Intermittent fasting (IF) has quickly become an alternative to traditional dieting. Some feel that it's a simplification of traditional dieting methods which quickly become difficult to manage, especially when you begin counting calories. However, it's not so with IF.
The concept is simple: cycle between periods of eating and fasting. Frankly, this can be one of those things where it's easier said than done, and finding the right support can be challenging at times. Luckily, intermittent fasting apps are on the scene, offering a convenient way to navigate the journey.
The IF app market is growing fast—valued at $400 million in 2023, it's projected to reach $950 million by 2032. That's not even half of it…you don't even have to pay for a subscription to access the benefits.
We're ready to unveil 10 of the best free IF apps that can help you on your path to a healthier you.
Intermittent Fasting Apps
We've taken the liberty of handpicking some of the best free options to make tracking your fast and achieving your goals even more attainable. So, get ready to choose the perfect app to guide you on your fasting quest!
Zero
At a Glance:
- Ideal For: Beginners, Data enthusiasts, Those seeking community
- Standout Features: Customizable fasting plans, Weight tracking & progress charts, Community challenges
- Ease of Use: Simple
- Free vs. Paid: Free basic plan, paid upgrade for advanced features
- Available For: iOS and Android
- Perfect If You: Want a user-friendly app to kickstart your IF journey, Love tracking data and seeing your progress visualized, Thrive on community support and challenges
Zero has earned its reputation as a leading intermittent fasting app, boasting a vast and engaged user community. It's a top choice for both beginners and experienced fasters and it's all thanks to its user-friendly interface and well put together feature set.
The app boasts core features that have intuitive fasting timers, so tracking your fasting and eating windows couldn't be any easier. If you have personalized fasting goals—you can do that too as it allows you to set your personal goals and monitor your progress over time.
Zero even has a weight tracker feature that helps you visualize your journey, and it's community challenges adds a bit of excitement and competition to spruce up your fasting routine.
But Zero's greatest strength may just be its versatility. The app gives you exactly what you need and more in the form of a wide range of customizable fasting plans which include the popular 16:8 method to more advanced regiments.
The app is highly adaptable ensuring that you will certainly find a plan that fits into your lifestyle. However, if you're someone looking for additional features like personalized insights, guided programs, and exclusive content, Zero offers a paid subscription option.
Simple
At a Glance:
- Ideal For: Beginners
- Standout Features: Simple fasting timer, Customizable fasting plans
- Ease of Use: Intuitive
- Free vs. Paid: Free with optional paid upgrades
- Available For: iOS and Android
- Perfect If You: Want a minimalist app that just works, Prefer a clean and uncluttered interface
In the world of intermittent fasting, Simple is one of the best in the business; moreover, once you get a glimpse of all of its features, it will be easy to see why. The app takes a minimalist approach regarding design, giving you a streamlined and user-friendly experience that emphasizes the bare necessities of intermittent fasting.
Simple lives up to its name with its straightforward fasting timer that allows you to effortlessly track your fasting and eating windows.
Simple has a customizable fasting plan that gives you extreme control over your individual needs and preferences with its tailor made experience. As if that wasn't enough, Simple includes a weight-tracking feature to help you monitor your progress and stay motivated.
Simple's easy design makes it great for beginners, even if you're new to fasting or not good with technology. The app is simple and doesn’t have any extras that might distract you.
It lets you focus on your fasting goals. It might not have all the fancy features other apps do, like detailed tracking or a community, but its simple style makes it perfect for anyone who wants a stress-free fasting experience.
Window
At a Glance:
- Ideal For: Weight loss-focused individuals
- Standout Features: Meal planning, Fasting timers, Apple Health integration
- Ease of Use: Simple
- Free vs Paid: Free with optional paid upgrades
- Available For: iOS and Android
- Perfect If You: Want an app that focuses on meal planning and weight loss, Are already using Apple Health, and want seamless integration
Window is a great app to have in your quiver on your weight loss journey through intermittent fasting. It had the standard fasting tracking features, but it shines with its heavy emphasis on meal planning. Window's value is simply incalculable, especially for people who shed pounds and build healthier eating habits.
The fasting timers are so easy to use allowing you to monitor your fasting and eating windows seamlessly. The meal planning feature, which offers guidance and inspiration for creating balanced and nutritious meals that complement your fasting schedule is comprehensive and beyond helpful.
Additionally, the seamless integration with Apple Health provides a holistic view of your health data, allowing you to track various metrics and make informed decisions about your lifestyle.
Window is great for people who want help with meal planning and losing weight. But if you're looking for more advanced fasting methods, this app might not be the best choice. If your main goal is weight loss and you like having meal planning support, Window could be the right app to help you reach your goals.
