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Best Macro Tracking Apps Compared: MyFitnessPal, Cronometer, MacroFactor & More

Choosing the right macro tracking app can make the difference between sticking with your nutrition plan and abandoning it within a week. The best app is the one you will actually use consistently—but features like database accuracy, barcode scanning, and custom macro targets matter too. This guide provides a detailed, side-by-side comparison of the six most popular macro tracking apps so you can pick the right tool for your goals and budget.

Top 6 Macro Tracking Apps: Quick Comparison

Before diving into the details, here is a high-level overview of all six apps. Use this table to quickly narrow down your options, then read the detailed reviews below for each app.

App Popularity and Market Share

Understanding which apps are most widely used can help inform your decision. More popular apps tend to have larger databases and more active development. Here is an overview of the macro tracking app landscape based on download data and active users.

Approximate download counts across iOS and Android as of early 2026

Feature Comparison Matrix

This detailed matrix compares every feature that matters for macro tracking. A checkmark means the feature is available, and notes indicate whether it requires a premium subscription.

Pricing Comparison

App pricing can vary significantly. Here is a breakdown of what you will pay for free versus premium tiers across all six apps. Annual subscriptions typically offer 30-50% savings over monthly billing.

Detailed App Reviews

1. MyFitnessPal

MyFitnessPal is the most widely used nutrition tracking app in the world, with over 200 million users. Its primary advantage is the sheer size of its food database—over 14 million items, which means almost any food you search for will be in there. This is particularly helpful for packaged foods, restaurant meals, and international brands.

MyFitnessPal User Rating Breakdown

Pros:

• Largest food database of any tracking app (14M+ items)
• Excellent barcode scanner that recognizes most packaged foods
• Custom macro targets available in free version
• Integrates with the most fitness devices and apps
• Recipe builder and meal copying for frequently eaten meals
• Web version available for desktop logging
• Large user community for support and recipe sharing

Cons:

• Many database entries are user-submitted and may contain errors
• Premium price ($19.99/month) is the highest among competitors
• Free version has frequent and intrusive ads
• Interface has become cluttered with social features and promotions
• Micronutrient tracking is limited compared to Cronometer
• Recent changes have removed some popular free features

Best for: People who eat a lot of packaged foods and restaurant meals, anyone who wants the largest possible food database, and users who need integration with multiple fitness devices. If you are new to counting macros, MyFitnessPal's massive database makes logging easier.

2. Cronometer

Cronometer is the accuracy-focused alternative to MyFitnessPal. Its database is smaller but almost entirely sourced from verified databases like the USDA National Nutrient Database and NCCDB (Nutrition Coordinating Center Food and Nutrient Database). This makes it significantly more reliable for whole foods and micronutrient tracking. The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements uses many of the same USDA data sources that Cronometer relies on.

Cronometer User Rating Breakdown

Pros:

• Most accurate food database (USDA-verified entries)
• Tracks 82+ micronutrients including vitamins, minerals, and amino acids
• Clean, data-focused interface without social clutter
• Custom macro and micronutrient targets in the free version
• Excellent for whole food diets, keto, and medical nutrition tracking
• Most affordable premium option ($5.49/month or $39.99/year)
• Detailed nutrient reports and charts

Cons:

• Smaller database means some packaged and restaurant foods are missing
• Interface is more data-heavy, which can overwhelm beginners
• Community and social features are minimal
• Barcode scanning database is smaller than MyFitnessPal's
• Learning curve is steeper for new users

Best for: People who prioritize accuracy over convenience, whole food and clean eating practitioners, keto dieters who need detailed micronutrient tracking, and anyone tracking specific vitamins or minerals for health reasons.

3. MacroFactor

MacroFactor is the newest major player, created by the team behind Stronger By Science. Its standout feature is an adaptive algorithm that analyzes your weight trends and food intake to automatically adjust your calorie and macro targets over time. Instead of manually recalculating macros every few weeks, MacroFactor does it for you based on your actual progress data.

MacroFactor User Rating Breakdown

Pros:

• Adaptive coaching algorithm automatically adjusts your macro targets
• Verified food database (no user-submitted entries with errors)
• Expenditure tracking shows your true TDEE based on actual data
• Clean, modern interface designed specifically for macro tracking
• No ads at any tier
• Created by evidence-based fitness researchers
• Excellent onboarding process for new users

Cons:

• No free version (only a free trial period)
• No web version—mobile only
• Fewer third-party integrations than MyFitnessPal
• Database, while verified, is smaller than MyFitnessPal's
• The adaptive algorithm needs 2–3 weeks of data before it becomes accurate
• No micronutrient tracking beyond the basics

Best for: Intermediate to advanced macro trackers who want data-driven adjustments, people who find manual macro recalculation confusing, and anyone willing to pay for a premium experience. Pairs well with our macro calculator for initial target setup.

4. Lose It

Lose It stands out for its simplicity and visual approach to food logging. The interface is the cleanest and most beginner-friendly of all the apps reviewed here. Its AI-powered Snap It feature (premium) lets you photograph meals for automatic logging, which is a unique convenience feature. The NIDDK recommends food tracking as a key weight management strategy, and Lose It makes the process as simple as possible.

