# Carbs & Cals: Diet & Diabetes — user reviews > 161 indexed App Store user reviews of Carbs & Cals by Chello Publishing, rated 3.60/5 from 55 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/carbs-and-cals-diet-and-diabetes/id388459613/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/carbs-and-cals-diet-and-diabetes/id388459613.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 32 · 4★ 2 · 3★ 2 · 2★ 5 · 1★ 14 ## What do users think of Carbs & Cals? Overall sentiment: mixed **Pros** - 👍 Easy-to-use interface for carb counting - 📸 Visual portion size references help with accuracy - 🔍 Barcode scanning functionality - 💾 Ability to create and save custom meals - 🏥 Highly recommended by NHS and healthcare professionals - 📱 Works across multiple devices with subscription sharing - ⚡ Quick carb calculations without manual math - 🍽️ Extensive restaurant menu database - 🎯 Helpful for diabetes management and weight loss - 💬 Responsive customer support team **Cons** - 💰 Expensive subscription model (£20-£36+ annually) - 🔒 Paywall locks most features behind premium subscription - 📉 Limited food database compared to competitors - 🌍 Poor international food coverage (especially ethnic cuisines) - 🇬🇧 Limited UK/British branded foods despite being UK-developed - 🚫 Changed from one-time purchase to subscription model - 😤 Removed features from previously purchased versions - ⚙️ Inconsistent barcode scanning accuracy - 📊 Lacks sodium and sugar tracking options - 🔄 No family sharing despite claims of support **Commonly reported bugs** - App crashes when scanning barcodes - Blank white screen on launch (Legacy Version issue) - Payment/subscription not reflecting after purchase - Card authentication screen disappears when returning from banking app - Password reset not working - Meal dates not updating correctly - Custom food names with apostrophes display as blank - App crashes with circumflex characters in food names - Nutritional targets reset to defaults randomly - Cannot change body measurements from metric to imperial - Exercise duration and time selection not working - App crashes when deleting meals - Food database images showing question marks instead of photos - Slow app performance and loading times - Data loss after app updates **Most requested features** - Photo-based carb estimation for meals - Multiple item selection from recent foods list - Pin/favorite custom weights for quick access - Support for rarer diabetes types (MODY, etc.) - Sodium tracker in nutritional information - Parent-child account syncing for young diabetics - Ability to manually enter carb values - Widget support for quick access - Dark mode option - Integration with fitness/exercise tracking apps - Ability to add notes to diary entries - Weekly/monthly carb tracking graphs - More detailed restaurant menu information with photos - Metric to imperial measurement conversion - Ability to scan barcodes directly into custom foods - Better search filtering options - More comprehensive vegetarian/vegan options ## Newest reviews (11 of 161) ### 4/5 — Useful but… *2026-07-29* My surgery recommended the Carbs & Cals book to help me balance my food intake. (I am pre diabetic but very keen to avoid becoming diabetic if I can.) However, I much prefer to work digitally so decided to try this app. There is much to like about it. I find logging food easy but am sceptical about how accurate some calculations are. It vastly underestimates the amount of fruit and veg I eat. It can’t cope with part portions apparently which is ridiculous. Are the other food categories accurate? Without some extensive maths work I don’t know. The most frustrating aspect is that it will not synchronise across my iPad and iPhone. Bearing in mind this is a paid for app I find this unacceptable. I don’t recall any of my other many apps having this problem and most of those are free. Looking at other reviews I discover that this app has been available for many years so this should have been sorted long ago. The developer told me that logs can be backed up and then transferred to another device but who wants to do this on a daily basis? I will reluctantly pay for the app for a year and see how my blood sugar goes. If I find it helps me to get my HbA1c down I will decide whether or not to keep paying for it. So much to like but let down by a couple of questionable features. Update: I have discovered that if I tap on a food type button (eg sat fat) it brings up the foods in my diary for that day that have sat fat in them and tells me how much in each food. That is a mistake useful feature that I think I will make full use of. ### 4/5 — Useful but… *2026-07-19, version 5.55.0* My surgery recommended the Carbs & Cals book to help me balance my food intake. (I am pre diabetic but very keen to avoid becoming diabetic if I can.) However, I much prefer to work digitally so decided to try this app. There is much to like about it. I find logging food easy but am sceptical about how accurate some calculations are. It vastly underestimates the amount of fruit and veg I eat. It can’t cope with part portions apparently which is ridiculous. Are the other food categories accurate? Without some extensive maths work I don’t know. The most frustrating aspect is that it will not synchronise across my iPad and iPhone. Bearing in mind this is a paid for app I find this unacceptable. I don’t recall any of my other many apps having this problem and most of those are free. Looking at other reviews I discover that this app has been available for many years so this should have been sorted long ago. The developer told me that logs can be