Comparison · 2026
Best calorie counter for women (2026): 6 apps compared
Short answer: the best calorie counter is the one you will still open in week three. We compare six: Pofu, MyFitnessPal, Lose It!, Cal AI, Yazio and Cronometer.
Disclosure: We make Pofu, so it is on this list and we have an interest in it. We tried to describe every app fairly, using each app's own App Store listing as of November 2026. We did not run accuracy tests, and features and prices change, so confirm details in the listing before you subscribe.
The 6 apps at a glance
Where we could not confirm a feature from the listing, the table says "check listing" rather than guessing. "Not a headline feature" means the App Store listing does not highlight it; the app may still offer something related.
| App | Best for | Free tier | Photo AI logging | Cycle-aware | Fasting | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pofu | Women wanting photo logging, cycle context and low guilt | Free barcode, search, manual; limited AI photo scans | Yes | Yes, optional | Yes (16:8, 14:10, 18:6, 5:2) | iOS only |
| MyFitnessPal | Large database, familiar tracker | Has a free tier; check listing | Check listing | Not a headline feature | Check listing | iPhone, iPad, Watch |
| Lose It! | Simple goal-based weight loss | Has a free tier; check listing | Check listing | Not a headline feature | Check listing | iPhone, iPad, Watch |
| Cal AI | Photo-first logging | Scanning requires a subscription per listing; check listing | Yes, core feature | Not a headline feature | Not a headline feature | iPhone, Watch |
| Yazio | Diary with plans and fasting | Has a free tier; check listing | Named in title | Not a headline feature | Check listing | iPhone, iPad, Watch |
| Cronometer | Micronutrient detail | Has a free tier; check listing | Not its focus | Not a headline feature | Check listing | iPhone, iPad, Watch; Android |
How we chose: a 6-point checklist
We judged each app against the same six points. They reflect what we think matters for women, not a lab test, and we did not run controlled accuracy tests on any app.
- 1. Logging takes seconds
- Photo logging, barcode scanning and favorites beat typing every ingredient. If logging a lunch takes more than 30 seconds, most people stop.
- 2. Goals fit you
- Calorie and protein targets should come from your height, weight, activity, goal and pace, not a fixed 1,200.
- 3. It understands the cycle
- Water retention before your period can add a kilo or more. A good app says "this may be water" instead of "you gained weight".
- 4. Missed days are not failures
- Look for grace days or weekly balance views rather than broken streaks and red warnings.
- 5. Fasting is optional and flexible
- If you fast, shorter windows like 14:10 should count as a win, especially in the luteal phase.
- 6. Your data stays private
- Cycle and health data should be opt-in and, ideally, stay on your device.
The 6 apps, one by one
Pofu
Disclosure: we make Pofu, so treat this entry with the same scepticism you would apply to any vendor. Pofu is an AI calorie counter built for women. You photograph a plate and it estimates calories and macros with a confidence score; a short quiz sets calorie and protein goals; optional cycle awareness explains scale jumps as possible water retention; grace days protect your streak; and the fasting timer supports 16:8, 14:10, 18:6 and 5:2. Cycle data stays on your device and tracking is off by default.
Limits: it is iOS only, it is a newer app than the long-running trackers here, and it does not predict your cycle or give medical advice. Free tier: barcode scanning, search and manual logging are free and unlimited, plus 3 AI photo scans on day one and 1 per day after, and 1 voice log per day. Pro adds 10 photo and 10 voice logs per day, an AI coach, advanced analytics, fasting stats and a flexible weekend plan. Pro is available as yearly (with a 7-day trial), monthly or lifetime. Read the full Pofu overview.
MyFitnessPal
MyFitnessPal is one of the longest-running calorie counters, and its App Store subtitle in November 2026 is "AI Coach & Nutrition Tracker". It is a general-purpose food and exercise diary rather than a women-specific app, which is a strength if you want a familiar, widely used tool and a large food library, and a limit if you want cycle-aware feedback built in.
Strengths: broad recognition, barcode scanning, a large database and an AI coach feature named in the listing. Limits: it is not designed around the menstrual cycle, and some convenience features sit behind Premium. The app has a free tier; check the listing for current limits and Premium pricing, which can change. See our Pofu vs MyFitnessPal comparison for a closer look.
Lose It!
Lose It! is a long-established tracker whose App Store subtitle is "Food Tracker for Weight Loss". It is built around setting a goal, logging what you eat and watching progress, which makes it approachable if you want a straightforward weight-loss routine without extra features to learn.
Strengths: a clear goal-first design, barcode logging and Apple Watch support. Limits: it is not built around hormonal or cycle context, and some features are part of its paid Premium plans. The app is free to download with a free tier; check the listing for current limits and prices, which include subscriptions and a lifetime option as of November 2026. See Pofu vs Lose It! for a head-to-head.
