If you’re looking for a nutrition tracking app, but you’re feeling overwhelmed by the number of choices on the market, we’ve got you covered. With dozens of apps that serve specific purposes, it’s important to consider your personal nutrition tracking goals, key features you’re looking for, and any specific features you’re hoping to avoid. (1)
Tracking your food, counting calories with an app, and other types of self-monitoring may help you achieve weight loss goals or improve other health markers. (2, 3) Research supports the use of smartphone tracking for improved nutrition habits and energy intake. (4) Our team of experts assessed dozens of the best nutrition apps based on user experience, key features, and cost. Based on that criteria and extensive industry know-how, we’ve narrowed down our top 10 choices.
Editor’s choice: Noom
Noom uses a unique method for nutrition tracking compared to most other apps, following a psychological approach to changing eating habits. Instead of counting calories, Noom categorizes food into three color groups based on calorie density, in order to influence users to make healthier choices over time. The app also offers educational content on nutrition, personalized meal plans, coaching, community support, and more.
Medical disclaimer: This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. For health advice, contact a licensed healthcare provider.
To evaluate your risk of an eating disorder or disordered eating, take the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) free assessment. For additional support, please contact the NEDA helpline at 1-800-931-2237.
Our picks for the best nutrition apps
- Best for weight loss: Noom Weight
- Best food tracking: Cronometer
- Best for meal delivery: Trifecta Meal Delivery
- Best calculator: MyFitnessPal
- Best diet app: WeightWatchers
- Best free: Lose It!
- Best macro counting app: MacroFactor
- Best healthy recipe app: Mealime
- Best food allergy app: Spokin
Compare nutrition apps
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| Noom | Cronometer | Trifecta Meal Delivery | MyFitnessPal | WeightWatchers | Lose It! | MacroFactor | Mealime | Spokin | |
| Rating | |||||||||
| Price | $70/mo | $9.99/mo | $104.93/mo | $19.99/mo | $23/mo | $39.99/yr | $5.99/mo | $2.99/mo | Free |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Platforms | iOS and Android | iOS and Android | Website and app | iOS, Android, and website | iOS and Android | iOS, Android, and website | iOS and Google Play | iOS and Android | iOS and Android |
Best nutrition app for weight loss: Noom Weight
Key product features
What you should know
Unlike some other nutrition tracking apps, Noom emphasizes behavior change for sustainable weight loss.
- Our testers like the coaching relationship you develop in the app with your personal Noom dietitian. You’ll receive education, insights, and personalized recommendations from your tracking data.
- With the option to opt-in to health coaching services, you’ll receive a highly personal, high-touch experience for $70 per month. This is more expensive than other options on the market, but we love the value Noom provides.
- Noom’s behavior change focus and “stop light” system for food categories makes this an excellent option for beginners and folks who want to remove numbers from their tracking experience.
Why we like Noom as best for weight loss
Noom uses a unique “stoplight” system, a personalized nutrition plan, and expert coaching, making it one of the best nutrition apps for weight loss.
Noom offers subscription-based services with a 14-day free trial to see if it is a good fit for you. If you decide to sign up, the monthly fee is priced at $70 per month. While their fee is higher than some nutrition trackers, you’ll also receive daily support and accountability from your coach.
Noom’s algorithm is not just about counting calories—its stoplight system is designed to help you eat more “green” foods which are lower in calories and likely will support your weight loss goals. If you have a history of dieting or disordered eating, you may not be quite the right fit for this weight loss program.
Some folks report feeling worse about their food choices because of the assigned color to each food. For example, one of my clients shared that she ate protein oatmeal for breakfast, and Noom assigned this healthy meal to the “red” category, adding it to the list of foods that should be limited based on calorie content. She reported feeling stressed and guilty despite making a nutritious choice.
Keep in mind that programs like Noom only look at calories, and sometimes miss the “bigger picture” about why we make certain choices.
One of our testers noted that she enjoyed the stoplight system as it helped her create an awareness about the higher calorie foods she was eating, and make an effort to swap them for lower calorie choices. This is inline with research that shows that apps like Noom can help support weight loss efforts. (5)
I began to understand the nutritional value of the foods I consumed, categorizing them based on their ‘color’ and caloric content. This shift led me to prioritize green foods over red. Additionally, I now eat sufficient protein intake, addressing a previous gap in my nutrition habits.”
Team Product Tester
Noom’s app is your weight-loss HQ, and syncs with most fitness trackers, ensuring you’re always up to speed on your progress. Plus, its unique algorithm adjusts your step goal slightly each day to increase activity over time for weight loss.
