MyFitnessPal Premium vs Premium+ 2026: Is $20 Worth It? โ
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Perplexity 
You already pay for MyFitnessPal Premium. Should you spend another $20 a year for Premium+? The answer depends on one question: do you want the app to tell you what to eat, or just track what you already ate?
TL;DR - Premium vs Premium+ at a Glance
Both tiers share 20+ features: ad-free, barcode scanner, macros by gram, meal scan, intermittent fasting tracker, data export, and more
Premium+ adds 4 extras for $20/year more: Meal Plan Builder, Meal Prep Mode, Diet Preference Customization, Automatic Grocery Lists with delivery integration
Upgrade if you meal prep weekly, use grocery delivery, or need structured eating plans
Skip it if you already know what to eat and just need tracking tools
MyFitnessPal split its paid tier into two in 2024: Premium at $79.99/year and Premium+ at $99.99/year. The feature gap between them is narrow but targeted. This guide walks through every difference, compares costs to standalone alternatives, and gives you four real-world scenarios so you can decide in five minutes.
IMPORTANT
Your Premium vs Premium+ decision plan at a glance.
A quick roadmap so you can pick the right tier fast.
โฑ๏ธ Progress 0/4 - ~0 minutes in - Keep going
โณ Step 1: The 20 features both tiers share
โณ Step 2: The 4 Premium+ exclusives
โณ Step 3: Real-world scenarios and cost math
๐ The 3-question shortcut that tells you exactly which tier to pick (revealed near the end)
That moment when you're endlessly scrolling between subscription tiers...
For the full breakdown of all three tiers including the free plan, see our MyFitnessPal pricing guide.
What Both Tiers Share (The Premium Baseline) ๐ โ
Before comparing differences, here's what you get with either Premium or Premium+. These 20 features form the core of the paid experience:
| Feature | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Ad-free experience | No banners, pop-ups, or interruptions |
| Macros by gram | Set protein, carbs, fat in grams, not just percentages |
| Barcode scanner | Scan packaged foods to log instantly |
| Meal scan | Use phone camera + AI for calorie estimates |
| Quick-add macros | Log totals without searching the database |
| Food analysis | Compare foods side by side |
| Different goals by day | Separate targets for training vs rest days |
| Exercise calorie settings | Adjust or disable exercise calorie additions |
| Macros by meal | See macro breakdown per meal, not just daily |
| Calorie goals by meal | Set targets for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks |
| Net carbs tracking | Total carbs minus fiber (for keto/low-carb) |
| Food timestamps | See exact meal logging times |
| Home screen dashboard | Customize which metrics display on home |
| Recipe discovery | 1,500+ recipes with full nutrition info |
| Workout routines | Pre-built strength and cardio plans |
| Intermittent fasting tracker | Set fasting windows and track streaks |
| Multi-day logging | Copy meals or log food in advance |
| Data export | Download diary and logs as CSV |
| Priority support | Faster help from the support team |
| Unlimited daily digests | Email summaries of food log and progress |
Key Takeaway
If you only need tracking, barcode scanning, and macro control, Premium covers everything. Premium+ adds nothing to these core tools.
IMPORTANT
Checkpoint: here's where you are right now.
Quick status update so you always know the next best move.
โฑ๏ธ Progress 1/4 - ~1 minute in - Keep going
โ Step 1: The 20 shared features (done)
๐ Step 2: The 4 Premium+ exclusives (you're here)
โณ Step 3: Real-world scenarios and cost math
๐งฉ The 3-question shortcut (coming soon)
The 4 Features Only Premium+ Includes ๐ฏ โ
Premium+ costs $20 more per year ($1.67/month). That money buys four features, all centered on meal planning:
1. Meal Plan Builder โ
The flagship Premium+ feature. It generates a personalized 7-day meal plan based on your calorie target, diet type, food preferences, portion sizes, cooking time, and budget level.
How it works:
- Set your daily calorie goal
- Choose a diet: Standard, Mediterranean, Keto, Low-Carb, Vegetarian, Vegan, Pescatarian, Paleo, or Whole-Food Focus
- Mark foods to avoid or prefer
- Select portion size, cooking time, and budget level
- Get a full week of breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks
Every meal links to a recipe with nutrition info and cooking instructions. Meals auto-log to your diary. You can swap any meal for an alternative that still fits your targets.
