Alternatives

Best Macro Tracking Apps (2026): Free & Paid Compared

The best macro tracking apps in 2026, compared on free tiers, accuracy, and ease of logging — including the best free macro tracker that reads macros from a photo.

By Bento Bunny Team
Bento Bunny choosing balanced foods — the best macro tracking apps compared for 2026

What to Look for in a Macro Tracker

A macro tracker counts protein, carbs, and fat — not just calories. The catch is that many apps lock gram-level macro targets behind a subscription. The best macro tracking apps make macros easy to log and don't paywall the core feature. Here are the best in 2026, including the best free option.

1. Bento Bunny — Best Free Macro Tracker

Bento Bunny reads protein, carbs, and fat straight from a photo of your meal — no food scale, no label reading. It's free during its iOS beta, so the macro tracking other apps charge for is included, and it supports barcode and text logging too. Set custom macro targets and watch your daily totals fill in automatically. See the free macro tracker feature for details.

Best for: Anyone who wants automatic, free macro tracking without a paywall.

2. MacroFactor — Best Adaptive Algorithm

MacroFactor watches your weight and intake and recalculates your macro targets weekly. The algorithm is excellent and the UX is polished, but there's no meaningful free tier — it's around $12/month. Logging is manual. Read our MacroFactor review.

Best for: Advanced trackers who want adaptive targets and will pay for them.

3. Cronometer — Best for Nutrient Depth

Cronometer tracks macros plus 80+ micronutrients from verified databases, and its free tier is genuinely usable (including barcode scanning). Custom macro targets in grams or percentages make it great for keto, carnivore, or high-protein diets. Logging is slower, though. See our Cronometer review.

Best for: People who want macro and micronutrient precision.

4. MyFitnessPal — Biggest Database

MyFitnessPal has the largest food database, but gram-level macro tracking and barcode scanning require Premium (~$19.99/month). Powerful but expensive if macros are the feature you're after. See Is MyFitnessPal Premium worth it?

Best for: People who want the broadest database and don't mind paying for macros.

5. Lose It! — Affordable Premium

Lose It! offers macro targets on its Premium tier (~$39.99/year), far cheaper than MyFitnessPal. Clean and beginner-friendly, but logging is still database-driven. See our Lose It! review.

Best for: Budget-conscious trackers who like a simple database app.

The Best Free Macro Tracking App

If you searched "free macro tracking app," the honest field is small — most apps paywall gram-level macros. Cronometer's free tier covers macros and micros (slower to log), and Bento Bunny gives you automatic macros from a photo, free during its iOS beta, with on-device privacy on iOS 26+. For effortless, free macro tracking, Bento Bunny is the standout.

How to Choose

Want adaptive targets and will pay? MacroFactor. Want micronutrient depth? Cronometer. Want the biggest database? MyFitnessPal. Want automatic macros from a photo, free? Bento Bunny — set your targets with the macro calculator and track them automatically.

Free during beta

Track macros free — straight from a photo

Join the iOS beta: automatic protein, carbs, and fat from a photo, free during TestFlight. No macro paywall.

  • Bento Bunny iOS beta (free during TestFlight — no card)
  • Automatic macros from a photo — plus barcode and text logging
  • Set custom macro targets and hit them without the maths

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best macro tracking app?
It depends on what you need: MacroFactor for adaptive algorithmic targets, Cronometer for macro and micronutrient depth, MyFitnessPal for the biggest database, and Bento Bunny for the best free, automatic macro tracking from a photo. For most people who want macros tracked effortlessly and free, Bento Bunny is the standout.
What is the best free macro tracking app?
Bento Bunny is the best free macro tracker — it reads protein, carbs, and fat from a photo automatically and is free during its iOS beta, with no paywall on macro tracking. Cronometer's free tier also covers macros (and micronutrients) but logging is slower. Many other apps lock gram-level macros behind a subscription.
Is macro tracking free on MyFitnessPal?
No. MyFitnessPal requires Premium (~$19.99/month) for gram-level and percentage macro targets, and it also paywalls barcode scanning. For free macro tracking, Cronometer's free tier or Bento Bunny (free during its iOS beta) are better options.
Can an app track macros from a photo?
Yes. Bento Bunny estimates protein, carbs, and fat directly from a photo of your meal using AI, so you don't have to weigh food or read labels. You can also scan a barcode or type what you ate. It's free during the iOS beta.
What macros should I track?
The three main macros are protein, carbohydrates, and fat. A common starting point is higher protein (to preserve muscle and stay full), moderate carbs (to fuel activity), and enough fat for hormone health. Use a macro calculator to set targets based on your weight, activity, and goal, then track against them.