Online Weight Loss Programs Comparison Chart

“I looked around, and although there are other sites, and other tools for weight loss, I simply didn't find one as comprehensive and supportive as WLR.” LillyLaserbeam

Choices in Online Weight Loss

It's not easy to decide what's going to be the best online weight loss diet program that will suit you best. Each of the programs offers its own set of features and benefits - some of which you can't really find out much about until you sign up with a credit card.

The comparison chart below maps out the features of 8 of the more popular online weight loss programs, to help you make a choice before you commit yourself.

Online Weight Loss Programs Comparison Chart

(Updated April 2021)

	Weight Loss Resources	Nutracheck	Rosemary Conley (Now Get Slim)	DietPlan (Now closed)
Customer Support
Telephone Help in Office Hours	√	√	√	√
Telephone Help Evenings & Weekends	√		limited	√
Message Board Help Evenings & Weekends	√	√	limited
Live online Help in Office Hours		√	√
Live online Help Evenings & Weekends			limited
Email Help	√	√	√	√
Email Response Time within 1 hour	√ (15 mins)	√ (20 mins)	4 hours	2 hours
Free Trial		√		√
Free Trial Without Credit Card Details	√	√		√
Program Features
Food Diary	√	√	√	√
Exercise Diary	√	√	√	√
Exercise Calorie Counter	√	√	√	√
Weight Target/Actual Graph	√	√	√	√
Goal Setting and Tracking	√	√	√	√
Food Database with Calorie Information	√	√	√	√
Food Database with Nutritional Information	√	√	√
Expert Content	√	√		√
Content Search	√	√	√
Site Recipe Database Included in Price	√	√	√	√
Members' Recipe Database Included in Price	√	√	√	√
Personal Recipe Calorie Counter	√	√	√	√
Meal Plans	√		√	√
Members' Blogs
Message Boards/Forums	√	√	√	√
Private Messaging	√	√	√	√
Chat Room	√		√
Member Profile Pages	√	√	√	√
Member Profile Pages with Pictures	√	√	√	√
Nutrition Reports	√		√
Progress Reports	√	√	√	√
Mobile Phone Availability	√	√		√
Membership Costs
Registration Fee (1 point if none)	√ (no fee)	√ (no fee)	√ (no fee)	√ (no fee)
Minimum Period (One month or less = 1 point)	√ (1 month)	√ (3months)	√ (1 month)	√ (2 months)
Highest Monthly Subscription Rate	£11.95	£13.99	£26.00	£12.00
Lowest Monthly Subscription Rate	£12	£7.66	£13.00	£6.25
Points Total Out of a Possible 33	30	27	23	23

	Weight Watchers	Closer Diets (Currently Closed)	Slimming World Online	Weight Loss Resources
Customer Support
Telephone Help in Office Hours	√	√		√
Telephone Help Evenings & Weekends				√
Message Board Help Evenings & Weekends				√
Live online Help in Office Hours	√	√
Live online Help Evenings & Weekends	√
Email Help	√	√	√	√
Email Response Time within 1 hour	(90 mins)	(1 hour)	No Response After a Week	√ (15 mins)
Free Trial	√*			Try it Free
Free Trial Without Credit Card Details				√
Program Features
Food Diary	√		√	√
Exercise Diary	√		√	√
Exercise Calorie Counter	√			√
Weight Target/Actual Graph	√	√	√	√
Goal Setting and Tracking	√	√	√	√
Food Database with Calorie Information	√			√
Food Database with Nutritional Information	√			√
Expert Content	√			√
Content Search			√	√
Site Recipe Database Included in Price	√		√	√
Members' Recipe Database Included in Price			√	√
Personal Recipe Calorie Counter	√			√
Meal Plans	√	√	√	√
Members' Blogs	√	√
Message Boards/Forums	√	√		√
Private Messaging				√
Chat Room				√
Member Profile Pages	√	√		√
Member Profile Pages with Pictures	√	√		√
Nutrition Reports	√			√
Progress Reports	√	√	√	√
Mobile Phone Availability	√	√ Read more		√
Membership Costs
Registration Fee (1 point if none)	√ (no fee)	√ (no fee)	√ (no fee)	√ (no fee)
Minimum Period (One month or less = 1 point)	√ ( 3 months)	8 weeks	3 months	√ (1 month)
Highest Monthly Subscription Rate	£14.95	£14.95	£26.67	£11.95
Lowest Monthly Subscription Rate	£9.96	£6.65	£20.00	£12
Points Total Out of a Possible 34	25	14	11	30

*Weight Watchers offer 1 free week, however card details are needed for payment once your 1st week is over

** Registration fee reduced but monthly fee still the same

** Only values for Weight Watchers points are given

It's not easy to decide what's going to be the best or cheapest online weight loss diet program that will suit you best.

