MyFitnessPal Premium Cost: Is Macro Tracking Worth It in 2025

At $19.99/month or $79.99-99.99/year, is MyFitnessPal Premium worth it? Premium unlocks essential features like custom macro goals, barcode scanning, and ad-free experience—critical for serious trackers but overkill for casual users. Cheaper alternatives like Cronometer offer similar benefits for specific needs.

Key Takeaways:

• MyFitnessPal Premium costs $19.99/month or $79.99-99.99/year in the US, with substantial regional price variations offering potential savings for savvy users.
• The Premium subscription unlocks essential macro tracking features including custom goals by gram or percentage, barcode scanning, and an ad-free experience.
• While the free version offers basic calorie tracking, serious macro counters will find its limitations frustrating compared to Premium’s detailed controls.
• Healthfit Publishing’s research shows that Premium’s value depends primarily on your specific nutrition goals and how frequently you track meals.
• Alternative apps like Cronometer and MacroFactor offer different strengths for micronutrient tracking and adaptive algorithms respectively.

Is MyFitnessPal Premium Worth It in 2025?

Whether MyFitnessPal Premium is worth the investment for macro tracking in 2025 depends largely on your specific nutrition goals and tracking habits. While the free version offers basic calorie counting functionality, Healthfit Publishing’s analysis shows that serious macro-focused users face significant limitations without the Premium upgrade.

MyFitnessPal has steadily increased its Premium prices while simultaneously restricting free features, creating a more distinct divide between the tiers. The most notable change came in late 2022 when the company paywalled the previously free barcode scanner, forcing manual food entry for non-paying users.

Premium Pricing Breakdown

US Cost Structure

In the United States, MyFitnessPal Premium is priced at $19.99 per month for the monthly subscription option. The annual plan offers savings at $79.99-$99.99 depending on current promotions and whether you’re purchasing through the website or app stores.

The Premium+ tier, which includes additional features like personalized meal plans and automated grocery lists, commands a higher price point at $24.99 monthly or $99.99 annually.

A free trial period of one month is typically offered to new Premium subscribers, though this automatically converts to a paid subscription if not canceled before the trial ends.

Global Price Variations

MyFitnessPal employs regional pricing that creates significant disparities in Premium costs worldwide:

• United Kingdom: £7.99–19.99 monthly or £69.99 annually ($10-$25 or $89-$110 USD equivalent)
• European Union: €9.99–19.99 monthly or €50–€69 annually ($11-$22 or $55-$76 USD equivalent)
• Canada: C$14.99–19.99 monthly or C$70–100 annually ($12-$15 or $52-$75 USD equivalent)
• Australia: A$14.99–29.99 monthly or A$129.99 annually ($9.80-$19.55 or $85 USD equivalent)
• India: ₹1,250+ monthly or ₹9,999–11,999 annually ($15+ or $120-$145 USD equivalent)

These variations reflect both market economics and MyFitnessPal’s pricing strategy in different regions. In some cases, purchasing through the website rather than through app stores can yield significant savings.

5 Ways to Get Premium for Less

Several strategies can help reduce the cost of MyFitnessPal Premium:

1. Annual subscription: Save 50-67% compared to the monthly option
2. Website purchase: Often cheaper than in-app purchases through Apple or Google
3. Turkish region hack: Changing your app store region to Turkey can yield prices as low as $10/year in many countries
4. Special promotions: Look for Black Friday or New Year’s deals which can offer 30-50% discounts
5. Corporate programs: Some employer wellness programs and health insurance plans offer discounted or free access

Free vs. Premium: What You Actually Get

What the Free Version Includes

The free version of MyFitnessPal provides basic functionality for casual users:

• Calorie counting and basic food logging
• Basic macronutrient breakdown as percentages
• Weight and exercise tracking
• Community forum access
• Limited recipe creation
• Device syncing with platforms like Fitbit, Garmin, and Apple Health
• Weekly Habits feature (added in 2025)

However, free users must contend with frequent, intrusive advertisements and manual food entry since the barcode scanner is now Premium-only.

Premium-Only Features That Matter for Macro Tracking

For serious macro tracking, Premium unlocks essential tools:

• Custom macronutrient goals by gram or percentage: Set specific targets for protein, carbs, and fat
• Macro breakdown by meal: Track and adjust macros for individual meals and snacks
• Barcode scanner: Quickly log packaged foods without manual search
• Meal Scan: Use your camera to identify and log foods
• Voice Log: Add foods to your diary using voice commands
• Ad-free experience: Eliminate disruptive advertisements
• Food analysis: Identify your most nutritious and problematic food choices
• Intermittent fasting tracker: Monitor fasting periods in real-time
• Data export: Download your nutrition data for external analysis

Premium+ Exclusive Benefits

The higher-tier Premium+ subscription adds features focused on meal planning:

• Custom meal planning with 1,500+ recipes
• Automated grocery lists
• Shopping app integration (like Instacart)
• Enhanced recipe tools

What’s New in 2025

MyFitnessPal’s 2025 Winter Release introduced several new features:

• Voice Log: Premium users can now log foods using voice commands
• Weekly Habits: A free feature offering manageable one-week goals developed with input from registered dietitians
• Improved Meal Scan: Enhanced AI food recognition for Premium+ users
• Streaks Counter: Gamification element to encourage consistent logging
• Redesigned Food Search: More intuitive interface for all users

The Macro Tracking Experience

Database Quality: 18M+ Foods but How Accurate?

