Hi there! I’m Sophie, and I’ve been on a health journey for the past few years. Like many people, I started looking for ways to keep track of what I eat and how much I exercise. That’s when I discovered food tracking apps!
After trying both MyFitnessPal and MyNetDiary for several months, I want to share what I learned. Think of this as your friend telling you about two different toys – both are fun, but they work in different ways.
What Are These Apps?
Let me explain these apps like they’re tools in your backpack. MyFitnessPal and MyNetDiary are like digital notebooks that help you write down everything you eat and drink. They also help you count calories (which are like energy points in food) and track your exercise.
Both apps work on your phone or tablet, and millions of people use them every day. MyFitnessPal has been around since 2005 and has over 220 million users. MyNetDiary is smaller but still has over 25 million users who love using it.
My Experience: The Setup Process
When I first downloaded both apps, I was curious to see which one was easier to start with.
MyFitnessPal Setup:
- Asked simple questions about age, height, weight
- Wanted to know if I wanted to lose, gain, or keep my weight the same
- Quick process – like filling out a short form at the doctor’s office
- Automatically calculated daily calorie goals
MyNetDiary Setup:
- Even simpler to get started
- No account creation required initially
- Like being able to play with a toy right out of the box
- Immediate access to tracking features
Food Databases The Big Difference
This is where things get really interesting, and it’s something most people don’t think about.
| Feature | MyFitnessPal | MyNetDiary |
|---|---|---|
| Database Size | 11+ million foods | 1.7 million foods |
| Data Quality | User-submitted (varying accuracy) | Expert-verified entries |
| Food Coverage | Almost any food imaginable | Common foods with reliable data |
| Accuracy Issues | Sometimes requires double-checking | Consistently accurate |
MyFitnessPal has a huge food database – over 11 million different foods! It’s like having the world’s biggest cookbook. You can find almost any food you can think of, from common things like apples to unusual snacks from other countries.
But here’s the catch: anyone can add foods to this database. It’s like letting everyone write in the same cookbook – sometimes people make mistakes or don’t write clearly.
MyNetDiary has fewer foods in its database – about 1.7 million items. But here’s what makes it special: real nutrition experts check every food entry to make sure it’s correct. It’s like having a teacher check all the answers in your homework before you turn it in.
From my experience, I spent less time double-checking if the nutrition information was right when using MyNetDiary. With MyFitnessPal, I sometimes had to pick between three different entries for the same food because they all had different calorie counts!
How Easy Are They to Use?
MyFitnessPal feels like a busy marketplace. There’s lots to see and do, but sometimes it can feel overwhelming. The app shows you many things at once, and there are ads that pop up (like commercials on TV).
MyNetDiary feels more like a quiet, organized library. Everything is neat and easy to find. There are no ads in the free version, which means you won’t get distracted by commercials. I found this much more peaceful to use every day.
Both apps let you scan barcodes on food packages, which is like using a magic wand to instantly add food to your diary. However, MyNetDiary also has something cool called “AI Meal Scan” where you can take a picture of your food and the app will try to guess what it is.
Features That Matter
MyFitnessPal Strengths:
- Huge food database – you can find almost any food
- Strong community – you can connect with friends and get support
- Works with many fitness devices – like fitness watches and other apps
- Recipe calculator – helps you figure out calories in homemade meals
- Social features – share progress with friends
- Exercise database – extensive workout tracking options
MyNetDiary Strengths:
- More accurate nutrition info – because experts check everything
- Better design – cleaner and easier to use
- More customization – you can change how the app looks and works
- Detailed nutrient tracking – tracks 108 different vitamins and minerals
- No ads – even in the free version
- AI meal recognition – take photos to log food
Cost Comparison
This is where your parents might be interested!
| App | Free Version | Premium Cost | Key Premium Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| MyFitnessPal | Limited features, ads | ~$20/month | Ad-free, macro goals, food insights |
| MyNetDiary | More complete features | ~$9/month | Advanced analytics, meal planning |
MyFitnessPal is free to start, but if you want all the cool features, you need to pay about $20 per month. That’s like buying a new toy every month! Many important features are locked behind this paywall.
