Intermittent fasting apps are digital tools meticulously crafted to simplify your fasting journey and help you stick to your fasting schedules. Whether you’re seeking to refine your intermittent fasting routine or starting this transformative journey for the first time, these apps offer a comprehensive range of tools. They enable you to monitor fasting periods, manage meal times, and gain valuable insights into your fasting progress, making your intermittent fasting experience smoother and more effective.
In this context, we’re evaluating the best intermittent fasting tracking apps for 2024 to assist you in choosing the most suitable tool for your needs.
Intermittent Fasting Basics
Intermittent fasting (IF) is a dietary strategy centered on structured periods of eating and fasting. During the fasting period, individuals abstain from consuming calories, while the eating period allows for normal calorie intake within a specific timeframe.
Benefits of intermittent fasting include improved metabolic health, such as increased insulin sensitivity, enhanced fat burning, and potential weight loss1. Intermittent fasting may also promote cellular repair processes, reduce inflammation, and contribute to longevity2. Additionally, fasting has been associated with potential benefits for heart health, such as improving cholesterol levels and supporting cardiovascular function3.
One of the fundamental principles of intermittent fasting is its flexibility. Unlike traditional diets that focus on specific foods or meal plans, intermittent fasting allows you to choose your fasting and eating windows based on your preferences and lifestyle. This flexibility makes it easier for you to incorporate intermittent fasting into your daily routine.
Due to its adaptable nature, intermittent fasting can sometimes become overly broad when attempting to establish rigid schedules and manage other essential practices during fasting. This is where fasting apps come into play, as they help streamline and track fasting schedules more effectively.
Finding The Right App For You
No matter which intermittent fasting schedule you’re considering, using an intermittent fasting app can help you focus on your goals. These apps are versatile, available on iOS and Android platforms, and offer many features to suit different needs.
Most intermittent fasting apps work like personalized tools, similar to customized timers, with built-in reminders and notifications. This functionality helps you stick to your fasting schedule and maintain consistency throughout your fasting journey.
However, intermittent fasting apps do more than track time. Depending on your goals and preferences, you might find value in apps that also track your water intake. Monitoring your water consumption during fasting periods is essential for staying hydrated and feeling your best.
Additionally, some intermittent fasting apps offer access to healthy recipes. These recipes are designed to fit into your fasting window and support your health goals, whether you’re focused on managing weight, improving metabolic health, or adopting a healthier lifestyle overall.
Ultimately, the best intermittent fasting app for you is one that fits seamlessly into your routine, provides easy tracking, and offers useful resources tailored to your fasting journey. By exploring the different features available in various apps, you can find the perfect digital tool to enhance your intermittent fasting experience and help you achieve your health and wellness goals effectively.
Evaluating The Best Intermittent Fasting Tracking Apps For 2024
Below are eight intermittent fasting apps designed to simplify the process of following any intermittent fasting plan. All of these are free intermittent fasting apps available for download, but they may require in-app purchases for full access.
Zero — Best Free Intermittent Fasting App
Zero is a popular intermittent fasting app that offers a comprehensive suite of timers, journals, and tools to kickstart your intermittent fasting journey. While the base app is free, the upgrade to Zero Plus is enticing. It provides guided fasting with a coach, journaling capabilities to track mood and more, and the ability to monitor additional health metrics like heart rate and sleep.
What sets Zero apart is its flexibility; you can tailor fasting times to fit any intermittent fasting plan, even if it’s custom or self-designed. The app’s clean interface and user-friendly dashboard simplify tracking and analyzing your fasting habits over time.
For those seeking a deeper dive into intermittent fasting, Zero offers custom fasting plans based on your lifestyle and health goals. Its educational resources, including expert-led content on fasting methods and weight management mechanisms, further enhance your understanding and motivation.
The app’s basic fasting timer keeps you on schedule with reminders and insights, while advanced features in Zero Plus, available through monthly or yearly subscriptions, unlock personalized tracking and detailed statistics.
- Compatibility: Compatible with iOS and Android platforms.
- Price: Free to download (Basic features), $9.99/Monthly (Zero Plus)
- Pros:
- Simple and intuitive interface for easy navigation.
- Offers a variety of fasting protocols to choose from.
- Provides educational content and fasting tips.
- Includes a supportive community for motivation and advice.
- Cons:
- Some features are locked behind a subscription.
- Limited meal logging and nutritional information.
Fastic — Best Variety of Fasting Plans
Fastic is another popular app for intermittent fasting enthusiasts. The free version provides essential tools like a fasting timer, water tracker, and step counter. However, unlocking the full potential of Fastic requires upgrading to the premium version.
With Fastic Plus, you’ll dive into a treasure trove of over 400 recipes featuring nutritious and satisfying foods tailored to your eating windows. The app keeps you informed about your body’s state during fasting, offers personalized fasting plans, and presents daily and weekly challenges to keep your motivation soaring.
- Compatibility: Available for iOS and Android devices.
