MyFitnessPal vs Lifesum: price and which to choose
Quick verdict
MyFitnessPal is built for fast, precise logging: Premium adds barcode and meal scan, voice logging, custom macros, ad-free logging, intermittent fasting and food insights, with a 7-day trial. Lifesum is built around guidance: Premium adds custom calorie and macro goals, Net Carbs (US), meal plans, diets, all recipes and Life Score, with refunds requested within 14 days.
Option A
Option B
We compare plans with a similar purpose, whose features may differ; prices before sales tax; prices for other plans and periods are in the reviews.
Feature comparison
| Criterion | MyFitnessPal | Lifesum Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Quick logging | Barcode, meal scan, voice | AI Tracking |
| Meal plans | Not listed | Yes (Premium) |
| Net Carbs | Not listed | Yes (US) |
| Trial | 7 days | Not listed |
| Fasting | Intermittent fasting (Premium) | Fasting meal plan (Premium) |
Both track food, exercise and weight for free and charge for the tools that make a plan work. The difference is logging speed vs guided eating.
If you don’t want to read further
Logging speed and macro control — MyFitnessPal Premium. Meal plans, recipes and Net Carbs — Lifesum Premium.
What really sets them apart
In each row, the last sentence matters most — what the difference means for you.
Fast logging?
MyFitnessPal
Barcode scan, meal scan and voice logging on Premium.
Lifesum Premium
AI Tracking alongside Classic Food Tracking.
Both speed up logging; MyFitnessPal lists more input methods.
Guidance?
MyFitnessPal
Food insights and comparisons.
Lifesum Premium
Nutritionist-built meal plans and diets, Life Score, food ratings.
For a plan to follow, Lifesum.
Low-carb?
MyFitnessPal
Custom macro goals on Premium.
Lifesum Premium
Net Carb tracking — a US-market Premium feature.
Net carbs specifically — Lifesum.
Trial?
MyFitnessPal
7-day free Premium trial.
Lifesum Premium
Not listed on the US Premium page.
Easier to try — MyFitnessPal.
Billing?
MyFitnessPal
Monthly or annual; the annual plan saves the most per month.
Lifesum Premium
Renews each cycle; cancel at least 3 days before renewal.
Both renew automatically — set a reminder.
Offline?
MyFitnessPal
Logs offline and syncs later; no food search.
Lifesum Premium
No – the app needs a connection.
For patchy connections, MyFitnessPal.
Garmin?
MyFitnessPal
Direct connection.
Lifesum Premium
Only through Apple Health on iPhone.
Garmin users: MyFitnessPal.
Logging on a computer?
MyFitnessPal
Yes, on the website.
Lifesum Premium
No – the website is for account tasks.
Desk loggers: MyFitnessPal.
Where they don’t differ, even though it seems they should
This part is often more useful than the list of differences — it saves money for anyone who was about to pay for an imaginary advantage.
Custom goals are paid
Custom macros (MyFitnessPal) and calories and macros (Lifesum) are Premium.
Intermittent fasting
MyFitnessPal Premium and Lifesum’s fasting meal plan.
Free versions
Both track food for free; the plan tools are paid.
Data export
Both export – MyFitnessPal with Premium, Lifesum seven days at a time from its website.
Which one fits whom
| Your situation | What to choose | On what condition |
|---|---|---|
| You log everything precisely | MyFitnessPal Premium | Barcode, meal scan, voice. |
| You want a diet plan to follow | Lifesum Premium | Meal plans and recipes. |
| You eat low-carb | Lifesum Premium | Net Carbs in the US. |
| You want to try free first | MyFitnessPal | 7-day trial. |
| You count net carbs on keto | Lifesum | Net carbs show with a keto plan and the app in English. |
- Lifesum refunds must be requested within 14 days; using Premium can end the right to withdraw.
- Cancel Lifesum at least 3 days before renewal.
- MyFitnessPal’s annual plan is the better value per month.
- Lifesum Premium isn’t shared through Family Sharing.
- Test your Garmin or Apple Health connection during the trial.
Where the facts come from
Sources: myfitnesspal.com, and lifesum.com with the Lifesum Help Center. Prices are in the price blocks on each service’s page.
Facts in the text checked: .
FAQ: MyFitnessPal or Lifesum Premium
Other comparisons
The same products against other competitors, and other comparisons in the “Fitness apps” category.
Where their scores differ
Only criteria we’ve checked for both services and where the scores differ. Equal criteria and criteria without data aren’t shown here, because they add nothing to the decision.
If what matters most is — works offline: MyFitnessPal
MyFitnessPal: some features work, others don’t (3,0/5) · Lifesum Premium: requires internet (1,0/5)
If what matters most is — app rating: MyFitnessPal
MyFitnessPal: 4,7 out of 5 (4,7/5) · Lifesum Premium: 4,6 out of 5 (4,6/5)
The scores and their weights are the same as in the reviews of both services. How we calculate
Comparison text updated: