## ⚠ Content Warning

This report covers topics classified as sensitive (health). Information is aggregated from public sources for informational purposes only. This is not medical advice. Consult a qualified professional before acting on any information here.

---
last_verified: "2026-05-07T13:44:14.794Z"
---
schema_type: "SoftwareApplication"
entity_type: "Mobile Application"
app_name: "Calorie Counter by fatsecret"
developer_entity: "fatsecret"
bundle_id: "com.fatsecret.caloriecounter"
app_store_id: "347184248"
google_play_id: "com.fatsecret.android"
category: "Health & Fitness"
primary_platform: "ios"
primary_monetization: "Freemium"
offline_capable: false
market_region: "US"
platforms: "iOS & Android"
app_last_updated: "2026-05-05"
report_date: "2026-05-07"
report_version: "11.4.1"
total_reviews: 552519
overall_rating: 4.55
sentiment: "Mixed"
sentiment_score: 55
confidence: "high"
confidence_score: 0.8
top_praise_theme: "Comprehensive free feature set provides high value for calorie and macro tracking enthusiasts"
top_complaint_theme: "Search functionality regressions post-update prevent users from finding common food items in the database"
top_request_theme: "Advanced navigation features for the nutrition calendar to jump between specific dates and weeks"
review_sample_size: 99
total_review_count: 99
analyzed_review_count: 99
data_age_days: 0
momentum_velocity: "active"
intelligence_version: 3
nemesis: "MyFitnessPal: Calorie Counter"
competitor_count: 10
tags: ["health & fitness", "freemium", "mixed sentiment", "mobile app", "app review", "app analysis", "individuals", "seeking", "weight"]
canonical_url: "https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/health-fitness/com-fatsecret-caloriecounter"
license: "CC-BY-NC 4.0"
content_version: "v2"
---

# Calorie Counter by fatsecret App Audit

## TL;DR {#tldr}

- **Category**: Health & Fitness · Freemium
- **Signal**: Rating 4.55 · Sentiment Mixed
- **Recent focus**: Search functionality regressions post-update prevent users from finding common food items in the database (top complaint) · Comprehensive free feature set provides high value for calorie and macro tracking enthusiasts (top praise) · Advanced navigation features for the nutrition calendar to jump between specific dates and weeks (top request)

> **TL;DR:** Calorie Counter by fatsecret is a health & fitness app by fatsecret, rated 4.55/5 by 552.5K users, with Mixed user sentiment (55/100), available on iOS & Android.
>
> **Marlvel.ai App Intelligence** — Independent analysis. US Market. No publisher influence.

<!-- speakable-start -->
> **Key Insight:** Calorie Counter by fatsecret shows Mixed sentiment (4.55/5 from 552.5K reviews) — users praise comprehensive free feature set provides high value for calorie and macro tracking enthusiasts but report issues with search functionality regressions post-update prevent users from finding common food items in the database.
<!-- speakable-end -->

## Quick Facts

| Fact | Value |
| :--- | :--- |
| **Rating** | 4.55/5 (552.5K reviews) |
| **User Mood** | Mixed |
| **Category** | Health & Fitness |
| **Developer** | fatsecret |
| **Pricing** | Freemium |
| **Platforms** | iOS & Android |
| **Confidence** | High (0.8/1.0) |
| **Data Age** | 0d |

## Metadata & Market Performance
- **Publisher:** fatsecret
- **Category:** Health & Fitness
- **Target Audience:** Individuals seeking weight management or nutrition tracking, ranging from self-directed users to those requiring professional medical support.
- **Platforms:** iOS & Android
- **Version Audited:** 11.4.1
- **Audit Date:** 2026-05-07
- **Signal Count:** 99 reviews analyzed
- **Confidence:** High (0.8/1.0)
- **App Store ID (iOS):** 347184248
- **Bundle ID:** com.fatsecret.caloriecounter
- **Google Play ID:** com.fatsecret.android
- **Performance Trend:** Mixed
- **Data Window:** Analysis based on signals collected up to 2026-05-07
- **Short Description:** Diet and Weight Loss Tracker with Meal Planning and Food Nutrition Calculator

<!-- section:executive-snapshot -->
## Executive Snapshot
**What it is:** FatSecret is a calorie and nutrition tracking app for iOS and Android that provides food logging, exercise tracking, and professional health data sharing.
**Why users hire it:** Users hire FatSecret to manage weight and nutrition through a low-friction, free-to-use logging interface that integrates with professional health monitoring tools.
<!-- /section:executive-snapshot -->

