Software · head to head
Cronometer vs Noom
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; Noom coaches deliver automated, canned responses without personalization and most lack formal qualifications as registered dietitians
- They diverge on capability: Cronometer covers 80+ nutrient tracking, Noom covers Psychology-based curriculum.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Cronometer and Noom actually diverge.
| Attribute | Cronometer | Noom |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $17/month |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Ios, Android, Web | Web, iOS, Android |
| Founded | 2011 | 2008 |
Identical on both: pricing model (Unknown), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
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
- Withings
Only in Noom
- Psychology-based curriculum
- Personal coaching
- Food color system
- Progress tracking
- Community groups
Both cover
- Fitbit
- Garmin
- Apple Health
- Google Fit
- Ios support
- Android support
- Web 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
Noom
- 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
Noom
- Coaches deliver automated, canned responses without personalization and most lack formal qualifications as registered dietitians
- App crashes and freezes frequently with issues saving data, and barcode feature for food tracking malfunctions
- Food database requires tedious manual data entry even for common items, discouraging consistent logging
- Difficult cancellation process requiring navigating multiple steps to opt out of auto-renewal
- FTC settlement in 2022 for $62 million over misleading auto-renewal and refund practices
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
Noom
$17/monthNo published plan breakdown. See the Noom review.
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 Noom if
- You need psychology-based curriculum.
- You work on Web, iOS, Android.
- You also want personal coaching.
Questions people ask
- Is Cronometer or Noom better?
- Neither clearly leads. Cronometer starts at Free and Noom at $17/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Cronometer or Noom?
- Cronometer has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Cronometer and $17/month for Noom.
- Does Cronometer or Noom run on more platforms?
- Cronometer runs on Ios, Android, Web. Noom runs on Web, iOS, Android.
- Can I use Cronometer for free?
- Yes. Cronometer has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Noom starts at $17/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 Noom cannot?
- Cronometer covers 80+ nutrient tracking, Verified food database, Custom recipes, Biometric tracking. Noom covers Psychology-based curriculum, Personal coaching, Food color system, Progress tracking. Both handle Fitbit, Garmin, Apple Health, Google Fit.
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.
SourceNoom: What are Noom's pricing plans?
Noom Weight app costs approximately $70 per month on a monthly plan, $42 per month on a 4-month plan, or $209 upfront for an annual plan (roughly $17 per month). A 14-day free trial is offered but auto-converts to paid subscription if not canceled.
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.
SourceNoom: What does Noom's coaching include?
Noom provides access to human coaches for weekly check-ins, daily psychology-based lessons, interactive challenges, and food and weight tracking. Coaching is included in all paid tiers.
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.
SourceNoom: How does Noom's food color system work?
Noom categorizes foods using a color system based on caloric density: green (low calorie density), yellow (moderate), and red (high calorie density). This encourages behavioral changes in eating habits rather than strict dieting.
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.
SourceNoom: What other programs does Noom offer?
Beyond Noom Weight, Noom offers five additional programs including Noom Med, a telehealth service with pricing ranging from $17/month for coaching to $279/month for GLP-1 medication plans with licensed clinicians.
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