Check out our full Noom review to read more about the plan.
What customers are saying
Noom has garnered 817,000 reviews on the Apple App Store. One feature Bernadac wishes Noom incorporated was “integration with other apps like MyFitnessPal for a more comprehensive user experience.”
On the other hand, a frustrated user complained about constant app malfunctions: “the app fails to update daily step counts and I have difficulty accessing the app for days,” they criticized. Due to “the lackluster customer service experience,” they share that they ultimately decided not to renew their subscription.
“The app has really helped me shed postpartum weight and resist unnecessary snacking.”
L. Bernadac, Apple App Store
Specs
| Price | $70/mo |
| Free trial | Yes |
| Platform | iOS and Android |
| Tracking metrics | Daily food intake, exercise, weight, behavioral patterns |
| Community support | Yes, in app |
| Educational content | Yes, in app |
| Integration with other technology | Fitness apps and tech devices |
Best food tracking app: Cronometer
Key product features
What you should know
Ideal for accurate tracking and personalized goals, Cronometer offers a high-value user experience for less than $10 a month.
- Cronometer helps you track your food through an extensive database and barcode scanner.
- At $9.99 per month, you get access to tracking macronutrients, micronutrients, and health targets for a steal compared to other apps on the market.
- With one of the largest food databases, Cronometer is a great option for people who are looking for a reliable option to track their food.
Why we like Cronometer as best food tracking app
Cronometer is your comprehensive tool for food tracking everything from macros to micros. Their extensive database, personalized metrics, and barcode scanning create a seamless user experience for folks looking to detail their food intake.
With a comprehensive food database that is highly accurate, you’ll have access to foods you cook at home, easy-to-input recipes, and restaurant chain menus alike. Cronometer’s features include customizable goals and body measurement tracking to personalize your experience. Plus, their barcode scanning feature makes it easy to tap-and-go when tracking foods that come in a package.
According to research, using self-monitoring tactics like those in Cronometer might improve our health regardless of our diet quality. (7) Some happy customers include folks who enjoy data analysis and others who prefer more calorie information to help them achieve a specific physical goal such as fitness competitions or performance-based events.
While one of our testers found this to be a bit overwhelming at first, they also found the app to be user-friendly and comprehensive.
“With a range of tracking options available, I occasionally felt overwhelmed by the wealth of information. The app features a home dashboard as well as charts and reports for visual analysis,” which might be too much information for some.”
Team Product Tester
For example, folks who have a history of a diagnosed eating disorder are not a good fit for apps like Cronometer that are data-driven and numbers-focused. Eating disorder treatment heavily discourages tracking calories as it may hinder progress, specifically when one’s goal is to eat enough food every day and remove guilt and shame from their eating experience.
Cronometer offers a subscription plan of $9.99 a month, making it a budget friendly option for many. Plus, they often offer a trial period so you can give their premium features a spin before committing. Whether you’re team iPhone or team Android, Chronometer has you covered. Plus, it plays nice with your favorite fitness trackers, syncing data seamlessly for a well-rounded view of your fitness activity.
What customers are saying
Cronometer has earned 57,700 reviews on the Apple App Store. Michelle says she finds it perfect for both seasoned macro trackers and beginners, commenting “I love the extensive database, efficient search feature, including barcode scanning capabilities, and the simplicity of the food diary feature.”
In contrast, Ender13 mentioned that they “hoped the app would become their new default app of choice, but found it lacking in important key features.” However, Ender13 shares that they appreciate the “easy addition of recently used and favorite foods and strong fitness tracking integration.” In their review, they identified areas for improvement: “It would be nice to have a weekly overview feature because I had some confusion over the databases.” Despite its potential, Ender13 says the app needs improvements compared to competitors like MyFitnessPal and LoseIt.
“I enjoyed the Cronometer app and found it to be user-friendly. I enjoyed most of the features like the clear Energy and Macronutrient target bars, customizable Calorie, Macro targets, and Micronutrient breakdown.”
Username “Michelle Cardinal19,” Apple App Store
Specs
| Price | $9.99/mo |
| Free trial | Yes |
| Platform | iOS and Android |
| Tracking metrics | Calories, macronutrients, micronutrients, water, anthropometrics, mood, sleep, heart rate, blood pressure, and pulse |
| Community support | Yes |
| Educational content | No |
| Integration with other technology | Yes, fitness apps |
Best nutrition app for meal delivery: Trifecta
Key product features
What you should know
Trifecta offers a premier meal service that’s making healthy eating easy. With a focus on balanced macros, high quality ingredients, and convenience, Trifecta is one of the best prepared meal delivery options on the market.