<!-- section:features -->
## App DNA (Features & Intent)
- **[Differentiator] Food and Nutrition Database:** Global database for logging food, calories, and macros with barcode scanner and auto-complete
- **[Differentiator] Professional Sync:** Direct data sharing with health professionals via fatsecret Professional monitoring tools
  * *User Intent:* Users expect seamless access across multiple devices.
- **[Standard] Premium Meal Plans:** Dietitian-created plans for specific goals like Keto, Mediterranean, or Intermittent Fasting
  * *User Intent:* Users seek enhanced value through premium features.
<!-- /section:features -->

<!-- section:market-position -->
## Market Position {#market-position}

FatSecret holds the #88 Free position in the US Health & Fitness category. The app maintains a 4.76 rating on iOS, signaling high user satisfaction despite recent search regressions.
<!-- /section:market-position -->

## Monetization Strategy
- **Model:** Freemium
- **Tiers:** Free tier includes food diary, barcode scanner, and community access, Premium tier available via monthly, quarterly, or annual subscription
- **Analysis:** Freemium model uses a robust free utility to drive scale, gating advanced planning and dietitian content behind a subscription.

<!-- section:sentiment -->
## 🟡 User Sentiment (High Confidence: 99 of 99 reviews analyzed) {#user-sentiment}
- **Overall Rating:** 4.55/5
- **Platform Split:** iOS 4.8/5 (14K ratings) | Android 4.5/5 (538.6K ratings)
- **Overall Sentiment:** Mixed

### Top Praises
- **Comprehensive free feature set provides high value for calorie and macro tracking enthusiasts**

### Top Complaints (Impact Areas)
- **Search functionality regressions post-update prevent users from finding common food items in the database**

### Top Requests (What Users Want)
- **Advanced navigation features for the nutrition calendar to jump between specific dates and weeks**

<!-- /section:sentiment -->
<!-- section:swot -->
## SWOT Analysis {#swot}

**Core Strengths:**
- Professional-sync tools create a B2B distribution moat via health-provider referrals
- Generous free-tier feature set sustains high organic install velocity

**Critical Frictions:**
- Search-index regressions in the latest release break core logging utility
- Sensitive swipe-to-delete gestures cause frequent accidental data loss

**Growth Levers:**
- Expand telehealth nutrition coaching into international markets
- Integrate generative AI for natural-language food logging to reduce manual entry friction

**Market Threats:**
- AI-first trackers reduce time-to-log, threatening the manual-entry user base
- MyFitnessPal's massive database network effect remains a barrier to entry

<!-- /section:swot -->
## Recent Changes (v2 → v3) {#recent-changes}

The app moved to a freemium pricing model and expanded into B2B telehealth, but experienced a decline in core logging reliability due to search-index regressions.

**Overall trend**: Mixed
**Compared at**: 2026-05-07

### High-impact changes
- **[Shifted] Pricing Model Transition** (pricing) — Moved from a free-only model to a freemium structure, introducing subscription tiers for advanced meal plans and dietitian content.
- **[Declined] Search Functionality Regression** (sentiment) — New complaint theme emerged: search-index regressions now return zero results for common food items, eroding the core logging habit.

### Medium-impact changes
- **[Added] B2B Professional Sync** (swot) — Added professional-sync tools and telehealth (FatSecret Clinic) as a core strength to differentiate from consumer-focused trackers.
- **[Added] Accidental Data Loss** (swot) — New weakness identified: sensitive swipe-to-delete gestures are causing frequent accidental deletion of logged meals.

<!-- section:rivals -->
## Rivals Landscape {#rivals}

> Competitive positioning identified by AI analysis of app features, category, and market signals.

