Comparison
Cronometer vs MyFitnessPal
Cronometer vs MyFitnessPal is the classic calorie tracker matchup. Cronometer is known for accurate, curated nutrient data. MyFitnessPal is known for its enormous food database and the community that comes with it.
This comparison covers accuracy, nutrients, free features and price, so you can pick the right one for your goal. We make Caloroo, a third option, and we've included it where it's relevant. The comparison of the other two stands on its own.
By the Caloroo team · Competitor prices and features checked November 2026. Check the official sites for current pricing.
The short answer
- Choose Cronometer if you care about accurate data and micronutrients, or want a free barcode scanner.
- Choose MyFitnessPal if you need the largest food database, especially for restaurant and international foods, and don't mind paying for Premium features.
- Consider Caloroo if your goal is weight management and you want free barcode and photo logging, no ads, and a weekly calorie budget.
Cronometer vs MyFitnessPal vs Caloroo at a glance
| Feature | Cronometer | MyFitnessPal | Caloroo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paid plan | Gold: $10.99/month or $59.99/year | Premium: about $19.99/month or $79.99/year (US) | Free core app; Premium price not yet announced |
| Free barcode scanner | Yes | No, Premium only | Yes |
| Photo meal logging | Gold only | Premium (meal scan) | Free |
| Ads on the free plan | Yes | Yes | None |
| Food data | Curated, verified sources | Very large, mostly user-entered | Smaller, growing |
| Nutrients tracked | Up to 84 | Calories, macros and a limited set of nutrients | Calories, macros, fiber and key vitamins and minerals |
| Free history and reports | Reports limited to a 7-day window | Diary history available | Latest 90 days |
| Calorie target | Daily | Daily | Daily targets inside a weekly budget |
| Community and sharing | Separate Pro product for practitioners | Friends and community forums | Groups for partners, families and coaches |
Accuracy: which is more accurate, Cronometer or MyFitnessPal?
Cronometer is generally more accurate. Its entries come from curated sources and are checked before they're added. MyFitnessPal's database is mostly user-submitted, so the same food often appears many times with different numbers, and some entries leave out nutrients entirely.
In MyFitnessPal you can get good accuracy by picking entries with a verified check mark, or by scanning barcodes. But barcode scanning now needs Premium.
Database size: MyFitnessPal wins
MyFitnessPal's database is one of the largest available. Regional brands, chain restaurants and home-style dishes are more likely to be in it. Cronometer's curated database is smaller, so you'll create custom foods more often, especially when eating out.
Micronutrients: Cronometer wins
Cronometer tracks up to 84 nutrients, including individual vitamins, minerals and amino acids, with targets based on your profile. MyFitnessPal focuses on calories and macros and shows a smaller set of nutrients. If you're watching iron, B12 or vitamin D, Cronometer is the better tool.
Price: Cronometer Gold vs MyFitnessPal Premium
Cronometer Gold costs $10.99 a month or $59.99 a year. MyFitnessPal Premium costs about $19.99 a month or $79.99 a year in the US. Prices differ in other countries.
The free plans differ in what they hold back. Cronometer Basic keeps the barcode scanner but limits reports and charts to a 7-day window. MyFitnessPal's free plan keeps your diary but puts barcode scanning, meal scanning and custom macro goals behind Premium. Both show ads on the free plan.
A third option: Caloroo
If neither fits because you want free barcode and photo logging without ads, Caloroo is worth a look. It shows each day inside a weekly calorie budget, so one big dinner doesn't ruin the week, and you can track with a partner, family or coach in groups.
It tracks fewer nutrients than Cronometer and has a smaller database than MyFitnessPal. Those trade-offs are covered in our comparisons with each app.
Which should you choose?
Choose Cronometer if…
- You want accurate, curated food data.
- You track micronutrients.
- You want a free barcode scanner.
Choose MyFitnessPal if…
- You need the biggest food database.
- You eat out a lot at chain restaurants.
- You value its community and integrations.
Choose Caloroo if…
- You want free barcode and photo logging, no ads.
- One big meal usually derails your week.
- You track with a partner, family or coach.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cronometer more accurate than MyFitnessPal?
Usually, yes. Cronometer uses curated, verified nutrient data, while MyFitnessPal relies mostly on user-submitted entries that vary in quality. Verified entries and barcode scans narrow the gap in MyFitnessPal.
Is Cronometer free?
Yes. Cronometer Basic is free and includes barcode scanning, but reports and charts are limited to a 7-day window and there are ads. Gold costs $10.99 a month or $59.99 a year.
Is Cronometer better than MyFitnessPal for weight loss?
Either can work. Weight loss depends on logging consistently. Cronometer gives you more accurate data; MyFitnessPal makes it easier to find foods. If you lose motivation after big meals, a weekly calorie budget like Caloroo's can help you keep going.
Can I move from MyFitnessPal to Cronometer?
Yes. Export your MyFitnessPal data to keep your history. Cronometer has supported importing some MyFitnessPal data; check its help center for the current options.
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