Tracking your food sounds like a chore — but with the right app, it takes seconds. Whether you are trying to lose weight, build muscle, or simply eat more mindfully: a good nutrition app makes the difference between giving up and sticking with it.
But which app is actually the best? We compare the five most popular options for the Dutch and European market on features, usability, food database, and price.
Key takeaways
- The best food tracking app depends on your priorities: accuracy, speed, price, or meal planning.
- Moveno scores highest on database accuracy (NEVO) and entry speed (AI photo recognition).
- MyFitnessPal has the largest international database and the best wearable integrations.
- FatSecret is the strongest fully free option.
- YAZIO is the best choice if you also want meal plans and recipes.
- Lifesum suits specific diet plans (keto, intermittent fasting) with a premium subscription.
What to look for in a food tracking app
Before comparing apps, here are the criteria that actually matter:
Food database. How complete and reliable is it? Does it include local products? Some apps rely on user-submitted data (prone to errors); others use verified official sources like the Dutch NEVO table from RIVM.
Entry method. How fast can you log a meal? Manual search takes time. Barcode scanning is faster. AI photo recognition is the fastest.
Language support. Is the app available in your language? Some international apps are English-only.
Free features. What can you do for free and what sits behind a paywall?
Accuracy. Are the nutrition values correct? This is directly tied to database quality.
Top 5 food tracking apps compared
1. Moveno
Moveno is a Dutch app built specifically for the Benelux market. Its defining feature: AI photo recognition. Photograph your meal and the app automatically identifies what you ate and calculates the nutrition values.
- Database: NEVO table (RIVM) — the official Dutch nutrition composition table
- Entry: AI photo recognition, barcode scanner, manual search
- Language: Dutch and English
- Price: Free core features, premium for advanced tracking
- Pros: Fastest entry via AI, comprehensive Dutch product coverage, GDPR-compliant (EU hosting), NEVO-based
- Cons: Newer to the market, smaller community than established apps
2. MyFitnessPal
The world's most widely used calorie tracker, with the largest user-contributed database. A solid choice, but primarily built for the international — mostly US — market.
- Database: User-contributed database (14+ million items)
- Entry: Barcode scanner, manual search
- Language: English (partially translated)
- Price: Free core features, premium €19.99/month
- Pros: Enormous database, extensive integrations with fitness apps and wearables
- Cons: User data means errors, Dutch products not always present, expensive premium
3. YAZIO
A German-European app that scores well on usability and offers a clean interface.
- Database: Own database supplemented with user data
- Entry: Barcode scanner, manual search
- Language: Dutch available
- Price: Free (limited), pro €6.99/month
- Pros: User-friendly interface, meal plans and recipes, solid European database
- Cons: Limited free version, no AI recognition, less comprehensive for Dutch-specific products
4. FatSecret
A free alternative with solid core functionality. Popular with users who do not want to pay.
- Database: Community database with professional verification
- Entry: Barcode scanner, manual search
- Language: Dutch available
- Price: Completely free (with ads), premium €6.49/month
- Pros: Free without major limitations, Dutch interface, active community
- Cons: Dated interface, ads in free version, no AI recognition
5. Lifesum
A sleekly designed app focused on lifestyle and diet plans, not just calorie counting.
- Database: Own curated database
- Entry: Barcode scanner, manual search
- Language: English (limited Dutch)
- Price: Free (very limited), premium €9.99/month
- Pros: Beautiful design, diet plans (keto, intermittent fasting), water tracker
- Cons: Free version barely usable, expensive, limited Dutch database
Comparison table
| Feature | Moveno | MyFitnessPal | YAZIO | FatSecret | Lifesum |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AI photo recognition | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| NEVO database | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Barcode scanner | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Dutch language | ✅ | Partial | ✅ | ✅ | Partial |
| Free and usable | ✅ | ✅ | Limited | ✅ | Very limited |
| Dutch product coverage | Full | Variable | Good | Good | Limited |
| EU data hosting | ✅ | ❌ (US) | ✅ (DE) | ❌ (AU) | ✅ (SE) |
Which food tracking app fits your situation?
Choose Moveno if you want the fastest way to log your food (take a photo, done) and accurate Dutch nutrition values matter to you.
Choose MyFitnessPal if you already use a smartwatch or fitness app it integrates with and do not mind working in English.
Choose YAZIO if you want meal plans and recipes alongside tracking and are happy to pay for the pro version.
Choose FatSecret if you want a fully free option and do not mind a more dated interface.
Choose Lifesum if you follow a specific diet (keto, intermittent fasting) and are willing to pay for a premium subscription.
Tips for tracking your nutrition consistently
Whichever app you choose, these habits help you stick with it:
Start simple. Log only your main meals at first. Once that is routine, add snacks and drinks.
Be honest. The app only works if you log accurately. Leaving out that extra biscuit does not help anyone — you are only misleading your own data.
Use the barcode scanner or photo function. Manual search takes the most time and is the primary reason people give up. Automate wherever you can.
Review after a week. After seven days you have a reliable picture of your eating pattern. Most people are surprised by how many calories come from drinks and snacks. For a deeper look, read our guide on calories in drinks.
Do not make it an obsession. The goal is awareness, not perfection. Logging 80% of what you eat already gives you a solid picture.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best app to track your nutrition? That depends on your priorities. For the Dutch market, Moveno scores highest on accuracy (NEVO) and entry speed (AI photo). MyFitnessPal has the largest international database. FatSecret is the best free alternative.
Is there a free food tracking app? Yes. FatSecret is completely free (with ads). Moveno and MyFitnessPal offer free core features. YAZIO and Lifesum have free versions, but these are limited.
Can I scan food with an app? All five apps offer a barcode scanner. Moveno goes further with AI photo recognition: photograph your meal and the app automatically identifies what you ate.
Which app uses the NEVO database? Moveno is the only food tracking app that uses the official NEVO table from RIVM as its primary source — the most accurate reference for Dutch product nutrition values.
How much does a food tracking app cost? It varies: FatSecret is free; Moveno and MyFitnessPal offer free core features; YAZIO costs €6.99/month; Lifesum €9.99/month; MyFitnessPal premium €19.99/month.
Ready to start tracking? Try Moveno for free. Take a photo of your meal and see the nutrition values instantly — based on the official NEVO database. Also read our guide on losing weight with an app for practical tips on getting results. Calculate your calorie deficit, use our calorie tracking beginner's guide, and learn how to eat healthy to lose weight.
