How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- MyNetDiary has the most generous free tier here: verified foods, free barcode scanning, up to 108 nutrients and no ads.
- Cronometer is the best free choice for micronutrients, tracking up to 95 nutrients with lab-analyzed data and a free barcode scanner.
- MyFitnessPal and Lose It! moved barcode scanning to paid tiers, so free users should check what is actually included before committing.
- MacroFactor is the best paid macro app but has no free plan, so it is included for comparison while the free picks are the others on this list.
Quick comparison
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The best free macro tracking apps
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
MacroFactor is widely regarded as the best macro tracking app for people who train seriously, thanks to an adaptive algorithm that estimates actual energy expenditure from logged food, exercise and trending weight, then updates calorie and macro targets as that estimate changes. That approach beats static calculators, since it learns from the user's real data rather than assuming a fixed formula. MyNetDiary's own description compares its Autopilot feature to MacroFactor's adaptive algorithm, which shows how influential the approach has become.
The catch for this list is price: MacroFactor is subscription-based with no free plan, so it fits this article only as a comparison point for readers willing to pay. Its homepage also returned only a bot-check verification page during this check, so current pricing should be confirmed in the app stores before subscribing. Readers who want free tracking should start with MyNetDiary or Cronometer below.
What we like- Adaptive algorithm that adjusts targets from logged food and weight trends
- Strong reputation among lifters and coaches
- Detailed expenditure estimates
Watch out for- No free plan
- Homepage returned only a verification page in this check, so pricing must be confirmed in the app stores
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Cronometer tracks macros and micros with science-backed, lab-analyzed data, covering up to 95 nutrients and compounds from vitamins and minerals to detailed food composition. Logging works four ways: snap a photo with AI photo logging, speak to Siri or the app, type a search, or scan a barcode for free. The database holds over 1 million verified foods, and device syncing covers watches, rings and phones for a full view of diet, exercise and biometrics.
User reviews repeatedly call the free version comprehensive, with one reviewer noting the free ad-supported version is far better than free or paid versions of rivals for macro and micronutrient tracking. The Gold membership adds personalized insights and trends, but the free tier covers the core tracking most users need. For readers who care about vitamins and minerals as much as protein, carbs and fat, Cronometer is the best free choice here.
What we like- Lab-analyzed nutrition data
- Tracks up to 95 nutrients
- Free barcode scanner
- Photo, voice and text logging
- Device syncing
Watch out for- Free version shows ads per user reviews
- Gold membership needed for personalized insights and trends
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
MyFitnessPal is the world's largest nutrition tracking app, with more than 280 million users, 20.5 million foods, 2,000+ in-app recipes and 30+ cuisines. Its homepage highlights an AI Nutrition Coach for personalized advice, Meal Scan photo logging that recognizes a plate and logs calories, macros and portions, voice logging for hands-free entry, and barcode scanning for packaged foods. Syncing covers steps, weight, workouts and more across 40+ apps and devices.
The free tier covers core calorie and macro tracking, but two limits matter. First, barcode scanning now requires Premium, per MyNetDiary's free-tier comparison, which changes the free experience significantly for packaged-food eaters. Second, the huge database is mostly user-submitted, so entries vary in accuracy compared with verified databases. For sheer database size and integrations, MyFitnessPal still leads, but free users should expect ads and a paid barcode scanner.
What we like- 280+ million users
- 20.5 million foods
- AI Nutrition Coach
- Meal Scan photo logging
- Voice logging
- 40+ app and device integrations
Watch out for- Barcode scanning moved to the paid tier
- Free version shows ads
- Large database is mostly user-submitted
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Lose It! is a calorie counting and weight loss app available since 2008, built around a personalized daily calorie budget based on age, height, weight and goal. Logging works by barcode scan, photographing a plate with Snap It, or speaking with Say It, and the app tracks weight, macros and progress against the budget, with water tracking and device integration through Apple Health and Google Fit. The app is free to download with an optional premium subscription, and it holds a 4.8 rating from 764,000 ratings.
