Radish vs Cal AI: which one in 2026?

In short

Yes, on account and Nutri-Score: Radish works without an account and shows a Nutri-Score when the data allows, two things Cal AI doesn't document or doesn't offer according to its own official pages.

Radish · 6 min

Cal AI built its reputation on AI-analyzed meal photos. Radish's pitch is sourced data, a Nutri-Score and a diary that stays with you. Here's an honest comparison on five criteria: privacy, price, counting without a connection, Nutri-Score and data quality — every figure dated and sourced.

Download the Radish app

Worth noting: Cal AI (publisher Viral Development LLC) was acquired by MyFitnessPal, a deal announced in March 2026 (official press release). The app keeps operating as a separate product.

Privacy: account, data collected, Apple's privacy card

Radish requires no account: your diary stays on your phone — never sent to our servers (except AI or barcode scanning, if you use them). Cal AI requires creating an account: its privacy policy (calai.app/privacy, checked 31 Aug 2026) lists collecting your name, email, general location (country/zip code), gender and date of birth, plus meal photos sent to service providers for analysis. On Apple's "App Privacy" card (App Store, checked 31 Aug 2026), Cal AI carries the "Data Used to Track You" category (identifiers, usage data) — a category absent from Radish's card, since Radish collects no identifier and no server-side diary.

Price: really free?

Cal AI is a free download; its App Store listing (checked 31 Aug 2026) shows "Unlimited" tiers at $2.99, $5.99, $9.99, $19.99 and $29.99 (US prices, not converted, periods unspecified on the listing), plus a "Streak Restore" option at $0.99. A third-party source dated June 2026 (eesel.ai) reports A/B-tested offers of $9.99/month or $29.99/year depending on the profile shown. With Radish, the core is free — scan, Nutri-Score, diary, recipes — and an optional, much cheaper one-time Pro purchase only unlocks advanced features.

Ready to try Radish?Private calorie counter, Nutri-Score, no ads. Free.Get Radish →

Offline: track without a connection

Cal AI's description doesn't mention an offline mode — not documented on the materials reviewed, and its headline feature (AI photo scan) implies a connection for server-side analysis. With Radish, logging works without a connection: only barcode scanning and the optional AI need one. Anonymised usage statistics are also sent to Google (in the EU, only if you agree); your diary, foods and weight never are.

Data quality and Nutri-Score

Cal AI's official listing describes photo scanning, barcode scanning and manual entry, without detailing a reference table or micronutrients — not documented on public materials. Radish relies on sourced data (CIQUAL/USDA) with 11 vitamins and minerals, and shows the Nutri-Score (A to E) when the data allows; whether Cal AI shows a Nutri-Score is not documented on its official pages.

Radish vs Cal AI: the summary table

The criteria above, summarized in one table. Each cell cites its source; "not documented" replaces any cell that couldn't be verified on an official page. Checked 31 Aug 2026 — offers change regularly, and Cal AI A/B-tests its paywall.

Criterion	Radish	Cal AI
Base price	Free, no ads	Free download, with in-app purchases (App Store, 31 Aug 2026)
Subscription	No subscription — optional one-time Pro purchase	"Unlimited" tiers from $2.99 to $29.99 depending on offer (App Store, US prices not converted, 31 Aug 2026); A/B-tested offers per a third-party source (eesel.ai, June 2026)
Free barcode scan?	✓ via Open Food Facts	Available in the free tier; AI photo scan is subscription-gated per a third-party source (eesel.ai, June 2026) — not confirmed on the App Store listing itself
No account?	✓ no account	✗ account required — name, email, general location collected (calai.app/privacy, 31 Aug 2026)
Offline?	✓ offline counting	Not documented on public materials reviewed
Nutri-Score?	✓ A to E, when the data allows	Not documented (official listing focuses on calories/macros)
Micronutrients	Macros + 11 vitamins and minerals, sourced CIQUAL/USDA	Not documented (official listing: calories, protein, carbs, fat)
Apple "used to track you" data?	No account, diary never uploaded	✗ "track you" category present — identifiers, usage data (App Store privacy card, 31 Aug 2026)
Diary sent to the publisher's servers?	No (except AI and scanning, if you use them)	Publisher servers (name, email, meal photos sent to service providers for analysis — calai.app/privacy, 31 Aug 2026)

✓ included/confirmed · ✗ absent or required (per the cited source) · "not documented" = information not found on an official page at the time of checking. Checked 31 Aug 2026, subject to change; US public prices for reference, not converted.

FAQ

Does Cal AI require an account?

Yes. Its privacy policy (calai.app/privacy, checked 31 Aug 2026) lists collecting your name, email and general location, among other data.

Does Cal AI show a Nutri-Score?

Not documented: its official pages describe calories and macros, with no reference to the Nutri-Score.

Does Radish work without an account?

Yes, no account is required. Your diary stays on your phone — never sent to our servers (except AI or barcode scanning, if you use them). One exception, which you trigger yourself: AI meal analysis sends the meal's text or photo to our provider, after your explicit and revocable consent.

What about iPhone?

Yes. Radish is on the App Store (iPhone and iPad) and on Google Play (Android). The page nutri-track.fr/app sends you straight to your device's store.

If AI photo recognition is the feature you want most and you don't mind creating an account, Cal AI is built around that. But if you want to count calories without an account, with sourced data and a Nutri-Score when the data allows, Radish is built for that. Try it free: nutri-track.fr.

General information, not medical advice. Radish is not affiliated with Cal AI, its publisher (Viral Development LLC), or MyFitnessPal; figures checked 31 Aug 2026 on official pages (App Store, publisher privacy policy, acquisition press release) — subject to change.