If you're just starting out with intermittent fasting [1], no matter which method you follow [2], having the right support and motivation is the key to your success [3]. Using apps can be a game-changer, and these five are the best. They all offer different features, so choose the one that best suits your fasting schedule [4] and info you want to track.
FastHabit Intermittent Fasting
Cost: Free
The FastHabit app [6] is perfect for any fasting method, whether you fast the same number of hours each day or if your fasting window changes. For example, it works if you do 16:8 [7] or if you do the 5:2 method [8] and want to have a shorter eating window on those to days.
It allows you to set the length of your fasting window, which you can edit after your window has already begun. You can also add a fast that happened on a past day. There's a clock that counts down the time until your fast ends, so at a quick glance, it can inspire you to keep a fast going when you only have a short time left.
You can also see a summary of the last 10 days, which could help motivate you to stick with your daily fasting schedule, and you can set reminders that send notifications to your phone or Apple Watch when a fast starts or ends.
Life Fasting Tracker
Cost: Free
The Life Intermittent Fasting app [9] allows you to track your progress on any fasting schedule, since you're able to set the start and end time and goals for how long you want to fast for. There's a clock that counts the minutes and hours fasted, so a quick glance can make you feel proud that you've fasted that long.
This app also keeps track of how many total hours you've fasted and your total number of fasts, and also monitors your weekly fasting progress, including how many hours you've been in ketosis. If you have fasting friends who use this app, you can fast together, and the support could help you stick with it.
Zero
Cost: Free
Zero is a basic tracker that allows you to choose a daily fasting method such as 16:8 [10], a 13-hour circadian rhythm fast (where you start fasting close to sunset), or a fasting period up to 24 hours. There's a clock that counts down or up (you choose) and tracks the number of hours you've fasted for the past seven days. This app is simple and easy to use.
It's a great tracking app if your fasting schedule stays the same every day, and can be helpful if you're trying to stick to daily intermittent fasting. I wouldn't use it if your daily fasting duration changes from day to day [11]. One helpful feature is that it sends notifications to your phone or Apple Watch about your fasting start and end times to keep you accountable
Window
Cost: $2.99
Window [12] is an app that allows you to track your daily fasting window and monitor your weight-loss progress over time. You can also see a monthly calendar overview that shows how long you've fasted each day, which can inspire you to stick with your daily fasting schedule.
YouAte Food & Health Diary
Cost: Free
The YouAte [13] app is a visual food diary that allows you to take photos of what you ate at what time, note how you felt when you ate it, and keeps track of how much time lapsed between meals and snacks. If you find you overeat during your eating window, or opt for junk food, this can help you visualize why and help inspire healthy eating habits.