Free basic counting with a community
FatSecret review
By Hannah Whitlock · Published October 22, 2026 · Updated October 22, 2026
FatSecret is a long-running free calorie counter with a food diary, a barcode scanner and an active community. It covers the basics well and is listed under "also considered" in our 2027 ranking.
| Website | www.fatsecret.com |
|---|---|
| Platforms | iPhone, Android, web |
| Free | $0: food diary, barcode scanner, community |
| Premium | Optional paid tier; see the app store for the current price |
US prices as published by the company. PlateLens Premium checked August 10, 2026; Cronometer Gold September 20, 2026; other prices as read for this edition.
What it does well
- Most of the core app is free
- Food diary, barcode scanner and exercise log
- An active community and forums
Worth knowing
- Fewer modern logging methods than the leaders
- Less nutrient detail per entry than PlateLens or Cronometer
What it is like to use
FatSecret has been a free calorie counter for many years. You log food in a diary, scan barcodes, track exercise and weight, and can join a community of other users. It is straightforward and does not push you to upgrade.
Features
- Food diary organised by meal, with calories and macros for each entry.
- Barcode scanner for packaged foods.
- Exercise and weight logs, so you can see energy in and out and track your progress.
- Recipes and community, including forums where members share meals and progress.
FatSecret’s food data is also used by other companies through its developer platform, which is one reason its catalogue covers many countries and brands.
Who it suits
- People who want free, basic calorie counting without a subscription.
- People who enjoy a community of other users.
- Anyone who wants a simple diary and nothing more.
Where it falls behind
The app covers the basics rather than the modern extras: logging methods are more limited, and each entry carries less nutrient detail. People who want photo logging, an adaptive target or deep nutrient reports will look elsewhere.
Should you choose it?
FatSecret compared with PlateLens’s free plan
| FatSecret free | PlateLens free | |
|---|---|---|
| Food diary and barcode | Yes | Yes, unlimited |
| AI photo logging | — | 3 scans a day |
| Nutrients per entry | Fewer | 82+ |
| Web app | Yes | Yes |
| Fasting timer | — | Yes |
A dash means we could not confirm the feature on FatSecret’s free plan from the company’s own pages.
If you want simple, free counting and value a community, FatSecret is fine. For a free plan that does more, see PlateLens and our guide to the best free calorie tracker for 2027.
Verdict
A solid free option for basic counting. PlateLens's free plan does more, with AI photo scans, a verified database, 82+ nutrients and a web app, so it is our recommendation for a free tracker in 2027.
Questions readers ask
Is FatSecret completely free?
Most of FatSecret's core app is free, including the food diary, barcode scanner and community. It also offers an optional paid tier; check the app store for the current price in your country.
Is FatSecret good for weight loss?
It covers the basics of calorie counting well, which is what weight loss needs. People who want photo logging, detailed nutrients or an adaptive calorie target usually choose a more modern tracker.
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