Choose Klem if
- • Logging speed matters more than recipe inspiration
- • You're on iPhone and don't need Android or web
- • You want a single flat plan instead of pricing tiers
- • You'd rather pay $30/year than $45/year
Choose Lifesum if
- • You want guided meal plans (Mediterranean, Keto, etc.)
- • Recipe ideas are part of how you stay on track
- • You use Android or want web access
- • Multi-platform availability matters more than logging speed
Tracker first vs lifestyle programme first
Lifesum, founded in Stockholm in 2008, positions itself as a healthy-eating lifestyle app. The 60M-user claim is built on a polished onboarding, a deep recipe library, and a catalogue of meal plans — Mediterranean, Keto, High Protein, 5:2, and others. Calorie and macro tracking is included, but the app pulls you toward planning meals rather than just logging them.
Klem is narrower on purpose. The whole product is calorie and macro tracking, optimised for the case where you want to know what you ate without spending five minutes on each meal. The camera is the primary input, AI handles identification, and the dashboard stays out of your way. There are no recipes, no meal plans, no lifestyle programme.
Both apps sync to Apple Health and let you set calorie targets. The choice is mostly about whether you want a structured nutrition programme with content (Lifesum) or a fast tracker that respects your existing meal preferences (Klem).
Feature comparison
| Feature | Klem | Lifesum |
|---|---|---|
| AI photo calorie tracking (camera-first) Lifesum has photo input but it's one of several methods | ||
| Barcode scanner | ||
| Manual food search | ||
| Voice logging | ||
| Macro tracking (protein/carbs/fat) | ||
| Apple Health sync | ||
| Recipe library | ||
| Pre-built meal plans (Keto, Mediterranean, etc.) | ||
| Water and habit trackers | ||
| iOS app | ||
| Android app | ||
| Web app | ||
| EU-hosted user data Both companies are EU-based (Norway / Sweden) | ||
| Number of supported languages | 13 | 20+ |
Sourced from each app's public website and App Store listing as of 2026-05-05.
Pricing comparison
| Plan | Klem | Lifesum Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Free download | Yes (3-day trial) | Yes (limited free tier) |
| Free trial length | 3 days | 7 days (Premium) |
| Monthly | $9.99 | Roughly $9.99 |
| Yearly | $29.99 | Roughly $44.99 |
| Effective monthly (yearly) | $2.50/mo | Roughly $3.75/mo |
| Tier structure | Single plan | Free / Premium |
US App Store prices as of 2026-05-05. Lifesum's pricing varies more by promotion and region than most competitors; the figures above are typical, not guaranteed.
Privacy & data
Lifesum is operated by Lifesum AB, a Swedish company. Like Klem, it benefits from EU data-protection law (GDPR) and EU-hosted infrastructure. The free tier shows occasional in-app prompts to upgrade but does not run third-party advertising in the same way US-based competitors do.
Klem is operated by Sunbranch AS, a Norwegian company. The app shows no advertising at any tier, does not sell user data, and stores meal history in an EU-hosted database (Supabase, AWS Frankfurt). On the privacy axis, Klem and Lifesum are aligned — both are EU-rooted and conservative with user data.
Platform availability
Lifesum runs on iOS, Android, and the web. Recipe browsing and meal-plan content work well on a desktop browser. If you switch between phones or want to research recipes from a laptop, this matters.
Klem is currently iOS-only (iPhone, iOS 16 and newer). There is no Android, web, or Apple Watch app today. Apple Health sync covers calories, weight, and macros automatically.
Where Lifesum still wins
Klem is the smaller of the two, and an honest comparison should acknowledge where Lifesum is genuinely better:
- Recipe library and meal plans. Lifesum's structured plans (Mediterranean, Keto, 5:2, High Protein) plus thousands of recipes give the app a content layer Klem has no equivalent for.
- Cross-platform. iOS, Android, web — all real if you don't live entirely on iPhone.
- Voice and multimodal logging. Voice notes, text, photo, and barcode in one app. If you like switching input methods, Lifesum has more options.
- Brand maturity. 16+ years, 60M-user claim, deep editorial content. The app is a known quantity in European markets.
Switching from Lifesum
There is no automated migration tool between the two apps. If you decide to try Klem, the practical path is:
- Download Klem from the App Store and start the 3-day free trial.
- Set your weight target and macro split on first launch (takes about 60 seconds).
- Log a few common meals via photo so the system learns your portion norms.
- Cancel your Lifesum Premium subscription before its renewal if you decide to stay on Klem.
Apple Health is shared between both apps, so weight and step data you've logged through Lifesum will already be visible in Klem via Health sync — you don't lose your weight history.
Frequently asked questions
Is Klem cheaper than Lifesum Premium?
Yes, typically. Klem's yearly subscription is $29.99 (about $2.50/month), compared to Lifesum Premium at roughly $44.99/year ($3.75/month). Lifesum runs frequent promotions, so the gap can narrow at certain times of year. Pricing is set per region by the App Store, so your local price may differ.
Does Lifesum have AI photo calorie tracking?
Lifesum offers a photo input as one of several logging methods (alongside text, voice, and barcode), and has been adding more AI features. It is not as camera-first as Klem — manual selection still plays a larger role in the flow. If AI photo tracking is the main reason you're choosing an app, Klem leans into it more directly.
Which app is better for following a specific diet?
Lifesum. It offers structured plans for Mediterranean, Keto, High Protein, 5:2, and other approaches, with recipes and shopping lists tied to each. Klem has no meal plans or recipes — it's a tracker, not a programme. If you want guided eating, Lifesum is the better fit.
Are both apps EU-based?
Yes. Lifesum is Swedish (Lifesum AB, Stockholm); Klem is Norwegian (Sunbranch AS). Both are subject to GDPR and store user data in the EU. On privacy and data-residency grounds, the two are roughly equivalent — pick on product fit rather than data-protection grounds.
Can I use Klem on Android or the web?
No. Klem is currently iOS-only and requires iPhone with iOS 16 or newer. Lifesum works on iOS, Android, and the web, so if you want cross-device access, Lifesum is the only option of the two.
Should I switch from Lifesum to Klem?
If you used Lifesum mostly for the calorie tracker and never engaged with the meal-plan or recipe content, the camera-first flow in Klem will probably feel faster. If you used Lifesum for its programme structure or recipes, Klem is too narrow — stay where you are.
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