Summer is in full swing and that means long days, late nights, and lots of fun in the Sun. It also means invites to barbeques, cookouts, and all manner of “bring a dish” family gatherings. When you’re really enjoying yourself it can sometimes be easy to snag a couple of extra helpings, and maybe two deserts, because who can blame you? If you’re beginning to notice that your pants are fitting quite as well as they did in spring, you might be looking for the best calorie-tracking apps to help keep your intake from spiraling out of control. Luckily, there are a bunch of great options.
The Basics
When picking an app that’s catered to your lifestyle it’s important to know the key differences between the various options. With that in mind, we’ll focus mainly on what makes each of these apps unique. Rest assured, all of the following apps including:
- A Barcode scanner to log packaged foods
- The ability to add new foods to your personal database
- Overall calorie intake tracking
- Daily progress screens that show you how many calories you have left
LoseIt!
LoseIt! (iOS, Android) is a comprehensive app that lets you set a weight-loss goal and track your progress over time. The app also offers support for connecting with friends and family members, so you can encourage each other to stay on track. LoseIt!’s popularity is likely a result of the easy-to-use interface and straightforward goal tracking. In some ways, it’s the most basic of the options, but if you just want to glance at your phone and see how many calories you have left, it’s a great choice.
The app is free to download, but there is a premium subscription available for $39.99 per year. Premium users get additional goal-tracking functionality like daily water intake, body fat percentage, and sleep. They can also directly connect activity trackers like Fitbit to sync activity and other metrics.
Other notable features:
- Apple Watch support
- Macro tracking
MyFitnessPal
MyFitnessPal (iOS, Android) is another comprehensive option that includes a food database of more than 14 million items. In addition to tracking your calorie intake, the app also tracks your macronutrient intake (fat, protein, and carbohydrates) and lets you set goals for each. As the name suggests MyFitnessPal is all about fitness, which means advanced exercise tracking is baked right into the app. MFP connects with over 50 other apps, including FitBit, Garmin, and many others, helping you get a more clear picture of your overall health.
MyFitnessPal is free to download and use, but there is a premium subscription available for $19.99 per month or $79.99 per year. Premium users get personalized goal tracking and coaching as well as meal plans and recipes. They also get an ad-free user experience.
Other notable features:
- Workout routine suggestions and advice
- Plate scanning using your phone’s camera
Cronometer
Cronometer (iOS, Android) is a more comprehensive app that is geared toward those who are tracking their macro and micronutrients. Cronometer lets you track not only your calorie intake but also your intake of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. It compares these values with recommended daily levels so can track trends and see what you may need to focus on for optimal nutrition. Cronometer is recommended for serious nutrition enthusiasts and there’s a bit of a learning curve to the app, but once you get the hang of it, it offers more information than any other app.
Cronometer is free to download and use, but there is a premium subscription available for $19.99 per year. Premium users don’t see ads and also gain additional features like a fasting timer, food diary groups, additional advanced nutritional advice, and more.
Other notable features:
- Apple Watch support
- Exercise tracking and support for specific diets (keto, vegan, etc)
ControlMyWeight
ControlMyWeight (iOS) is an app that is designed to help you lose weight gradually and safely. It focuses on weight loss of one to two pounds per week, which is what is generally considered safe by healthcare professionals. It helps you reach that goal with a dead-simple user interface and big, clear calorie budget tracking. It’s not fancy, but that can be a good thing when it comes to the sometimes overwhelming task of managing your daily nutrition.
ControlMyWeight is free to download, but there is a premium subscription available for $11.99 per year. Unlike most of the other apps on this list, the premium subscription doesn’t unlock any additional functionality, but simply removes ads for the duration of the subscription.
Other notable features:
- Macro tracking
- Weight maintenance mode for after you reach your goal
Carb Manager
Carb Manager (iOS, Android) is an app that is designed for those who are following a low-carbohydrate diet. Carb Manager lets you track your carb intake as well as your calorie intake, and it’s very good at doing both. If you’ve ever done a low-carb or keto diet, you know that carbs can be hiding in many foods you wouldn’t expect, and this app does a great job of revealing what foods have reasonable carbohydrate levels and which should just be avoided entirely.
Carb Manager is free to download and use, but there is a premium subscription available for $39.99 per year. Premium users get access to recipes, integration with health tracking wearables like FitBit and Garmin, and carb cycling functionality, among other perks.
Other notable features:
- Exercise tracking
- Apple Health integration and Apple Watch support