Carbon vs MacroFactor
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Carbon
This app provides personalized nutrition plans for weight loss, muscle gain, or maintenance. It adapts your plan as you progress and offers a comprehensive food tracker with a large database and barcode scanner. It supports various diet preferences and allows for custom meal planning.
- Personalized nutrition plans
- Adaptive plan adjustments
- Comprehensive food logging
- Barcode scanner
- Diet preference customization
- Diet planner for flexible eating
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Carbon Diet Coach is your nutrition solution for results that LAST. Whether your goal is to lose fat, build muscle, improve your metabolism, or simply maintain your weight, Carbon Diet Coach removes the guesswork. Carbon Diet Coach is a science-based nutrition app designed by renowned nutrition coaches Dr. Layne Norton (Ph.D. Nutritional Sciences) and Registered Dietitian Keith Kraker (BS Dietetics). It does everything a normal nutrition coach would but at a fraction of the cost. Simply select your goal, answer a few short questions, and it does the rest! You will get a customized nutrition plan based on YOUR goals and metabolism. What's more, Carbon will adjust the plan as you progress to optimize your results. If you hit a plateau or stall, Carbon will make adjustments to keep you progressing towards your goal, just like any good coach would. Our coaching system uses the latest techniques in nutrition science to make sure you get the best results possible. All you need to do is follow these simple steps: ∙ Log your food using the built-in food tracker ∙ Log your body weight ∙ Check-in each week Do that and Carbon does the rest! Carbon Diet Coach can do things other nutrition coaching apps can’t do. For example, your nutrition plan can be tailored to your diet preference: ∙ Balanced ∙ Low Carb ∙ Low Fat ∙ Ketogenic ∙ Plant-Based Each setting is completely customizable so that you receive a plan that is sustainable for YOU! Another feature that makes Carbon unique is the diet planner. Want high and low-calorie days rather than eating the same foods every day? Use the diet planner to set up your week and stay on track. Overate on one day and not sure what to do with your nutrition plan for the rest of the week? Adjust the diet planner to account for what you overate and Carbon does the rest! Other coaching features include: ∙ Adjustable check-in days ∙ Check-in explanations so you're never left wondering why the app did or didn’t make a change ∙ Check-in history so you can look back and see why the app made various adjustments ∙ Charts showing your weight, body fat, lean body mass, calorie intake, protein intake, carbohydrate intake, fat intake, and metabolic rate ∙ Early check-in feature for those who can’t always check in on their specified day ∙ Goal tracker so you can see the progress you’ve made and how close you are to your goal ∙ Recommendations after you reach a goal so you can plan for what's next and KEEP your results ∙ Integrates with Apple Health to automatically read Body Weight and Body Fat values Already know what you are doing with nutrition and don’t need Carbon to coach you? No problem, you can enter your nutrition targets and simply use the food tracker. Beyond the amazing coaching features of this app is a food tracker that's excellent in its own right. Its features include: ∙ A huge food database ∙ Barcode scanner ∙ Quick add macros ∙ Copy meals ∙ Favorite foods ∙ Create custom foods ∙ Create custom recipes No matter what your goal is, Carbon Diet Coach is your solution. Simple. Scientific. Sustainable. App Subscriptions: ∙ Monthly ∙ 6 Months ∙ Yearly The subscription period will automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current subscription period. To turn this function off, simply go to your iTunes account and turn off auto-renew. Renewal payments will differ depending on subscription and pricing at the time of renewal. Your iTunes account will be charged when the purchase is confirmed. Food database powered by FatSecret: https://fatsecret.com Terms and Conditions: https://joincarbon.com/terms-and-conditions/ Privacy Policy: https://joincarbon.com/privacy-policy/
MacroFactor
This app uses a dynamic algorithm to adapt your calorie and macro targets based on your metabolism and progress. It offers tools for quick food logging, a verified database, and personalized coaching to help you achieve sustainable diet goals without stress or rigidity.
- Dynamic metabolism adaptation
- Personalized macro and calorie targets
- Verified food database
- Barcode scanner
- Weekly coaching check-ins
- Micronutrient tracking
- Weight trend insights
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MacroFactor combines innovative coaching algorithms with proven nutrition and behavioral science to help you reach your diet goals and achieve empowering, sustainable results. MacroFactor uses a dynamic algorithm to adapt to changes in your metabolism and personalize your macro plan to keep you on track. Download to start your 7-day trial of this premium, ad-free macro tracker app. DIET SMARTER Using a best-in-class expenditure estimate, MacroFactor’s nutrition coach algorithm adapts to changes in your metabolism so you never plateau. • The unique energy expenditure calculation detects changes in your metabolism • Smart algorithms personalize your calorie and macro intake targets, just like a nutrition coach would • Weekly check-ins keep you on track toward your goals The result? You better understand your body’s needs and can successfully reach and sustain your goals without stress. THE BEST MACRO TRACKER TOOLS • The fastest macro tracker on the market with tools like barcode scan and custom foods • Verified food database, so you can trust the accuracy of the foods you log • Custom macro programs and weekly check-ins based on your goals and preferences • Detailed breakdowns of micronutrients, macros, and more • Period tracker, habit tracker, unique data insights and visualization, integrations, dark mode, and more AN EMPOWERING, SUSTAINABLE APPROACH MacroFactor’s robust nutrition coach algorithm will make appropriate adjustments to your calorie and macro targets based on what you log, regardless of how close you came to hitting your targets from the previous week. The algorithms don’t function any worse if you deviate from your macro targets. This