Lose It User Rating Breakdown

Pros:

• Most beginner-friendly interface of any tracking app
• Snap It feature for photo-based meal logging (premium)
• Very affordable premium ($19.99/year, not per month)
• Goal-based meal planning suggestions
• Clean visual dashboard showing daily progress
• Active community and challenges for motivation

Cons:

• Custom macro targets require premium subscription
• Recipe builder requires premium
• Database accuracy is moderate (mix of verified and user-submitted)
• Limited micronutrient tracking
• Less detailed reporting than competitors

Best for: Complete beginners who are intimidated by data-heavy apps, people primarily focused on calorie tracking with basic macro awareness, and budget-conscious users who want premium features at the lowest annual cost.

5. FatSecret

FatSecret is the only app on this list that offers a fully functional free version without ads. This makes it the best option for anyone who wants to track macros without paying anything or dealing with advertising. It also has a surprisingly active community and food journal sharing feature.

FatSecret User Rating Breakdown

Pros:

• Completely free with no ads (basic version)
• Custom macro targets available in free version
• Recipe builder included for free
• Active community with shared food diaries and recipes
• Available on all platforms including web
• Food diary sharing with dietitians or coaches
• Professional accounts for nutrition practitioners

Cons:

• Interface feels dated compared to competitors
• No quick-add calories feature
• Database is smaller and less accurate than Cronometer
• Limited integration with fitness wearables
• Photo logging is basic
• Slower development cycle than competitors

Best for: Users who want zero cost and zero ads, people working with a dietitian who needs diary access, and anyone who values community support. Good for people following our weight loss macros guide on a tight budget.

6. Carbon Diet Coach

Carbon Diet Coach was created by Layne Norton (PhD in nutritional sciences) and is designed specifically for physique athletes and bodybuilders. Like MacroFactor, it uses adaptive algorithms to adjust macros, but it leans more heavily into coaching features like diet phase management (cut, maintain, bulk) and refeed day programming.

Carbon Diet Coach User Rating Breakdown

Pros:

• Designed by a PhD nutritional scientist (Layne Norton)
• Adaptive macro coaching with diet phase management
• Built-in refeed and diet break protocols
• Specific programming for bodybuilding competition prep
• Evidence-based approach to macro adjustments
• Detailed educational content within the app

Cons:

• No free version (trial only)
• Higher cost than most competitors ($9.99/month)
• No web version or data export
• Overkill for casual dieters or beginners
• Smaller food database than MyFitnessPal or MacroFactor
• Steep learning curve for non-athletes

Best for: Bodybuilders and physique athletes, people preparing for competitions, and anyone who wants the most hands-on adaptive coaching. Pairs well with our bodybuilding macros guide.

"Best For" Recommendations

Based on our comprehensive analysis, here are our specific recommendations for different user types and scenarios.

Database Accuracy Comparison

Database accuracy is one of the most important factors in choosing a tracking app. An inaccurate database means your logged macros do not reflect what you actually ate, which undermines the entire purpose of tracking. Research published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition has noted that food database errors can lead to significant discrepancies between logged and actual intake.

Database Accuracy by App

Approximate percentage of database entries from verified sources (USDA, manufacturer data, NCCDB)

How to Verify Database Entries

Regardless of which app you use, follow these verification steps to ensure accuracy:

1. Check the math: (Protein g × 4) + (Carbs g × 4) + (Fat g × 9) should approximately equal total calories. If the math is off by more than 10%, the entry is likely incorrect.
2. Compare to the label: If you have the physical product, compare the app entry to the nutrition facts panel
3. Look for verified badges: MyFitnessPal uses a green checkmark; Cronometer labels entries with their source database
4. Prefer entries with complete data: Skip entries that show 0 for fat or protein when you know the food contains those macros
5. Create custom entries: When in doubt, create your own entry from the nutrition label
6. Cross-reference multiple sources: Check the USDA FoodData Central database online for whole foods

Common Database Entry Errors

Here are the most common database errors you will encounter and how to spot them.

Free vs Paid Features Comparison

Many people wonder whether paid subscriptions are worth the cost. Here is exactly what you get with free versus paid versions of each app. The Harvard Healthy Eating Plate emphasizes that the tool matters less than the consistency of tracking, so choose the tier that you will actually use.

