High Protein- 1x12 ct Chick-fil-A® Nuggets380Calories40gProtein16gCarbs17gFat
- 1xOriginal Flavor Waffle Potato Chips220Calories3gProtein25gCarbs13gFat
Meal total
600Calories43gProtein41gCarbs30gFatSimple Macros vs Cal AI
Cal AI is a photo-first calorie counter, and it's now owned by MyFitnessPal. It has no free plan: every feature needs a subscription after a 3-day trial. Simple Macros logs food by photo and barcode for free, and adds full restaurant menus, a Meal Generator, and ChatGPT, Claude and Grok connections.
Prices, features and data sources checked .
Features and price
 | Cal AI | |
|---|---|---|
| Nutrition data | ||
| Whole-food dataBanana, grilled chicken, white rice | USDA FoodData Central | Not stated |
| Packaged foodsWhat a barcode scan returns | USDA Branded Foods + products users add | Not stated |
| Who adds foods to search | Users, usually from a label photo; two matches = verified | Not stated |
| Restaurant nutrition | Each chain's official numbers, every option | Not stated |
| Estimates marked as estimates | Yes, every one | Not stated |
| Features | ||
| Calorie + macro tracking | Included free | Paid: only with a paid plan |
| Barcode scanner | Included free | Paid: only with a paid plan |
| AI photo logging | Included free | Paid: only with a paid plan |
| Customize restaurant ordersEvery menu option at 200,000+ restaurant locations | Included free | Not offered |
| Meal GeneratorBuilds restaurant orders that hit your calorie target | Included free | Not offered |
| Log food in ChatGPT, Claude, GrokTrack by talking to the AI you already use | Included free | Not offered |
| Price | FreeEvery feature | Varies3-day trial |
Paid = only with a paid plan. No = we didn't find the feature on the app's own pages on that date. Not stated = the app doesn't say on its own website, help center or App Store listing. Cal AI has no free plan. US list prices, features and data sources as each app describes them on its own App Store listing, website and help center; they can change, so check each app for current details. All trademarks belong to their owners. Simple Macros is not affiliated with or endorsed by Cal AI. Our own data sources are on where our nutrition data comes from. Last checked .
What Simple Macros does differently
Free, not a subscription.
Every Cal AI feature needs a subscription once its 3-day trial ends. Simple Macros has no subscription at all: photo logging, the barcode scanner and everything else are free for everyone.
Official menus for restaurant meals.
A photo can't show what's inside a burrito or how much dressing went on. At a restaurant, Simple Macros uses the chain's official menu and nutrition with every option, so your order adds up from the chain's own numbers.
Browse restaurant menusHigh ProteinLog food from ChatGPT, Claude or Grok.
Connect Simple Macros to the AI app you already use and just ask: log a meal, check the calories and protein you have left today, or plan a restaurant order. It's free, like everything else.
See how to connectI weighed 182.4 this morning
Simple MacrosLog weigh-inNice work! Logged 182.4 lb. That's 1.2 lb down this week, keep it up!
Lunch was a Chipotle bowl with chicken, white rice, black beans, fajita veggies, mild salsa and cheese
Simple MacrosLog mealGreat choice! Logged your bowl: 675 cal, 51g protein. You still have 1,120 calories and 74g protein to play with today.
When Cal AI might suit you better
- You want a minimal, photo-first app and mostly eat at home.
- You like logging by describing a meal in words: Cal AI takes text descriptions. In Simple Macros you can do that through your AI app.
Questions
Is Cal AI free?
No. As of October 5, 2026, Cal AI has no free plan: every feature needs a subscription after a 3-day trial, and the price varies. Simple Macros is completely free, photo logging included.
Who owns Cal AI?
MyFitnessPal. It announced the acquisition on March 2, 2026, and Cal AI still runs as its own app.
Is Simple Macros a free Cal AI alternative?
Yes. Simple Macros logs food by photo and barcode for free, with no subscription, paywall or trial, and adds full restaurant menus you can customize and a Meal Generator.