There is no free version of MacroFactor: after a 7-day trial it costs $11.99 a month, $47.99 for six months or $71.99 a year on the US App Store (checked 1 October 2026). If you want a free alternative for logging food and hitting macro targets, Calo AI is free on Android and in the browser, paid for by ads, though it does not copy MacroFactor’s adaptive algorithm.
Disclosure: this page is written by the Calo AI Team, and Calo AI is our app. MacroFactor facts come from its website and app store listings, checked on 1 October 2026.
MacroFactor vs Calo AI at a glance
| MacroFactor | Calo AI | |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier | None. 7-day free trial | Every feature free, with ads |
| US price (App Store) | $11.99/month, $47.99/6 months, $71.99/year | Free; optional Premium removes ads |
| Ads | No | Yes, in the free version |
| Calorie target | Dynamic algorithm that adapts to your metabolism | Revised Harris-Benedict plus a set deficit |
| Logging | Food search, barcode scan, AI photo and text recipe import | AI photo scan, voice and text |
| Food database | “Verified food database” | AI estimates you can correct |
| AI coach | Not listed | Free, short timer between messages |
| Fasting timer | Not listed | Free, 12:12 to 20:4 |
| Platforms | iPhone, iPad and Android | Android, plus web app for iPhone, iPad, Mac and PC |
Why do people look for a MacroFactor alternative?
Mostly price. MacroFactor’s listing is clear that it has a free trial but no free tier, and it is sold as a “premium, ad-free” app. For someone who only wants to log meals and see protein, carbs and fat, a subscription can feel like more than they need.
In Australia the App Store lists subscriptions from A$14.49 to A$103.99, with monthly, semiannual and annual options (checked 1 October 2026).
Is there a free MacroFactor alternative?
Yes. Calo AI is free, and every feature is included:
- AI photo meal scanning, plus voice and text logging.
- Personalized macro targets, with protein at 2.0 g per kg of body weight when losing or gaining and 1.8 g per kg when maintaining.
- Weight and macro analytics, and step tracking.
- An AI nutrition coach and an intermittent fasting timer (12:12 to 20:4).
- Meal plans that use dishes from your own country’s cuisine.
The trade-off is ads. The free version shows them, including one before each meal scan, and there is a short wait between coach messages. Premium removes those but unlocks nothing extra. On iPhone, the web app works in Safari.
You can sanity check your numbers first with our macro calculator or TDEE calculator.
How do the calorie targets differ?
This is the biggest real difference. MacroFactor’s listing describes a “dynamic algorithm to adapt to changes in your metabolism” and lists an expenditure estimate (Expenditure V3) as a core feature. That is useful if you log carefully every day and want your target to adjust as you go.
Calo AI uses a fixed formula: the revised Harris-Benedict equation with an activity multiplier and a 250, 500 or 750 kcal deficit, never going below 1,200 kcal for women or 1,500 kcal for men. It is simpler. If your weight stalls, you change your plan yourself rather than the app doing it. Our guide to calorie deficits explains the maths.
How does logging compare?
MacroFactor focuses on speed with a verified database: it calls itself “the fastest macro tracker on the market” and lists barcode scanning, custom foods and AI photo and text recipe import.
Calo AI is built around AI logging: take a photo, say what you ate or type it. Results are estimates, and portion size is the hardest part for any photo tracker. You can correct an entry by voice or text, and describing the dish improves accuracy. If you weigh food and want database precision, MacroFactor’s approach suits you better. Read how accurate AI calorie trackers are before deciding.
Do you need an adaptive algorithm to lose weight?
Not necessarily. An adaptive target is a convenience: it saves you from deciding when to adjust your calories. You can get a similar effect by hand. Log consistently for two to three weeks, compare your average weight trend with your intake, and if the trend is not moving the way you want, lower your target a little or move from a relaxed to a steady deficit.
What matters most is that the numbers you log are close to reality. A precise algorithm fed with rough estimates still gives rough answers, and a simple formula fed with careful logs works well. So the real question is how you prefer to log. If you weigh food and scan barcodes, MacroFactor’s database and algorithm reward that effort. If you want to snap a photo and move on, a free AI tracker keeps you logging on busy days, which counts for a lot.
Whichever app you choose, a protein target helps you stay full in a deficit. Our protein guide explains how much you need.
When is MacroFactor the better choice?
MacroFactor is a strong app, and it is worth paying for if:
- You want an adaptive target that adjusts to changes in your metabolism.
- You weigh food and prefer a verified database with barcode scanning.
- You want no ads at all.
- You also lift and want its companion MacroFactor Workouts app from the same developer.
- You use Apple Health, which its listing supports.
How do you switch from MacroFactor to Calo AI?
- Export or screenshot your weight and intake history before your subscription ends.
- Cancel in your phone’s store settings. MacroFactor’s listing says subscriptions auto-renew unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the period ends.
- Install Calo AI from Google Play, or open the web app.
- Enter your details and pick a relaxed, steady or aggressive deficit.
- Log your next meal by photo, voice or text.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, under 18, or have diabetes, PCOS, kidney disease or a history of eating disorders, speak to a doctor or registered dietitian before following an app’s calorie target. Results vary from person to person.