Barcode scanner suddenly behind a paywall: what now?

What actually happened

MyFitnessPal announced in August 2022 that the built-in barcode scanner would become Premium-only; the change took effect that October. The feature had been free for years and was, for many people, the whole reason to use the app — so the reaction was loud.

Where you can still scan for free

• Fddb – German database, free and ad-free diary including barcode scanning.
• Yazio – barcode is part of the app; photo AI and plans sit in the Pro tier.
• Cronometer – barcode is part of the app; Gold adds AI entry and reporting.

The underrated point: scanning only helps with packaging

A barcode only exists where there is a package. For home-cooked food, at a bakery, in a canteen or a restaurant, the best scanner in the world does nothing. If you mostly cook from scratch, the paywall costs you less than it feels like — and you need a different solution anyway.

Faster than scanning

For recurring meals, a custom recipe entered once is almost always quicker than any scan. And apps that take a description — "two slices of wholegrain bread with cream cheese and tomato" — skip the search entirely. GymLog AI works this way and captures training in the same chat.