CarbMeNot vs FatSecret for Keto & Low-Carb (2026)
CarbMeNot vs FatSecret compared for keto and low-carb: net-carb tracking, food database, ads, price, and AI photo logging — so you can pick the right app.
Nutrition Writer · October 14, 2025 · 3 min read
Last updated July 13, 2026
For keto and low-carb specifically, CarbMeNot puts net carbs first, free, and ad-free, while FatSecret is a general-purpose calorie counter with a very large database and an ad-supported free tier. FatSecret wins on database breadth and cross-platform coverage (iOS, Android, web). CarbMeNot wins on keto focus: net carbs are the default number, AI photo logging keeps entry fast, and there are no ads. If your goal is keto or low-carb, CarbMeNot is the more focused daily tool; if you want the broadest general calorie tracker, FatSecret is hard to beat.
CarbMeNot vs FatSecret: at a glance
| CarbMeNot | FatSecret | |
|---|---|---|
| Built for | Keto & low-carb | General calorie/macro tracking |
| Net carbs | Free, default headline | Total carbs + fiber (compute your own) |
| AI photo logging | Yes, core feature | Limited |
| Ads | None | Yes (free tier) |
| Food database | Smaller, low-carb-focused | Very large, multi-country |
| Free tier | Yes (net carbs + macros) | Yes (ad-supported) |
| Platforms | iOS (Android in progress) | iOS, Android, web |
Where FatSecret is stronger
FatSecret's biggest advantage is its food database — one of the largest anywhere, spanning crowd-sourced entries, brands, and restaurant items across many countries. It's also cross-platform (iOS, Android, and a full web app) with a long track record, a barcode scanner, and community features. If you track general calories, need Android or web today, or want the deepest catalog of packaged and restaurant foods, FatSecret is an excellent choice.
Where CarbMeNot is stronger
CarbMeNot is designed around the low-carb workflow, and that shows up every day:
- Net carbs are the headline, free. Every food and your daily total lead with net carbs (total carbs minus fiber) — no Premium upgrade and no mental math. Net carbs are the number keto and low-carb eaters actually steer by, per Harvard's guidance on carbohydrates and fiber.
- AI photo logging is core. Snap a plate and CarbMeNot estimates the carbs and macros — fast entry for home-cooked meals that don't have a barcode.
- No ads. The free tier isn't interrupted by advertising.
- Keto-first, not general-purpose. You don't wade through features you don't need to see whether a meal fits your carb budget.
Which should you choose?
- Choose FatSecret if you want the largest database, need Android or web right now, or track general calories across platforms.
- Choose CarbMeNot if your goal is keto or low-carb, you want net carbs free and up front, fast AI photo logging, and an ad-free experience.
Key takeaways
- FatSecret = very large database, cross-platform (iOS/Android/web), free but ad-supported, general-purpose.
- CarbMeNot = keto-focused, net carbs free and default, AI photo logging, no ads, iOS-first.
- FatSecret tracks total carbs + fiber (compute net carbs yourself); CarbMeNot shows net carbs by default.
- Both are free to start; FatSecret's free tier has ads, CarbMeNot's does not.
If keto or low-carb is your focus, CarbMeNot is free on the App Store and tracks net carbs out of the box — a faster, ad-free way to stay under your daily carb limit.
Frequently asked questions
- Is CarbMeNot a good FatSecret alternative for keto?
- Yes. CarbMeNot is built specifically for keto and low-carb: net carbs are the default headline number and free, and logging is fast with AI photo capture. FatSecret is an excellent general-purpose calorie counter with a very large database, but it isn't keto-first and its free tier shows ads.
- Does FatSecret track net carbs?
- FatSecret tracks total carbs and fiber, so you can work out net carbs, but net carbs are not the headline metric the way they are in a keto-first app. CarbMeNot shows net carbs by default on every food and for your daily total, free.
- Is CarbMeNot or FatSecret free?
- Both have free tiers. FatSecret's free tier is ad-supported, with a paid Premium plan. CarbMeNot tracks net carbs and macros free with no ads; its Pro plan unlocks extras like unlimited AI logging and meal plans.
- Which has the bigger food database?
- FatSecret has one of the largest food databases in the category, including crowd-sourced, brand, and restaurant entries across many countries — that breadth is its biggest strength. CarbMeNot's database is smaller and low-carb-focused, and AI photo logging covers foods that don't have a barcode.
- Does CarbMeNot work on Android like FatSecret?
- FatSecret is on iOS, Android, and the web. CarbMeNot is iOS-first today, with Android in progress. If you need Android or web right now, FatSecret has the edge on platform coverage.
Sources
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