# MacroFactor vs Cal AI

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.

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.

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.

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

## The numbers

| Metric | MacroFactor | Cal AI |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (23K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/macrofactor-macro-tracker/id1553503471/reviews) | [4.8 (366K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cal-ai-calorie-tracker/id6480417616/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 23K | **366K** |
| Positive reviews | **70.7% of reviews** | 32.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 8 days | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Best chart rank | #11 | **#6** |
| Size | 238 MB | 310 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.6** | 18.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** | iPhone, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 9+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Stronger By Science Technologies LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1553503473) | [Viral Development LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1738939499) |

## What reviewers say

### MacroFactor

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/macrofactor-macro-tracker/id1553503471)

**Currently charting:** #11 Top Grossing · Health & Fitness, #81 Top Free · Health & Fitness (US App Store)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Subscription | $9.99 | per month |
| Monthly Subscription | $11.99 | per month |
| Monthly Subscription | $11.99 | per month |
| Monthly Subscription | $11.99 | per month |
| Semiannual Subscription | $47.99 | per 6 months |
| Semiannual Subscription | $47.99 | per 6 months |
| Annual Subscription | $59.99 | per year |
| Annual Subscription | $59.99 | per year |
| Annual Subscription | $71.99 | per year |
| Annual Subscription | $71.99 | per year |
| Annual Subscription Bundle | $89.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Easy to use
- 🔍 Detailed analytics and data
- 🤖 Intelligent algorithm adjustments
- 👍 Flexible and customizable
- 💯 Comprehensive food database

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔍 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

**Reported bugs**

- Disappearing food entries
- Inconsistent syncing with Apple Health

**Requested features**

- Apple Watch integration
- Micronutrient tracking
- Ability to edit database entries
- Improved barcode scanning for international users
- Customizable dashboard and widgets


### Cal AI

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cal-ai-calorie-tracker/id6480417616)

**Currently charting:** #6 Top Free · Health & Fitness, #12 Top Grossing · Health & Fitness (US App Store)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (19)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unlimited | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| Unlimited | $5.99 | per month |
| Unlimited | $5.99 | per month |
| Unlimited | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Unlimited | $7.99 | per month |
| Unlimited | $9.99 | per month |
| Unlimited | $9.99 | per month |
| Unlimited | $9.99 | per month |
| Unlimited | $14.99 | per month |
| Unlimited | $14.99 | per month |
| Unlimited | $19.99 | per year |
| Unlimited Plan | $19.99 | per year |
| Unlimited | $29.99 | per year |
| Unlimited | $29.99 | per year |
| Unlimited | $29.99 | per year |
| Cal AI Family Plan | $59.99 | per year |
| Unlimited | $69.99 | per year |
| Unlimited | $89.99 | per year |
| Streak Restore | $0.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

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


## Frequently asked 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*