Counting macronutrients, or “macros,” involves tracking the amount of carbs, protein, and fats you eat. It takes counting calories to the next step, which may encourage a healthier diet and improve your body composition.
While tracking macros isn’t necessarily difficult, it can be overwhelming—especially if you’re just starting. A macro tracking or calorie counting app can simplify the process, allowing you to stay focused and motivated.
To help you find the best app for your unique needs, our team of dietitians, personal trainers, and nutrition experts tested several of the most popular macro tracking apps and rated them based on key features, value, and functionality.
Editor’s choice macro tracking app
Yazio earns our pick as editor’s choice due to the wide variety of both free and paid features. Yazio is useful for tracking macros and calories, and features education and tracking tools for those interested in intermittent fasting. The app provides a database with over 2,000 recipes, automatic fitness tracking with compatible devices, and a “smart food rating” to help you determine foods that are beneficial to your diet.
Our picks for the best macro tracking apps
- Best for nutrition coaching: Caliber
- Best alternative: Noom
- Best calorie and macro tracking app: Yazio
- Best for bodybuilding: Cronometer
- Best for weight loss: Trifecta
- Best free: MyFitnessPal
- Best for keto: Keto Cycle
- Best for beginners: Lose It!
- Best for CrossFit: RP Diet Coach App
Compare macro tracking apps
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| Caliber | Noom | Yazio | Cronometer | Trifecta | MyFitnessPal | Keto Cycle | Lose It! | RP Diet Coach App | |
| Rating | |||||||||
| Price | Free; $12 for plus or $200 for premium | $70 | Free trackers; $3.99 per month for 12-month membership or $8 per month for 3-month membership | Free; $9.99 for Gold | Meal plans start at $104.93 per week; basic version of the app is free, $12.99/month for premium | Free; $19.99 for premium | $33 for a 2-month membership; monthly unavailable | Free; $39.99 for an annual subscription | $19.99 |
| Platforms | iOS, Android | iOS, Android | iOS, Android | iOS, Android | iOS, Android | iOS, Android | iOS, Android | iOS, Android | iOS, Android |
| Free trial | Caliber Plus only | 14 days | 7 days | Yes; request by emailing customer service | 7 days; app only | 30 days | N/A | 7 days | 14 days |
Best macro app for nutrition coaching: Caliber
Key product features
What you should know
Caliber is a well-rounded health and fitness app that offers personalized training and nutrition plans, along with health coaching to help keep you accountable.
- Our product tester noted that Caliber was one of the few fitness apps she’s tested that she would recommend to nearly anyone. However, she did mention that the app itself does not allow you to log food. Instead, you’ll need to log your foods separately using Cronometer (or another nutrition app), which integrates directly with Caliber.
- With personalized coaching plans starting at $200 per month, Caliber can be costly. However, it’s similar in price to other premium apps and potentially cheaper than an in-person trainer.
- We recommend Caliber to anyone looking to combine exercise with macro-tracking while receiving personalized coaching for additional accountability.
- Coaches are not required to be registered dietitians, so you’ll only receive basic nutrition advice. If you have complex nutrition issues, you’ll need to look outside of the app.
Why we like Caliber as best for nutrition coaching
We love that Caliber addresses all aspects of wellness, including exercise, healthy eating, coaching, and lifestyle modifications. Research shows that this comprehensive approach is more likely to lead to weight loss. (1, 2)
“Weight loss isn’t one size fits all, either with the overall diet recommendations, or the other factors that play a role. Sustainable change requires a combination of exercise, nutrition, sleep, mindset and many other aspects of well being,” adds Chris Mohr, Ph.D., RD. “Strategies that include all of these aspects can best support long, lasting change.”
Caliber offers several plans at different price points to make it affordable for nearly everyone. We tested Caliber Premium, which starts at $200 per month (though you’ll have to pay upfront for three months, which costs $600).
With Caliber Premium, you’ll be paired with a health coach who will develop a personalized nutrition and workout plan based on your unique needs. Your coach will keep you motivated and provide recommendations after reviewing your workouts and food diary during frequent text check-ins.
Our product tester gave Caliber Premium 5 out of 5 stars for accountability. She also loved that her coach was able to see her food diary and nutrition information.
“In some ways, this is actually better than in-person training because your coach can see other activities outside of your training sessions if you sync your fitness device with the app.”
Team Product Tester
Note that the Caliber app does not allow you to scan barcodes or log foods. Instead, you’ll have to download a nutrition tracking app such as Cronometer to sync your food diary to the app.
Depending on your chosen package, you can schedule monthly or weekly Zoom strategy calls with your coach. Unfortunately, these packages can be costly, with plans that include monthly and weekly calls costing $267 and $467 per month, respectively. However, this level of accountability can be worth the investment, especially if this is an area that you struggle with.
“When we are accountable to others, we are more likely to achieve the goals we’re aiming to achieve,” Mohr says. “There’s a saying ‘if you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together’ and that is truer than ever in this scenario.”
We appreciate Caliber’s 30-day money-back guarantee that allows you to cancel your membership within 30 days for a full refund.
If you’re looking to try Caliber without nutrition coaching, we recommend Caliber Plus. This plan gives you access to a library of over 60 coach-created workout plans and allows you to create customized calorie and macro targets.
What customers are saying
Customers love Caliber, especially their knowledgeable coaches, video instructions that come with each workout, and progress tracking.
