We updated this story in December 2022 to ensure all picks recommended by the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab were available and correctly priced.
Logging or keeping track of your food intake can be an effective tool for long-term and successful weight loss and management. It can also teach you about the foods you're putting into your body and which vitamins, minerals and nutrients they provide. With so many calorie-counting options available now, it can be challenging to choose the right one for you.
Editors' note: We also want to acknowledge that weight loss, health and body image are complex subjects. Before you decide to go on a diet, we invite you to gain a broader perspective by reading our investigation into the hazards of diet culture.
The best calorie-counting apps below make logging your food and reaching your health goals more attainable. There's more to learn from your calorie intake beyond just numbers. Perhaps you’ll notice on the days you skip a meal that you feel a little foggy and not totally on your game. Maybe you're at risk of type 2 diabetes or hypertension, and you’ll quickly see that on some days, a good number of your calories are coming from sugar or full of sodium. The mere act of writing down, typing out or taking a picture of your food before or during the actual meal helps you consider your options when selecting what to eat. It also encourages you to become a label reader and start to get more invested in what you decide to put in your body.
We asked our team of experts and registered dietitians to share their favorite calorie-tracking apps (including free options!). Out of a total number of 20 app recommendations, we narrowed them down to these nine. Many of our nutrition experts' picks overlapped, so you know you're getting the best of the best. Take note: Calorie requirements for weight maintenance or weight loss vary from person to person based on multiple factors, including gender, age, height and how physically active you are.
Our top picks:
You can learn more about how we selected the best calorie-counting apps of 2022 — including tips for choosing the right one for you and your lifestyle — at the end of this guide. If you're interested in downloading more apps to help support your health, check out our picks for the best sleep apps, the best workout apps and the best apps for intermittent fasting.