Most weight loss app roundups are written with women in mind. That's not a knock on those articles, but men tend to approach weight loss differently. We're less likely to join group programs, more likely to want straightforward tracking, and generally prefer apps that skip the hand-holding and just work.
I spent the last few months testing weight loss apps specifically through that lens. Which ones actually fit into a guy's routine? Which ones feel like they were designed for how men eat, train, and stay accountable?
Here are the seven best weight loss apps for men in 2026, ranked by how well they actually deliver.
1. BodyBuddy — best overall for men who want coaching without the fluff
BodyBuddy is an AI-powered weight loss coach that lives in your iMessage. No separate app to open, no dashboard to check. You just text it like you'd text a friend, and it handles the rest.
What makes it work for men specifically: it's direct. You get daily check-ins that take about 30 seconds to respond to. Snap a photo of your meal and it logs the calories and macros automatically. No scanning barcodes, no searching through databases. The AI learns your patterns and adjusts its coaching based on what's actually happening in your life.
I found the accountability piece surprisingly effective. Because the check-ins come through as regular text messages, they're harder to ignore than app notifications. You're not opening a "weight loss app" in front of your coworkers. You're just replying to a text.
- Price: Starts at $8.25/month
- Best for: Men who want daily accountability without downloading another app
- Standout feature: Photo-based meal tracking through iMessage
- Downside: iPhone only (iMessage requirement)
Try it at bodybuddy.app
2. MacroFactor — best for data-driven macro tracking
If you're the kind of person who wants to see the numbers and make your own decisions, MacroFactor is hard to beat. Built by the team behind Stronger By Science, it uses an algorithm that adjusts your calorie and macro targets based on your actual weight trend, not just what the formula says you should eat.
The food logging is fast. Their search is genuinely good, and the barcode scanner works on almost everything. But the real draw is the expenditure algorithm. It watches your weight trend against your intake and figures out your actual TDEE over time, which is more accurate than any online calculator.
- Price: $6.99/month or $71.99/year
- Best for: Lifters and athletes who want precision macro tracking
- Standout feature: Adaptive TDEE algorithm
- Downside: No coaching element. You need to know what to do with the data.
3. MyFitnessPal — best food database for calorie counting
MyFitnessPal has been around forever, and its biggest advantage is still its food database. With over 14 million foods logged, you can find almost anything. For men who eat out a lot or grab convenience food, that matters.
The free version is usable but limited. Premium unlocks macro goals by meal, food analysis, and removes ads. The app has gotten bloated over the years with features most people don't use, but the core logging experience is still solid.
My main gripe: it's passive. It tracks what you tell it, but it doesn't push you or hold you accountable. If you're disciplined enough to log consistently on your own, it works. If you need someone (or something) checking in on you, look elsewhere.
- Price: Free tier available. Premium $19.99/month or $79.99/year
- Best for: Men who just want a reliable calorie counter
- Standout feature: Massive food database with barcode scanning
- Downside: No coaching. Premium is expensive for what you get.
4. Noom — best for understanding your eating psychology
Noom's approach is behavioral. It teaches you why you eat the way you do, not just what to eat. The daily lessons are short and quiz-based, which keeps them from feeling like homework.
For men, the color-coded food system (green, yellow, orange) simplifies decisions without requiring you to weigh everything. The coaching is a mix of AI and group support, though the group aspect can feel hit-or-miss depending on who you're matched with.
The calorie targets Noom sets can run low for active men. You can adjust them, but you shouldn't have to. At $70/month for the base plan, it's also one of the pricier options here.
- Price: $70/month or $209/year
- Best for: Men who want to change their relationship with food
- Standout feature: Behavioral psychology-based daily lessons
- Downside: Calorie targets can be too aggressive. Expensive.
5. Lose It — best free calorie tracker
Lose It does roughly what MyFitnessPal does, but with a cleaner interface and a more generous free tier. The Snap It feature lets you photograph meals for rough calorie estimates, though it's not as accurate as manual logging.