“Caliber is a fantastic way to build a habit of working out, especially if, like me, you’re moderately new to weight lifting/fat burning. My coach, Jonathan, helped me to build the program tailored to my goals and adjusted it as we went along. The app is instrumental in having a resourceful accountability partner.”
Alexey L., Apple App Store
Customers who aren’t happy with the app mention that the free version is very limited, there are occasional glitches, and an extensive sign-up process, which requires a 30-minute call before seeing plan options and prices.
Specs
| Price | Free, $12 for Plus, or $200 for Premium |
| Standout features | One-on-one coaching, personalized nutrition plans, training plans, community |
| Tracking capabilities | Exercise, nutrition, body measurements, progress photos |
| Custom meal plans | Yes |
| Device/app integration | Apple Health, Google Fit |
| Refund policy | 30 days |
Best macro tracker alternative: Noom
Key product features
What you should know
Noom doesn’t offer macro tracking at this time, but our team loves its comprehensive features and psychology-driven approach.
- Our product testers found Noom to be an effective weight loss program. One tester, though initially disappointed that it didn’t offer macro tracking, was pleased to see that the app improved her protein intake, which was her main reason for wanting to count macros.
- Noom is more expensive than many basic macro counting apps, costing $70 per month. However, its advanced features, including personalized coaching, set it apart.
- We recommend Noom for anyone who’s not 100% set on counting macros and wants to lose weight using a structured, comprehensive weight loss program.
- Although it can become cumbersome, some users prefer to track their macro/micronutrient intake through another app to get more detailed nutrient information.
Why we like Noom as best alternative
Noom stands out from other weight loss apps due to its unique, psychologically driven approach designed to change the way you think and feel about food. The program uses evidence-based techniques, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), to help users identify less than desirable eating patterns and replace them with sustainable, healthier habits.
One 2023 study found that CBT is effective at helping people adopt lifestyle changes that lead to long-term weight loss and maintenance. (2) These habits can be individualized based on what the user needs.
Unfortunately, you can’t set macro targets or track macros within the app. Instead, Noom primarily focuses on calories using a color-coded system. Foods are categorized as green, yellow, or orange based on their caloric density and nutritional value. Green foods, such as whole grains, tuna, and veggies, contain the lowest amount of calories and/or have the highest concentrations of nutrients.
Noom encourages mostly green foods. Yellow foods, like lean meat and beans, are recommended in moderation, while orange foods, including desserts and red meat, are encouraged in smaller portions and less frequently.
We love that the app’s barcode scanner makes tracking foods easy. We also like that Noom will provide alternatives if you scan or search for a food that’s classified as orange.
Our tester was initially disappointed that she couldn’t track macros with Noom since protein was her main focus. However, she was pleasantly surprised by the effectiveness of Noom’s approach.
“Noom’s color-coded system helped me understand why some of the foods I was eating before made it difficult to hit my protein needs. It encouraged me to prioritize green foods over yellow and orange, which improved my eating habits.”
Team Product Tester
Despite its beneficial features, Noom’s system isn’t perfect. We noticed that several nutritious foods, including nuts and seeds, were in the same category (orange) as processed desserts. This can be a bit confusing, leading to avoidance or restriction of certain nutrient-rich foods.
“Color coding foods is one strategy that can be used with success, though it’s not a perfect tool and does come with some limitations since foods aren’t just ‘good’ or ‘bad’ from a nutrition standpoint,” adds Mohr. “Avocadoes, nuts and nut butter, for example, have a wide variety of nutrients, but are also higher in fat and calories, so a blanket color coding may not translate to some foods, like these, and others.” (3)
Further, while Noom’s coaches undergo extensive training, they aren’t required to be registered dietitians, which limits their scope and expertise.
Check out our in-depth Noom review for more information.
What customers are saying
Many people have lost weight and kept it off with Noom. Customers highlight the app’s personalized coaching, daily lessons, and flexible weight loss approach.
Google Play Store customer Trasie C. says Noom works if you put in the effort. However, she did note that it can take up a chunk of time. Still, she found the lessons and other aspects of the program helpful.
“It’s a bit time-consuming and at times slow-moving. The lessons are valuable, and the logging and motivation keep you focused.”
Trasie C., Google Play Store
Critical reviews mention disappointment with Noom’s coaching and technical issues.
“Coaching has been all computer generated. I’ve been working on this daily for over two weeks and have not heard from a ‘real’ coach, and I have asked questions in support—no response. It crashes—phone or app? Not sure, but everything else works on my phone. Good concept, not fully executed as promised,” wrote Martha L., a Google Play Store customer.
Specs
| Price | $70 |
| Standout features | Coaching, community support, recipes, daily lessons |
| Tracking capabilities | Nutrition, exercise, blood sugar, blood pressure, mood |
| Custom meal plans | Available for an additional fee |
| Device/app integration | Fitbit, Garmin, Polar, Withings, Apple Health, Google Fit, Samsung Health |
| Refund policy | 14 days |
Best calorie and macro tracking app: Yazio
Key product features
What you should know
Yazio is designed to help you with health goals like fasting, macro tracking, and calorie counting and has a large recipe database.
- Our product tester was able to use Yazio to learn habits, like macro tracking, that she now uses daily.
- You can access Yazio’s free trackers or, for more in-depth tracking, utilize paid subscriptions that come out to $8/month or $3.99/month depending on the length you can choose from. This makes it a great fit for any budget.
- Yazio is best for those who are interested in macro and calorie tracking as well as intermittent fasting to reach health goals.
