AI photo calorie counters: free conditions compared
Plates is an iPhone app with an English interface for logging meals from a photo. Logging, editing and daily totals need no subscription. It includes up to 10 free AI analyses (photo or voice) per device per day, shared by photo and voice, with no ads and no account needed to start.
This comparison is published by OpenHealth Inc., the developer of Plates. Sources checked . Other apps also offer free photo logging. The table distinguishes App Store information from developers' website claims; we have not tested competitors' purchase screens.
| App | AI photo logging on the free tier | Paid options (USD) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plates | Up to 10 free AI analyses (photo or voice) per device per day, shared by photo and voice. No subscription needed to log, edit or see daily totals. No ads. Food search and barcode scanning do not use the AI allowance. | Optional Plates Plus subscription | Plates FAQ |
| Cal AI | Subscription-based. A free photo allowance was not confirmed from the App Store listing. | In-app purchases listed at $2.99–$29.99; see the listing for individual options | Cal AI App Store listing |
| SnapCalorie | The developer promotes free logging on its website. The daily free photo allowance was not confirmed from the App Store listing. | Premium: $19.99/month or $149/year | Developer's free-logging article; SnapCalorie App Store listing |
| MyFitnessPal (Meal Scan) | Meal Scan requires Premium. | Premium: $19.99/month or $79.99/year | MyFitnessPal App Store listing |
| Foodvisor | A free photo allowance was not confirmed from the App Store listing. | In-app purchases listed at $14.99–$89.99; see the listing for individual options | Foodvisor App Store listing |
| PlateLens | The developer's website states 3 free photo scans per day. This allowance was not confirmed from the App Store listing. | Premium options listed at $19.99 and $79.99; see the listing for billing periods | Developer's website; PlateLens App Store listing |
Prices and free conditions can change and may vary by region or offer. An unconfirmed free allowance does not mean an app has none. Check the linked sources and purchase terms before subscribing. Sources checked October 1, 2026. Corrections: info@openhealth.co.jp
Where other apps have more user feedback
Cal AI and MyFitnessPal have far more US App Store ratings than Plates: about 368,000 for Cal AI and 2.4 million for MyFitnessPal. SnapCalorie has about 6,700, Foodvisor about 18,000 and PlateLens about 810. These counts were checked October 1, 2026; they indicate a larger body of user feedback, not a measured comparison of accuracy.
Foodvisor displays an Editors’ Choice badge on the App Store. SnapCalorie has a public Product Hunt launch history dating to 2021.
Where Plates differs
Plates combines free meal logging, editing and daily totals with up to 10 AI analyses (photo or voice) per device per day and no ads. Plates Plus is optional. Food database search and barcode scanning do not use the daily AI allowance.
AI estimates of calories, protein, carbs and fat can be wrong for oils, sauces, hidden ingredients and portion sizes. In Plates, review and edit foods and portions before saving. Read the FAQ for free conditions and photo estimate limitations.