MyFitnessPal vs Cronometer vs MacroScout Compared
MyFitnessPal vs Cronometer is a choice between size and depth. MyFitnessPal offers a far bigger food list and more planning tools. Cronometer offers a smaller, curated database and tracks 95+ vitamins and minerals. MacroScout, which we make, solves a different problem: logging fast and choosing food when you eat out.
We haven’t tested MyFitnessPal or Cronometer for this page. Their details come from their US App Store listings, read on November 1, 2026.
MyFitnessPal vs Cronometer vs MacroScout at a glance
| MyFitnessPal | Cronometer | MacroScout | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food data | 20.5M+ foods | 1.1M verified foods | AI estimates, barcode lookup |
| Nutrients | Macros, custom targets | Macros and 95+ micronutrients | Macros, fiber, sugar, sodium |
| Barcode scan | Premium | Free | Free |
| Photo and voice | Premium | Gold | Pro |
| Menu scan | Not in listing | Not in listing | Pro |
| Ads removed with | Premium | Gold | No ads |
| AI coach | AI Coach | Crono Coach, Gold | AI coach |
| Best for | All-round logging, planning | Nutrient detail | Eating out, fast logging |
Choose Cronometer if the detail is the point
Cronometer suits people who care what’s in their food beyond calories. Perhaps you’re watching iron or vitamin D, or eating a plant-based diet and checking for gaps. Its listing says it’s trusted by dietitians, healthcare professionals and athletes, and it compares your intake with personal targets. Barcode scans are free too, which makes the free version a strong one.
The trade-off is a smaller database by count. A curated list of 1.1 million can mean cleaner entries but fewer choices than 20.5 million. You may need to build some foods yourself.
Choose MyFitnessPal if you want one app for everything
MyFitnessPal’s strength is breadth: restaurant dishes in the database, workouts, an intermittent fasting tracker, GLP-1 dose logging, and meal planning with 1,500+ recipes in Premium Plus. For a typical packaged or chain food, you’re likely to find an entry straight away.
Bigger isn’t automatically cleaner, though. If you log something unusual, compare the entry with the label first. For a sense of how portions change the numbers, see how simple foods work in our calories in 2 eggs guide.
Choose MacroScout if logging is what stops you
Both rivals are built around finding foods and recording them, with photo and voice logging on paid plans. If that’s why you keep quitting, MacroScout takes a different route: snap a plate or say a sentence, then review the numbers. Photo, voice and text logging are part of Pro.
Its menu scan helps at restaurants without posted calories, ranking dishes against what you have left today. These are estimates, so don’t choose MacroScout for precision. If you need exact micronutrient data for a health reason, Cronometer is the better tool, and your doctor or dietitian should guide the targets.
Can you use two?
Yes, though logging in two apps takes effort. One workable split is Cronometer for a week or two to spot nutrient gaps, then a faster app for everyday logging.
Still weighing options? Compare MyFitnessPal vs Lose It vs MacroScout or MacroFactor vs MyFitnessPal. See every MacroScout feature on the app page.
This article is for general information and is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor before changing your diet, especially if you have a health condition.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cronometer better than MyFitnessPal?
For vitamins and minerals, Cronometer's listing goes further, with 95+ tracked on a curated database. MyFitnessPal has a much larger food list, plus meal planning in Premium Plus. The better one depends on what you track.
Is Cronometer more accurate than MyFitnessPal?
Cronometer's selling point is a curated database of 1.1 million verified foods. We haven't tested the two against each other, and your portion sizes matter whichever you use.
Does Cronometer have a free barcode scanner?
Yes. Its App Store listing says you can scan barcodes for free. MyFitnessPal's lists barcode scan under Premium.
Does MacroScout track vitamins and minerals?
It tracks calories, protein, carbs and fat, plus fiber, sugar and sodium. If you need detailed vitamin and mineral tracking, Cronometer is the better fit.