By Sophie Lane
Hi everyone! I’m Sophie, and I’ve been using MyFitnessPal for over 2,000 days straight. That’s almost six years of tracking my food every single day! During this time, I’ve watched MyFitnessPal change from a completely free app to one that asks for monthly subscription payments.
If you’ve ever wondered when MyFitnessPal started charging for features, you’re not alone. Many of my friends have asked me the same question, especially when they see ads or get asked to upgrade to premium. Today, I want to share everything I know about MyFitnessPal’s payment history and what it means for users like us.
The Short Answer: MyFitnessPal’s Payment Timeline
Let me start with the quick facts about when MyFitnessPal introduced paid features:
- 2005-2009: Completely free for everyone
- 2009: First premium features launched
- 2012: Major premium expansion
- 2015: Under Armour ownership changes
- 2020-2025: More aggressive premium push
The simple answer is that MyFitnessPal started charging as early as 2009, but it really ramped up around 2012. However, the app has always kept basic features free, which is why many people don’t realize it’s been a paid service for so long.
My Experience with MyFitnessPal’s Free vs. Paid Evolution
When I first downloaded MyFitnessPal in 2019, I was surprised to see premium options. I thought it was a new thing! But after doing research, I learned the app had been offering paid premium features for over a decade.
Here’s what I noticed during my six years of using the app:
What Was Always Free (2019-2025):
- Basic food logging
- Calorie counting
- Simple exercise tracking
- Basic food database access
- Weight tracking
What Required Payment (Premium Features):
- Ad-free experience
- Custom macro goals
- Food insights and analysis
- Priority customer support
- Advanced nutrition reports
The Complete History of MyFitnessPal’s Pricing
Let me break down exactly when MyFitnessPal started charging and how it evolved:
Phase 1: The Free Years (2005-2009)
MyFitnessPal began as a completely free service. The founders, Mike and Albert Lee, wanted to help people track their food without any barriers.
During these early years:
- Everything was free
- No ads in the app
- Simple food tracking was the main feature
- Small user base of health enthusiasts
Phase 2: First Premium Features (2009-2012)
In 2009, MyFitnessPal introduced its first paid features. This was about 4 years after the app launched.
| Year | What Changed | Why They Did It |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | First premium options | Need to pay for servers and development |
| 2010 | More premium features | Growing user base required more resources |
| 2011 | Expanded premium benefits | Competition from other health apps |
The early premium features included:
- Ad removal
- Advanced reporting
- Priority support
- Custom goals
Phase 3: Major Premium Expansion (2012-2015)
2012 was when MyFitnessPal really started pushing premium subscriptions. This is when I consider them to have seriously “started charging” for important features.
What Happened in 2012:
- Premium subscription became more prominent
- More features moved behind paywall
- First major marketing push for paid subscriptions
- Price was around $5-10 per month
Why 2012 Was Important:
- MyFitnessPal had millions of users by then
- Server costs were getting expensive
- Need for better food database required more investment
- Competition from other apps was increasing
Phase 4: Under Armour Era (2015-2020)
In 2015, Under Armour bought MyFitnessPal for $475 million. This changed everything about the app’s payment strategy.
Under Armour’s Changes:
- More aggressive premium marketing
- Integration with Under Armour products
- Price increases over time
- New premium-only features
Premium Features Added During This Time:
- Custom macro percentages
- Meal timing insights
- Advanced food logging
- Better customer support
Phase 5: Current Era (2020-2025)
MyFitnessPal was sold again in 2020 to Francisco Partners. Since then, they’ve been even more focused on premium subscriptions.
Current premium pricing (2025):
- Monthly: About $20/month
- Annual: About $80/year
- Features: Over 20+ premium-only benefits
Why MyFitnessPal Started Charging: The Business Reality
After using MyFitnessPal for years, I understand why they started charging for premium features. Running a health app is expensive!
The Real Costs of Running MyFitnessPal:
Server and Database Costs
- 200+ million users need powerful servers
- Massive food database requires constant updates
- Barcode scanning technology costs money to maintain
- Data backup and security is expensive
Development and Staff
- App updates for iOS and Android
- New feature development
- Customer support team
- Food database verification
Business Expenses
- Marketing and advertising
- Legal and compliance costs
- Office space and equipment
- Partnerships with food companies
How MyFitnessPal’s Pricing Compares Over Time?
