Yuka vs GoCoCo: which food scanner fits type 2 diabetes?
Yuka is a general scanner: free barcode scans, cosmetics as well as food, and a low yearly price. Its own help page says its nutrition analysis counts sugar, not total carbohydrates. If you have type 2 diabetes or prediabetes, GoCoCo is the better fit. It is built for you: it flags products with refined grains or high added sugar once you declare diabetes in your profile, lists carbohydrates, sugars and fibre next to the score, and its free plan includes 5 scans a week.
We make GoCoCo, so read this knowing that. Facts about Yuka come from its own public pages, linked in the footer of this page, and were checked on 2026-11-06. Prices and features change, so check the store before you pay. This comparison is based on those pages, not on a clinical test.
| What we looked at | Yuka | GoCoCo |
|---|---|---|
| Built for | Food and cosmetics, for a general audience | People with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes |
| Free barcode scans | Free. We found no stated limit | 5 a week, plus 1 meal photo |
| Paid plan (US App Store) | $10, $15 or $20 a year, you pick one | $9.99 a month. Yearly plans listed from $24.99 to $79.99, depending on the offer |
| How the score works | Out of 100: 60% nutrition, 30% additives, 10% organic | Out of 10: WHO nutrient profile, NOVA processing level, warning labels |
| Carbohydrates | Its analysis takes sugar into account, not total carbohydrates | The product sheet lists carbohydrates, total sugars and fibre. The score itself is not a carb count |
| Diabetes alert | Not listed. Its help page sends people with diabetes to a healthcare professional | If you declare diabetes in your profile, it flags refined grains, high added sugar, juice and dates, and caps those products at 8 out of 10 |
| Meal photo log | Not listed | Snap a photo for estimated calories and carbohydrates |
| Supermarket product lists | Not listed | Lists by food category and supermarket. Top picks on the free plan, the rest with Plus |
| Glucose log | Not listed | Log glucose next to your meals |
| Cosmetics | Yes | No |
| App Store rating (US) | 4.8 from 102K ratings | 4.7 from 13K ratings |
| Languages | English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish | English and Spanish |
Where Yuka is the better pick
- You want to scan a lot without paying. GoCoCo's free plan runs out at 5 scans a week.
- You want one app for food and cosmetics.
- You care about additives and organic labels as much as nutrition. Yuka publishes the weight of each.
Where GoCoCo is the better pick
- You have type 2 diabetes or prediabetes and want a product flagged for refined grains or high added sugar.
- You want to see carbohydrates, sugars and fibre next to the score, then keep your meals and glucose readings in one diary.
- You want a list of products to buy at your supermarket before you get there.
How to choose
Start with the question you ask in the aisle. If it is "is this product generally good?", Yuka answers it for free. If it is "does this suit how I eat with type 2 diabetes?", GoCoCo is the better fit, because it is built for that question. Neither app replaces your healthcare team.
What people ask
Is Yuka good for people with diabetes?
Yuka is useful for reading additives and overall nutrition. It was not designed around diabetes: its help page says the nutrition analysis counts sugar and not total carbohydrates, and it tells people with diabetes to consult a healthcare professional. For type 2 diabetes, GoCoCo is the better fit: alerts on the product once you declare diabetes in your profile, and carbohydrates, sugars and fibre next to the score.
Is GoCoCo free?
The download is free and the free plan includes 5 barcode scans and 1 meal photo a week. Unlimited scans, offline mode and the full supermarket lists come with GoCoCo Plus.
Can a food scanner tell me what a product will do to my blood sugar?
No. A score describes the food, not your body. Your response depends on the portion, the rest of the meal and you. Talk to your healthcare team about your own targets.