Reaching your weight loss goals can feel overwhelming without the proper support. Studies suggest that the best weight loss apps, such as Healthi, can be convenient tools to help you monitor your nutrition and wellness journey along the way. (1) The Healthi App is designed to make weight management feel more manageable, offering weight loss guidance, tracking features, and motivation at the touch of a button.
Healthi uses a point-based system (like WW, formerly WeightWatchers) to help users make food choices based on nutritional value. In our opinion, it’s a user-friendly app with features like barcode scanning, recipe building, and community support. Still, apps like this may not be the right fit for everyone, so in this Healthi App review, we’ll share our experience with the service so you can decide if it’s a worthwhile addition to your wellness toolkit. Our team of medical doctors, registered dietitians, and certified personal trainers put Healthi to the test to see how it stacks up in accordance with our testing methodology. Now, let’s get into our findings.
Healthi is a weight loss app that operates with a points-based tracking system for simple, effective food logging. The platform also boasts plenty of community forums for added motivation, recipe inspiration, and general knowledge for weight management enthusiasts.
Medical disclaimer: The content on BarBend is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as medical advice. The opinions and articles on this site are not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of health problems. It’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor before beginning a new fitness, nutritional, and/or supplement routine. Individual needs for vitamins and minerals will vary.
Main Takeaways
- The Healthi app is a weight loss app that focuses on tracking food intake.
- Foods are assigned a BITE value, and you’re given a daily BITE allowance — similar to other weight loss apps like WeightWatchers or Noom.
- The Healthi app does not offer individualized medical guidance.
Healthi App Specs
| Price Per Month | Free or $44.99 paid annually for Healthi PRO |
| Trial Period | No free trial, but free version available |
| Supported Diets | Keeping Keto, Carb-Conscious, Conquer Cravings, Sugar Smart, Better Balance, Calorie Command |
| Key Features | Calorie tracking |
| Available On | Apple App Store, Google Play Store |
The Healthi app is designed to help people make “healthier” choices regarding their food and lifestyle. Its main claim to fame is its tracking features. You can log your food and water intake, as well as your body weight trends. You can even log your physical activity, but it is not as training-focused as some of the best workout apps we’ve had on our home screens.
When signing up for Healthi, you start by taking a short quiz and entering your body measurements. The app then recommends a plan and gives you a daily BITE allowance. The BITES are similar to the points on the WW app — they help you decide what to eat and keep track of your intake without counting calories.
While some may prefer a numbers-based approach, we do appreciate that Healthi illustrates your consumption in a more digestible way. This BITE-oriented approach could be more beneficial for those prone to hyperfixation on daily calories and macros.
“A numbers-focused approach to dieting and exercise can carry negative health consequences such as stress, anxiety, and obsession — all of which can be counterproductive to a weight management journey,” states Dr. Raj Dasgupta, MD. “These numbers-oriented views on food and exercise can also promote an unhealthy relationship with meals and fitness.”
Healthi requires you to log your meals, snacks, and supplements throughout the day. You can use the app’s barcode scanner, search for foods manually, or even use the recipe builder to log your food intake. You can also log your weight changes and activity as you aim to maintain a calorie deficit each day.
Like any wellness app, the Healthi app comes with potential benefits and drawbacks. It’s generally user-friendly, and it keeps lifestyle changes for weight loss simple. However, some features are only available in the paid Healthi PRO version, which costs roughly $44.99 annually. Those on a budget, or those wanting a simple, free calorie counter, may feel underserved.
It’s also important to consider your medical history and mental health when signing up for an app like this. The Healthi app does not offer medically based advice and cannot account for your medical history (outside of your provided measurements) and unique nutritional needs. Recommendations are very generalized and do not come with the support of a doctor or registered dietitian.
Who Should Use / Who Shouldn’t Use the Healthi App
Weight loss apps can help you stay on track and keep you motivated on your weight loss journey, but that doesn’t mean they’re right for everyone. We think Healthi can be a great fit for some people, but we also know it’s not recommended for others.
Recommended for:
- Anti-calorie counters
- Generally healthy adults looking to lose weight casually
- Athletes that don’t need one-on-one support for weight management
Not Recommended for:
- Individuals with a history of eating disorders
- Individuals with a complex medical history
- Detail-oriented workout warriors
Our Experience Using Healthi App
The BarBend team is made up of competitive athletes, certified personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and lifelong fitness enthusiasts. Over the years, we’ve gotten hands-on with roughly 15 weight loss apps to help support our various weight management goals — whether they were to lose two pounds per week or wrangle in our daily caloric intakes for specific training needs. For this Healthi app review, our tester, a certified nutrition coach and exercise therapy specialist, tested the service for multiple weeks. Based on our testing methodology, Healthi scored high for ease of use, membership cost, device compatibility, and community support. However, we felt there was room for improvement in tracking capabilities and accuracy. Read below to find out more details from our experience with this weight management platform.