Why we like Yazio for best calorie and macro tracker
We like Yazio for the best calorie and macro tracking app because of its versatility. Within the app you can learn about nutrition habits, including intermittent fasting, calorie counting, and macro tracking. These methods can be especially useful for kickstarting your weight loss goals, though some options, like intermittent fasting and calorie restriction, likely aren’t sustainable for the long-term. (4)
To get started, you’ll answer a series of questions and from there, Yazio will suggest calories, macronutrients, and fasting windows. You can adjust these goals if they aren’t right for you. You’ll input all of your meals and snacks in order to stick to your calorie or macro goals. If you’re looking for recipe ideas, you can filter suggestions based on meal (breakfast, lunch, dinner), dietary preferences, calories, and more. While it’s not a true meal plan, provided recipes are intended to help you with meal planning.
According to our tester, the suggested recipes are pretty comprehensive. And, she liked that you can share your profile with a “buddy”—a feature she used to share data with her nutritionist.
It’s important to note this app may not be for everyone. While weigh-ins aren’t required with this app’s plan, tracking calories or macros may be triggering for some with a history of disordered eating habits.
“Being able to track my macros and other nutritional information, like fiber, was really helpful to me. Even now that I’ve stopped using the app, I am still mindful about including fiber, fat, protein, and carbs with every meal. ”
Team Product Tester
Yazio has a free version you can use for intermittent fasting tracking, calorie counting, and a food diary. The paid options are either a three-month subscription for $8 per month or a 12-month subscription for $3.99 per month. A drawback here is there is no monthly option, so you will be locked into a plan in order to subscribe. That said, the app offers a free trial, so you can try it before you buy to make sure it’s something you’ll want to use over a long period of time.
What customers are saying
Over 569,000 reviewers on Google Play rate Yazio a 4.3 out of 5 stars, and over 34,000 reviewers on the Apple App Store rate the app 4.7/5.
“Yazio is way more organized with so many more options, it’s easy to navigate (especially with the helpful widgets, which makes it so easy to quickly access to log a meal), and it’s just super well designed and nice to look at. The most awesome part for me is its automatic calculations. I used to struggle to maintain organization of my calorie intake throughout the day, but after only a few days of using Yazio it became an automatic activity that I log before I even sit down to enjoy a meal, snack, or beverage.“
CreativeJeeper, App Store customer
Users say the app is useful for tracking, but can be glitchy.
“The app is great when it works. I decided to do the Pro subscription and it was ok for 35 days and then app stopped working. I couldn’t enter any foods for any meals by doing a typed search. Barcode scan would work and copying from previous days would work, but that was it,” said Dustlamp, an App Store customer.
Critical reviews mention that the free trackers are just basic timers and you will get a lot of ads if you don’t pay.
“If you respect your time, your sanity, and want to actually track you calories with ease and keep track of your fasting period, do not get this app. People rave about how there aren’t any intrusive ads, but they fail to mention nearly everything is locked until you spend money. I apologize but a fasting tracker is literally just a timer that’s connected to a graph and you want me to pay you for that?” wrote Justin Armstrong, a Google Play Store customer.
Specs
| Price | Free trackers available; Subscriptions start at $3.99/month |
| Standout features | Easy meal logging, automatic nutrient calculations, filterable recipes |
| Tracking capabilities | Nutrition, exercise, water intake, intermittent fasting. weight |
| Custom meal plans | No, but comprehensive recipes available |
| Device/app integration | Apple Health, Google Fit, Fitbit, Garmin, Polar Flow, Samsung Health, Huawei Health |
| Refund policy | Must contact point of purchase |
Best macro tracking app bodybuilding: Cronometer
Key product features
What you should know
Cronometer offers pre-set macronutrient targets backed by science to support weight loss. You can use the default macronutrient settings, customize your macro targets, or choose from the app’s four preset keto plans.
- Our product tester loved the app’s functionality and advanced progress-tracking features, though she admitted to occasionally feeling overwhelmed. She also loved Cronometer’s large community, which allowed her to connect easily with other users. (5)
- Cronometer’s free version offers more than most comparable apps. However, people who are new to counting macros may benefit from the app’s paid version, which recommends foods that help you meet your targets and macronutrient goals.
- Cronometer is a great option for just about anyone, especially those who want to track both micro and macronutrients.
Why we like Cronometer as best overall
Cronometer stands out from other apps for its robust tracking features. The app allows you to track macros, calories, and up to 84 micronutrients to help you identify and fill any nutritional gaps in your diet. This can be especially useful if you’re on a specific diet for bodybuilding and you want to hone in on certain foods like those high in protein, carbs, and healthy fats.
Micronutrients–vitamins and minerals–are essential for immune health, energy production, bone health, and other important bodily functions. (6) But, data shows that most American diets fall short in several micronutrients, including vitamin D, calcium, and potassium. (7)
Cronometer uses a default ratio that sets 25% of your total calories from protein, 30% from fat, and 45% from carbs. These ratios align with the acceptable macronutrient distribution range (AMDR), which sets guidelines for the calories, fat, and protein needed to maintain optimal health. (7) If you’re looking to build muscle or have certain body composition goals, you can adjust accordingly. Some research suggests 1.2 to 2.0 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight is optimal for building muscle, depending on many factors including goals, age, and activity level. (8, 9)
A 2020 study found that high protein diets—25% of total calories or greater from protein—could help with weight loss and prevent obesity-related diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. (10)
We understand that everyone is unique, and what works for one person may not work for the next. That’s why we appreciate Cronometer’s customizable macronutrient ratios to set targets that work best for your health needs, and always suggest the support of a registered dietitian for more personalized plans and recommendations.
