Best of
Best calorie counter app: five options compared
The best calorie counter app depends on how you like to log and what the free plan allows. MyFitnessPal, MyNetDiary and Cronometer are general-purpose trackers, while Cal AI and AI Calorie focus on photo logging. This page lists what each says publicly, with dates and sources. We make AI Calorie, so it is a guide, not a ranking.
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We make AI Calorie, one of the apps below. We have not tested any app's accuracy, and we apply the same criteria to every app. Facts come from each company's own site on the date shown, and can change. App names are trademarks of their owners; there is no affiliation or endorsement.
How we compared
For every app we recorded the same six things from its own website: what the free tier includes, photo or AI logging, barcode scanning, platforms, any price shown, and the date we checked. Where a page did not say, the table says so. We did not rank the apps or score their accuracy.
| Free tier (as listed) | Photo or AI logging | Barcode scan | Platforms | Price shown | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MyFitnessPal [1] | Nutrition and weight tracking; exercise tracking | "Meal Scan" and "Voice Log" listed under Premium | Listed under Premium | Not stated on the page checked | MYR 41.90 per month, MYR 177.99 per year when checked |
| Cal AI [2] | 3-day free trial advertised; an ongoing free tier is not stated | Photo logging with phone depth sensor, per Cal AI | Listed | iOS and Android | Not listed on the homepage |
| MyNetDiary [3] | Food diary, barcode scanner, macro tracking and water tracking; site says no ads in the free tier | "Meal Scan" (photo logging) and AI voice logging listed under Premium Plus | Free tier | iPhone, iPad and Android store links shown | Not shown on the page checked |
| Cronometer [4] | A free version exists per its site; details are on a linked page we did not read | "AI Photo Logging" mentioned; plan not stated | Described as free | Web, iOS and Android | Not shown on the page checked |
| AI Calorie (ours) | 1 photo scan, 5 text logs and 2 insights per day | AI photo scan and AI text logging | Barcode scanning in the app | Android on Google Play; iPhone coming soon | On Google Play in Malaysia: RM9.90 per week, RM29.90 per month, RM199 per year |
What is the best calorie counter app?
There is no single best app. Choose by how you like to log (search, barcode, photo or voice), what the free plan includes, the price in your store, and how clearly numbers are marked as estimates. Use the table above to shortlist two apps, then try their free tiers before paying.
What is the best free calorie counter app?
Among the apps compared, MyNetDiary lists a barcode scanner, macro tracking and food diary in its free tier, and Cronometer describes its barcode scanner as free. AI Calorie's free plan allows 1 photo scan, 5 text logs and 2 insights per day, which suits people who prefer logging by photo.
See also what the AI Calorie free plan includes.
Which calorie counter app is best for photo logging?
Cal AI and AI Calorie are built around logging from a photo, and MyNetDiary lists photo meal scan under Premium Plus. Cal AI advertises a 3-day free trial, while AI Calorie has a free plan with 1 photo scan per day. We have not tested accuracy, so judge each on your own meals.
AI Calorie vs Cal AI · how the AI calorie counter works
Which calorie counter app tracks the most nutrients?
Cronometer's site says you can track up to 95 different nutrients and compounds, which is more detail than most apps list. If you only need calories and macros, a simpler app may be enough. AI Calorie focuses on calories, protein, carbs and fat.
Best for, based only on what each app lists
- Logging by photo on a free plan: AI Calorie (1 photo scan per day). Cal AI advertises a 3-day trial instead.
- Free barcode scanning and macro tracking: MyNetDiary lists both in its free tier.
- Detailed nutrient tracking: Cronometer, per its "up to 95 nutrients" statement.
- Free nutrition, weight and exercise tracking: MyFitnessPal, with scanning and voice logging under Premium.
Apps we left out
Lose It, FatSecret and Yazio are popular, but their official pages did not load when we checked on 14 October 2026, so we make no claims about them. We will add them once we can verify what they list.
Sources
- MyFitnessPal, plans page, myfitnesspal.com/premium, checked 11 October 2026 (prices shown in MYR).
- Cal AI, homepage, calai.app, checked 11 October 2026.
- MyNetDiary, homepage, mynetdiary.com, checked 14 October 2026.
- Cronometer, homepage, cronometer.com, checked 14 October 2026.
Related: MyFitnessPal alternative · AI Calorie pricing · about us
AI Calorie gives general nutrition information and AI-generated estimates. It is not medical advice. See medical review and our Terms of Use.