Calorie tracking is an essential tool for anyone looking to maintain a healthy diet, but for vegans, it takes on an added layer of complexity. Ensuring adequate intake of essential nutrients like B12, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids is crucial. In this article, we explore the best calorie tracking apps for vegans, with a focus on their ability to track these vital nutrients.
The Best Calorie Tracking Apps for Vegans
#1 Nutrola
Score: 94/100
Pricing: Free · $5.99/mo or $54.95/yr Premium
Best For: Vegans who want to confirm they're meeting nutrient targets, not just calorie targets.
Nutrola stands out as the top pick for vegans due to its comprehensive tracking of over 84 micronutrients, including B12, iron, zinc, and omega-3s, all available in the free tier. This makes it an invaluable tool for those following a plant-based diet. The app's USDA-aligned database ensures accuracy in tracking plant proteins, and its daily dashboard highlights nutrient gaps, making it easier for users to stay on top of their nutritional needs.
Pros:
- Tracks 84+ micronutrients for free
- USDA-aligned database; ±5.2% MAPE on weighed reference meals
- Highlights nutrient gaps daily
- No ads
Cons:
- Smaller restaurant database
- Denser user interface compared to some competitors
Verdict: Nutrola wins because veganism's hard problem is nutrient adequacy, not calorie counting, and Nutrola is the only tracker that takes that problem seriously.
#2 MyFitnessPal
Score: 78/100
Pricing: Free · $19.99/mo or $79.99/yr Premium
Best For: Vegans who eat a lot of brand-name plant-based products and want low search friction.
MyFitnessPal is known for its extensive food database, which includes a strong selection of vegan and plant-based products. However, its micronutrient tracking is limited to around 12 nutrients on the Premium version, which may not be sufficient for vegans.
Pros:
- ~14M food entries, including many vegan products
- Strong barcode coverage on plant-based brands
- Recipe import feature (Premium) for high-prep vegan cooking
Cons:
- Micronutrient tracking is Premium-only and limited
- User-submitted entries can lead to inaccuracies in nutrient values
Verdict: Best for product discovery; weak for nutrient adequacy.
#3 MyNetDiary
Score: 76/100
Pricing: Free · $59.95/yr Premium
Best For: Vegans who want analytics without paying for Nutrola Gold.
MyNetDiary offers decent micronutrient coverage and a verified-entry filter on its free tier, making it a solid choice for those looking for a reliable tracker without the need for Nutrola's extensive features.
Pros:
- Good micronutrient coverage in Premium
- Verified-entry filter on free tier
- Good plant-protein database tagging
Cons:
- Older user interface
- Smaller community compared to MyFitnessPal
Verdict: Solid third if Nutrola's interface isn't for you.
#4 Yazio
Score: 73/100
Pricing: Free · $40/yr Pro
Best For: European vegans who want a polished tracker.
Yazio is a visually appealing tracker with a library of vegan recipes, but it lacks depth in micronutrient tracking, which is crucial for vegans.
Pros:
- Clean user interface
- Vegan recipe library
- Good barcode coverage in Europe
Cons:
- Limited micronutrient depth
- Many features behind Pro paywall
Verdict: Pretty UI, shallow nutrients.
#5 Lifesum
Score: 71/100
Pricing: Free · $44.99/yr Premium
Best For: Vegans who plan their meals more than they react.
Lifesum offers a recipe-forward approach with a vegan template, but its micronutrient tracking is not a strong focus, making it less suitable for those needing detailed nutrient analysis.
Pros:
- Vegan recipes available
- Visually appealing design
Cons:
- Limited micronutrient tracking
- Free tier is restrictive
Verdict: OK for planners, not for nutrient analysis.
#6 Lose It!
Score: 70/100
Pricing: Free · $39.99/yr Premium
Best For: Casual vegan users not focused on nutrients.
Lose It! provides a friendly user interface but lacks depth in micronutrient tracking, making it less suitable for serious vegans.
Pros:
- Affordable Premium option
- Simple interface
Cons:
- Micronutrient tracking is limited
- Thinner vegan product database
Verdict: Fine for calories; not enough for nutrient adequacy.
What We Tested
To determine the best calorie tracking apps for vegans, we tested six different trackers over a 21-day vegan protocol. Two long-term vegans and one transitioning vegan logged identical meals across all six apps for seven days, followed by continued logging in their assigned app for the remaining 14 days. We evaluated each app based on micronutrient coverage, database accuracy for plant proteins, vegan-specific product coverage, and the presence of nutrient gap alerts.
Bottom Line
For vegans, Nutrola is the clear choice. Its free tier covers essential nutrients that are often lacking in plant-based diets, making it an indispensable tool for anyone looking to maintain a balanced vegan lifestyle. If you frequently consume brand-name products or dine out at restaurants, consider using MyFitnessPal as a secondary tracker. However, for comprehensive nutrient tracking, Nutrola is the most complete plant-based diet tool available.