Two apps compared, not ranked
MyFitnessPal vs MyNetDiary
The paywalls sit in different places. MyNetDiary's pages put a barcode scanner and a food journal with full nutrient detail in an ad-free free tier, and its AI tools in Premium Plus. MyFitnessPal's Premium page lists barcode scan, Meal Scan and voice logging as paid.
Try CalorTracker freeHead to head
| MyFitnessPal | MyNetDiary | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes. A free tier with nutrition, weight and exercise tracking[1] | Yes. A free tier with barcode scanning, macro tracking, water tracking and a food journal[2] |
| Free trial | Yes. A 7-day free Premium trial for accounts that have not had one[1] | Yes. Free trials for the app and for PlateAI; the length is not stated[3] |
| Barcode scanner | Yes. Barcode scan, a Premium feature[1] | Yes. A free barcode scanner[2] |
| Logs a meal from a photo | Yes. Meal Scan, a Premium feature[1] | Yes. Meal Scan: one page says Premium users have it and free accounts a limited number of scans, another lists it under Premium Plus[4] |
| Voice logging | Yes. Voice Log, a Premium feature[1] | Yes. AI Voice Food Logging, listed under Premium Plus[3] |
| Your own nutrition targets | Yes. Macro tracking with custom goals, a Premium feature[1] | Yes. Customizable macronutrient targets, listed under Premium[2] |
| Targets that adjust to your weight trend | Not listed. Not listed on the pages checked[1] | Yes. Advanced Autopilot updates calorie and macro targets as its estimate changes (Premium)[2] |
| Vitamins and minerals | Not listed. Not listed on the pages checked[1] | Yes. Up to 108 nutrients per entry; the free journal has full nutrient detail[2] |
| Food database | Not listed. Not listed: the number of foods is not stated on the page checked[1] | Yes. 2 million staff-verified foods, by its own count[2] |
| Ads | Not listed. Ad-free logging is listed under Premium; the free tier's ads are not stated[1] | Yes. None in the free tier: "There are no ads in the free tier"[2] |
| Where it runs | Not listed. Not listed on the pages checked[1] | Yes. iPhone, iPad and Android apps; a web version is not stated[2] |
Last verified . Numbers in brackets point to the sources below. The apps are in alphabetical order.
One app at a time: MyFitnessPal alternative, MyNetDiary alternative. CalorTracker features mentioned here: Macro tracker, AI food scanner.
Where each one is stronger
Where MyFitnessPal is stronger
- A clear Premium list on one page: barcode and Meal Scan, Voice Log, custom macro goals, ad-free logging and intermittent fasting.[1]
- A 7-day free trial is spelled out for accounts that have not used Premium.[1]
- Names Apple Watch, Fitbit, Garmin, Samsung Health, Health Connect and smart scales among its connected apps and devices.[1]
Where MyNetDiary is stronger
- Barcode scanning, macro tracking, water tracking and a food journal are in the free tier, which it says has no ads.[2]
- Says it tracks up to 108 nutrients per entry and has 2 million staff-verified foods, updating 2,500 to 3,500 daily.[2]
- Advanced Autopilot, a Premium feature, updates calorie and macro targets as its estimate changes.[2]
Who each one suits
- MyFitnessPal suits someone who wants a well-known free diary, knows what the paid list contains, and likes the idea of a trial before deciding.
- MyNetDiary suits someone who wants barcode scanning and nutrient detail without paying, and may add AI tools later.
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 a small free allowance of AI photo logging: 1 photo scan and 2 text logs a day.
- If you want no ads on any plan: No ads.
- If you want sugar, fiber and sodium beside the macros: Sugar, fiber and sodium beside the macros.
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.
- MyFitnessPal Premium page: https://www.myfitnesspal.com/premium (checked )
- MyNetDiary home page: https://www.mynetdiary.com/ (checked )
- MyNetDiary Premium Plus article: https://www.mynetdiary.com/premium-plus-and-plateai.html (checked )
- MyNetDiary Meal Scan page: https://www.mynetdiary.com/ai-food-scanner.html (checked )
Frequently asked questions
Which of these has a free barcode scanner?
Which shows ads on its free plan?
Does either one change targets as your weight changes?
What does CalorTracker do about barcodes?
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 webEvery app name is a trademark of its respective owner; this page is an independent comparison.