Lose It carved out a niche as the "simpler MyFitnessPal" — clean interface, straightforward calorie counting, less clutter. It earned a loyal following by being uncomplicated.
But some things have changed. The premium paywall has expanded. The free tier has gotten tighter. And the fundamental approach — barcode scanning and database searching — hasn't evolved much while AI-powered alternatives have entered the market.
If you're looking for something different, here's an honest look at the options.
| App | Price | Logging Method | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| AskBeforeYouEat | Free forever | AI photo + natural language | Calories, macros, AI coach |
| MyFitnessPal | Free / $19.99/mo | Barcode + database | Calories, macros, large database |
| Cronometer | Free / $9.99/mo | Database (curated) | Full micronutrients |
| MacroFactor | $11.99/mo | Database + algorithm | Adaptive macro targets |
| FatSecret | Free / $6.99/mo | Barcode + database | Calories, macros, community |
| Yazio | Free / $6.99/mo | Barcode + database | Calories, macros, meal plans |
Price: Free. Everything included, no premium tier.
How it compares to Lose It: ABYE takes a fundamentally different approach to food logging. Instead of scanning barcodes or searching a database, you describe your meal in plain language ("burrito bowl with chicken, rice, and guac") or take a photo. The AI estimates calories and macros. It's faster, easier with homemade food, and eliminates the database-searching friction that's Lose It's core interaction.
What's different: Beyond logging, ABYE's design philosophy is different. No "calories remaining" countdown. No daily over/under scoring. A 7-day moving average instead of daily judgment. And an AI nutrition coach you can ask questions — "is this enough protein for my goals?" or "what should I eat for dinner?"
Where it falls short vs. Lose It: If you love the simplicity of scanning a barcode on packaged food and getting exact nutrition data from the label, Lose It's approach is faster for that specific use case. ABYE's AI estimation is approximate (typically within 10–15%), which is fine for most people but not ideal if you need exact numbers.
Best for: People who want easier logging (especially for homemade/unpackaged food), calmer design, and the added value of an AI coach — for free.
Price: Free (ad-heavy) / $19.99/month premium.
Compared to Lose It: MFP has a bigger food database but a more cluttered interface. The premium costs significantly more than Lose It's. If you're leaving Lose It for a traditional calorie counter, MFP offers more features but at a higher price and with more complexity.
Best for: People who want the largest possible food database and don't mind the complexity (or price).
Price: Free / Gold at $9.99/month.
Compared to Lose It: Where Lose It focuses on calories and basic macros, Cronometer goes deep into micronutrients — showing you exactly how much vitamin D, iron, or magnesium you're getting. The trade-off is a steeper learning curve and a more clinical feel.
Best for: People who want to track vitamins and minerals alongside calories — health-focused trackers, not just weight managers.
Price: $11.99/month (no free tier).
Compared to Lose It: MacroFactor's standout feature is its adaptive algorithm — your calorie and macro targets change based on your actual weight trends, not a static formula. It's smarter than Lose It's fixed targets but costs more and has no free option.
Best for: Athletes and serious trackers who want data-driven, automatically adjusting nutrition targets.
Price: Free / Premium at $6.99/month.
Compared to Lose It: FatSecret is the most similar alternative — a straightforward calorie counter with a free tier that includes barcode scanning. It's less polished than Lose It but more generous with free features.
Best for: People who want a Lose It experience without paying — and don't mind a less refined interface.
Our honest take: Lose It is a solid app. If you love barcode scanning and want something similar but free, try FatSecret. If you're ready for a different approach — AI-powered logging that's faster with real food, a calmer design, and built-in coaching — give ABYE a try. It's free, so the only cost is a few minutes.
AskBeforeYouEat logs meals in seconds with AI, tracks calories and macros, and never makes you feel bad about what you ate. Free forever.
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