Comparing MyFitnessPal vs. Cronometer: Which Is Right for You?

Certain weight loss apps could boost your long-term progress.

Finding the right app might take time, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t one suitable for your goals. You need something that is both reliable and easy, especially in today’s world, where branded apps care more about money rather than the customer’s overall experience. 

Two potential options include MyFitnessPal and Cronometer. Each app has its own unique features and navigation system that supports users on their personal weight loss journey. We compare these apps to determine which one is best for creating a well-balanced routine.

Are you eager to learn more about them? Just keep on reading. 

MyFitnessPal vs. Cronometer: Which Is Better?

Since many features of the Cronometer app are only available with the premium version, we think MyFitnessPal is the winner of this comparison.

Here are the benefits, pros, and cons of these popular weight loss apps: 

Learn more: Best weight loss apps

MyFitnessPal 

MyFitnessPal is a health and fitness app that helps people reach their weight goals. There are calorie trackers and food-logging features to keep users motivated. You can also use the social media component to share your results with friends and make new exercise buddies.

The barcode scanner feature is suitable for pre-packaged foods. Scanning each item will show the nutritional data and move it into your daily food entries. Premium lets you customize your own meals by setting goals for macronutrients like protein, healthy fats, fiber, and carbs.

A study found that keeping a food diary holds you accountable. You have no reason to go off track or feel confused about what exact food you’re going to eat. Once the app opens, there will be a comprehensive dashboard that details your progress and calories left for the day. 

This app is available on both Android and iPhone. New users have to answer a few questions regarding their goals, current weight, calorie requirements, height, and gender. From there, it adjusts your plan to ensure that the calories, exercise, and water intake match your goals. 

Learn more: MyFitnessPal review

Cronometer

Cronometer can track your food intake and help you create custom recipes. There are features that require inputs of calories, macros, biometrics, and exercise. One aspect that stands out is the focus on overall nutrition and not just on consuming the right amount of calories. 

You have full control over your diet and nutrition. Cronometer is just there to guide your weight loss journey and provide tips on non-obsessive calorie counting. There are currently over 5 million app users who use both premium and free features to form a well-balanced diet. 

Research has stated that a nutritionally-balanced eating plan is key to losing belly fat. This means increasing your protein intake to build muscle or eating more fiber if you get cravings. Keep in mind that Cronometer cares more about nutrition tracking than calories consumed.

Cronometer is available as a mobile app for both iPhone and Android. You could also use the web version if you prefer a bigger layout. To access the features, users have to enter their gender, birthday, height, and current weight before signing up for the basic version. 

How Do These Apps Work?

You can compare the features of these 2 apps to determine which is more suitable for your goals. This is important for anyone who is unsure about what they want. Of course, most of these features come with a premium subscription, so keep that in mind before choosing.

MyFitnessPal Features

#1 Extensive food entry system

You use the barcode scanner to scan food labels and add that to your daily meals. This is great for people who enjoy food tracking and want to see noticeable weight loss throughout the month. 

#2 The macronutrient goal feature

Consuming enough dietary fiber, carbs, and healthy fats is essential to reaching your dream body. Balancing your food intake can be challenging, but this fitness app tells you exactly what you need to eat to see progress. 

#3 Dedicated exercise routines

You can scroll through the active community for workout tips or friendly guidance. Plus, there is an option to create a library of your favorite exercises, which range from strength-based to cardio sessions.

Cronometer Features

#1 Custom foods

Cronometer allows you to create custom foods and import recipes that you enjoy. This can help you log meals when they aren’t in the public database system. You can provide nutrition information on the app, so you don’t need to log the same thing over and over again. 

#2 Nutrient trackers

The creators of Cronometer believe that consuming enough micronutrients can encourage more weight loss. It’s easy to scan through food databases to find online recipes that contain enough fiber, protein, or carbs.

#3 Diary groups

This means organizing your breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks when tracking calories. Regularly looking at the Foods tab can help you determine the best foods for losing weight and boosting your energy. 

MyFitnessPal vs. Cronometer Benefits

Many benefits derive from using health apps. You should study the advantages beforehand to determine whether they match your long-term goals.

Here are the benefits of using Cronometer and MyFitnessPal: 

MyFitnessPal Benefits 

#1 Promotes mindful eating

A study found that mindful eating helps you stay aware of what you’re putting into your system during weight loss. You can view the comprehensive MyFitnessPal dashboard to track your daily micronutrients or gain professional tips on how to lose fat and not muscle.

