Cronometer
Cronometer is a highly comprehensive nutrition tracker with excellent free features, but its paid version is plagued by bugs and a recent UI update has made the app less user-friendly.
Cronometer offers extensive free features, including micronutrient tracking and a barcode scanner, making it a strong alternative to other calorie trackers R1R68R39. However, recent updates have introduced significant bugs and an unpopular color scheme, impacting both free and paid users R3R20R110. While the free version is highly valued, the paid tier struggles with stability and user experience issues.
Free vs paid
The free version of Cronometer is highly functional, offering a barcode scanner, the ability to create quick profiles for unknown food items, and comprehensive micronutrient tracking R1R68R39R59. Many users find the free features sufficient for their goals R38R59. The paid (Gold) version removes ads and pop-ups, which are a significant complaint in the free tier R110R158R24R32. It also offers suggestions on needed nutrients and allows users to print or send food diaries R6R81. However, even the paid version has been reported to be glitchy, with issues like black screens, constant 'refreshing' flashes, and problems with photo log permissions R110R112R113.
Value complaints
- The app doesn't offer a free trial period for the paid features, leading some users to regret their purchase.R7
- Some basic features, like printing food diaries or connecting with friends, are locked behind the paid 'Gold' subscription.R81
- The free version has become unusable for some due to excessive and intrusive ads and pop-ups, which freeze the app or are difficult to close.R24R32R158R151
- The app description in the App Store does not clearly disclose the annual fee or lack of a free trial.R48
- Even the paid version is reported to be glitchy, with issues like black screens, constant screen flashes, and photo log permission nags.R110R112R113
Where it delivers
- It offers a free barcode scanner and the ability to create quick profiles for unknown food items, making food logging easy.R1R55R62
- The app provides comprehensive micronutrient tracking, which is a standout feature compared to other free and even paid apps.R68R5R54
- Many users find it easy to use and navigate, helping them stay on track with nutritional goals and even achieve significant weight loss.R4R8R29R31
- The database is extensive and accurate for many foods, including specialty items, and it can customize intake for specific needs like breastfeeding.R38R14R23R49
- The app is considered superior to MyFitnessPal by many users, offering more features for free and being more user-friendly.R9R39R51R53
You are heavily bothered by ads and pop-ups in the free version, as the paid subscription removes them R110R158R24. You need advanced features like nutrient suggestions or the ability to print/share food diaries, and are willing to tolerate potential bugs R6R81.
You are looking for a simple calorie counter, as the app can be too detailed and complex . You are unwilling to deal with frequent bugs, glitches, and an unpolished user interface, even in the paid version R3R7R110. You are in the UK or France and rely on a comprehensive database for local brands and raw foods, as the app's database is often reported as lacking in these regions .
Evidence note: Recent reviews R3R7 highlight significant issues with bugs, intrusive ads, poor UI updates, and database limitations, which contrast with the higher lifetime rating. The lifetime rating likely reflects a period before these recent negative changes.
Frequently asked
Is Cronometer free to use?
What are the main complaints about Cronometer?
Does Cronometer have a barcode scanner?
Is the paid version of Cronometer worth it?
What reviewers actually said
Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.
- [R7] Doesn’t do as advertised: This app doesn’t do as it was advertised to me. It said we can track insulin, it can but lists just insulin. The food logging is horrible. Very little customizable displays, they put data out there that they deem you would like, it you don’t like it or like where it is too bad. There is no trial period! I wish I knew that before I dropped the $60 on this app. Find a
- [R81] Gold to print?: I find it a little ridiculous that we have to PAY to print our food diaries. Or send them to someone. We can’t have friends without paying either?? Great way to help with accountability …. N O T
- [R24] Too many ads and pop ups: I used to love this app but the ads and pop ups are out of control
- [R32] Ruined by Ads: I switched to this app a long time ago when MFP ran ads and I enjoyed the run. Started using it again recently and every time I feel productive about adding my foods, it shows an ad and KILLS my productivity.
- [R158] Too many Ads: Overall the interface is great and easy to navigate. I’m currently using the free version of this app and my frustration lies with the amount of ads that come up. Simply trying to add goods to the tracker and it’s an add between every food item sometimes. While o get the ads keep the base version free there should be some form of moderation. Truthfully after this month I’m switching
- [R151] Free trial? Doesn’t work well: I’ve been using this app less than a week as I’m trying to switch from Fitbit. I like some things, but I’m not sure yet whether I want to pay $60 for a year subscription. Before I have finished a week to see how the app charts my calories, and before I’ve even learned how to use all the features, I’m being constantly interrupted with ads (or blank pages where I belie
- [R48] Annual Fee Required: App description in App Store does Not Disclose this fee nor allow a Free Trial period. 👺😔
- [R110] Paid tier is still glitchy: App screen keeps “refreshing” every few seconds, taking away access to all UI elements as though it’s trying to load an ad even though I’m on a paid subscription which removes ads. Photo log which brings up camera also constantly nags about giving full access to all photos on every single use
- [R112] Black screen: After paying for the app, it started to pull up a black screen that would not go away unless I closed and reopened the app. It happens everytime I use it making the app almost unusable. Please send a fix quick or I will have to end my subscription
- [R113] Great potential, unpolished: I paid for the gold subscription thanks to the rich database of info, but the app is very unpolished. Currently 2 things that are extremely annoying to me are (1) unless I give the app full access to my photo library, it prompts me to adjust the permissions every time I access the camera to use the photo log feature and (2) ever few seconds the entire app screen flashe
- [R1] Best free cal tracker that also has free scanner: It has a free barcode scanner basically everything you need and can create quick profiles for unknown food items for free with your cammera
- [R55] Fantastic app: Easy to use, intuitive UI. Free barcode scanning makes data entry frictionless. Highly recommended.
