Cronometer vs MyFitnessPal 2026: Accuracy vs Database Size
Cronometer
out of 10
MyFitnessPal
out of 10
Last tested: 10 May 2026
Cronometer vs MyFitnessPal is the accuracy-vs-breadth comparison. MFP has 35 times more food entries. Cronometer’s entries are verified — MFP’s have an 18% average error rate on user-submitted calorie counts.
The question is not which database is bigger. It is which database error rate you can tolerate for your goal.
The 18% database problem explained
MyFitnessPal allows users to submit food entries with their own nutritional data. This crowd-sourced approach produced 14 million entries. It also produced an average 18% error rate on calorie counts for user-submitted branded foods, measured in independent studies.
On a 2,000 kcal/day target: 18% error means you could be eating anywhere from 1,640 to 2,360 kcal and your app says 2,000. Over a 12-week tracking programme, that variance determines whether you hit your goal.
Cronometer uses only USDA FoodData Central and Health Canada data. Every entry is verified. The database has approximately 400,000 entries. The entries it has are accurate.
What logging this seriously looks like
The typical user who logs 5+ days per week for 12 weeks loses 4–8 lb. Heavier starting weights see more; smaller deficits see less. If you log ad-hoc 2–3 days per week, expect roughly no change — the difference between "tracking" and "tracking enough" is the whole game.
Real annual cost in 2026: Truly-free track-only = £0 (Lose It free, Cronometer free, FatSecret). Solid mid-tier = £24–£60/year (Cronometer Gold £48, Yazio Pro £35, MacroFactor £72). Coaching-included = £150–£300/year (Noom 6-month £159, WW Core £276/year).
Verdict by use case
USDA-verified database. No user-submitted entries. The error rate difference is material for anyone tracking to a target.
14M entries includes extensive US chain restaurant coverage. Chain data is typically accurate (required disclosure). MFP wins on breadth.
84 nutrients tracked. Zinc, magnesium, B vitamins individually. MFP tracks surface macros only.
Cronometer's free tier is the most generous in the category. MFP's free tier lacks the barcode scanner.
Sugar alcohols tracked by type, net carbs calculated correctly. MFP requires manual workarounds.
Who should use each
Cronometer: Lifters, keto dieters, condition-specific users (diabetes, PCOS, CKD), vegans tracking B12/iron, anyone for whom calorie accuracy is the primary requirement.
MyFitnessPal: Users who primarily eat at US chain restaurants where MFP’s breadth advantage is real, or existing MFP users with years of custom food data who have not yet hit a reason to switch.