If you’re interested in tracking your macros on a keto diet, Cronometer offers four preset programs: rigorous, moderate, relaxed, and custom. Each plan calculates a maximum protein and carbohydrate target and sets the rest of your calorie allowance to fats.
We love that all users have access to a barcode scanner, customized macro tracking features, and community support—features that aren’t always included in free apps.
Our product tester loved the app’s comprehensive tracking features. While you can track pretty much anything you want, she did note that the tracking features are relatively generic. For example, she wanted to track mood but could only use numeric values (1–5).
“There is so much that can be tracked besides meals, including exercise, body measurements, blood pressure, and heart rate.”
Team Product Tester
We were also impressed by Cronometer’s “Ask Oracle” feature, which can suggest foods to meet your remaining macro targets. However, this and other advanced features are only available with a premium membership.
What customers are saying
Most customers are very satisfied with Cronometer, and they find its extensive food database, free barcode scanner, and syncing features especially helpful.
“Amazing app. I’d argue that it’s best on the market, at least the free version. It allows macro tracking and target adjustments, as well as importing Fitbit and other data to help figure out caloric expenditure.”
J.G., Google Play Store
Negative reviews mention too many ads with the free version and crashes within the app.
Specs
| Price | Free; $9.99 for Cronometer Gold |
| Standout features | Customizable macro goals, four keto plans, personalized nutrition insights, meal/food recommendations |
| Tracking capabilities | Nutrition, exercise, sleep, mood, heart rate, and blood pressure |
| Custom meal plans | No |
| Device/app integration | Fitbit, Garmin, Polar, Withings, Apple Health, Google Fit, Samsung Health |
| Refund policy | N/A |
Best macro tracking app for weight loss: Trifecta
Key product features
What you should know
Trifecta offers everything you need for seamless macro tracking, including pre-made meals and health coaching.
- Our product testers were satisfied with the flavor of Trifecta’s meals. However, one product tester mentioned that the serving size was on the small side.
- Meals start at around $15, which is on the higher end for meal delivery services. However, it offers an app where you can track nutrition and fitness. Pre-made meals can save you a ton of time trying to find, shop for, and prepare macro-friendly meals.
- Trifecta may be a good option for someone who is too busy to prepare meals yet wants to hit specific macronutrient targets.
Why we like Trifecta as best for weight loss
Trifecta is a meal delivery service that does all the heavy lifting, giving you the meals, tracking tools, and support you need to reach your macro targets.
To get started tracking macros with Trifecta, we recommend using their free macro calculator. This calculator automatically assigns a macro target based on your height/weight, health goals, and activity level. Once you have your macro goals, you can choose meals that best suit your needs.
We love Trifecta’s large prepared meal selection that includes 100 weekly menu options, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can choose to receive seven, 10, or 14 meals per order with optional breakfast add-ons. Trifecta offers a variety of meal plans, including Clean, Paleo/Whole30, Keto, and Plant-Based.
All meals follow specific macros, with high amounts of protein and moderate amounts of carbs and fat. Meals are also portion-controlled to aid in weight loss, containing around 350 to 550 calories per meal.
Our product testers found Trifecta’s portions to be relatively small but tasty.
“I tried several meals, including the egg scrambles, a salmon dish, and a chicken and broccoli casserole. They all tasted great. However, I usually eat pretty plain food and don’t add many spices.”
Team Product Tester
Meals are pre-selected by chefs, but you can choose your own, which we recommend taking advantage of if you’re looking for more accurate macro tracking. To choose your own meals, simply select “I’ll Choose” at checkout.
Further, Trifecta’s Meal Prep option lets you choose exact proteins, veggies, and carbs, allowing you to prepare meals that precisely meet your macros.
“Having tried Trifecta meals myself, I enjoyed the option of either selecting preset balanced meals and just ordering larger done for you protein options, to then complement what I already have at home,” says Mohr. “Cooking the protein—salmon, chicken, beef, etc—sometimes takes the longest, so with that being done, I can simply put them atop a salad or cook up some quick grains and steamed veggies, making dinner time a cinch.”
For personalized plans, macro tracking tools, progress monitoring, workouts, and more, we recommend downloading Trifecta’s mobile app. We love that the app features a free barcode scanner that easily allows you to track meals outside of your plan.
While the app is free to download, you’ll need to pay for premium to access advanced features. A monthly premium membership costs $12.99 but drops to as low as $5.00 if you pay upfront for annual access.
If you’re unhappy with your meals, Trifecta will refund you for up to seven meals on your first order.
Check out our full Trifecta review for more information.
What customers are saying
Overall, customers are impressed with the flavor of Trifecta’s meals and love the accountability the app offers.
“The app is wonderful; if you are committed to paying attention and logging everything, you can really see results in just awareness and accountability for every food choice or snack you make. You don’t have to eat Trifecta food to use the app; it’s for anyone. I upgraded mine, and it’s worth it for me because I’m finding value in the extra features and breakdown of macros.”
Username “Busy Executive Mom,” Apple App Store
Negative reviews mention small portion sizes and difficulty tracking foods in the Trifecta app. For example, an Apple App Store user with the username “Doctor Cup” said that they love the quality of the food but want to see improvements in the app’s tracking features.