MyFitnessPal boasts over 18 million foods in its database, significantly more than most competitors. However, this massive collection comes with a major caveat: many entries are user-generated and unverified, leading to potential inaccuracies in nutritional data.

The app attempts to address this with “Verified” food entries marked with a checkmark, but these represent only a fraction of the database. Premium features like the barcode scanner and Meal Scan help direct users toward more reliable entries, but database accuracy remains an ongoing concern that even Premium can’t fully resolve.

Custom Macro Control Capabilities

For serious macro tracking, the free version’s percentage-based macro view is insufficient. Premium unlocks the ability to:

• Set specific gram targets for protein, carbs, and fat
• Create different macro goals for different days (useful for carb cycling)
• Track macros by individual meals and snacks
• Monitor net carbs for keto and low-carb diets
• Analyze which foods contribute most to specific macronutrients

These capabilities are essential for bodybuilders, physique athletes, and anyone following precise nutrition protocols.

Time-Saving Features vs. Friction Points

Premium’s greatest value proposition is reducing the friction in daily food logging. The barcode scanner, Meal Scan, and Voice Log features can save 10-15 minutes daily for frequent loggers by eliminating manual searches and data entry.

The ad-free experience further streamlines the process by removing disruptive advertisements that plague the free version. For consistent daily users, these time-saving features alone may justify the subscription cost.

How Top Alternatives Compare

Cronometer: Better for Micronutrient Precision

Cronometer stands out as the premier option for micronutrient tracking. Unlike MyFitnessPal’s user-generated database, Cronometer relies on verified data sources, including the USDA database and lab-analyzed foods. This results in far more accurate nutrient information, especially for vitamins and minerals.

Key advantages over MyFitnessPal include:

• More comprehensive micronutrient tracking (vitamins, minerals, amino acids)
• Verified-only database with higher accuracy
• Free barcode scanner in the base version
• Lower premium cost ($5.99/month or $39.99/year)

However, Cronometer’s database is smaller, and its interface can be more complex for beginners.

MacroFactor: Superior Adaptive Algorithm

MacroFactor targets serious athletes and fitness enthusiasts with its data-driven approach. Its standout feature is an adaptive algorithm that adjusts calorie and macro recommendations based on your actual progress, not just your inputs.

Advantages over MyFitnessPal include:

• AI-powered, adaptive nutrition coaching
• “Trend weight” feature that smooths daily fluctuations
• Nutrition plan adjusts automatically based on results
• Neutral food logging (no judgmental language)

MacroFactor is subscription-only ($11.99/month or $71.99/year) with no free tier, positioning it as a premium option.

Lose It!: Best Budget-Friendly Option

Lose It! offers a compelling balance of features and affordability. Its free tier includes barcode scanning and a clean, ad-light interface, making it more generous than MyFitnessPal’s free version.

Advantages over MyFitnessPal include:

• More affordable premium tier ($3.33/month or $39.99/year)
• Free barcode scanner
• Cleaner interface with fewer ads in the free version
• Simpler learning curve for beginners

Lose It! is less robust for detailed macro tracking but offers excellent value for casual calorie counters.

Research on Digital Food Logging for Weight Management

Research consistently shows that digital food tracking can be an effective tool for weight management, but with important caveats. Multiple studies indicate that consistent food logging is associated with greater weight loss success, but the technology itself is only as effective as the user’s adherence to the practice.

Key findings from the research literature include:

• Higher logging frequency correlates with greater weight loss
• Digital tools reduce the burden of manual tracking, potentially improving consistency
• Most users experience significant logging fatigue over time, with adherence dropping sharply after the first month
• The accuracy of self-reported food intake remains a significant limitation

MyFitnessPal-Specific Study Results

Studies specifically examining MyFitnessPal show mixed results. A notable study of primary care patients found that while users reported increased awareness of their eating habits, simply encouraging MyFitnessPal use did not lead to significant weight loss compared to control groups.

Another study on college-aged women showed variable psychological impacts, with some users experiencing positive accountability while others reported increased anxiety and negative body image effects.

These findings suggest that MyFitnessPal can be a useful tool but is not a magic solution – success depends heavily on user psychology and consistency.

Why User Adherence Matters More Than Features

The research highlights a crucial insight: the most sophisticated features are worthless if users don’t consistently log their food. This explains MyFitnessPal’s strategic focus on friction-reducing Premium features like barcode scanning, voice logging, and the ad-free experience.

