8 Best Online Weight Loss Programs In 2023

Not all people who try to lose weight by changing their diet or doing exercise garner results. Some fail spectacularly, while others would gain the weight back after a few months. If you have those problems, you might find solace in the best online weight loss program.

Studies indicate that the best online weight loss program featuring web-based lifestyle interventions and changes can achieve or maintain weight loss. Other studies also suggest that it is more effective if combined with face-to-face treatment.

Are you interested in more? Read this article to see what is the best online weight loss program, as well as to better understand these programs and how they work.

Understanding Online Weight Management Programs

Studies show that over 70% of American adults are obese or overweight. As such, clinical guidelines recommend lifestyle changes, interventions, and counseling to patients with obesity and overweight-related risks and comorbidities.

As of now, obesity is a global challenge that is related to several severe and extensive health problems. From mood-related disorders to cardiovascular diseases, obesity is beyond being a weight issue and is now a chronic, relapsing health condition that can lead to health consequences.

The key to treating obesity is weight loss and proper planning. Don't take that as your cue to start aggressively losing excessive weight. A weight loss journey without a healthy approach can lead to dire consequences, like nutritional deficiencies, gallstones, muscle loss, and dehydration.

With these in mind, consider joining an online weight management program to get a clear view of a healthy weight loss plan. Although, what exactly is an online weight management program?

What Is An Online Weight Management Program?

A weight management program empowers participants to make positive and necessary lifestyle changes through coaching, tech, and/or prescription medications. The main goal is to achieve the best possible result or outcome regarding weight loss and maintenance or sustainability.

The main formula to lose and manage weight is to reduce calories in and increase calories out. A weight management program helps participants achieve that through their meticulous program plan.

A weight management program typically includes:

• Weight loss strategies and techniques
• Exercise programs
• Dietary changes
• Behavior modifications and adjustments
• Prescription medications

Some programs also offer educational lectures and support groups to better connect with participants.

Online weight management programs are different from traditional weight loss programs. With online weight management programs, everything is done remotely and at home.

An online weight management program includes video meetings, webinars, and online visits with qualified professionals to check on your progress. With traditional weight loss programs, these are mostly done face-to-face.

The main similarity between traditional and online weight management programs is that they are conducted and created under the guidance of a qualified and licensed doctor or healthcare professional.

How Do Online Weight Management Programs Work?

Online weight programs appeal to people nowadays since you can do it anywhere as long as there is internet. However, online weight management programs have advantages and disadvantages like any other program.

Pros

• Adaptable and flexible with time and setting
• Better online tools that can help you keep track of your progress
• You can get support and motivation from online forums and support groups
• Multi-feature package, such as access to recipes, educational resources, videos, and articles
• Access to prescription medications (many off-label) that are harder to find via traditional healthcare

Cons

• Depending on the online weight loss program, it can get expensive
• Since payment is based on treatment and retention, these programs can be biased toward keeping you as a subscriber rather than helping you lose and maintain weight loss yourself in the long term.
  

The best online free weight loss program follows a similar and general formula. After doing an online quiz or evaluation, you must undergo an initial consultation. You will talk and interact with a nurse practitioner or doctor to open the floor and discuss your weight goals.

During the online consultation, your doctor will determine if weight loss medication is appropriate. Aside from exercise and diet changes, you might be prescribed medication to help you lose weight.

For the program, you must be transparent with your goals and progress. It's to help keep track of your results and ensure that the program works for you. Many online weight loss programs also assign a coach to help guide you throughout your weight loss journey.

Best Online Weight Management Programs

Now, what is the best online weight loss treatment - program? There are several online weight management programs in the market, with most differing in terms of features and deals.

To help narrow down the list of online weight management programs, below are some of the best ones in the market. These programs are ranked according to price, pros, cons, and features to be unbiased and fair.

KORB Health Prescription Weight Management

Price: Free consultation, $269 per month

Pros

• You can book a free consultation to see if you're eligible
• All weight loss medications are GLP-1 agonists: Semaglutide, Tirzepatide, Liraglutide, Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro
• Monthly telehealth visits
• Wellness coaching
• Includes shipping and supplies for customized programs

Cons

• Prescription plans are more expensive than non-prescription options below

Description:

KORB is a virtual clinic and digital pharmacy that offers a program called, Get Fit Now. The program is designed for people struggling with weight loss when diet and exercise are not enough, or simply not working. The program customizes affordable diet plans and prescription therapies to help you achieve your weight loss goals.

