How Much Does Cronometer Cost Now in 2026? Complete Price Breakdown
Cronometer Gold costs $49.99/year ($4.17/month) in 2026 with a functional free tier available. Here is the full pricing breakdown, what each tier includes, and how it compares to every major calorie tracking alternative.
Cronometer Gold costs $49.99 per year ($4.17/month effective) in 2026. A functional free tier is also available with basic tracking and 80+ nutrients using USDA and NCCDB databases. Cronometer is a nutrition tracking app built for detail-oriented users who care about micronutrients, not just calories and macros. Here is the complete pricing breakdown and how it stacks up against every alternative.
Cronometer Current Pricing (2026)
Free Tier — $0/month
What you get:
- Food logging with manual search
- 80+ nutrients tracked (far more than most free alternatives)
- USDA and NCCDB database access
- Basic macro and micronutrient tracking
- Daily nutrition targets
- Exercise logging
- Biometric tracking (weight, body fat, blood pressure)
- Ads displayed in the app
What you do not get:
- Ad-free experience
- Custom charts and reports
- Fasting timer
- Diary groups (copy meals between days)
- Recipe sharing
- Priority customer support
- Suggested foods based on nutrient gaps
- Custom biometric tracking
Gold — $49.99/year ($4.17/month effective)
What you get (in addition to free tier features):
- Ad-free experience
- Custom charts and reports
- Fasting timer
- Diary groups (batch copy meals)
- Recipe sharing
- Suggested foods to fill nutrient gaps
- Custom biometrics
- Priority support
- Timestamp logging
There is no monthly billing option for Cronometer Gold. The only paid plan is the annual subscription at $49.99/year. This is both a strength (simple pricing) and a limitation (you must commit to a full year upfront).
Daily Cost Calculation
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Daily Cost | Annual Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Gold (Annual) | $4.17/month effective | $0.14/day | $49.99/year |
At $0.14 per day, Cronometer Gold is reasonably priced. The free tier is one of the most capable among all nutrition trackers, making Cronometer a strong option for budget-conscious users who want micronutrient data.
How Has Cronometer's Price Changed Over Time?
Cronometer has maintained relatively stable pricing compared to competitors.
| Period | Annual Price | Key Changes |
|---|---|---|
| 2011-2016 | Free (web only) | Web-based free tool, no mobile app |
| 2017-2018 | $34.95/year | Mobile apps launched, Gold tier introduced |
| 2019-2020 | $39.99/year | Minor price increase, feature additions |
| 2021-2023 | $44.99/year | Gradual increases, free tier maintained |
| 2024-2026 | $49.99/year | Current pricing, free tier remains functional |
The price has increased from $34.95 to $49.99 over roughly 8 years — a 43% increase that roughly tracks inflation. Unlike MyFitnessPal and other competitors, Cronometer has not aggressively stripped features from the free tier to force upgrades. The free tier still tracks 80+ nutrients, which is more than most premium competitors offer.
What Makes Cronometer Different?
Cronometer's core identity is micronutrient tracking depth. Most calorie trackers focus on calories, protein, carbs, and fat. Cronometer tracks over 80 nutrients including vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and fatty acids.
Database Quality
Cronometer uses curated databases rather than crowdsourced data:
| Database Source | Type | Accuracy |
|---|---|---|
| USDA FoodData Central | Government-maintained | High |
| NCCDB (Nutrition Coordinating Center) | Research-grade | Very High |
| User-submitted entries | Community (flagged separately) | Variable |
This is a significant advantage over apps like MyFitnessPal where the majority of the database is user-submitted and error rates of 15-25% are common. Cronometer's USDA and NCCDB data is lab-verified and regularly updated.
Feature Comparison: Free vs Gold
| Feature | Free | Gold |
|---|---|---|
| Food logging | Yes | Yes |
| 80+ nutrients | Yes | Yes |
| USDA/NCCDB database | Yes | Yes |
| Barcode scanning | Yes | Yes |
| Exercise logging | Yes | Yes |
| Biometric tracking | Basic | Custom |
| Charts and reports | Basic | Custom |
| Ad-free | No | Yes |
| Fasting timer | No | Yes |
| Diary groups | No | Yes |
| Recipe sharing | No | Yes |
| Nutrient gap suggestions | No | Yes |
| Priority support | No | Yes |
The free tier is genuinely useful. You can track 80+ nutrients with verified data and scan barcodes without paying anything. Gold adds convenience features rather than core functionality.
