Nutrition Data System for Research (NDSR) vs GNUtrition

Nutrition Data System for Research (NDSR)9.2Visit GNUtrition7.5Visit

Higher score Nutrition Data System for Research (NDSR) #1 in Nutrition Analysis Software 9.2/10 From $475 ✓ 3 of 4 features Visit NDSR

vs

GNUtrition #8 in Nutrition Analysis Software 7.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 4 features Visit GNUtrition

• Nutrition Data System for Research (NDSR) fits best

  Researchers analyzing detailed dietary recalls

• GNUtrition fits best

  Linux users wanting free, basic nutrient tracking

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Side by side

Feature	Nutrition Data System for Research (NDSR) 9.2/10 Visit ↗	GNUtrition 7.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.2	7.5
Ranking	#1 in Nutrition Analysis Software	#8 in Nutrition Analysis Software
Best for	Researchers analyzing detailed dietary recalls	Linux users wanting free, basic nutrient tracking
Pricing model	Paid	Free
Starting price	Not published	Not published
Free plan	—	✓ (best)
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Self-hosted
Platforms	Windows	Linux
Support	Email, Phone, Docs	Community, Docs
Built for	Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo
Features Nutrition Data System for Research (NDSR) 3/4 · GNUtrition 2/4
Recipe analysis	✓	✓
Dietary intake tracking	✓	✓
Mobile app	—	—
Nutrition data export	✓ (best)	Not published
Specs
Nutrient database	Extensive	Standard
Nutrients tracked	181	Not published
Our review
Pros	Analyzes recalls, food records, menus, recipes, and supplements Tracks 181 nutrients across about 19,500 foods Generates research outputs, including Healthy Eating Index 2015 reports	Search foods and view their nutrient information. Calculate nutrient reports from recipe ingredients and quantities. Log daily foods and total intake against a USDA-based budget.
Cons	Windows-only desktop deployment limits platform access Research license costs $6,600 before annual support Pilot-Pack and Academic licenses restrict permitted use	Limited to Linux and self-hosted deployment. No mobile app is available. Its focus is basic nutrient analysis rather than a broader nutrition toolkit.
Our verdict	Nutrition Data System for Research (NDSR) is Windows-based software for collecting and analyzing 24-hour dietary recalls, food records, menus, and recipes. It calculates nutrient values per ingredient, food, meal, and day, and includes a… Read the review →	GNUtrition is free, open-source nutrition analysis software for Linux users who want to examine foods, recipes, and daily intake. It draws food-nutrient information from the USDA Food and Nutrient Database for Dietary Studies. The manual… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Nutrition Data System for Research (NDSR) — where it wins

  • Analyzes recalls, food records, menus, recipes, and supplements
  • Tracks 181 nutrients across about 19,500 foods
  • Generates research outputs, including Healthy Eating Index 2015 reports

  Where it doesn't

  • Windows-only desktop deployment limits platform access
  • Research license costs $6,600 before annual support
  • Pilot-Pack and Academic licenses restrict permitted use

• GNUtrition — where it wins

  • Search foods and view their nutrient information.
  • Calculate nutrient reports from recipe ingredients and quantities.
  • Log daily foods and total intake against a USDA-based budget.

  Where it doesn't

  • Limited to Linux and self-hosted deployment.
  • No mobile app is available.
  • Its focus is basic nutrient analysis rather than a broader nutrition toolkit.

• Nutrition Data System for Research (NDSR)9.2/10 · From $475

  Research-focused recall and nutrient analysis with deep coverage, but a high Windows-only license cost.

  Visit NDSRFull verdict →
• GNUtrition7.5/10 · Free plan

  A free Linux nutrition tracker for food, recipe, and daily-intake analysis.

  Visit GNUtritionFull verdict →