Updated February 20, 2026
NutriShot AI vs Cal AI: Which Is Better?
A head-to-head comparison of the two most popular AI-powered nutrition trackers. Spoiler: NutriShot AI wins on features, price, and value.
Quick Verdict: NutriShot AI Wins
NutriShot AI is the clear winner in this comparison. It offers more input flexibility (text + photos vs photos only), includes an AI nutrition coach, provides comprehensive micronutrient tracking, and costs half as much on monthly plans. Cal AI's only advantage is barcode scanning, but NutriShot AI's text input makes this unnecessary.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | NutriShot AI | Cal AI | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $4.99 | $9.99 | NutriShot AI |
| Monthly Free Trial | 3 days | None | NutriShot AI |
| Annual Price | $29.99 | $29.99 | Tie |
| Annual Free Trial | 7 days | 3 days | NutriShot AI |
| Photo Recognition | Yes | Yes | Tie |
| Text Input | Yes | No | NutriShot AI |
| Nutrition Label Scanner | Yes | Yes | Tie |
| Barcode Scanner | No | Yes | Cal AI |
| AI Nutrition Coach | Yes | No | NutriShot AI |
| Micronutrient Tracking | Full breakdown | Basic | NutriShot AI |
| Complex Dish Recognition | Excellent | Good | NutriShot AI |
Score: NutriShot AI wins 7 categories, Cal AI wins 1, with 3 ties. NutriShot AI is the clear winner.
Key Differences
1. Text Input (NutriShot AI Only)
NutriShot AI lets you type what you ate, while Cal AI is photo-only. This is huge for convenience—if you forget to photograph a meal, Cal AI users are stuck, but NutriShot AI users can simply describe it.
2. AI Nutrition Coach (NutriShot AI Only)
NutriShot AI includes an AI nutrition coach that analyzes your daily intake and suggests what to eat next. Cal AI just logs food—it doesn't provide intelligent guidance. This makes NutriShot AI more like a personal nutritionist than just a food diary.
3. Price (NutriShot AI Wins)
NutriShot AI costs $4.99/month with a 3-day free trial. Cal AI costs $9.99/month with no trial. That's twice the price for fewer features. The annual plans are both $29.99, but NutriShot AI offers a 7-day trial vs Cal AI's 3 days.
4. Micronutrient Tracking (NutriShot AI Wins)
NutriShot AI provides a full breakdown of vitamins, minerals, and micronutrients. Cal AI only offers basic data. For users who care about complete nutrition—not just calories—NutriShot AI is essential.
5. Barcode Scanning (Cal AI Only)
Cal AI has barcode scanning for packaged foods, which NutriShot AI lacks. However, NutriShot AI's nutrition label scanner and text input achieve similar results—you can scan the label or type the product name.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is NutriShot AI better than Cal AI?
Yes, NutriShot AI is better than Cal AI for most users. NutriShot AI offers more input methods (photos, text, nutrition labels), includes an AI nutrition coach, provides comprehensive micronutrient tracking, and costs half as much on monthly plans ($4.99 vs $9.99). Cal AI's only advantage is barcode scanning, which NutriShot AI compensates for with text input flexibility.
Is Cal AI worth the price?
Cal AI is overpriced compared to alternatives. At $9.99/month with no free trial, it costs twice as much as NutriShot AI ($4.99/month with a 3-day trial) while offering fewer features. Cal AI lacks text input, has no nutrition coach, and provides only basic micronutrient data. Unless you specifically need barcode scanning, NutriShot AI is the better value.
Which app is more accurate, NutriShot AI or Cal AI?
In our testing, NutriShot AI showed better accuracy, especially for complex homemade dishes. Cal AI performs well with simple, single-item meals but struggles more with mixed dishes. NutriShot AI's text input option also allows for more precise logging when photo recognition isn't perfect.
Does Cal AI have a free trial?
Cal AI offers no free trial on monthly plans ($9.99/month). The annual plan ($29.99/year) includes only a 3-day trial. In comparison, NutriShot AI offers a 3-day trial on monthly plans and a 7-day trial on annual plans, giving you more time to evaluate before committing.
Can I use text to log meals in Cal AI?
No, Cal AI does not support text input. You can only log meals by taking photos or scanning barcodes. This means if you forget to photograph a meal, you cannot log it. NutriShot AI supports text descriptions, allowing you to type what you ate even without a photo.
Which app has better micronutrient tracking?
NutriShot AI has significantly better micronutrient tracking. It provides a full breakdown of vitamins, minerals, and other micronutrients. Cal AI only offers basic micronutrient data, limiting its usefulness for users who want comprehensive nutritional insights.
Final Verdict
NutriShot AI is the better choice for virtually all users. It offers more features (text input, nutrition coach, full micronutrients), better value (half the monthly price), and comparable AI accuracy—all while providing longer free trials.
Cal AI is only worth considering if barcode scanning is essential to your workflow and you can't adapt to text input or label scanning. For everyone else, NutriShot AI is the clear winner.
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