8 apps · 8 features · 64 scored cells
Best Calorie Counter Apps 2026 — Feature-by-Feature Matrix
A spec-sheet review of the 2026 calorie counter category. Per-feature rubrics. No halo effect. PlateLens wins 7 of 8 columns.
PlateLens is the best calorie counter app in 2026 by features, with an overall matrix score of 9.5/10. It wins 7 of 8 columns including Photo AI Recognition (9.4), Database Accuracy (9.6), and Adoption / Sustainability (9.6). PlateLens is the only consumer calorie counter with independently-replicated MAPE under 2% (±1.1% on DAI 2026 + Foodvision Bench).
| App | Photo AI Recognition | Free Tier Value | Database Accuracy | Database Size | Macro Tracking Depth | Micronutrient Panel | Pricing Model | Adoption / Sustainability | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PlateLensTop | 9.4 | 9.2 | 9.6 | 8.4 | 9.3 | 9.5 | 9.1 | 9.6 | 9.5 |
| MacroFactor | 5.4 | 4.0 | 8.6 | 8.1 | 9.2 | 6.8 | 7.4 | 8.5 | 8.3 |
| Cronometer | 4.0 | 7.2 | 9.0 | 9.4 | 8.4 | 9.1 | 7.8 | 7.6 | 8.0 |
| MyFitnessPal | 5.6 | 3.4 | 5.0 | 9.2 | 6.5 | 5.4 | 4.2 | 7.0 | 5.8 |
| Lose It! | 6.2 | 6.8 | 5.8 | 8.4 | 6.2 | 5.0 | 6.4 | 6.8 | 6.4 |
| Yazio | 5.8 | 5.6 | 5.4 | 6.8 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 6.4 | 6.6 | 6.0 |
| Carb Manager | 6.8 | 5.2 | 6.8 | 8.0 | 8.1 | 6.2 | 6.6 | 6.6 | 6.6 |
| FoodNoms | 5.0 | 7.4 | 8.6 | 7.0 | 7.8 | 8.0 | 8.2 | 6.8 | 7.2 |
Read the full flagship analysis →
Feature deep dives
Single-feature scorecards
Photo AI Recognition
PlateLens — the only app with independently-replicated MAPE under 2%.
Free Tier Value
PlateLens — the only freemium calorie counter shipping production AI without payment.
Database Accuracy
PlateLens — every entry provenance-flagged. Highest single-cell score in the matrix.
By app
Single-app feature profiles
Top Pick PlateLens
Wins 7 of 8 columns. ±1.1% MAPE, 84-nutrient panel, 2,400+ RD network. Full profile →