Fastic
At a Glance:
- Ideal For: Those seeking a comprehensive health app
- Standout Features: Fasting timers, Water tracker, Step counter, Over 400 recipes
- Ease of Use: Intuitive
- Free vs. Paid: Free with ads, paid version removes ads
- Available For: iOS and Android
- Perfect If You: Want an all-in-one app for tracking various health metrics, Enjoy trying new healthy recipes
Fastic goes above and beyond simple fasting tracking, positioning itself as a comprehensive health and wellness companion. It offers a wide range of features designed to support your overall well-being, making it a valuable tool for those looking to adopt a healthier lifestyle.
In addition to reliable fasting timers to monitor your fasting and eating windows, Fastic includes a water tracker to help you stay hydrated throughout the day, a step counter to encourage physical activity, and a vast library of over 400 healthy recipes to inspire your meal planning.
This all-in-one approach makes Fastic a great choice for individuals who want to track various aspects of their health and wellness journey in a single, convenient location.
The free version of Fastic offers a wealth of features, but it's worth noting that it does include ads, which some users may find disruptive. If you prefer an ad-free experience, you can opt for the paid subscription.
However, even with the ads, the free version provides significant value and a comprehensive set of tools to support your intermittent fasting and overall health goals.
BodyFast
At a Glance:
- Ideal For: Those seeking personalized guidance
- Standout Features: Multiple fasting plan options, Meal planning guidance, Challenges
- Ease of Use: Some learning curve
- Free vs. Paid: Free basic plan, paid subscription for coach-led plans
- Available For: iOS and Android
- Perfect If You: Want a coach-led approach to IF, Need help with meal planning and staying motivated
BodyFast distinguishes itself by offering a more personalized and guided approach to intermittent fasting. It's not just about tracking your fasts; it's about providing you with the support and tools you need to succeed on your journey.
This app features multiple fasting plan options, allowing you to choose a plan that aligns with your individual needs and preferences.
Additionally, BodyFast offers meal planning guidance to help you make informed choices during your eating windows and stay on track with your health goals. The app also includes challenges designed to keep you motivated and engaged throughout your fasting journey.
BodyFast's coach-led approach can be particularly beneficial for those new to intermittent fasting or individuals who thrive with additional structure and support.
The app's free version provides a taste of this personalized guidance, but for full access to features like customized plans and one-on-one coaching, a paid subscription is required.
FastHabit
At a Glance:
- Ideal For: Beginners
- Standout Features: Basic fasting timers, Progress tracking
- Ease of Use: Intuitive
- Free vs. Paid: Free with a one-time fee for premium features
- Available For: iOS and Android
- Perfect If You: Want a no-frills app that's easy to use, Are just starting out with IF, and don't need advanced features
FastHabit is a shining example of simplicity and user-friendliness in the world of intermittent fasting apps. It's designed with beginners in mind, offering a straightforward and uncomplicated approach to tracking your fasts.
The app's core features are basic but effective: a clear and easy-to-use fasting timer and essential progress tracking capabilities. FastHabit eliminates any unnecessary distractions or complexities, allowing you to focus solely on your fasting goals.
If you're new to intermittent fasting or simply prefer a no-frills app that gets the job done, FastHabit is an excellent choice. Its intuitive interface and streamlined functionality make it a breeze to use, even for those who aren't tech-savvy.
While it may lack some of the advanced features offered by other apps, FastHabit excels at providing a hassle-free and effective way to monitor your fasting progress.
MyFast Tracker
At a Glance:
- Ideal For: Beginners and experienced fasters alike
- Standout Features: Customizable fasting schedules, Weight and body measurement tracking, Data export feature
- Ease of Use: Very intuitive
- Free vs. Paid: Free with optional paid upgrades
- Available For: iOS only
- Perfect If You: Want a customizable experience with detailed tracking options
MyFast Tracker is a comprehensive fasting app that offers both simplicity for beginners and advanced tracking options for more experienced fasters. It allows you to set up personalized fasting schedules, making it easy to follow different fasting methods like 16:8, 5:2, or alternate-day fasting.
The app also features weight and body measurement tracking, helping you monitor your progress and see the impact of fasting on your health over time. Additionally, MyFast Tracker allows users to export their data, making it easy to analyze your fasting history and identify trends.
This app is perfect for users who want a reliable and flexible fasting tracker without unnecessary distractions. Although it offers optional paid upgrades, the free version provides substantial features to support your fasting journey effectively.
Vora
At a Glance:
- Ideal For: Those seeking community support
- Standout Features: Fasting timers, Progress tracking, Community challenges
- Ease of Use: Intuitive
- Free vs. Paid: Free with optional paid upgrades
- Available For: iOS only
- Perfect If You: Thrive on community support and accountability, Enjoy participating in challenges
Vora sets itself apart by fostering a strong sense of community and support among intermittent fasters. It offers the essential fasting timers and progress tracking features, but its real strength lies in its social features that connect you with like-minded individuals on the same journey.