Personal Opinions

Of course it takes more than a list of features and benefits to make an effective weight loss program. The comments about different programs below were made by Weight Loss Resources' members - who may be a little bit biased towards WLR. Nevertheless they do help to give some insight on the approach of some of the programs.

Online Comparison Notes Members

my membership finishes at the weekend, i still have until Feb next year until my WW finishes so i want to know should i stay with WW or carry on WLR? They are both fantastic, BUT with WLR you get the run down of what you have eaten, WW you have to do by points, which is ok. Any advice greatly app. as time is running out.  
LINDSAYBURTO

Everyone is different, but my personal opinion is that WLR provides you with knowledge and awareness about your habits and so allows you to change your lifestyle, as apposed to just being on a diet.

Also, the forums are a huge support and are available whenever you need them with loads of nice people willing to help.

I've tried WW, SW, Cabbage soup, Atkins to name a few and WLR comes out on top for me - that's why I'm here now and I'm staying here
Starnett

used to be a leader for Slimming World...and although any leader of any group will give you support....are they there 24 hrs?

I love wlr because I can log onto the forums for motivation anytime. If you miss a class ....it tends to let you think your ok for another week.

I had a lot of successful members but they did come 52 weeks of the year....I made sure that I ran the class 52 weeks of the year....but once they miss a week...i would see them a month later and 1/2 stone heavier!
Smiler1978

cant comment on WW other than what I have read others say - and that is that for long term life change the benefit of understanding what your foods are this place puts you in far greater control than points counting.

Whilst I have not done WW I am amazed how much this site is educating me which surely will show long term benefits!
Paulh

I've already started to exercise as I know by common sense that less calories eaten than burnt equals weight loss. My question though is why should I join this site? What about all the other offerings out there....Weight watchers, slimming world etc.
Blister

This site offers a lifestyle change - no counting points that when you stop and revert to 'normal food' the weight piles back on, but counting cals of every day food you already eat and cutting down in the right places. The diary helps you keep track better than anything ive ever used before.

Read the Success Stories to see why so many people have joined, lost weight and stayed on as a Maintainer. The support from the forums is a huge help. there are loads of healthy recipes if you like to cook, theres a running board to keep you motivated should you decide to give that a try - and makes the weight drop off even faster.

Its not that expensive, you dont have to leave the house to go and weigh in at a weekly meeting. There are loads of reasons why WLR is better than the rest
Michelliski

I like it because it teaches you how to eat healthily. You can see for yourself what effect a food will have on your total calories and also the breakdown of food types. You can then decide for yourself whether you still want to eat it.

Other diet programmes teach you how to follow rules, but not necessarily how to eat healthily. Heathly living will stay with you forever, but counting points won't.

This site also teaches you a healthy approach to exercise. Not all diet programme encourage you to eat enough to sustain your exercise level, particulalry if you exercise a lot.

So I like it because it puts ME in control of my life, rather than blaming the system or diet when it doesn't work. It's easy to see that I only ahve myself to blame when it goes wrong
Supercaz

The great thing about this site is that it lets you stay in control. You don't have to follow someone else's rules - basically, you decide whether you have a chocolate bar for 200 cals, or some soup, bread and fruit for the same. Obviously one's healthier then the other, and while at first you might choose chocolate everytime, when you actually start logging everything, you realise how much MORE food you can eat if you choose healthier things! It's actually fun deciding what to eat!
Buttonbear

My GP has referred me to Weight Watchers to lose some weight.......I joined a class last night and have been reading the books today. Just wondered if anyone on here has ever followed their Core Plan and if so, what was your experience of it?

