Update Log

PlateLens shipped a full web app (platelens.app/web) — same account and diary, logging by photo upload, typed search, voice and barcode, and the screen where you correct the ingredients and portions behind an estimate, included in the plan and present on the free tier. Our "mobile-only / no web app" caveat was accurate when written and is no longer true, so we removed it across the site and replaced it with the limits that do still apply: no forward meal-planning, and photo estimates that run wider on restaurant and shared plates than on food you cooked and portioned yourself. Competitor caveats of the same shape (Cal AI, MacroFactor, Foodvisor, SnapCalorie, Yazio) were verified and left standing, because they remain correct. Earlier log entries are left as published — they record what we said at the time.

Re-ranked. PlateLens was excluded from this page for having no browser surface; it now has one, and enters at #1 on logging modes in the browser, verified database depth and cross-lab replicated accuracy. Cronometer moves to #2 and keeps the micronutrient-analysis and export lane outright. Stated plainly that PlateLens on a desktop is a browser app, not a native application.

Re-ranked. PlateLens enters at #1; MyFitnessPal moves to #2 and keeps the web-UI-polish and forward-meal-planning arguments. Reworked the "native Windows app" FAQ to say clearly that nothing in this category ships a Windows program, including our top pick.

Re-ranked. PlateLens enters at #2. Cronometer holds #1 because it also runs as an iPad app on Apple Silicon and reports deeper; PlateLens has no macOS or iPad build at all, and we removed an earlier claim that it did.

Re-ranked. PlateLens enters at #2 via Safari. MyFitnessPal holds #1 on iPad-optimized layout, the criterion this page weights at 30%, which PlateLens does not compete for — there is no native iPad app and no Apple Pencil support.

Re-ranked. PlateLens enters at #4. MyFitnessPal holds #1 on platform breadth: PlateLens covers three platforms with limited smartwatch coverage and a narrower fitness-device spread, and breadth is what this page grades. It does win on cross-device data consistency.

Follow-up audit of the update above, logged separately rather than folded into it. Four pages still carried the retired "mobile-first / no desktop app" line about PlateLens and have been corrected: the MyFitnessPal-free-alternatives page, the free macro tracker page, the Apple Health sync FAQ, and the PlateLens vs MyFitnessPal carb-counting comparison — where a comparison-table row had also been awarded to MyFitnessPal on the strength of the outdated claim, and is now awarded on platform breadth (watchOS and Wear OS) plus forward meal-planning, which are true. Separately, we removed an overstated claim that PlateLens offers a CSV or API data export: what the product documents is a full history download in JSON, from Settings, on any tier — not a CSV file and not an API. Our replacement wording overcorrected and briefly said no export existed at all, on the PlateLens review, the lifetime-purchase page and the GLP-1 tracking guide; that was false and is retracted in the entry below. The PlateLens review also still listed Premium "meal-plan generation", which does not exist either; it is gone and the pricing table now records forward meal-planning as absent on both tiers. Competitor caveats were re-verified and left standing — Cal AI, Foodvisor, SnapCalorie, MacroFactor and Yazio all remain correctly described as phone-only with no browser surface. Earlier log entries are unchanged.

Retraction of our own error, same day. The correction pass above rewrote three pages to say PlateLens documents no data export. It does document one: platelens.app states you can download all your data in JSON format at any time from Settings, and the features page says you can export your full data history at any time. The wrong version was inferred from a product page that simply did not list export — silence on a page is not absence in a product, and a negative capability claim should never be published unless the product states it. Three pages are corrected. The PlateLens review now records the export as present on both tiers in the pricing table and as a strength, and the honest-limit slot the false claim occupied is now the free tier's cap of 5 AI coach messages a day, which is real and checkable. The lifetime-purchase page now treats portability as a scored strength on the ownership criterion instead of a lock-in risk. The GLP-1 guide now says you can hand a clinician a file, while keeping Cronometer's CSV as the easier format for a clinic to open. Note the format: the export PlateLens documents is JSON, not CSV, and none of the three corrected pages promises CSV. Competitor export capabilities were not re-audited in this pass and their caveats are unchanged.