2. Meal Prep Mode โ
If you batch-cook on Sundays (or any designated day), Meal Prep Mode reorganizes your weekly plan for bulk cooking. It groups recipes by prep day, scales portions, and consolidates your grocery list.
For example: if grilled chicken appears three times that week, Meal Prep Mode tells you to cook all portions at once and store them.
3. Diet Preference Customization โ
Goes deeper than basic diet type selection. You can:
- Exclude specific ingredients (mushrooms, bell peppers, seafood)
- Set per-meal portion sizes (big breakfast, small lunch)
- Choose meal complexity (simple vs multi-step)
- Prioritize cuisines (Asian, Italian, Mexican, American)
- Adjust for cooking skill level
4. Automatic Grocery Lists + Delivery Integration โ
Premium+ generates a categorized grocery list (produce, dairy, meat, pantry) from your meal plan. The list integrates with Instacart, Walmart+, and Amazon Fresh -tap "Order Groceries," choose a service, and your items transfer to that app's cart.
You can also use the list manually for in-store shopping. It syncs across devices.
Premium+ turns your meal plan into a shopping list that connects to delivery services
IMPORTANT
Checkpoint: midway progress update.
You're halfway - decisions get easier from here.
โฑ๏ธ Progress 2/4 - ~2 minutes in - Keep going
โ Step 1: The 20 shared features (done)
โ Step 2: The 4 Premium+ exclusives (done)
๐ Step 3: Real-world scenarios and cost math (current)
โณ The 3-question shortcut (next)
Price Breakdown: What $20 Per Year Really Means ๐ฐ โ
| Premium | Premium+ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual | $79.99/yr | $99.99/yr | $20/yr |
| Monthly equivalent (annual) | $6.67/mo | $8.33/mo | $1.67/mo |
| Month-to-month | $19.99/mo | $24.99/mo | $5.00/mo |
Monthly Plans Cost Significantly More
Paying monthly for Premium+ costs $299.88/year vs $99.99 annually -3x the price. If you're upgrading, lock in the annual rate.
Is $1.67/Month Worth It? โ
Standalone meal planning apps charge $5-$13/month. If Premium+ replaces even one of those subscriptions, the $1.67 difference pays for itself.
The real savings come from behavior change:
- One fewer takeout order per month ($15-20 saved) because you had a plan
- Less food waste ($10-15/month) because your grocery list matched your meals
- Time saved (1-2 hours/week) from not deciding what to eat or cook
Who Should Upgrade to Premium+ ๐ค โ
You meal prep weekly โ
Meal Prep Mode was built for Sunday batch-cookers. If you already prep, Premium+ organizes the process and generates consolidated shopping lists.
You use grocery delivery โ
The Instacart/Walmart+/Amazon Fresh integration removes the friction of transferring items manually. If you order groceries online regularly, this feature saves real time.
You struggle with "what should I eat?" โ
Decision fatigue kills consistency. The Meal Plan Builder answers the question every week with meals that fit your macros, preferences, and cooking skill.
You want coaching without hiring a coach โ
Nutritionists cost $50-200+/month. Premium+ provides structured meal plans for $8.33/month. It's not personalized coaching, but it's structured enough for most people.
You're new to cooking for health goals โ
The step-by-step recipes, pre-portioned grocery lists, and skill-level filtering reduce the intimidation of cooking healthy meals from scratch.
Who Should Stick With Premium โ โ
You already have a meal routine โ
If you eat the same meals most weeks, cook instinctively, or have a system that works, meal planning tools won't add much.
You track macros but eat flexibly โ
Flexible dieters who hit targets with varied foods don't need a fixed meal plan. Premium's macros-by-gram and barcode scanner are the tools that matter.
You eat out frequently โ
If most meals come from restaurants or takeout, the Meal Planner and grocery integration go unused. Premium's barcode scanner and meal scan work better for this lifestyle.
You already use a separate meal planner โ
If you pay for Eat This Much, Mealime, or PlateJoy and you're satisfied, Premium+ duplicates what you already have. Don't pay twice.
