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Software · head to head

Fitbit vs Noom

Fitbit logo

Fitbit

Software

Health and fitness tracking for everyone

From
Free
Rated
-
Noom logo

Noom

Software

Psychology-based weight loss

From
$17/month
Rated
-

The short version

  • Only Fitbit has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Fitbit sleep tracking relies on accelerometer data and heart rate variability, which may inaccurately reflect actual sleep patterns; Noom coaches deliver automated, canned responses without personalization and most lack formal qualifications as registered dietitians
  • They diverge on capability: Fitbit covers 24/7 activity tracking, Noom covers Psychology-based curriculum.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Fitbit and Noom actually diverge.

Attributes where Fitbit and Noom differ
AttributeFitbitNoom
Starting priceFree$17/month
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsiOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Wear OS, Fitbit OSWeb, iOS, Android
Founded20072008

Identical on both: pricing model (Unknown), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Fitbit

  • 24/7 activity tracking
  • Heart rate monitoring
  • Sleep analysis
  • Stress management
  • Active Zone Minutes
  • MyFitnessPal
  • Strava
  • Weight Watchers

Only in Noom

  • Psychology-based curriculum
  • Personal coaching
  • Food color system
  • Progress tracking
  • Community groups
  • Apple Health
  • Fitbit
  • Garmin

Both cover

  • Google Fit
  • Ios support
  • Android support
  • Web support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Fitbit

  • Workout tracking
  • Nutrition management
  • Health monitoring
  • Fitness coaching
  • Wellness improvement

Noom

  • Workout tracking
  • Nutrition management
  • Health monitoring
  • Fitness coaching
  • Wellness improvement

Both are used for workout tracking, nutrition management, health monitoring, fitness coaching, wellness improvement, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Fitbit

  • Sleep tracking relies on accelerometer data and heart rate variability, which may inaccurately reflect actual sleep patterns
  • International users must consent to data transfer to US with different privacy protections
  • Devices require regular charging and consistent wearing for reliable data collection
  • History of data breaches including 61 million exposed fitness records from third-party service

Noom

  • Coaches deliver automated, canned responses without personalization and most lack formal qualifications as registered dietitians
  • App crashes and freezes frequently with issues saving data, and barcode feature for food tracking malfunctions
  • Food database requires tedious manual data entry even for common items, discouraging consistent logging
  • Difficult cancellation process requiring navigating multiple steps to opt out of auto-renewal
  • FTC settlement in 2022 for $62 million over misleading auto-renewal and refund practices

Pricing, plan by plan

Fitbit

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Fitbit review.

Noom

$17/month

No published plan breakdown. See the Noom review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Fitbit if

  • You need 24/7 activity tracking.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Wear OS, Fitbit OS.
  • You also want heart rate monitoring.

Choose Noom if

  • You need psychology-based curriculum.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want personal coaching.

Questions people ask

Is Fitbit or Noom better?
Neither clearly leads. Fitbit starts at Free and Noom at $17/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Fitbit or Noom?
Fitbit has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Fitbit and $17/month for Noom.
Does Fitbit or Noom run on more platforms?
Fitbit runs on iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Wear OS, Fitbit OS. Noom runs on Web, iOS, Android.
Can I use Fitbit for free?
Yes. Fitbit has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Noom starts at $17/month.
What is Fitbit best used for?
Fitbit is most often used for workout tracking, nutrition management, health monitoring, fitness coaching.
What can Fitbit do that Noom cannot?
Fitbit covers 24/7 activity tracking, Heart rate monitoring, Sleep analysis, Stress management. Noom covers Psychology-based curriculum, Personal coaching, Food color system, Progress tracking. Both handle Google Fit, Ios support, Android support, Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Fitbit: Does Fitbit require a paid subscription?

No. Basic Fitbit app usage is free. Fitbit Premium costs $9.99/month or $99.99/year for advanced features like personalized coaching and detailed health analytics.

Source
Noom: What are Noom's pricing plans?

Noom Weight app costs approximately $70 per month on a monthly plan, $42 per month on a 4-month plan, or $209 upfront for an annual plan (roughly $17 per month). A 14-day free trial is offered but auto-converts to paid subscription if not canceled.

Source
Fitbit: What data does Fitbit collect and how is it used?

Fitbit tracks activity, heart rate, sleep, and calories burned. Google committed not to use Fitbit health data for advertising for 10 years following the 2021 acquisition, with EU regulatory approval.

Source
Noom: What does Noom's coaching include?

Noom provides access to human coaches for weekly check-ins, daily psychology-based lessons, interactive challenges, and food and weight tracking. Coaching is included in all paid tiers.

Source
Fitbit: Does Fitbit work offline?

Fitbit devices track activity locally on the wearable, but syncing data to the app requires internet connectivity. Real-time analytics are cloud-based.

Source
Noom: How does Noom's food color system work?

Noom categorizes foods using a color system based on caloric density: green (low calorie density), yellow (moderate), and red (high calorie density). This encourages behavioral changes in eating habits rather than strict dieting.

Source
Fitbit: What platforms does Fitbit support?

Fitbit works with iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS. Smartwatches integrate with Wear OS, watchOS, and proprietary Fitbit OS.

Source
Noom: What other programs does Noom offer?

Beyond Noom Weight, Noom offers five additional programs including Noom Med, a telehealth service with pricing ranging from $17/month for coaching to $279/month for GLP-1 medication plans with licensed clinicians.

Source

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