- Price: Free to download (Basic features), $12.99/Monthly (Fastic Plus)
- Pros:
- Customizable fasting plans based on individual goals.
- Meal tracking and logging for better accountability.
- Hydration tracking to ensure adequate water intake.
- Community support and motivation for users.
- Cons:
- Some advanced features require a subscription.
- Limited meal suggestions compared to other apps.
Window — Best for Beginners
Window is a versatile app designed to simplify fasting. It offers features like scheduling eating windows, receiving notifications for window openings and closings, syncing data with Apple Health and Apple Watch, and accessing health tips on its blog.
The app is particularly beneficial for beginners due to its visual progress tracking for weight loss, diverse fasting options, and user-friendly tools such as a weight tracker and a sleek interface.
Window stands out with its ability to toggle between fasting and eating window durations, enhancing tracking capabilities and supporting different fasting schedules.
- Compatibility: Available on iOS and Android devices.
- Price: Free to download (Basic features), $14.99/Monthly (Window Premium)
- Pros:
- A weight journal helps set and monitor weight goals.
- Fasting reminders and timers for adherence to schedules.
- Meal logging feature for tracking food intake.
- Healthy blog provides insights on health, eating, and body-related topics.
- Cons:
- Limited Android availability.
- In-app purchases are required for certain features.
Simple — Best for Advanced Features
Simple is an easy-to-use app that seamlessly combines intermittent fasting with broader dietary goals. One of its standout features is Avo, an AI assistant that offers daily guidance, recipe suggestions, and answers to nutrition questions. This personalized touch makes the app feel like having a nutritionist at your fingertips.
Another great feature is its food tracker, which lets you log meals, track macros, and get instant feedback on their nutritional value. This helps you make informed dietary choices. Simple also offers adaptive fasting plans that you can customize based on your preferences, goals, and biometrics.
The app’s fasting tracker is user-friendly and can be customized to fit your preferred fasting and eating schedules. It’s available in both free and premium versions. Users find it to be a great starting point for their health journey as it motivates them to stick to better choices.
You can also track hydration and activity stats in the app, and it’s compatible with Apple Health and Fitbit. There are various goal plans to choose from, including weight loss and mindful eating. The premium plan offers extra content and personalized insights, making Simple a comprehensive tool for intermittent fasting and overall wellness.
- Compatibility: Compatible with iOS and Android platforms.
- Price: Free to download (Basic features), $29.99/1-month (Premium Plan)
- Pros:
- Straightforward interface for hassle-free fasting tracking.
- Provides a range of fasting protocols to choose from.
- Includes fasting timers, meal tracking, and hydration monitoring.
- Offers community support and motivation for users.
- Cons:
- Premium cost deters budget-conscious users.
- Limited recipe library.
BodyFast — Best Overall App for Intermittent Fasting
BodyFast is a popular intermittent fasting app with over 40 million downloads, offering a variety of features to support your fasting journey. One of its key strengths is the availability of 10 different fasting plans to choose from, catering to various preferences and goals. Whether you’re new to intermittent fasting or looking for a specific approach, BodyFast provides options that suit your needs.
A notable feature of BodyFast is its well-designed questionnaire, which gathers essential information about you to tailor the fasting plans to your specific requirements. This personalized approach sets BodyFast apart from other fasting apps, ensuring that you have a plan that is truly designed for you. This attention to detail enhances the effectiveness of your fasting experience, making it more personalized and sustainable.
Additionally, the premium option gives you access to a personalized coach and provides invaluable accountability, support, and guidance to help you stay on track and achieve your fasting goals. The app also allows you to switch fasting types based on your daily or weekly needs and offers motivation through challenges and rewards. While some fasting plans are available in the free version, accessing most of them and unlocking personalized coaching requires upgrading to the premium plan.
- Compatibility: Available for iOS and Android devices.
- Price: Free to download (Basic features), $16.99/Monthly (Coach Subscription)
- Pros:
- Personalized fasting plans based on user goals and preferences.
- Meal and weight tracking for progress monitoring.
- Integration with health apps for holistic health tracking.
- Coaching features and supportive community engagement.
- Cons:
- Some features require a subscription.
- Lacks calorie tracking for users monitoring intake during fasting.
FastHabit — Best Value for Money
FastHabit is an intermittent fasting app known for its simplicity, ease of use, and flexibility. It allows users to customize fasting schedules, track progress seamlessly, and make adjustments as needed. The app’s basic version is free, while the premium version offers more in-depth statistics and weight-logging functionality for a one-time fee.
Key features of FastHabit include easy-to-read analytics charts for progress reports like streaks and weight logs, reminders and notifications for fasting periods, and seamless integration with Apple HealthKit and Apple Watch for Apple users.
FastHabit is particularly suitable for users who frequently change their fasting goals. It allows for easy adjustment of fasting windows and offers reminders and notifications to stay on track. Overall, it’s a reliable option for those seeking a fasting tracker to support their health and fitness journey.