What Cronometer Lacks
Despite its strengths in micronutrient tracking, Cronometer has notable gaps compared to modern alternatives.
- No AI photo logging — You cannot snap a photo of your meal for instant logging
- No voice logging — No ability to describe meals verbally for quick entry
- No recipe import from URLs — Cannot paste a recipe link for automatic nutritional analysis
- No AI-powered features — All logging is manual search and selection
- Limited recipe library — No built-in collection of ready-to-log meals
- No Apple Watch or Wear OS app — Cannot log from your wrist
- Dated interface — Functional but visually behind modern competitors
For users who prioritize speed and convenience in logging, these gaps matter. Cronometer is thorough but slow. Every food entry requires searching, selecting, and manually adjusting portions.
How Does Cronometer Compare in Price to Alternatives?
Monthly Price Comparison
| App | Free Tier | Monthly Price | Annual Price | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cronometer | Yes (good) | N/A (annual only) | $49.99 | $49.99 |
| Nutrola | Free trial | €2.50 (~$2.70) | ||
| MyFitnessPal | Yes (limited) | $19.99 | $79.99 | $79.99-$239.88 |
| MacroFactor | No | $11.99 | $71.99 | $71.99-$143.88 |
| Cal AI | No (trial only) | $8.99 | $49.99 | $49.99-$107.88 |
| Lose It! | Yes (limited) | $9.99 | $39.99 | $39.99-$119.88 |
| Yazio | Yes (limited) | $9.99 | $44.99 | $44.99-$119.88 |
Cronometer Gold at $49.99/year is competitively priced among premium nutrition trackers. It is cheaper than MyFitnessPal, MacroFactor, and Cal AI on an annual basis.
Feature-to-Price Value Comparison
| App | Annual Cost | Verified Database | AI Logging | Nutrients Tracked | Barcode Scan | Ads (Free) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cronometer Gold | $49.99 | Yes (USDA/NCCDB) | No | 80+ | Yes | N/A (paid) |
| Nutrola | ~$32 | Yes (1.8M+) | Photo + Voice | 100+ | Yes | None |
| MyFitnessPal | $79.99 | No (crowdsourced) | No | 6 | Yes | N/A (paid) |
| MacroFactor | $71.99 | Curated | No | 4 | Yes | N/A (paid) |
| Lose It! | $39.99 | Partially | Basic photo | 10+ | Yes | Some |
| Cal AI | $49.99 | No | Photo only | 4 | No | N/A (paid) |
Cronometer offers strong value for micronutrient tracking. However, Nutrola at ~$32/year provides more nutrients tracked (100+ vs 80+), AI logging (photo and voice), and a larger verified database — at a lower price.
Hidden Costs and Considerations
Annual-Only Billing
Cronometer Gold only offers annual billing at $49.99. There is no monthly option. This means you must commit the full $49.99 upfront without a monthly trial period for the paid features. The free tier helps mitigate this since you can test core functionality before upgrading.
Cronometer for Professionals
Cronometer offers a separate "Cronometer Pro" product for healthcare professionals and dietitians. This is a completely separate subscription starting at $24.95/month per professional seat. Regular consumers do not need this, but it is worth knowing it exists if you see "Pro" pricing mentioned.
Auto-Renewal
Like most subscription apps, Cronometer Gold auto-renews annually. You must cancel through your app store before the renewal date to avoid being charged for the next year.
No Refund After Renewal
Refunds after automatic renewal depend on the app store. Apple typically offers refunds within a short window after purchase. Google Play has similar policies. Cronometer itself does not process refunds directly.
Is Cronometer Worth $49.99/Year?
For specific users, yes. Here is the breakdown.
