Ellim vs Cal AI.
An honest, side-by-side comparison. We tell you where Cal AI wins, too. Updated October 2026.
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 | $2.99/wk or ~$29.99/yr — A/B-tested paywall, 3-day trial requires a cardSource: Cal AI App Store↗ |
| AI Workouts | LLM-based conversational AI (premium) | |
| Nutrition Tracking | Yes | Yes |
| AI Meal Detection | Photo-based (premium) | Photo-based |
| Water Tracking | Free (one-tap cups + daily goal; weekly trends premium) | Daily water goal + reminders (in subscription)Source: Cal AI — App Store↗ |
| Sleep Tracking | Free (from Apple Health; 14-night trends premium) | |
| Exercise Library Size | 3,500+ exercises | |
| Workout Tracking | Yes | |
| Custom Routines | Yes | |
| Apple Watch | No | |
| 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 FreeSee Ellim in Action
AI builds your workout
Track every set
Log meals with AI
3,500+ exercises
What you get with Ellim that Cal AIdoesn't
exercises
builds your workout
describe it, AI creates it
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 strength training features — basic step-counter integration only; no exercise library, no sets/reps, no routinesSource: 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 no real workout features — a step counter, no training log. 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
Privacy & Product Stability Concerns
Workout Tracking & Exercise Library
Free Tier, Pricing & Transparency
Pricing Comparison
- 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
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
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.
Download Ellim FreeFree 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?
Not really. It integrates a step counter, but there's no exercise library, no sets/reps logging, and no routines — it's an AI calorie counter at heart. Ellim handles full training and nutrition 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.
Other Comparisons
The short version.
3,500 exercises, routines, meals, water and weigh-ins, free. The coach is the paid upgrade. Nothing on this page offers that combination on a free tier.
Free · iPhone only · Available on the App Store
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This comparison was last updated in October 2026 based on publicly available information including official websites, App Store listings, pricing pages, and published reviews. All trademarks and product names belong to their respective owners. Cal AI is not affiliated with, nor does it endorse, Ellim. We strive for accuracy — if anything on this page is outdated or incorrect, please let us know.