You start with a free consultation. If you are a fit, you meet a medical professional via telehealth. Then, you receive your program plan and your medications delivered to your door within a week. Then, they check in with you on a monthly basis to make sure you're on the right path.

The Mayo Clinic Diet

Price: $19.9/month for a 12-month plan and $39.99/month for a 3-month plan

Pros

• Designed by world-renowned experts from a globally recognized medical organization
• Features, tools, and reminders to keep you on track
• Includes personalized and approved Mayo Clinic recipes and meals

Cons

• The 3-month plan is expensive

Description:

Easily a top contender for the best online medical weight loss program, Mayo Clinic Diet is an eating plan developed by the world-renowned experts at Mayo Clinic; a non-profit hospital system considered a global leader in medical research, education, and clinical practice. This diet program encourages food choices and decisions to meet individual weight loss and management goals.

How It Works:

The initial Mayo Clinic Diet program is 12 weeks long and can be specially tailored for healthy keto and vegetarian menus. While not in the name, the Mayo Clinic Diet also has an exercise plan you must follow to lose weight effectively.

The Mayo Clinic Diet offers various tools that can help you track your progress and log your meals, exercise activities, weight, and measurements.

Noom

Price: $59/month

Pros

• Extensive educational resources to help you lose weight
• Does not explicitly ban food groups like fats and sugars
• Focuses more on your behavior than diet and exercise

Cons

• Week long-trial will instantly turn into a paid subscription if you forget to cancel

Description:

Noom is a psychology-based online weight management program designed to change how you think about eating. It's a subscription-based weight loss service that runs through a digital app you can download on your phone or tablet.

It's a popular weight loss program recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They deem the program as an acceptable course that helps prevent type-2 Diabetes.

How It Works:

The digital app lets you track your physical activity and meals, ensuring that you strictly follow your plan. With the aid of a coach, you are given a personalized plan and encouraged to make behavioral changes for a healthier lifestyle.

Aside from the diet and exercise plan, you can also access interactive daily lessons, tracking tools, and a library of healthy recipes.

The program recommends participants prioritize food with low-calorie density. They also highly encourage other healthy habits, such as increased water intake and regular physical activity.

Calibrate

Price: $138/month with a financing plan

Pros

• Encourages gradual lifestyle and diet changes
• Initial visit with physician and support from personal coach included in the membership
• Guarantees 10% weight loss

Cons

• Requires 1-year membership

Description:

Calibrate seems to be the best online weight loss prescription program in the market.

It is a comprehensive and extensive program that promotes long-term weight loss through prescription medication and lifestyle changes. They deem themselves the 'sustainable weight loss program' based on a person's biology.

Calibrate aims to 'reset' your metabolism by focusing on exercise, food, emotional health, and sleep, guaranteeing evident results. To join, you must take a quiz and then send it to a local doctor for lab tests.

How It Works:

The program's medical team will design a weight loss plan, including FDA-approved prescriptions and necessary lifestyle changes based on your lab results. Their program includes a one-on-one video consultation with your coach through their app.

The coach they assign will aid in making changes that can help you reach your ideal weight. Moreover, they have an exciting and appealing deal — if you don't lose at least 10% of your weight within a year, you will receive a refund.

Found

Price: They offer multiple commitment options:

• Monthly Commitment: $49/month
• Found RX Monthly (no-commitment): $149/month
• Found RX 3 Month Commitment: $129/month
• Found RX 6 Month Commitment: $99/month

Pros

• There are several commitment options to choose from
• It has a 90-day money-back guarantee
• Clinician-led

Cons

• Not available in all states

Description:

Are you seeking out a simple and straightforward online weight loss program? Found happens to be the best online weight loss program for men! It is a reliable medical platform offering weight loss services from the comfort of your home.

Found advertises itself to be a program that focuses beyond the scale. Instead, they aim to make you feel good about yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally. They do so by giving you personalized weight care that strives for a lasting change.

How It Works:

To join, you must complete an online survey about your lifestyle, medical history, and weight loss goals. Depending on your answers, Found will recommend a membership plan that will fit your needs the best.

A board-certified nurse practitioner or doctor will review your information if they deem you eligible for one of their RX programs. They will take what they learn and make an individualized weight loss program.

Everything will be done online. While they will offer you a health coach, communication with them will be mainly through the app or via text.

Everlywell Weight Care+

Price: $99/month with an initial 12-month commitment and $139/month with a 3-month commitment.

