Best Walking App for Weight Loss 2026
Our Top Pick
MoveTogether wins for best overall walking app for weight loss. It combines step tracking with community support, gift card rewards, and actual weight loss features. Best for people who need motivation and accountability to stick with walking long-term.
We tested the most popular walking and fitness apps to find which actually help you lose weight. Here's our honest comparison based on features, cost, user reviews, and real-world effectiveness.
Quick Comparison: Top Walking Apps for Weight Loss
| App | Best For | Cost | Rating | Rewards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MoveTogether ⭐ | Community + Rewards | $10/mo | 4.8 | Gift cards |
| Sweatcoin | Free rewards | Free/$5 | 4.3 | Crypto/discounts |
| BetterMe | Guided workouts | $20/mo | 4.5 | None |
| Noom | Psychology coaching | $70/mo | 4.2 | None |
| MyFitnessPal | Calorie tracking | Free/$20 | 4.4 | None |
| Apple Fitness+ | Apple ecosystem | $10/mo | 4.6 | None |
| Strava | Running/cycling | Free/$12 | 4.5 | None |
1. MoveTogether — Best Overall for Weight Loss
Pros:
- ✓ Real gift card rewards (Amazon, Nike, etc.)
- ✓ Active community support ("cheers")
- ✓ Weight tracking + step goals
- ✓ Affordable ($10/month)
Cons:
- − Requires subscription after trial
- − Less focus on food tracking
MoveTogether combines the best elements of walking apps: step tracking, community accountability, and real rewards. Unlike Sweatcoin's confusing crypto or Noom's expensive coaching, MoveTogether offers straightforward gift cards from brands you actually use.
Best for: People who need motivation and accountability. The community "cheers" feature and gift card rewards create positive reinforcement that research shows increases exercise adherence by 3x.
2. Sweatcoin — Best Free Option
Pros:
- ✓ Free to use
- ✓ Earn crypto (SWEAT)
- ✓ Large user base
Cons:
- − Crypto rewards confusing/low value
- − Battery drain issues
- − "Rewards" often just discounts
- − No weight loss features
Sweatcoin pioneered the "get paid to walk" concept but has pivoted to crypto, confusing many users. It's best if you want something completely free and don't mind earning cryptocurrency instead of gift cards.
Read our full Sweatcoin comparison →
3. BetterMe — Best for Guided Workouts
Pros:
- ✓ Guided walking workouts
- ✓ Pilates, yoga options
- ✓ Mindfulness features
- ✓ 28-day challenges
Cons:
- − Confusing cancellation
- − In-app upsells
- − Workouts can be repetitive
- − No rewards
BetterMe is more of a general fitness app with walking as one component. Good if you want variety (Pilates, yoga) but not ideal if walking is your primary exercise. The 28-day walking challenges are solid but lack the reward motivation of MoveTogether.
4. Noom — Best for Psychology-Based Approach
Pros:
- ✓ Psychology-based lessons
- ✓ Detailed food tracking
- ✓ Human coaches (chat)
Cons:
- − Very expensive ($70/month)
- − BBB complaints about billing
- − Low calorie goals (1,200)
- − Coaches aren't dietitians
Noom focuses on changing your relationship with food through daily lessons and food logging. The psychology approach is solid, but at $70/month with questionable coaching quality, it's hard to justify for most people.
Read our full Noom comparison →
5. MyFitnessPal — Best for Calorie Tracking
Pros:
- ✓ Huge food database
- ✓ Free version available
- ✓ Barcode scanning
Cons:
- − Walking is secondary feature
- − Ads in free version
- − No rewards or community
MyFitnessPal is primarily a food logging app with step tracking as an afterthought. Great if calorie counting is your focus, but not ideal as a dedicated walking app.
How to Choose the Right Walking App
Ask yourself these questions:
- Do you need external motivation? → Choose MoveTogether (rewards + community)
- Is budget your main concern? → Choose Sweatcoin (free) or MoveTogether ($10/mo)
- Do you want guided workouts? → Choose BetterMe
- Do you prefer psychology/coaching? → Choose Noom (if budget allows)
- Is calorie tracking your priority? → Choose MyFitnessPal
Bottom Line
For most people trying to lose weight through walking, MoveTogether offers the best combination of features: community support that keeps you accountable, gift card rewards that motivate you, and weight tracking that shows your progress. At $10/month (with rewards earned back), it's also one of the best values.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best free walking app for weight loss?
Sweatcoin is the most popular free option, though rewards are limited to crypto and discounts. Your phone's built-in step counter (Apple Health or Google Fit) is also free but lacks motivation features.
How many steps should I walk to lose weight?
Research shows 7,000-10,000 steps per day supports weight loss when combined with healthy eating. This burns approximately 300-500 calories daily. Learn more →
Do walking apps that pay you actually work?
Yes, but earnings vary significantly. MoveTogether offers real gift cards redeemable within weeks. Sweatcoin's crypto takes months to accumulate meaningful value. Achievement pays PayPal cash but very slowly (months to reach $10 minimum).
Try the #1 Walking App for Weight Loss
Community support, real gift card rewards, and weight tracking. Start your 7-day trial.
500K+ members • 4.8 stars • 30-day guarantee