Let me show you how MyFitnessPal’s premium pricing has changed since they started charging:
| Time Period | Monthly Price | Annual Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009-2012 | $3-5 | $30-50 | Basic premium features |
| 2012-2015 | $5-10 | $50-80 | Expanded feature set |
| 2015-2020 | $10-15 | $60-100 | Under Armour integration |
| 2020-2025 | $15-20 | $80-120 | Most comprehensive features |
As you can see, prices have increased significantly since MyFitnessPal first started charging in 2009.
What You Get vs. What You Pay For
Based on my experience, here’s an honest breakdown of MyFitnessPal’s value at different price points:
Free Version (What I Use Most):
Pros:
- Basic food tracking works perfectly
- Huge food database access
- Calorie counting is accurate
- Weight tracking included
Cons:
- Ads everywhere can be annoying
- Limited macro customization
- No advanced insights
- Basic customer support
Premium Version ($20/month):
Pros:
- No ads makes the experience much better
- Custom macro goals for fitness
- Advanced nutrition insights
- Priority customer support
Cons:
- Very expensive compared to competitors
- Many features could be free
- Not necessary for basic tracking
My Personal Timeline with MyFitnessPal’s Payments
Let me share my own journey with MyFitnessPal’s premium features:
2019: Started Using Free Version
- Downloaded the app for basic calorie counting
- Noticed premium options but ignored them
- Free version met all my needs
2020: Tried Premium (1 Month)
- Curiosity got the best of me
- Paid $15 for one month of premium
- Enjoyed the ad-free experience
- Didn’t use most premium features
2021-2025: Back to Free
- Cancelled premium subscription
- Realized free version was enough for my goals
- Used the money for other health investments
- Still tracking food successfully
Alternatives That Started Charging Later
Interestingly, MyFitnessPal was ahead of the curve when it started charging. Many competitors followed later:
Competitor Timeline:
- MyFitnessPal: Started charging in 2009
- Lose It!: Started premium features in 2011
- Cronometer: Introduced premium in 2014
- MyNetDiary: Added premium options in 2016
This shows that MyFitnessPal was a pioneer in the “freemium” health app model.
The Impact of Premium Features on Users
MyFitnessPal’s decision to start charging has had mixed effects on users like me:
Positive Impacts:
- Better app development with more resources
- Improved food database quality
- More features for serious users
- Better customer support
Negative Impacts:
- Created barriers for some users
- Expensive for families who want multiple accounts
- Feature creep – pushing users toward premium
- Ad-heavy free experience
FAQ Section
When exactly did MyFitnessPal start charging money?
MyFitnessPal first introduced premium features in 2009, about 4 years after launching. However, the major push toward paid subscriptions began in 2012.
Was MyFitnessPal ever completely free?
Yes! From 2005 to 2009, MyFitnessPal was completely free with no premium options or advertisements.
Why did MyFitnessPal start charging for features?
MyFitnessPal started charging because of rising server costs, development expenses, and the need to maintain a massive food database with millions of users.
How much did MyFitnessPal cost when it first started charging?
When MyFitnessPal first introduced premium features in 2009, it cost around $3-5 per month. This was much cheaper than today’s $20/month price.
Can I still use MyFitnessPal for free?
Yes! MyFitnessPal still offers a free version with basic food tracking, calorie counting, and weight monitoring. However, it includes ads and has limited features.
Is MyFitnessPal premium worth the cost?
That depends on your needs. For basic food tracking, the free version works fine. Premium is worth it if you want ad-free experience, custom macros, and advanced insights.
How has MyFitnessPal’s pricing changed over the years?
Prices have increased significantly. Premium started at $3-5/month in 2009 and now costs around $20/month in 2025.
Final Thoughts: My Take on MyFitnessPal’s Payment Evolution
After using MyFitnessPal for over 2,000 days and researching its history, I understand why they started charging for premium features. Running a health app with 200+ million users is expensive!
MyFitnessPal began charging in 2009, but really pushed premium subscriptions starting in 2012. While prices have increased dramatically over the years, the core free features remain available.
My Advice:
- Start with the free version – it’s still very capable
- Try premium for a month if you’re curious
- Consider your actual needs before paying
- Remember alternatives exist if the price is too high
The most important thing is finding a system that helps you reach your health goals. Whether you use MyFitnessPal’s free version, pay for premium, or choose a different app entirely, consistency matters more than features.
MyFitnessPal’s payment evolution reflects the broader app industry trend toward subscription models. While it’s more expensive than when they started charging, it’s also more feature-rich and reliable.
Sophie Lane has been using MyFitnessPal for over 2,000 consecutive days and has experienced firsthand the evolution from basic free app to premium subscription service. She enjoys helping others navigate health technology choices and sharing practical insights for successful wellness journeys.