backed up and then transferred to another device but who wants to do this on a daily basis? I will reluctantly pay for the app for a year and see how my blood sugar goes. If I find it helps me to get my HbA1c down I will decide whether or not to keep paying for it. So much to like but let down by a couple of questionable features. ### 2/5 — Adware that you pay for 😏 *2026-07-05, version 5.54.1* Very easy to consider that the poor functioning of this app is malicious and targets those struggling with any form of diabetes. The search function is diabolical. It pushes restaurants when logging a meal. Searching for the simplest of items is not a viable option. Obviously when I eat a tortilla at home, I *must* mean the restaurant! I am writing this as I purchased a very popular brand of supplement/meal replacement (powder to mix at home) and after a wild goose chase I scanned the barcode. The app knew the item, but was not in the database. Where's the line to be drawn? This has been an ongoing issue. I applied for a refund and the app's customer service said I must contact Apple. Apple rejected my request and ignored me for months so that they could tell me their internal policy (2 month period) has passed. I am doubtful this policy is in line with UK consumer law. By definition - a racket. ### 2/5 — Ok but needs work *2026-01-09, version 5.41.0* I have just cancelled my free trial and deleted the app. My previous app nutracheck had a massively wider database of foods whereas this one misses loads. Sure I could scan the label and then I have faff around checking what’s been scanned in compared to what the label says. There are als no widgets. One product barcode I scanned today was identified as the wrong product. ### 4/5 — Add Photo-based carb estimation *2026-01-03* Carbs & Cals is a great app for carb counting, but it would be even better if there were an option to add a photograph to estimate carbs. Being able to upload or take a photo of a meal could help users judge portion sizes more accurately, especially for homemade meals or when eating out. A photo-based carb estimate feature would reduce guesswork, save time, and make tracking more realistic in everyday situations where exact measurements aren’t available. It could be a really valuable addition for users who rely on visual guidance to manage their carb intake more confidently. **Developer response:** Thanks for the feedback, we’re glad you find Carbs & Cals helpful. You can already add a photo to help estimate carbs. In the food scanner, tap the icon next to the large round button to upload your own image or take a photo. This can be useful for homemade meals or eating out. We appreciate you taking the time to share your ideas. ### 2/5 — Not very good *2025-12-26, version 5.39.3* I’d like the app better if I didn’t have to pay for basically any ethnic food so it’s basically useless to me. I’m sure it even charges for simple toast which makes it worse ### 3/5 — Great app for carb counting - extortion for the “custom weight” calculator *2025-09-27, version 5.38.5* The free version is brilliant, shows how many carbs for a wide range of food products Although, super extortionate, to force a payment plan, just to include the “custom weight” option Kinda seems like the paid version is being targeted towards people who have difficulty with arithmetic (The “custom weight” feature is literally just a quick calculation) ### 2/5 — Some things bother me *2025-04-11, version 5.37.0* I had to subscribe again to get the information I needed. Fine. But the thing that really grips me is I’m looking up bread rolls and it’s done by 100g rather than by roll???? It doesn’t say the weight of the pack of 6, so I have no idea what 100g of hot dog roll is. It’s not convenient and it’s not massively clear. ### 4/5 — So useful! But restaurants are annoying *2025-04-06, version 5.37.0* Love the app. I pay for the access to more food options and restaurant choices, which makes life so much easier. My one complaint is that it takes you back to the main menu each time you select something from a restaurant menu, rather than letting you jump straight back to the restaurant. It’s a small thing, but would save a few pointless clicks just to get back to where you were. ### 2/5 — Carbs and cals *2024-12-09, version 5.33.0* Hi there how does your app compare with nutracheck ### 1/5 — Carbs and Cals *2024-10-27, version 5.26.0* My son was diagnosed in August with type 1 diabetes and this is the 2nd time since then my app has gone off and I have to pay yet again to restore it. Am I going to do it? Hell no this app is a money scam if I was you id go to nutra check! ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Unusable *2026-04-09, version 5.50.0* I bought this app years ago for a one off payment. Instead of the free version that didn’t have as much. But now my version doesn’t have and Cals in it and they want me to pay a monthly subscription to upgrade which I can’t afford. Surely they can’t change the old version to exclude Cals. It’s still called carbs and CALS ! I think it’s really disgusting. ### 1/5 — Don’t buy it! *2026-02-26, version 5.44.0* I got it when calculating the carbs was for free in all the available food. Then I committed the mistake of updating the app and the geniuses locked many food items. They are requesting to sign into a monthly payment subscription for something I was using before. It’s disgraceful!!!!! Totally disappointed with it! ### 1/5 — Avoid - subscription required *2025-08-15, version 5.37.2* This company is absolute garbage. Switched from an app I had paid for to a subscription model. So