Best Noom Alternative 2026: Weight Loss Without the High Cost
The Cost Problem
Noom costs $70/month ($840/year) and has received 1,200+ BBB complaints about billing issues. If you want weight loss support without the high price and calorie obsession, MoveTogether offers community motivation and real rewards at a fraction of the cost.
Noom's psychology-based approach to weight loss sounds great in theory. But the $70/month price tag, restrictive calorie goals, and difficult cancellation process have many users looking for alternatives. Here's what to consider.
Why People Are Looking for Noom Alternatives
Noom has over 50 million downloads and a solid concept: use behavioral psychology to change eating habits, not just count calories. But the execution has frustrated many users:
Common Noom Complaints
- ✗High cost: $70/month ($209/year minimum commitment)
- ✗Cancellation issues: BBB received 1,200+ complaints about billing
- ✗Low calorie goals: Many users report being assigned 1,200 calories (too restrictive)
- ✗Food color coding: Labels nuts, avocado as "orange/red" (unhealthy sounding)
- ✗Coach quality: "Coaches" aren't registered dietitians, often slow to respond
Noom vs MoveTogether: Which Is Right for You?
These apps take fundamentally different approaches to weight loss:
| Feature | Noom | MoveTogether |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $70/month | ~$10/month |
| Approach | Calorie counting + psychology | Walking + community + rewards |
| Food Tracking | Required (color-coded) | Optional (focus on movement) |
| Community Support | Group chat | Active cheers + celebrations |
| Rewards | None | Gift cards for hitting goals |
| Exercise Focus | Secondary (food is priority) | Primary (walking-based) |
| Daily Time Required | 15-20 min (lessons + logging) | 5 min (check goals + walk) |
| BBB Rating | D (billing complaints) | Not rated (smaller company) |
Who Should Choose MoveTogether Over Noom
Choose MoveTogether If:
- • You prefer walking over calorie counting
- • You want rewards for your progress
- • Budget is a concern ($10 vs $70/mo)
- • You've struggled with restrictive diets
- • Community motivation works for you
Noom Might Be Better If:
- • You want psychology-based lessons
- • You prefer detailed food tracking
- • Cost isn't a concern
- • You need structure around eating habits
- • You respond to educational content
The Real Cost Comparison
Let's break down what you're actually paying over a year:
Noom Annual Cost
- • Monthly plan: $840/year
- • Annual plan: $209/year
- • Noom Med (with meds): $149+/month
- • Rewards earned: $0
MoveTogether Annual Cost
- • Monthly plan: ~$120/year
- • Annual plan: ~$50/year
- • Gift cards earned: $50-100+
- • Net cost: Often near $0
MoveTogether's Approach to Weight Loss
Instead of calorie restriction and food guilt, MoveTogether focuses on:
- Walking-based movement: 7,000-10,000 steps burns 300-500 calories daily without tracking every bite
- Community accountability: Real people cheering your wins, not just a group chat
- Reward motivation: Earn gift cards for hitting goals—positive reinforcement that works
- Sustainable habits: Walking is something you can do every day for life, not a 16-week program
What Research Says About Walking vs. Calorie Counting
While Noom's psychology approach has some research support, studies also show:
- Walking 10,000 steps burns similar calories to Noom's typical deficit (400-500/day)
- Exercise-based weight loss has higher long-term adherence than diet-only approaches
- Social support (community) is the #1 predictor of maintaining weight loss
- Reward-based motivation increases habit formation by 3x
Bottom Line
Noom's psychology-based approach works for some people, but the high cost, restrictive calorie goals, and billing issues have driven many users away. If you prefer a movement-based approach with community support and actual rewards, MoveTogether offers a compelling alternative at a fraction of the price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a free alternative to Noom?
No weight loss app with meaningful features is completely free. However, MoveTogether costs ~$10/month vs. Noom's $70, and you earn gift cards back for your progress.
Why did Noom get so expensive?
Noom's pricing reflects their "human coaching" model, though many users report coaches are slow to respond and aren't registered dietitians. The company also expanded into weight loss medications (Noom Med) which costs even more.
Is MoveTogether better than Noom for weight loss?
It depends on your approach. If you respond better to calorie counting and daily lessons, Noom might work. If you prefer walking-based weight loss with community support and rewards, MoveTogether is likely a better fit.