- Trifecta’s convenient meals come balanced with a protein, carb, fat, and vegetable in almost every meal which will help keep you full and meet your nutrition goals.
- Trifecta is one of the more expensive options on our list at $110 per month, but it offers high quality, healthy meals.
- These macro-friendly meals are great for those looking for balanced meals shipped right to your door.
Why we like Trifecta as best for meal delivery
Trifecta takes the hassle out of meal prep by doing all the hard work for you—planning, shopping, and cooking—making it our top nutrition app for meal delivery. Each meal comes well-portioned with protein, carbs, fats, and a vegetable. Plus, Trifecta sources from high quality ingredients and often grass-fed and hormone free protein sources, and accommodates a variety of eating styles, including vegetarian and vegan.
While they don’t do “free trials” due to the nature of their meal service, they do offer exclusive discounts and promotions from time to time. Plus, they offer discounts for bulk orders, so you can get more bang for your buck. These prices might be higher than if you cooked the meal yourself at home, but they’re convenient, delivered right to your door, and ready-to-eat. You’ll also have minimal clean up and potentially avoid food waste if you’re one to buy a bunch of healthy groceries, only to have to throw them away in a couple weeks when you don’t use them all.
When testing this meal delivery service, we loved the flexibility of shipping dates, allowing you to choose specific delivery dates. “Considering the summer heat, I wasn’t confident the meals would remain fresh outside all day, even with ice packs,” one of our product testers mentioned. “That’s why I selected delivery dates when I was working from home.”
The vacuum-sealed packaging keeps the meals fresh, and the instructions on nearly all the meals suggest that stove-top preparation enhances flavor. After testing, we agreed. One tester shared, “I opted for skillet cooking for the chicken and broccoli casserole and two of the egg dishes, and indeed, they surpassed the egg bowl I microwaved, which turned out overly liquidy.”
Read our full Trifecta review to see more details.
What customers are saying
Trifecta has garnered 47 reviews on the Trustpilot site. A satisfied customer shared their experience with Trifecta, describing it as “Amazing food service.” As an athlete seeking high-protein, balanced carb meals, they found “Trifecta met their needs perfectly after trying several other services.”
However, a negative Trustpilot review paints a different picture. One dissatisfied customer expressed disappointment with Trifecta’s vegan menu, describing it as “the worst meal plan.” Despite being vegan for most of their life, they said Trifecta’s offerings are “inedible, bland, and lacking in fresh ingredients and protein.”
Specs
| Price | $104.93/mo |
| Free trial | No |
| Platform | Website, app |
| Tracking metrics | Yes, on the app |
| Community support | Yes |
| Educational content | Yes |
| Integration with other technology | Yes |
Best nutrition calculator app: MyFitnessPal
Key product features
What you should know
MyFitnessPal offers a user-friendly interface and extra features, including a barcode scanner and customizable goals, that make nutrition calculation simple and easy.
- Great for beginners to tracking and experts alike, MyFitnessPal’s tracking interface is intuitive and easy to use.
- Whether you’re using the free version, or upgrading to get access to additional features like barcode scanning, MyFitnessPal delivers a high quality customer experience for $19.99 per month—a deal when you consider all of their user-friendly tracking features.
- MyFitnessPal is a great option for people looking for a large food database to start tracking their nutrition from.
Why we like MyFitnessPal as best calculator
Whether you’re a newbie to tracking or looking for a trusted calculator for your nutrition details, MyFitnessPal is renowned for their accurate and extensive database. Plus, we love that they offer a ranging library of educational content, articles, and community support. You can set personalized goals for calories, macros, and fitness activities.
MyFitnessPal offers a free version with basic features, but if you’re looking for additional features like barcode scanning and advanced tracking metrics, they’ve got MyFitnessPal Premium version with extra perks like no advertisements. Prices are either $19.99 per month or subscribe annually and save for $79.99 per year.
Many users enjoy that MyFitnessPal is available on both iOS and Android, as well as through your browser. As a dietitian, many of my clients use the website to download and send comprehensive reports, graphs, and weekly breakdowns for easy-to-digest nutrition data. One of our favorite features is their recipe importer where you can copy and paste the recipe URL from your favorite website and it will pull and catalog all of the ingredients, serving sizes, and nutrition information per serving.
