Is Cal AI free? Not really. The app is free to download, but photo food scanning needs a subscription after a 3-day free trial. Here’s what it costs now.

Quick answer: Cal AI is free to install on iPhone and Android, and you can set up your plan without paying. But its App Store listing says plainly that food scanning analysis results require a subscription. You get a 3-day free trial, then the subscription renews automatically unless you cancel. We checked the Cal AI App Store listing and calai.app on October 30, 2026.

Cal AI is the photo calorie counter from Viral Development LLC. You snap your plate and it estimates calories, protein, carbs and fat. It’s one of the top Health and Fitness apps on the US App Store, with a 4.8 rating from more than 370,000 reviews.

Cal AI homepage offering a free trial of the AI calorie tracker
Cal AI’s homepage, October 30, 2026

What you get for free

  • Download and setup: answering the lifestyle questions and getting a calorie and macro plan.
  • The 3-day trial: full access, including photo scanning, barcode scanning and manual search.
  • After the trial: the core feature, scan results, sits behind the paywall.

How much does Cal AI cost?

Cal AI doesn’t publish a price list on its website. The US App Store lists several in-app purchases called “Unlimited” at $2.99, $5.99, $9.99, $19.99 and $29.99, plus an “Unlimited Plan” at $19.99 and a $0.99 Streak Restore. Apple doesn’t say which are monthly and which are yearly, and subscription apps often test different prices, so two people can see different offers. The paywall shows your exact price and billing period before you confirm.

ItemWhat we found
DownloadFree on the App Store and Google Play
Free trial3 days, then auto-renews
US App Store purchases“Unlimited” from $2.99 to $29.99
Family planExists, price not published
Free photo scanningNo, it needs a subscription

One more thing: a subscription bought on iPhone doesn’t move to Android. If you switch phones, you need a new subscription on the new platform.

How to cancel the Cal AI free trial

You can’t cancel inside the app, and deleting the app does not cancel it. Cancel at least 24 hours before the trial ends:

  • iPhone: Settings, tap your name, Subscriptions, CalAI, Cancel Subscription.
  • Android: Google Play, profile icon, Payments and subscriptions, Subscriptions, CalAI, Cancel.
How to try Cal AI's 3-day free trial without getting charged

Is Cal AI accurate enough to pay for?

Cal AI’s own FAQ says it’s about 80% accurate. That’s useful for building a habit, but mixed dishes, sauces and oils are hard for any photo model. Fix portion sizes by hand when a scan looks off, and use the barcode scanner for packaged food.

Free alternatives to Cal AI

Cal AI compared with free calorie tracking apps

If you don’t want a subscription, a classic tracker such as Cronometer, MyFitnessPal or Lose It! lets you log food for free by searching or scanning labels. Photo recognition is usually a paid extra, so check each app’s current plan. You can also describe or photograph a meal in a free chatbot for a rough estimate. Our list of the best free AI chatbots covers the options, and our roundup of free AI apps has more phone picks.

A note on health: Cal AI says it doesn’t give medical advice. If you have a medical condition or a large weight goal, check your plan with a doctor or dietitian.

Verdict: is Cal AI worth it?

Cal AI is free to try but not free to use. If photo logging is what keeps you consistent, the trial will tell you within three days. If you’re happy typing meals in, a free tracker does the job without a subscription. For more no-cost tools, see our free AI tools hub.

Frequently asked questions

Is Cal AI free?

Cal AI is free to download, but its App Store listing says food scanning results require a subscription. You can try everything free for 3 days.

How much does Cal AI cost?

Cal AI doesn’t publish prices on its website. On the US App Store, its Unlimited purchases range from $2.99 to $29.99, and the paywall shows your exact price and billing period.

Does Cal AI have a free trial?

Yes. Cal AI offers a 3-day free trial. It renews automatically unless you cancel at least 24 hours before it ends.

How do I cancel Cal AI?

Cancel in your phone settings: on iPhone under Settings, your name, Subscriptions; on Android in Google Play under Payments and subscriptions. Deleting the app doesn’t cancel.

Is there a free alternative to Cal AI?

Yes. Free trackers such as Cronometer, MyFitnessPal and Lose It! let you log food by search or barcode. Photo recognition is usually paid, so check each app’s current plan.