Weight Watchers (WW) alternatives: Which app can I really use to lose weight sustainably?
With millions of app downloads, Weight Watchers or WW is probably the best-known brand when we think of weight loss programmes. But not everyone wants to use the points system behind it, or may be looking for a free alternative.
So what alternatives are there, especially for those who are experiencing obesity and have big goals?
Key Takeaways
- Weight loss is about more than counting calories – which WW alternative will help you keep the weight off over time through sustainable lifestyle changes and habit building?
- Choosing the right WW alternative depends on your goals: WW, Noom, and Yazio all share a focus on general weight loss; Oviva offers personalised healthcare and lifestyle support for those with a BMI 30+.
- WW alternatives that pose as free could be misleading as you may need to pay to use all the features.
Best (free) alternatives to Weight Watchers : Quick overview
Weight Watchers (WW) has been around since the 1960s, and is well known in over 30 countries around the world.
However, in the last two decades, new providers with alternative programmes have started to offer their own approaches to weight loss, for example, Noom and Yazio.
A free alternative to Weight Watchers is Oviva. Oviva offers a weight loss programme available on the NHS led by experienced doctors. It lasts 12-24 months depending on your preferences and eligibility for weight loss medications.
The programme covers everything from your eating habits and mental health, to your exercise routine and nutritional needs. Our simple survey will let you know if you are eligible for our programme:
Comparison of the most popular Weight Watchers alternatives
| Weight Watchers | Noom | Oviva | Yazio | |
| Basis | Food points system | Traffic light colour system | Long-term habit change | Counting calories |
| Focus | Nutrition and exercise | Nutrition, exercise and behaviour | Nutrition, exercise and behaviour | Nutrition and exercise |
| Weight loss medication available | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Price | From £9.45 p/m | £56 p/m | Available via NHS | Free with ads and fewer features £2.50 p/m for premium |
| Designed for | Anyone who wants to lose weight | Anyone who wants to lose weight | People living with obesity | Anyone who wants to lose weight |
| App | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Consulting / Coaching | Depending on the program | Yes | Yes | No |
| Recipes? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Vegan/vegetarian friendly | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Based on research completed October 2024
Differences: Weight Watchers vs. Noom vs. Oviva vs. Yazio
How does Weight Watchers work ?
At WW, every food has a certain point value, sometimes even 0 points. The aim is to eat without exceeding the daily individual point limit.
In theory, no food is off the menu, but you’d have to drastically reduce how much food you eat if you’re eating food high in points so you don’t go over your daily limit.
Points are counted by entering meals and their ingredients into the app. The app then calculates a summary score for the meal.
The basic principle is to achieve a calorie deficit. In other words, consume less energy through food than they use up through physical activity and exercise. This is also designed to encourage new eating habits.
Many participants report that WW ‘s approach works for them, especially if they weren’t sure how to lose weight. Weight Watchers is best suited to losing a little excess weight.
As the reasoning behind food points and meal calculation isn’t clear, Weight Watchers has met with criticism. WW has also been criticised for not educating users on nutrition or habit change, making them dependent on the programme if they want to continue their weight management journey.
It’s not possible to access weight loss medication through Weight Watchers. However, if you’re already taking weight loss medication, Weight Watchers offers the WeightWatchers® GLP-1 Programme within their app which is designed to support lifestyle change, such as nutrition, alongside the medication.
How does Noom work ?
Noom emphasises behavioural change, helping users develop healthier habits over time. This includes personalised coaching and lessons on nutrition, exercise and wellness to foster a deeper understanding of food choices.
Similar to Weight Watchers’ points system, Noom uses a colour-coded method to classify foods.
Safe foods are “green” and others are either “yellow” or “red”. Critics, however, complain that the traffic light system is sometimes too simple because foods such as nuts are “red” due to their calorific value, even though they have positive ingredients.
The basic principle of Noom is essentially the same as WW – users should achieve a calorie deficit, while also improving their habits.
It’s a subscription-based service, so before deciding if this is the right WW alternative for you, consider whether you’re comfortable with the ongoing monthly spend.
Noom offers online community support. However, if in-person interaction, like the community groups provided by Weight Watchers, is important for your weight loss journey, it may not appeal.
As with any weight loss program, individual results can vary greatly based on personal adherence and lifestyle factors.
It’s not clear if weight loss medication is with Noom in the UK.
How does Oviva work?
Oviva is a weight loss programme available on the NHS led by experienced doctors – an alternative to Weight Watchers for people experiencing overweight or obesity.
It’s designed for long-term, sustainable weight loss. That’s why Oviva’s programme pairs GLP-1 weight loss medication alongside lifestyle change, including a personlised healthy diet plan, mental health support and exercise routines. You’ll also have the expertise of healthcare professionals throughout, and the app includes:
- Goal setting
- Meal planning and tracking, including AI analysis that gives instant feedback
- Psychology support
- Workouts/physical activity support
- Healthy living guides
You could be eligible for Oviva’s weight management programme if you have a BMI over 30 and certain co-morbidities, or a BMI over 50.
Our survey will tell you if you are, and then you can simply contact your GP and ask for a referral to Oviva.
Oviva patient success stories:
-22kg Heidi (53)
-26kg Martin (34)
-32kg Patricia (53)
How does Yazio work ?
Yazio may appear as a free alternative to Noom and Weight Watchers. However, the free version has fewer functions and ads. The reduced range of functions only includes calorie counting, which alone is unlikely to help you lose weight successfully in the long term. In most cases, the paid version is required.
Yazio’s aim for users is similar to Weight Watchers and Noom – achieving a calorie deficit. Yazio does this by tracking meals and sporting activities. There is no system such as the points at WW or the traffic light at Noom.
There are no personal contacts or coaches during the program and Yazio does not offer weight loss medication.
Can I really lose weight sustainably with these apps?
Before deciding which is the best weight loss app for you, it’s useful to think about the following:
- Losing weight takes time – especially if you really want to lose 30lbs, 40lbs or even more. Given the costs of Weight Watchers and Noom in particular, it may start to feel expensive.
- Those who leave the programmes too early – perhaps because of the cost – risk falling back into old patterns and experiencing the so-called yo-yo effect .
- Obesity requires specialist approaches. Weight Watchers, Noom and Yazio are aimed at a wide range of people, but not specifically at obesity.
Weight Watchers or the alternatives Noom, Yazio and others are more. If you have big goals and have already tried various diets and programs without success, the Oviva alternative may be more suitable.
Monitor your goals
Receive personalised recommendations to help you to work towards your goal. Log your food, mood, water intake, exercise and other health metrics using the Oviva app.
Keep a food journal
Snap photos of your daily meals effortlessly within the Oviva app.
Get meal analysis
Get an in-depth meal analysis instantly with a daily summary of your diet.
Stay connected
Connect with your Oviva coach anytime through the app.
Browse learning resources
Written by Oviva’s team of experts, explore advice on nutrition, exercise, and motivation to guide you through the programme and maximise long term weight maintenance.
Weight management
