MyFitnessPal used to be the best free calorie tracker. Then, in 2022, it moved macro tracking behind a premium paywall. Seeing your protein, carb, and fat breakdown — once a core free feature — now requires a paid subscription on top of whatever else you decide to add. A growing number of users are searching for a MyFitnessPal alternative that bundles the features you actually need into one plan instead of layering paywalls on top of paywalls.
This guide cuts through the options and explains exactly what's included in each app's plans, so you can make an honest comparison.
The MyFitnessPal Free Tier Problem
MyFitnessPal's free tier in 2026 gives you calorie logging and a food database — and that's about it. To see your macro breakdown (the protein/carb/fat split that actually drives body composition results), you need MyFitnessPal Premium at around $19.99/month or $79.99/year. The result is that the free tier is essentially a calorie counter with no nutritional context, which limits its usefulness for anyone trying to hit protein targets, manage a deficit precisely, or understand what they're actually eating.
The core problem: Macros aren't a premium insight — they're the baseline data that makes calorie tracking useful. Locking them behind a paywall is like selling a speedometer that only shows "fast" or "slow" unless you upgrade.
What's Included with NutriBalance
NutriBalance is one plan, not a ladder of paywalls — everything below is included free:
- Full macro tracking — calories, protein, carbs, and fat
- Food database with barcode scanner — search and scan without restrictions
- Daily streak counter
- XP and level system — earn experience from every log
- Daily missions — 3–5 missions per day with NutriCoin rewards
- Weekly leagues — compete with other users by XP earned
- Water tracking — log daily intake against your goal
- Weight log — track bodyweight over time
- Goal setting — TDEE calculation with personalised macro targets
- Micronutrient tracking — vitamins and minerals with deficiency alerts
- AI food label scanner
- Ads can be removed for A$3.99/month
MyFitnessPal splits macros, gamification-adjacent features, and micronutrients across free and Premium tiers. NutriBalance puts all of it — macros, streaks, missions, leagues, micronutrients, AI scanner — in the free version, before you pay anything.
Feature Comparison: NutriBalance vs. MyFitnessPal
| Feature | NutriBalance | MyFitnessPal Free | MyFitnessPal Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calorie tracking | ✓ Included | ✓ Free | ✓ Included |
| Macro tracking (P/C/F) | ✓ Included | ✗ Premium only | ✓ Included |
| Barcode scanner | ✓ Included | ✓ Free | ✓ Included |
| Streak system | ✓ Included | ✗ Basic only | ✗ Basic only |
| XP + leagues + missions | ✓ Included | ✗ None | ✗ None |
| Micronutrient tracking | ✓ Included | ✗ Premium only | ✓ Included |
| AI food label scanner | ✓ Included | ✗ Not available | ✗ Not available |
| Ads | ✓ None | ✗ Frequent | ✓ None |
| Price | Free · Premium A$12.99/mo | Free | ~$19.99 USD/mo |
Other Free MyFitnessPal Alternatives Worth Knowing
A few other apps offer genuinely free core tracking:
Cronometer — free tier includes full macro and micronutrient tracking. No gamification, steep learning curve, designed more for clinical use than everyday habit-building. Good if you're working with a dietitian.
Lose It! — basic calorie and macro tracking on the free tier, but the food database has gaps (particularly for non-US foods), and there's no habit or gamification system. The free tier is genuinely usable but limited.
MyNetDiary — free macro tracking, clean interface, but limited to basic features and no social or engagement layer.
None of these combine macro tracking with the kind of habit-building system that keeps most people logging past week three. That's the gap NutriBalance fills.
Is NutriBalance Worth Trying?
NutriBalance is worth trying if:
- You want macro tracking without hitting a paywall the moment you look for it
- You want micronutrient visibility (iron, calcium, vitamin D, etc.) included, not upsold
- You've quit calorie trackers before and want a gamification system built to keep you consistent
- You want it free, with a cheap way to remove ads (A$3.99/month)
It's free, and at A$3.99/month to remove ads it's the most affordable calorie tracker once you account for everything MyFitnessPal makes you pay extra for.
How to Switch from MyFitnessPal
There's no direct import from MyFitnessPal to NutriBalance — most people start fresh, which many users find motivating anyway (your streak starts at 0, giving you something new to build). The onboarding takes about three minutes: height, weight, goal, activity level, and you're logging. It's free, so you can test everything without paying.
You can download it free here and begin your first streak today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is NutriBalance free?
Yes. NutriBalance is free and includes everything — full macro tracking, streaks, XP, leagues, missions, micronutrients, and the AI scanner. It's supported by ads; Ad-Free is A$3.99/month.
Do I need to enter a credit card to start the trial?
Yes — the trial requires a payment method, and billing starts automatically when the 14 days end unless you cancel. You can cancel anytime in two taps.
Is NutriBalance on iOS and Android?
Yes, NutriBalance is available on both the App Store and Google Play.
Full macros. One plan.
Track calories and macros with gamification built in — Free to use — no card needed.
Switch from MyFitnessPal — it's free →