MyFitnessPal vs MacroFactor
MyFitnessPal is free to start, with ads and 20.5 million foods; barcode scanning and an ad-free diary need Premium, at $79.99 a year. MacroFactor has no free plan: $71.99 a year buys an ad-free app with a barcode scanner and targets that adjust every week from your weight and what you eat.
Which one fits you
Choose MyFitnessPal if
- You want a free plan.
- You eat out. Its database includes restaurant dishes.
- You use the web, or connect lots of apps and devices.
Choose MacroFactor if
- You want targets that adjust every week.
- You want no ads, and scanning included.
- You weigh yourself and want a smoothed weight trend.
At a glance
| MyFitnessPal | MacroFactor | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | MyFitnessPalFree. Premium is $19.99 a month or $79.99 a year. | MacroFactor$11.99 a month, $47.99 every six months or $71.99 a year, after a 7‑day trial. No free plan. |
| Ads | MyFitnessPalBanner ads in the app and on the website, and sponsored posts, on the free plan. Premium removes them. | MacroFactorMacroFactor leads: None |
| Barcode scanning | MyFitnessPalPremium | MacroFactorIncluded |
| Targets | MyFitnessPalA calorie goal from a BMR calculator; different goals by day with Premium | MacroFactorMacroFactor leads: Coached, collaborative or manual; coached targets adjust every week |
| Foods | MyFitnessPalMyFitnessPal leads: More than 20.5 million, including restaurant dishes | MacroFactorMore than 1.36 million verified entries |
| Nutrients | MyFitnessPalCalories, macros, vitamins and other micronutrients | MacroFactorFull micronutrient tracking, with top contributors for any nutrient |
| Account | MyFitnessPalRequired (free) | MacroFactorRequired |
| Data used to track you | MyFitnessPalIdentifiers and usage data | MacroFactorMacroFactor leads: None listed |
| Works offline | MyFitnessPalCan’t search its food database without a connection; diary changes sync later | MacroFactorMacroFactor leads: Searching its full database needs a connection; foods from your history and cached results work offline |
| Recipes | MyFitnessPalYes, free | MacroFactorYes, including import from a link |
| Weight | MyFitnessPalYes, with 40+ connected apps and devices | MacroFactorYes, with a smoothed weight trend |
| Devices | MyFitnessPalMyFitnessPal leads: iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Android and the web | MacroFactoriPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Android |
| Export | MyFitnessPalData export needs Premium; a printable report is free on the website | MacroFactorMacroFactor leads: Your data, any time |
From each app’s App Store listing (US), website, help center and privacy policy, checked September 29, 2026. A check marks the app that leads a row; rows without one are close, or a matter of taste.
Targets
MyFitnessPal sets a calorie goal from a BMR calculator and the weight change you choose; Premium lets you set different goals by day. MacroFactor estimates your energy expenditure from your weight and what you log, and adjusts your targets every week, in coached, collaborative or manual modes.
Price and ads
MyFitnessPal is free with banner ads and sponsored posts; Premium is $19.99 a month or $79.99 a year. MacroFactor has no free plan and no ads; after a 7‑day trial it’s $11.99 a month, $47.99 every six months or $71.99 a year. Its yearly plan costs less than Premium.
Privacy
Both keep your log in an account. MyFitnessPal engages in targeted advertising, per its privacy policy, and its App Privacy label lists identifiers and usage data as data that may be used to track you. MacroFactor says it will never use ad networks to track you or sell your data, and its label lists none; it stores your log in Google’s Firebase.
A third option: Calorie Tape
If neither ads nor a subscription appeals, Calorie Tape, which we make, is free with no ads and no account, and works offline. You set its targets yourself; it doesn’t adjust them or track your weight, and it has no restaurant dishes or recipes.
Calorie Tape vs MyFitnessPal → Calorie Tape vs MacroFactor →
Questions
Is MacroFactor cheaper than MyFitnessPal Premium?
Yearly, yes: $71.99 against $79.99. Monthly, MacroFactor is $11.99 and MyFitnessPal Premium $19.99. MyFitnessPal also has a free plan, with ads; MacroFactor doesn’t.
Does MacroFactor have ads?
No. MacroFactor has no ads and says it will never use ad networks to track you. MyFitnessPal’s free plan shows banner ads and sponsored posts; Premium removes them.
Which has more foods?
MyFitnessPal, with more than 20.5 million including restaurant dishes. MacroFactor has more than 1.36 million verified entries.
More comparisons
- MyFitnessPal vs CronometerDatabase size or nutrient depth
- MyFitnessPal vs Lose It!Two weight-loss trackers, both with Premium scanning
- Cronometer vs MacroFactorDeep nutrients, or weekly coaching
- MyFitnessPal alternativesFree scanners, nutrient detail, privacy or coaching
- MacroFactor alternativesFree and cheaper options
- All comparisonsSix apps side by side
Sources
All checked September 29, 2026. Prices are US prices. Apps change; if something here is out of date, email hellochillcreatures@gmail.com and we’ll fix it.
- MyFitnessPal: App Store (US) · Premium · Home page · Help: logging food · Privacy policy · Help: Free, Premium and Premium+ · Help: ad-free experience · Help: without a connection · Help: the free version · Google Play
- MacroFactor: App Store (US) · The app · Privacy policy · Help: offline mode · Google Play
- Calorie Tape: Privacy Policy · Food Data
MyFitnessPal and MacroFactor are trademarks of their owners, used here only to name the apps. Calorie Tape and Chill Creatures aren’t affiliated with or endorsed by any of them.