The 10 Best Free Macro Tracking Apps For Weight Loss And Fitness In The UK (2026 Guide)

Calorie counting can provide an idea of the amount of energy you consume on a daily basis, but it does not indicate the quality of the calories. Macro tracking comes in at this point. A macro tracking application enables individuals to track protein, carbs, and fats, also known as macronutrients, to support adherence to specific health and fitness-related goals. Regardless of whether you want to lose weight, put on muscle, or just eat better, a tracker of your macronutrients will give you loads of information compared to merely counting calories.

With a plethora of free meal-tracking apps at your fingertips in the UK, managing your meals in line with your health goals has never been more convenient. Many fitness-driven users now rely on innovative solutions created by a mobile app development company to access more accurate and data-driven tracking tools. These apps don't just focus on calories; they also offer visual charts, personalized macro goals, and live nutrition analysis, putting the power of your health and fitness journey in your hands.

Macronutrients 101: What are Protein, Carbs & Fats?

The major parts of our nutrition are macronutrients that deliver energy and compose essential processes in the body:

• Protein : Assists in tissue building and repairing, its immunity-supporting effects and lean muscle preservation. Some typical sources are meat, dairy, legumes, and protein powders.
• Carbohydrates : The essential source of energy for the body. They are present in grainy food, fruits, vegetables, and milk. There is a preference for complex carbs instead of simple sugars.
• Fats : Important for manufacturing hormones, the functioning of the brain, and energy. Healthy fats are avocados, nuts, seeds, and olive oil.

Following your protein, carbs, and fats will make sure that you are feeding your body in the right way according to your purposes.

The Rise of Macro Tracking in the UK

With the increase in health awareness, fitness, and weight loss aids in macro tracking are increasingly becoming serious in the UK. Whether it is gym goers in Manchester or businesspeople in London, users are trying macro calculator apps to place nutrition under their control. To meet this demand, many startups and fitness brands now hire mobile app developers to create more personalized and efficient macro-tracking solutions.

Due to the growing popularity of such tendencies as flexible dieting, ketogenic diet, and high-protein weight loss programs, the need for detailed food macro tracker apps has appeared. As the usage of smartphones and wearable devices has increased, UK users have come to expect smart and data-driven solutions to remain organizationally in touch with their nutrition goals.

Who Should Use a Macronutrient Tracker?

Macro tracking is not the prerogative of bodybuilders or athletes. It benefits:

• Everyone who wants to lose weight by controlling their calorie intake more effectively.
• Gym-goers who need to gain or lose muscle.
• Individuals are undergoing special diets like keto, low-carb, or high-protein diets.
• Well, vegans and vegetarians consume the required levels of nutrients.
• People who have diseases that require dietary changes.

A macro tracking app is more than just a tool. It's a supportive companion that helps you set clear goals, stay accountable, and achieve results in weight loss or fitness, providing the guidance and support you need along the way.

What to Look for in a Good Macro Tracking App (Especially Free Ones)

During the downloading of a nutrition tracking app, it is necessary to understand what distinguishes the greatest macro tracking apps from others.

Essential Free Features

A good free macro-free tracking app ought to include:

• Macro goals that can be customised
• Nutrition breakdowns of food diary
• UK-labelling products, Barcode reader
• Fitness tracker connectivity
• Nutrient overview and macro pie charts on a daily basis

UK Compatibility: Food Databases & Barcode Scanning

There are numerous applications devoted to the US markets, and thus, the macro calculator application:

• Make allowances for UK-based food and restaurant meals
• Identify UK supermarket products through the barcode
• Provide measurement units in grams, millilitres, and kcal

User Interface, Accuracy & Community Support

The most helpful macro tracker apps will be simple, with a transparent visualisation, and will provide macro information that is sound. Bonus in case the app has:

• An active community of tips and support
• Meal logging and meal planning ideas
• Learning material on macro tracking, CurtroBibRG GMI PDF

Quick Comparison Table: Best Free Macro Tracking Apps in 2026

Legend:

✅ Yes – Supports UK barcode scanning and UK food database

⚠️ Limited – Partial UK support or US-focused database

❌ No – Not currently available or confirmed

Top-Rated Free Macro Tracking Apps: In-Depth Reviews for 2026

1. MyFitnessPal – The Best Free Macro Tracking App Overall

• App Store: 4.7★ from ~2.1 million reviews
• Google Play: 4.4★ from ~2.8 million reviews
• Installs: 10 million+ globally
• Price: Free; Premium at £19.99/month or £79.99/year

Description: This is a high-end app, a food tracker for macros and a nutrition tracker, and a meal planner. It has a large amount of information stored in its food database and big devices that are important for carrying data for selected purposes.