I've got 4 girls in my office doing Weight Watchers. 3 are on the points and one on core. They are all losing weight but not sure if they are any more successful that doing it through WLR and this is cheaper!!!!
Santaslittlehelpter

I've done WW but have always done the other one (points counting). The Core plan is similar to the Slimming World diet (red and green days). Sounds great, but for me it didn't work, as they base it on the fact that you can stop eating when you're full. If I could do that, I wouldn't have a weight problem in the first place! I just enjoy eating, not just because I'm hungry, but because it's GOOOOD!!!
WLR Member

Slimming World - Never done it before. Some of my colleagues are currently doing it and are complete converts, extolling its benefits at every turn. Has anyone here had success with this plan? I cannot believe you can eat the amount they say you do and still lose weight (for example one woman I know said that she ate 7 jacket potatoes one evening cos she was so hungry and still lost 3lb that week). I'm just a tad sceptical...

I went years ago and lost a couple of stone... Obviously wasn't that great or I wouldn't be here now!

One thing I did find was that it was an expensive way to eat.
Lisalew

SW doesn't teach you anything about nutrition and portion control. WLR ie calorie counting teaches you that not all calories are equal and you have to be vigilant about what you eat to lose weight.
Angedoyle

Like the others have said, these strange rules to live by dont really equip you for what happens after. You need to make a permanent change to be permanently slimmer. Can you really live the rest of your life with SW rules?
Sexy Suzie

edit. google what responsibilities a corporation have by law, and you'll find it boils down to just one. making money for shareholders!!

edit2. do you think it's normal to eat 7 jacket potatoes in one go. do you think this will A. lead to weight loss and B. encourage you to form a healthy relationship with food?

correct answers on a post card should read NO & NO
E

I am currently having a 24hour trial of WLR. I have decided that calorie counting and healthy eating is the way to go forward.
What I am after is people opinions on whether it is worthwhile subscribing.
Louisehj

I've been a yo yo dieter all my life. At 46 I've decided this is going to be the last time. I've done weight watchers/ rosemary connely/ Slimming World/ Diet Pills etc etc. I think the reason this site works for me is because its accesible all day every day. If I'm feeling weak, I can read the message board or even post a message knowing I'll get caring/ thoughtfull responses back. Everyone on here has the same goal as you, so with all these like minded people your bound to be on a winner!!!
Join and enjoy - the information that is provided is more than you would get from a monthly slimming mag. The cost is very reasonable.
XPatsy

have you all paid for membership? Would you say it was worth the money? do you really find youselves losing weight by using this site?
WLR Trialer

I lost 3 stone, I've kept it off (well all bar a few pounds), I've successfully taken up running in my mid forties, I get loads of support when I need it and I've made wonderful friends - need I say more?
Sarahwoo

I am currently a member of Slimming World and have been there since 3rd October and have lost 11 lbs so far.

 

I quite enjoy their plan, but sometimes miss being able to eat "normal" foods, e.g. grabbing a sandwich for lunch, or having dinner out with a friend, as sometimes the menus do not offer anything Slimming World friendly.

I love WLR site, however I am now used to being able to eat my fruit & veg freely (which seems pretty wise to me), so I think I will struggle (a) sticking to my allocated calories and (b) having to weigh my fruit/veg/salads.

I was wondering if anyone else has recently changed from Slimming World, or are thinking of doing so?

have just switched over to WLR from SW. This is my first week and I have lost 3lb. I also lost loads with SW though - I think it is just a case of what works for you at the right time.

If you followed SW properly, weighing all syns and healthy extras it would be very hard not to lose weight. The main problem is people become complacent and start guessing which is where the extras creep in. One extra oz of cereal in a morning would be an extra 6 syns and would be very easy to do.

This site helps because you record everything you eat although I think if you recorded absolutely everything in SW you would also lose.

I have changed to this site because I was finding SW hard to stick to - not because it was difficult (I was also a consultant for while so know the system very well) but as with all eating plans you still need will power.

I would have no hesitation in recommending SW to anyone - it's just not the right plan for me at the present time. All the plans work if you follow them properly, you just have to find the right one to suit your way of life.
WLR Member

With  SW you're pretty much on it for life if you want to keep it off - where as you can always continue watcing your calories once leaving WLR
Jensensi

I agree with you about the restrictions of diets like Slimming world and weight watchers. I sometimes use my WW cookbooks for meal ideas as the recipes are calorie counted and some are quite nice.

