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Most people who want to get in shape run into the same two problems: they can’t remember what they ate, and they don’t know whether their training is actually moving them forward. Good fitness and diet apps free of charge can solve both without adding a monthly bill to the cost of getting healthier. The apps below were chosen by comparing published specifications, brand track record, and the patterns that show up in owner reviews, with a focus on what a beginner or intermediate lifter really needs: a food database that is easy to search, a way to log workouts, and a clear view of progress over time. Every pick includes a free tier that covers core tracking, although some features may sit behind a paid upgrade.
Our Top Picks
Quick Comparison
| Product | Best for | Key feature |
|---|---|---|
| MyFitnessPal | Calorie and macro counting | Very large barcode-scannable food database |
| Lose It! | Simple weight-loss goals | Clean daily calorie budget view |
| Cronometer | Micronutrient-focused tracking | Detailed vitamin and mineral reporting |
| Strong | Logging strength workouts | Fast set, rep and weight logging |
| Hevy | Lifters following a program | Routine templates and progress charts |
| Fitbod | Adaptive gym workouts | Generated sessions based on logged history |
| Google Fit | Activity tracking on Android | Automatic step and activity syncing |
| Samsung Health | All-in-one tracking on Galaxy devices | Combined diet, sleep and exercise logs |
MyFitnessPal
MyFitnessPal suits anyone who wants to count calories and macronutrients with the least friction. It is the most widely recognized app in this category, and its food database is large enough that most common grocery and restaurant items are already entered.
Key specs
- Calorie, protein, carbohydrate and fat tracking
- Barcode scanner for packaged foods
- Water and exercise logging
- Available on iOS and Android, with a web dashboard
Pros
- Very large food database with frequent user-submitted entries
- Barcode scanning speeds up logging considerably
- Works well alongside other fitness apps
Cons
- Some user-submitted entries have inaccurate values, so spot-checking matters
- Many useful features, including some reports and ad removal, sit behind a premium plan
Lose It!
Lose It! is a good fit for someone whose main goal is weight loss and who wants a simple daily target rather than a dashboard full of numbers. The calorie budget view tells you how much room you have left at a glance.
Key specs
- Daily calorie budget based on your goal and activity level
- Food logging with barcode scanning
- Weight trend charts
- Available on iOS and Android
Pros
- Clean, uncluttered interface that is easy to use daily
- Calorie budget is straightforward for beginners
- Weight trend graph helps you see slow changes
Cons
- Detailed macronutrient breakdowns are more limited than in some competitors
- Advanced customization is reserved for paid plans
Cronometer
Cronometer is aimed at people who care about micronutrients, such as those managing a restricted diet or wanting to confirm they are getting enough iron, vitamin D or magnesium. It tracks far more nutrients than most free apps.
Key specs
- Tracks dozens of vitamins, minerals and amino acids
- Food database drawn largely from verified government nutrition sources
- Exercise and biometric logging
- Available on iOS, Android and the web
Pros
- Detailed micronutrient reports that most free apps lack
- Database leans toward verified entries, which many users value
- Strong web interface for reviewing a week of intake
Cons
- Interface can feel dense for someone who only wants calorie totals
- Logging a meal with many ingredients takes more time
Strong
Strong is built for people who lift weights and want a fast, clean way to record every set. If your diet tracking is handled elsewhere, Strong can be the training log that keeps your progressive overload honest.
Key specs
- Logs sets, reps, weight and rest time
- Reusable workout templates
- Exercise library with form notes
- Progress charts per exercise
Pros
- Very fast logging between sets
- Per-exercise charts make progression easy to spot
- Templates save time when you repeat a routine
Cons
- No meal or nutrition tracking, so you need a second app
- Some advanced analytics are locked behind a subscription
Hevy
Hevy is a strong choice for lifters following a structured program, such as a push/pull/legs split or a five-day upper/lower plan. Its template system makes it easy to repeat a session exactly and then beat last week’s numbers.
Key specs
- Workout routines and reusable templates
- Exercise history and personal record tracking
- Body measurement logging
- Available on iOS and Android
Pros
- Routine templates suit planned splits well
- Personal record tracking is clear and motivating
- Social features are optional and can be ignored
Cons
- Free version has limits on some routine features
- No built-in food tracking
Fitbod
Fitbod is for lifters who want the app to suggest the next session rather than building it from scratch. It uses your logged history to adjust weights and volume, which can help if you train without a fixed program.
Key specs
- Generated workouts based on muscle recovery and past sessions
- Equipment selection to match your gym
- Exercise demonstrations
- Available on iOS and Android
Pros
- Removes the planning step for busy lifters
- Adapts to your logged performance over time
- Equipment filter avoids suggesting unavailable exercises
Cons
- Most of the generated-workout value requires a paid plan
- Less control for people who prefer to design every session themselves
Google Fit
Google Fit is a practical pick for Android users who want passive activity tracking without extra hardware. It collects step counts and movement data from the phone and from compatible wearables.
Key specs
- Automatic step and activity tracking
- Heart rate syncing with compatible devices
- Goal setting for move minutes
- Available on Android and iOS
Pros
- Tracks activity automatically with no manual entry
- Integrates with many third-party fitness apps
- Completely free for core features
Cons
- Does not handle meal or nutrition logging
- Workout logging is basic compared with dedicated training apps
Samsung Health
Samsung Health is the most complete free option for people who own a Galaxy phone or watch. It brings food logging, exercise, sleep and heart data into one place, which reduces the number of apps you need.
