Yes, basic calorie tracking is free
MyFitnessPal was built on the premise of making calorie counting accessible, and its core functionality remains free for all users. Anyone can create a free account and immediately begin logging their food and exercise to keep an eye on their daily calorie intake. The free version provides access to a massive food database with millions of entries, including packaged foods, restaurant items, and user-submitted meals. Users can manually search for foods and add them to their daily diary to monitor their progress toward their weight goals.
How to log food for free on MyFitnessPal
For free users, manual entry is the primary method for tracking meals. The process is straightforward and effective for anyone focused on basic calorie accounting.
Steps for manual food logging:
- Open the MyFitnessPal app and go to the 'Today' view or 'Diary' page.
- Tap the '+' icon at the bottom of the screen or the 'Add Food' button under the specific meal (e.g., Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).
- In the search bar, type the name of the food you want to log.
- Select the best match from the search results, making sure to verify the portion size and nutritional data.
- Adjust the serving size and number of servings if needed.
- Tap the checkmark to log the food to your diary.
For recipes you create often, you can save them as custom meals for faster logging later. This manual process, while effective, is one of the main points of friction that can lead users to consider the premium upgrade.
The shift to premium for key features
In a move that changed the user experience for many long-term users, MyFitnessPal put its popular barcode scanner behind a premium paywall in late 2022. Previously, the barcode scanner was a major selling point of the free version, allowing users to quickly and easily log packaged foods by scanning the label with their phone's camera. This change fundamentally altered the convenience of the free tier.
Beyond the barcode scanner, other key features designed for more advanced nutritional tracking were also moved to the premium subscription. While the free app still shows macronutrient breakdowns (carbs, protein, fat), it displays them as a percentage pie chart, not by the specific grams per meal. For those with specific dietary requirements, such as athletes or those following a ketogenic diet, this limitation can be a significant drawback. Premium subscribers gain granular control over their nutritional goals, among other benefits.
Free vs. Premium features on MyFitnessPal
| Feature | Free Version | Premium Version |
|---|---|---|
| Calorie Tracking | Unlimited logging and daily targets | All free features plus custom daily goals and weekly digests |
| Food Database | Access to extensive database via manual search | Same as free, plus voice logging and Meal Scan (point camera at food) |
| Barcode Scanner | Unavailable | Included for quick logging of packaged foods |
| Macronutrient Tracking | Percentage-based pie chart view only | Custom goals by gram or percentage, and per-meal breakdowns |
| Exercise Tracking | Basic logging for cardio and strength | Option to turn off 'eating back' exercise calories |
| Meal Planning | Create and save custom recipes | Access to expert-guided meal plans and automated grocery lists |
| Ads | Contains third-party advertisements | Ad-free experience |
| Community | Access to forums and community support | Access to all community features |
Is the free version enough for you?
For many people, the free version of MyFitnessPal is a powerful and sufficient tool for achieving their goals. If your main objective is to monitor your daily calorie intake and gain a general awareness of your eating habits, the free tier offers all the necessary functionality. The process of manually logging food, while more time-consuming than scanning a barcode, can also be a more mindful practice that reinforces nutritional knowledge. If you are a beginner just starting to track your food and don't mind a few advertisements, the free app is an excellent place to start your health journey.
However, for those seeking more advanced features, such as effortless logging with a barcode scanner, fine-tuned macronutrient control, or a completely ad-free experience, the premium subscription becomes necessary. This is particularly true for serious athletes, individuals with specific dietary needs, or those who find the manual logging process too tedious for long-term consistency. Before upgrading, consider your long-term goals and whether the time-saving and advanced tools justify the monthly or annual cost.
Alternatives to consider for free barcode scanning
For users who specifically want free barcode scanning, other apps have maintained this feature without a paywall. One popular option is Cronometer, which includes a free barcode scanner and offers a more detailed breakdown of micronutrients than MyFitnessPal's free version. FatSecret is another alternative known for its generous free features and active community. Exploring these options can help you decide which tool best fits your budget and tracking preferences.
Conclusion
In summary, you can absolutely track calories on MyFitnessPal for free, using the app's extensive food database and manual entry features to monitor your daily intake. The free version is ideal for basic calorie counting and weight management. However, key convenience features, most notably the barcode scanner, now require a paid premium subscription. The value of the free version depends heavily on your specific needs and how much you rely on the advanced logging features. For many, manual entry is sufficient, while others may find the premium features or a different app to be a better fit for their tracking style.
