Last updated: 1 oct 2026
Health disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Calorie tracking is not right for everyone. If you have a history of disordered eating, talk to a healthcare professional before using any tracking app.
The short answer
Cronometer is the best of the three for most people in 2026: its free version includes barcode scanning and detailed nutrition data, and its paid plan is the cheapest. MyFitnessPal has the biggest food database and the most app connections, while Lose It! is the friendliest and most motivating for beginners.
All three apps changed their pricing recently. MyFitnessPal moved barcode scanning to its paid plan back in 2022. Lose It! doubled its Premium price to $79.99 a year in late 2025 and is moving its barcode scanner to Premium as well. Cronometer still keeps barcode scanning free.
We compared each app’s free and paid plans, food databases, logging tools and integrations. Prices are US prices checked in late September 2026 and may differ by region or promotion.
Quick verdict
- Choose Cronometer if you want the most accurate nutrition data and the best free plan.
- Choose MyFitnessPal if you eat many restaurant and packaged foods, or want to sync with lots of fitness apps and devices.
- Choose Lose It! if you are new to tracking and want a simple, upbeat app with challenges and streaks.
MyFitnessPal vs Lose It! vs Cronometer at a glance
| Feature | MyFitnessPal | Lose It! | Cronometer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes, with ads | Yes, with ads | Yes, with ads |
| Barcode scanner on free plan | No (Premium only since 2022) | Being moved to Premium (some free users keep it) | Yes |
| Paid plan (annual) | Premium $79.99; Premium+ $99.99 | Premium $79.99 | Gold $59.99 |
| Paid plan (monthly) | $19.99 (Premium); $24.99 (Premium+) | No monthly option | $10.99 |
| Lifetime option | No | $299.99 one-time | No |
| Food database | Very large, mostly user-submitted | Large (50M+ items) | Smaller, curated and verified |
| Nutrients tracked | Calories, macros, some micronutrients | Calories, macros (Premium), some nutrients | Up to 84 on free; more on Gold |
| Photo / voice logging | Premium (Meal Scan, Voice Log) | Premium (Snap It, voice) | Gold (Photo Log, Voice Log) |
| Meal plans | Premium+ | Limited | No |
| Device syncing | 35+ apps and devices on free plan | Premium | Yes, on free plan |
| Best for | Huge database and integrations | Beginners and motivation | Accuracy and best free plan |
Free vs paid: what each app costs in 2026
Cronometer Gold is the cheapest upgrade at $59.99 a year, while MyFitnessPal Premium and Lose It! Premium both cost $79.99 a year. If you only want a free app, Cronometer gives you the most without paying.
MyFitnessPal
- Free: Calorie and food logging, exercise and weight tracking, syncing with 35+ apps and devices. Includes ads. No barcode scanner and no custom macro goals.
- Premium ($19.99/month or $79.99/year): Barcode scan, Meal Scan photo logging, voice logging, custom macro goals, intermittent fasting tracker, ad-free.
- Premium+ ($24.99/month or $99.99/year): Everything in Premium plus a weekly meal planner.
Lose It!
- Free (Basic): Personal calorie budget and access to the food database. Includes ads. Lose It! is moving the barcode and nutrition label scanners to Premium, so some newer free accounts no longer have them.
- Premium ($79.99/year): Barcode scanning, Snap It photo logging, voice logging, macro and nutrient goals, water and sleep goals, and syncing with smartwatches and fitness trackers. There is no monthly option.
- Lifetime ($299.99 one-time, or $229.99 for active Premium members): All Premium features with no renewal.
Cronometer
- Free (Basic): Food logging with calories, macros and up to 84 nutrients, barcode scanning, custom foods and recipes, device syncing and seven-day reports. Includes ads.
- Gold ($10.99/month or $59.99/year): Ad-free, photo and voice logging, more nutrients, longer reports and charts, fasting timer, recipe import and more planning tools.
All three apps run promotions, and Lose It! uses dynamic pricing, so you may see lower offers after using the free version for a while. Most offer a short free trial of the paid plan; set a reminder before it renews.
Head-to-head: the details that matter
Food database and accuracy
Winner: Cronometer for accuracy, MyFitnessPal for size. MyFitnessPal has the largest database, with almost any brand or restaurant dish you can think of. But most entries are added by users, so you will often find duplicates with different numbers. Cronometer uses curated, verified sources such as government nutrition databases, so you get fewer results but more reliable data. Lose It! sits in between, with a large database and generally cleaner search results.