Free Features:

• Calorie and macros eaten in gram amounts
• Time filters in API
• Menu browser and exercise record keeping
• Barcodes 
• Recipe generator 
• Fitbit & Garmin syncing

Premium Features:

• Barcode and meal scan
• Custom macros daily
• Net carbs—(super low and ideal for keto)
• Advanced fasting insight and tracker
• Remove ads and export reports

How It Helps Track Macros for Weight Loss and Fitness:

Smart-app point systems are made available for the users to monitor their goals to track macronutrients for weight loss or muscle building, as the community interacts and shares the goals.

UK Specific Benefits and Integrations:

• Huge database for UK supermarket and restaurant foods
• Always use grams/mL and calories only
• Integration with NHS-friendly tracking devices

Pros:

• Has a huge 14M+ food database
• Strong fitness device integration
• Visual macro and calorie tracking

Cons:

• Ads on the free version
• Many premium features are paywalled

2. Cronometer – Best for Detailed Nutrition & Meal Planning

• Google Play: 4.7★ from ~34k reviews; 1 million+ installs
• Positive feedback on  App Store and web
• Price: Free; “Gold” subscription approx £8.99/month

Description: It is a track‑macro‑focused, precise macro calculator that also tracks 80+ essential micronutrients. Reviewed enthusiastically by nutrition aficionados.

Free Features:

• Full macro and micro basic nutrients
• Daily graphs and dietary analysis
• Exportable CSV logs
• Bluetooth wearable connectivity

Premium Gold Features:

• Centralised diet support
• Insight and trend analysis
• Fasting timer and keto-specific insights

Advanced Micro + Macro Tracking:

It has been well‑received on the App Store, known for being detailed and accurate, with many annotations expressing surprise, such as “I cannot live without it,” “so much precious information,” or “the most comprehensive macro calculator I have ever encountered.”

Ideal for Fitness, Nutrition, and Keto Diet Followers:

Users are encouraged to use these apps for the keto diet, personal diet ratios, and fasting.

Pros:

• Great food database
• Accurate fitness-quality nutrition data
• Best in macro & micro tracking

Cons:

• Limited database for UK barcode scanning
• Overwhelming UI for a beginner
• Personal opinions on recent UI redesign

3. Calorie Counter by Lose It! – Best UK Macro Calculator App for Beginners

• App Store / Google Play: Highly rated (4.6 stars) with 159K reviews
• ~57 million downloads globally

Price: Free; Premium ~£39.99/year (often ~£3.99/month equivalent)

Description: Designed for Newbies in Nutrition Tracking, primarily learning for beginners who need simple macro calculator apps, photos, and voice input entry.

Free Features:

• Macro target and food log
• UK barcode scanning photo
• Snap It and voice meal logging (AI-powered) 
• Basic hotblocks and diet recommendations

Premium Features:

• Detailed per‑meal macro tracking
• Plan the start and finish of fasting
• Heart‑healthy, keto, Mediterranean plan
• Collect challenges and nutrition plans

Effortless Macro Goals and Food Entries:

It explains that users thank them for simple weight tracking and loss

Smart Camera Scanner for Food Labels:

Users can take photos of their meal or scan UK-labelled products.

Pros:

• Simpler for beginners
• Global food database
• AI Logging Features

Cons:

• Most advanced macro tools require a premium upgrade
• Some negative reviews note overly aggressive calorie targets

4. Lifesum – Best for Meal Planning and Macro Tracking Combined

Ratings & Installs:

• Google Play: 4.6 stars with 362K reviews, 10M+ Downloads
• Well‑regarded app with strong presence in "best food tracker" lists

Price: Free; Premium from ~£4.99/month

Description: Attractive nutrition tracking app incorporates macro tracking, meal planning, recipes, and challenges- a great alternative "meal tracker app" for users in the UK.