- Compatibility: Compatible with iOS devices.
- Price: Free to download (Basic features), $2.99/Monthly (Pro)
- Pros:
- Flexible fasting schedules to suit individual lifestyles.
- Fasting timers and reminders for adherence to schedules.
- Progress tracking and insights for monitoring fasting progress.
- Edit your fast easily with options to stop, restart, or adjust anytime.
- Cons:
- Limited availability on Android devices.
- Requires in-app purchases for advanced features.
Fastient — Best Personalized Experience
Fastient is a versatile fasting app that caters to different user needs and preferences. It offers both basic and premium versions, with the premium version providing extra features like progress picture uploads for a more personalized experience.
One of Fastient’s key strengths lies in its comprehensive tracking capabilities. It allows you to meticulously track intermittent fasting times, food intake, and overall progress. The app’s wide interface provides ample space for journaling, viewing data in easy-to-read graphs, and accessing information seamlessly across platforms, making tracking effortless and convenient.
Fastient also excels in meal plan management, allowing you to track all your goals in one place and adjust fasting schedules as needed. This feature ensures progress and accountability, especially for users following different fasting styles and meal plans to achieve their health and wellness goals.
Moreover, Fastient empowers you to record and monitor experiences, gain insights into your wellness journey, and track various metrics such as fast duration, weight, mood, symptoms, and water intake. This thorough approach to tracking provides a clear view of your fasting progress and overall well-being.
- Compatibility: Available on iOS devices.
- Price: Free to download (Basic features), $4.99/Annual or $11.99/Lifetime Access
- Pros:
- Customizable fasting plans based on user preferences.
- Meal logging and progress tracking for accountability.
- Insights into fasting trends and patterns for self-awareness.
- Community forums and support for shared experiences.
- Cons:
- Limited compatibility (not available for Android).
- Basic features compared to other apps.
Vora — Best Community Support
Vora is a simple fasting tracker app that provides a visual representation of your recent fasts and encourages sharing your intermittent fasting journey on social media. It also allows you to jot down notes about your fasting experience for later review, enhancing your tracking and reflection process.
This reputable intermittent fasting app offers more than just basic tracking features. It includes daily weight loss goals, work progress tracking, and fasting hour monitoring. Vora’s cloud-based system makes it easy to customize your fasting schedules according to your preferences and schedule, making it a preferred choice among users seeking a comprehensive fasting app.
A great feature of Vora is its strong community support, known to boost success rates. Engaging with like-minded individuals in the app’s community can provide motivation and accountability, contributing to your fasting success. Vora is available for free for iOS platforms, with the option to upgrade for additional progress tracking tools and access to coaching support.
- Compatibility: Compatible with iOS devices.
- Price: Free to download (Basic Content), $6.99 (Vora Pro)
- Pros:
- Clean and intuitive interface for easy fasting tracking.
- Provides a variety of fasting schedules to choose from.
- Fasting tracking and progress visualization for monitoring.
- Community engagement for support and motivation.
- Cons:
- Some features are limited without a premium subscription.
- Occasional technical glitches reported by users.
Intermittent Fasting FAQs
How Do You Get Started With Intermittent Fasting?
To begin intermittent fasting, it is essential to choose a fasting method that aligns with your lifestyle and goals. Common methods include the 16/8 method, where you fast for 16 hours and eat during an 8-hour window, the 5:2 method, involving two days of low-calorie intake per week, or alternate-day fasting, where you alternate between days of regular eating and fasting.
Once you’ve selected a fasting approach, establish a fasting schedule that works for you. Determine the hours or days during which you’ll fast and when you’ll eat. Consistency in following your chosen schedule is crucial for the effectiveness of intermittent fasting.
What Can You Eat Or Drink During Fasting Periods?
During fasting periods in intermittent fasting, it’s essential to consume only non-caloric beverages and avoid solid foods to maintain the fasting state effectively. This means you can drink water, herbal teas without any added sugars, and plain black coffee. These options are low in calories and won’t break your fast, allowing you to stay hydrated and potentially experience the metabolic benefits of fasting.
How Long Does It Take To See Results From Intermittent Fasting?
Results from intermittent fasting can usually be noticed within a few weeks to a couple of months of consistent practice. This timeframe depends on factors like individual metabolism, following the fasting schedule, dietary choices, and lifestyle habits.
It’s crucial to view intermittent fasting as a long-term lifestyle change, coupled with a balanced diet and regular exercise, for sustainable benefits. A healthcare professional can offer personalized guidance on safely and effectively incorporating intermittent fasting.
How Long Should You Do Intermittent Fasting?
The duration of intermittent fasting varies based on individual goals and preferences. Some people practice it long-term, while others use it as a short-term strategy. When deciding how long to engage in intermittent fasting, consider your health, lifestyle, and nutritional needs. As mentioned, collaborating with healthcare professionals can help create a safe and suitable fasting schedule for you.
