What you pay
Both apps are free to download and charge a subscription for the AI features. Cal AI's App Store listing says food scanning analysis results require a subscription, and lists in-app purchases from $0.99 (a streak restore) to $29.99. Their store listings don't state a trial length.
On iPhone, CaloriePix asks you to start a subscription before you open your diary. The annual plan comes with a 7-day free trial, and if you turn on the reminder, the app notifies you 2 days before the trial ends. On Android there's a free plan, and the subscription adds a daily allowance of AI analyses, 30 and 90-day stats and goal editing. You always see the price in the App Store or Google Play before you confirm.
Who should pick which
Pick Cal AI if you want an Apple Watch app, friends and groups, progress photos or water tracking, or you'd rather use an app with a very large user base.
Pick CaloriePix if you don't want to create an account, you use the app in a language Cal AI doesn't list, you want to correct the nutrition of each item yourself, or you're on Android and want to try the AI before you pay.
Either works if your main need is snapping meals, checking the estimate and seeing calories and macros add up against a daily target.
FAQ
Is Cal AI free?
Cal AI is free to download. Its App Store listing says "food scanning analysis results require a subscription", and in-app purchases on the US App Store range from $0.99 to $29.99 (checked 2026-10-09).
Are there free apps like Cal AI?
Most AI photo calorie apps charge for the AI part, because every analysis costs money to run. CaloriePix's Android app has a free plan with 3 AI analyses, plus manual entry and food search that stay free. On iPhone, CaloriePix needs a subscription after a 7-day free trial on the annual plan.
Is there a Cal AI alternative for Android?
Cal AI itself is on Android 10 and later. CaloriePix is also on Android, with photo, barcode, label, describe and voice logging.
How accurate is Cal AI?
Cal AI's own FAQ says it is "about 80% accurate" and that "no food tracking app is perfect" (checked 2026-10-09). We haven't tested Cal AI ourselves. Any photo-based estimate is less certain for portion sizes, oils and sauces, which is why it helps to check and edit the result. Our page on how accurate AI calorie counting is explains why.
Is Cal AI worth it?
That depends on what you need. If an Apple Watch app, friends and progress photos matter to you, Cal AI offers them. If you'd rather not sign in or need one of the languages it doesn't list, CaloriePix may suit you better.
Cal AI vs MyFitnessPal: what's the difference?
Cal AI is built around photo logging. MyFitnessPal is built around a large food database: its store listing says 20.5M+ foods, and its help center says barcode scanning and Meal Scan need Premium, which MyFitnessPal's US pricing lists at $19.99 a month or $79.99 a year (checked 2026-10-09). Our MyFitnessPal comparison has the details.
Does CaloriePix need an account?
No. There's no sign-in. Your diary stays on your phone, and the only things sent online are what you choose to analyze, such as a meal photo or description.
Sources
All checked on 2026-10-09.
- Cal AI on the US App Store: apps.apple.com/us/app/id6480417616
- Cal AI on Google Play (US): play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.viraldevelopment.calai&hl=en_US&gl=US
- Cal AI website: www.calai.app/, FAQ: www.calai.app/faq, accessibility page: www.calai.app/access/, privacy policy: www.calai.app/privacy
- iTunes lookup for Cal AI ratings and price: itunes.apple.com/lookup?id=6480417616&country=us
- MyFitnessPal Barcode Scanner help: support.myfitnesspal.com/hc/en-us/articles/360032624771-How-to-use-the-Barcode-Scanner, Meal Scan help: support.myfitnesspal.com/hc/en-us/articles/360045761612-How-to-use-the-Meal-Scanner, Premium pricing: www.myfitnesspal.com/premium
- CaloriePix on the US App Store: apps.apple.com/us/app/id6739753761
- CaloriePix privacy policy: shape-up-me-privacy-policy.vercel.app
Snap it, check it, and see your day add up.
