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Two apps compared, not ranked

Carb Manager vs Cronometer

A keto-first tracker and a nutrient-depth tracker, both with a free account and a free barcode scanner. Carb Manager's pages stress net carbs and keto tools; Cronometer's stress how many nutrients you can track. Where a page checked is silent, the table says so instead of guessing.

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Head to head

Carb Manager and Cronometer compared on 9 points, in alphabetical order
Carb ManagerCronometer
Free planYes. A Basic account at $0.00[1]Yes. A Basic account, "completely free of charge"[5]
Barcode scannerYes. Scanning is free for all users[2]Yes. Unlimited use of the scanner in the free Basic account[5]
Net carbsYes. "Always Free Keto + Net Carb Tracking"[3]Not listed. Not listed on the pages checked[6]
Vitamins and mineralsNot listed. Vitamins and minerals are listed under advanced tracking, introduced as Premium; the plan is not stated[3]Yes. Up to 95 nutrients and compounds, plus calories, in the free Basic account[5]
Targets that adjust to your weight trendYes. Smart Macros adjusts goals when you log a new weight (Premium)[3]Not listed. Not listed on the pages checked[6]
Meal plansYes. Premium: personalized meal plans and shopping lists[1]Not listed. Not listed on the pages checked[6]
Logs a meal from a photoYes. Premium: log food by snapping a picture[4]Yes. AI Photo Logging is listed; which plan includes it is not stated[6]
Voice loggingYes. Voice logging is listed; which plan includes it is not stated clearly[1]Yes. Log by speaking to the app or Siri; which plan includes it is not stated[6]
Where it runsYes. iOS, Android and web[4]Yes. Web, iOS and Android[6]

Last verified . Numbers in brackets point to the sources below. The apps are in alphabetical order.

One app at a time: Cronometer alternative. CalorTracker features mentioned here: Macro tracker, AI food scanner.

Where each one is stronger

Where Carb Manager is stronger

  • Net carb and keto tracking are described as always free, which its page contrasts with apps that charge for them.[3]
  • Premium adds Smart Macros, which adjusts goals when you log a new weight, and personalized meal plans with shopping lists.[3]
  • Barcode scanning is free for all users.[2]

Where Cronometer is stronger

  • A very long nutrient list in the free account: up to 95 nutrients and compounds, plus calories.[5]
  • Custom meals and recipes are in the free Basic account, and the home page describes a built-in target wizard.[5]
  • Describes a database of over 1M verified foods, and lists AI photo logging and voice logging.[6]

Who each one suits

  • Carb Manager suits someone following keto or low-carb who wants net carbs free and planning tools.
  • Cronometer suits someone who wants to see vitamins and minerals on a free account, whatever their diet.

These are suggestions drawn from the table, not a verdict. The right app depends on which row matters to you.

And if you want something else, CalorTracker

CalorTracker is a third option, from the team that wrote this page. What it does for the points above, from our own code:

  • If you want net carbs on the dashboard, for any diet and not only keto: Net carbs toggle on the dashboard.
  • If you want sugar, fiber and sodium beside the macros: Sugar, fiber and sodium beside the macros.
  • If you want photo logging with a free daily allowance: 1 photo scan and 2 text logs a day.

Where CalorTracker falls short

  • No barcode scanner; reads the label from a photo.
  • Web app and Android app; the iOS app is not public yet.
  • Voice logging is Premium.
  • The free plan has daily limits: 1 AI photo scan and 2 AI text logs a day.
  • AI results are estimates to check before you save them.

Sources and last verified

Every fact about the two apps on this page comes from that app’s own site, checked on . “Not listed” means we found nothing on the pages cited; it does not mean the app lacks the feature. Prices are left out because they change and differ by country, so check each app before you decide.

We re-verify this page every quarter. Next review due by . We also re-read every source before a page goes live if its facts are more than 90 days old.

  1. Carb Manager Premium page: https://www.carbmanager.com/premium (checked )
  2. Carb Manager help: scanning barcodes: https://help.carbmanager.com/docs/log-foods-by-scanning-barcodes-and-snapping-pictures (checked )
  3. Carb Manager macros tracker page: https://www.carbmanager.com/feature-details/x3xqkreaabj8283a/macros-tracker/ (checked )
  4. Carb Manager home page: https://www.carbmanager.com/ (checked )
  5. Cronometer: what the free version includes: https://www.cronometer.com/features/free-nutrition-tracking-app.html (checked )
  6. Cronometer home page: https://cronometer.com/ (checked )

Frequently asked questions

Do both have a free barcode scanner?
Yes. Carb Manager's help page says scanning is free for all users, and Cronometer's free-version page says unlimited use of the scanner is included in a Basic account.
Does Cronometer track net carbs?
Its home page does not mention net carbs, so we cannot say. Carb Manager says net carb tracking is always free.
Which has AI photo logging?
Carb Manager's home page says its Premium version lets you log food by snapping a picture. Cronometer's home page lists AI Photo Logging without saying which plan includes it.
Does CalorTracker have a barcode scanner?
No. Packaged food is logged from a photo of its nutrition label, which the AI reads, or by typing the numbers in yourself.

Try it on your own meals

Start free, log your first meal from a photo, and see whether it suits the way you track.

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