How to Switch from MyFitnessPal to Lose It! (2026 Guide)

Reasons for Switching from MyFitnessPal to Lose It!

The primary reason noted in our reader survey is user experience fatigue. By 2026, MyFitnessPal’s interface has become overloaded with features, advertisements, and community aspects, leading long-time users to feel it is congested. In contrast, Lose It! provides a more streamlined, simpler version of a similar product, including a search-and-log diary, barcode scanner, recipe builder, and photo AI available on Premium, at half the Premium cost.

Additional reasons include:

• $39.99/yr Premium compared to $79.99/yr for MyFitnessPal Premium.
• Reduced advertisement presence on the free tier.
• Slightly improved accuracy (±12.4% vs ±18% MAPE according to the DAI Six-App Validation Study).
• Apple Watch and Wear OS functionalities that some users find more user-friendly.

This transition is the most seamless in our 2026 offerings, as Lose It! provides a guided CSV importer for MyFitnessPal.

Important Information Before Migrating

Lose It! falls within the same app category as MyFitnessPal and shares a comparable database structure along with similar features. Users should not expect a significant enhancement in accuracy, as the daily noise levels are similar. What you gain is a refined user experience and more affordable pricing.

If your primary motivation for leaving MyFitnessPal is accuracy, Lose It! may not be the appropriate choice. You might want to consider Cronometer (search-and-log, ±5.2% MAPE) instead.

Step 1: Export Your Data from MyFitnessPal

Refer to the instructions above in the frontmatter. The main limitations include:

• Export available only via web (the mobile app does not support export).
• Premium account required for exporting ($19.99/month if upgrading solely for the migration).
• CSV will be sent by email within 6-24 hours.

The relevant file is the food diary CSV contained within the ZIP.

Step 2: Import to Lose It!

Lose It! offers a guided MyFitnessPal importer at loseit.com → Settings → Import Foods → MyFitnessPal. The importer directly accepts the CSV, eliminating the need for a community converter.

Steps to follow:

1. Log in to Lose It! at loseit.com (the mobile app does not allow import).
2. Navigate to Settings → Import Foods → MyFitnessPal.
3. Upload the CSV file.
4. Preview the days that the importer will create.
5. Execute the import process.
6. Check the “Custom Imports” folder for any entries that did not match automatically.

The Custom Imports folder is designated for foods that Lose It! could not automatically map. For each item, you can select the closest match from the Lose It! database, create a custom food entry, or disregard it.

Expect to spend 20-40 minutes on cleanup if you are an active logger with a year of history.

Items You Will Lose

• Recipes: Recipes from MyFitnessPal will import as single custom foods rather than as complete recipes. You will need to recreate them using Lose It!’s recipe editor.
• Custom foods: Most will transfer with their macros intact, but adjustments may be necessary for custom serving sizes.
• Friend network: The MyFitnessPal community feed and forums will not migrate. Lose It! has its own community features but operates separately.
• Photo logs: Premium Meal Scan logs from MyFitnessPal will not transfer; however, the resulting calorie and macro entries will.
• Streaks: The in-app streak counter will reset.

Advantages of Using Lose It!

• Improved User Experience: The primary reason for most users to switch. A more tranquil interface and quicker logging process.
• Lower Premium Cost: $39.99/year versus $79.99/year.
• Snap It photo AI: Available on Premium, it is similar to MyFitnessPal Meal Scan but offers slightly better dish recognition.
• Reduced Advertisement Load on Free Tier: There is significantly less ad pressure.
• Free Recipe Builder: The URL importer is a Premium feature, but the basic recipe builder is available for free (unlike MyFitnessPal, which restricts this to Premium).

Drawbacks of Using Lose It!

• Database Size: Lose It! contains about 7 million entries compared to MyFitnessPal’s 14 million. Most users may not notice this difference, but those who dine at unique regional chains might.
• International Availability: Stronger presence in North America but weaker elsewhere.
• Community and Social Features: A smaller community compared to MyFitnessPal, though many users appreciate this aspect.
• Integrations: There are slightly fewer third-party integrations than what MyFitnessPal offers.

Setting Up in Lose It! During the First Week

1. Establish your daily calorie and macro goals under Settings → Goals.
2. Address the Custom Imports folder for the 20-30 most common unmatched entries.
3. Pin your favorite items, as Lose It!‘s favorites feature is efficient.
4. Try Snap It on Premium if you have access, maintaining realistic expectations (mid-range accuracy).
5. Connect Apple Health, Google Fit, Garmin, or Fitbit through Settings → Connected Apps.

Final Thoughts

The transition from MyFitnessPal to Lose It! represents the simplest migration in our catalog due to the guided importer provided by Lose It!. The trade-offs are tangible but limited: you gain a more refined user experience and a lower Premium price while retaining mid-range accuracy. If your motivations for leaving MyFitnessPal are centered on design and cost, this transition is advisable. However, if accuracy is your main concern, consider exploring Cronometer instead.

Step 1: Export from MyFitnessPal

1. Access MyFitnessPal on the web at myfitnesspal.com, as the mobile app does not permit export.
2. Click on your username (top right) → Settings → Export Data.
3. Select the date range (use 'Beginning' to today for complete history).
4. Submit your request. The CSV ZIP will arrive via email within 6-24 hours.
5. Download the food diary CSV from the ZIP file.
6. Note: data export is a feature available only to Premium users on MyFitnessPal.

Step 2: Import to Lose It!

1. Visit Lose It! on the web at loseit.com (the mobile app does not facilitate import).
2. Log in (or create a complimentary account).
3. Navigate to Settings → Import Foods → MyFitnessPal.
4. As of 2026, Lose It! provides a guided importer for MyFitnessPal CSVs.
5. Upload the CSV file; Lose It! will display a preview of the days it intends to create.
6. Confirm the import action. Lose It! will attempt to map foods to its database wherever feasible; unmatched foods will be placed in 'Custom Imports'.
7. Examine the Custom Imports folder and confirm or modify each entry as necessary.

Items Lost During Migration

• Recipes from MyFitnessPal will not transfer as complete recipes, but as individual custom foods.
• Custom foods created in MyFitnessPal may require adjustments to fit Lose It!’s serving formats.
• Friend networks and community features will not migrate.
• Photo logs from MyFitnessPal Premium Meal Scan will not transfer.
• Some user-generated entries from MyFitnessPal that lack equivalents in Lose It! will need manual mapping.
• Exercise log entries will transfer with less detail.