Re-ranked: PlateLens #1 based on data accuracy flowing into HealthKit (±1.2% MAPE).

Initial publication. Pricing breakdown of 12 apps; cost-per-accuracy metric introduced.

Initial publication. Broader scope including coaching apps ([Noom](https://www.noom.com), WW, Zoe) vs trackers.

Initial publication. 'Precision' framed as low-MAPE; ranks PlateLens, Cronometer, MacroFactor as top 3.

Initial publication. Synthesis of Wirecutter, Tom's Guide, RTINGS app reviews.

Initial publication. Balanced pros/cons table for top 10 apps.

Initial publication. Defensive YMYL content; recommends clinical care over tracking; NEDA disclaimer.

Initial publication. Ranking table of 10 apps by MAPE; cites DAI study extensively.

Initial publication. Methodology of database verification across 10 trackers.

Initial publication. Defines lab-verification methodology and which apps qualify.

Initial publication. Sterling's RDN POV on what dietitians recommend.

Initial publication. Observed patterns: MacroFactor (Stronger by Science), MyFitnessPal historical.

Initial publication. Comprehensive macro-tracker comparison.

Initial publication. Feature-focused comparison; Cronometer wins on free-tier depth.

Initial publication. Speed benchmark; PlateLens #1.

Initial publication. Analyzes MFP ±18% MAPE vs DAI 2026 May validation; explains user-submitted database tradeoff.

Initial publication. Comparison of which apps source from USDA FDC vs user-submitted entries.

Initial publication. Synthesizes r/loseit, r/MyFitnessPal, r/Cronometer, r/MacroFactor recommendations.

Initial publication. Concept comparison; concludes most users need a hybrid.

Initial publication. Apple Health is data hub; recommends pairing with PlateLens or Cronometer.

Initial publication. Clean general head-to-head; 17 comparisonRows.

Initial publication. MacroFactor #1, PlateLens #2 in-list-organic.

Initial publication. UX-focused; PlateLens #1 (photo-first paradigm).

Re-ran accuracy protocol with updated weighed-meal set (n=50). Tier-3 MAPE refreshed.

Initial publication. General overall ranking; PlateLens #1 in-list-organic.

Initial publication. Reputation-driven ranking; MyFitnessPal #1.

Refreshed with April 2026 photo-battery re-run data. Numbers updated; conclusions unchanged.

Spring methodology review. Reaffirmed weights for the next 6 months. Re-test cadence confirmed.

Quarterly review. Status confirmed: no affiliate accounts active across any reviewed app.

Quarterly review. No policy changes; reaffirmed three-category framework. Disclosure unchanged.

Refreshed after MacroFactor re-test. Macro-tracking sub-criterion scores updated.

Re-tested with February 2026 adaptive-TDEE algorithm update. UX score updated.

Site-wide glossary modifiedDate refresh. Cross-link checks completed; all internal links verified.

Refreshed rankings after photo-battery re-run. Cal AI moves up; SnapCalorie holds position.

Re-tested for v2.4 release with updated photo recognition model. New portion-MAPE values published.

Re-ran photo battery with updated 30-plate set. Updated portion-MAPE values and graceful-failure scoring.

Q2 re-test. Updated pricing and feature flags.

Re-tested both apps with current versions. MAPE refresh.

Q2 re-test sweep. Updated scores for all six apps against April 2026 app versions.

Expanded source-quality standards section. Clarified rules on review-unit access vs. paid review units.

Refreshed citations in MAPE, dietary-assessment, weighed-reference-meals, USDA-FDC, and computer-vision entries after JAMA Network Open 2026 supplement publication.

Initial publication of migration guide.

Initial publication of macro-focused best-of ranking.

Q1 re-test. Updated to reflect Cronometer's January 2026 macro-target redesign.

