Head-to-Head Comparison · Alternative to MacroFactor · 🧘 wellness
MacroFactor vs Waistline
A plain Android calorie diary that keeps its data local and its opinions to itself. Here is how Waistline ($0/mo open source) stacks up against MacroFactor ($11.99/mo) across cost, hosting, data privacy, and real-world trade-offs.
Waistline
$0.00/mo · GPL-3.0
MacroFactor vs Waistline Specification Matrix
facts verified 2026-08-11
| Dimension | MacroFactor (Paid) | Waistline (Replacement) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $11.99 / mo | $0 / mo |
| 1-Year Cost (1 seat) | $144 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $144) |
| 1-Year Cost (5 seats) | $719 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $719) |
| 1-Year Cost (10 seats) | $1,439 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $1,439) |
| Source & License | Proprietary SaaS | open source GPL-3.0 |
| Where It Runs | Vendor Cloud | Local (on your machine) |
| Platforms | Web / Cloud | mobileone-click install |
| GitHub Stars | — | ★ 714 (active jul 2026) |
Deep Dive: Switching from MacroFactor to Waistline
Trade-offs, installation & data architecture
What you trade away
Waistline is a straightforward diary and lacks MacroFactor's adaptive energy-expenditure algorithm, smoothed weight trends, program adjustments, and cross-platform polish.
How to deploy Waistline
Install the Android app from Google Play or F-Droid
Where your data lives
Meals, diary entries, foods, goals, and measurements live in a local on-device database with import/export; barcode and food searches can contact Open Food Facts and USDA services.
Why fork Waistline instead of vibe-coding a MacroFactor clone?
The core loop is buildable, but a dependable replacement becomes a real weekend or multi-day project. For MacroFactor, record user-chosen nutrition information and show neutral trends without aggressive targets. The hard boundary is food database, adaptive coaching models, mobile capture, and ongoing nutrition expertise, plus hardware data, content, coaching, and trust.
MacroFactor vs Waistline FAQ
Is Waistline a good free alternative to MacroFactor?+
Yes. Waistline is a verified open-source (GPL-3.0) replacement for MacroFactor. A plain Android calorie diary that keeps its data local and its opinions to itself.
What is the catch when switching from MacroFactor to Waistline?+
Waistline is a straightforward diary and lacks MacroFactor's adaptive energy-expenditure algorithm, smoothed weight trends, program adjustments, and cross-platform polish.
How much do you save switching from MacroFactor to Waistline?+
MacroFactor costs $11.99/mo ($144/yr) per seat, whereas Waistline is $0/mo. Switching saves $144/yr for a solo user, $719/yr for a 5-person team, and $1,439/yr for a 10-person team.
How do I install or self-host Waistline instead of MacroFactor?+
Install: Install the Android app from Google Play or F-Droid.