MyNetDiary also has a free version, but it gives you more features without paying. If you do want to upgrade, it costs about $9 per month – less than half the price of MyFitnessPal’s premium version.
From my experience, MyNetDiary’s free version felt complete enough for my daily needs, while MyFitnessPal’s free version felt limited with constant reminders to upgrade.
Real Results: What Works Better?
Here’s what really matters – do these apps help people reach their goals?
- MyNetDiary users lose an average of 1.4 pounds per week when they actively use the app
- MyFitnessPal has helped millions of people, though specific weight loss statistics vary
- Unique MyFitnessPal feature: Shows predicted weight if every day were like today
- Success factors: Consistent daily logging is key for both apps
MyNetDiary users lose an average of 1.4 pounds per week when they actively use the app. That’s pretty impressive!
MyFitnessPal is popular and has helped millions of people, but I couldn’t find specific weight loss statistics. However, the app does something unique that I found motivating: at the end of each day, it tells you what you would weigh if every day were exactly like today. It’s like a crystal ball showing your future!
Privacy and Safety
| Privacy Factor | MyFitnessPal | MyNetDiary |
|---|---|---|
| Account Required | Yes | No (optional) |
| Data Collection | Extensive | Minimal |
| Safety Rating | 34% (2024) | Higher privacy focus |
| Information Sharing | More third-party sharing | Limited sharing |
MyNetDiary focuses on keeping your information private and doesn’t require you to create an account. It’s like being able to use a diary without having to write your name on it.
MyFitnessPal collects more of your personal information, and in 2024, it received a safety rating of only 34% due to concerns about data collection. This means they collect a lot of information about you, which might make some people uncomfortable.
Which One Should You Choose?
After using both apps for months, here’s my honest recommendation:
Choose MyNetDiary if you:
- Want accurate nutrition information without double-checking
- Prefer a clean, simple design
- Don’t want to deal with ads
- Want to save money on premium features
- Care about keeping your personal information private
- Need detailed vitamin and mineral tracking
Choose MyFitnessPal if you:
- Need to find very specific or unusual foods
- Want to connect with a large community of users
- Use many different fitness devices and apps
- Don’t mind paying more for premium features
- Like having lots of options and features
- Enjoy social aspects of fitness tracking
My Personal Winner
For me, MyNetDiary wins. Here’s why: I found myself actually enjoying the process of tracking my food instead of feeling frustrated. The accurate database meant I didn’t waste time wondering if my calorie count was right. The clean design made it feel less like homework and more like taking care of myself.
While MyFitnessPal has more foods and a bigger community, I realized I didn’t need those things as much as I needed accuracy and simplicity.
Tips for Success with Either App
Whichever app you choose, here are some tips that helped me:
- Start slowly – Don’t try to be perfect on day one
- Be honest – Track everything, even the not-so-healthy stuff
- Use the barcode scanner – It makes logging food much faster
- Set realistic goals – Small changes add up over time
- Don’t obsess over perfection – Some days you’ll forget to track, and that’s okay
- Create habits – Try to log at the same times each day
- Use meal planning – Prepare your food entries ahead of time
- Stay consistent – Regular use leads to better results
Final Thoughts
Both MyFitnessPal and MyNetDiary are good tools, but they work differently. It’s like choosing between a big, busy playground and a smaller, quieter park – both are fun, but you might prefer one over the other.
My advice? Try the free versions of both apps for a week or two. See which one feels better to you. The best app is the one you’ll actually use every day.
Remember, these apps are just tools to help you on your health journey. The most important thing is finding what works for you and sticking with it. Whether you choose MyFitnessPal or MyNetDiary, you’re taking a positive step toward better health!
Sophie Lane is a health enthusiast who has been tracking her nutrition and fitness journey for over three years. She enjoys testing new health apps and sharing her experiences to help others make informed decisions about their wellness tools.
