Most weight loss apps expect you to open them every day. But let's be honest — that rarely happens. The apps that actually work are the ones that come to you. They send a text, ask how your day went, remind you to log a meal, or check in when you've been quiet for a few days.
If you're looking for the best weight loss apps that text you daily, you're probably tired of apps that sit unused on your home screen. You want something that feels more like a conversation than a chore. That's exactly what this list is about.
I tested and researched these apps based on how they handle daily messaging, what kind of coaching they offer, and whether the text-based approach actually helps people stick with their goals. Here are the seven that stood out.
What to look for in a text-based weight loss app
Before jumping into the list, it helps to know what separates a good text-based coaching app from a glorified notification system. Here's what matters:
- Personalized messages, not generic reminders. The app should respond to your actual situation.
- Two-way conversations. You should be able to reply and get useful responses back.
- Consistency without being annoying. Daily check-ins should feel helpful, not spammy.
- Actual coaching, not just tracking. Logging food is one piece. Guidance on what to do with that information is the real value.
The 7 best weight loss apps that text you daily
1. BodyBuddy — best for AI coaching through iMessage
BodyBuddy takes a different approach from most apps on this list. Instead of making you download another app and remember to open it, it works entirely through iMessage. You get daily check-ins, photo-based meal tracking, and personalized AI coaching — all inside your regular text messages.
The AI coach sends you a message each morning and adjusts based on how your week is going. You can text back photos of your meals and get feedback without switching apps. It feels less like using a weight loss tool and more like texting a friend who happens to know a lot about nutrition.
What stands out:
- Works in iMessage — no extra app to open
- Photo-based meal tracking with AI feedback
- Daily check-ins that adapt to your progress
- No calorie counting required
The downside: it's iPhone only right now, so Android users are out of luck. And because it runs through iMessage, you won't get the detailed charts and dashboards that some people prefer.
Pricing starts at around $8.99/month. Try BodyBuddy here
2. Noom — best for psychology-based lessons via notifications
Noom sends daily lessons and prompts through push notifications, which is close to texting but not quite the same. The app focuses on the psychology behind eating habits, breaking content into short daily modules that take about 10 minutes.
You also get access to a group coach and community through the app's messaging system. The daily nudges keep you engaged, and the color-coded food system simplifies tracking without obsessing over numbers.
What stands out:
- Daily psychology-based lessons delivered through the app
- Color-coded food logging system
- Group coaching and community support
The downside: it's expensive. Plans run $60+/month depending on the length you commit to. And while the notifications are frequent, they're not actual two-way text conversations.
3. Lark — best for automated health coaching via chat
Lark is an AI-powered health coaching app that communicates through an in-app chat interface. It feels like texting — you type messages, and the AI responds in real time. It covers weight loss, diabetes prevention, and general wellness.
The chat-based format makes it easy to log meals, report activity, and get guidance without navigating complicated menus. Lark also integrates with wearables to pull in step counts and sleep data automatically.
What stands out:
- Conversational AI coaching inside the app
- Integrates with Fitbit, Apple Watch, and other wearables
- Covers weight loss, sleep, and stress management
The downside: the free version is limited, and the premium tier can be pricey. Some users report the AI responses feel repetitive after a while. Also, it's still an app you have to open — not actual text messages.
4. Coached — best for SMS-based personal training
Coached pairs you with a certified personal trainer who communicates primarily through text messages. You get workout plans, nutrition guidance, and daily accountability check-ins delivered straight to your phone.
This is one of the few services where the texting happens over actual SMS or WhatsApp, not just push notifications. The trainer adjusts your plan based on your replies, making it feel genuinely personal.
What stands out:
- Real text messages with a personal trainer
- Custom workout and nutrition plans
- Flexible scheduling and check-ins
The downside: because you're working with a real person, it costs significantly more — usually $200-400/month. Response times vary depending on your trainer's availability.
5. Lose It! — best for smart reminders and food logging
Lose It! is primarily a calorie tracking app, but its notification system does a solid job of keeping you on track throughout the day. You get reminders to log meals, weekly progress summaries, and motivational nudges.
