database depth and the community. Free-tier honesty is where this matchup tilts.
Which app handles eating out better?
MyFitnessPal — chain restaurant entries are a community-strength category. Lose It! covers the national chains too; the gap is regional and international spots.