Ellim is a free AI-powered personal coach and fitness app for iOS. It features an AI workout generator that creates personalized workout plans in seconds, a library of 3,500+ exercises, meal tracking with AI food recognition, comprehensive progress tracking, and pre-built workout routines.

How does the AI personal coach work?

Describe the workout you want in plain English — for example, "upper body strength workout" or "30-minute HIIT session." Ellim's AI personal coach instantly generates a complete workout plan with exercises, sets, reps, and rest periods, matched from our library of 3,500+ exercises.

Is Ellim free to use?

Yes, Ellim is completely free to use. Core features including the AI workout generator, exercise library, workout tracking, meal logging with food search and barcode scanning, and pre-built routines are available at no cost — no ads, no credit card required. AI food recognition from photos is available as a premium feature.

What types of exercises does Ellim include?

Ellim includes over 3,500 exercises across multiple categories including weight training, bodyweight exercises, stretching and flexibility routines, and cardio workouts. Each exercise comes with detailed instructions.

Can Ellim create personalized workout plans?

Yes, Ellim's AI personal coach creates fully personalized workout plans based on your goals, preferences, and workout history. You can also build custom routines manually or choose from 100+ pre-built workout programs.

Does Ellim track meals and nutrition?

Yes, Ellim includes a dedicated Meal tab for tracking your nutrition. You can search for foods, scan barcodes to add items instantly, or use AI-powered food recognition to identify what you're eating from a photo. Food search and barcode scanning are free, while AI photo recognition is a premium feature.

Updated April 2026

Ellim vs Cal AI

An honest, side-by-side comparison. We tell you where Cal AI wins, too.

TL;DR

Cal AI proved there's massive demand for AI meal detection, but its acquisition by MyFitnessPal, data breach, and dark pattern reputation make it a risky choice in 2026. Ellim offers comparable AI nutrition features alongside comprehensive workout tracking — all from an independent company that respects your data.

Feature Comparison

Feature	Ellim	Cal AI
Price (Free tier)	Free core (full tracking, library, routines)	Limited free trial
Premium Price	$17.99/mo or $99.99/yr	Varies (acquired by MFP)Source: Cal AI App Store↗
AI Workouts	LLM-based conversational AI (premium)	NoSource: Cal AI Features↗
Nutrition Tracking	Yes	Yes
AI Meal Detection	Photo-based (premium)	Photo-based
Exercise Library Size	3,500+ exercises	NoneSource: Cal AI Features↗
Workout Tracking	Yes	NoSource: Cal AI Features↗
Custom Routines	Yes	NoSource: Cal AI Features↗
Apple Watch	Yes	NoSource: Cal AI App Store↗
HealthKit	Yes	LimitedSource: Cal AI App Store↗
iOS	Yes	Yes
Android	No	Yes

Try it yourself — Ellim is free

Workout tracking + nutrition logging + 3,500+ exercises + unlimited routines. All free. No paywall, no credit card.

Download Ellim Free

See Ellim in Action

AI builds your workout

Track every set

Log meals with AI

3,500+ exercises

What you get with Ellim that Cal AI doesn't

3,500+

exercises

builds your workout

describe it, AI creates it

Unlimited

routines & tracking

no caps, no paywall

Where Cal AI Falls Short

Acquired by MyFitnessPal in March 2026 — future as independent product is uncertainSource: TechCrunch↗
Data breach exposed 3.2 million user records — serious privacy concernsSource: Hackread↗
No workout tracking whatsoever — nutrition-only appSource: Cal AI App Store↗

Where Ellim Wins

Independent and Privacy-First

Cal AI had a 3.2M record data breach and was acquired by MyFitnessPal. Ellim is independent, privacy-focused, and not going anywhere. Your data stays yours.

Workouts + Nutrition + AI

Cal AI had great AI nutrition but zero workout features. Ellim does both: AI meal detection plus AI workout generation, exercise library, and full workout tracking in one app.

No Dark Patterns

Cal AI was widely criticized for aggressive dark patterns in its subscription flow. Ellim has a generous free tier, transparent pricing, and no tricks.

Where Cal AI Wins

We believe in honest comparisons. Here is what Cal AI does well.