4 Real-World Scenarios: Premium or Premium+? ๐ฏ โ
Scenario 1: Priya -Vegetarian, Wants More Protein โ
Priya tracks macros but struggles to hit 100g protein on a vegetarian diet. She's bored eating the same paneer and dal combos and wants new ideas that fit her targets.
Best choice: Premium+
The Meal Plan Builder's Vegetarian mode generates high-protein recipes each week. Diet Preference lets her exclude foods she dislikes and prioritize Indian cuisine. The grocery list ensures she buys everything she needs.
Scenario 2: Jake -Bodybuilder on a Cut โ
Jake has tracked macros for three years. He eats chicken, rice, and broccoli on repeat. He knows his numbers and doesn't need meal suggestions -just accurate logging.
Best choice: Premium
Jake needs macros by gram, quick-add, and the barcode scanner. Premium+ features would go unused. He'd be paying $20/year for tools he'll never open.
Scenario 3: Sarah -Busy Mom, Grocery Delivery User โ
Sarah works full-time and uses Instacart weekly. She spends 45 minutes every Sunday planning dinners and building her grocery cart. She wants to lose 10 kg but can't stick to a plan.
Best choice: Premium+
The Meal Plan Builder removes Sunday planning. The grocery integration sends ingredients directly to Instacart. Sarah saves an hour per week and gets meals that fit her calorie target.
Scenario 4: Tom -Travels for Work, Eats Out Daily โ
Tom is on the road four days a week. He eats hotel breakfasts, restaurant lunches, and takeout dinners. He logs meals using the barcode scanner and meal scan camera.
Best choice: Premium
Tom doesn't cook, doesn't grocery shop, and doesn't meal prep. Every Premium+ feature assumes home cooking. Premium covers his needs.
When you finally pick the right subscription tier for your actual lifestyle
Premium+ vs Standalone Meal Planning Apps โ๏ธ โ
If you're considering Premium+ specifically for meal planning, here's how it compares:
| App | Annual Cost | Meal Plans | Grocery Lists | Calorie Tracking | Diet Customization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MFP Premium+ | $99.99 | Yes | Yes + delivery | Yes (full suite) | Yes |
| Eat This Much | $59.99 | Yes | Yes | Basic only | Yes |
| Mealime | $49.99 | Yes | Yes | No | Limited |
| PlateJoy | $69.00 | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| MFP Premium | $79.99 | No | No | Yes (full suite) | No |
Figure 1: Annual subscription costs compared -Premium+ bundles tracking and planning for less than two separate apps
Key insight: If you already use MyFitnessPal for tracking and want meal planning, Premium+ ($99.99) costs less than Premium + a standalone planner ($79.99 + $49.99-$69.00).
If you only need meal planning without tracking, a standalone app is cheaper. But most people who plan meals also want to track them.
What Premium+ Still Doesn't Give You โ ๏ธ โ
Even at $99.99/year, certain features are missing:
Limitations to Know
- No dynamic macro coaching -MacroFactor adjusts macros weekly based on your weight trend. MyFitnessPal sets targets once; you adjust manually.
- No micronutrient depth -Cronometer tracks vitamins, minerals, and micronutrients in detail. MyFitnessPal shows some but doesn't prioritize them.
- No verified-only food database -The 20M+ food database includes user-submitted entries with potential inaccuracies. Always double-check entries.
- No one-on-one coaching -Meal plans are generated by algorithm, not reviewed by a human dietitian.
- Limited grocery chain support -Delivery works with Instacart, Walmart+, and Amazon Fresh, but not all regional stores.
For a comprehensive look at all three MyFitnessPal tiers including the free version, check our complete pricing breakdown.
IMPORTANT
Checkpoint: final stretch before the reveal.
One last nudge - the 3-question shortcut is next.
โฑ๏ธ Progress 3/4 - ~3 minutes in - Keep going
โ Step 1: The 20 shared features
โ Step 2: The 4 Premium+ exclusives
โ Step 3: Real-world scenarios and cost math
โจ The 3-question shortcut (about to reveal)
How to Decide in 3 Questions โ โ
1. Do you need help deciding what to eat, or just tracking what you already eat?
- Planning โก๏ธPremium+
- Tracking only โก๏ธPremium
2. Do you meal prep or use grocery delivery?
- Yes โก๏ธPremium+ adds value
- No โก๏ธPremium is enough
3. Will you open the Meal Planner every week?
- Yes โก๏ธThe $20 is worth it
- Occasionally or never โก๏ธDon't upgrade
IMPORTANT
Recap: everything you completed this round.