The simplicity is the appeal: a single daily budget, clear progress, and fast logging without nutritional overwhelm. The limit is that barcode scanning has moved to the paid tier, per free-tier comparisons, and some patterns and reports need Premium. For readers who want a simple budget and are happy to search or photograph foods, Lose It! remains one of the easiest free starting points.
What we like- Personalized daily calorie budget
- Barcode scan, Snap It photo and Say It voice logging
- Macro tracking with personalized goals
- Free to download since 2008
Watch out for- Barcode scanning moved to the paid tier per free-tier comparisons
- Some reports and patterns need Premium
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
MyNetDiary offers the most generous free tier on this list: a staff-verified database of over 2 million foods with up to 108 nutrients per item, a free barcode scanner, macro tracking, water tracking, a food journal with full nutrient detail and community access, all with no ads and no account required to start. Its data comes from USDA and NCC research-grade sources, with 2,500 to 3,500 foods reviewed and updated daily, and a 2026 independent validation study found its energy estimates within 5 calories of the reference.
Speed is another strength: in a January 2026 controlled test logging 127 identical entries, MyNetDiary needed 711 actions compared with 1,003 for Cronometer and 1,035 for MyFitnessPal. A GLP-1 companion adds medication tracking, symptom logging and protein-focused dashboards for users on those medications. Premium adds advanced reports, custom macro targets and AI tools, but the core tracking is fully free. For readers who want the best free macro app, start here.
What we like- Free tier with no ads
- Staff-verified database of 2M+ foods
- Up to 108 nutrients per item
- Free barcode scanner
- Fastest logging in a 2026 test
- GLP-1 companion tools
Watch out for- Smaller database than MyFitnessPal
- Advanced reports and AI coaching need Premium or Premium Plus
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Carb Manager is the number one low-carb and keto diet app, with more than 8 million users and a 4.8 average app store rating. It tracks macros and micros across over 1 million foods, with net carbs displayed prominently, plus ketones, blood glucose, insulin, intermittent fasting, glycemic load and GKI for users who manage those metrics. Meal plans and grocery lists adapt to food preferences and allergies, and the database holds more than 3,000 keto recipes.
The keto specialization is both strength and limit: low-carb eaters get exactly the metrics they need, while balanced-diet users may prefer a general tracker. Photo logging sits behind Premium, and some advanced features need a paid plan. For keto and low-carb macro tracking, Carb Manager is the clear specialist pick, and its free tier covers the core macro logging.
What we like- Built for keto and low-carb with net carbs front and center
- Tracks ketones, blood glucose, insulin, fasting and glycemic load
- 1M+ foods
- Meal plans and grocery lists
- 3,000+ keto recipes
Watch out for- Keto focus may not suit balanced-diet trackers
- Photo logging needs Premium
- Some advanced metrics need Premium
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Yazio combines food, fitness and fasting tracking in one app, trusted by more than 100 million users. Its AI food tracking gives instant calorie and nutrition info from a photo, with manual and barcode logging as alternatives, and its fasting timers support flexible plans like 16:8, 5:2 and 6:1. More than 3,000 recipes are tailored to goals and preferences, and fitness tracker syncing covers steps and activities automatically.
The combination of macros and fasting is the draw: users who fast and track macros get both in one place rather than two apps. Some AI features and advanced plans need the Pro subscription, so free users should check which features are included before committing. For readers who pair intermittent fasting with macro tracking, Yazio is the best all-in-one free option.
What we like- Trusted by 100M+ users
- AI photo tracking plus barcode and manual logging
- Intermittent fasting timers with 16:8, 5:2 and 6:1 plans
- 3,000+ recipes
- Fitness tracker syncing
Watch out for- Some AI and advanced features need Pro
- Fasting focus may not suit every user
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Lifesum simplifies healthy eating with multimodal tracking: snap a photo for instant nutrition info, speak for hands-free tracking, type for detailed insights, scan barcodes, or use quick tracking for simple entries. The app gives a detailed breakdown of protein, carb and fat intake, including sugars, fiber and saturated fats, and adjusts nutrient targets to personal preferences. Meal plans cover lifestyles from protein weight loss and Mediterranean to fasting and keto, and one-tap trackers cover water, fruit and vegetables.