MyFitnessPal comes equipped with a library of resources to keep nutrition and fitness content top of mind. Plus, they have a highly engaged social community to get involved and hold yourself accountable.
Like with all calorie tracking apps, we wouldn’t recommend this for folks who struggle with a poor relationship with food—those who have disordered eating habits or a diagnosed eating disorder—as focusing on calories and macronutrients with fitness tracking may compound associated psychological issues. (8)
In a nutshell, MyFitnessPal is your personal nutrition tracking app, helping you log everything from calories to macros to your daily water intake. With the premium version, you’ll be able to enjoy its extensive features, community support, and seamless integration with fitness trackers, it’s your one-stop-shop for crushing those health goals.
What customers are saying
MyFitnessPal has garnered 181,600 reviews on the Apple App Store.
In the Apple App Store, one satisfied user awards the MyFitnessPal app a perfect five-star rating, sharing their love for its features and functionality. This reviewer says it was a game-changer for their fitness journey, simplifying tracking of food, exercise, and progress.
However, in a less positive review, a dissatisfied user mentioned a registration error. “It doesn’t take me to the next page and when I press the arrow on the top right an error pops up saying that the account cannot be registered,” they wrote. They also describe issues after filling out their birthdate, leading to a frustrating inability to register for the app.
“With a surprisingly large database of foods to log, easy macronutrient and calorie calculation, and intuitive interface, I love MFP’s database.”
Apple App Store
Specs
| Price | $19.99/mo |
| Free trial | Yes |
| Platform | iOS, Android, and website |
| Tracking metrics | iOS, Android, and website |
| Community support | Yes |
| Educational content | Yes |
| Integration with other technology | Yes, fitness apps and Apple Health |
Best diet app: WeightWatchers
Key product features
What you should know
WW’s revamped approach assigns zero or minimal points to healthy foods to encourage improved choices without the “point” value.
- A far cry from the WeightWatchers we previously knew, WW lists many foods as zero or “1 point” to encourage more food in the form of fruits, veggies, whole grains, and lean protein.
- For $23 a month, you’ll receive access to tracking, personalized coaching in the app, and educational resources. Compared to other weight loss apps that offer coaching, you likely will be hard pressed to find a better deal.
- WW is ideal for people looking to learn more about their nutrition, thanks to personalized coaching and educational resources.
Why we like WeightWatchers as best diet app
Weight Watchers has been around for a long time but they’ve recently made some changes. Their app now uses a very different points system than was the case decades ago. They offer a personalized program with many foods being low or no points to encourage higher volume eating of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins.
When testing, we found the WW App to be easy to navigate, especially if you’ve used similar tracking tools like MyFitnessPal. When you first open the app, you’ll see your homescreen with how many Points from your Points Budget you have left for the day as well as how many Points are in your Weeklies.
Plus, Weight Watchers has adapted to the modern world, now holding meetings online and offering personalized coaching support within the app. Gone are the days of attending a local meeting, and now you can receive accountability and resources right on your phone.
You’ll still be assigned a “point target” for the day, but many users report that their upgraded SmartPoints system is more intuitive and realistic to stick to each day. Still, for folks who struggle with feeling stressed when tracking their food, Weight Watchers may not be the best option as it can contribute to food obsession and a negative relationship with food.
Priced at $23 per month, this investment is budget-friendly and offers tons of personalized support. You’ll receive customized coaching, tracking tools for food, exercise, and weight, community support, and educational resources.
Your community of fellow WWs will share tips and success stories and you might even meet people in virtual workshops or meetings to help you stay motivated and hold yourself accountable. While some users find the program incredibly intuitive, others find it challenging to stay consistent and use a point system instead of calories for tracking. Regardless, the folks who stick with the program long-term tend to be the most consistent.
What customers are saying
WW has garnered a whopping 2,100,000 reviews on the Apple App Store. One reviewer appreciates the app’s efforts for user success but expresses disappointment with the rewards system. However, they comment on their disdain for the social and political commentary, finding it stressful and unhelpful for their weight loss effort.
A negative Apple App Store review criticizes recent changes to the program’s formula, finding the new plan ineffective for weight loss. They express frustration with being locked into a 12-month commitment despite canceling due to dissatisfaction with the program: “If the diet doesn’t work for you they don’t care as you would have signed up for 12 months,” they said.
“I have been in weight watchers for the last seven years consecutively and I love it.”
Apple App Store
Specs
| Price | $23/mo |
| Free trial | Yes |
| Platform | iOS and Android |
| Tracking metrics | Food intake, physical activity, and weight |
| Community support | Yes |
| Educational content | Yes |
| Integration with other technology | Yes |
Best free nutrition app: Lose It!