“In regards to the food tracking app, I wish that there were more consistent calories for the same meals. I have found that it varies despite the fact that it’s the same exact meal. I also wish that similar to other meal tracking apps, there were more diverse options in regards to other foods outside of Trifecta,” they wrote. .
Specs
| Price | Basic version of the app is free, $12.99/month for premium; meal plans start at $104.93 per week, which includes 7 meals |
| Standout features | Community support, recipes, education, premade meals, library of workouts |
| Tracking capabilities | Nutrition, exercise |
| Custom meal plans | Yes |
| Device/app integration | Must manually input data to health apps and fitness tracker apps |
| Refund policy | Up to seven meals or $119 for a la carte meals |
Best free macro tracking app: MyFitnessPal
Key product features
What you should know
MyFitnessPal is a user-friendly app that fits seamlessly into your day. It allows you to easily keep track of your calories, macronutrients, and more.
- Our product tester found the app incredibly user-friendly and loved the visual pie graph that displays the macronutrient breakdown of foods consumed daily.
- MyFitnessPal’s free version offers enough macro tracking features to cover your basic needs. However, to customize macro goals by gram and access the app’s barcode scanner, you’ll need to upgrade to the premium version.
- We recommend MyFitnessPal to anyone who is looking for a basic macro tracking app that won’t break the bank.
Why we like MyFitnessPal as best free
MyFitnessPal is one of the first food logging apps and continues to be a customer favorite, with over 200 million registered users worldwide. This allows for a huge database of foods to be used/searched for compared to many of the other apps.
We love that the free version includes many basic features, including macro and exercise tracking, progress tracking, and community support.
Our product tester found the app incredibly user-friendly.
“This is one of the easiest apps I’ve used. It works really well if you are just needing to count calories/track macros.”
Team Product Tester
When you sign up, MyFitnessPal automatically assigns a calorie target and distributes your macro goals based on your responses to questions about your lifestyle, activity level, and more.
We like that the free version allows you to customize your calorie budget and macro goals by percentage, though you’ll need to upgrade to the app’s paid version to customize your macro goals by gram.
The premium version also allows you to set different macro targets by meal or day of the week to help you fine-tune your meal plan. Premium users have access to a library of educational content, workout routines, and detailed reports.
As a dietitian, I love that you can export your weekly food, exercise log, and progress–a feature that can be especially helpful if you’re working personally with a dietitian or other healthcare provider.
We appreciate MyFitnessPal’s large food database, with over 18 million foods. In the app, you can easily log food by searching through the search feature on the homepage. For added convenience, MyFitnessPal also allows premium users to take a photo of their food or scan a food’s barcode.
A recent study found that MyFitnessPal is generally accurate in tracking calories, macros, and fiber. However, it tends to fall short when accurately tracking sodium and cholesterol. (11)
When logging your meals, we recommend selecting foods from the app’s database with a green check mark. These foods are likely the most accurate option since MyFitnessPal has verified them.
What customers are saying
Most users are happy with MyFitnessPal and its tracking features.
Google Play Store user Maximillian G recommends MyFitnessPal to anyone who wants to get a detailed look at their diet.
“Very accessible and easy to use. Provides good info and the free version is more than sufficient for my usage and tracking of nutrients.”
Maximilian G., Google Play Store
However, several customers have reported glitches within the app and say many features they loved, such as the barcode scanner, are no longer included in the free version.
Specs
| Price | Free; $19.99 per month for Premium |
| Standout features | Customized macro goals, nutritional insights, exercise plans, recipes, community support, educational library |
| Tracking capabilities | Nutrition, exercise, fasting, diary notes |
| Custom meal plans | N/A |
| Device/app integration | Fitbit, Apple Watch, Garmin, Polar, Withings, Apple Health, Google Fit, Samsung Health, and more |
| Refund policy | N/A |
Best macro tracking app for keto: Keto Cycle
Key product features
What you should know
Keto Cycle makes it easy to track your macros and achieve your health goals on the keto diet. It provides advanced tracking features, personalized meal and exercise plans, and community support.
- I found Keto Cycle’s sign-up process to be extremely user-friendly and straightforward.
- Keto Cycle starts at $33 for a two-month membership, which is around $17 per month. We feel this is reasonable considering the number of features it offers.
- We recommend Keto Cycle for anyone looking for a meal plan and macro tracking features to help them stay in ketosis.
Why we like Keto Cycle as best for keto
The keto diet generally has a macro ratio of 70-80% of calories from fat, 5-10% from carbs, and 15-20% from proteins–different than what you’ll see with most macro diets, but on par with what’s required to keep your body in ketosis. The idea is that by restricting carbs, your body will be forced to burn fat rather for energy; the long term data on the benefits of this is limited. (12)
There is some evidence that this eating pattern may help with appetite suppression and weight loss, in the short term, longer term data do not support such extreme diets for most people. Further, many people find it difficult to sustain due to its restrictive nature. (13)
“The ‘diet’ that works best is the one that is most sustainable and most data suggest even if someone starts on a keto plan—or on the flip side, a very low fat plan—they will gravitate back towards a more balanced approach to eating over several months due to the extreme nature,” comments Mohr. (14)
Keto Cycle can help by offering meal plans, education, and tools to track your macros and exercise.
You’ll begin by entering your height, weight, dietary preferences, and activity level. Keto Cycle will then set your daily calorie and macronutrient goals and provide a personalized meal plan with recipes tailored to your dietary needs and health goals. You’ll receive a new meal plan every two weeks.
