Helthy vs Cal AI
Cal AI made photo calorie counting mainstream and is now owned by MyFitnessPal. Helthy logs meals from a photo too, but it also has a free tier, a full workout tracker and an AI coach.
Side by side
| Helthy | Cal AI | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Unlimited manual logging + 2 free scans a week | 3-day trial; scan results need a subscription |
| Premium price | $4.99/mo or $29.99/yr | Subscription; price varies by offer |
| Strength log with sets, reps and PRs | ✓ | Exercise and calorie-burn logging |
| AI coach you can chat with | Pro | Not advertised |
| AI photo meal logging | ✓ | ✓ |
| Barcode and nutrition-label scanning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Apple Watch app | Yes (set logging with Pro) | ✓ |
Checked September 2026 against each app's US App Store listing and website. Prices and features change, so check the store listing before you buy.
Where Helthy is better
- A real free tier: unlimited search and manual logging, plus free AI scans every week.
- A complete workout tracker with PRs and AI-built programs, not just exercise calories.
- An AI coach that answers from your food and training logs, and can log meals or schedule workouts for you.
- Clear pricing: $4.99/mo or $29.99/yr.
Where Cal AI has the edge
- Uses the phone's depth sensor to help estimate portion size.
- A very large user base and hundreds of thousands of App Store ratings.
The verdict
Both apps log a meal from a photo. Helthy lets you keep using it free, then adds a full workout tracker and a coach that can see both. Cal AI only makes sense if photo counting is all you want and you're happy to pay from day one.
Helthy vs Cal AI questions
Is Cal AI free?
Cal AI offers a 3-day free trial, and its App Store listing states that food scanning results require a subscription. Helthy is free to use indefinitely, with 2 AI scans a week on the free plan.
Who owns Cal AI?
MyFitnessPal acquired Cal AI; the deal was announced in March 2026. Cal AI still runs as a separate app.
Is Helthy's photo logging as accurate as Cal AI?
Helthy's AI identifies each item on the plate, estimates portions and matches them to its food database. Both apps let you review and correct items before saving.
More comparisons
Cal AI is a trademark of Viral Development LLC (owned by MyFitnessPal). Helthy is not affiliated with or endorsed by Cal AI.
Switching from Cal AI? Try Helthy free
Calories, macros, workouts, weight and an AI coach that sees all of it. Free forever, with Helthy Premium when you want the AI extras.