Disclaimer: DietGeneral.com is a reader-supported site. We may earn a commission if you click links on this site and make a purchase.
Written by Megan Ayala. Last Updated: December 27, 2023
A lot of people want to lose weight but don’t know to do it properly. This can lead to horrible decisions such as starving yourself or not eating the right foods.
To avoid a situation such as this more and more people are looking towards high-quality membership programs such as Noom and Optavia. I know, because I’ve been there. I’ve personally put bot of these diet plans to the test, and can confirm that they both work great but each one brings something very different to the table.
With that in mind, let’s dig in to what they have to offer so you can officially decide if Noom or Optavia is the best diet for you.
Features Comparison: What Noom and Optavia Have to Offer
1. Noom Key Features and Benefits
- Lifestyle-Based Dieting
It is all going to start with your lifestyle when it comes to Noom and that is something they drill into you from day one.
Since it all goes through an app, you will be asked to take lifestyle questions about how you live and what you expect from the diet. This tends to look at the psychology of your decisions and how to tailor the food intake based on these decisions.
Just having such a hyper-focused or personalized approach is different from everything else that is out there. Most diet programs just provide meal plans and you go from there.
Noom kicks things up a few notches with the lifestyle questions trying to learn more about you as an individual.
This can help tailor what you end up eating and how often you eat during the day.
- App-Focused Membership
One of the main focuses of Noom is to help individuals go through their dieting with the help of a mobile app. The app is great because it can go with you wherever you are heading.
Just having the ability to pull out the mobile app and go through it is something Noom is focused on. It is the core of their structure and what they stand for as a business.
The benefits include:
- Ideal for On-The-Go Dieting
- Fast
- 24/7 Access to Meal Plans
Having an app such as this by your side at all times is great because it sheds light on where you are going wrong.
The level of information is great and they continually updated the resources for your dieting needs. This is great as you learn more about what works and what doesn’t while optimizing your lifestyle around that information.
RELATED READING: What are the Cons of Noom?
- 1-On-1 Health Coaching
Coaching is something Noom does well.
You are always going to have the ability to reach out to a coach during business hours to see what more can be done to customize your diet.
These coaches aren’t run-of-the-mill reps that are going to go through the motions. Instead, these are trained professionals that understand the science behind dieting and will know how to optimize your diet for the future.
This is wonderful for those who want to do things the right way and want to follow what science has to say about losing weight.
This is where those 1-on-1 coaching sessions play a significant role in how you feel over the long-term and how well you eat.
- Interactive Articles and Quizzes
While this may not have anything to do with what you are eating, it is an important feature that is associated with the Noom app.
In general, you are going to have access to regularly updated content that is available to teach you about the nuances of dieting. The premise behind doing this is to showcase what works and what doesn’t in the world of dieting.
Since Noom is science-based, they are all about learning more about you as an individual. This includes letting you take quizzes along the way.
Just having this type of information is great not only for them but also for you. It will teach you what is needed for you to shed weight.
2. Optavia Key Features and Benefits
- Large Selection of Feature Recipes
Optavia is great for several reasons and one of them is something as simple as the feature recipes.
They have gone above and beyond to create a menu that is incredibly well done. The recipes are some of the best in the industry and are created by professionals that have years of experience in utilizing healthy ingredients to create mouth-watering delights.
If you are a foodie and want to eat great foods throughout the week, it makes sense to go down this path. The results will be far better than anything else you are going to find.
The food quality will never let you down.
- Meal Deliveries
One of the main differences between the two companies is going to come due to this particular feature.
Optavia is more of a meal-delivery program. This means the diet that you are going to be on will encompass the foods that are being delivered to your front door every week.
The benefits include:
- Ready to Go Meals
- Nutrient-Dense Foods
- Great Tasting Foods
This is perfect for those who want more of a hands-off approach when it comes to their meals.
If you are particular about what you are putting into your body but want to ensure high-quality foods are delivered to you then this is the way to go.
- Large Selection of Snacks
The snacking that is going to be on offer here is wonderful.
Are you passionate about your snacks? What about having a sweet tooth that is all about eating chocolate throughout the day?
You won’t regret Optavia because they have a long list of snacks on their menu. This is powerful because it is unique compared to anything else that is out there.
RELATED READING: Noom Before and After Pictures
The list of snacks will impress and you get to eat a few throughout the week. This will keep you satisfied and healthy at the same time.
- Ongoing Coaching
The idea of doing things on your own can be daunting and that is why Optavia provides access to high-grade coaches that assist you every step of the way.
Whenever you want to speak to a coach, you can do so easily.
This is perfect for those who are trying to further personalize their meal plan and want to know more about their options. The coaches will look at what you are eating and will continue to guide you down the right path as time goes on.
This helps as you continue to tweak what you are doing and refine everything to lose weight safely.
Biggest Differences Between Optavia and Noom
1. Noom: App-Based
With the differences, it is always going to come down to how the information is delivered to you.
With Noom, you are going to have everything done with the help of an app. This means any information that you are getting is through the app including the initial setup process.
RELATED READING: Lose it vs Noom
The goal is more to tailor your eating based on high-value scientific information that is regularly updated based on the latest findings.
This is where Noom shines because it is the type of information that you are not always going to find through other alternatives.
2. Optavia: Meal Delivery Program
On the other hand, Optavial takes a different route compared to Noom.
With this program, the goal is more to tailor the meal plan based on your needs and then deliver those meals straight to your front door.
This is ideal for those who are always busy and want to make sure they are getting the time to eat healthy meals without having to prepare them on their own.
This is a time-saver for those who are looking to organize everything with a hands-off approach. With the meals being delivered, you can also focus on other things while knowing the diet will work well as long as you follow it to a tee.
Price Comparison: Is Noom or Optavia More Affordable?
Noom
- Monthly Plan – $59.00
- 2 month Plan – $99.00
- 3 month Plan – $129.00
- 4 month Plan – $139.00
- 5 month Plan – $149.00
- 6 month Plan – $159.00
- 4 month Plan – $169.00
- 4 month Plan – $179.00
- 12 month Plan – $199.00
- *Prices current as of publication – see current Noom prices here
Optavia
- Optimal Weight 5&1 Plan – $400-$450 Per 3 Weeks
Summary: Final Tips for Picking the Right Diet for You
The idea of choosing the right way to lose weight is easier said than done. A lot of people struggle with this and that is why they see below-par results.
If you are thinking about shedding weight, it might be time to choose one of these membership programs. Both offer a long list of positives and it is all about your lifestyle. This will guide you one way or the other because both are great in their own ways.
You should consider Noom if…
You prefer an app-based diet program, full customization, interactive quizzes, and affordability.
You should consider Optavia if…
You want meals delivered to your house, prefer good-tasting food, have a higher budget, and love your snacks.
It is these details that are going to play a role in the decision you end up making over the long-term. Take your time to look at the pros and cons and choose the way that will work for your lifestyle moving forward.