Free features:

• Basic macro tracking & diet monitoring
• Recipe suggestions tailored to macro targets
• Barcode scanner and meal diary

Premium features:

• Custom meal plans (keto, high‑protein)
• Detailed nutrition insights & habit guidance
• Intermittent fasting and personalised plans

Nutrition Tracking App with Recipes & Diet Tips:

Research is supportive of beautiful design and variety in recipes

Works Fine for Weight Loss and Fitness Buffs:

It's quite useful as a "fitness nutrition app," adding macro tracking with motivational input.

Pros:

• Very appealing UI
• Recipe database customised according to macros
• Easy planning with options catering to the UK

Cons:

• Deep nutrition features are premium‑only
• Data inaccuracies due to user-generated entries

5. FatSecret - The Best Free Macro Tracker with Social Features

Ratings & Installs:

• Play Store: 4.6 stars, 521K reviews, 50M+ Downloads
• Trustpilot: 4/5 rating with UK user praise

Price: Free; Premium ~£9.99/month

Description: An accurate free food macro tracker backed by community, an extensive database (1.9M foods), and a strong UK presence.

Free features:

• Logging macros & calorie count with food database from the UK
• Barcode scanner
• Community forums & recipe sharing

Premium features:

• Experience without ads
• Premium recipe collections
• Advanced insights and meal reminders

Track Macronutrients for Weight Loss & Join the Community:

Users find value in having the support of groups and the ease of input

Pros:

• Completely free macro tracking 
• Social comradeship for support 
• Strong coverage of UK food and brands

Cons:

• Premium needed for more advanced data 
• Some user-generated entries might not be accurate

6. MyNetDiary - Accurate & AI-Powered Food Macro Tracker

Ratings & Installs:

App Store: 4.8★, 12.7K Ratings

Play Store: 4.5★, 91K reviews, 5M+ Downloads

Price: Free; the premium goes €9.99 in a month

Description: An AI-powered nutrition tracker praised for speed and precision while logging, making it rank as the top weight-loss app on Forbes for 2026.

Free features:

• Macro Tracking using Barcode Scanner 
• AI Meal Scan( Photo Input)
• Personalised Diet Plans and Reminders 
• Ad-Free Experience, Large Food Database

Premium Features:

• Advanced Recipe Import 
• Keto/Fitness Custom Plans 
• Professional Nutrition Coaching

Easily Track Protein, Carbs, and Fats:

Users find the AI scanner and recipe creation convenient

Custom keto and fitness nutrition plans:

Has targets set based on macros personalised for serious fitness users, including keto-friendly tracks.

Pros:

• Speed and accuracy in logging entries 
• Award-winning user experience 
• Strong usability across the UK with advanced AI tools

Cons:

• Premium required for coaching and advanced features 
• Slight learning curve for optimised use

7. Noom – Best Macro App with Behavioural Coaching

App Store / Play Store Reviews & Installs

App Store: ~86K ratings, 4.7★ average

Google Play: 10M+ Downloads, Mixed reviews—slow loading issues reported by some users

Price: Free download; subscription starts from approx £49–£55/month, or £17/month with annual plan (~£209/year)

Description: A CBT-plus-behaviour-oriented macronutrients tracker that supports sustainable behavioural change using CBT, coaching, and daily lessons.

Free Features:

• Preliminary calorie & macro logging
• Daily psychoeducation lessons
• Basic food and exercise logging

Premium Features:

• 1:1 coaching and group support
• Advanced daily psychology-based content
• Structured habit tracking with CBT
• Exclusive meal plans and recipes

Built-in Psychology for Long-Term Health Change:

Features a "green-yellow-orange" system for mindful eating informed by CBT. Studies show ~78% of users regain weight after 6 months.

Macro Tracking for Weight Loss Motivation:

Behavioral coaching helps maintain macro adherence, though limitations exist in macro depth.

Pros:

• Strong emphasis on psychology & behaviour change
• Community support with group coaching
• Backed by CDC-recognised results

Cons:

• Premium is relatively expensive
• Less granular macro tracking than dedicated macro apps
• App performance issues reported on Android

8. Carb Manager - Best Macro Tracker App for Fitness Enthusiasts in the UK

App Store / Play Store Reviews & Installs

App Store: 4.6★, 71k Ratings

Play Store: 4.5★ average, 155k reviews, 5M+ Downloads

Cost: Free; Premium ~£12.49/month or ~£65.99/year

Description: A keto-friendly macro calculator app and nutrition tracker with net-carb insight, extensive recipe library, meal plans, and fasting tools.

