Top Diet Tracking Apps to Try in 2025: Your Guide to Smarter Eating

Keeping tabs on your meals can make a huge difference in meeting health goals—from losing weight to building muscle or simply improving your eating patterns. Fortunately, top diet tracking apps do the heavy lifting for you, logging meals, counting calories, and tracking nutrients. Below, you’ll find 10 of the best diet tracking apps for 2025—split into 5 free and 5 paid. Whether you want a bare-bones tracker or a more robust experience (complete with coaching, meal plans, or advanced macros), there’s something here for everyone. Let’s delve in and see which calorie counting app best fits your style!

Top 5 Free Diet Tracking Apps

1. MyFitnessPal

• Free Plan: Includes meal logging, typed food search, ads, and basic macro charts
• Premium: $9.99/month or $49.99/year (unlocks barcode scanner, in-depth nutrient analysis, ad removal)

MyFitnessPal is a powerhouse for calorie and nutrient tracking, featuring an enormous user-created database of over 11 million foods (including many restaurant items). You can log meals via text search (barcode scanning is now a Premium feature) and instantly see daily macro breakdowns. It integrates with popular fitness devices (Fitbit, Garmin, etc.), letting you offset exercise calories against your intake goal. The community forums are lively, offering advice, recipes, and success stories.

Pros:

• Massive food database (covers restaurant meals, grocery items, and homemade recipes)
• Syncs with fitness wearables to auto-adjust calorie goals
• Active user community for motivation and tips

Cons:

• Barcode scanner is paywalled in Premium
• User-generated entries can be inconsistent or duplicated
• Ads in the free version can be distracting

2. Lose It!

• Free Plan: Ad-supported, basic calorie/macro tracking, large food database
• Premium: $39.99/year or $9.99/month (adds custom macro goals, more detailed insights, advanced device sync)

Lose It! emphasizes simple weight-loss tracking by assigning you a daily calorie budget based on your goals. You can log meals by searching an extensive database, scanning barcodes, or using the “Snap It” feature to identify foods via photos. The app displays an easy-to-read macro chart and gives the option to participate in social or group “challenges,” which can boost motivation. While the free version offers plenty, upgrading unlocks detailed nutrients, custom macro ratios, and deeper syncing with devices like Apple Watch.

Pros:

• Beginner-friendly setup (calculates a daily calorie budget automatically)
• “Snap It” photo feature for faster logging
• Built-in social challenges add fun and accountability

Cons:

• Free version includes ads
• Some advanced integrations (fitness trackers) require Premium
• Food database can occasionally be cluttered by user-submitted entries

3. Cronometer

• Free Plan: Ads present; tracks macros, micros (vitamins/minerals), and offers basic reports
• Gold: $8.99/month or $49.99/year (removes ads, adds custom charts/biometrics, priority support)

Cronometer is perfect for data-minded individuals needing detailed nutrition info. It covers up to 84 nutrients—far beyond basic calories, carbs, fat, and protein—so you get insight into vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and more. Its database relies on verified entries where possible, ensuring better accuracy than purely user-driven options. If you’re on a special regimen (keto, vegan, paleo), Cronometer lets you customize targets. Though the interface can appear clinical at first, it’s a top choice for those who want genuine depth in their diet tracking.

Pros:

• Exceptionally thorough nutrient tracking (including vitamins/minerals)
• Verified data helps minimize incorrect or duplicate entries
• Handy for specialized diets (keto, vegan, paleo)

Cons:

• Can be overwhelming if you just want simple calorie counts
• Gold plan is costlier than many other paid upgrades
• Smaller in-app community compared to some popular rivals

4. MyNetDiary

• Free Plan: Basic calorie logging, barcode scanner, and macro tracking
• Premium: $8.99/month or $59.99/year (unlocks advanced coaching tips, deeper analytics, expanded device sync)

MyNetDiary delivers a visually clean, streamlined diet-tracking experience. Beyond logging meals (via text search or barcode scanning), it gives color-coded feedback on your daily diet—so if you’re overshooting sugar, saturated fat, or overall calories, it provides gentle nudges to recalibrate. Premium users can access more detailed health advice, an AI meal coach, and in-depth device integrations (like connecting to Garmin or Fitbit). If you want a nice balance of user-friendliness and healthy-eating guidance, MyNetDiary’s interface might be just right.

Pros:

• Modern, uncluttered interface
• Basic coaching feedback on unhealthy food patterns
• Free barcode scanning (unlike MyFitnessPal)

Cons:

• Premium required for full device syncing and meal-planning tools
• Smaller user community than MyFitnessPal or Lose It!
• Annual plan pricier compared to some other freemium apps

5. FatSecret

• Free Plan: Full logging (calories, macros), barcode scanner, monthly progress summaries
• Premium: ~$6–$7/month or $38.99/year (removes ads, adds advanced meal planning)

FatSecret is a refreshingly free calorie counter that doesn’t nag you to upgrade. It covers the essentials: daily food logs, macros, exercise tracking, and a barcode scanner for packaged foods. Community forums and “Challenges” let users compete in weight-loss or health goals together. While the interface isn’t the slickest, it’s functional, and many appreciate the no-frills approach. If you want to avoid frequent paywall pop-ups and still get reliable tracking, FatSecret is worth a look.

Pros:

• Genuinely free for most features (no forced Premium for basic logging)
• Community challenges offer social motivation
• Straightforward, minimal setup

Cons:

• Interface feels dated compared to newer apps
• Database can have inaccuracies from user entries
• Premium upgrade adds few extra benefits

Top 5 Paid Diet Tracking Apps

6. Noom

• Typically $60–$70/month on a rolling basis
• Discounts for multi-month or annual plans (often $17–$20/month)
• 2-week free trial is common

Noom blends daily calorie logging with a psychology-driven curriculum that aims to shift your habits. You’ll read short articles on topics like mindful eating, emotional triggers, and portion control. The built-in database covers most foods, while color-coding (green, yellow, orange) guides you toward more nutrient-dense options. You also have access to a personal coach and group chats for moral support. If you like the idea of a structured weight-loss “course” delivered via app, Noom’s deeper approach might appeal to you.

Pros:

• Tackles the mental and emotional side of weight loss
• Daily lessons feel like a guided program
• Personal coach + group chat keeps you accountable

Cons:

• Expensive for those used to cheaper or free trackers
• Some find daily tasks/time commitment a bit high
• Database smaller than MyFitnessPal or Lose It!

7. WeightWatchers (WW)

• Digital: About $23/month (often with promotional rates)
• Workshop: $45+/month for in-person or virtual sessions
• No free option, though short-term discounts or refunds may apply

WW stands on its decades-old points system, assigning each food a specific point value. With the app, you’ll scan barcodes or search items to track points, check thousands of recipes, and connect with other members via the “Connect” social feed. Higher-tier plans let you attend group meetings or personal coaching sessions. Unlike pure calorie counters, WW’s method nudges you to select more filling, low-point foods (like fruits and veggies) while allowing occasional treats. It’s popular for those who want a sense of community plus an established weight-loss framework.

Pros:

• Points system can feel less rigid than raw calorie counting
• Large built-in community and optional in-person workshops
• Well-established, proven results over many years

Cons:

• Monthly fees stack up quickly, especially for Workshop or coaching
• Points may be too abstract if you prefer direct nutrient data
• Frequent “program updates” can confuse longtime members

8. Lifesum

• Free Plan: Very limited, mostly just basic logging with ads
• Premium: $8–$15/month (annual billing brings costs down)

Lifesum stands out for its stylish design and variety of diet plans: keto, Mediterranean, 5:2 fasting, high-protein, and more. You’ll find curated recipes, meal plans, and even shopping lists tied to whichever diet approach you select. A barcode scanner makes logging easy, and the “Life Score” tallies up how balanced your day was in terms of nutrient intake, meal frequency, and hydration. The free version is bare-bones, but once you upgrade, you get a more playful, lifestyle-oriented experience that emphasizes healthy habits alongside calorie control.

