Helthy vs MyFitnessPal
MyFitnessPal is the name everyone knows, but most of what makes logging fast now sits behind a $79.99 Premium plan. Helthy gives you barcode, photo and voice logging free every week, adds a real strength tracker, and its AI tier costs well under half as much.
Side by side
| Helthy | MyFitnessPal | |
|---|---|---|
| Premium price | $4.99/mo or $29.99/yr | $19.99/mo or $79.99/yr list price |
| Barcode scanning on the free plan | 2 scans a week | Premium only |
| AI photo meal logging | 2 a week free, unlimited with Pro | Premium only |
| Voice food logging | 2 a week free, unlimited with Pro | Premium only |
| Strength log with sets, reps and PRs | ✓ | Basic exercise logging |
| AI-built workout programs | Pro | — |
| AI coach | Pro, sees food and workouts | Premium, in 5 countries |
| Free calorie and macro logging | ✓ | ✓ |
| Web app | — | ✓ |
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
- Real workout tracking: sets, reps, weight, automatic PRs and an Apple Watch app, in the same app as your food.
- Much cheaper AI: Helthy Pro is $29.99 a year against MyFitnessPal Premium's $79.99 list price.
- Free users can try barcode, photo and voice logging every week. MyFitnessPal keeps all three behind Premium.
- The AI coach reads your lifts as well as your food, so it can connect training and nutrition.
- AI-built workout programs that adjust to what you actually lift. MyFitnessPal doesn't build programs.
Where MyFitnessPal has the edge
- A larger food database (20.5 million+ foods), which helps if you eat a lot of obscure branded or regional products.
- A web app and a long list of connected devices, if you like logging from a laptop.
- More than a decade of history and a big community forum.
The verdict
If you lift, or you just don't want to pay $79.99 a year for barcode scanning, Helthy is the better pick: food and training in one app, fast AI logging you can try free, and a coach for a fraction of the price. MyFitnessPal still makes sense if you only log food and need its giant database or a web app.
Helthy vs MyFitnessPal questions
Is Helthy a good MyFitnessPal alternative?
Yes, especially if you also train. Helthy covers calorie and macro tracking free, includes a full strength tracker, and its Pro tier costs a fraction of MyFitnessPal Premium.
Is MyFitnessPal's barcode scanner free?
No. As of September 2026, MyFitnessPal lists barcode scanning as a Premium feature. Helthy's free plan includes 2 camera scans a week (barcode, nutrition label or meal photo), and Pro makes them unlimited.
Does MyFitnessPal have an AI coach?
MyFitnessPal launched an AI Coach for Premium subscribers in June 2026 in a handful of countries. Helthy's AI coach is included in Helthy Pro and also sees your workouts and PRs, not just your food.
More comparisons
MyFitnessPal is a trademark of MyFitnessPal, Inc. Helthy is not affiliated with or endorsed by MyFitnessPal.
Switching from MyFitnessPal? 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.