Pioneered AI meal detection from photos — the feature that put them on the map
Available on both iOS and Android with a large existing user base
Now backed by MyFitnessPal's resources and food database post-acquisition

In-Depth: Ellim vs Cal AI

AI Meal Detection: How Ellim and Cal AI Compare

Cal AI built its growth on one feature: photo-based calorie estimation. Ellim offers the same capability as a premium feature — photograph your meal, get a macro breakdown in seconds. The core feature is comparable. The difference is what surrounds it: Cal AI is a single-purpose calorie counter with no workout tracking, while Ellim built AI meal detection as one component of a full fitness platform. If you work out and track food, Ellim answers both without a second app.

Privacy & Product Stability Concerns

Cal AI had a data breach exposing 3.2 million user records — serious for an app that processes daily meal photos. Then in March 2026, MyFitnessPal acquired it, making Cal AI's future as an independent product uncertain. Ellim is independent, not subject to acquisition pressures, and your data stays in Ellim's own systems. For a Cal AI alternative with the same AI photo nutrition feature from a more stable source, Ellim is the direct answer.

Workout Tracking & Exercise Library

Cal AI has zero workout features — no exercise library, no logging, no AI coaching. For anyone who also trains, it covers only half the equation. Ellim's workout side includes 3,500+ exercises, full set/rep tracking, custom routines, AI workout generation, and Live Activities on iOS. Most people serious enough to want AI meal detection are also training — Ellim handles both sides without a second subscription.

Free Tier, Pricing & Transparency

Cal AI was widely criticized for dark pattern subscription flows — confusing trials and hidden cancellation. Post-acquisition by MFP, its pricing is no longer independently determined. Ellim has no tricks: free tier includes workout tracking, 3,500+ exercises, and nutrition logging with no credit card required. Premium ($17.99/mo or $99.99/yr) adds AI meal detection. Transparent pricing, no data breach, and no corporate uncertainty.

Pricing Comparison

Ellim

$17.99/mo

or $99.99/yr (save 54%)

Free forever: full workout tracking
3,500+ exercise library with graphs
Unlimited routines (no cap)
Free nutrition tracking — search + barcode scanner
Curated workout routines ready to use
Premium: AI meal detection from photos + AI workout generation

Workouts + nutrition — both free. No paywall. No credit card.

Cal AI

Varies (part of MFP ecosystem post-acquisition)

Varies

Limited free tier with trial

Which App Is Right for You?

Choose Cal AI if...

It's hard to recommend Cal AI in 2026 given the MyFitnessPal acquisition and data breach history. If you're already in the MFP ecosystem and the Cal AI integration delivers on its promise, it could be a decent add-on for photo meal detection. But as a standalone recommendation, the uncertainty around the product's future gives us pause.

Choose Ellim if...

Choose Ellim if you want AI meal detection from a company that's independent, hasn't had a data breach, and also handles your workout tracking. Ellim offers the same core AI nutrition feature (photo-based meal detection) plus everything Cal AI was missing: workout tracking, AI workout generation, and a 3,500+ exercise library.

The Verdict

Download Ellim Free

Free download. No credit card required.

Switching Is Easy

You don't need to start from scratch. Bring your routines with you.

Import by Photo

Take a screenshot of your current routine. Ellim's AI reads it and creates the routine for you.

Import by Text

Paste your routine as text — exercises, sets, reps. Ellim converts it into a trackable routine instantly.

Or Start Fresh

Browse our curated routines or let AI build a personalized plan. Your workout history starts building from day one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Was Cal AI acquired?

Yes. MyFitnessPal acquired Cal AI in March 2026. The future of Cal AI as a standalone product is uncertain, and it may be absorbed into MFP.

Did Cal AI have a data breach?

Yes. Cal AI suffered a data breach that exposed 3.2 million user records. This is a significant privacy concern, especially for an app that processes photos of your meals.

Does Cal AI track workouts?

No. Cal AI is exclusively an AI-powered calorie counter. It has no workout tracking, exercise library, or fitness features. Ellim handles both nutrition and workouts in one app.

Is Ellim's AI meal detection as good as Cal AI's?

Both use AI to detect food from photos. Ellim's meal detection is a premium feature ($17.99/mo) that also comes with full workout tracking, AI workout generation, and a 3,500+ exercise library — far more than Cal AI offers.

What are dark patterns?

Dark patterns are deceptive UI designs that trick users into actions they didn't intend — like making it hard to cancel a subscription or hiding the free option. Cal AI was widely criticized for these practices. Ellim has transparent, straightforward pricing.