Comparison

MacroFactor vs Cal AI

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Dynamic metabolism adaptation
  • Personalized macro and calorie targets
  • Verified food database
  • Barcode scanner
  • Weekly coaching check-ins
  • Micronutrient tracking
  • Weight trend insights
Features
Read full description

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/

About

Cal AI

This app helps you achieve your fitness goals by tracking your calorie and macronutrient intake. Simply answer lifestyle questions to create a personalized plan, then snap photos of your meals for an instant nutritional breakdown. It aims to simplify dieting and empower users with the tools and information needed to succeed.

Highlights
  • Personalized lifestyle plan creation
  • Meal photo nutritional analysis
  • Calorie and macro tracking
  • Dietary goal support
  • User-friendly interface
Features
Read full description

HOW TO USE CAL AI: 1) Answer lifestyle questions to build your plan 2) Snap a photo of your meal* 3) Get your nutritional breakdown* If you want to get your dream body, Cal AI will help you get there with less time spent than anyone else. We aren't another complicated diet app. We want to empower everyone to be confident in their bodies with minimal time spent, but you have to work hard. We will support you and give you the tools and information you need. If you have any ideas or questions, please email us at team@calai.app. NOTE: We do not offer medical advice. Any and all recommendations should be viewed as suggestions, please consult with a professional and do your own research before trying a new calorie and nutrient plan. *FOOD SCANNING ANALYSIS RESULTS REQUIRE A SUBSCRIPTION TERMS: https://calai.app/tos

Screenshots

MacroFactor4 screens
Cal AI4 screens

Verdict

The call

MacroFactor and Cal AI both sit at 4.8 stars, but that hides the real split: 71% of MacroFactor's written reviews are positive against 32% of Cal AI's. MacroFactor also leads on ads (none vs shown) and device support (4 vs 2). Cal AI's advantage is ratings volume (366K vs 23K). On price, rating, update cadence and in-app purchases 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. MacroFactor sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and Cal AI sells 19 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for MacroFactor against 4.8 for Cal AI. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Cal AI has 366K ratings behind it against 23K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 71% of MacroFactor's written reviews are positive against 32% of Cal AI's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MacroFactor ships an update every 8 days, Cal AI weekly. Both last shipped on September 25, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
MacroFactor versus Cal AI: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMacroFactorCal AI
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (23K ratings)4.8 (366K ratings)
Positive reviews70.7% of reviews — better32.0% of reviews
Number of ratings23K366K — better
Update frequencyEvery 8 daysWeekly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
Best chart rank#11#6 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, Apple Watch
Requires iOS15.6 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size238 MB310 MB
Age rating9+4+
DeveloperStronger By Science Technologies LLCViral Development LLC

Customer experience

MacroFactor

All ratings22,548 ratings
Positive96.3%
Neutral1.2%
Negative2.5%
Written reviews1,555 reviews
Positive70.7%
Neutral9.6%
Negative19.7%

Cal AI

All ratings365,931 ratings
Positive95.5%
Neutral2.5%
Negative2.0%
Written reviews4,103 reviews
Positive32.0%
Neutral10.5%
Negative57.4%

User reviews

MacroFactor

From 23K App Store ratings

What 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

Cal AI

From 366K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Convenient and easy to use
  • 💡 Innovative AI-powered calorie tracking
  • 👍 Helps with weight loss/gain goals
  • 🚀 Fast and efficient
  • 👍 Affordable subscription

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Inaccurate calorie/macro calculations
  • 🐛 Inconsistent performance
  • 🐛 Limited food database
  • 🔒 Lack of free trial
  • 🔒 Paywall to access full features

Bugs and requests

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

Cal AI

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Freezing/crashing issues
  • Incorrect data entry and logging
  • Syncing problems across devices
  • Unreliable barcode scanning

Requested features

5 requests
  • Ability to manually adjust portion sizes
  • Integration with fitness trackers
  • Detailed macro and nutrient breakdowns
  • Saved meal/recipe functionality
  • More customization options

In-app purchases

11 purchases

MacroFactor

Subscriptions11
  • Monthly Subscription14 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Monthly Subscription7 Days trial$11.991 Month
  • Monthly Subscription$11.991 Month
Show 8 more
  • 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
19 purchases

Cal AI

Subscriptions18
  • Unlimited$2.997 Days
  • Unlimited3 Days trial$5.991 Month
  • Unlimited$5.991 Month
Show 15 more
  • Unlimited$6.997 Days
  • Unlimited$7.991 Month
  • Unlimited$9.991 Month
  • Unlimited1 Month trial$9.991 Month
  • Unlimited3 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Unlimited$14.991 Month
  • Unlimited3 Days trial$14.991 Month
  • Unlimited2 variants$19.991 Year
  • Unlimited Plan3 Days trial$19.991 Year
  • Unlimited$29.991 Year
  • Unlimited3 Days trial2 variants$29.991 Year
  • Unlimited1 Year trial$29.991 Year
  • Cal AI Family Plan$59.991 Year
  • Unlimited3 Days trial$69.991 Year
  • Unlimited3 Days trial$89.991 Year
One-time1
  • Streak Restore$0.99

Questions

Is MacroFactor free?
MacroFactor is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Cal AI free?
Cal AI is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, MacroFactor or Cal AI?
MacroFactor and Cal AI are both rated 4.8 out of 5 on the App Store, from 23K and 366K ratings respectively.
Do MacroFactor or Cal AI have ads?
Cal AI shows ads; MacroFactor does not.
Which is updated more often, MacroFactor or Cal AI?
MacroFactor ships an update every 8 days, and Cal AI weekly. Most recently, MacroFactor was updated on September 25, 2026 and Cal AI on September 25, 2026.
Which is more popular, MacroFactor or Cal AI?
MacroFactor currently peaks at #11 in the App Store charts, and Cal AI at #6. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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