TecnoOrange 
I’ve been testing different apps to track weight and diet on Android for over two years, and honestly, it’s a mixed bag out there. From genuinely great tools to absolute scams with overpriced subscriptions. In this comparison, I’ll tell you which ones I’ve actually used, what worked for me, and which ones aren’t worth the space on your phone.
Table of contents
Table of contents
MyFitnessPal: the reigning king of diet apps
If there’s one app that almost everyone knows in this space, it’s MyFitnessPal. I’ve been using it on and off since 2021, and I can say it’s still the most complete option for logging what you eat.
What I like most is its food database. It has millions of registered products, including local brands and supermarket items. You can scan the barcode of any product and it pops up automatically with all nutritional values. In my experience, it gets it right about 95% of the time.
Its main features include:
- Meal logging with barcode scanner
- Macronutrient tracking (protein, carbs, fats)
- Water intake tracking
- Smart scale connectivity
- Custom recipes with automatic calorie calculation
- Google Fit integration and other fitness apps
However, it’s not all perfect. The free version has lost a lot of features over the years. Now you need the premium version to see detailed micronutrient breakdowns, create advanced custom meals, or remove ads. The price is around $9.99/month or $49.99/year.
Pro-tip: The free version is still useful if you just want basic calorie counting. You don’t need premium to start tracking your food intake.
MyFitnessPal pricing and premium features
| Feature | Free | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Food logging | Yes | Yes |
| Barcode scanner | Yes | Yes |
| Macro tracking | Basic | Detailed |
| Custom meal plans | No | Yes |
| Ad-free | No | Yes |
| Micronutrient analysis | No | Yes |
| Data export | No | Yes |
Yazio: the European alternative that surprised me
I discovered Yazio a few months ago and stuck with it. It’s a German-developed app that’s gained a lot of popularity in Europe, and I understand why. The interface is much cleaner than MyFitnessPal, and the user experience is really well thought out.
What Yazio does especially well is planning. It lets you create a complete meal plan based on your goals (lose weight, gain muscle, maintain). It generates weekly menus with detailed recipes, shopping lists, and automatic adjustments based on your progress.
The food database is good, though not as extensive as MyFitnessPal for local products. Where it really shines is recipes: it has hundreds of healthy recipes with photos, step-by-step instructions, and automatically calculated nutritional values.
Intermittent fasting is also built in, something other apps charge separately. You can set eating windows and the app notifies you when you can start eating.
Price-wise, Yazio PRO costs about $29.99/year, significantly cheaper than MyFitnessPal premium. For me, the value for money is the best on the market right now.
Pro-tip: Try Yazio’s free version for a week first. If you like the interface and recipes, the jump to PRO is worth it for the complete meal plan.
FatSecret: the most complete free option
If you don’t want to spend a single dollar, FatSecret is probably your best bet. I’ve used this app for extended periods, and the free version includes practically everything you need for serious food tracking.
What surprised me the first time I used it is that it doesn’t have aggressive ads. You can log foods, scan barcodes, keep a photo diary of your meals, and view detailed progress charts without being bombarded with ads.
Its community is another strong point. FatSecret has a built-in forum where users share recipes, tips, and motivate others. It’s like having a support group inside the app. It’s not something I consider essential, but I’ll admit that on low-motivation days, reading success stories from other users helps.
The photo diary deserves special mention. You can take photos of your plates and the app logs them alongside nutritional data. It’s a visual way to track that’s very motivating when you look back and see your progress.
In terms of limitations, the interface feels a bit dated compared to Yazio or MyFitnessPal. It doesn’t have as many advanced planning features, but for basic logging and weight tracking it’s more than enough.
Pro-tip: Use FatSecret’s photo diary even if you use another app as your main one. Photos of your meals help you be more conscious of what you eat, and it’s an incredible visual motivator.