We love that the meal plans feature easy-to-prepare recipes and come with complete grocery lists to ensure you have everything you need to stay on track. You can easily note your macros by logging meals from your meal plan, creating your own recipes, or using the app’s barcode scanner. In addition to its macro tracking features, you can also keep tabs on your weight, water intake, steps, and ketosis.
We appreciate Keto Cycle’s library of workouts and nutrition lessons to help users learn the basics of the keto diet and how to safely follow it. If you’d like to personalize your plan further, you can schedule an appointment with one of Keto-Cycle’s nutritionists for an additional fee.
What customers are saying
Customers appreciate the app’s ease of use, extensive food database, and tracking tools.
“I love that the app makes menu planning hassle-free by calculating the macros and calories for you and generating a meal plan that fits within the requirements. I also like that I can change selected meals if I don’t want the one chosen. This also allows us to eat a healthy, whole food diet without relying on bars or other processed foods. The only downside is that it’s difficult to add your own recipes or find store-bought foods.”
Kerri E., Google Play Store
However, some customers have complaints about billing issues and the lack of integration with fitness devices.
“You can’t sync fitness trackers (Fitbit, Garmin) and have to track your steps manually. This app is too expensive to not have these basic features. Hopefully, they have improvements planned, and I didn’t just throw $70 in the toilet,” wrote Misti K., a Google Play Store customer.
Specs
| Price | $33 for a 2-month membership |
| Standout features | Coaching, community support, personalized meal plan, education |
| Tracking capabilities | Nutrition, exercise, ketosis |
| Custom meal plans | Yes |
| Device/app integration | Apple Health and Google Fit |
| Refund policy | 14 days |
Best macro tracking app for beginners: Lose It!
Key product features
What you should know
Lose It! offers a straightforward design that makes it easy for beginners to track macros, exercise, calories, body measurements, and more.
- Our tester loved how easy Lose It! was to use and appreciated its push notifications, saying that it helped keep him on track.
- While the app is free to download, you’ll have to subscribe to premium to set customized macronutrient goals and access the app’s barcode scanner. You can purchase an annual premium membership for $39.99, which we feel is a fair and reasonable price.
- Lose It! can help new and seasoned users lose weight by tracking their macros, calories, and exercise.
Why we like Lose It! as best for beginners
During testing, Lose It! earned high marks for its simple design and ease of use, making it our top choice for beginners.
Within the app, you can track calories and macros, as well as fiber, carbs, sodium, and sugar. As of March 2024, Lose It! also enables users to see a breakdown of 18 additional nutrients, including caffeine, unsaturated fats, and several B vitamins.
By keeping tabs on your caffeine intake, you can be sure to stay below the FDA’s recommendation of 400 milligrams a day, which is about four to five cups of regular coffee, or maybe just one or two energy drinks, depending on the brand. This is to prevent negative side effects. (15)
We love that you can customize the app’s dashboard to display macronutrients. This allows you to monitor your daily intake closely and make adjustments as needed. You can log your meals by taking a picture of your food, using the app’s barcode scanner, or searching through its database with over 50 million food and restaurant options.
Lose It! integrates with most fitness devices and health apps, including Apple Watch, Garmin, Fitbit, Apple Health, and Google Fit. When Lose It! determines your actual calorie burn exceeds the app’s estimate, the additional calories are given as a bonus.
The app’s free version sets a personalized calorie budget, tracks calories, and shows your daily macronutrient breakdown. It also gives you access to activity challenges, community support, and basic nutrition information. However, in order to customize your daily macro goals, use the app’s barcode scanner, or sync your fitness device, you’ll need to upgrade to the paid version.
With the paid version, you can also change your daily calorie and macronutrient goal and access nutritional insights, meal and exercise planning tools, and advanced tracking features.
What customers are saying
Most customers are happy with the app, though several have complained about previously free features now being blocked behind a paywall.
For example, Google Play Store customer Lindsey S. says she felt annoyed when she first learned that the barcode scanner was no longer included in the free version. However, this hasn’t kept her from using the app.
What customers are saying
Most customers are happy with the app, though several have complained about previously free features now being blocked behind a paywall.
For example, Google Play Store customer Lindsey S. says she felt annoyed when she first learned that the barcode scanner was no longer included in the free version. However, this hasn’t kept her from using the app.
“I lost 15 lbs using this app for free four years ago where the scanning function to input nutritional info/calorie intake was free, but now it’s part of the premium version. I discovered this after recently redownloading the app again. I was annoyed and disappointed at first but realized the premium version is worth the price.”
Lindsey S., Google Play Store
Specs
| Price | Free; $39.99/year for premium |
| Standout features | Customizable macros, fasting timer, community, educational library, nutritional insights |
| Tracking capabilities | Nutrition, exercise, body measurements, sleep |
| Custom meal plans | No |
| Device/app integration | Fitbit, Apple Watch, Garmin, and several smart scales |
| Refund policy | Members must fill out a form; customer service will then reach out to them regarding their available refund options |
Best macro tracking app for CrossFit: RP Diet Coach App
Key product features
What you should know
The RP Diet Coach App sets personalized macro targets for each meal. You create your meal plan by selecting the foods you want, and the app tells you how much to eat based on the macro targets.
- Our tester, who has used the app on and off for several years, notes that recent updates to the app have improved flexibility, making it more sustainable. She also liked that macro targets are customized for each meal, prioritizing carbs around her training times.