I have stopped going to WW now - seems a bit sad spending my precious time sitting discussing why I am fat with a bunch of other people who don't know why they are fat but are happy to make a social occasion out of it!!
Kilotango

I think WLR is great and I am slowly losing weight.

However, I have realised that it is five months till my wedding day and I am not losing nearly enough to be where I want to be. (a big problem has been the fact that I was not lsong weight for a long time - but lost a few inches - however, I want to see results on the scales)

 

I know I am capable of losing weight - physically - but I have major problems from the "head" point of view. I am certainly not at the end of my teather here, and I know I will get there eventually.

 

However I am working to a timeline here - but my head doesn't recognise this in the face of beautiful beautiful chocolate/takeaways etc.

 

I am considering starting WW again - I lost over 3 stones on it before.

Has anyone else tried doing two plans together? I think WLR and WW acutally fit quite well together....
Josiegrosie

I'm following the ww plan but pay for the wlr boards. I don't feel the ww boards are as good as here - but I also have just started running and the board here is good for weight loss and the running support. So I pay for both but I do feel that if you motivated to stay on one diet then it doesn't matter which you go on.

Greyrigg

I go to Scottish Slimmers every week to get weighed. I don't use their eating plan because I am an exercise junkie and you don't get any extra when you exercise. I use the food and exercise diary on here and think it is fab. However from experience I do better when I am going to class and getting weighed every week so i don't mind paying for the two :o)
Fifi

am thinking of joining Rosemary Connolly class and doing it alongside WLR. What do you guys think of Rosemary Connolly?
123Sharon

I do RC and WLR at the same time - I find the concepts of both very similary and WLR allows me to keep track of my food diary. RC is bsaed on a 5g of fat per 100g only, whereas WLR allows you to make your own choices but other than that they're very similar and work well together. You will probably find that your calorie allowance from RC is alot higher that WLR but that takes into account your exercise calories (you are supposed to do 30 mins moderate exercise a day on RC).

I like it, I like the class and the exercise and I like the woman who runs my classes. Try it and see if it works for you!
Poppywhistles

I am new to this site but certainly not new to diets. Ive been on slimfast, WW, Slimming World, Cambridge, Lighterlife, Atkins, Low Gi, low fat, The zone and my particular favourate, the eat the same thing three times a day diet! I lost a lot on that one but it was v boring. Oh and Hip and Thigh as well as exercise only - that clearly meant I could eat even more to compensate
Jc1976

tried Slimming world (3 times before I realised that ritual public humiliation was NOT my thing!), the cabbage soup diet and the 3-day diet.
Timetoshiftit

I have been on loads of diets, but mostly weight watchers, which in fairness did work to start with i just found the whole concept of sitting in a room with lots of other overweight women talking about food to be a bit counter productive. I used to come out of the meeting obssesing about food and then binge for the rest of the day as i had just been weighed and had a week to weigh in. I used to loose about a pound a week this way but then it just seemed to stop working.
Julietbrake

So, we've all checked out the "Other Site"....
... And we've given WLR a HUGE thumbs up!
YAY!
CranberryJelly

I tried Nutracheck* in 2005, before I found WLR. I found their user interface very clumsy and frustrating to use, so when I found WLR, it was a boon.

I have been here since March 2005 and I ain't going nowhere.
I think that generally,

1) the fora are fabulous, (yes, that is the correct plural of "forum")
2) the customer service is Number 1 BAR NONE
3) the database, while frustrating sometimes (WHY do people add yet another new entry for damn Oatso-simple when 5 already exist?!?!?!)
4) pricing is fair and competitive

So, I shall stay where I am, ta very much!

*no, I am not worried about naming them - WLR can stand up to the competition and knock them into next week!
Lowlife

There are so many features on here that they don't have - daily reports, weekly reports, nutrition pie charts (I like facts!) - that I realised I would be happier here. OOh, and I love the recipe builder and being able to look at other people's recipes.
WLRMember

40 "diet mistakes" - hmmm

From Tesco/eDiets. Not sure I agree with all of them, 3 and 4 especially, but also the ones that refer to not eating/drinking certain things. Surely prohibiting one type of food is a big dieting mistake in itself!
Ermintrude75