Why the MyFitnessPal Scanner is No Longer Free
In a move that surprised and frustrated many long-time users, MyFitnessPal announced in August 2022 that its barcode scanner would transition to a premium-only feature starting October 1 of that year. The decision was part of a broader strategy to push users toward their paid subscription tiers, which offer more advanced and personalized tracking tools. For free users, this meant a significant change to their food-logging routine. Instead of quickly scanning a product to add its nutritional information, they must now manually search the extensive database or input the data by hand.
The barcode scanner had been a cornerstone of the MyFitnessPal experience, praised for its convenience and speed in adding packaged foods. Its removal from the free version stripped away one of the app's most valued and efficient features. While the app continues to offer basic calorie tracking and exercise logging for free, the change dramatically altered the user experience for those accustomed to the scanner's ease of use.
What the Free Version of MyFitnessPal Still Offers
Despite losing the barcode scanner, the free version of MyFitnessPal still provides several useful tools for health tracking:
- Calorie and Food Tracking: You can still manually search and log food from the app's large database.
- Exercise Logging: The app allows you to log various forms of exercise and track calories burned.
- Weight Tracking: You can log your weight and see your progress over time.
- Basic Nutrition Insights: The free version provides a basic overview of your daily calorie and nutrient intake.
- Community Forums: Users can participate in community forums for motivation and support.
While these features form a solid foundation, the loss of the scanner makes the logging process much more time-consuming, especially for those tracking multiple packaged foods daily.
Alternatives with a Free Barcode Scanner
For those who refuse to pay for a feature that was once free, several alternatives offer a barcode scanner at no cost. These apps provide a comparable or even superior experience for users prioritizing this feature.
- Cronometer: Widely considered one of the best alternatives, Cronometer includes a free barcode scanner and tracks not only calories and macros but also micronutrients like vitamins and minerals. It is praised for its verified, accurate food database.
- MyNetDiary: This app offers a fast, free barcode scanner and boasts a robust, verified food database with over 1.7 million items. It is rated highly for its ease of navigation and generous free features.
- Lose It!: A popular calorie counter app that includes a free barcode scanner and offers personalized weight loss plans and community features.
- FatSecret: This app provides a free barcode scanner, along with a food diary, recipe sharing, and exercise logging. It is a solid, easy-to-use option.
For anyone looking to move away from MyFitnessPal due to the premium shift, exploring one of these alternatives can restore the convenience of quick food logging without the added expense. For a more detailed comparison of options, check out this guide to alternatives to MyFitnessPal from Lifehacker.
MyFitnessPal Free vs. Premium: A Feature Comparison
To help users decide if upgrading is worth it, here is a breakdown of the key differences between the free and premium MyFitnessPal plans.
| Feature | MyFitnessPal (Free) | MyFitnessPal (Premium) |
|---|---|---|
| Barcode Scanner | No (for new users) | Yes |
| Macro Tracking | Percentage-based | Gram-based and by meal |
| Ad-Free Experience | No | Yes |
| Detailed Nutrition Insights | Basic | Advanced tracking (sodium, cholesterol, etc.) |
| Intermittent Fasting | No | Yes, with timer and guidance |
| Custom Goals | Limited | Customizable calorie and macro goals by day |
| Custom Dashboard | Basic | Personalized dashboard view |
| Meal Plan Feature | No | Yes (Premium+) |
Using the Barcode Scanner with a Premium Subscription
If you decide to upgrade, using the barcode scanner is a straightforward process, similar to how it worked in the free version before the paywall. Simply tap the '+' icon or 'Add Food' within your diary, and you'll see the option to 'Scan Barcode'. The app will then open your phone's camera, allowing you to align the barcode within the designated frame. Once scanned, the product and its nutritional data will appear, ready to be logged into your food diary.
The premium version also offers a 'Meal Scan' feature, which is an even more advanced tool that identifies foods from a photo. While convenient, it is important to remember that for best accuracy, especially with packaged foods, the traditional barcode scan is still the most reliable method.
Conclusion: Finding the Right Path for Your Fitness Goals
For new MyFitnessPal users and those whose free access to the barcode scanner was revoked, the feature is unequivocally not free. The company made a clear decision to shift this core function to its premium, subscription-based service. While the free version retains its fundamental tools, the manual food-logging process can be a significant drawback for many.
Ultimately, your decision depends on your personal priorities. If convenience and quick logging via a barcode scanner are essential, you must either subscribe to MyFitnessPal's premium plan or transition to one of the many robust alternatives like Cronometer or MyNetDiary that still offer this feature for free. For users who primarily cook at home and don't rely heavily on packaged foods, the free version of MyFitnessPal may still be sufficient. By understanding the changes and exploring the options, you can choose the path that best supports your unique health and fitness journey without compromising on the tools you need to succeed.