Pros

• Access to a qualified clinician
• Focuses on GLP-1 Medications
• Access to valuable educational resources

Cons

• Expensive

Description:

This online weight management program is for people struggling to maintain their weight through traditional methods. By joining, you will have access to a certified clinician offering valuable one-on-one consultation regarding your weight and health.

How It Works:

You will need to pass their evaluation to get started. They will review your medical history and require lab testing to see if GLP-1 medication is a right fit for you. If you are eligible for their weight loss program, you will have virtual visits from professionals to track your progress.

The program offers two plans: $99/month for 12-month commitment or $139/month for a 3-month commitment. However, keep in mind that lab test costs are not included.

PlushCare

Price: Starts at $14.99/month

Pros

• Personalized weight care program
• Accepts insurance for prescription and medical visits
• FDA-approved medications

Cons

• First visit is expensive without insurance

Description:

PlushCare is undoubtedly one of the most trustworthy medical weight loss programs online. By joining the program, you will get access to a board-certified doctor who can help you healthily lose weight. Also, you will be given a prescription for weight loss medication if medically necessary.

They are a doctor-led weight loss service available to the public with or without medical insurance. Moreover, they have no minimum commitment, which most weight loss programs have nowadays.

How It Works:

If you choose to join the program, you will get an individualized weight loss program designed by an expert primary care doctor. The healthcare professional will review your health goals and medical history to determine your best treatment options.

You will only need to pay $14.99/month if you have insurance. Meanwhile, if you don’t have one, the membership is $14.99/month, with the first visit costing $129. Repeat visits after that will only cost $99.

Form Health Weight Loss

Price: $99/month

Pros

• 30-day money-back guarantee
• Monthly video visit with qualified doctor
• Free 15- minute consultation

Cons

• Program is mainly for those with a BMI of 30 and higher

Description:

If you have a BMI of 30 or higher, this program might be perfect for you. Form Health aims to shape a healthier future for every client. They can help you meet your ideal weight using a personalized approach backed by medicine and science.

How It Works:

Form Health is the last competitor for the title, best weight loss program online!

They appoint well-trained medical weight loss experts to each person. These experts will design a weight loss plan using the information they will gather — preferences, lifestyle, and history.

The weight loss plan will include nutrition, physical activity, medical prescription, and behavioral shifts. To check your progress, Form Health will also set monthly video meetings between you and the doctor.

Closing Thoughts

After going through multiple programs and comparing them with each other, Noom came out on top as the best online weight loss program. Aside from it being different from others due to its psychology-based approach, Noom is also proven to have an impressively high effectiveness rate. A study involving 36,000 Noom users found that 78% experienced significant weight loss, with 23% losing more than 10% of their starting weight.

Noom focuses on changing your behavior towards eating and weight care, which is helpful in the long run. Through the program, you will gain access to a professional and skilled coach who will help you achieve your weight goal.

Note that choosing to lose weight is a massive and personal decision. To be successful, you need to be willing to make changes. In selecting the best program, be sure to find one that would work for you.

FAQs on The Best Online Weight Loss Programs

What kind of online weight management program do experts recommend?

Experts suggest that a weight loss program should have weekly online lessons and a plan to keep track of your progress. They also should offer regular feedback on your results and provide social support.

How do you know if you are eligible for a weight management program?

Most weight loss programs will base your eligibility on your BMI, weight loss history, and any existing medical condition. It will be through a quiz or a one-on-one video visit with a doctor or healthcare professional.

How to start an online weight management program?

Avoid jumping to a weight program cold turkey. Start by reading through the program, stocking your fridge with the recommended meal options, and purging your pantry of unhealthy food and snacks.

Can you create a weight management program?

You can make a weight loss or management plan on your own. However, a professional program is highly recommended for people who need to lose a lot of weight for their health.

Can you achieve weight management through diet alone?

While possible, you will likely gain the weight back if you don't partake in regular physical activities and exercise. An exercise plan is essential in a great weight management program.

Why are you not losing weight?

There are a couple of possible reasons why you are not losing weight, even after you join a weight loss program. It could be that you need to be committed more, or their plan isn't suitable or working for you.

Can insurance cover an online weight management program?

It highly depends on the type of insurance you have. It is incredibly hard to find the best online weight loss program free of charge so some insurances opt to pay for the weight loss programs entirely or partially, although most of the time, people pay out of their own pockets.