Cal AI
Cal AI centres on photo-based logging: its App Store subtitle is "Food & Macro Counter", and the listing says scanning food is the core experience. If your priority is to point your camera at a plate and move on, it is built for exactly that.
Strengths: a focused, photo-first flow. Limits: as far as we can tell from the listing it is not designed around the menstrual cycle, and its description states that food scanning results require a subscription, so it may not suit you if you want a meaningful free tier. Check the listing for current plans and prices, which include several subscription options. For a detailed side-by-side, see Pofu vs Cal AI.
Yazio
Yazio's App Store title is "AI Calorie Tracker by Yazio" with the subtitle "Weight Loss Food Diary". It is developed by YAZIO GmbH and combines calorie tracking with goal-based plans, which suits people who like having structure and a single place for diary, goals and fasting.
Strengths: a polished diary, Apple Watch support and a broad feature set aimed at weight loss. Limits: it is a general audience app rather than a cycle-aware one, and a number of features sit behind YAZIO PRO. It is free to download with a free tier; check the listing for current limits and PRO pricing, which has several tiers as of November 2026.
Cronometer
Cronometer's App Store subtitle is "Nutrition, macro, diet tracker", and it is best known for tracking vitamins and minerals in addition to calories and macros. If you want to see whether you are getting enough iron, calcium or magnesium, it is the most detail-oriented option on this list.
Strengths: depth of nutrient data and a data-minded approach that suits people working with a dietitian. Limits: the detail means logging can take longer and the interface can feel busier than a photo-first app, and it is not designed around the menstrual cycle. It has a free tier, with a paid Gold plan; check the listing for current limits and prices.
Which calorie counter is best for women over 40 or in menopause?
None of the six apps is built as a menopause app, and we would be wary of any tracker that promises to fix hormonal weight changes. What helps in your 40s and beyond is mostly practical: goals that come from your own height, weight and activity, enough protein, and feedback that does not read normal week-to-week fluctuation as failure.
Within that, Cronometer is useful if you want to watch nutrients like calcium, iron or magnesium with your doctor or dietitian. MyFitnessPal and Lose It! offer familiar, flexible diaries. Pofu's optional cycle awareness is designed for people who still have cycles; if yours have become irregular or stopped, you can leave it off and use the rest of the app. Pofu does not give medical advice or predict your cycle. For questions about perimenopause or menopause, talk to your doctor. For background on cycles and energy needs, read Does your menstrual cycle affect calorie needs?
Which app is best if you track micronutrients?
Of these six, Cronometer is the one whose listing is centred on nutrition detail beyond calories and macros, so it is the natural pick if vitamins and minerals are your priority. Pofu is not that app: it focuses on calories, protein and macros, and we would rather say so than imply otherwise.
A fair way to choose: if you track for a medical reason or work with a dietitian, start with the more detailed tool. If you mainly want a sustainable habit and quick logging, a lighter app is easier to stick with. Some people use both.
Do photo calorie counters work?
They work as estimates. A photo shows what is on the plate, but it cannot see oil in the pan, sugar in a sauce or what is under the cheese, and portion size is hard to judge from a single angle. That is true of every photo-based app, including Pofu, Cal AI and the AI features in the others.
How to get more from them: photograph the plate before eating, in good light; check the detected foods and portion; correct anything that looks off; and use barcode scanning for packaged foods. Treat the number as a guide, not a lab measurement. We have not tested these apps against each other, so we make no claim about which is more accurate. Read more in How accurate is photo calorie counting?
FAQ
What is the best calorie counter for women?
There is no single best app for every woman. As of November 2026, Pofu (which we make) is built for cycle-aware, low-guilt tracking on iPhone; Cronometer suits micronutrient detail; MyFitnessPal and Lose It! suit people who want large food databases and long track records; Cal AI suits photo-first logging; Yazio suits people who want a food diary with fasting in one place. Pick the one you will still open in week three.
Is there a free calorie counter for women?
Most of the apps here have a free tier, but limits change, so check each App Store listing for current terms. In Pofu, barcode scanning, search and manual logging are free and unlimited, with 3 AI photo scans on day one and 1 per day after that.
Which calorie counter works on Android?
Pofu is iOS only. For the others, check the Google Play listing; we only verified their App Store pages for this guide.
Are calorie counters safe if I have a history of disordered eating?
Counting calories is not right for everyone. If you have a history of disordered eating, are pregnant or are breastfeeding, talk to your doctor or dietitian before tracking intake. Apps are tools, not medical advice.
Do photo calorie counters work?
They give estimates, not lab measurements. Photos work best for plated meals with visible ingredients and are weaker for sauces, oils and hidden ingredients, so check the portion and correct anything that looks off.
Calorie apps are tracking tools, not medical advice. AI calorie numbers are estimates. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or have a history of disordered eating, follow your doctor's or dietitian's advice first.