Free app comparison
| Feature | MyFitnessPal | Yazio | FatSecret |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food logging | Yes (limited) | Yes (limited) | Yes (full) |
| Barcode scanner | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ad-free in free version | No | No | Yes |
| Free meal plans | No | Limited | No |
| Built-in community | No | No | Yes |
| Photo diary | No | No | Yes |
| Intermittent fasting | No | Yes | No |
Lifesum and other interesting options
Lifesum is another app I’ve tried that takes a different approach. It focuses more on healthy habits than strict calorie counting. It has several predefined plans like keto diet, Mediterranean, high protein, etc.
What I like about Lifesum is its visual design. The interfaces are colorful, recipes have appetizing photos, and the overall experience is more pleasant than other apps. It’s ideal if the idea of counting every calorie bores you and you prefer a more relaxed approach.
The downside is that the free version is quite limited. You need the premium plan (approximately $44.99/year) to access complete meal plans and advanced recipes.
Other apps I’ve tried worth mentioning:
Samsung Health comes preinstalled on Samsung phones and is surprisingly good for basic tracking. It has food, water, exercise, and sleep tracking. It doesn’t have the depth of MyFitnessPal, but it’s a great starting point.
Cronometer is the favorite of those seeking micronutrient precision. Its database is verified by nutritionists and gives you a complete breakdown of vitamins and minerals. Less intuitive but more accurate.
Lose It! is popular in the US and works well. The interface is simple and straightforward, ideal if you don’t want complications.
Pro-tip: Don’t obsess over finding the perfect app. What matters is consistency. Pick one that feels comfortable and use it every day. The best app is the one you don’t abandon after two weeks.
How to choose the right app for you
After trying all these apps, I’m clear that the choice depends a lot on your lifestyle and goals. Here’s a quick guide based on different profiles:
If you’re a beginner and want something simple: Yazio or FatSecret. Both have gentle learning curves and don’t overwhelm you with data. Yazio if you want nice recipes and predefined plans; FatSecret if you want something completely free.
If you’ve been counting calories for a while and want precision: MyFitnessPal premium or Cronometer. MyFitnessPal has the largest database; Cronometer has the most accurate micronutrient data.
If you have a Samsung phone: Try Samsung Health first. It’s optimized for your device, syncs with other Samsung services, and you don’t need to install anything extra.
If your main goal is weight loss with intermittent fasting: Yazio is the clear winner. It has the best built-in fasting support of all the apps I’ve tried.
If you don’t want to spend money: FatSecret without a doubt. It’s the only truly free app that doesn’t artificially limit you to get you to pay.
What using all these apps has taught me most is that data alone doesn’t work. The app is a tool, but the real change comes from the habits you build using the app every day. There’s no point in logging 3 perfect days and then forgetting about it for two weeks.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best free calorie counting app?
FatSecret is the best complete free option. It has no aggressive ads, includes a barcode scanner, photo diary, and community. Free MyFitnessPal also works but with significant limitations.
Do diet tracking apps actually work?
Yes, multiple studies have shown that food logging increases nutritional awareness and helps with weight loss. But the app only works if you use it consistently. The problem is never the app—it’s maintaining the habit of logging everything.
MyFitnessPal vs Yazio: which is better?
It depends on your priorities. MyFitnessPal has a larger food database; Yazio has a better interface, integrated recipes, and intermittent fasting support. For most people, Yazio offers better value for money.
Can I use these apps without internet?
Most allow food logging offline, but they need internet to sync data, search the food database, and update charts. MyFitnessPal and FatSecret work pretty well offline for basic logging.
Conclusion
After testing dozens of apps to track weight and diet on Android, my personal recommendation for 2026 is Yazio for its balance of features, design, and price. If you want something free without limitations, go with FatSecret. And if you need the largest food database on the market, MyFitnessPal is still the benchmark.
The most important thing is that you pick one and commit to using it for at least a full month. Consistency is what makes the difference, not the app itself. Which one are you going to try first? Share your experience in the comments.