FatSecret vs MyFitnessPal,two free trackers.
FatSecret and MyFitnessPal are both free database calorie trackers, so this is a close comparison. FatSecret is the leaner, genuinely free option with fewer paywalls. MyFitnessPal is the broader one, with the largest food database and a deeper feature set. This page compares them fairly, then covers a third option for people who would rather photograph a meal than search for it.
The verdict
in one paragraph.
Pick FatSecret if you want a straightforward tracker that stays mostly free, without a lot of upsell, and you are happy with a plainer interface. Pick MyFitnessPal if you want the largest database, more integrations, and more features, and you do not mind an ad-supported free tier. Both are solid database trackers, so the real tiebreaker is how much you value a free-first experience versus maximum breadth.
If neither approach appeals and you would rather skip the search box entirely, see the third option below.
Database, free tier, features, platform.
| Dimension | FatSecret | MyFitnessPal |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | A genuinely free, no-frills database tracker | The largest food database and more features |
| Food database | Large database with community entries | Very large database, including community entries |
| Logging method | Database search, barcode scanner, manual entry | Database search, barcode scanner, manual entry |
| Free tier | As of August 2026, a generous free tier. Check current plan | As of August 2026, an ad-supported free tier. Check current plan |
| Platform | iOS, Android, and the web | iOS, Android, and the web |
Where FatSecret wins.
FatSecret has built a reputation on being genuinely free. It covers the essentials, database search, a barcode scanner, and goal tracking, without pushing you toward a paid plan at every turn. For people who just want to log calories without upsell fatigue, that restraint is the appeal.
Its database is large and covers common foods well, and it runs on iOS, Android, and the web. The interface is plainer than some rivals, which is either a feature or a drawback depending on your taste. As of August 2026, check the current FatSecret plan for what the free tier includes.
Where MyFitnessPal wins.
MyFitnessPal strength is breadth. Its food database is very large, including a deep well of community-entered foods, so there is a good chance your item already exists. It also offers more features and integrations, which power users tend to appreciate over a leaner tool.
That breadth comes with more interface to learn, and as of August 2026 the free tier is ad-supported with some features behind a paid plan. Check the current MyFitnessPal plan before you count on a specific feature.
What if you skipped the database entirely?
Both FatSecret and MyFitnessPal ask you to find your food in a database. calorietrack.ai takes a different path: you photograph the meal and the AI estimates calories and macros, then you can ask the coach what to eat next. For mixed plates that do not map to a single database row, that can be faster.
It has a free-forever web tier with no signup required to try, and it publishes a specific accuracy benchmark. You can read how that number is measured on our methodology page and see the underlying comparison on the accuracy study.
It works on whatever you are eating.
Questions, answered.
Keep reading.
Try the AI photo option.
calorietrack.ai. No signup. No card. Snap a meal in any browser.