Key product features
What you should know
Lose It! presents its users with comprehensive tracking features like meal logging, exercise tracking, goal setting, and progress monitoring.
- The app assists in logging meals, tracking exercise, setting goals, and monitoring progress, akin to having a personal health coach.
- Lose It! offers a free version with essential features—making this a top-tier option for folks on a budget—and a premium option starting at $39.99/year, including a potential free trial. Compared to other nutrition trackers, you can’t beat the features you get access to for free.
- Great for those on a budget, Lose It! boasts a vast food database with a barcode scanning feature for easy entry, enhancing convenience and accuracy—all for free.
Why we like Lose It! as best free
Lose It! is our top pick for the best free nutrition app on the market. With unique tracking tools for food, exercise, and weight loss, you’ll also receive access to personalized goal setting and community support. The app is capable of the most important features to look for in a nutrition tracking app, and it’s all available for no cost to you.
Great for beginners or folks who are just getting used to tracking their food in an app, this is a great introduction to understanding what features are important to you if you do want to purchase a tracking app down the road. Alternatively, you might just be looking for a free way to develop a bit more awareness about your eating habits, then Lose It! is a great fit for you.
Plus, Lose It! connects to fitness apps to help you track your activity, which might improve your weight loss goals and other health markers. (9)
They do have a premium version priced at just $40 per year that will get you some extra features and tracking metrics. However, test-driving the free version for a while can give you more insight into whether or not you need the paid features.
Many users love their barcode scanning feature, which quickly pulls up packaged goods and accurate calorie and macronutrient information. They also have a robust database for restaurants and fast food chain menus.
We love that they also have community support so that you feel more engaged throughout your nutrition-tracking journey. With online challenges for you to participate in and social media groups with folks who have similar lifestyle goals, we can appreciate the extra support the app provides and interactions with other users.
As a reminder, tracking your food especially when it comes to looking at calories is not for everybody. If you have a history of disordered eating or generally feel increased levels of stress and anxiety from looking at calorie content, there are other ways to make progress with your nutrition that do not have an emphasis on numbers.
What customers are saying
Lose It! has 359 reviews on the Apple App Store. One happy user stated the app is one of the best available: “One of the best apps out there!” they share. They also appreciate its ease of use without needing upfront payment details and expressed that they are considering a permanent subscription after successfully losing weight over nine months.
In contrast, a negative Apple App Store review described frustration with the premium subscription. The user claims to have paid for a year’s subscription but found their app reverted to a regular subscription without access to paid features. Despite attempts to contact support, they couldn’t resolve the issue and lost all data and purchases. “All my logging is gone and recipes I downloaded…gone. All my notes…gone. I’m so angry,” they said.
“I’m considering paying for the permanent fee. Using this app I finally managed to lose weight… Using this app from September and I’ve lost 8.5 kilograms so far.”
Apple App Store
Specs
| Price | $39.99/yr |
| Free trial | Yes |
| Platform | iOS, Android, and website |
| Tracking metrics | Food intake, physical activity, water intake, and weight |
| Community support | Yes |
| Educational content | No |
| Integration with other technology | Yes, fitness apps and smart scales |
Best macro counting app: MacroFactor
Key product features
What you should know
With MacroFactor you’ll gain access to comprehensive nutrition recommendations tailored to your needs, accompanied by a community offering support and accountability.
- MacroFactor provides detailed nutrition plans with macronutrient targets for protein, carbs, and fats.
- For $6 a month, you’ll receive access to a wealth of personal nutrition recommendations and community support on your nutrition tracking journey. This is a budget-friendly price compared to other nutrition trackers on the market.
- Best for individuals tracking macros, MacroFactor helps you better understand your targets for calories and the three main macronutrients to track.
Why we like MacroFactor as best macro counting app
Counting macros, or the act of totaling up protein, carbs, and fat, can help you have a better understanding of your nutrition balance—MacroFactor gives you all of this information and more with personalized nutrient targets for food, activity tracking, and weight monitoring features.
MacroFactor has a unique algorithm that adjusts your targets to mimic changes in your metabolism that happened during weight loss. Adapting to these changes can help you stay on track with your weight loss goals and prevent plateauing down the road.
Starting at just $5.99 a month, it’s a steal for the personalized macro magic it brings to the table. Plus, they have a 7-day free trial so you can test-drive it before committing.
