The 6 Best Free Calorie Counter Apps in 2026
The best genuinely free calorie counter apps of 2026 — CarbMeNot, FatSecret, MyFitnessPal, Cronometer, Lose It!, and YAZIO — compared on what's actually free vs paywalled.
Head of Product · July 13, 2026 · 3 min read
The best free calorie counter apps in 2026 are FatSecret (no paywall on core tracking) and CarbMeNot (free AI photo logging plus net carbs), with Cronometer offering the most generous free nutrient tracking. "Free" is where a lot of calorie apps get slippery — the app installs free, then barcode scanning, net carbs, or macro goals turn out to be paid. Here's what each app actually gives you for free.
Disclosure: CarbMeNot is our app, and we've noted exactly what's free versus paid across the board so you can compare honestly.
What's actually free — at a glance
| App | Photo logging | Barcode scan | Net carbs | Ads | Truly free? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CarbMeNot | Free | Free | Free | Minimal | Core is free, no signup |
| FatSecret | — | Free | No | Yes | Yes — core tracking free |
| MyFitnessPal | Premium | Premium | Premium | Yes | Logging only |
| Cronometer | — | Free | Optional | Light | Generous free tier |
| Lose It! | Premium | Free | Premium | Yes | Logging free |
| YAZIO | Premium | Free | No | Yes | Limited free |
1. CarbMeNot — free photo logging and net carbs
CarbMeNot puts the features people usually pay for on the free tier: AI photo logging (snap a meal instead of searching), barcode scanning, and net carbs shown by default. There's no signup, and it's free on iOS and Android. Only optional extras sit behind premium. Best free pick if you want the least-tedious logging or you're doing keto/low-carb. See the AI calorie counter page.
2. FatSecret — the closest to no paywall
FatSecret keeps core calorie tracking, its large database, and barcode scanning free, supported by ads. There's no net-carb view, but for a genuinely free, calorie-first tracker, it's hard to beat.
3. MyFitnessPal — free to log, paywalled features
The free tier still lets you log against the biggest database, but barcode scanning, net carbs, and custom macro goals moved to Premium. Fine if you'll only use manual logging; frustrating if you expected the scanner to be free.
4. Cronometer — most generous free nutrient tracking
Cronometer's free tier includes detailed micronutrient tracking that other apps charge for, plus free barcode scanning. The best free option if nutrient accuracy matters to you.
5. Lose It! — simple and free to log
Lose It! is free to log calories and scan barcodes, with photo logging (Snap It) and some macro views on its paid tier. A clean, simple free calorie counter for weight loss.
6. YAZIO — limited but capable free tier
YAZIO's free tier covers basic logging and barcode scanning; plans, recipes, and the fasting tracker are mostly PRO. Worth it if you like its interface and can live within the free limits.
The honest takeaway on "free"
- Least tedious free logging → CarbMeNot (free photo logging).
- No paywall on core tracking → FatSecret.
- Free nutrient precision → Cronometer.
- Free net carbs for keto → CarbMeNot.
- Biggest free database → MyFitnessPal (manual logging).
Before you commit, check what each app charges for after install — the gap between "free to download" and "free to actually use" is where most people get surprised. CarbMeNot keeps photo logging and net carbs free on iOS and Android; you can also try the free macro calculator and Is It Keto? tools with no download.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the best free calorie counter app?
- FatSecret is fully free with no core features paywalled, and CarbMeNot includes AI photo logging plus calorie and net-carb tracking free with no signup. Cronometer has a generous free tier for nutrient tracking. MyFitnessPal and Lose It! are free to log but reserve features like barcode scanning or net carbs for paid plans.
- Is there a completely free calorie counter with no paywall?
- FatSecret comes closest to no paywall on core tracking. CarbMeNot is free with photo logging and net carbs included, with only optional extras behind premium. Most other apps put barcode scanning, net carbs, or macro goals behind a subscription.
- Which free calorie app has barcode scanning?
- FatSecret and CarbMeNot include barcode scanning free. MyFitnessPal moved barcode scanning to Premium, so check the current plan before relying on it.
- Do I have to pay to see net carbs?
- In many apps, yes — MyFitnessPal and Lose It! reserve net carbs for paid tiers. CarbMeNot shows net carbs (total carbs minus fiber) free by default, which is why it's a good free pick for keto and low-carb.
Sources
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Keep reading
Free tools: Is It Keto? checker · macro calculator · protein calculator · 7-day meal plan PDF