Fitness & Wellness · head to head
Cronometer vs MacroFactor
The short version
- Only Cronometer has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Cronometer free tier limited to 7-day report windows; MacroFactor the App Store listing states MacroFactor offers only a 7 day trial of the premium, ad-free macro tracker before a subscription is required, without stating the subscription price in the visible description.
- They diverge on capability: Cronometer covers 80+ nutrient tracking, MacroFactor covers Adaptive algorithm.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Cronometer and MacroFactor actually diverge.
| Attribute | Cronometer | MacroFactor |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $6.99/month |
| Pricing model | Unknown | subscription |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Ios, Android, Web | Ios, Android |
| Category | Fitness & Wellness | Unknown |
| Founded | 2011 | 2021 |
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Cronometer
- 80+ nutrient tracking
- Verified food database
- Custom recipes
- Biometric tracking
- Detailed reports
- Google Fit
- Withings
- Web support
Only in MacroFactor
- Adaptive algorithm
- True expenditure calculation
- Fast food logger
- Detailed analytics
- Knowledge base
- Apple Watch
Both cover
- Fitbit
- Garmin
- Apple Health
- Ios support
- Android support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Cronometer
- Workout tracking
- Nutrition management
- Health monitoring
- Fitness coaching
- Wellness improvement
MacroFactor
- Workout tracking
- Nutrition management
- Health monitoring
- Fitness coaching
- Wellness improvement
Both are used for workout tracking, nutrition management, health monitoring, fitness coaching, wellness improvement, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Cronometer
- Free tier limited to 7-day report windows
- Photo and voice logging unavailable in free tier
- Ad-free experience requires Gold subscription
- Advanced features like macro scheduler and recipe importer locked to paid tier
MacroFactor
- The App Store listing states MacroFactor offers only a 7 day trial of the premium, ad-free macro tracker before a subscription is required, without stating the subscription price in the visible description.
Pricing, plan by plan
Cronometer
Free- FreeFree
- Full micronutrient tracking (82+ nutrients)
- Unlimited food logging
- Barcode scanning
- Gold$4.99/month
- All Free features
- Ad-free experience
- Photo and voice logging
MacroFactor
$6.99/month- Monthly$11.99/month
- Adaptive algorithm
- Expenditure tracking
- All features
- Annual$71.99/year
- Adaptive algorithm
- Expenditure tracking
- All features
Which should you pick?
Choose Cronometer if
- You need 80+ nutrient tracking.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Ios, Android, Web.
- You also want verified food database.
Choose MacroFactor if
- You need adaptive algorithm.
- You work on Ios, Android.
- You also want true expenditure calculation.
Questions people ask
- Is Cronometer or MacroFactor better?
- Neither clearly leads. Cronometer starts at Free and MacroFactor at $6.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Cronometer or MacroFactor?
- Cronometer has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Cronometer and $6.99/month for MacroFactor.
- Does Cronometer or MacroFactor run on more platforms?
- Cronometer runs on Ios, Android, Web. MacroFactor runs on Ios, Android.
- Can I use Cronometer for free?
- Yes. Cronometer has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. MacroFactor starts at $6.99/month.
- What is Cronometer best used for?
- Cronometer is most often used for workout tracking, nutrition management, health monitoring, fitness coaching.
- What can Cronometer do that MacroFactor cannot?
- Cronometer covers 80+ nutrient tracking, Verified food database, Custom recipes, Biometric tracking. MacroFactor covers Adaptive algorithm, True expenditure calculation, Fast food logger, Detailed analytics. Both handle Fitbit, Garmin, Apple Health, Ios support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Cronometer: Is Cronometer truly free and what are its limitations?
Cronometer Free is completely free forever with full micronutrient tracking across 82+ nutrients, unlimited food logging, barcode scanning, custom recipes, and basic reports. The 7-day report window is the main limitation.
SourceCronometer: What features are included in Cronometer Gold?
Gold ($4.99/month billed annually at $59.99 or $10.99/month) adds photo logging, voice logging with Siri, Crono Coach AI assistant, custom charts, macro scheduler, fasting timer, recipe importer, and unlimited historical data access.
SourceCronometer: Can I log meals with photos in Cronometer?
Photo logging is a premium feature available only in Cronometer Gold, allowing users to snap and automatically log meals through their camera.
SourceCronometer: Does Cronometer track beyond just macronutrients?
Yes, Cronometer tracks up to 84+ nutrients including vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and amino acids. All tiers include this comprehensive micronutrient tracking.
SourceCronometer: Can I see historical data in the free tier?
Free tier reports are limited to the past 7 days. Gold subscription ($4.99/month annually) provides unlimited historical data access for trend analysis.
SourceCronometer: Does Cronometer have professional or pro versions?
Yes, Cronometer Pro is available for healthcare providers, researchers, and educators with specialized features for professional nutrition analysis.
Source