The label scanning feature is one of the most loved capabilities of the app due to making the tracking process easier because you don’t have to detail each individual nutrition fact per product. In our evaluation, we found it was easy to scan labels quickly and add macros into the tracker so that you simply have to adjust your serving size for accurate data.
Not everybody needs to track their macros. Macronutrient tracking with an app can be helpful if you’re specifically taking a look at protein, carbs, or fat in your diet. If you have diabetes or are watching your blood sugar, for example, you might be interested in the total carb content of your meals and snacks throughout the day.
On the other hand, if you’re an athlete or competing in a physical event, you may be looking at the protein targets. Most people do not need to look at all of their macros in addition to calories, but some folks prefer to track more details than others.
What customers are saying
MacroFactor has garnered 3,000 reviews on the Apple App Store. One Apple Store reviewer enjoyed logging their food with the app, and appreciated the app’s small improvements, enhancing usability. Then, they switched from Carb Manager despite having six months left on their subscription with another app, sharing they found the Macrofactor app to be more valuable on their nutrition tracking journey and trusting it to help with transitioning to maintenance calories after losing a significant amount of weight.
On the other hand, another reviewer expressed disappointment. They shared that the app lacks game-changing features and suggests folks try free alternatives like Carb Manager or MyFitnessPal. “If you are not looking for fancy stuff and just logging others do better and they’re free,” they add.
“I took the free trial and after 7 days. Each day my appreciation for the MF app grew and now I would never go back.”
Apple App Store
Specs
| Price | $5.99/mo |
| Free trial | Yes |
| Platform | iOS and Google Play |
| Tracking metrics | Macronutrient intake |
| Community support | Yes |
| Educational content | No |
| Integration with other technology | Yes, Google Fit, Apple Health, and Fitbit |
Best healthy recipe app: Mealime
Key product features
What you should know
Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a kitchen novice, Mealime provides a wealth of recipes and content to support you on your journey towards healthier cooking habits.
- Catering to a variety of dietary preferences and patterns, Mealime offers personalized meal plans with detailed calorie and macronutrient information for your nutrition needs.
- Clocking in at less than $3 per month, you’ll receive a slew of helpful nutrition recipes and content to help you reach your nutrition goals—a steal when compared to other recipe tracking apps on the market.
- Whether you’re a novice who’s learning to cook healthier meals at home or a long-time chef in need of some new meal ideas, Mealime comes in clutch with its huge recipe collection.
Why we like Mealime as best healthy recipe app
If your goal is to track your food more consistently, but your main problem is needing recipes, Mealime is likely a solution to your problem. With customized meal plans for your personal dietary preferences or allergies, this app provides you with detailed recipes that you can cook at home and step-by-step instructions with a grocery list included.
Cooking at home can be challenging to know the calorie content, and Mealime makes it easy. You’ll also receive a breakdown of the nutrition information for each recipe, helping you quickly track your calories and macronutrients at your meals.
With both free and premium options, they’ve got you covered no matter your budget. Some users report that you get more features and extra recipes if you subscribe to the premium paid version. But, if you’re looking for an easy way to get started with food tracking and you want simple recipes, you might start with the free version before you upgrade.
The app’s meal planning algorithm takes into account your dietary preferences, cooking abilities, and the ingredients that you have on hand to make a personalized meal plan with recipes for you. You’ll also get quick cooking tips, substitution recommendations, and complete nutrition information for each recipe.
We love that you are likely minimizing food waste and getting savvier in the kitchen with Mealime’s intuitive app. Because it gives you a customized grocery list, you’ll reduce the amount of extra groceries you’re buying and only get what you need.
Remember, if you are working on improving your relationship with food and don’t want to see the calorie content, the app will show you this information. However, since the main focus of the app is improving cooking skills and giving you recipe ideas, you could theoretically use it for this purpose and ignore the extensive nutrition information behind each recipe.
What customers are saying
Mealime has garnered 52,900 reviews on the Apple App Store. Many Apple App Store reviewer praised the meal planning app as a comprehensive solution for their culinary needs.
Conversely, a negative review detailed frustrations with canceling the subscription, highlighting persistent charges despite multiple cancellation attempts and unresponsive customer support, resulting in feeling dissatisfied with the app’s service. “When I tried to cancel a second time, thinking I had made the error, I checked and found that no matter how many times I try to cancel, the app refuses to unsubscribe me,” they explain.
