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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Cronometer vs Calorie Counter

Cronometer 4.8★ · Free + IAP 65
Winner Calorie Counter
Calorie Counter 4.8★ · Free + IAP 75

Calorie Counter is the better choice for most users due to its easier-to-use interface and more stable performance, despite both apps having issues with their free tiers and recent UI changes.

Full reviews: Cronometer · Calorie Counter

Cronometer offers highly detailed micronutrient tracking and a robust food database, but is plagued by frequent bugs, intrusive ads, and unpopular UI changes. Calorie Counter is praised for its ease of use, verified food database, and effective weight loss support, though some users find its premium features expensive and its UI updates disruptive.

Head to head

Features edge: CronometerR2R6R8R11
Cronometer Cronometer is highly praised for its comprehensive micronutrient tracking, which many users find unique among free apps, and its ability to monitor a wide range of biometrics R8R11R12. It also offers a free barcode scanner and the ability to create quick profiles for unknown food items R2. However, some users find it overly complex for simple calorie counting R13 and note a lack of features like meal photo deciphering or easy intermittent fasting tracking R6. The food database is extensive but struggles with raw, real food searches and lacks many UK brands .
Calorie Counter Calorie Counter offers a vast, verified food database and features like creating custom recipes and quickly logging frequently eaten foods R114. Its photo analyzer and barcode scanner are generally effective . The app provides a comprehensive plan for users, including calorie and macro tracking . Some users appreciate the ability to import recipes, though they find the process cumbersome . A notable drawback is the lack of integration with certain fitness trackers like Myzone .
Ease of Use edge: Calorie CounterR5R9R10R13
Cronometer Cronometer is described as easy to use by some, providing a wealth of information R5. However, a significant number of users find it non-intuitive and difficult to learn, especially for those seeking simple calorie tracking R13. Recent UI changes have made the app harder to read and navigate for many long-term users R9R10R16.
Calorie Counter Calorie Counter is frequently praised for being easy to use, quick to learn, and intuitive . Users appreciate the fewer steps required to track food and its excellent interface . However, some users find the UI updates unnecessary and making the app more complicated . Initial setup can also be frustrating due to mandatory surveys and constant pop-ups .
Reliability & Performance edge: Calorie CounterR1R3R6R15
Cronometer Cronometer has significant reliability issues, with users reporting constant crashes, freezing, and blank screens, even in the paid version R1R3R15. The app also experiences annoying screen flashes, slow loading, and issues with macro ratios not updating R3R15. Syncing weight from Apple Health is a basic feature that reportedly doesn't work , and some users cannot log in R6.
Calorie Counter Calorie Counter generally performs well, with users reporting successful long-term use for weight loss and maintenance . However, the free version is noted to be glitchy, with entries sometimes being deleted . Some users experience issues with the sign-up process getting stuck and problems with syncing exercise data with Apple Health . Calorie calculations are sometimes inaccurate .
Price & Value tieR2R7R11R12
Cronometer Cronometer offers a free version with a barcode scanner and micronutrient tracking R2R12. However, the free version is heavily impacted by frequent and intrusive ads and pop-ups, making it almost unusable for some R19R31R45R52. The paid version, Gold, is seen as a decent price for the features R11, but some users feel it doesn't offer enough value for the cost, especially given the bugs R7. There's no trial period for the paid version R7.
Calorie Counter Calorie Counter's free version is described as generous and 100% usable, providing enough features to get by R92R112R114. However, the app is also criticized for having many annoying paywalls and constant upsells, even for paid users . Some users find the premium option too expensive and not worth the cost . The meal scan feature, which many expect to be free, is behind a paywall .
Support & Updates tieR9R10R16R22
Cronometer Cronometer's customer service is described as helpful by some . However, there are complaints about a lack of continuous programming improvement, poor execution, and unhelpful customer service for complex issues . Recent updates have introduced major UI changes, including new color schemes and dot designs, which are widely disliked and make the app difficult to read, with developers reportedly unwilling to revert or offer customization options R9R10R16R22.
Calorie Counter Calorie Counter receives criticism for not listening to user feedback regarding UI changes . The app frequently updates its UI, often making it more complicated and worse, which frustrates users . Some users report issues with customer service, such as not receiving promised reminders before charges or difficulty accessing old accounts after device changes .
Pick Cronometer if

you prioritize extremely detailed micronutrient tracking and are willing to tolerate bugs and a potentially less intuitive interface for that level of data R8R11R12.

Pick Calorie Counter if

you value an easy-to-use interface, a verified food database, and effective tools for general calorie and macro tracking, even if it means encountering frequent upsells and occasional UI changes R114.

Evidence note: Both apps have a high lifetime rating, but recent reviews for Cronometer show a significant decline in user satisfaction due to bugs and unpopular UI changes. Calorie Counter also faces criticism for UI updates and aggressive monetization, but its core functionality and ease of use are more consistently praised.

