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Two apps compared, not ranked

Cronometer vs MyNetDiary

Both appeal to people who read nutrient panels. Each claims a long nutrient list and a free barcode scanner, and each keeps its AI features and extra tools further up the plans. The table sets Cronometer's figures beside MyNetDiary's as the apps give them.

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Head to head

Cronometer and MyNetDiary compared on 11 points, in alphabetical order
CronometerMyNetDiary
Free planYes. A Basic account, "completely free of charge"[1]Yes. A free tier with barcode scanning, macro tracking, water tracking and a food journal[3]
Free trialNot listed. Not listed on the pages checked[2]Yes. Free trials for the app and for PlateAI; the length is not stated[4]
Barcode scannerYes. Unlimited use of the scanner in the free Basic account[1]Yes. A free barcode scanner[3]
Vitamins and mineralsYes. Up to 95 nutrients and compounds, plus calories, in the free Basic account[1]Yes. Up to 108 nutrients per entry; the free journal has full nutrient detail[3]
Food databaseYes. Over 1M verified foods, by its own description[2]Yes. 2 million staff-verified foods, by its own count[3]
Logs a meal from a photoYes. AI Photo Logging is listed; which plan includes it is not stated[2]Yes. Meal Scan: one page says Premium users have it and free accounts a limited number of scans, another lists it under Premium Plus[5]
Voice loggingYes. Log by speaking to the app or Siri; which plan includes it is not stated[2]Yes. AI Voice Food Logging, listed under Premium Plus[4]
Your own nutrition targetsYes. A built-in nutritional target wizard[2]Yes. Customizable macronutrient targets, listed under Premium[3]
Targets that adjust to your weight trendNot listed. Not listed on the pages checked[2]Yes. Advanced Autopilot updates calorie and macro targets as its estimate changes (Premium)[3]
AdsNot listed. Gold is described as ad-free; Basic's ads are not stated[1]Yes. None in the free tier: "There are no ads in the free tier"[3]
Where it runsYes. Web, iOS and Android[2]Yes. iPhone, iPad and Android apps; a web version is not stated[3]

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

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

Where each one is stronger

Where Cronometer is stronger

  • Says its free Basic account is completely free of charge and includes custom meals and recipes.[1]
  • Runs on the web as well as iOS and Android.[2]
  • Lists a built-in nutritional target wizard and says you can log by speaking to the app or Siri.[2]

Where MyNetDiary is stronger

  • Says there are no ads in its free tier, where Cronometer's page says only that Gold is ad-free.[3]
  • Describes 2 million staff-verified foods and says 2,500 to 3,500 are reviewed and updated daily.[3]
  • Lists Advanced Autopilot, which updates calorie and macro targets as its estimate changes, as a Premium feature.[3]

Who each one suits

  • Cronometer suits someone who wants a web version or the phone and a free Basic account with a long nutrient list.
  • MyNetDiary suits someone who wants an ad-free free tier on iPhone or Android and may later pay for AI tools or target updates.

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 photo logging that is free for a few scans a day: 1 photo scan and 2 text logs a day.
  • If you want net carbs on the dashboard: Net carbs toggle on the dashboard.
  • If you want recipes generated for your targets: Recipes generated for your targets.

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. Cronometer: what the free version includes: https://www.cronometer.com/features/free-nutrition-tracking-app.html (checked )
  2. Cronometer home page: https://cronometer.com/ (checked )
  3. MyNetDiary home page: https://www.mynetdiary.com/ (checked )
  4. MyNetDiary Premium Plus article: https://www.mynetdiary.com/premium-plus-and-plateai.html (checked )
  5. MyNetDiary Meal Scan page: https://www.mynetdiary.com/ai-food-scanner.html (checked )

Frequently asked questions

Which tracks more nutrients?
Cronometer says up to 95 nutrients and compounds on its free account, and MyNetDiary says up to 108 nutrients per entry. Each count comes from the app's own page and they are not defined the same way.
Do both have a free barcode scanner?
Yes. Cronometer's free-version page says unlimited barcode scanning comes with a Basic account, and MyNetDiary's home page describes a free barcode scanner.
Is there a web version?
Cronometer lists Web, iOS and Android. MyNetDiary's home page lists iPhone, iPad and Android apps and does not state a web version.
Does CalorTracker have a barcode scanner?
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

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