The 5 Best Calorie Counter Apps in 2026
Counting calories is one of the most effective ways to manage your weight, and doing it with an app makes it quick and sustainable. MyFitnessPal has the largest database, Yazio is the most visual and FatSecret the best free option. In this guide we compare the 5 best apps to count calories and lose weight in 2026.
Top apps to count calories and keep your diet on track
Apps to count calories, log meals and track macronutrients from your phone, with a barcode scanner, diet plans and weight tracking to reach your goals.
Top pick
MyFitnessPal: Cuenta Calorías
MyFitnessPal, Inc. · Free (with purchases) · 100M+
The most complete
4.4
2.9M reviews
TopApps analysis
MyFitnessPal has the world's largest food database and a very fast barcode scanner. The benchmark for keeping a serious record of calories and macros.
MyFitnessPal is the reference app for counting calories, with the largest food database in the world and a barcode scanner that logs meals in seconds. It tracks calories and macros and connects to wearables and exercise apps. It is the most complete option for anyone keeping a serious record of their diet.
Pros
- The largest food database
- Fast barcode scanner
- Tracks calories and macronutrients
Cons
- Many features now require Premium
- Community data with varying calorie figures
- Logging can be slow without premium
Yazio: Contador de Calorías
Free (with purchases) · 50M+
The easiest for losing weight
4.5
828K reviews
TopApps analysis
Yazio shows your calorie budget very clearly and includes intermittent fasting and healthy recipes. Attractive, motivating and easy to stick with.
Yazio is a clean, highly visual calorie counter built for weight loss and intermittent fasting. It lays out your daily calorie budget in plain terms, draws on a database of more than 4 million foods and comes with a library of healthy recipes. A good fit for anyone who wants a tracker that looks good and is easy to stick with.
Pros
- Very clear interface for losing weight
- Includes intermittent fasting tracking
- More than 4 million foods in the database
Cons
- The free version is fairly limited
- Full meal plans and recipes are PRO only
- Ads in the free version
FatSecret: Contador de Calorías
Free (with purchases) · 50M+
The best free option
4.7
541K reviews
TopApps analysis
FatSecret is the most complete counter without paying: meal logging, barcodes, an exercise diary and a community, all free.
FatSecret is one of the most complete free calorie counters: without paying anything you get meal logging, a barcode scanner, an exercise diary and a supportive community. It is the best pick for anyone who wants to count calories seriously without spending, with a broad database and a clear interface.
Pros
- Very complete and free (no paywall)
- Barcode scanner included
- Food and exercise diary
Cons
- Design looks somewhat more dated than Yazio's
- Fewer recipes and plans than the paid apps
- Discreet advertising in the app
Lifesum: Contador de Calorías
Free (with purchases) · 10M+
Best for eating better
4.5
376K reviews
TopApps analysis
Lifesum combines counting with diet plans (keto, Mediterranean, fasting) and rates the quality of your diet, not just the quantity.
Lifesum combines calorie counting with eating plans (keto, Mediterranean, fasting and more) wrapped in a genuinely attractive design. Beyond logging meals, it rates the quality of your diet and gives personalised advice on eating better, not just less. A good fit for anyone wanting to improve their habits with a modern, motivating app.
Pros
- Diet plans (keto, Mediterranean, fasting)
- Rates the quality of your diet
- Modern, motivating design
Cons
- The best features are in the Premium version
- Database somewhat smaller than MyFitnessPal's
- Full plans need a subscription
Cronometer: Contador de Calorías
Free (with purchases) · 5M+
The most accurate
4.4
55K reviews
TopApps analysis
Cronometer is the most exact, with verified data and tracking of more than 80 micronutrients. Ideal for anyone who takes nutrition very seriously.
Cronometer is the most accurate calorie counter, made for advanced users who want to track more than 80 micronutrients — vitamins, minerals, amino acids — alongside calories. Its database is verified, without the usual errors of user-submitted data. The best option if you take nutrition very seriously.
Pros
- The most accurate, with verified data
- Tracks more than 80 micronutrients
- Ideal for specific diets and athletes
Cons
- Less intuitive for the casual user
- Smaller database than MyFitnessPal
- Gold features are paid
Frequently asked questions
What's the best free calorie counter app?
FatSecret is the best fully free option: it includes meal logging, a barcode scanner, an exercise diary and a community with no paywall. MyFitnessPal also has a free version with the largest database, though it has moved several features to Premium. For maximum free accuracy on micronutrients, Cronometer is excellent.
Do calorie apps really help you lose weight?
Yes, because losing weight comes down to keeping a calorie deficit (burning more than you eat), and these apps help you see how much you actually eat, which is usually more than you think. The most important factor isn't which app you choose but using it every day: pick one that feels quick and easy to log with, like Yazio or MyFitnessPal.
Is counting calories bad? Can it become an obsession?
Counting calories is a useful tool for most people, but it should be used sensibly: as a guide to understand your habits, not as an obsession. If you have or have had an eating disorder, speak to a professional first. Many apps let you hide the numbers or focus on diet quality (like Lifesum) rather than figures alone.
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