Logging speed
Winner: Lose It! (with Premium). Lose It! is known for a fast, simple diary, plus Snap It photo logging and voice logging. MyFitnessPal’s Premium tools are similar. Cronometer can feel slower, since it asks for more precise portions, though Gold now adds photo and voice logging. On the free plans, Cronometer is fastest for packaged foods because it still includes barcode scanning.
Nutrition detail
Winner: Cronometer. Cronometer shows vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that the other apps either hide or don’t track. That makes it useful for people who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, or who want to check fiber, iron or protein closely. MyFitnessPal and Lose It! focus mainly on calories and macronutrients.
Motivation and community
Winner: Lose It! Lose It! uses streaks, badges and group challenges to keep you engaged, and many beginners find it the most encouraging. MyFitnessPal has a large community and blog. Cronometer is more of a tool than a coach.
Integrations
Winner: MyFitnessPal. MyFitnessPal syncs with 35+ apps and devices on its free plan, including popular watches and fitness trackers. Cronometer also syncs on its free plan. Lose It! now keeps device syncing for Premium members.
Ads and experience
Tie. All three free versions show ads, and all three remove them on paid plans. MyFitnessPal’s free version is often described as the most crowded with ads and upgrade prompts.
A note on calorie tracking
Tracking can help you understand portions and habits, but it is a tool, not a rule. Food labels and database entries are estimates, so small differences don’t matter much. If logging every bite starts to cause stress or guilt, take a break and consider talking to a registered dietitian.
Pros and cons
MyFitnessPal
Pros
- Largest food database, including restaurants and brands
- Syncs with 35+ apps and devices for free
- Premium+ adds a weekly meal planner
Cons
- No barcode scanner on the free plan
- Many duplicate or inaccurate user entries
- Most expensive monthly price ($19.99)
Lose It!
Pros
- Clean, beginner-friendly design
- Motivating streaks, badges and challenges
- Fast Snap It photo and voice logging (Premium)
- Lifetime option if you plan to use it for years
Cons
- Premium price doubled to $79.99/year, with no monthly plan
- Barcode scanner and device syncing moving behind the paywall
- Fewer nutrient details than Cronometer
Cronometer
Pros
- Best free plan, including barcode scanning
- Verified, accurate food data
- Tracks dozens of vitamins and minerals
- Cheapest paid plan ($59.99/year)
Cons
- Smaller database, especially for restaurant meals
- Can feel technical for beginners
- No meal plans or coaching
Which app should you choose?
Cronometer is best if you:
- Want a capable free app with barcode scanning
- Care about accurate data and vitamins and minerals
- Follow a specific eating style, such as vegetarian or vegan
MyFitnessPal is best if you:
- Often eat out or buy packaged foods
- Use several fitness apps or wearables
- Want meal plans and are happy to pay for Premium+
Lose It! is best if you:
- Are new to tracking and want something simple
- Stay motivated with goals, streaks and challenges
- Plan to use one app for years and like the idea of a lifetime plan
Want more support than an app can give? Programs with coaching may help; see our Noom vs WeightWatchers comparison.
How we compared these apps
We reviewed each app’s official pricing and help pages, app store listings and independent reviews. We compared free and paid features, food database quality, logging tools, nutrient detail, integrations and price. We update this page when pricing or features change.
Frequently asked questions
Is MyFitnessPal or Lose It! better?
MyFitnessPal is better if you want the largest food database and the most device connections. Lose It! is better for beginners who want a simple, motivating app. Both Premium plans now cost $79.99 a year.
Which calorie counting app is best for free?
Cronometer has the best free plan of the three, with barcode scanning and detailed nutrition data. MyFitnessPal’s free plan has no barcode scanner, and Lose It! is moving its scanner to Premium.
Is Cronometer more accurate than MyFitnessPal?
Generally, yes. Cronometer relies on curated and verified food data, while most MyFitnessPal entries are added by users and can contain errors or duplicates.
Does Lose It! have a free barcode scanner?
Not for most new users. Lose It! says it is moving the barcode and nutrition label scanners into Premium, though some existing free members kept access during the change.
Do calorie counting apps help with weight loss?
They can help you become more aware of portions and eating habits, and research links regular self-monitoring with better weight loss results. They work best combined with balanced eating and regular activity. Tracking is not a good fit for everyone, especially people with a history of disordered eating.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.