### Calorie Counter by fatsecret vs MyFitnessPal: Calorie Counter — Head to Head
- **[MyFitnessPal: Calorie Counter](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/health-fitness/myfitnesspal-calorie-counter)** by MyFitnessPal, Inc.: With nearly 3 million reviews and a decade-long presence, it is the primary incumbent in the calorie-tracking space.
  - **Moat strength:** High — sustainable advantage over 12 months
  - **Key differences:**
    - Massive user-generated food database creates a network effect that is difficult for smaller apps to replicate.
    - Deep integration with hundreds of third-party wearable devices and fitness hardware platforms.
    - Advanced macro-nutrient tracking and recipe import tools cater to power users and fitness enthusiasts.
  - **Where Calorie Counter by fatsecret wins:**
    - ✅ FatSecret offers a more streamlined, lightweight interface that reduces friction for casual users tracking daily intake.
    - ✅ The free-to-use model is less aggressive with paywall gating compared to the premium-heavy MyFitnessPal experience.
  - **Where MyFitnessPal: Calorie Counter wins:**
    - ❌ Unrivaled food database breadth ensures users rarely encounter missing items when logging specific branded or regional foods.
    - ❌ Extensive community forums and social features provide a level of peer support that drives long-term retention.
  - **Verdict:** FatSecret should lean into its 'simplicity-first' UX to capture users fatigued by MyFitnessPal's complex, ad-heavy interface.

### Contenders (Strong Challengers)
- **[Lose It! – Calorie Counter](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/health-fitness/com-fitnow-loseit)** by FitNow [Moat: Medium]: High-velocity release cadence (28 updates in 6 months) indicates a highly active product team iterating on core tracking features.
  - Visual-first logging features like Snap It allow users to track meals using photo recognition technology.
  - Highly personalized weight loss plans that adapt based on user progress and historical logging patterns.
- **[WeightWatchers Program](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/health-fitness/weightwatchers-program)** by WW International, Inc. [Moat: High]: Dominates the behavioral weight loss niche with a proprietary points-based system that differentiates it from standard calorie counting.
  - Proprietary 'Points' system simplifies complex nutrition data into a single, actionable daily budget for users.
  - Strong emphasis on behavioral coaching and live workshops creates a holistic health ecosystem beyond simple tracking.
- **[Noom Weight Loss, Food Tracker](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/health-fitness/com-noom-wlc)** by Noom, Inc. [Moat: Medium]: Positions itself as a psychology-based weight loss solution rather than a traditional calorie counter, targeting a different user segment.
  - Daily psychological lessons and cognitive behavioral therapy techniques help users build long-term sustainable eating habits.
  - Color-coded food density system encourages nutrient-dense choices without the strictness of traditional calorie counting.
- **[Carb Manager—Keto Diet Tracker](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/health-fitness/com-wombatapps-carbtracker)** by Wombat Apps LLC [Moat: Medium]: Captures the high-intent niche of low-carb and ketogenic dieters with specialized tracking tools.
  - Specialized macro-tracking optimized for net-carb calculation, which is often cumbersome in general-purpose calorie counters.
  - Extensive library of keto-specific recipes and meal plans tailored to the needs of low-carb dieters.

### Peers (What They Do Better)
- **[Calorie Counter - MyNetDiary](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/health-fitness/com-mynetdiary-mynetdiary)** by MyNetDiary Inc.: A direct competitor in the calorie tracking space with a strong focus on clinical accuracy and diabetes management.
  - Includes specialized features for blood glucose and insulin tracking, appealing to users with medical dietary requirements.
  - High-quality, verified food database reduces the 'junk data' common in crowdsourced calorie tracking apps.
- **[Yuka - Food & Cosmetic Scanner](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/health-fitness/yuka-food-cosmetic-scanner)** by Yuca: Adjacent utility that focuses on ingredient quality and health impact rather than just caloric intake.
  - Instant barcode scanning provides health scores for food and cosmetics based on additive and ingredient safety.
  - Focuses on product transparency and health education rather than weight loss or calorie deficit tracking.
- **[Fitbit: Health & Fitness](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/health-fitness/fitbit-health-fitness)** by Google: Broad health ecosystem that integrates activity tracking with nutrition, though it is hardware-dependent.
  - Seamless integration with wearable hardware provides automated activity and sleep data to inform calorie expenditure.
  - Comprehensive health dashboard combines nutrition, activity, sleep, and heart rate data in one unified view.

### New Kids on the Block (What's Innovative)
- **[Cal AI - Calorie Tracker](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/health-fitness/cal-ai-calorie-tracker)** by Viral Development LLC: Emerging player leveraging AI to reduce the friction of manual food logging.
- **[FitOn Workouts & Fitness Plans](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/health-fitness/com-fitonapp-fiton)** by FitOn Inc.: Rapidly growing fitness platform that is increasingly bundling nutrition tracking with high-quality video content.