The app also has a snap-to-track feature where you photograph your meal and it estimates the calories. It's not a coaching conversation, but the consistent reminders function like a lightweight text-based system.
What stands out:
- Photo-based meal logging with calorie estimates
- Smart reminders at meal times
- Large food database for easy logging
The downside: the free version has ads, and the reminders are one-way notifications — you can't reply to them. It's a tracker first and a coach second.
6. Fitbod — best for text-style workout reminders
Fitbod focuses on strength training and sends daily workout reminders that tell you exactly what to do at the gym. While it's not a text conversation, the notifications are specific — they tell you which exercises, sets, and reps to hit based on your recovery and history.
The app learns from your logged workouts and adjusts over time. If you're someone who needs a daily push to get moving, the reminders work well.
What stands out:
- AI-generated workout plans that adapt daily
- Clear, actionable workout notifications
- Tracks recovery to prevent overtraining
The downside: Fitbod is exercise-focused with no nutrition coaching or meal tracking. If your main goal is weight loss through better eating, you'll need to pair it with something else.
7. MyFitnessPal — best for detailed tracking with reminders
MyFitnessPal is the most well-known calorie counter out there, and it sends regular reminders to log your meals, water intake, and exercise. The database has over 14 million foods, making logging fast once you get the hang of it.
The app doesn't coach you through text, but the reminders are persistent enough to keep you accountable. Premium users get more detailed insights and meal plans.
What stands out:
- Massive food database for accurate logging
- Barcode scanner for packaged foods
- Integrates with dozens of fitness apps and wearables
The downside: the free version now has significant limitations after the 2024 paywall changes. And like Lose It!, the reminders are one-directional — there's no conversation happening.
Quick comparison
Here's how these apps stack up on the features that matter most for text-based weight loss coaching:
BodyBuddy — Real texting (iMessage), AI coaching, photo meal tracking, ~$9/mo
Noom — Push notifications, psychology lessons, group coaching, $60+/mo
Lark — In-app chat, AI coaching, wearable integration, free tier available
Coached — Real SMS, human trainer, custom plans, $200-400/mo
Lose It! — Push notifications, photo logging, calorie tracking, free/$40/yr
Fitbod — Push notifications, workout-focused, adaptive plans, ~$13/mo
MyFitnessPal — Push notifications, calorie tracking, huge database, free/$20/mo
If actual text messaging matters to you — not just app notifications — BodyBuddy and Coached are the only two on this list that deliver. The difference is BodyBuddy does it with AI at a fraction of the cost of a human trainer.
Frequently asked questions
Do any weight loss apps actually text you?
Yes. BodyBuddy coaches you directly through iMessage, and services like Coached connect you with trainers over SMS or WhatsApp. Most other apps use push notifications, which feel different from actual text conversations.
Are text-based weight loss apps more effective?
Research suggests that consistent check-ins improve adherence to weight loss plans. Text-based apps make those check-ins harder to ignore because they show up in your regular messages, not buried in an app you forgot to open. The key is whether you actually engage with the messages.
Can I track meals by texting a photo?
BodyBuddy lets you send a photo of your meal through iMessage and get feedback from the AI coach. Lose It! and MyFitnessPal also have photo-based logging, but those happen inside their apps rather than through text. Check out our guide on how to lose weight without counting calories for more on why photo tracking can be easier than manual logging.
How much do these apps cost?
Prices range from free (Lark's basic tier, MyFitnessPal free) to $400/month (Coached with a personal trainer). BodyBuddy sits at around $9/month, making it one of the more affordable options for actual text-based coaching. Noom runs $60+/month depending on plan length.
The bottom line
The best weight loss app is the one you actually use. And for a lot of people, that means meeting them where they already are — in their text messages.
If you want a full coaching experience delivered through texts you'll actually read, BodyBuddy is worth trying. It's affordable, it's low-friction, and the AI coaching adapts to how your week is actually going — not just what you planned on Monday.
For more on finding the right approach, check out our posts on staying motivated to lose weight and whether a weight loss coach is worth it.