Onboarding Steps
“Getting started with the app is straightforward,” notes our tester. “I do like the simple onboarding that has you enter some basic information, followed by your available menu preferences — Carb-Conscious, Conquer Cravings, Sugar Smart, Better Balance, Calorie Command, or Keeping Keto. Plus, perhaps the best perk of all is that there is no lengthy quiz or questionnaire before you get started.”
When signing up for the app, Healthi first gives you a short assessment to determine which Healthi plan best fits your needs. They ask a few questions about your eating habits and health goals. But don’t get too excited — I took the assessment myself and found it far from comprehensive.
The onboarding assessment asks questions about where you struggle with snacking and what kinds of food you crave. You can only choose one answer, even if multiple answers apply. They also ask a very brief question about your other considerations, like diabetes, but it’s clear that the app is not based on medical guidance.
User Interface
Our expert testers found the Healthi app to be pretty user-friendly. The app is generally easy to use, and you can lean into its features as much as you like. According to our tester, “The layout is pretty intuitive and simple — I was quickly able to get a feel for everything. I typically cook a majority of my meals from scratch, so adding in individual ingredients can be tedious at times. If you eat a bunch of branded or prepared foods, though, the barcode scanner can be a great tool.” As such, we rate the functionality and ease of use at 4 out of 5.
The paid version offers additional features that add to its ease of use, albeit after you subscribe to the $44.99 annual fee. “There are also available recipes along with a community feature for support and motivation. The ‘community coaches’ can be excellent resources if you need some quick answers, but be mindful that they are not certified professionals. Rather, they’re Healthi users who have successfully utilized the service for their weight management goals,” adds our tester.
Tracking Capabilities
Part of the app’s appeal is its simplistic structure. However, this comes at the cost of its tracking capabilities, hence its score of 2 out of 5 in this category. “Like other weight loss apps, Healthi works on a points-like system where each meal is given a set ‘BITES’ allotment,” notes our tester. “You get a daily ‘BITES’ count based on your chosen meal plan (which you choose upon signing up). In my opinion, this points-based system can be good for beginner food trackers that may not be focused on more detailed metrics like calories or macronutrients.”
While the BITES approach may be appealing to weight management novices, we do wish the platform offered calorie tracking and macro counts with the free app version. Such tracking features are available through the Healthi PRO app, though, which will cost you $44.99 annually.
Despite these tracking shortcomings, we do rate the accuracy of the app at 3 out of 5 thanks to its expansive library of available foods and dishes. “From my experience, the food database is fairly vast and loaded with some of the most nutrient-dense foods, but you will need to input individual recipes if you typically cook from scratch,” notes our tester. “Thankfully, though, I didn’t have issues with finding food information for each ingredient.“
Additional Features
If you sign up for the free version of Healthi, you get calorie tracking in the form of BITES. However, if you opt for Healthi’s paid subscription, you can access additional features like community support, recipe building, meal plans, and more. These added features earn Healthi a 3 out of 5 in this category.
“I do like the community feature of this service and feel like the users are very engaged. Plus, the themed support groups help you find the perfect forum for added motivation and guidance during your weight loss journey,” our tester adds.
They went on to say, “I also like the recipe cards and available blog posts for more detailed information. However, the lack of tracking capabilities (with the free version) does limit the app’s experience somewhat.”
Membership Costs
Healthi is available as a free app with limited food tracking features. However, if you want more in-depth tracking, you can opt for the paid version called Healthi PRO. The free version provides calorie tracking through its BITE counts, which can be ideal for anyone looking for a simple way to log their food intake. However, the paid version offers premium plans, macronutrient tracking, meal plans, recipe builders, community posting, and FitBit step tracking, among other features.
Healthi PRO will set you back $44.99 per year, paid upfront in one lump sum. Still, compared to its competitors in the App Store, Healthi is reasonably priced, earning a 4.5 out of 5 on our scoring rubric.
“I do appreciate that Healthi is available as a free tracking app service, although I do recommend subscribing to a premium membership if you’re looking for more advanced tracking features like daily macronutrients and calories,” notes our tester. “Additionally, be mindful that Healthi works on a yearly subscription model — there are no weekly or monthly memberships, meaning you’ll need to commit to a year’s worth of service. At less than $45 yearly, though, it’s not the worst tracking app cost I’ve seen.”
What to Consider Before Downloading the Healthi App
As the wellness market expands and technology advances, health apps are on the rise. No two health journeys are the same, though, so it’s essential to consider your needs before downloading a wellness app. Consider the app’s main agenda and how its features can support your fitness goals. Before downloading the Healthi app, think about how detailed you want to be regarding your food intake.
The most important thing to consider, though, before downloading the Healthi app (or any wellness app, for that matter) is its potential impact on your mental health. As a registered dietitian, I can’t stress this enough — if tracking your food intake for weight loss comes at the cost of your mental health, it’s not worth it.
- Fitness Goals: Healthi focuses primarily on the nutritional aspect of weight loss, not necessarily the best exercises for weight loss. However, you can also log your physical activity.
