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Two apps compared, not ranked

Carb Manager vs MyFitnessPal

A keto-first tracker against a general diary. Carb Manager's pages make net carbs a free feature and say barcode scanning is free for everyone; MyFitnessPal's Premium page places barcode scan behind the paywall. Neither page covers every row, and the table marks the gaps.

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Head to head

Carb Manager and MyFitnessPal compared on 10 points, in alphabetical order
Carb ManagerMyFitnessPal
Free planYes. A Basic account at $0.00[1]Yes. A free tier with nutrition, weight and exercise tracking[5]
Free trialNot listed. Not listed on the pages checked[1]Yes. A 7-day free Premium trial for accounts that have not had one[5]
Barcode scannerYes. Scanning is free for all users[2]Yes. Barcode scan, a Premium feature[5]
Net carbsYes. "Always Free Keto + Net Carb Tracking"[3]Not listed. Not listed on the pages checked[5]
Logs a meal from a photoYes. Premium: log food by snapping a picture[4]Yes. Meal Scan, a Premium feature[5]
Voice loggingYes. Voice logging is listed; which plan includes it is not stated clearly[1]Yes. Voice Log, a Premium feature[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[5]
Meal plansYes. Premium: personalized meal plans and shopping lists[1]Not listed. Not listed on the pages checked[5]
Food databaseYes. Over 1 million foods, by its own description[4]Not listed. Not listed: the number of foods is not stated on the page checked[5]
Where it runsYes. iOS, Android and web[4]Not listed. Not listed on the pages checked[5]

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

One app at a time: MyFitnessPal alternative. CalorTracker features mentioned here: Macro tracker, Meal planner.

Where each one is stronger

Where Carb Manager is stronger

  • Net carb tracking is described as always free, with a contrast drawn to apps that charge for it.[3]
  • A help page says scanning is free for all users, in the Basic and Premium plans alike.[2]
  • Premium adds Smart Macros, which auto-adjusts goals as you lose weight, and meal plans with shopping lists.[1]

Where MyFitnessPal is stronger

  • A single page that lists what is free (nutrition, weight and exercise tracking) and what is paid.[5]
  • A 7-day Premium trial for accounts that never had one; Carb Manager's Premium page shows none.[5]
  • Custom macro goals can be set for each day of the week, as a Premium feature.[5]

Who each one suits

  • Carb Manager suits someone following keto or low-carb who wants net carbs and scanning free and does not need a general-purpose diary.
  • MyFitnessPal suits someone who does not count net carbs, wants to try Premium for a week, and cares about daily macro goals.

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: Net carbs toggle on the dashboard.
  • If you want photo logging with a free daily allowance: 1 photo scan and 2 text logs a day.
  • If you want a meal plan and shopping list built from your macros: Shopping list with the plan (Premium).

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. MyFitnessPal Premium page: https://www.myfitnesspal.com/premium (checked )

Frequently asked questions

Is net carb tracking free in Carb Manager?
Its macros-tracker page says it is always free and contrasts that with apps that put net carb tracking in Premium.
Does MyFitnessPal's page mention net carbs?
The Premium page we checked talks about carbs, fat and protein and says nothing about net carbs, so we cannot say.
Which one has photo logging?
Carb Manager's home page says its Premium version lets you log food by snapping a picture. MyFitnessPal lists Meal Scan as a Premium feature.
Can CalorTracker scan a barcode?
No. Packaged food is logged from a photo of its label, which the AI reads, or by typing the numbers in.

Try it on your own meals

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

Start free on the web

Every app name is a trademark of its respective owner; this page is an independent comparison.