The app integrates with most fitness trackers and has a straightforward goal-setting system. Set your target weight, pick your pace, and it gives you a daily calorie budget. Simple.
Where it falls short for men: there's no protein-focused goal setting in the free version, and the community features skew female. But if you want a no-cost way to track calories without ads everywhere, it's the best option.
- Price: Free tier available. Premium $39.99/year
- Best for: Budget-conscious men who want basic tracking
- Standout feature: Clean UI with solid free tier
- Downside: Limited macro tracking without premium
6. StrongerU — best for men who lift and want to cut
StrongerU pairs you with a nutrition coach who builds a custom macro plan and checks in weekly. It's designed for people who already work out and want to dial in their nutrition, which makes it a natural fit for men who are gym regulars but can't seem to lose the last 15 pounds.
The coaching is done through an app with messaging, and the plans are macro-based rather than restrictive. You eat real food, hit your numbers, and adjust weekly based on progress photos and weigh-ins.
The catch: it's expensive. You're paying for a real person, and that cost reflects it. But if you've tried doing it yourself and keep stalling, the accountability might be worth it.
- Price: Starting around $249/month
- Best for: Experienced lifters who need nutrition coaching
- Standout feature: One-on-one coaching with weekly plan adjustments
- Downside: Premium pricing. Overkill if you're just starting out.
7. MyBodyTutor — best for daily human accountability
MyBodyTutor takes a simple approach: you log your food and exercise daily, and a dedicated coach reviews it and responds every single day. No algorithms, no AI, just a person looking at what you ate and giving you honest feedback.
For men who've tried and failed with apps that rely on self-motivation, this constant feedback loop can be the thing that finally works. The coach knows your situation, remembers your struggles, and adjusts advice accordingly.
It's the most expensive option on this list by far, and the app itself is bare-bones compared to the others. You're paying for the relationship, not the technology.
- Price: $99/month (6-month commitment)
- Best for: Men who need daily human accountability
- Standout feature: Daily personalized feedback from a real coach
- Downside: Expensive. App design feels dated.
How to pick the right one
The honest answer: it depends on what's failed before.
If you've tried calorie counting and quit because it was tedious, skip MyFitnessPal and Lose It. Try something with photo-based logging like BodyBuddy, where the friction is lower.
If you already track macros and just need a better tool, MacroFactor is the move.
If you have the budget and want someone in your corner, StrongerU or MyBodyTutor will give you that. But at $100-250/month, make sure you'll actually use it.
And if you keep downloading apps and forgetting about them, the ones that come to you (like BodyBuddy's iMessage approach) tend to stick better than the ones that wait for you to open them.
Frequently asked questions
Do weight loss apps actually work for men?
Yes, but only if you use them consistently. A 2023 study in the Journal of Medical Internet Research found that men who used app-based interventions lost an average of 3.2 kg more than control groups over 12 weeks. The key was daily engagement, not which specific app they used.
What's the best free weight loss app for men?
Lose It has the best free tier for basic calorie tracking. If you want something more guided without paying, BodyBuddy offers a free trial that includes AI coaching through iMessage, which gives you a taste of the accountability side before committing.
Should men track macros or just calories?
If you're lifting and trying to preserve muscle while losing fat, track macros. Protein intake matters a lot for body composition, and just counting calories won't tell you if you're getting enough. MacroFactor and BodyBuddy both handle macro tracking well.
Why do most weight loss apps feel like they're made for women?
Because statistically, women download weight loss apps at higher rates, so companies design for their largest audience. That's changing as more men look for digital health tools, but it's still a gap. Apps like MacroFactor and BodyBuddy tend to have a more neutral, no-nonsense tone that men generally prefer.
The bottom line
You don't need the perfect app. You need one that fits how you actually live. The best weight loss app for men is the one you'll open tomorrow, and the day after that.
If I had to pick one for most guys reading this, I'd say start with BodyBuddy. The iMessage format removes the biggest barrier to consistency, which is remembering to use the thing in the first place. And at under $10/month, you're not risking much to find out if it works for you.