now I have to pay annually for something I had already bought. Vultures. ### 1/5 — Not Happy *2025-06-26, version 5.37.2* Tried to download this app, I then get a message to say I’ve been upgraded to Legacy Version, so accept that, after that, nothing happens, I am only presented with a blank white screen. Dreadful. ### 1/5 — Bad app *2025-03-01, version 5.36.0* Waste of time you need to pay monthly or once a year to use this app! ### 1/5 — Very poor app *2025-02-20, version 5.36.0* I purchased this app for 3 months and paid £28.00 for the privilege. It’s offers very little in control of sugar or insulin control. Stay away and save your money. ### 1/5 — Subscription not working *2025-01-16, version 5.35.2* Even after purchasing the subscription, app not reflecting it, showing free trial version! Annoying … Waste of money!!! ### 1/5 — Payment *2025-01-15, version 5.35.2* I think it’s terrible that type 1 diabetics have to pay for this. I can’t work full time anymore so have limited money. Never mind people who can’t work with type 1. Even a reduced rate would be better. It could make my life so much easier but I can’t afford it ### 1/5 — Not working *2025-01-09, version 5.33.0* Can't use this at all - the card authentication screen disappears when I return from the banking app. The App support page does nit open either by the way. ### 1/5 — What happened… *2024-11-05, version 5.26.0* I first got this app when it was all free and easy to use. Now things are locked behind a paywall and I can’t check how many carbs I’m eating. This app was recommended by the hospital/nurses that were there as I was diagnosed with T1D but now that you have to pay for everything to calculate the carbs to be able to have a decent meal and make sure you have the right ratio of carbs : insulin I could not recommend this app. If you need help with your diabetes/ calculating carbs just don’t download the app. You have to pay for sections and it’s not as easy to use as it use to be. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Very useful and can be shared across devices *2025-12-10, version 5.39.3* Very useful app. Sharing the app subscription works a little differently but you can share with three devices. Support for the app was superb though! ### 5/5 — Carbs and cals *2025-07-28, version 5.37.2* This is a real lifesaver as two years ago 11 years old in year seven as a newly diagnosed diabetic. I was wondering how I was going to count my carbs in school that’s why carbs and cals came in. It was excellent. I just literally needed to type in the food it is worth my money or my mum‘s money, but this is a five star rating ### 5/5 — Really helpful *2025-06-12* I have been using this app for over 2 years. I use the paid version so more food choices to pick. The list is getting bigger but some of the shops I buy food from aren’t on there. The only issues I have are that you can’t select multiple items at the same time from your recent list. So if you have the same items for breakfast you have to select each one at a time. Also when you add a custom weight could there be an option to pin them so you can use them instead of the factory setting ones I don’t use. Would rate this app A* 👍🏼 **Developer response:** Thank you for being a loyal user for over two years — we really appreciate your continued support! 🙌 We're glad you're enjoying the wider food choices in the paid version and finding the app helpful overall. Your suggestions are really valuable — selecting multiple recent items and pinning custom weights are great ideas, and we can definitely see how they'd make tracking even easier. We've passed your feedback on to the development team for consideration in future updates. Thanks again for the A* rating and for taking the time to share your thoughts! ### 5/5 — This app is invaluable! *2025-06-10, version 5.37.0* I cant recommend this app highly enough! It’s so easy to navigate-there are no complicated equations to work out how many carbs you’re eating- the app does it all for you and it’s really simple to customise any recipe. ### 5/5 — It’s the best *2025-05-11, version 5.37.0* 5 out of 5 it’s really nice. I have diabetes type one diabetes and it reads the cops in my food and I think I love it so much. It’s the best and yeah thank you so much. You guys should get this if you have type of diabetes or type ### 5/5 — Helpful when eating out *2025-02-28, version 5.36.0* I’m type 1 diabetic and find this useful when l don’t have my carb and cal book for reference ### 5/5 — Jack Clegg *2025-02-26, version 5.36.0* The first thing I noticed was when I downloaded the app is there was a variety of different foods for my diabetes and it was telling me what is good and bad for me at first it was complex and I was very discombobulated. Amazing app # awesome ### 5/5 — اللغه العربيه *2025-02-21, version 5.36.0* اريده باللغه العربيه ليفهمه اغلب الناس ### 5/5 — Fabulous *2025-01-18, version 5.35.2* I have recently been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, and this app is amazing at helping me and my parents with carb counting, and being able to scan barcodes on items makes searching so much quicker and more efficient!! This is so so so worth the money for people just like me and anyone else is a similar situation!! Highly, highly recommend. ### 5/5 — Fantastic App! Super Easy *2024-09-08, version 5.25.2* So easy to use. Simple to adjust weight of every item. Excellent visual references. and customise for fresh food meals. Brilliant carbs, fats and fibre quantifier. Takes the guess work out & super quick. --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-12.*