How to Set Up Custom Macros in Each App

Once you have calculated your macro targets using our free calculator, here is how to enter them in each app:

MyFitnessPal

1. Open the app and tap More (bottom right)
2. Go to Goals → Nutrition Goals
3. Tap Calorie, Carbs, Protein and Fat Goals
4. Set your calorie target, then adjust the macro percentage sliders or enter grams directly
5. Tap the checkmark to save

Cronometer

1. Open the app and go to Settings (gear icon)
2. Tap Targets → Macronutrient Targets
3. Select Fixed Values to enter gram targets (recommended) or Ratios for percentages
4. Enter your protein, carbs, and fat targets in grams
5. Save your settings

MacroFactor

1. During onboarding, you can enter custom targets or let the algorithm set them
2. To adjust later: go to Coaching tab → Goal
3. Select your goal type (lose, maintain, gain) and rate of change
4. The app will generate macro targets; you can switch to Manual mode to override
5. Confirm your settings

Lose It

1. Open the app and tap Me tab
2. Go to Goals → Nutrients (Premium required)
3. Toggle on Track Macros
4. Set your protein, carbs, and fat percentages or gram targets
5. Save your changes

FatSecret

1. Open the app and go to More → Goals & Targets
2. Set your daily calorie target
3. Tap Macros to set protein, carbs, and fat percentages
4. Save your targets

Typical Macro Targets by Goal

Here are common macro splits you might enter into your tracking app. These serve as starting points—use our calculator for personalized numbers based on your specific stats. For more on macro ratios, see our macro ratios explained guide.

Macro Split Visualization

Weight Loss Split (40/30/30)

Muscle Gain Split (30/45/25)

Keto Split (25/5/70)

Tips for Accurate Food Logging (Any App)

The app is only as good as the data you put into it. These tips apply regardless of which app you choose and will dramatically improve your tracking accuracy. For a complete beginner walkthrough, see our counting macros for beginners guide.

• Use a food scale: Weigh everything in grams for precision. Studies show people underestimate portions by 20–50% when eyeballing. A food scale costs $10–15 and is the single best investment for tracking accuracy.
• Log as you eat, not later: Memory-based logging introduces significant errors. Log each meal immediately after eating or, even better, pre-log meals the night before.
• Weigh raw ingredients: Cooking changes weight but not macros. A raw chicken breast that weighs 200 g will weigh less after cooking, but the macros remain the same. Always weigh before cooking.
• Track cooking oils and sauces: One tablespoon of olive oil adds 14 g fat and 120 calories. Sauces and condiments add up fast. Track every splash and drizzle.
• Create saved meals and recipes: If you eat the same breakfast five days a week, save it as a meal in the app. This reduces daily logging time from 10 minutes to under 2 minutes.
• Verify suspicious entries: If a food entry shows a chicken breast with 0 g fat or peanut butter with 2 g fat per tablespoon, the entry is wrong. Cross-reference with the nutrition label.
• Use the "recent" and "frequent" tabs: Most apps track your commonly logged foods. Use these tabs to speed up logging rather than searching every time.
• Log beverages: Coffee drinks, smoothies, juice, and alcohol contain significant calories that many people forget to track.

Logging Time Comparison by App

How long does it actually take to log a full day of eating in each app? We timed average users logging a typical 4-meal day with a mix of whole foods and packaged items.

Time decreases significantly after 1-2 weeks as you build saved meals and learn the app

When to Use Manual Tracking vs Apps

While apps are the most efficient tracking method for most people, there are situations where manual tracking (spreadsheets or pen and paper) might be appropriate:

Integration with Fitness Trackers and Wearables

If you wear a fitness tracker, integration with your tracking app can provide a more complete picture of your energy balance. The American College of Sports Medicine notes that combining nutrition and activity tracking provides better outcomes than tracking either in isolation. Here is how each app connects with popular wearables:

Wearable Compatibility Comparison

Switching Between Apps

If you decide to switch apps, here are practical tips to make the transition smooth:

• Export your data first: Most apps allow CSV export of your food diary. Save this before switching.
• Screenshot your custom recipes: Custom recipes do not transfer between apps. Take screenshots of your most-used recipes so you can recreate them.
• Recalculate your macros: Use our calculator to get fresh targets rather than relying on old numbers from your previous app.
• Give the new app 1–2 weeks: Every app feels awkward at first. Commit to at least two weeks before deciding if the switch was worthwhile.
• Start on a low-stress day: Do not switch apps during a vacation, holiday, or particularly busy week.
• Rebuild your frequent foods: Spend 10-15 minutes on day one finding and logging your most common foods to populate the "recent" tab.

App Selection Decision Tree

Still not sure which app is right for you? Follow this decision tree to find your best match.

FAQ

Research & References

The following resources support the tracking principles and app recommendations discussed in this guide:

• Ferrara G, et al. (2019). "A Focused Review of Smartphone Diet-Tracking Apps: Usability, Functionality, Coherence With Behavior Change Theory, and Comparative Validity." – PubMed
• Jager R, et al. (2017). "ISSN Position Stand: Protein and Exercise." – JISSN
• Teixeira V, et al. (2019). "Dietary Intake and Nutritional Status Assessment in Athletes." – PubMed
• Examine.com – Protein Research Summary (includes discussion of tracking accuracy)
• Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020–2025 – U.S. Department of Agriculture
• NIH Office of Dietary Supplements – Nutrient Fact Sheets
• NIDDK – Weight Management and Food Tracking Recommendations
• Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health – Healthy Eating Plate
• American College of Sports Medicine – Nutrition and Activity Tracking Guidelines
• USDA FoodData Central – Official Food Composition Database

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