Searching for a free food tracking app in the UK often leads to frustration. You download something that claims to be free, set up your profile, log your first meal — and then hit a paywall for the features you actually wanted. It is the most common complaint in app store reviews, and it is entirely valid. So let us be straightforward about what "free" actually means for each of the main food tracking apps available in the UK right now.
Here is an honest, side-by-side comparison of what each major food tracking app offers on its free tier in the UK as of early 2026:
| Feature | NutraSafe | MyFitnessPal | Lose It | Nutracheck |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daily food logs | 5 per day | Unlimited | Unlimited | 7-day trial only |
| Barcode scanning | Unlimited | Limited | Yes | 7-day trial only |
| UK food database | Yes (UK-focused) | Global (many US entries) | Growing UK | Yes (UK-focused) |
| Calorie tracking | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7-day trial only |
| Macro tracking | Yes | Basic only | Premium only | 7-day trial only |
| Vitamin/mineral tracking | Basic | Premium only | Premium only | 7-day trial only |
| Additive scanning | Yes | No | No | No |
| Reaction/symptom tracking | Basic | No | No | No |
| Ads in free tier | No | Yes | Yes | N/A (trial) |
| AI meal scanning | Premium only | Premium only | Premium only | No |
It is worth noting that features and pricing change regularly. This table reflects the state of each app in early 2026. We will keep it updated.
NutraSafe's free tier gives you 5 food diary entries per day, unlimited barcode scanning, additive checking, and basic reaction tracking. There are no ads on the free tier. The database is built for UK products, so scanning a Tesco own-brand item or Greggs sausage roll works reliably. The main limitation is the 5-log daily cap — if you eat more than 5 distinct items in a day, you will need premium to log them all.
MyFitnessPal was once the gold standard of free calorie tracking, but the free tier has become progressively more restricted. The current free version shows banner and interstitial ads, limits barcode scanning, and restricts nutrient tracking to basic calories and macros. The database is enormous but includes a lot of user-submitted data from the US, so accuracy for UK-specific products can be inconsistent. Premium costs £15.99 per month — the most expensive option in this comparison.
Lose It offers unlimited food logging and barcode scanning on its free tier, which is generous. The downside is a smaller UK food database compared to UK-focused apps, ads in the free version, and macro tracking behind the paywall. It is a solid choice if you only need basic calorie counting and do not mind occasional US food entries showing up in search results.
Nutracheck does not really have a free tier — it offers a 7-day free trial of the full app. During the trial you get access to their excellent UK food database (widely regarded as the most comprehensive and accurate in the UK), full macro and calorie tracking, and barcode scanning. After 7 days, it is £3.99 per month. If you already know you want a premium experience with a UK-focused database, the trial is a good way to test it.
Let us be realistic about what free food tracking can and cannot do:
Start with a free tier. Use it for two weeks. If you find yourself consistently hitting limitations (daily log caps, missing features, wanting more detail), upgrade then. If the free tier gives you what you need, there is no shame in staying on it. The best food tracking app is the one you actually use.
If you do decide to upgrade, here is what you are looking at in the UK:
| App | Monthly | Annual | Key Premium Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| NutraSafe | £2.99 | £24.99 | Unlimited logs, AI meal scanner, full micronutrients, AI coaching, advanced reaction tracking |
| Nutracheck | £3.99 | £29.99 | Full UK database, verified nutrition data, exercise tracking |
| Lose It | £3.33 | £39.99 | Macros, meal planning, advanced insights |
| MyFitnessPal | £15.99 | £79.99 | Ad-free, barcode scanning, food analysis, macros by meal |
Prices are from each app's UK App Store listing as of February 2026 and may change. NutraSafe and Nutracheck represent the best value for UK-focused tracking. MyFitnessPal's premium is notably more expensive, which has driven many UK users to explore alternatives.
Rather than telling you that you need to pay, here is a practical framework for deciding:
A free tier is probably fine. Knowing roughly what you eat is valuable in itself. Even logging 3-4 meals a day gives you useful patterns over time. The NHS recommends food diaries as a first step for weight management, and that does not require a paid app.
If you are actively trying to lose weight, build muscle, or manage a health condition, premium features like unlimited logging, detailed macros, and micronutrient tracking become more valuable. The difference between "roughly 1,800 calories" and "1,823 calories with 142g protein" matters when you have a specific target.
This is where NutraSafe's premium tier stands apart. The combination of additive scanning, reaction tracking, and AI pattern analysis is specifically designed for people trying to identify which foods cause symptoms. If you are managing IBS, food intolerances, or unexplained digestive issues, premium reaction tracking can save months of guesswork.
5 daily food logs, unlimited barcode scanning, additive checking, and reaction tracking. No ads, no tricks, no credit card required.
Download NutraSafe FreeFor a genuinely free experience in the UK, NutraSafe offers 5 daily food logs, unlimited barcode scanning, additive checking, and a food diary with no ads on the free tier. MyFitnessPal's free tier shows ads and has limited features. Lose It offers basic calorie tracking for free. The best choice depends on what features matter most to you: if you want additive scanning and reaction tracking, NutraSafe's free tier is the strongest. If you only need simple calorie counting, Lose It's free tier is adequate.
MyFitnessPal still has a free tier, but it has become significantly more limited over the years. The free version now shows ads, restricts access to the food database, limits nutrient tracking to basic macros, and no longer includes barcode scanning without a premium subscription (£15.99 per month). For many UK users, the free tier is now more of a trial than a fully functional app.
It varies significantly. NutraSafe and Nutracheck have databases built specifically for UK supermarket products (Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, Morrisons, Aldi, Lidl, and more). MyFitnessPal has a large global database but many entries are user-submitted US foods, which can lead to inaccurate results for UK products. Lose It's UK database is improving but still smaller than the UK-focused apps.
Consider upgrading to premium if you want detailed micronutrient tracking (vitamins and minerals), AI-powered meal scanning from photos, personalised nutrition coaching, unlimited food logging, or reaction and symptom tracking. If you are only tracking basic calories for general awareness, a free tier may be sufficient. If you are working towards specific health goals or managing food sensitivities, premium features typically provide better value.
NutraSafe's free tier includes basic reaction logging alongside your food diary, which is unusual among free food tracking apps. You can record symptoms like bloating, headaches, or skin reactions and review them alongside what you ate. For detailed pattern analysis and personalised AI insights connecting foods to reactions, premium features are available. Most other free apps do not offer any intolerance or reaction tracking.
Last updated: February 2026