Yes, the Free Version Tracks Macros
The free version of MyFitnessPal does track and display your daily macronutrient intake. As you log your food, the app automatically calculates and updates your consumption of carbohydrates, protein, and fat. To view this breakdown, navigate to your diary and tap the 'Nutrition' button at the bottom. From there, you can view your macros in a detailed pie chart or a list format.
However, it's crucial to understand the limitations of this free functionality. The biggest difference between the free and premium versions lies in goal customization and display features.
How Free Macro Tracking Works
Even without a premium subscription, you can set daily macronutrient goals, albeit with limitations. MyFitnessPal allows free users to set their carb, protein, and fat goals by percentage, in increments of 5%. For example, you can aim for 50% carbs, 30% protein, and 20% fat, as long as the total adds up to 100%.
This percentage-based approach can be a good starting point for many, but it lacks the precision needed for specific diets, such as a bodybuilder aiming for a very specific protein intake in grams. Free users also experience some aggressive pushing toward the paid plan, with certain parts of the macro display blurred out on the main dashboard until a premium subscription is purchased.
Workarounds and Limitations for Free Users
Because the free version limits goal setting to percentages, dedicated macro counters may need to use external tools. You can calculate your precise gram-based goals using an online macro calculator. Then, translate these gram goals into percentages to set within MyFitnessPal's free version. While this takes an extra step, it allows you to leverage the app's powerful tracking without paying for the premium subscription.
Another significant limitation is the absence of the barcode scanner, which was moved to the premium version. The barcode scanner drastically speeds up food logging, making manual entry a more time-consuming process for free users. Free users must manually search for and log all food items in the database.
A Comparison of MyFitnessPal Free vs. Premium Macro Tracking
| Feature | Free Version | Premium Version |
|---|---|---|
| Macro Tracking | Yes, shows daily carb, protein, and fat breakdown. | Yes, same daily breakdown. |
| Custom Goals (by gram) | No, restricted to custom percentage goals only. | Yes, allows precise goal setting in grams. |
| Custom Goals (by percentage) | Yes, adjustable in 5% increments. | Yes, adjustable in 1% increments. |
| Dashboard Macro Display | Often blurred or less prominent, with aggressive ads encouraging upgrade. | Clean, prominent display of remaining macros. |
| Barcode Scanner | No longer included; must manually search for foods. | Yes, included for fast logging of packaged foods. |
| Custom Goals by Day | No, goals are static each day. | Yes, allows different goals for different days (e.g., workout vs. rest days). |
| Macros by Meal | No, shows only the daily total. | Yes, shows the macro breakdown for each meal logged. |
Should You Upgrade? A Personal Decision
The choice to upgrade to MyFitnessPal Premium depends largely on your personal fitness goals and budget. For casual users or those new to nutrition tracking, the free version is an excellent starting point that provides all the basic tools needed to get a handle on calorie and macro consumption.
However, if you are a serious athlete, follow a specific diet plan requiring precise macro targets in grams, or simply value convenience and an ad-free experience, the premium version offers significant advantages. Features like the barcode scanner and gram-based customization can streamline your tracking and provide more actionable insights into your diet.
Ultimately, weigh the importance of precision and time-saving features against the cost of the premium subscription. Many users find the workarounds for free macro tracking sufficient, while others prefer the more robust, streamlined experience of the premium service.
For a full list of what is included in MyFitnessPal's free version, refer to their official support page.
Conclusion
In short, the free version of MyFitnessPal does track macros, providing users with a daily breakdown of their protein, carbohydrate, and fat intake. However, the core difference lies in goal setting: free users are limited to adjusting goals by percentage, while premium subscribers can set precise gram-based targets. The convenience features like the barcode scanner are also restricted to the paid tier. For those on a budget, workarounds exist to make the free version effective for macro tracking. But for users who need greater precision, customization, and a faster logging process, upgrading to premium provides a more complete and efficient experience.