You finished the run - save this for next time.
โฑ๏ธ Progress 4/4 - ~4 minutes in - Nicely done
โ Step 1: The 20 shared features
โ Step 2: The 4 Premium+ exclusives
โ Step 3: Real-world scenarios and cost math
โ The 3-question shortcut (revealed)
Better Alternatives for Specific Needs ๐ โ
MyFitnessPal isn't the only option. Depending on what matters most to you:
| Need | Better Option | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Dynamic macro coaching | MacroFactor ($71.99/yr) | Adjusts targets weekly based on weight trend |
| Micronutrient tracking | Cronometer ($34.99/yr Gold) | Deep vitamin and mineral tracking |
| Budget tracking + planning | Lose It! ($39.99/yr) | Cheaper with decent meal planning |
| AI photo meal scanning | NutriScan (Free) | Scan any meal, get macros in 15 seconds |
| Indian food accuracy | NutriScan (Free) | Built for regional cuisines MyFitnessPal misses |
Try AI-Powered Meal Scanning
If you're tired of manually searching databases, NutriScan lets you snap a photo of any meal -including homemade Indian food -and get accurate macro estimates in seconds. No barcode needed. Try it free for 7 days.
NutriScan's AI meal scan: snap a photo, get macros in 15 seconds -no barcode or database search needed (Home > Camera Icon > Crop Picture)
Frequently Asked Questions โ โ
Q: Is MyFitnessPal Premium+ worth the extra $20 per year? โ
A: If you use the Meal Plan Builder weekly, meal prep regularly, or rely on grocery delivery services, yes. The $1.67/month adds structured meal planning on top of Premium's tracking tools. If you only need tracking, Premium is enough.
Q: What features does Premium+ have that Premium doesn't? โ
A: Four features: Meal Plan Builder, Meal Prep Mode, Diet Preference Customization, and Automatic Grocery Lists with Instacart/Walmart+/Amazon Fresh integration.
Q: Can I downgrade from Premium+ to Premium? โ
A: Yes. Change your subscription in your app store settings. The downgrade takes effect after your current billing cycle ends. You keep all Premium features but lose meal planning tools.
Q: Does Premium include the barcode scanner? โ
A: Yes. Both Premium and Premium+ include the barcode scanner. It was removed from the free tier, making it one of the most-requested paid features.
Q: How does Premium+ compare to buying Premium + a separate meal planning app? โ
A: Premium ($79.99) plus Eat This Much ($59.99) or Mealime ($49.99) costs $130-$140/year. Premium+ ($99.99) bundles both for less -if MyFitnessPal's meal planner meets your needs.
Q: Does Premium+ work for specific diets like keto or vegetarian? โ
A: Yes. The Meal Plan Builder supports Standard, Mediterranean, Keto, Low-Carb, Vegetarian, Vegan, Pescatarian, Paleo, and Whole-Food Focus diet types.
Q: Can I use the grocery list without delivery services? โ
A: Yes. The grocery list works as a standalone checklist organized by category. Delivery integration is optional -you can shop in person and check items off on your phone.
Q: Is there a free trial for Premium+? โ
A: MyFitnessPal occasionally offers 7-day free trials for new subscribers. Check the app for current promotions. If you're already on Premium, there's no separate trial for the Premium+ upgrade.
The Bottom Line ๐ โ
MyFitnessPal Premium ($79.99/year) handles tracking. Premium+ ($99.99/year) adds meal planning. The $20 gap is small, but only matters if you'll actually use the four extra features.
Get Premium+ if meal planning, grocery delivery integration, or meal prep scheduling solves a real problem for you.
Stay on Premium if you know what to eat and just need tools to log it accurately.
The best subscription is the one you'll use. Most people who track macros seriously need Premium. Most people who also struggle with planning meals benefit from Premium+. Pick based on your actual behavior, not the plan you wish you'd follow.
If you're rethinking your nutrition strategy, start by calculating your personal macros with our free macro calculator -it works regardless of which app you use for tracking.