- [R62] So easy!!: Finally committed to tracking my Marcos using an app rather than eye balling it and this app has made it beyond easy!! The bar code scanner is a cheat code forsure and it’s relatively easy to build and create new meals if you are meal prepping.
- [R68] THIS APP IS THE 🐐: I’ve used this app for ~6 years with varied consistency, different goals, diets, and hrt. It’s probably the MOST comprehensive and customizable FREE fitness+nutrition tracker. What initially stood out to me was micronutrient tracking which idk any free app that does (or even paid!). But it’s so so important. I feel FANTASTIC when I’m hitting at least 40/50% RDI on micros. I wo
- [R5] Best health app out there: I love being able to see how I’m doing with my nutrition goals, even down to specific minerals and vitamins.
- [R54] Great for micronutrients and photo recognition: I’ve tried a lot of other apps, and this one is excellent for tracking micronutrients and supplements. The AI photo analysis works surprisingly well, especially for estimating portion sizes. I also really appreciate that there’s a web version, and I use it regularly. I just wish the web app also supported photo uploads. The UX can feel a bit clunky
- [R4] Easy to use: Cronometer is easy to use and provides a wealth of information. It keeps me on track with my nutritional needs.
- [R8] Helped me get shredded: Great app, easy to use
- [R29] Great app for tracking calories/bulking: This summer I wanted to bulk up, and I downloaded Cronometer thinking it would be a pain to log my food everyday. But surprisingly it was very easy and extremely user-friendly to a complete beginner. 10/10 would recommend to anyone who wants to be serious about their diet.
- [R31] Great app: This is one of the most useful apps for your health. I lost 60 lbs in part because I got serious about tracking my nutrition and this app was indispensable for that.
- [R38] The best by far: Already has a majority of my favorite speciality foods and supplements already in the database. I’ve used others, and none have had as comprehensive of a database, making it so much easier to stay accurate and on track. I’m only using the free version, and it’s plenty good for my goals.
- [R14] This app feels more accurate for tracking calories: I’m a breastfeeding mom to my 2nd 2month old daughter and this app has given me confidence that I can lose weight without compromising my milk supply. I love that it can customize calorie and nutrient intake for breastfeeding moms, a feature I haven’t seen in other apps I used previously.
- [R23] Helps with controlling minerals and nutrients.: This is helpful in making sure you are eating healthy. The database is full of foods so it makes it easier to log.
- [R49] The best: Easy to use, lots of information, comprehensive food list, scanner, really enjoy this food app
- [R9] Better than my fitness pal: Free, smarter, more user friendly. Love it
- [R39] BEST APP: this is the best calorie tracking app and they don’t completely deprive you of features if you don’t pay premium unlike fitness pal and other apps !!!!
- [R51] Love it!: I absolutely love this app! I used to use Myfitnesspal but I find this one to be far superior. I love being able to scan the barcode so there is no searching for the food. It is exactly what I am eating. I haven’t found a barcode the app didn’t recognize. It is easy to understand. I highly recommend it!
- [R53] Great app for both free and paid features: I used to use MyFitnessPal for a while until they locked a lot of their free, previously useable features behind a paywall. I found this app after some research and have been using it ever since. It has great free features and the subscription has great features as well, especially if you want to help support the app. You can design which macros you want
- [R59] Very decent: Hi sorry I'm writing this super late so I'm not sure it will be readble but: I downloaded this app expecting to have to pay for all the good stuff and I didn't! It's very much free and they make it so easy to track protein and fiber and hit all your goals. I have not one complaint for this app it works the way it's supposed to and I respect it. Goodnight
- [R175] Wow!: I found out about this app doing some research with Gemini Ai for tracking protein intake. I’m always a little concerned about apps because they’re usually always behind a paywall. This app lets you do quite a bit absolutely free (just be sure to close the subscription window when you first open the app, it is indeed free). It works with Apple health, it tracks your food and gives you the re
- [R3] Very Buggy: I like this app but before I lay down money on the paid version they need to work out the bugs on the free version. It freezes a lot. Macro ratios dont update or match between views. It also does this weird “wipe” or blank screen every time you update macros or other info that is annoying.
- [R20] Bad color change and they won’t change it back/allow us to change custom colors: I get some apps change themes overtime, functionally it’s the same in terms of inputting data, but it is too hard to read now. Flat out they made it difficult to read and follow along with what you are reading. They seem pretty responsive on Reddit/social media and they aren’t changing it in the near future. I really
- [R33] Very helpful: I can weigh my food or even the bar code. Works great
- [R40] great app all together: this app is really great , it has a lot of foods and the scanning barcode feature is really nice, obviously its a little annoying that theres features you have to pay for, but i love that the app is still completely functional without the bought things.
- [R6] All the biometrics: You can monitor all your biometrics. Everything. And if you have the paid version you can get suggestions on the nutrients you may need. Finally. A good app and at a decent price.
Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store