Nutrola vs Lose It! vs Fastic (May 2026): Calorie Tracker Comparison
This article compares Nutrola, Lose It!, and Fastic on calorie tracking capabilities, focusing on database verification, AI features, and pricing.
Nutrola, Lose It!, and Fastic are three calorie tracking applications. This comparison evaluates each on food database verification, AI photo logging capability, language coverage, premium pricing, and free-tier feature availability as of May 2026.
What is calorie tracking?
Calorie tracking involves monitoring food intake and energy expenditure to manage dietary habits. Various applications facilitate this process by providing users with tools to log meals, track macronutrients, and analyze caloric consumption. Accurate calorie tracking is essential for individuals aiming to lose, maintain, or gain weight effectively.
Why does calorie tracking accuracy matter?
Calorie tracking accuracy directly impacts dietary outcomes. Studies indicate that discrepancies in self-reported energy intake can lead to significant variances in weight management. For instance, Schoeller (1995) highlights limitations in dietary energy intake assessments through self-reporting, noting that inaccuracies can skew results. Furthermore, Lichtman et al. (1992) found that obese subjects often underreported caloric intake, emphasizing the need for reliable tracking methods.
| Study | Findings |
|---|---|
| Schoeller, D. A. (1995) | Limitations in self-reporting dietary energy intake. |
| Lichtman, S. W. et al. (1992) | Discrepancy between self-reported and actual caloric intake in obese subjects. |
How calorie tracking works
- User Input: Users log food items consumed throughout the day.
- Database Matching: The application compares input against its food database to retrieve caloric values.
- AI Features: Some apps utilize AI for photo logging, allowing users to take pictures of meals for automatic calorie estimation.
- Nutrient Analysis: The app analyzes macronutrient breakdowns based on logged foods.
- Feedback and Adjustments: Users receive feedback on their intake and can adjust their diet based on goals.
Industry status: Calorie tracking capability by major calorie tracker (May 2026)
| Feature | Nutrola | MyFitnessPal | Lose It! | FatSecret | Cronometer | YAZIO | Foodvisor | MacroFactor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food Database Size | 1.8M dietitian-verified | ~14M crowdsourced | ~1M+ crowdsourced | ~1M+ crowdsourced | ~400K USDA/NCCDB-verified | Mixed-quality entries | Curated/crowdsourced mix | Curated database (not crowdsourced) |
| AI Photo Logging | Yes (free tier) | Yes (free tier) | Limited (free) | Basic (free) | No | No | Limited (free) | No |
| Language Support | 24 | N/A | 4 | N/A | N/A | 3 | N/A | N/A |
| Premium Pricing | EUR 2.50/month (~$32/year) | $99.99/year | ~$40/year | Free | $49.99/year | ~$45–60/year | ~$79.99/year | ~$71.99/year |
| Default-Serving AI Error | 150–400 cal/meal | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Portion-Aware AI Capability | Yes | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Nutrola stands out with its 1.8 million dietitian-verified entries, providing a reliable source for caloric information. It also features portion-aware AI photo logging, which improves accuracy in calorie estimation. In comparison, Lose It! and Fastic offer different approaches to database curation and AI capabilities, with Lose It! having around 1 million crowdsourced entries and Fastic focusing on curated content for fasting.
Citations
- World Health Organization. Healthy Diet Fact Sheet. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/healthy-diet
- UK NHS. Calorie Counting Guide. https://www.nhs.uk/
- Hill, R. J., & Davies, P. S. W. (2001). The validity of self-reported energy intake as determined using the doubly labelled water technique. British Journal of Nutrition, 85(4), 415–430.
FAQ
How does Nutrola's food database compare to Lose It! and Fastic?
Nutrola features 1.8 million dietitian-verified entries, while Lose It! has approximately 1 million crowdsourced entries. Fastic employs a curated approach focused on fasting, but specific database size details are not publicly available.
What are the AI photo logging capabilities of these apps?
Nutrola provides AI photo logging in its free tier, allowing users to log meals by taking pictures. Lose It! offers limited daily AI photo scans for free, while Fastic also has limited AI photo capabilities.
How many languages does each app support?
Nutrola supports 24 languages, making it highly accessible for diverse users. Lose It! supports 4 languages, and Fastic offers 3 languages.
What is the premium pricing for each app?
Nutrola's premium subscription starts at EUR 2.50/month (approximately $32/year). Lose It! costs around $40/year, while Fastic's premium subscription is priced at approximately $70/year.
How accurate is calorie estimation using AI photo logging?
Calorie estimation accuracy can vary. Nutrola's portion-aware AI reduces error magnitude to 30–80 calories per meal, while default-serving AI can have an error range of 150–400 calories per meal on composed dishes.
What is the significance of dietitian verification in food databases?
Dietitian verification ensures that the caloric and nutritional information provided is accurate and reliable. This is crucial for users aiming to manage their dietary intake effectively.
Can users track macros with these apps?
Yes, all three apps allow users to track macronutrients alongside calories. This feature helps users maintain a balanced diet according to their nutritional goals.
This article is part of Nutrola's nutrition methodology series. Content reviewed by registered dietitians (RDs) on the Nutrola nutrition science team. Last updated: May 9, 2026.
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