Key specs
- Food and water logging
- Exercise tracking with automatic detection
- Sleep and stress monitoring on compatible wearables
- Available on Android, with companion watch support
Pros
- Combines diet, activity and sleep in one dashboard
- Works closely with Galaxy Watch hardware
- Good value for an all-in-one free tool
Cons
- Best experience depends on owning Samsung devices
- Food database is smaller than the largest dedicated diet apps
Buying Guide
Choosing among fitness and diet apps free of charge is less about finding the single best app and more about matching the app to the job you need done. Start by deciding which parts of your routine you want to track, then look at how well each app handles those parts.
Selection Criteria
- Coverage: Does it handle food, workouts, or both? Using two focused apps often beats one app that does everything poorly.
- Database quality: Look for verified entries and barcode scanning. User-submitted items can be wrong, so compare a few common foods against a trusted source.
- Free tier depth: Check what works without paying. Core logging should be usable on the free plan, even if extras are not.
- Platform support: Confirm the app runs on your phone and syncs with any wearable you already own.
Important Features
Prioritize features that reduce daily friction. Fast logging, saved meals, recent-food lists and clear progress charts matter more over the long run than flashy social feeds or badges. For strength work, the ability to see the last session’s weights while you are logging the current set is especially useful.
Specs to Check
- Macronutrient targets (protein, carbohydrate, fat) and whether you can set them manually
- Export options, so your data is not locked into one app
- Sync with Apple Health or Google Fit for step and weight data
- Offline logging for gyms with weak signal
Choosing by Need
- Weight loss focus: Lose It! or MyFitnessPal, paired with a simple strength log.
- Nutrient-aware eating: Cronometer, especially if you track specific vitamins or minerals.
- Following a set program: Hevy or Strong for logging, with a diet app for meals.
- Training without a plan: Fitbod, if you accept some reliance on generated sessions.
- Passive activity counting: Google Fit or Samsung Health, depending on your phone.
If you are new to tracking, a simple paper log can work just as well. Our guide to Keeping a Training Log on Paper or in an App compares both approaches. Consider also reading Setting Realistic Fitness Goals and Measuring Progress before you set your first numeric target, since the right goal shapes which metrics matter.
Things to Watch Out For
- Inaccurate database entries: Double-check calorie counts for foods you eat often.
- Overly strict targets: Calorie budgets generated by an app are estimates. Adjust them if you feel run down or your progress stalls over several weeks.
- Premium upsells: Free tiers are useful, but make sure the features you depend on are not the ones locked behind a subscription.
- Tracking obsession: Logging every gram can become stressful. If logging starts to feel like a burden, scale back to the metrics that matter most.
Nutrition and exercise targets vary by person. If you have a medical condition, are pregnant, or are recovering from an injury, consult a doctor, registered dietitian or qualified trainer before making major changes.
FAQ
Are fitness and diet apps free to use?
Most of the apps listed here offer a free tier that covers core logging, such as calorie tracking, workout recording or step counting. Some advanced features, reports, or ad-free experiences may require a paid plan, so check the free version’s limits before relying on a specific function.
Can I use one app for both diet and workouts?
A few apps cover both areas, including Samsung Health. Many people, however, get better results by pairing a dedicated diet app with a dedicated workout log, since each does its job more thoroughly.
How accurate are free calorie databases?
Accuracy varies. Verified entries from nutrition sources are generally reliable, while user-submitted entries can contain errors. For foods you eat regularly, compare a few values against the packaging or a trusted database and correct any outliers.
Do I need a wearable to use these apps?
No. Food logging and manual workout logging work on a phone alone. A wearable adds automatic step, heart rate and sleep data, which some apps use to refine their suggestions.
How long should I use an app before judging whether it works?
Give any app at least two to four weeks of consistent use before deciding. Early numbers often reflect habit-building rather than results, and a trend line becomes more meaningful over time.
Should I track calories if I am trying to build muscle?
Many people find tracking protein and total calories helpful when building muscle, because it shows whether intake is supporting training. The exact amounts depend on body size, activity and goals, so consider a registered dietitian or qualified coach for personalized targets.
Can free apps help me stay consistent?
Yes, especially when they make logging quick and show clear progress. Reminders, streaks and simple charts can keep you engaged, but the habit itself matters more than any feature. For a broader plan to structure your training, see Fitness Workout Routines Tutorial: 7 Steps to Build Your First Plan.
Conclusion
The best fitness and diet apps free of charge depend on what you most need to track. For calorie and macro counting, MyFitnessPal and Lose It! are the most approachable starting points. Cronometer is the better choice if micronutrients matter to you. For training, Strong and Hevy handle structured logging well, while Fitbod suits people who want generated sessions. Google Fit and Samsung Health cover activity and, in Samsung’s case, a broader set of health data. Start with one diet app and one workout log, use them consistently for a month, and then decide whether you need more. For ideas on building a routine to track, you might also explore Amazing Fitness Workout Routines: 6 Plans You Can Start This Week.
