Editorial note: We tested all apps for 4 weeks on iOS. No sponsored placements. No affiliate links. Prices verified July 2026.
Written by Tou Calo Nutrition Team · Vulcan Labs · Updated July 2026
Finding the best free macro tracking app requires reading the small print — most apps advertise themselves as “free” but quietly paywall the one thing that matters most: seeing your protein, carbs and fat in grams. This guide tests 7 apps on exactly what you get without paying anything, so you can make an informed choice before downloading.
Before choosing an app: A free macro tracking app only works when you know your daily macro targets. Use our free BMR calculator to find your calorie baseline, then set your protein, carb and fat targets before you start logging. Without personal targets, any macro tracking app is just a food diary.
In this guide
- What a free macro tracking app must deliver — the minimum standard
- 7 free macro tracking apps compared — what you actually get free
- Each app reviewed
- Which free macro tracking app fits your goal?
- FAQ
What a free macro tracking app must deliver — the minimum standard
Before comparing apps, it helps to define what a genuinely useful free macro tracking app must actually do for free — because several popular apps fall short of this standard without being upfront about it.
- Show macros in grams — not just percentages: Seeing that your fat is “27% of calories” tells you nothing actionable. A proper free macro tracking app shows you 54g fat, 171g carbs, 158g protein — numbers you can compare against targets.
- Allow custom gram targets — not just presets: Defaulting to a generic 40/30/30 carb/protein/fat split is not macro tracking. You need to set 160g protein specifically for your body weight and goal.
- Have a usable food database: An app that only recognises a fraction of the foods you eat is not functional — even for free.
- Show per-meal breakdown — not just daily totals: Knowing you hit 158g protein by end of day is useful. Knowing that lunch provided 45g helps you adjust dinner in real time.
Any app that hides macro gram visibility or custom target setting behind a paywall is not a free macro tracking app — it is a calorie counter with macro features locked.
7 free macro tracking apps — what you actually get for free (2026)
All data based on free tier testing, July 2026. = available free · = limited · = paywalled
| App | Macros in grams | Custom targets | AI photo logging | Free forever |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tou Calo | ||||
| Cronometer | ||||
| MyFitnessPal | % only | Premium | Ads | |
| Lose It! | Limited | Premium | ||
| FatSecret | Limited | |||
| YAZIO | Basic | |||
| MacroFactor | Trial only |
Free macro tracking apps — reviewed in full
#1 Tou Calo — Best Free Macro Tracking App Overall
Free · iOS · ★★★★★ 4.5 (126 reviews)
Tou Calo is the best free macro tracking app for daily consistency — AI photo logging delivers protein, carbs and fat in 3 seconds without manual database searching. The full macro breakdown in grams, custom gram-level targets and photo logging are all available for free with no paywall, no trial period and no advertisements.
In our 4-week test, Tou Calo had the highest daily logging rate of any free macro tracking app we tested — because the friction of logging is essentially zero. The step-by-step process: calculate your targets using our free BMR calculator, set your protein, carb and fat goals in the app, then snap every meal. That is the complete workflow.
What you get free: AI photo logging · Full macro breakdown in grams · Custom macro targets · No ads · No trial expiry
Limitation: iOS only (Android in development) · Smaller manual food database than MyFitnessPal
#2 Cronometer — Best Free Macro Tracking App for Data Depth
Free + Gold $54.99/yr · iOS and Android
Cronometer is the strongest free macro tracking app for users who want macro and micronutrient data without paying anything. The free tier shows protein, carbs, fat and 82+ micronutrients from a fully USDA-verified database — no user-generated entries, no accuracy concerns from crowd-sourced data. Custom macro targets in grams are available on the free tier.
What you get free: Full macro breakdown in grams · Custom gram targets · 82+ micronutrients · Verified database
Limitation: No AI photo logging on free tier · Interface feels complex for beginners · Ads on free tier
Best for: Users who prioritise accuracy and nutrient depth over logging speed. Use our TDEE calculator to set calorie targets before starting.
#3 MyFitnessPal — Largest Database, But Macro Targets Paywalled
Free + Premium $79.99/yr · iOS and Android
MyFitnessPal is the most recognised free macro tracking app name — but the free tier has a significant limitation: custom macro targets can only be set as percentages, not in grams. Setting 160g protein specifically requires Premium at $79.99/year. The macro gram breakdown is visible for free, but you cannot set personalised targets without paying.
What you get free: Macro breakdown in grams (viewable) · 14M+ food database · Barcode scanner
Limitation: Custom gram targets require Premium · Ad-heavy free experience · User-generated entries introduce inaccuracies
#4 Lose It! — Clean Interface, Limited Free Macro Customisation
Free + Premium $39.99/yr · iOS and Android
A solid free macro tracking app for beginners who want a clean, low-friction starting point. The free tier shows macro grams and basic breakdown. However, setting custom macro splits and detailed targets requires Premium. Best for users who want to start tracking macros simply before deciding whether to upgrade.