With more than 60 million users and 920,000+ reviews, Lifesum is one of the most popular nutrition apps worldwide. Its strength is simplicity: healthy eating guidance without the data overwhelm of Cronometer or MyNetDiary. Power users who want deep micronutrient detail may find it light, but for readers who want macro tracking wrapped in a clean, encouraging experience, Lifesum is a strong free choice.
What we like- Trusted by 60M+ users
- Multimodal tracking by photo, voice, text, barcode or quick entry
- Detailed protein, carb and fat breakdowns
- Meal plans for keto, Mediterranean, fasting and more
- Wearable syncing
Watch out for- Some meal plans and advanced insights need Premium
- Simpler than specialist macro apps for power users
How we chose
We picked macro tracking apps available to US users with genuinely usable free tiers, covering general tracking, keto, fasting and adaptive coaching. Each homepage was opened to confirm the app exists and matches its description, and free plan details were taken from the vendor's own pages where shown. Where a homepage did not display pricing, we wrote "See website" rather than guessing. One well-known nutrition database was left out because its website is temporarily offline for upgrades, so its consumer app could not be confirmed. MacroFactor's homepage returned only a verification page during this check, so it is flagged and its pricing should be confirmed in the app stores.
A note on health and tracking
Macro tracking apps are organizational tools, not medical advice. Calorie and macro targets from an app are estimates, and individual needs vary with age, activity, health conditions and medications. If you have diabetes, an eating disorder history, kidney disease, or take medications like GLP-1 drugs, talk to a doctor or registered dietitian before setting aggressive targets. Track for awareness and consistency rather than perfection, and if tracking starts to raise anxiety or guilt around food, take a break or switch to a simpler approach. The best app is the one you actually use for a few weeks, not the one with the most features.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best truly free macro tracking app?
MyNetDiary has the strongest free tier: verified foods, free barcode scanning, up to 108 nutrients and no ads. Cronometer is the best free alternative for micronutrient detail, with up to 95 nutrients and a free barcode scanner.
Is MyFitnessPal still free?
Yes, core calorie and macro tracking is free, but barcode scanning moved to the Premium tier, and free users see ads. MyNetDiary and Cronometer both still offer free barcode scanning, which makes them better free choices for packaged-food eaters.
Which macro app is best for keto?
Carb Manager is built for keto and low-carb, with net carbs front and center plus ketone, blood glucose and fasting tracking. MyNetDiary and Cronometer also support keto macro targets, but Carb Manager's specialization is unmatched.
Do I need to pay for a good macro app?
No, for most users. MyNetDiary, Cronometer, Lose It! and Yazio all cover core macro tracking free. Paid plans add convenience like photo logging, AI coaching and advanced reports, but they are not required for accurate tracking.
How accurate are macro tracking apps?
Accuracy depends on the database. Staff-verified databases like MyNetDiary's 2 million foods and Cronometer's lab-analyzed data tend to be more accurate than user-submitted databases like MyFitnessPal's. Independent testing found MyNetDiary's energy estimates within 5 calories of the reference for standardized menus.
Can macro tracking apps help with GLP-1 medications?
Yes, several apps now include GLP-1 tools. MyNetDiary offers a GLP-1 companion with medication tracking, symptom logging and protein-focused dashboards, and MyFitnessPal lets users log doses and side effects alongside nutrition. Always discuss targets with your prescribing clinician.
Sources we checked (8)
- https://macrofactorapp.com
- https://cronometer.com
- https://www.myfitnesspal.com
- https://www.loseit.com
- https://www.mynetdiary.com
- https://www.carbmanager.com
- https://yazio.com
- https://lifesum.com
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.
MacroFactor
Cronometer
MyFitnessPal
Lose It!
MyNetDiary
Carb Manager
Yazio
Lifesum