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

MyFitnessPal vs Cronometer

MyFitnessPal 4.7★ · Free + IAP 60
Winner Cronometer
Cronometer 4.8★ · Free + IAP 75

Cronometer is the better choice for detailed nutrition tracking and a more stable user experience, despite some recent UI complaints, while MyFitnessPal struggles with ongoing negative feedback about its recent updates and paywalling of core features.

Full reviews: MyFitnessPal · Cronometer

MyFitnessPal, a long-standing leader, is currently facing significant user backlash due to recent updates that have made the app buggy, less intuitive, and moved previously free features behind a paywall. Cronometer, while not without its own recent UI and ad issues, is generally praised for its comprehensive micronutrient tracking and accurate database, making it a strong contender for serious nutrition tracking.

Head to head

Features & Database edge: CronometerR5R7R13R23
MyFitnessPal MyFitnessPal has historically been praised for its extensive and accurate food database, with many users returning to it for this reason R5R38. It also offers a GLP1 tracker R38. However, recent updates have removed or paywalled key features like the barcode scanner R7R37R43R47 and the ability to see macros per meal R13. Users also report issues with customizing nutrient displays R23 and tracking specific items like caffeine or certain medications .
Cronometer Cronometer is highly valued for its comprehensive nutrition tracking, including detailed micronutrients and vitamins, a feature many users find superior to other apps R99. It offers a free barcode scanner and the ability to create quick profiles for unknown foods . The app also supports customizing calorie and nutrient intake for specific needs like breastfeeding . Some users, however, find its search function for raw foods lacking R96 and note a scarcity of UK brands .
Ease of Use & UI edge: CronometerR4R7R8R10
MyFitnessPal MyFitnessPal users, including long-term ones, are overwhelmingly negative about recent UI updates, describing them as 'trash' R7, 'unusable' R10, 'difficult to use' , and 'less intuitive' R19. Specific complaints include obnoxious load times R4, difficulty navigating R15, inability to see a full day's food at a glance R19, and more steps to log meals . Some users do appreciate the new design or find it generally easy to use R8.
Cronometer Cronometer is generally considered easy to use and user-friendly by many . However, recent UI changes, particularly color schemes and font sizes, have drawn significant criticism for being 'cluttered and unintuitive' , 'too pastel and similar' , 'difficult to read' , and making fonts too large . Some users also find the app non-intuitive or difficult to learn .
Reliability & Performance tieR4R9R18R22
MyFitnessPal MyFitnessPal has significant reliability issues following recent updates. Users report the app being 'buggy' R9, preventing logging R9, not retaining logged food items R22, login problems R18, and custom goals not saving R37. Some users experience slow load times R4 and data being cleared randomly .
Cronometer Cronometer also has notable reliability issues. Users report the app freezing , macro ratios not updating , a 'wipe' or blank screen appearing , login problems , and a black screen issue for paid users . The app is described as 'very buggy' , 'glitchy' , and 'unpolished' . Syncing with Apple Health and other devices has also been problematic .
Price & Value (Free vs. Paid) tieR7R10R16R20
MyFitnessPal MyFitnessPal offers a free tier, but many users are frustrated that essential features like the barcode scanner R7R43R47 and net carb tracking have been moved behind a paywall. The premium version is considered overpriced by some , especially given the current bugs and UI issues R10R37. Ads are also a significant annoyance for free users R16R20R40R47.
Cronometer Cronometer also has a free tier, but users report that features like the barcode scanner and photo logging are only available in the paid version . The paid version is generally seen as a 'decent price' or 'incredible value' , but some paid users still experience glitches and ads . Free users complain about an increasing number of intrusive full-screen ads and pop-ups, making the free version 'unusable' .
Customer Support edge: CronometerR52R90R102
MyFitnessPal MyFitnessPal's customer support is criticized as 'horrible' R52, with users reporting slow response times R52 and inability to resolve account issues even with subscription proof R52.
Cronometer Cronometer's customer service is described as 'very helpful' R90 by some users, though others find programming support 'unfriendly' and customer service lacking 'continuous programming improvement' R102.
Pick MyFitnessPal if

Pick MyFitnessPal if you are a long-term user who has adapted to its changes and primarily values its large, established food database R5R38. It might also be suitable if you are looking for a free app with minimal in-app pay options for basic calorie tracking, accepting the recent feature limitations and ads R8.

Pick Cronometer if

Pick Cronometer if you need detailed micronutrient tracking and a comprehensive overview of your nutritional intake beyond just macros . It's also a good choice if you prefer a free barcode scanner and are willing to pay for a premium experience that offers more in-depth features and fewer ads .