For many users, the primary value of Premium lies not in advanced nutrition analysis but in making the daily logging habit sustainable over time. Features that save time and reduce frustration directly address the number one reason people abandon food tracking apps.

Value Breakdown by User Needs

For Casual Dieters: Skip Premium

If you’re primarily interested in basic calorie counting and aren’t concerned with precise macro ratios, MyFitnessPal’s free version or a competitor like Lose It! will likely meet your needs. The Premium features, while convenient, aren’t essential for simple weight management goals.

Recommendation: Use the free version or try Lose It! for a more generous free tier with barcode scanning included.

For Athletes & Bodybuilders: Worth the Investment

For those with specific body composition goals requiring precise macro tracking, MyFitnessPal Premium offers substantial value. The ability to set custom macro targets by gram, track by meal, and analyze food quality justifies the subscription cost.

Recommendation: Premium is worth it, but also consider MacroFactor for its adaptive algorithm if you’re serious about performance nutrition.

For Medical Nutrition Therapy: Consider These Factors

Individuals managing medical conditions through diet (diabetes, kidney disease, etc.) have unique needs. Premium’s detailed tracking and export features can be valuable for sharing data with healthcare providers.

Recommendation: Consider Premium for the export features and detailed logging, but also evaluate Cronometer for its superior micronutrient tracking if your condition requires monitoring specific nutrients.

For Budget-Conscious Users: Try These Alternatives First

If cost is a primary concern, several alternatives offer better value than MyFitnessPal Premium:

Recommendations:

• Lose It! Premium at $39.99/year offers similar core functionality at half the price
• Cronometer Gold at $39.99/year provides superior nutritional detail for the same price
• Consider the “Turkish hack” to get MyFitnessPal Premium at a significantly reduced rate if you’re determined to use this specific platform

Privacy Considerations

What Data MyFitnessPal Collects

MyFitnessPal collects extensive personal data, including:

• Account information (name, email, birth date, etc.)
• Food and exercise diary entries
• Weight, measurements, and progress photos
• Device information and usage patterns
• Location data and IP addresses
• Data from connected devices and third-party services

How Your Information Is Shared

MyFitnessPal’s privacy policy states they don’t “expressly sell” user information, but notes that certain practices may be considered “sales” or “sharing” under some privacy laws. The company shares data with:

• Service providers and business partners
• Advertising and marketing partners
• Analytics services
• Social media platforms when you connect accounts

The free version’s ad-supported model fundamentally requires more extensive data sharing than the Premium version, though both tiers operate under the same privacy policy.

How This Compares to Competitors

MyFitnessPal’s data practices are more extensive than some competitors. MacroFactor has the strongest privacy stance, explicitly stating it does not sell user data or use cross-platform behavioral advertising. Cronometer also emphasizes privacy, pledging not to sell personal data to third parties.

Users particularly concerned with health data privacy may find these alternatives more aligned with their values.

3 Major Subscription Gotchas to Avoid

Platform-Specific Management Headaches

A significant friction point is MyFitnessPal’s platform-specific subscription management. Users must cancel through the same platform where they subscribed (website, Apple App Store, or Google Play Store). This often creates confusion and accidental double-billing when users attempt to manage subscriptions through the wrong channel.

Tip: Make note of where you subscribe and set a calendar reminder before auto-renewal to cancel through the correct platform if needed.

Refund Policy Limitations

MyFitnessPal has a restrictive refund policy. The company can only process refunds for subscriptions purchased directly through their website, not through app stores. Even for direct purchases, refunds are granted on a case-by-case basis rather than as an automatic right.

Tip: Always test with the free trial before committing to a paid subscription, and be aware that refunds are unlikely once charged.

Support Quality Issues

Customer support is a common pain point, with users reporting difficulties reaching human representatives, slow response times, and an overreliance on automated systems. Common complaints include being caught in “AI loops” when trying to resolve account or billing issues.

Tip: Document all subscription activities, take screenshots of errors or issues, and be prepared to escalate through multiple channels if support problems arise.

The Bottom Line: Who Should Buy Premium in 2025

MyFitnessPal Premium makes the most sense for three specific user groups:

1. Serious macro-focused athletes who need precise control over protein, carbs, and fat intake
2. Time-pressed professionals who value the efficiency of barcode scanning and voice logging
3. Data-driven individuals who want to export and analyze their nutritional patterns

For everyone else – casual calorie counters, budget-conscious users, and those primarily focused on micronutrients – alternatives like Lose It! and Cronometer offer better value at lower prices.

The free version of MyFitnessPal remains functional but deliberately friction-filled, pushing users toward Premium. Whether that push is worth resisting depends entirely on your specific nutrition goals and how frequently you track your meals.

For comprehensive nutrition tracking guides and personalized dietary recommendations, check out Healthfit Publishing’s extensive resources at https://amzn.to/45eIJLF.