means that unlike other nutrition coach apps, you don’t have to eat like a robot or perfectly adhere to your macro targets in order to get your weekly coaching check-in and an appropriate calorie adjustment. You’ll never see warnings, red numbers, or shaming when you go over your calorie or macro targets, unlike in other macro tracker apps. Instead, MacroFactor’s macro tracker and nutrition coach aim to empower you with the guidance and tools you need to reach your goals without stress or rigidity. A CLOSER LOOK AT FEATURES & BENEFITS Nutrition coach • Get a science-backed macro plan designed for your goals and preferences • Set a goal to lose, maintain, or gain weight • Smart nutrition coach AI makes weekly changes to your macro plan to keep you on track Macro tracker • Large verified food database, so you can trust that calorie and macro information is accurate • Barcode scanner • Food tracker for both macros and micronutrients • Features like copy/paste, custom foods, and smart history make food tracking quick and easy • Timeline-style food log doesn’t lock you in to a certain number of meals • Metric and imperial options • Custom foods and recipes Health insights tracker • Best-in-class expenditure estimate • Unique Weight Trend insight that cuts through the noise of daily fluctuations • Habit tracker • Period tracker NOTICES Contains information from Open Food Facts, which is made available here under the Open Database License (ODbL). Open Food Facts: https://openfoodfacts.org/ ODbL: https://opendatacommons.org/licenses/odbl/1-0/ SUBSCRIPTION PRICING & TERMS MacroFactor is a premium app that offers three auto-renewing subscription options: $11.99 / month $47.99 / half year $71.99 / year (equal to $5.99 a month) MacroFactor has a free trial, but does not offer a free subscription tier. These prices are for US customers. Pricing in other countries may vary. Payment will be charged to your Apple account at confirmation of purchase. Your subscription to MacroFactor will automatically renew, unless you cancel at least 24 hours before the current period ends. You can cancel or manage your subscription from your Apple account settings. Terms & Conditions: https://terms.macrofactorapp.com/ Privacy Policy: https://privacy.macrofactorapp.com/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is chart position: MacroFactor at #10 against Carbon's #102. MacroFactor also leads on device support (4 vs 1). Carbon's advantage is review sentiment (80% vs 71%). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Carbon sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $11.99 per month and MacroFactor sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Carbon against 4.8 for MacroFactor. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8K and 23K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 80% of Carbon's written reviews are positive against 71% of MacroFactor's.
Carbon ships an update weekly, MacroFactor every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and September 27, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Carbon | MacroFactor |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (8K ratings) | 4.8 (23K ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 79.7% of reviews — better | 70.7% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 8K | 23K — better |
| Update frequency | Weekly — better | Every 8 days |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #102 | #10 — better |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | 15.6 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 106 MB | 238 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 9+ |
| Developer | Reform LLC | Stronger By Science Technologies LLC |
Customer experience
Carbon
MacroFactor
User reviews
Carbon
From 8K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Easy to use
- 👍 Flexible and customizable
- 🔍 Accurate food database
- 💡 Helpful coaching and adjustments
- 🤝 Responsive customer support
Room to improve
- 🐛 Limited food database for some regions
- 🤔 Strict adherence required for adjustments
- 🤷♀️ Lack of exercise tracking integration
MacroFactor
From 23K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Easy to use
- 🔍 Detailed analytics and data
- 🤖 Intelligent algorithm adjustments
- 👍 Flexible and customizable
- 💯 Comprehensive food database
Room to improve
- 🔍 Limited food database for some regions
- 🤔 Steep learning curve for some users
- 💰 Subscription-based model
- 🤖 Occasional inaccuracies in AI-generated entries
- 🔀 Convoluted navigation in some areas
Bugs and requests
Carbon
Reported bugs
2 issues- Occasional app crashes or freezes
- Issues with resetting account data
Requested features
4 requests- Add water intake tracking
- Improve barcode scanning functionality
- Allow more flexibility in macro adjustments
- Integrate with fitness trackers
MacroFactor
Reported bugs
2 issues- Disappearing food entries
- Inconsistent syncing with Apple Health
Requested features
5 requests- Apple Watch integration
- Micronutrient tracking
- Ability to edit database entries
- Improved barcode scanning for international users
- Customizable dashboard and widgets
In-app purchases
Carbon
- Monthly Subscription$11.991 Month
- Monthly Subscription7 Days trial$11.991 Month
- Monthly Subscription14 Days trial$11.991 Month
Show 6 moreShow fewer
- Six Month Subscription$59.996 Months
- Six Month Subscription7 Days trial$59.996 Months
- Six Month Subscription14 Days trial$59.996 Months
- Yearly Subscription$99.991 Year
- Yearly Subscription7 Days trial$99.991 Year
- Yearly Subscription14 Days trial$99.991 Year
MacroFactor
- Monthly Subscription14 Days trial$9.991 Month
- Monthly Subscription7 Days trial$11.991 Month
- Monthly Subscription$11.991 Month
Show 8 moreShow fewer
- Monthly Subscription14 Days trial$11.991 Month
- Semiannual Subscription7 Days trial$47.996 Months
- Semiannual Subscription14 Days trial$47.996 Months
- Annual Subscription14 Days trial$59.991 Year
- Annual Subscription7 Days trial$59.991 Year
- Annual Subscription7 Days trial$71.991 Year
- Annual Subscription14 Days trial$71.991 Year
- Annual Subscription Bundle$89.991 Year
Questions
Is Carbon free?
Is MacroFactor free?
Which has better reviews, Carbon or MacroFactor?
Do Carbon or MacroFactor have ads?
Which is updated more often, Carbon or MacroFactor?
Which is more popular, Carbon or MacroFactor?
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