Evidence note: MyFitnessPal has a significantly larger number of reviews, with recent reviews heavily skewed negative due to controversial updates. Cronometer's reviews are fewer but still reflect recent UI and ad complaints, even for paid users. The free vs. paid asymmetry is present in both apps, with many negative reviews for both stemming from limitations or ads in the free tier.

Frequently asked

Which app has a better food database?
MyFitnessPal has historically been known for having the 'best, most accurate nutrition data base' and the 'biggest database of foods' R5R38. Cronometer also has a 'full of foods' database and is praised for its accuracy R99, but some users find its search for raw foods lacking R96 and note fewer UK brands .
Is the barcode scanner free in MyFitnessPal or Cronometer?
The barcode scanner is no longer free in MyFitnessPal and requires a paid subscription R7R37R43R47. In Cronometer, the barcode scanner is available for free .
Which app is easier to use after recent updates?
MyFitnessPal has received widespread criticism for recent updates that have made its layout 'trash' R7, 'unusable' R10, and 'less intuitive' R19, with many users finding it harder to navigate R15. Cronometer is generally considered easy to use , though recent UI changes, particularly color schemes and font sizes, have made it difficult for some users to read and follow .
Are there many ads in the free versions?
Yes, both apps have significant ad presence in their free versions. MyFitnessPal users are 'constantly annoyed by the pop-ups' R20 and report 'increasingly more and more ads' R47, with some finding them 'incessant' R40. Cronometer's free version has also seen an increase in 'intrusive ads' and 'full screen ads' , with some users calling them 'out of control' and making the app 'unusable' .