The Case for Cronometer
- You are focused on micronutrients, not just calories and macros
- You want lab-verified nutritional data from USDA and NCCDB databases
- You value data accuracy above logging speed and convenience
- You are on a specific medical diet requiring detailed nutrient tracking
- You want a capable free tier with the option to upgrade later
- The annual-only pricing at $4.17/month is reasonable for what you get
The Case Against Cronometer
- No AI features means slower, more tedious logging
- No photo logging, no voice logging — every entry is manual
- No recipe import from URLs — manual entry for home-cooked meals
- The interface feels dated compared to modern alternatives
- $49.99/year is 56% more than Nutrola (~$32/year) which includes AI logging, more nutrients (100+), and a larger verified database
- No wearable app for quick logging on the go
Who Should Choose Cronometer?
Cronometer is best for users who care deeply about micronutrient detail and trust government-maintained databases. If you track vitamin D, zinc, omega-3 ratios, and individual amino acids, Cronometer's 80+ nutrient display is genuinely valuable.
For everyone else — people who want fast, accurate calorie and macro tracking with modern AI features — Nutrola delivers more functionality at a lower price point.
The Best Value Alternative
Nutrola: More Nutrients, More Features, Lower Price
Nutrola tracks 100+ nutrients (more than Cronometer's 80+) from a 1.8M+ nutritionist-verified database, and adds every modern convenience feature Cronometer lacks. Here is what €2.50/month gets you:
- AI photo logging — snap a photo, get instant nutritional data
- Voice logging — describe your meal by speaking
- Barcode scanning — exact data from packaged food labels
- 1.8M+ nutritionist-verified database — every entry reviewed for accuracy
- 100+ nutrients tracked — more than Cronometer's 80+
- Recipe import — paste any recipe URL for full nutritional breakdown
- Extensive recipe library — browse verified meals with complete data
- Zero ads on all tiers — no advertising at any price point
- Apple Watch and Wear OS apps — log from your wrist
- iOS and Android — both platforms supported
Start with a free trial to experience all features. After the trial, €2.50/month (~$32/year) versus Cronometer Gold's $49.99/year. More features, more nutrients, lower price.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Cronometer cost per month in 2026?
Cronometer Gold costs $49.99 per year, which works out to approximately $4.17 per month. There is no monthly billing option — Gold is annual-only. The free tier is available with basic tracking, 80+ nutrients, and USDA database access (with ads).
Is Cronometer free tier good enough?
For basic micronutrient tracking, yes. The free tier tracks 80+ nutrients using USDA and NCCDB data, includes barcode scanning, and provides daily nutrient targets. The main limitations are ads, lack of custom charts, and no fasting timer. Many users find the free tier sufficient.
Is Cronometer more accurate than MyFitnessPal?
Generally, yes. Cronometer uses curated data from USDA FoodData Central and NCCDB, which are lab-verified. MyFitnessPal relies primarily on crowdsourced data with reported error rates of 15-25%. For micronutrient accuracy specifically, Cronometer is significantly more reliable.
What is the cheapest alternative to Cronometer with AI features?
Nutrola at €2.50/month (~$2.70) offers AI photo logging, voice logging, barcode scanning, a 1.8M+ verified database, and 100+ nutrients — all at a lower annual cost than Cronometer Gold. It combines Cronometer's data depth with modern AI convenience features.
Can I cancel Cronometer Gold anytime?
You can cancel through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store at any time. Since Gold is annual-only, cancellation stops the next year's renewal but you retain access until the current subscription period ends. No partial refunds are issued for the remaining months.
The Bottom Line
Cronometer at $49.99/year is a solid choice for micronutrient-focused users who value USDA and NCCDB database accuracy. The free tier is one of the best available, and Gold pricing is reasonable compared to competitors like MyFitnessPal ($79.99/year) and MacroFactor ($71.99/year).
However, Cronometer lacks every modern AI convenience feature — no photo logging, no voice logging, no recipe import. For ~$32/year, Nutrola provides 100+ nutrients (more than Cronometer's 80+), AI photo and voice logging, barcode scanning, and a 1.8M+ verified database. If you want both depth and speed, start a free trial with Nutrola and compare.
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