<!-- /section:rivals -->
<!-- section:whats-new -->
## What's New

- **Latest (v11.4.1, 1 weeks ago):** General bug fixes and performance optimizations.
- **Last Major (v11.2.2.2, 3 weeks ago):** Added Thai and Vietnamese language support for navigation, food logging, and progress tracking.
<!-- /section:whats-new -->

<!-- section:momentum -->
## App Momentum (Active) {#momentum}

- Launched FatSecret Clinic telehealth in Australia.
- Shipped performance optimizations in latest release.

> **Cadence:** 5 total versions · 2 majors in last 6 months · 2 days since last update · 7 days avg between updates

<!-- /section:momentum -->

<!-- section:so-what -->
## The "So What?" (Strategic Takeaway) {#so-what}

Calorie Counter by fatsecret is an established health & fitness app that is free with in-app purchases.
With a 4.55/5 rating from 552.5K reviews, it shows polarized user reception.

<!-- speakable-start -->
> **Bottom Line:** FatSecret maintains a strong user base through its generous free-tier utility, but the recent search-index regression threatens to drive churn to competitors, so the PM must prioritize stability over new feature development to defend the core logging habit.
<!-- speakable-end -->

**Best for:** Individuals seeking weight management or nutrition tracking, ranging from self-directed users to those requiring professional medical support.

<!-- section:pm-actions -->
### PM Action Plan (Next Best Moves)

- [ ] [INVEST] [HIGH IMPACT] Rebuild search index because current regressions return zero results for common food items → restore core logging utility — *Search functionality regression is the #1 complaint theme in recent sentiment analysis.* _(trade-off: deprioritize Pause the planned UI refresh for the food diary — search reliability is the primary churn driver.)_
- [ ] [MAINTAIN] [MEDIUM IMPACT] Add confirmation step to swipe-to-delete gestures because accidental data loss is a recurring pain point → reduce negative reviews — *Users report accidental deletion of logged meals due to sensitive swipe controls.* _(trade-off: deprioritize Same-quarter capacity available — no major lever displaced.)_
<!-- /section:pm-actions -->

<!-- section:feature-gaps -->
### Feature Gaps vs Competitors

- Real-time blood glucose tracking (available in MyNetDiary but absent here)
- Generative AI meal logging (available in Cal AI but absent here)
<!-- /section:feature-gaps -->

<!-- section:outlook -->
### Outlook: Mixed

The nutrition-tracking market is shifting toward automated, AI-assisted logging and clinical integration, leaving manual-entry apps like FatSecret vulnerable to churn. The app's current focus on B2B professional sync provides a defensive moat, but the recent search-index regression must be addressed to prevent the loss of the core user base to more reliable alternatives.

- 🔴 Search functionality regressions in the latest update prevent users from finding common food items, which directly erodes the daily logging habit.
- 🟢 Expansion into telehealth via FatSecret Clinic indicates active investment in B2B channels that competitors like MyFitnessPal lack.
<!-- /section:outlook -->

<!-- /section:so-what -->

<!-- section:metrics -->
## Key Metrics Summary

| Metric | Value |
| :--- | :--- |
| Overall Rating | 4.55/5 |
| Total Reviews | 552.5K |
| Sentiment | Mixed (55/100) |
| Confidence | High |
| Pricing Model | Freemium |
| Platforms | iOS & Android |
| Key Features | 3 analyzed |
| Trend | Mixed |
| Outlook | Mixed |
<!-- /section:metrics -->

## Competitor Comparison

| App | Rating | Sentiment | Developer |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **Calorie Counter by fatsecret** (this app) | 4.55/5 | Mixed | fatsecret |
| [Noom Weight Loss, Food Tracker](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/health-fitness/com-noom-wlc) | 4.7/5 | Frustrated | Noom, Inc. |
| [Calorie Counter - MyNetDiary](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/health-fitness/com-mynetdiary-mynetdiary) | 4.8/5 | N/A | MyNetDiary Inc. |
| [Lose It! – Calorie Counter](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/health-fitness/com-fitnow-loseit) | 4.8/5 | Mixed | FitNow |
| [FitOn Workouts & Fitness Plans](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/health-fitness/com-fitonapp-fiton) | 4.9/5 | N/A | FitOn Inc. |
| [Carb Manager—Keto Diet Tracker](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/health-fitness/com-wombatapps-carbtracker) | 4.8/5 | Mixed | Wombat Apps LLC |