Frequently asked

Is Cronometer good for tracking micronutrients?
Yes, Cronometer is highly regarded for its comprehensive micronutrient tracking, with many users stating it's the most detailed and customizable free option available for monitoring specific minerals and vitamins R8R11R12.
Does Calorie Counter have a free version?
Yes, Calorie Counter has a free version that many users find generous and fully usable, providing enough features to track calories and macros effectively without paying R92R112R114.
Are there many ads in Cronometer?
Yes, many users report that the free version of Cronometer has become plagued by frequent, intrusive, and full-screen ads and pop-ups, which significantly disrupt the user experience and can make the app almost unusable R19R31R45R52.
Why are users unhappy with Cronometer's recent updates?
Users are unhappy with Cronometer's recent updates primarily because of new color schemes and dot designs that make the app difficult to read and unintuitive, with developers reportedly unwilling to offer options to revert or customize the appearance R9R10R16R22.

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.

  1. [R2] Cronometer 5/5 · US 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
  2. [R6] Cronometer 3/5 · US Good Potential: Quirky app. Not able to login sometimes on an iphone. On an Ipad it will rotate to portrait on it’s own. Adding daily items will not also work (very frustrating). No feature to photograph a meal and let it decipher (I would rarely use this but when dining out it’s very useful. No ability to easily track hours not eating (IF) this should be easily added.
  3. [R8] Cronometer 5/5 · US 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.
  4. [R11] Cronometer 5/5 · US 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.
  5. [R5] Cronometer 5/5 · US Easy to use: Cronometer is easy to use and provides a wealth of information. It keeps me on track with my nutritional needs.
  6. [R9] Cronometer 3/5 · US New colors suck: I've been using this app on and off for many many years. I get that the color change is because maybe people felt 'judged' because the fat metric was in red. But the new colors are all too pastel and similar. It makes it very difficult to see at a glance what you have eaten or burned that day. You should at least give us a choice of color palate. Bring back the old colors!!
  7. [R10] Cronometer 2/5 · US New "dot" design is cluttered and unintuitive.: I now have to go through every macro and micro to get rid of the new dot design for unassigned nutrients. I use to be able to check my daily intake at a glance, and now I can't. Pointless and unhelpful.
  8. [R13] Cronometer 1/5 · US If you want SIMPLE -: This is not the app. I just wanted something to count my daily calories -that’s it. - simple - I don’t need to know what Arby’s, Sonci or any other commercial place has - I want simple by ingredient - THIS IS NOT IT it is actually easier to use google intelligence or ChatGPT tell it what you ate - ask for the calories and go -
  9. [R1] Cronometer 2/5 · US Lots of bugs since update: Constant crashes, multi year user. Please fix.
  10. [R3] Cronometer 3/5 · US 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.
  11. [R15] Cronometer 3/5 · US Great but Glitchy App: I love the features of Cronometer. It makes tracking macros much easier. My issue is that every time I make an entry a blank white box pops up. Usually it goes away on its own. But today, as I try to update my macros, every time I enter information, the white box comes up and stays. I can’t do anything when it’s on the screen except shut down the app after each change to m
  12. [R7] Cronometer 2/5 · US 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
  13. [R12] Cronometer 3/5 · US 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
  14. [R16] Cronometer 1/5 · US 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
  15. [R22] Cronometer 1/5 · US New colors are terrible: How are we supposed to read these? Just give us the option to change it back or choose a theme.
  16. [R92] Calorie Counter 5/5 · US Generous!: This tracker is the kind of app I never thought existed; it provides generous amounts of helpful and useful features even to those who don’t pay. The free plan is 100% usable. I appreciate that the app constructs a whole plan for me without me having to pay a dime!!
  17. [R112] Calorie Counter 4/5 · US Overall pretty good: The charge for premium in this app is a little much but the free version gives you just enough to get by. Good app!
  18. [R114] Calorie Counter 5/5 · US Best calorie counting app: By far this is the best app i’ve used to track my food intake, you can create your own recipes, it keeps track of the food that you frequently eat so when you open the search bar you can quickly log in whatever food you want without having to type anything, it shows you your macros, etc. you can get better benefits with paying for premium but I find it easy to use withou
  19. [R19] Cronometer 2/5 · US Too many ads and pop ups: I used to love this app but the ads and pop ups are out of control
  20. [R31] Cronometer 1/5 · US 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.
  21. [R45] Cronometer 3/5 · GB Great app but too many ads: I downloaded Cronomerer because I got annoyed by MyFitnessPal for changing their UI. The app is great as a tool but the full screen ads have become more and more frequent which doesn’t work for me. Frequent and intrusive ads were the reason I deleted Wordle which I was addicted to but that was not enough to keep me using it so I’m just saying that MFP don’t have full sc
  22. [R52] Cronometer 2/5 · US Fell off: When I first started using Cronometer it was amazing. Super easy to find the food I wanted to track, everything loaded super fast, and barely any ads. I would recommend it to so many people. Everything I liked about it is gone. First Cronometer turned up the ads. It wasn’t annoying at first, but it’s gotten to the point where the free version is actually unusable. Then I noticed it s

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store