“I can’t recommend this app enough! It has everything you want in a meal planning app: options for food preferences and allergies, endless variety of delicious and nutritious meals, automatic grocery lists with the ability to add your own groceries and check off what you already have, options for grocery delivery, budget-friendly meal options, easy meals instructions, and the ability to import recipes from other sites or add in your own recipes from scratch.”
Apple App Store
Specs
| Price | $2.99/mo |
| Free trial | No |
| Platform | iOS and Android |
| Tracking metrics | Meal planning and recipes |
| Community support | No |
| Educational content | No |
| Integration with other technology | No |
Best food allergy app: Spokin
Key product features
What you should know
Spokin is our go-to app for vetting products, eateries, and offering support for those living allergen-free.
- Spokin helps you discover safe products, eateries, and recipes with customized suggestions tailored to your allergies and preferences.
- This high value, supportive app is completely free to help you navigate the world of food allergies—which is hard to come by in the world of allergy-friendly tracking apps.
- Best for folks who are vetting products and eateries for food allergies, you’ll receive information from the app’s directory as well as personal interactions with other users on the app.
Why we like Spokin as best food allergy app
If you have food allergies, you know how challenging it can be to determine what foods are safe for you—not to mention the anxiety-producing experience of eating out at a restaurant. With a unique map feature in-app, Spokin allows you to search restaurants near you and read consumer reviews about their experience with allergy-friendly service.
This app will give you customized suggestions based on your unique allergies and food preferences, plus, it connects you with community support from other users who understand your struggles. Receive simple tips, words of encouragement, or food and menu recommendations from local people in your area or other folks who have frequented a particular restaurant. You can also get personalized advice from others about recipe swaps, food safety tips, and more.
However, one drawback of user-generated content is that you’re relying on unverified information from other people. While this feature is great for connecting with folks to share your unique challenges with food allergies, you may not receive healthcare-approved information from others. Be sure to connect with your healthcare provider, like an allergist or a dietitian, to verify and fact-check any information you decide to follow from a fellow user.
This app is less calorie focused, and more allergy lifestyle-focused. That means, it’s great for looking up foods and eateries that are safe for you to consume, but it may not have the most accurate database when it comes to tracking your food and understanding calories in macronutrients.
If you’re looking for an app that streamlines healthy eating for your personal lifestyle and allergy needs, plus you would enjoy being connected with the community that uniquely understands your personal nutrition struggles, Spokin is likely a great fit for you.
What customers are saying
Spokin has garnered 840 reviews on the Apple App Store.
One reviewer, Halle B., shared “Spokin has been a game-changer in managing my food allergies,” on Apple’s App Store Front. They share that after using it for about a month, it’s proven incredibly helpful for easily accessing allergen information for nearby restaurants via the map function or specific reviews. They shared that the restaurant lookup feature has been particularly useful when exploring unfamiliar areas.
On the flip side, a recent negative review regarding app glitches is concerning — they say “the app doesn’t work at all.” A user named walo124 reported, “I tried using the app multiple times, restarted my phone and did everything possible but it leaves me stuck at the profile picture page no matter what I do.”
“If you or someone you know deals with food allergies, I highly recommend giving Spokin a try—it’s been a five-star experience for me.”
Halle B., Apple App Store
Specs
| Price | Free |
| Free trial | No |
| Platform | iOS and Android |
| Tracking metrics | Allergy-friendly products, restaurants, and recipes |
| Community support | Yes |
| Educational content | No |
| Integration with other technology | No |
How we test nutrition apps
Embarking on a nutrition program can significantly boost your health and vitality, but with countless options available online, making the right choice can feel overwhelming. Here’s our approach to determining whether a program is truly worth your investment of time and money.
We meticulously evaluate each nutrition program across ten key categories, assigning scores ranging from one to five. Rather than simply averaging these scores, we prioritize what matters most and then calculate a weighted average to generate a comprehensive rating. For instance, while providing quick snack recipes is a nice bonus, we place greater emphasis on programs that offer robust daily nutritional guidance.
By considering these individual scores, we craft an overall rating on a scale from one to five. A one signifies the lowest score, while a five represents the highest level of excellence. With this approach, we aim to provide you with clear insights to help you confidently choose a nutrition program that aligns with your health and wellness goals
You can read our full nutrition program testing methodology here.
Testing criteria
Program design—30%
A top-notch nutrition program should adhere to established principles of human health while also accommodating your individual needs and preferences. With our seasoned testers, who boast ample experience in the field, we’re adept at recognizing authenticity. Here’s what they prioritize when evaluating nutrition programs:
- Explanation
- Adaptability
- Sustainability
- Realistic expectations
Value—30%
In a world of nutrition programs online, ranging from free recipes to high-priced personalized coaching, our aim is to connect you with a plan that feels valuable from day one until you’re ready to venture on your own.
