The 8 Best Calorie Counter Apps

A quick look at the best calorie counter apps

For some people, tracking food and calorie intake can be helpful for promoting weight loss or management.

Research shows that people who log calories lose more weight, even if they don’t tracke very single thing they eat.

These days, counting calories is very easy. Many websites and apps can help you log your meals and track your intake. Many offer barcode scanning or even estimate calories from pictures you upload to the app. Plus, most offer at least a basic version for free, allowing you to try them out before dedicating your time and money.

Healthline’s picks of the best calorie counter apps

A comparison of the best calorie counter websites and apps

How we chose

Here’s what we took into account to select the best calorie counter apps:

• Transparency: We selected apps with websites that are transparent about the apps’ features, frequently asked questions, and subscription or billing options to help you avoid unwanted surprises on your calorie-tracking journey.
• User reviews: We focused on highly rated apps with user reviews no more than a few months old.
• User-friendliness: We did our best to choose the most user-friendly apps to ensure that you’d have the best possible experience.
• Price: We included options suitable for all budgets, from fully free to subscription-only apps.
• Features: We carefully chose apps that offer the best possible features in their free versions or have features worth paying for.
• Reviews: We did a deep dive into customer reviews to see whether each app is useful and effective and whether it lacks something you may be looking for.
• Vetting: The apps on our list have been vetted to ensure that they align with Healthline’s brand integrity standards and approach to well-being. You can read more about our vetting process.

How to choose

Here are some important factors to consider when choosing a calorie counter app:

• Preferences: Every calorie counter app is different. Some are more individualistic and straightforward, while others connect you with a community of users. Be sure to choose the app that best suits your needs.
• Dietary requirements: Some apps can help you reach your dietary goals when following a specific dietary pattern, such as keto, vegan, vegetarian, paleo, or low carb.
• Membership billing: Take the app’s billing method into account if you decide to upgrade to a premium version. While most apps list their monthly fees, some may charge you annually.
• Compatibility: Some apps automatically integrate data from other devices or apps, which can further help you achieve your goals.

What are calories?

Most people have a negative perception of the word “calorie,” but a calorie is simply a unit of measure for energy.

A splash of milk in your coffee might have 5 calories — that’s 5 energies, in other words. If you consume enough energy, your body uses it as fuel. If you consume more energy than your body needs, your body stores the extra.

Scientifically, a calorie is an estimate of the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water by 1 degree Celsius. You consume calories through food, and they provide you with energy to maintain life and fuel physical work.

The calories you consume each day make up your calorie intake, while the ones your body burns through physical activity, digestion, or basal metabolic rate are your calorie expenditure.

“Energy balance” is a term used to indicate that your calorie intake matches your expenditure. According to the “calories in, calories out” paradigm, energy balance helps maintain your body weight.

A calorie deficit can lead to weight loss, while a calorie excess or surplus leads to weight gain.

You can reach a calorie deficit by reducing your calorie intake or increasing your expenditure — or both. In contrast, you can create a calorie surplus by increasing intake, reducing expenditure, or both.

Why use a calorie counter app?

Calorie-counting apps and other self-monitoring technologies are great tools that allow users to monitor their food intake and dietary choices.

While most research on the impact of calorie counter apps and body weight centers on their beneficial effects for weight loss, some studies also point out other highly valuable benefits.

For instance, food logging may also encourage healthier choices, like more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and other nutrient-rich foods that support overall health — one of the main goals of nutrition interventions.

In addition, just as it recommends a maximum number of calories to consume to reach your target weight, a calorie monitor can help you find out whether you’re eating too little. Consuming too few calories can lead to rapid weight loss that isn’t sustainable over the long term and may even be harmdul to your health.

Your RMR is the number of calories your body burns at rest. A slowing of this rate helps prevents excessive weight loss, which may lead to weight regain.

Lastly, some apps also provide accountability, which is key when aiming for consistency, a determining factor for weight loss success.

It’s worth keeping in mind that if weight loss is your goal, sustainable weight management often includes a balance of good nutrition and regular physical activity.

Medical Perspective

Calorie-counting apps can guide your choices and help you reach your health goals, but it’s just as important to listen to your hunger, choose nutrient-dense foods, and look at long-term patterns rather than stressing over every calorie.

— Amy Richter, MS, RD.

Find out how to lose weight without counting calories here.

_{Quotes represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.}

Frequently asked questions about calorie counter apps

The bottom line

Calorie counters and nutrient trackers are incredibly useful if you’re trying to lose, maintain, or even gain weight.

They can also help you make specific changes to your diet, such as eating more protein or fewer carbs.

However, there’s no need to track your intake constantly.

You can try tracking it occasionally or for a few days or weeks to get a more nuanced view of your diet.

That way, you’ll know exactly where to make adjustments to achieve your goals.