Head-to-head
Cronometer vs MacroFactor: which one in 2026?
Cronometer is a nutrition tracker from Cronometer Software Inc. in Canada that keeps a free tier and charges for its AI features, while MacroFactor is a subscription-only app from Stronger by Science in the United States built around weekly calorie target adjustments. The split is lab-verified nutrient depth versus coaching that adapts to your weight trend.
Verdict
Cronometer suits someone who wants nutrient depth and a free tier to live on, and who will pay for Gold only if photo logging or Crono Coach earns it. MacroFactor suits someone chasing a body-weight goal who wants the target adjusted weekly and does not mind that there is no free plan. On data, read both policies: Cronometer says photos train its models, while MacroFactor says nothing either way.
Cronometer and MacroFactor side by side
| Cronometer | MacroFactor | |
|---|---|---|
| Price entry | $0 (Basic) | $11.99 per month (month-to-month) |
| Can you use it without paying? | Yes. The Basic plan is free and ad-supported, with barcode scanning, custom foods and recipes, though reports are limited to a seven-day window. | No. The FAQ says there is not and never will be a free version; a 7-day trial starts through the App Store or Google Play. |
| Cost of the paid tier | Gold runs USD 4.99 per month when billed annually at USD 59.99, or USD 10.99 per month on monthly billing. | USD 11.99 monthly, USD 47.99 every six months, or USD 71.99 for a year, which the page shows as USD 5.99 per month. |
| Logging by photo or voice | Photo Log and Voice Log sit behind Gold. Voice Log works by speaking to the app or through Siri. | Photo logging, where you snap or describe a meal, comes with the subscription, alongside speech-to-text, label scanning and recipe import from a URL. |
| What the coaching does | Crono Coach turns your own data, goals and settings into short guidance, and it is a Gold feature only. | Bulk, cut and maintenance goals with weekly adjustments and a selectable rate of weight change, in Coached, Collaborative or Manual modes. |
| Micronutrient tracking | Basic tracks up to 95 nutrients and compounds against a database of over 1M lab-analyzed or verified foods. | Micronutrient tracking is listed among the analytics, next to an energy expenditure estimate and a weight trend, without a stated nutrient count. |
| Who handles your meal photos | Photos, comments and corrections are used to train and improve its models, and may reach third-party models for analytics, per the privacy policy. | Certain features rely on AI services from Google, and no other provider is used. Whether customer data trains models is not stated. |
| Where data is hosted | The policy cites HIPAA-compliant servers in the United States, and says some providers may store information outside Canada. | Hosting region is not stated. Google Firebase Cloud Firestore is listed as a US provider, and providers operate globally. |
| Connections to other apps | A ChatGPT plugin for Gold subscribers, plus Siri for voice logging, with device integrations included in the free version. | Apple Health and Google Fit import covers the last 30 days. Smartwatch and activity tracker data is not pulled in at present. |
Where each one wins
Cronometer wins on
- A free plan with barcode scanning and up to 95 tracked nutrients, so you can judge the app before paying
- Gold is cheaper on annual billing than MacroFactor's yearly price, at USD 59.99 against USD 71.99
- Offers a ChatGPT plugin and Siri voice logging, which MacroFactor's page does not mention
MacroFactor wins on
- Weekly target adjustments tied to a chosen rate of weight change, not just a static goal
- Photo logging, speech-to-text and recipe import all come with the one subscription, no tier split
- Names a single AI provider, Google, and says no other provider is used
Which to pick
Pick Cronometer if
You want a free tier to start on, care about micronutrient detail, and are fine with photos and corrections feeding model training.
Pick MacroFactor if
You want your calorie target to move with your weight trend each week and accept paying from the first day after a 7-day trial.
Each tool in context: Cronometer profile, MacroFactor profile, and the full Best AI Nutrition Tracking Apps in 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Is MacroFactor worth paying for when Cronometer has a free plan?
It depends on the goal. Cronometer's free Basic plan covers barcode scanning, custom foods and up to 95 nutrients. MacroFactor charges from the start but builds in weekly calorie adjustments and a weight trend. If you only need a food diary, the free plan may be enough; if you want adaptive targets, the subscription is the point.
Which app is cheaper over a year?
As of November 2026, Cronometer Gold is USD 59.99 billed annually, and MacroFactor's yearly plan is USD 71.99. On monthly billing the gap widens to USD 10.99 against USD 11.99. Cronometer also has a free tier, so a year of use can cost nothing if you skip the AI features.
Do Cronometer and MacroFactor use my food photos to train AI?
Cronometer's privacy policy says food photos, comments and corrections are used to train and improve its models and artificial intelligence. MacroFactor's notice says some features use AI services from Google but does not say whether customer data trains models. Neither page was checked for opt-out controls, so ask the vendor before relying on that.
Can I connect a smartwatch to MacroFactor or Cronometer?
MacroFactor's page says smartwatch and activity tracker data is not pulled in at present, and its Apple Health and Google Fit import covers the last 30 days. Cronometer's Gold page says all apps and device integrations are in the free version, except the ChatGPT plugin. Check your specific device on the vendor page before subscribing.