Pros:

• Attractive, user-friendly interface that feels fun to use
• Offers multiple meal plans and recipe collections
• “Life Score” fosters balanced nutrition rather than pure calorie focus

Cons:

• Most key features (diet plans, deep insights) locked behind Premium
• Not as detailed on vitamins and minerals as Cronometer
• Smaller user community, no personal coach

9. MacroFactor

• $11.99/month or $71.99/year (7-day free trial, then no free tier)
• No permanently free version

MacroFactor is built for data-driven dieters—those serious about hitting precise macro goals (protein, carbs, fat) for cutting or bulking. It uses a weekly check-in model: log your weight, track your intake, and the dynamic coaching algorithm calculates your true energy expenditure, adjusting your macros if you stall. The database is verified, so you’ll rarely encounter wildly inaccurate entries. MacroFactor is all about performance: no meal plans, no recipe suggestions, just numbers that adapt to your real-world progress. It’s popular with fitness enthusiasts who like a no-nonsense, science-based approach.

Pros:

• Auto-adjusting macro targets eliminate guesswork
• Verified database for accurate calorie and macro info
• Focuses on weekly trends, reducing guilt about daily slip-ups

Cons:

• Pricey compared to typical tracking apps, with no free tier
• Lacks community features or meal-planning tools
• Best suited to consistent weigh-ins and serious goal tracking

10. Carb Manager

• Free Plan: Basic net carb calculation, limited recipes, daily logging
• Premium: $3–$8/month (annual vs. monthly billing), unlocks advanced meal plans, photo logging, deeper device sync

Carb Manager reigns supreme for anyone following a keto or low-carb lifestyle. It automatically calculates net carbs (subtracting fiber and sugar alcohols), making your daily carb targets crystal clear. A huge library of keto-friendly recipes, meal plans, and a built-in community help you stay motivated. You can also track intermittent fasting windows, ketone levels, and even blood glucose if you have the right devices. Although you can track basic carbs on the free plan, Premium unlocks a more robust experience, especially if you’re committed to serious carb-counting for weight loss or managing conditions like diabetes.

Pros:

• Specialized for low-carb diets with automatic net carb calculations
• Includes recipe ideas, meal plans, and a supportive keto community
• Tracks advanced metrics like ketones, glucose, and fasting windows

Cons:

• Strong low-carb focus might not appeal if you switch diets
• Advanced features (photo logging, device integration) cost extra
• Interface can feel crowded with so many features in one place

Quick Honorable Mentions

• Yazio: Ideal for international users with 2,000+ recipes in multiple languages.
• Fooducate: Rates foods A–D based on processed ingredients, aiding clean eating choices.
• MyPlate by LIVESTRONG: Straightforward free tracker for beginners; minimal extras but easy to use.
• Healthi (formerly iTrackBites): A cheaper WeightWatchers alternative that mimics older WW points plans.
• Simple: Focuses on intermittent fasting schedules and short nutrition tips; less about raw calorie tracking.

Common Questions (FAQ)

1. What are the best diet tracking apps available?
   You can’t go wrong with MyFitnessPal or Lose It! for general calorie counting, Cronometer for detailed micronutrients, and Carb Manager for serious low-carb tracking. MacroFactor suits advanced macro calculations, while Noom and WW provide a guided approach.
2. Which diet tracking app is free or has a free version?
   MyFitnessPal, Lose It!, Cronometer, MyNetDiary, FatSecret, and Carb Manager all offer free tiers. Each has different features locked behind Premium, so check which free plan aligns with your needs.
3. How do diet tracking apps work?
   They let you log meals through a food database or barcode scanner, then calculate calories and nutrients (macros, sometimes micros). Some integrate with fitness trackers to factor in exercise, and a few provide coaching or social features.
4. Can diet tracking apps help with weight loss?
   Absolutely. By giving you real-time calorie and nutrient feedback, they foster better decisions and portion awareness—key steps for reaching weight-related goals.
5. What features should I look for in a diet tracking app?
   A large, reliable food database, barcode scanning, device syncing, an interface you’re comfortable with, and any special features you need (macro customization, community support, or specialized diets).

Wrapping Up

From MyFitnessPal’s massive database to Carb Manager’s low-carb specialization, there’s a diet tracking app for every preference. If you want extra coaching, consider Noom or WW. Prefer in-depth analytics? Cronometer or MacroFactor might fit the bill. And if you’re seeking a free, no-frills tracker, FatSecret or MyNetDiary are safe bets.

Test out free trials or base plans to see which interface and approach resonate with you. With consistency in logging, these apps provide powerful insights into your eating habits—helping you make changes that last. Good luck on your journey to a healthier, more mindful diet!