Here’s how we evaluate a program’s worth:
- Fair pricing
- Tracking capabilities
- Tools and recipes
Extra options—20%
We prioritize nutrition programs that offer additional perks such as:
- Coaching and community support
- Education
- Workouts and fitness integration
Customer experience—20%
Our goal is to help you avoid buyer’s remorse by connecting you with a nutrition program that you’ll genuinely enjoy following. Here are some key factors we consider that can make a significant impact:
- Reliable technology
- Reviews
- Customer service
- Free trial periods
How we chose the best nutrition apps
When selecting the best nutrition apps, we carefully considered key factors. Firstly, we evaluated features like meal tracking, personalized recommendations, and educational resources to align with users’ health goals. We prioritize user-friendly interfaces for easy navigation and helpful tools for your nutrition tracking efforts. We chose options with accurate and reliable nutritional information and databases. We understand community support is crucial, so we looked for apps that foster active communities for more engaging support.
How to choose the best nutrition app for you
When selecting the best nutrition app for you, it’s crucial to consider a few key factors. First off, think about your goals—whether it’s managing weight, improving your diet, or managing health conditions.
Next, look for features that align with these goals, like easy nutrition tracking, meal planning options, and progress tracking. Ensure the app is user-friendly and intuitive, so logging meals and navigating menus feels like a breeze. Customization options are also key—you’ll want to tailor settings to fit your preferences and dietary needs.
Make sure the app’s databases are reliable for accurate nutritional info, and if community support is important to you, seek out apps with active user communities. It might be helpful to test a few options to find the one that feels right and seamlessly integrates into your daily routine.
FAQs
Are nutrition apps worth it?
Nutrition apps can be valuable for tracking food intake, becoming aware of nutrition choices, setting goals, and educational resources. However, for some, they may cause more stress and anxiety, and you might prefer alternative methods like working with a dietitian. Ultimately, the value of a nutrition app depends on how consistently you use it and how well it fits into your daily routine.
What is the best free nutrition app?
Lose It! is our pick for the best free nutrition app due to its comprehensive food database, user-friendly experience, and personalized goal setting abilities. With tools for tracking food intake, setting goals, and accessing a vast database of nutritional information, it empowers users to make informed choices about their diet. Plus, it’s compatible with fitness devices and offers a supportive community for those seeking to improve their nutrition without breaking the bank.
What is the best app for tracking food intake?
Our pick for the best app for tracking food intake is Cronometer, since it offers a range of nutrition tracking features like barcode scanning, meal planning, and nutritional analysis that make logging your nutrition easier.
Is there a better app than MyFitnessPal?
MyFitnessPal has the most extensive database of foods and ingredients. While MyFitnessPal is widely popular, there are other alternatives that you may prefer depending on your specific needs and preferences. Lose It! and Cronometer are alternatives with similar features for tracking food intake, setting goals, and nutrition logging.
Our experts
Robert Wildman, Ph.D., RD, LD, CISSN, FISSN
“Dr. Rob” is a globally renowned exercise, fitness, and nutrition expert who speaks around the world on exercise and sport nutrition, and continues to work with professional and elite athletes to achieve their highest level of performance as well as health and fitness. Rob received his Ph.D. from The Ohio State University, earned his MS from Florida State University, and earned his BS from the University of Pittsburgh. He is also a registered and licensed dietitian.
Jen Roper, Ph.D., CSCS
Jen Roper, Ph.D., CSCS, is an Associate Professor of Health and Human Sciences at Loyola Marymount University. She received her Ph.D. in Physical Education, Sports and Exercise Science in 2015 from the University of New Mexico, with a specialization in Exercise Science and Biomechanics. She has been a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist from the National Strength and Conditioning Association since 2014.
Lily Moe, Editor
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, Fact Checker
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.
Caroline Thomason, RD, CDCES
Fortune Recommends Nutrition Writer
About Author
Caroline is a registered dietitian (RDN) and diabetes educator (CDCES) turned media dietitian, speaker, nutrition consultant, and writer in the Washington, D.C. area. As a media dietitian, she’s worked with brands like Alaskan Seafood Marketing Institute, Life Extension, egglife foods, Wonderful Pistachios, Catalina Crunch, NOW Foods, OLIPOP, FOND Bone Broth, InBody USA, BeBOLD Bars, American Bone Health, and more.