Free Features:

• Tracking net carb & macros
• Keto & low-carb recipes (5K+)
• Intermittent fasting tracker
• Barcode scanning to log foods
• Weight progress charts

Premium Features:

• Advanced reports & nutrition analysis 
• 360K+ recipes & web imports 
• Custom meal plans & shopping lists 
• Sync with Google, Apple Health, Garmin, Keto Mojo

Smart Tracking for Low-Carb & Keto Users:

Engineered for keto dieters with macros, net carbs, charting, and live macro balancing

Customised Meal Planning & Fasting Assistance:

Premium unlocks curated meal plans and shopping guides, along with fasting timers and biomarker tracking, including ketone levels.

Pros:

• Best-in-class keto macros (emphasis on net carbs)
• The engaged community with loads of recipes
• Integrations into health ecosystems

Cons:

• Most of the experience will require a premium subscription 
• Somewhat higher than the US pricing 
• Michelle's Grandma presents on basic nutrient tracking in the free version compared to Cronometer

9. Macro Sync – Newcomer with Simple Macro Tracking Interface

App Store / Play Store Reviews & Installs

App Store: launched 9 months ago; steadily growing user base

No official install stats are available at this time

Price: It is entirely free, having all features unlocked and with no ads

Description: A new, fresh, and free food macro tracker and food diary based on simplicity and customisation, also includes gamifying elements like streaks and badges.

Free Features (All):

• Custom macro goals and recalculation daily 
• Barcode scanner and recipe import 
• Habit tracking, streaks, achievement badges 
• Ad-free and unlocked features. 
• Net-carb and micronutrient tracking

Gym-goers & Fitness Macro Goals:

Allow precise setting of goals day-by-day, ideal for muscle gain, cutting, or carb cycling, matching needs for fitness nutrition tracking.

Custom Macros for Muscle Gain and Cutting:

Set different macros for gym vs rest days; switch between goals seamlessly. Daily recalculated macros support dynamic needs.

Pros:

• Totally free with no restrictions 
• Simple, modern UI and motivational gamification 
• Excellent for flexible macro control

Cons:

• New app—smaller food database 
• No wearable integrations yet 
• Limited user community and awareness

10. MacroFactor – Best for Advanced Macro Tracking and Progress Analytics

App Store Reviews & Install Info

Play Store: Average rating with 8.5k reviews, 500k+ Downloads

App Store: 4.8 stars, 1.3k Ratings

Monthly subscription: £16-19/month; annual £72-119/year; free trial available This is not a free tier; a focused community exists online.

Price: No free tier. UK Pricing: around £17.49 monthly, £ 118.99 annually, or £ 68.99 for 6 months.

Description: A science-based macro calculator app and coaching program for the serious lifter; dynamically adjusts macros according to weight trends.

Free Features:

• 7-day trial, then all paid

Premium Features:

• Adaptive macro adjustment algorithm 
• Deep analytics trending, calorie/protein pacing 
• Unique food-log interface praised by users

Dynamic Macro Calculations for Weight Changes:

Macronutrients get dynamically adjusted based on weight changes for the progressive goals-cutting or bulking phases.

Just Right for Serious Lifters and Fitness Types:

• Tailored for those primarily pursuing 'macro tracking for fitness' and muscle gain. Optimised food logging for quick consumption.

Pros:

• Smart, science-based adaptation to your data
• Strong analytics for serious users
• The interface is praised for its clarity by the community

Cons:

• Paid-only model with no free tier
• Steeper learning curve
• Less emphasis on community/recipes

How to Choose the Best Macro Tracking App for Weight Loss in 2026?

Choosing a macro tracking app has a significant impact on your fitness journey, and rightly so. Considering the numerous options available across the UK, you should base your choice on your personal goals, budget, and experience level.

Based on Your Goal: Weight Loss, Muscle Gain, or Keto

• Macro Tracking for Weight Loss: The site or app must have facilities that allow you to set a calorie deficit and adjust the proportions of protein, carbs, and fats (e.g., MyFitnessPal, Lose It!).
• Muscle Gain & Bulking: An app that accommodates both personal and daily macro targets will be most useful (e.g., Macro Factor, Macro Sync). Best for adjusting carbs and protein on strength days.
• How to Track Macros for Keto Diet: Tools specifically designed for the keto diet, such as Carb Manager, can accurately track your net carbs, ketones, and meal planning.

