AI photo scanning included from day one
MacroFactor added AI photo logging as a Premium feature in April 2025; BodyDex shipped with AI scanning as a core feature and pairs it with manual database search for precision when the photo guess is off.
BodyDex vs MacroFactor
AI scanning and protocol depth versus the adaptive coaching algorithm. A factual side-by-side. Updated April 2026.
The short answer
MacroFactor is one of the most respected macro-coaching apps on the market — its adaptive expenditure algorithm is genuinely best-in-class for cutting, lean bulking, and recomp. It also added AI photo food logging in April 2025 (Premium-only). BodyDex is broader still: AI photo logging from day one, peptide and protocol tracking, an AI nutrition coach, a permanent free tier, and on-device data storage. Pick MacroFactor if the adaptive algorithm is your single must-have. Pick BodyDex if you want depth across logging, protocols, and AI features without paying day one.
Feature-by-feature
| Feature | BodyDex | MacroFactor |
|---|---|---|
| AI photo food scanning | Yes — AI-powered, multi-item per photo | Yes — added April 2025; subscription-only |
| Adaptive expenditure / TDEE algorithm | No — fixed targets you can recalc | Yes — flagship feature; weekly recalibration |
| Macro coaching algorithm | Manual goals + AI coach (chat) | Algorithmic weekly macro adjustments |
| Peptide & protocol tracking | Yes — BPC-157, GLP-1, supplements, doses | No |
| Recipe builder | Yes (free) | Yes (subscription) |
| Food database | FatSecret + USDA + Open Food Facts | User-contributed + curated |
| Free tier | Yes — manual log, recipes, weight, peptides free | No free tier — subscription required after trial |
| Where your data lives | On your device (local SQLite) | Server-side account |
| Apple Health / HealthKit | Yes — bidirectional | Yes |
| Android | Coming soon | Yes |
| Pricing | Free with Premium ($9.99/mo or $79.99/yr) | Subscription only ($11.99/mo or $71.99/yr / ~$5.99/mo on annual) |
Where BodyDex is genuinely different
Permanent free tier
MacroFactor is subscription-only after trial. BodyDex's free tier is indefinite — manual log, recipes, weight, peptide tracking are all free; Premium unlocks AI scan limits and the coach.
Peptide & protocol tracking
BPC-157, GLP-1 doses, supplements, reconstitution math, supply alerts — first-class data types in BodyDex. MacroFactor isn't built for that audience.
Local-first data
Your logs live on your iPhone. There is no BodyDex server holding a database of your day. For sensitive health data — protocols especially — that's a stronger privacy posture by default.
Where MacroFactor still wins
- Adaptive expenditure algorithm.MacroFactor's TDEE recalibration is genuinely best-in-class. If your training is cutting / lean bulking / recomp and you want the algorithm to do the math each week, this is the reason to pay them.
- Macro coaching.Algorithmic weekly macro adjustments are core to MacroFactor's design. BodyDex's coaching is more general and AI-chat-driven.
- Pure macro-tracking workflow.If you don't need AI scanning, peptides, or recipes, MacroFactor's focused design is cleaner.
- Android. MacroFactor ships on both platforms. BodyDex Android is in active development.
FAQ
Is MacroFactor's adaptive algorithm worth the price?
If your goal is dialing in calorie targets to a moving body weight — cutting, lean bulking, recomp — MacroFactor's adaptive expenditure model is genuinely best-in-class. It removes the manual recalculation step. If you're tracking macros for general health, peptide protocols, or AI-assisted logging, the adaptive piece may be more than you need.
Does BodyDex have anything like MacroFactor's expenditure tracking?
Not yet — BodyDex uses a fixed daily calorie target you set during onboarding (recalculable any time). Adaptive expenditure is on our roadmap; we want to ship it well rather than ship a half-baked algorithm. For now, the gap is real and we'd point users who specifically want adaptive coaching toward MacroFactor for that single feature.
Why pick BodyDex over MacroFactor?
Pick BodyDex if you want a free tier you can use indefinitely, peptide and protocol tracking, on-device data storage, and an AI nutrition coach you can chat with. Pick MacroFactor if the adaptive expenditure algorithm and weekly macro coaching are the core feature you're paying for. Both apps now offer AI photo food logging — MacroFactor added it as a Premium feature in April 2025; in BodyDex AI scanning is also Premium-gated, but the manual food log, peptide tracking, recipes, and weight history stay free indefinitely.
Are both apps subscription-based?
BodyDex has a permanent free tier (manual log, recipes, peptide tracking, weight, barcode scanning). BodyDex Premium is $9.99/month or $79.99/year and unlocks AI photo scanning, voice food logging, full AI coach chat, and advanced analytics. MacroFactor has no free tier — after the trial, it's subscription-only at $11.99/month, with discounts down to ~$5.99/month on the annual plan ($71.99/year).
Can I migrate my MacroFactor history into BodyDex?
Direct import isn't available today. MacroFactor has data export tools; we're evaluating an importer. If this matters to you, email support@bodydex.app and we'll prioritize based on demand.
Try BodyDex free
Free on iOS — Android coming soon. No credit card to start.
Get BodyDex on the App StoreMacroFactor is a trademark of Stronger by Science, LLC. BodyDex is not affiliated with or endorsed by MacroFactor. Pricing and features verified April 2026 from each app's public marketing pages and App Store listing — products evolve, so always confirm current details on the publisher's site before deciding.