With Vora, you can create a profile, connect with friends and family, or join groups and forums to share your experiences, challenges, and successes.
The app also features community challenges that add a fun and competitive element to your fasting routine, encouraging you to stay motivated and accountable.
If you thrive in a supportive environment and find motivation in connecting with others, Vora is an excellent choice. The app's strong community focus creates a sense of belonging and camaraderie, making your fasting journey less isolating.
While Vora may not offer the same level of advanced features as some other apps, such as detailed data analysis or meal planning guidance, its emphasis on community support and engagement is a valuable asset for many intermittent fasters.
Fastient
At a Glance:
- Ideal For: Minimalists
- Standout Features: Simple fasting timer, Basic tracking
- Ease of Use: Intuitive
- Free vs. Paid: Free with optional paid upgrades
- Available For: iOS only
- Perfect If You: Want a no-frills app that's easy to use, Are just starting out with IF and don't need advanced features
Fastient is a breath of fresh air for those who crave simplicity and a distraction-free fasting experience. Embracing a minimalist philosophy, this app strips away all the unnecessary bells and whistles, focusing solely on the core essentials of tracking your fasts.
At its heart, Fastient features a clean and straightforward fasting timer that allows you to effortlessly start, pause, and stop your fasts with a single tap. It also provides basic tracking capabilities to monitor your fasting history and progress over time.
If you're the type of person who values a clutter-free interface and prefers an app that does one thing exceptionally well, Fastient is an ideal choice. Its intuitive design and streamlined functionality make it incredibly easy to use, even for those who aren't tech-savvy.
While it may not offer the extensive features or personalized guidance found in some other apps, Fastient excels at providing a focused and distraction-free fasting experience.
Sunrise Fasting
At a Glance:
- Ideal For: iOS users seeking simplicity
- Standout Features: Fasting timers, Progress tracking
- Ease of Use: Intuitive
- Free vs. Paid: Free with optional paid upgrades
- Available For: iOS only
- Perfect If You: Have an iPhone or iPad and want a simple fasting app, Prefer an app that uses sunrise/sunset times for fasting windows
Sunrise Fasting is a unique and free intermittent fasting app designed exclusively for iOS users. It sets itself apart by using your location to automatically calculate your fasting windows based on the actual sunrise and sunset times in your area. This feature allows you to align your fasting schedule with the natural rhythms of the day, potentially enhancing the benefits of your IF practice.
The app offers a clean and intuitive interface, making it easy to track your fasts and monitor your progress. It provides clear fasting timers and progress tracking features, allowing you to visualize your fasting streaks and stay motivated.
While Sunrise Fasting may not have the extensive feature set of some other apps, its simplicity and unique sunrise/sunset fasting window functionality make it a compelling option for iOS users seeking a minimalist and nature-aligned approach to intermittent fasting.
Factors to Consider When Choosing an IF App
With so many intermittent fasting apps available, it can be tough to decide which one is right for you. Here are a few key factors to keep in mind:
- Fasting Protocols Supported: Make sure the app supports the specific intermittent fasting plan you're following (e.g., 16:8, 5:2, alternate-day fasting).
- User Interface and Ease of Use: Choose an app that's intuitive and easy to navigate, especially if you're new to IF or technology in general.
- Additional Features: Some apps offer extra features like weight tracking, water intake tracking, recipes, or community support. Consider which features are important to you and choose an app that offers them.
- Compatibility with Your Device: Make sure the app is available for your smartphone or tablet (iOS or Android).
Tips for Success with Intermittent Fasting Apps
While intermittent fasting apps can be incredibly helpful, they're just one tool in your wellness toolbox. Here are some additional tips to ensure a successful and sustainable IF journey:
- Set Realistic Goals and Start Slow: Don't try to jump into a long fasting window right away. Gradually increase your fasting time to allow your body to adjust and to avoid issues like GERD.
- Listen to Your Body: If you experience any negative side effects, adjust your fasting plan or consult with a healthcare professional.
- Stay Hydrated and Eat Nutritious Foods: During your eating windows, focus on whole, unprocessed foods to support your health and well-being.
- Track Your Progress: Use the app's features to monitor your fasting times, weight loss, and other health metrics. Seeing your progress can be a great motivator.
- Connect with Others: Many apps have online communities or forums where you can connect with other users, share your journey, and receive support.
Final Thoughts
Free intermittent fasting apps are a fantastic resource for anyone looking to embark on or maintain an IF lifestyle. They offer a convenient and cost-effective way to track your fasts, set goals, stay motivated, and even connect with a supportive community.
Remember, the best app for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. So don't be afraid to try out a few different ones to find the perfect fit.
And most importantly, combine IF with a healthy lifestyle that includes balanced eating and regular exercise for optimal results. With the right app and a little dedication, you'll be well on your way to achieving your health and wellness goals.