Based on Budget: Free vs Paid

• Best Free Macro Tracker Apps for Beginners: MyFitnessPal, a FatSecret break, and Macro Sync offer an abundance of free features, including macro tracking and food logging.
• Investment: If willing to spend, these can accommodate almost all premium features, from custom meal plans to fasting timers and comprehensive analytics, including Cronometer Gold, Carb Manager Premium, and MacroFactor.

Best for Beginners vs Advanced Users

• Beginners: Start with user-friendly sites like Lose It! or Lifesum for a simple introduction to tracking your meals and how they contribute to meeting your daily macro goals.
• Advanced Users: For these experts and their reference, apps such as MacroFactor and Cronometer offer rich insights and information, perfect for fitness nutrition app users and athletes who want more control over every gram they consume.

How to Use a Macro Tracking App for Muscle Gain or Weight Loss

Step-by-Step: How to Set Up Your Macros

• Choose a Macro Calculator App such as MyFitnessPal or Cronometer. 
• Enter Your Information: Age, sex, weight, height, and activity level. 
• Goal Setting: Lose weight, maintain weight, or build muscle. 
• Custom Macro Targets: Most apps use a ratio (e.g., 40% carbs, 30% protein, 30% fat) or allow you to enter grams manually.

Tip: Consult the app's macro calculator or meet with a registered dietitian to develop a more individualised plan.

Daily Logging & Adjustment for Real Results

• Use this mobile application to log food every day, at every meal, without fail. 
• Input foods faster by using barcode scanners or uploading pictures. 
• Adjust macros as needed after tracking your progress on a weekly basis. 
• Keep to the regimen; small daily logs can yield great results in the long run.

Tips on Sticking to a Macro Plan

• Schedule reminders in the app for timely meal logging. 
• Utilise the recipes or meal ideas suggested in the application to eliminate guesswork.
• Synchronise with wearables like Fitbit or Apple Watch, so the user account reflects activity changes, and thus changes macro intake.
• Participate in communities of apps such as FatSecret or Noom to keep you honest.

Macro Tracking FAQs

Q.What's a good free macro app in the UK?

A. MyFitnessPal is by far the most popular and well-rounded free macro-app in the UK. It has barcode scanning for local foods, customised macro goals, and compatibility among different devices.

Q. How do you count macros on keto? 

A. Carb Manager is the best app for macro tracking for users on a keto diet. It even calculates those net carbs, provides meal plans, and even has ketone levels tagged as UK-based low-carb diets ideal.

Q. Can I use a macro tracker to gain muscle?

Definitely. For custom macro plans that focus on bulking and cutting, MacroFactor and Macro Sync cover both needs to accurately track protein, carbs, and fats, specifically designed for fitness and strength training.

Q. Do these apps include UK food databases?

Barcodes from retailers such as Tesco or Sainsbury's, as well as food entries from popular apps like MyFitnessPal, Lifesum, and FatSecret, are typically supported. Further checking local app reviews is always advisable.

Q. What is the best macro app for beginners?

Lose It! and Lifesum are excellent tools for beginners. They simplify macro tracking for weight loss, including recipes, and feature a user-friendly interface and visuals.

Final Thoughts: The Future of Macro Tracking Apps in the UK

Trends for 2026 on AI, Integrations, and Community-Based Coaching

• AI-powered nutrition tracking apps, such as MyNetDiary and MacroFactor, are leading the way in providing predictive insights.
• Integrating wearables with apps such as MyFitnessPal and Cronometer focuses on real-time tracking.
• More apps are seeking to integrate mental wellness and nutrition, such as Noom's cognitive-behavioural therapy-based approach and FatSecret's community support.

Why are Nutrition Tracking Apps Here to Stay?

From meal planning and macro tracking to behavioural change and progress analytics, macro apps have transformed how UK users approach health and fitness. With increasing focus on personalised data, the future is smart, adaptive, and user-led.

Whether tracking macros for weight loss, muscle gain, or specialised diets like keto, a macro-tracking app fits all your specific goals. Start transforming your life with an intelligent, intuitive tool that matches your lifestyle and budget.

Find out about more digital wellness tools with Netclues to improve your health journey today.