Fig and Vegan Scan AI both help you check food against your diet, but they take very different approaches. Fig covers thousands of dietary restrictions through barcodes and search. Vegan Scan AI focuses on one question, whether food is vegan, and answers it from a photo of the label.
The short answer
How Fig works
Fig lets you build a profile from a very long list of diets and restrictions, including low FODMAP, gluten-free, vegan, low histamine and food allergies. You then scan a product's barcode or search for foods at grocery stores and restaurants, and Fig shows whether it fits your profile.
Fig's free version includes 5 scans a month and unlimited searches; its paid plan, Fig+, unlocks unlimited scans and more features. It is rated 4.7 from around 17,000 reviews on the US App Store, and its website describes it as US-focused.
How Vegan Scan AI works
Vegan Scan AI reads the ingredient list from a photo. Snap the label and the app checks every ingredient for animal-derived sources, then gives you one of three answers: Vegan, Not Vegan or Check (for ingredients like "natural flavor" or E471 that can be plant- or animal-based). Every flagged ingredient is explained in plain English.
Since it reads the label itself, it works on imported products, local brands and new launches, wherever you shop. Barcode scanning is also available on supported products.
Side by side
| Fig | Vegan Scan AI | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Thousands of diets and restrictions | Vegan first, plus vegetarian, Jain, gluten-free, lactose-free |
| How it checks | Barcode scan and food search | Photo of the ingredient list (barcode on supported products) |
| Products not in a database | Barcode not found | Reads the label directly |
| Restaurants | Yes (Fig+) | No |
| Explains results | Shows which ingredients conflict with your profile | Explains each flagged animal ingredient |
| Free use | 5 scans a month, unlimited search | Free to try; Premium with a 3-day free trial |
| Where it works best | US grocery stores | Anywhere you can photograph a label |
When Fig is the better choice
If you or someone you cook for has several restrictions, for example vegan and low FODMAP and a nut allergy, Fig's detailed profiles are hard to beat. Its restaurant search is useful too.
When Vegan Scan AI is the better choice
If you're vegan and want a quick, clear answer for any product in your hand, Vegan Scan AI is built for exactly that. It is especially useful for imported and local products, and for learning the hidden ingredients that trip up new vegans. See our guide to 25 hidden animal ingredients, or how we compare with Yuka.
Vegan Scan AI is not an allergy tool. If you have a food allergy, a dedicated allergy app and the product label are the right place to check.
Details about Fig were taken from Fig's website and App Store listing on 27 October 2026 and may change.