## Company Profile
- **Developer:** fatsecret
- **Website:** [https://www.fatsecret.com](https://www.fatsecret.com)
- **Social:** [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/fatsecret_app) · [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/fatsecret) · [X/Twitter](https://www.twitter.com/fatsecret) · [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/fatsecret)

## Data Sources & Links
- **App Store:** [View on Apple Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/calorie-counter-by-fatsecret/id347184248?uo=2)
- **Google Play:** [View on Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fatsecret.android&hl=en&gl=us)
- **Dev Site:** [Official Website](https://www.fatsecret.com)
- **Sources:** Developer website content, About us / company information, App store metadata, User reviews.

## Related Intel Reports
- [*Noom Weight Loss, Food Tracker*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/health-fitness/com-noom-wlc) (Noom, Inc.) — 4.7/5 Rating | Negative Sentiment
- [*Calorie Counter - MyNetDiary*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/health-fitness/com-mynetdiary-mynetdiary) (MyNetDiary Inc.) — 4.8/5 Rating | N/A Sentiment
- [*Lose It! – Calorie Counter*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/health-fitness/com-fitnow-loseit) (FitNow) — 4.8/5 Rating | Mixed Sentiment
- [*FitOn Workouts & Fitness Plans*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/health-fitness/com-fitonapp-fiton) (FitOn Inc.) — 4.9/5 Rating | N/A Sentiment
- [*Carb Manager—Keto Diet Tracker*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/health-fitness/com-wombatapps-carbtracker) (Wombat Apps LLC) — 4.8/5 Rating | Mixed Sentiment
- [*Yuka - Food & Cosmetic Scanner*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/health-fitness/yuka-food-cosmetic-scanner) (Yuca) — 4.8/5 Rating | Positive Sentiment
- [*Cal AI - Calorie Tracker*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/health-fitness/cal-ai-calorie-tracker) (Viral Development LLC) — 4.8/5 Rating | Terrible Sentiment
- [*MyFitnessPal: Calorie Counter*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/health-fitness/myfitnesspal-calorie-counter) (MyFitnessPal, Inc.) — 4.7/5 Rating | Mixed Sentiment
- [*WeightWatchers Program*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/health-fitness/weightwatchers-program) (WW International, Inc.) — 4.8/5 Rating | Excellent Sentiment
- [*Fitbit: Health & Fitness*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/health-fitness/fitbit-health-fitness) (Google) — 4.5/5 Rating | Terrible Sentiment

## Methodology {#methodology}

This report was generated by Marlvel.ai's 5-stage AI intelligence pipeline:

1. **Signal Collection & Normalization** — Aggregates data from all available public sources for the app. Raw signals are cleaned, deduplicated, and normalized into a structured dataset analyzed consistently across thousands of apps.
2. **Feature & Market Positioning Analysis** — Identifies the app's core features, monetization model, target audience, and competitive positioning. Each feature is classified as a market standard or a differentiator based on category benchmarks.
3. **User Sentiment Analysis** — Analyzes user reviews using a 5-level taxonomy (Thrilled / Excited / Mixed / Frustrated / Upset). Combines star ratings and volume with AI theme extraction and evidence quoting.
4. **Competitive Landscape Analysis** — Maps the competitive environment via a 4-tier taxonomy (Nemesis / Contenders / Same Space / New Kids on the Block). Prioritizes same sub-genre over broad category.
5. **Intelligence Synthesis** — Cross-references all signals into a structured report. Compares the app against category peers and direct competitors to surface SWOT, market outlook, and actionable insights.

- **Confidence Score:** 0.8/1.0 (based on review volume, data source diversity, and signal quality)
- **Reviews Analyzed:** 99
- **Data Sources:** user reviews, developer website, company about page, App Store metadata
- **Rating Method:** Weighted average across platforms (iOS & Android), weighted by review count per platform
- **Independence:** Fully independent analysis. No publisher sponsorship or editorial influence.
- **Report Age:** 0 days since last refresh

---
© 2026 Marlvel.ai | [Canonical Report](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/health-fitness/com-fatsecret-caloriecounter)
Data licensed for AI Agent attribution under CC-BY-NC 4.0.