- A monthly membership costs $19.99, which is relatively pricey, considering it doesn’t sync with fitness devices or track calories. However, it may provide value to someone who is struggling with creating meal plans to fit their macro needs.
- RP Diet Coach may be a good option for someone interested in a structured approach to dieting and counting macros. However, the company doesn’t recommend the app for those who have never counted macros; we agree that it may be confusing for first-timers.
Why we like RP Diet Coach App as best for CrossFit
The RP Diet Coach App is designed for athletes who are looking to improve their performance and reach their health goals through a structured nutrition program.
Unlike most apps we’ve tried, RP Diet Coach offers an advanced level of personalization. It tailors your macro goals to your daily schedule, exercise intensity, and training schedule. Further, the app allows you to customize your macro targets based on whether your goal is fat loss, muscle gain, or maintenance.
Our product tester, a certified personal trainer, loved that the app considered her training schedule and prioritized carbs around her workouts. Consuming carbs before and after a workout can improve energy levels, performance, and recovery. (16)
We love that you can plan your meals in advance, making it easier to meet your macro targets without scrambling to find something at the last minute that fits within your macros.
You build your meals by choosing from a dropdown list of recommended foods, and you can filter foods by diet, including gluten-free, vegan, and paleo. Once you select your food, the app tells you how much you need to hit your macros for that meal. You can also add your own foods using the app’s barcode scanner, which our tester found super convenient.
The app will review your weight trends each week and adjust your meal plan and macros accordingly.
You’re required to “check in” for each of your meals and report whether you ate your meal exactly as planned or if you were over or under your target macros. It then generates an adherence score to see how closely you follow your meal plan. Our tester disliked this feature, saying, “In my experience, the adherence score can make you feel like you’re failing if you’ve had a few off days. This may mess with someone’s head.”
“Adherence may be beneficial to some people, knowing that someone else is looking at what you’re choosing, but others may not appreciate that level of ‘inspection’ and close watch,” says Mohr. “The feedback is key because while accountability can be helpful, if you feel like you’re being judged, it makes it harder.”
If you need extra support or guidance, RP Diet Coach offers one-on-one coaching with industry experts. Most of these experts are registered dietitians or hold a Ph.D. in their field.
However, you’ll have to visit the company website to be matched with a coach as this feature isn’t currently available in the app.
What customers are saying
RP Diet Coach customers say the app has helped them reach their fitness goals.
Apple App Store user Laura L. loves the meal planner feature. She does note that for some, though, this may be too tedious.
“I don’t know what exactly is different with this program, but it is immediately working. And I love how you can add your ingredients first and adjust from there to come up with the perfect meal.”
Laura L., Apple App Store
Negative reviews mention difficulty navigating the app, a limited list of recommended foods, and the lack of integration with fitness trackers.
Specs
| Price | $19.99 per month |
| Standout features | Coaching, community support, customized macro goals, AI-generated meal planner |
| Tracking capabilities | Macros, exercise |
| Custom meal plans | N/A |
| Device/app integration | N/A |
| Refund policy | 30-day money-back guarantee |
How we chose the best macro tracking apps
Tracking macros can help bring awareness to your food choices and encourage a balanced diet. The method is popular among folks looking to gain muscle, lose fat, or optimize their physical performance. It may also benefit people with specific dietary needs, especially those following very low-carb, high-fat diets such as the keto diet.
Many macro tracking apps make it easy to find the amount of carbs, fat, and protein in your favorite foods by scanning a barcode or taking a photo of your meal, making it easier than ever to reach your health goals.
But with so many macro tracking apps out there, it can be hard to know which ones are worth your time and money. Here’s how we chose our top picks.
Each macro tracking app is assigned a score of one through five for each of the 10 categories we evaluate. Rather than simply averaging the scores together, we weigh them based on their benefit and then average them to come up with a cumulative score.
For example, being able to add notes to your food diary is great, but it’s not as important as being able to customize your macro goals or receive personalized insights into your dietary patterns.
Based on these individual scores, we calculate an overall rating on a scale from one to five, with one being the lowest possible rating and five being the highest.
Read our full nutrition program testing methodology here.
Testing criteria
Program design—30%
A macro tracking app should follow current, evidence-based guidelines while leaving room for your individual needs and preferences. Our testers have been in the field long enough to recognize a quality macro tracker when they see it. Here’s what they look for:
- Explanation
- Adaptability
- Sustainability
- Realistic expectations
Value—30%
The internet is full of macro tracking apps, ranging from free apps with limited features to programs offering personalized coaching and meal planning. Our goal is to connect you with an app that is effective and worth your time and money.
Here’s what we factor into a program’s value rating:
- Fair price
- Tracking capabilities
- Tools and recipes
Extra options—20%
We give bonus points to the macro tracking apps that go above and beyond, offering advanced features like:
- Coaching and community support
- Education
- Workouts
Customer experience—20%
We want you to be happy with your purchase. Here are some often overlooked details that can make or break a program:
- Reliable technology
- Reviews
- Customer service
- Free trial periods
How to track your macros
Macronutrients–carbs, protein, and fat–are the nutrients your body needs in large amounts to function optimally. Each one has a specific role: (17)
- Carbohydrates: The body’s preferred energy source for fueling activities.
- Protein: Helps the body build and repair cells and supports growth, development, and a healthy immune system.
- Fat: Helps our bodies absorb fat-soluble vitamins (vitamins A, D, E, and K), keeps the skin and hair healthy, and promotes satiety.