#2 Great customer support

People need great service when it comes to trusting apps. MyFitnessPal has a reliable customer support team that can answer questions or health-related concerns. Gaining this kind of guidance encourages people to continue their journey or overcome difficult obstacles.

Cronometer benefits 

#1 Accurate

Cronometer’s database is completely accurate and reliable in terms of nutrition. You can add custom food and even view the same foods in their system. Every piece of nutritional information is correct, meaning you can trust what foods you’re adding to your diary. 

#2 Focused on overall nutrition

One great thing about Cronometer is that it focuses on nutrition. People save meals and use their own custom food to reach their macronutrient intake. Most apps forget about the importance of macros, as they care more about counting calories or avoiding certain food.

MyFitnessPal vs. Cronometer Cons

Not every app can be perfect when it comes to diet and exercise routines. You should always consider the downsides to ensure you’re making the right choice.

Keep reading to find the cons of using these apps: 

MyFitnessPal Cons 

MyFitnessPal is bound to have some disadvantages. Even though it’s popular, not everyone can get along with the features and calorie-focused routine. 

Below are some cons of MyFitnessPal: 

#1 Possible misreports

Anyone can add foods that aren’t in the database. This can lead to possible misreports that contain inaccurate information. If you want to more accurate values for some less common food, you’re going to have to log the food and input all of it’s macros and nutrients yourself.

#2 Can encourage obsession

MyFitnessPal focuses on calorie counting, meaning some people can become obsessed with how much they consume. Studies have proved that this particular feature could encourage eating disorders or make users feel guilty if they go over their designated calorei intake.

Cronometer cons 

#1 Takes time to get used to the app

Cronometer is a detailed app that takes some getting used to. Some users report the features being overwhelming to begin with. Of course, any app can seem confusing when you first make an account, but that doesn’t mean Cronometer is bad or not worth your commitment. 

#2 Many features are in the premium version only

You may have to get the Gold version if you want the full experience. Cronometer gold holds the best features for losing weight and eating healthily. The free version is available for everyone, but it might not have fasting trackers, recipe sharing, custom biometrics, or nutrient balance charts.

MyFitnessPal vs. Cronometer: Pricing

What’s great is that both of these apps offer a chance to create a free account, so you can try out some features before paying the cost. 

Here are the prices of these apps: 

Price of MyFitnessPal 

At the time of writing, you can get the premium version for $9.99 a month or a yearly one for $49.99. There is an option for a 1-month free trial if you wish to try the premium features beforehand. For those who need something long-term, the annual membership can be a good option as it is often discounted.

Price of Cronometer 

Cronometer is $4.16 a month if you want the Gold version. With this premium version, you get custom reports, fasting timers, personalized diaries, and an ad-free experience. The creators of this app believe the Gold version is “more personal” and easier to navigate. 

MyFitnessPal and Cronometer vs. Alternatives 

Learn more: Best weight loss apps

How We Tested MyFitnessPal and Cronometer

Testing a health-based app before making a paid commitment is important. You should determine the benefits and downsides, as well as long-term budgets. Putting your money toward something that doesn’t work or fit your goals can be frustrating for many people. 

Below are more factors we considered in detail: 

Quality

Both MyFitnessPal and Cronometer are high-quality apps that give users a comprehensive experience. Each app has been carefully made to suit all goals and preferences. However, Cronometer is of slightly better quality, as MyFitnessPal holds some inaccuracy and glitches. 

Effectiveness

You can only judge the effectiveness when trying the apps yourself. These apps promote sustainable weight loss and healthy eating habits, making them great for beginners too. Cronometer is more effective for people who want to focus on their overall nutritional intake.

Price

Cronometer is $4.16 a month, while MyFitnessPal is $19.99. Of course, there is a slight difference between prices, but beginners may feel more comfortable getting Cronometer. You should consider the cost of each app before making a paid commitment to subscriptions. 

Brand reputation

MyFitnessPal wants people to have the right tools to “successfully take the weight off,” and Cronometer is all about “empowering everyone” on their journey. Both brands truly care about customers and their experience, including ways that make weight loss more enjoyable

FAQs

Conclusion

After thoroughly examining these two apps, we think MyFitnessPal is the better option for weight loss. It has a bigger food database and tons of free features, while Cronometer requires a paid plan if you want to access some of the most useful features.

It’s important to note that both apps have their unique traits and downsides, so you should choose an app that caters to your weight goals, long-term budget, and food preferences. Both MyFitnessPal and Cronometer are great for weight loss, just make sure to evaluate both and compare them with other apps before you commit to a paid subscription.