#5 FatSecret — Fully Free, No Paywall, Basic Features
100% Free · iOS and Android
FatSecret is the most genuinely free macro tracking app — no subscriptions, no trials, no paywalled macro features. The macro gram breakdown is fully accessible on the free tier. The trade-offs: no AI photo logging, a dated interface, and limited custom target configuration. Best as a free macro tracking app for Android users who cannot access Tou Calo.
#6 YAZIO — Macro Customisation Paywalled
Free + Pro $29.99/yr · iOS and Android
YAZIO shows basic macro data on the free tier but locks detailed custom macro targets behind Pro. It is more useful as a calorie counter and fasting timer than as a true free macro tracking app. Usable for basic tracking but limited for anyone serious about protein and macro management.
#7 MacroFactor — Most Powerful, But No Free Tier
7-day trial then $71.99/yr · iOS and Android
MacroFactor has the most sophisticated macro tracking algorithm available — it adjusts your targets based on weekly body weight trends. However, it has no permanent free tier. It qualifies for this list only as a free trial option. If you are serious about adaptive macro coaching and willing to pay after the trial, it is the most advanced option. Not a free macro tracking app in any ongoing sense.
Which free macro tracking app fits your goal?
- Best free macro tracking app overall: Tou Calo — AI photo logging, full gram macros and custom targets all free on iOS. Use our BMR calculator to set targets first.
- Best free macro tracking app for Android: FatSecret or Cronometer — both have capable free tiers on Android. Cronometer wins on data accuracy.
- Best free macro tracking app for data depth: Cronometer — 82+ nutrients tracked free, USDA-verified database, custom gram targets.
- Best free macro tracking app for beginners: Tou Calo or Lose It! — both have low-friction onboarding. Tou Calo wins on logging speed; Lose It! has a guided setup flow.
The single most important step before any free macro tracking app: Know your targets. Use our BMR calculator to find your calorie baseline, our TDEE calculator for total daily burn, then set your protein at 1.6–2.2g/kg bodyweight. Without these numbers, even the best free macro tracking app is just a food diary.
Free macro tracking app — FAQ
What is the best completely free macro tracking app?
Tou Calo is the best completely free macro tracking app on iOS — AI photo logging, full gram-level macro breakdown, custom targets and no ads, all permanently free. Cronometer is the best free option for search-and-log tracking on iOS and Android — full macros plus 82+ micronutrients at no cost. Use our free BMR calculator to set your personal macro targets before starting either app.
Does MyFitnessPal show macros for free?
MyFitnessPal shows macro grams in the daily diary on the free tier — you can see how much protein, carbs and fat you consumed. However, setting custom gram-level macro targets (e.g. 160g protein specifically) requires Premium at $79.99/year. The free tier only allows percentage-based macro goal setting, which limits its usefulness as a true free macro tracking app for body composition goals.
Can I track macros accurately without paying for an app?
Yes — Tou Calo and Cronometer both deliver accurate macro tracking completely free. Cronometer uses USDA-verified data with no user-generated entries, giving it the highest database accuracy of any free macro tracking app. Tou Calo uses AI photo recognition, removing the portion estimation error that affects manual database logging.
How do I set up a free macro tracking app correctly?
Four steps: (1) Calculate your BMR using our free BMR calculator. (2) Find your TDEE using our TDEE calculator. (3) Set your calorie target using our calorie deficit calculator. (4) Open your chosen free macro tracking app and enter your protein target (1.6–2.2g/kg bodyweight), then set carbs and fat to fill the remaining calories. Log every meal consistently for at least 2 weeks before adjusting targets.
Is AI photo logging available for free in a macro tracking app?
In 2026, Tou Calo is the only major free macro tracking app that includes full AI photo logging — scanning a meal photo and returning protein, carbs and fat in grams — permanently free with no trial limit. Most other apps with AI photo logging (Lose It!, MacroFactor) lock this feature behind a paid subscription.
Disclaimer: App features and pricing reflect our independent testing in July 2026. Features and pricing are subject to change. This article is for informational purposes only.
Written by Tou Calo Nutrition Team — Vulcan Labs
The team behind Tou Calo AI Calorie Counter. We independently test the best free macro tracking apps so you can make an informed choice without surprises.
Related tools:
BMR Calculator — set your calorie baseline
TDEE Calculator — total daily calorie burn
Calorie Deficit Calculator — your exact daily target
The best free macro tracking app — no paywall
Snap your meal.
Macros logged in 3 seconds.
Tou Calo is the only free macro tracking app with AI photo logging, full gram macro breakdown and custom targets — all permanently free. No trial. No subscription. No ads.