If you’re interested in counting your macros, here’s a quick look at how to get started.
Determine your calorie needs
To count your macros, you’ll first need to estimate your daily calorie needs. You can use an online calculator or the Mifflin-St. Jeor equation below. (18)
- Females: calories per day = (9.99 x weight in kg) + (6.25 x height in cm) – (4.92 x age) – 161
- Males: calories per day = (9.99 x weight in kg) + (6.25 x height in cm) – (4.92 x age) + 5
Next, you multiply your result from this equation using an activity factor that best represents your activity level:
- Sedentary (little to no exercise): x 1.2
- Lightly active (light exercise less than three days per week): x 1.375
- Moderately active (moderate exercise most days of the week): x 1.55
- Very active (hard exercise every day): x 1.725
- Extra active (strenuous exercise two or more times per day): x 1.9
The final number is an estimate of the total calories your body burns daily, or TDEE (total daily energy expenditure). You can add or subtract calories depending on whether you want to lose or gain weight. Adding or subtracting 250-500 calories is generally a good place to start.
Decide your macro ratio
Once you determine your daily calorie needs, you’ll need to figure out what macro ratio works best for your health goals and lifestyle.
Generally speaking, guidelines recommend the following macro ratios: (7)
- Carbs: 45%–65% of total calories
- Protein: 10%–35% of total calories
- Fat: 20%–35% of total calories
Carbs and protein have four calories per gram, while fat has nine calories per gram.
So, if you’re following a 2,000-calorie diet and using a macro ratio of 35% protein, 45% carbs, and 20% fat, you’ll need to aim for 175 grams of protein, 225 grams of carbs, and around 44 grams of fat per day.
Thankfully, most macro tracking apps have pre-set macro recommendations to match your goals to take the guesswork out of the process.
If you’re new to counting macros, we highly recommend consulting with a dietitian or qualified healthcare professional to ensure you’re setting the appropriate targets for your needs.
Track your macros
Once you have determined your calorie and macro targets, you’ll need to keep track of your macro intake. Macro tracking apps allow you to easily log your foods to make sure you’re hitting your daily macro targets.
FAQs
What should my daily macros be?
Generally speaking, macros within current guidelines of 45 to 65% carbs, 10 to 35% fat, and 20 to 35% protein are recommended. However, your macro goals will vary depending on your health needs, lifestyle, along with your age, height, and weight. It’s best to work with a nutrition professional or dietitian to determine your daily macro targets.
Does tracking macros really work?
Tracking macros may benefit people who need help eating certain amounts of each macronutrient and do best with a structured diet. However, it is not for everyone–especially if you have a history of an eating disorder.
How much should I pay for a macro tracking app?
Macro tracking apps greatly vary in price. Most apps with basic macro tracking features are free, though if you want advanced features to help keep you on track you’ll probably end up paying around $15-$20 a month. However, apps that include coaching and/or meal delivery can cost over $100 per month.
What are the benefits of tracking macros?
Tracking macros can help encourage you to eat the right amount of food for your health goals. It may be particularly helpful for those trying to follow a low carb or high protein diet. Consistent macro tracking may help with weight loss, muscle gain, or simply improve your diet quality.
Our experts
Chris Mohr, Ph.D., RD
Dr. Chris Mohr is an internationally recognized subject matter expert and speaker and performance coach. Through his facilitation and online resources, he works closely with some of the largest corporations in the world including Deloitte, Delta Airlines, Johnson & Johnson and more to help busy executives all over the world, develop the energy to thrive personally and professionally.
Victoria Burgess, Ph.D., CSCS, CISSN
Victoria uses her extensive nutrition and performance knowledge every day. She has a Ph.D. in Health and Human Performance from Concordia University Chicago and holds her NSCA CSCS and Certified Sports Nutritionist (CISSN). She’s an adjunct professor in the Human Performance and Nutrition department at Concordia University Chicago and Parker University, where she teaches undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral level courses. She also sits on the advisory board for both the International Society of Sports Nutrition and the National Advisory Council of the First Responder Institute.
Jessica Coulon
Jessica is a contributing editor and writer for Fortune Recommends™ who specializes in fitness, health, nutrition, and science content. Previously, she was an editor for Popular Mechanics and Bicycling, where she covered pro cycling news, wrote how-to guides, and tested all the latest and greatest bike gear. She was also a regular shoe tester and contributor for Runner’s World. You can often find her skiing or riding her mountain bike, and racing with the F1RE female enduro team.
Lily Moe
Lily is a Brooklyn-based writer and editor with over seven years of experience in health media. As a former Fitness Coach, Lily’s editorial prowess has largely focused on fitness, nutrition, and weight management. She has also spent a fair share of time in testing labs, analyzing everything from protein powders to yoga mats. Her work has appeared in Verywell Fit, Verywell Mind, Health, and more.
Kelly Uhler
Kelly has a multifaceted background in elder care, health care, and copywriting. She has worked for organizations such as A Place For Mom and Homecare.com, which gave her the opportunity to work closely with families, providing reliable information to help them make informed decisions about their loved one’s health, safety, and quality of life.
Lindsey DeSoto
RDN, LD, Fortune Recommends Nutrition Writer
About Author
Lindsey DeSoto is an experienced registered dietitian who enjoys staying up to date on the latest research and sharing her knowledge through writing. Her writing and expertise have been featured in various publications, including Verywell Health, Medical News Today, Health, and CNBC.