Weight loss can be a challenge no matter who you are. However, there’s an overwhelming amount of technology to help make it easier.

But where to begin? A quick search for “weight loss apps” on a smartphone turns up hundreds of results. That’s a lot of information, and potentially, a lot of wasted money figuring out which one is best.

That’s why we’re here to help. We picked out several popular smartphone apps with good reviews and noble missions. Some are free with the option to upgrade, others cost a nominal amount of money to download. All of the selections go above and beyond a simple calorie tracker and provide much of what research shows you need to achieve a healthy weight loss goal: Health and food data, strong community support, accountability and encouragement.

Take a look at the suggestions below and see if there’s one that might be right for you:

My Fitness Pal

Health experts theorize that writing down what you eat can help you lose weight. My Fitness Pal is popular choice for a digital food diary, given its database of more than 6 million foods and meals. The app also syncs to wearables like Fitbit, Jawbone UP and Garmin to help you log your exercise. It’s compatible for Apple and Android phones.

Fooducate

The Fooducate app points you in the direction of healthier, more wholesome food choices. The app scans a packaged item’s barcode and produces a letter score (A, B, C or D) based on its nutritional value. The app analyzes the item and reveals information about the ingredients, such as the amounts of added sugar, preservatives, MSG and controversial food colorings. The program aims to help users learn about a product’s pros and cons in order to think about whether eating it makes sense for weight loss goals and overall health. The app is compatible for iPhones and Androids.

Locavore

Locavore tells you about which fruits and vegetables are in season based on your location. It also instructs you where to find that produce by pointing you in the direction of local farmers’ markets and farms that are open in your area. The app wants you to cook with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients for the best culinary experience. That could be a big help: Research shows that some of the healthiest diets around the world are heavy in produce and whole foods. Locavore is stocked with recipes, too, so you can put those ingredients to good use. The app is free and iOS and Android compatible.

– Allison Fox

Read More: The Best Apps For Healthy Weight Loss

Image by Marvin Meyer from Unsplash