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Best free calorie counter apps

What each app gives you for free, who it suits, and how to set it up with the right targets.

Written by Updated 8 min read

The best free calorie counter app for most people is Cronometer if you want detailed nutrients and a free barcode scanner, FatSecret or MyNetDiary if you want something simple that's free, and MyFitnessPal if you want the biggest food database and don't mind typing foods in. Whichever you choose, the app is only as good as the target you give it, so work out your calories first with the TDEE calculator and your protein, carbs and fat with the macro calculator.

Infographic: Best free calorie counter apps: what's really free. The app is only as good as the target you give it.
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About this comparison. TDEE Plus isn't a tracking app, and we don't earn anything from these apps. Free features were checked in October 2026 and change often; check the app store listing before you commit.

Free features compared

AppFree barcode scannerBest for
CronometerYesVitamins, minerals and accurate, verified food data
MyFitnessPalNo (premium)The largest food database, many restaurant meals
Lose It!No (premium)A friendly interface and simple goal setting
FatSecretYesA simple, fully free food diary
MyNetDiaryYesA clean, simple free diary
YazioYesRecipes and a visual daily overview
MacroFactorNo free plan (trial only)Paid; adjusts your targets from your weight trend

Which app fits you

  • You want the most accurate data: Cronometer. Its database is built mainly from curated sources such as USDA data rather than user entries, so entries are more consistent.
  • You eat out a lot: MyFitnessPal, for restaurant and branded foods, but watch for user-entered duplicates with wrong values.
  • You want it free and simple: FatSecret or MyNetDiary.
  • You're happy to pay for automation: MacroFactor recalculates your targets weekly. You can do the same for free with our weekly track-and-adjust method.

Set your own targets, not the app's

Most apps estimate your calories during sign-up, often from a short questionnaire. You'll get better results by working out your target yourself and typing it in.

ExampleA 35-year-old woman who weighs 68 kg, is 165 cm tall and lightly active has a maintenance of about 1,891 calories. For steady weight loss she would enter about 1,400–1,650 calories, and around 110 g of protein (1.6 g per kg), then let the app fill the rest with carbs and fat.

Logging tips that make any app accurate

  1. Weigh foods for the first two weeks. Guessing portions is where most errors come from.
  2. Log oils, sauces and drinks. A tablespoon of oil is about 119 calories.
  3. Choose verified entries (often marked with a tick) over user-entered ones.
  4. Save your regular meals so logging takes seconds.
  5. Judge by weekly averages, not one day.

Doing it without an app

If tracking every meal isn't for you, use a set of planned meals that hit your target, such as our 7-day diet plan, and check your weight trend weekly. It works because the totals are worked out for you in advance.

Work out your calorie target before you set up any app.

Open the TDEE calculator

Frequently asked questions

What is the best free calorie counter app?
It depends on what you need. Cronometer's free version is strong on nutrient detail and has a free barcode scanner. FatSecret and MyNetDiary are simple and free, with barcode scanning included. MyFitnessPal has the largest food database, but its barcode scanner needs a paid plan.
Is MyFitnessPal still free?
Yes, there is a free version for logging food and calories. When we checked in October 2026, barcode scanning was a premium feature.
Do I need an app to count calories?
No. Many people do well by working out their target once and using a few regular meals. An app helps most in the first few weeks, while you learn portion sizes.
Is TDEE Plus a calorie counting app?
No. TDEE Plus is a set of free calculators that work out your calorie and macro targets. You then use a tracking app, or any food log, to hit those targets.

Keep reading

Macro calculatorTargets to enter in your app.Track and adjustThe free version of adaptive targets.7-day diet planNo app needed.

Sources

  1. MyNetDiary. Best free calorie counter apps compared (free features by app). mynetdiary.com, accessed October 2026.
  2. Hall KD, Sacks G, Chandramohan D, et al. Quantification of the effect of energy imbalance on bodyweight. Lancet. 2011;378(9793):826–837. PubMed 21872751
  3. Jäger R, Kerksick CM, Campbell BI, et al. International Society of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: protein and exercise. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2017;14:20. PubMed 28642676