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. [R5] MyFitnessPal 5/5 · US Long term use: I’ve been using this app for almost 14 years, it is still has the best, most accurate nutrition data base. I like having my historic tracking data for reference.
  2. [R7] MyFitnessPal 1/5 · US New update: The layout is absolutely trash. You should fire whoever came up with this idea. I could tolerate losing the barcode scan on the free portion but holy moly this is a major step backwards. Go back or make it way better Update: ITS GOTTEN EVEN WORSE, oh my god how do you guys change how we manage how many calories and macros we want, just put the whole app behind a paywall at this point.
  3. [R13] MyFitnessPal 1/5 · US New Update: The new update is actual buns. I want to be able to see my macros per meal as well not just the entire day.
  4. [R23] MyFitnessPal 4/5 · US Overall great app: Mostly easy to use. I wish there was a way to customize the display of tracked nutrients, regardless of macro vs micro. For example, I don’t care about my fat intake since it’s already very low I. My diet, but I do care about fiber. I have to toggle 3-4 presses of buttons just to see fiber, carbs, protein. Another relatively recent annoyance is the constant “I’m committed” pop
  5. [R4] MyFitnessPal 1/5 · US Obnoxious Load Times: Consistently takes 55-65 seconds to open (loading screen).
  6. [R8] MyFitnessPal 5/5 · US One of the best: This is one of the best calorie tracking apps I’ve used so far. I’ve never been a fan of tracking calories because it always seemed like such a burden; down to every single bite of food. Even at one point I terribly miscalculated my calories and had no energy, and no menstrual cycle. But this was really easy to use and it was free with very minimal in app pay options. Which was gr
  7. [R10] MyFitnessPal 1/5 · US This new update is the WORST: I don’t know who signed off on this update??? It actually makes the whole app unusable. It doesn’t let you edit your preferences and focuses on displaying things that no one that tracks their food cares about. Genuinely every single change with the update makes every part of tracking food take longer and make data less visible. I pay for the premium version and want a
  8. [R9] MyFitnessPal 3/5 · US Buggy: This app used to be amazing and still should be. Unfortunately, it’s become quite buggy lately and it has prevented me from logging on several occasions.
  9. [R18] MyFitnessPal 3/5 · US Login Issues: The app is overall great. However, I was logged out of MFP and whenever I log back in, it kicks me back to the log in screen.
  10. [R22] MyFitnessPal 2/5 · US Logged food and meal items aren’t retained: I will change my rating if this gets fixed. When I log food items, the app only appears to remember some of the items. If I go back to add in a missing food item, it still doesn’t remain logged. I can’t effectively track my meals if this doesn’t work. I have months worth of inaccurate data because of this. Please fix this bug. It sounds like this has bee
  11. [R16] MyFitnessPal 1/5 · US App has become a pain: Used to be decent app however now when searching for nutrition info ads from google pop up at the bottom of your search and then if the info you need is not it’s just too bad 10 maybe 12 results.So if your item isn’t there too D**n bad. I have used this for at least 12 yrs. Don’t waste your time there’s probably better ones out there
  12. [R20] MyFitnessPal 4/5 · US Pop-ups: The food database is really good, and that’s why I keep using this app, but I’m constantly annoyed by the pop-ups that say things like “keep going!” when I log something. I think any form of pop-up on any app is annoying. 😩
  13. [R52] MyFitnessPal 1/5 · US Horrible support: I have an annual subscription. During the update, the app signed me out and I can’t log in for almost 2 weeks now. The support responds only every 3-4 days and when they do, they can’t find my account despite of screenshots of my subscription shared, my log in info etc.
  14. [R90] Cronometer 3/5 · US Great customer service: I faithfully track everything and it’s easy to do. However I have noticed on some items the calorie count is different from the labels. It might not be off by a lot, but it doesn’t match. Their customer service is very helpful.
  15. [R102] Cronometer 3/5 · US Good concept but sloppy programming, poor execution, lack of useful customer service.: Cronometer is probably the best nutrient tracker out there but the company has quite a way to go before it is remotely world class. Programming is very frustrating and unfriendly on anything custom, measurements units are non standard and crazy across foods, no noticeable continuous programming improvement or m
  16. [R38] MyFitnessPal 5/5 · US The best calorie counter: I have used MyFitnessPal on and off for years and keep coming back to it after trying others. This app has the biggest database of foods, is the most accurate and easiest to use. I love that they added the GLP1 tracker because that is why I was using a different app but now I will come back again. The price for premium is great and makes it easier to use consistently so i
  17. [R96] Cronometer 3/5 · US Built for processed and packaged food consumers: The app is great on so many levels but when you try to add a food and use their search function, it is horrendous. I tried to look up cod for a cod fillet and the only thing I got were long list of products that had the letters, COD in them. I think it does a really good job at finding barcodes, but not raw real food. I have the same result for thi
  18. [R99] Cronometer 3/5 · US Excellent Nutrition Tracker, Please Add HDL/LDL Cholesterol Tracking: I love Cronometer and use it daily. The nutrition tracking is incredibly detailed, accurate, and easy to use. It’s by far one of the best health and nutrition apps I’ve tried. My only suggestion is to add separate HDL and LDL values under the cholesterol section. This would be a great feature for users who closely monitor thei
  19. [R37] MyFitnessPal 1/5 · US This App Used to Be Good: I was a loyal user of MFP for years. Ever since the barcode scanner stopped being free, the app went downhill. I just renewed premium for $79.99 on 7/4/2026 and the custom calorie and macro goals I have input now multiple times in the app and on the website will not save. Conveniently, the tech support part of the website thinks my username and password are wrong when I j
  20. [R43] MyFitnessPal 1/5 · US Pay to scan!?: This is ridiculous, pay to scan labels!? Every app is free to scan except this one... it used to be free to scan. This is trash. That's so basic.
  21. [R47] MyFitnessPal 4/5 · US Decent App However: This app for the years has gotten gradually worse and worse I used to rate it five stars, but over the course of several years I noticed that several features that were once free are no longer available, put without having to pay for them such as the barcode scan and dealing with increasingly more and more ads on this app just recently I tried logging some food on this app, and
  22. [R15] MyFitnessPal 3/5 · US Longtime User, Dislike Changes: I’ve been an on-and-off user of MyFitnessPal since 2014. When I’m in my healthy stages, I love using this app for its ease. I just came back to it again and I don’t love the updates. I feel it’s harder to navigate than before, and I can’t choose which three macros/nutrients I want displayed on my Home Screen. Now I need to scroll in order to find them. Considering w
  23. [R19] MyFitnessPal 2/5 · US Was Better Before Update: I have used this app for years. It was much better prior to the recent update. The “home screen” used to give charts with your macros and calories, but that’s no longer the case. It also used to show all of your foods that had been logged for the day, also no longer the case. It is much less intuitive now.
  24. [R40] MyFitnessPal 1/5 · US Finally Done with this app: Downloaded MacroFactor instead to escape the incessant streak alert pop ups that MFP insists on hitting you with EVERY SINGLE GODDAMN DAY. People have been complaining about this feature for over a year in the MFP forum, I think it’s clear MFP doesn’t listen to complaints from the forum and those people complaining aren’t annoyed enough to just leave the app and give t

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