GYM RPG
Best for: lifters who want food logging next to their workouts.
Logging food on consecutive days multiplies your workout XP up to 1.5x. Platforms: iOS and Android.
Free tier: meal logging with calories and macros is free; the barcode scanner is Pro. Paid: pro: $7.99/mo or $49.99/yr on the US App Store. The catch: basic food logging, not a specialist food database.
MyFitnessPal
Best for: people whose main goal is calorie and food tracking.
The calorie counter most people already know, with exercise logging on the free tier. Platforms: iOS confirmed; Android and web not verified.
Free tier: calorie, weight and exercise tracking, with ads. Paid: premium: EUR 49.99/yr or 9.99/mo on its site; the USD price was not verified. The catch: barcode scanning, custom macro goals, ad-free use and CSV export are Premium only.
Cronometer
Best for: people who want detailed nutrient tracking.
The free plan includes the barcode scanner and custom micronutrient targets. Platforms: iOS confirmed; Android and web not verified.
Free tier: basic: food, exercise and biometrics logging, up to 84 nutrients, custom targets and a barcode scanner; reports limited to 7 days. Paid: gold: $10.99/mo or $59.99/yr. The catch: free reports and charts are limited to 7 days, and ad-free use, the fasting timer and the recipe importer need Gold.
Lose It!
Best for: people who want a calorie budget for weight loss.
A personalized calorie budget, with voice and photo logging. Platforms: iOS confirmed; Android and web not verified.
Free tier: free calorie tracking, a weight loss plan and a community. Paid: premium yearly subscription; the price was not verified. The catch: barcode scanning is Premium according to its App Store listing.
MacroFactor
Best for: people who want adaptive calorie and macro targets.
Calorie and macro targets adjust from weekly check-ins, with no ads. Platforms: iOS confirmed; Android and web not verified.
Free tier: none; 7-day free trial. Paid: $11.99/mo, $47.99 per 6 months or $71.99/yr; $89.99/yr bundled with the Workouts app. The catch: no free tier, and strength logging lives in a separate paid app.
Yazio
Best for: people who want meal plans and recipes.
2,900+ recipes with meal planning and a grocery list. Platforms: iOS confirmed; Android and web not verified.
Free tier: calorie counter, food diary, barcode scanner (per its listing), water tracking and fasting plans. Paid: pro is billed for 3 or 12 months with no monthly plan; the USD price was not verified. The catch: cSV export is Pro only, and there is no monthly plan.
FatSecret
Best for: people who want a free calorie tracker with barcode scanning.
Barcode scanning and the diary are free. Platforms: iOS confirmed; Android and web not verified.
Free tier: food diary, exercise and weight logging, barcode scanning and a community. Paid: premium (monthly, quarterly or annual, varies by region); the price was not verified. The catch: the exercise diary cannot be exported.
Carb Manager
Best for: people following a keto or low-carb diet.
Net-carb and macro tracking built for keto. Platforms: iOS confirmed; Android and web not verified.
Free tier: basic: free to download and use. Paid: premium: about $39.99/yr. The catch: its own pages disagree on whether the barcode scanner is free.
How to choose
- Detailed nutrients and a free barcode scanner: Cronometer.
- Targets that adapt to your progress: MacroFactor (no free tier).
- The biggest name with a free calorie counter: MyFitnessPal (scanner and custom macros are Premium).
- Meal plans and recipes: Yazio.
- Keto or low carb: Carb Manager.
- Food and lifting in one app: GYM RPG, with a lighter food log.
GYM RPG, MyFitnessPal, Cronometer, Lose It!, MacroFactor, Yazio, FatSecret, Carb Manager at a glance
| App | Best for | Free tier | Paid plan | Honest catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GYM RPG | Lifters who want food logging next to their workouts | Meal logging with calories and macros is free; the barcode scanner is Pro | Pro: $7.99/mo or $49.99/yr on the US App Store | Basic food logging, not a specialist food database |
| MyFitnessPal | People whose main goal is calorie and food tracking | Calorie, weight and exercise tracking, with ads | Premium: EUR 49.99/yr or 9.99/mo on its site; the USD price was not verified | Barcode scanning, custom macro goals, ad-free use and CSV export are Premium only |
| Cronometer | People who want detailed nutrient tracking | Basic: food, exercise and biometrics logging, up to 84 nutrients, custom targets and a barcode scanner; reports limited to 7 days | Gold: $10.99/mo or $59.99/yr | Free reports and charts are limited to 7 days, and ad-free use, the fasting timer and the recipe importer need Gold |
| Lose It! | People who want a calorie budget for weight loss | Free calorie tracking, a weight loss plan and a community | Premium yearly subscription; the price was not verified | Barcode scanning is Premium according to its App Store listing |
| MacroFactor | People who want adaptive calorie and macro targets | None; 7-day free trial | $11.99/mo, $47.99 per 6 months or $71.99/yr; $89.99/yr bundled with the Workouts app | No free tier, and strength logging lives in a separate paid app |
| Yazio | People who want meal plans and recipes | Calorie counter, food diary, barcode scanner (per its listing), water tracking and fasting plans | Pro is billed for 3 or 12 months with no monthly plan; the USD price was not verified | CSV export is Pro only, and there is no monthly plan |
| FatSecret | People who want a free calorie tracker with barcode scanning | Food diary, exercise and weight logging, barcode scanning and a community | Premium (monthly, quarterly or annual, varies by region); the price was not verified | The exercise diary cannot be exported |
| Carb Manager | People following a keto or low-carb diet | Basic: free to download and use | Premium: about $39.99/yr | Its own pages disagree on whether the barcode scanner is free |