- Device Compatibility: The app can be found in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. It’s compatible with iPhones, Androids, and wearable devices like the Apple Watch.
- Tracking Features: The app’s tracking capability falls a little short when it comes to the free version of the service. It focuses on your daily BITES, not your macro and micronutrients. This may appeal to some users, though, especially those less enthused about daily calorie counts and macro goals.
- User Interface: The app doesn’t get into the nitty-gritty of nutrient tracking, making it super easy to use. The barcode scanner also makes logging your food simple.
- Subscription Costs: Healthi offers a free version with limited features. If you want to dig a little deeper with more in-depth tracking, you can opt for the paid version, which is $44.99 annually.
Healthi App Vs. Competitors
Weight loss apps can be a game-changer when trying to lose weight. They offer a way to track your progress so you can make informed decisions when it comes to your dietary intake and physical activity. But how do you choose the right product when the app store is overflowing with options? We got you. We compared Healthi to a couple of its most prominent competitors — WeightWatchers and MyFitnessPal.
| Healthi App | WeightWatchers | MyFitnessPal | |
| Price Per Month | Free or $44.99 paid annually for Healthi PRO | Starts at $11/month | Free, or $24.99/month or $99.99/year for the Premium+ version |
| Trial Period | No free trial, but free version available | No free trial | Free version available, or 1 month free trial of the Premium+ version |
| Supported Diets | Keeping Keto, Carb-Conscious, Conquer Cravings, Sugar Smart, Better Balance, Calorie Command | All (choose your own foods) | All (choose your own foods) |
| Key Features | Calorie tracking | Calorie tracking | Calorie tracking |
| Available On | Apple App Store, Google Play Store | Apple App Store, Google Play Store | Apple App Store, Google Play Store |
Technology is ever-changing, and health apps are not immune to evolving science. We know not all wellness apps are created with the same goals in mind, so we made it our mission to test as many as possible. We’ve put more than 20 wellness apps to the test, including more than 15 weight loss apps, stacking them against our standardized scoring rubric.
Of those we’ve tried, the Weight Watchers app and MyFitnessPal most closely resembled the features offered on the Healthi app. They each emphasize a food-first approach to weight loss, with a strong focus on calorie tracking. Still, the ins and outs of the apps differ significantly. For example, Weight Watchers and Healthi track points, while MyFitnessPal actually tracks calories. MyFitnessPal is also available in a free app version, whereas WeightWatchers requires a monthly subscription from the start.
Places to Download the Healthi App
The Healthi app can be found on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
Customer Experience and Brand Reputation
Healthi has built a strong reputation in the wellness app market. Its customers are generally pleased with the service, earning a 4.35-out-of-5 rating for their customer experience. Healthi features some of its success stories right on its website, but you can also find happy customer reviews in various app stores.
Device compatibility earned a 4 out of 5 from us, as well. According to our tester, “Healthi is available for both iOS and Android users, and the platform is compatible with some of the best fitness trackers. That said, some reviews state that app integration with certain devices (like FitBit) can be glitchy at times.”
Still, Healthi’s customer service is easily accessible. A quick email to support@healthiapp.com connects you with their team for one-on-one support.
Our Final Verdict on Healthi App
Healthi isn’t a medically based weight loss program, but it can be a helpful tool when incorporated safely into a healthy lifestyle. It focuses on creating a calorie deficit to burn fat. Do its tracking capabilities knock it out of the park? No, but it can get the job done for those new to food tracking or those casually trying to lose weight with some added sense of structure.
Just remember that Healthi’s weight loss plans are not individualized. There is no medical guidance tailored to fit your nutritional needs. For more customized weight management plans, it can be best to discuss your health goals and dietary intake with your healthcare provider or registered dietitian.
Remember, too, that weight loss apps like Healthi are designed to support your goals, but they can lead to unhealthy habits if you use them improperly. “The line between healthy and unhealthy fitness tracking can vary from person to person, primarily based on an individual’s physical and mental well-being,” notes Dr. Raj Dasgupta, MD. “Potential signs of concern can include extreme calorie restrictions or psychological distress stemming from diet tracking. If you begin to see yourself falling into these tendencies, medical intervention and mental health support may be necessary.”
Healthi App Review FAQs
How much does the Healthi App cost?
Healthi offers a free version with limited features. The paid version costs $44.99 and provides additional features like recipe building, step tracking, and community groups.
Is Healthi as good as WeightWatchers?
Healthi is very similar to Weight Watchers. Healthi tracks your food intake as BITES, similar to WW points. However, Weight Watchers has more input and guidance developed by medical professionals, such as registered dietitians.
Does the Healthi App track macros?
Healthi PRO, the paid version of the app, offers macronutrient tracking. The free version, instead, uses a points-based system that gives foods designated BITES totals that you monitor in accordance with your daily BITES allotment.
References
- Ufholz, K., & Werner, J. (2023). The efficacy of mobile applications for weight loss. Current Cardiovascular Risk Reports, 17(4), 83–90. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10034244/