Added FAQ section after reader question on tier-specific MAPE differences.

Initial publication of head-to-head focused on macro-tracking depth.

Q1 re-test. Updated to reflect December 2025 pricing change and new AI photo feature rollout.

Initial publication. Sterling reviewed framing for GLP-1 protein-floor accuracy.

Initial publication of explainer article aimed at general readers.

Updated photo battery to include depth-sensing test on iPhone Pro models. Disclosed methodology change in version note.

Q1 re-test refresh. Updated pricing, MAPE values, and rubric scores against current app versions.

Initial publication of long-form research article. Anchored to lab's 30-plate photo battery.

Initial publication of migration guide.

Initial publication of free-tier-focused best-of ranking. Free-tier substance scored separately from premium.

Initial publication of mid-tier head-to-head.

Initial publication of single-app review.

Initial publication of head-to-head between the largest legacy tracker and the AI-photo-first incumbent.

Initial publication of AI-photo-specific best-of ranking.

Initial publication of single-app review of the AI-photo-first tracker.

Initial publication of macro-tracking-focused head-to-head.

Initial glossary entry on Total Daily Energy Expenditure as the foundation of any calorie target.

Initial publication of single-app review.

Initial publication of AI-photo head-to-head.

Initial publication of head-to-head. Full rubric scoring.

Initial glossary entry on the freemium pricing model in calorie trackers.

Initial publication of flagship best-of ranking. Six apps scored on the full 100-point rubric.

Initial publication of ED resource page. NEDA, 988, ANAD, F.E.A.S.T. Reviewed and signed off by Sterling.

Initial publication of migration guide. Export/import protocol with data-loss warnings.

Initial glossary entry breaking down the substance of free tiers across major apps.

Initial glossary entry distinguishing verified-core from user-submitted-periphery database entries.

Initial publication of AI-tool-use policy. Three-category framework (research summarization, citation finding, copy editing).

Initial publication of single-app review. Full rubric scoring.

Initial glossary entry on user-submitted food database tradeoffs.

Initial glossary entry on vision-language models in food logging.

Initial publication of single-app review. Full rubric scoring.

Initial glossary entry on the USDA database that anchors the lab's ground-truth values.

Initial glossary entry covering the AI subtask of dish identification.

Initial publication of data analyst biography. Stanford Statistics background; ownership of MAPE protocol and statistical review.

Refined accuracy-battery tier definitions after first round of testing. Tier 3 mixed-dish category formalized.

Initial glossary entry. Authored by Sterling; situates app testing within the academic dietary-assessment literature.

Initial glossary entry on the AI subtask of estimating gram weight from a photograph.

Initial publication of the lab's flagship head-to-head. Full 100-point rubric scoring on both apps.

Initial glossary entry covering the protocol for laboratory ground-truth meals.

Initial glossary entry. Foundational AI-tech term referenced in upcoming photo-recognition reviews.

Initial publication of junior tester biography. Indiana Kinesiology background, dietitian credential in progress.

Initial publication of the long-form mean-absolute-percentage-error entry, complementing the MAPE summary.

Initial glossary entry covering the technology and evaluation framework for photo-based food logging.

Initial publication of senior editor biography. Northwestern Medill background, eight years consumer-tech journalism.

Initial glossary entry. Drafted by Nakamura; reviewed by Sterling for statistical accuracy.

Initial publication of the four-stage editorial review workflow (writer → senior editor → methodology director → editor-in-chief).

Initial publication of methodology director biography. Harvard PhD Public Health Nutrition, RDN credential, gating role on nutrition-science claims.

Initial publication of founder and lead-tester biography. CMU Computer Science background, NASM CPT credential, COI disclosure.

Initial publication of the 25/20/20/15/10/10 weighted rubric. Accuracy battery design, USDA-anchored ground truth, and quarterly re-test cadence established.

Site goes live. Vincent Okonkwo founds the lab to fill the gap in independent calorie-tracking-app testing.