bao vs Solid Starts: which baby tracker is right for you?
Last updated
Quick answer
Solid Starts is the best resource for learning how to serve foods safely, and its database is free. bao is the better free tracker: it logs foods and top-9 allergen exposures alongside feeds, sleep, and diapers. Many families use both.
Full disclosure: we make bao, so weigh our take accordingly. We've tried to be fair to every app here, and we say where another app is the better pick. Prices and features change; check each app's store listing before you commit.
At a glance
| Feature | bao | Solid Starts |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free. Optional paid avatar packs; every tracking feature is free. | Food database free; Tracker and plans about $19.99/mo or $99.99/yr |
| Platforms | Android and Wear OS, iPhone app coming soon; the web app works on iPhone and desktop today | iPhone, Android (free food guide also on the web) |
| Feeds, sleep & diapers | Yes: nursing timer with sides, bottles, pumping, sleep, diapers | No, solids only |
| First foods & allergens | Yes: foods tried, likes/dislikes, and a top-9 allergen exposure map | Food log, reactions, and allergen-introduction guidance in the paid tier |
| Export / pediatrician report | PDF report for your pediatrician, plus CSV export | Export for your doctor (paid) |
Which should you choose?
Choose Solid Starts if…
- You want expert guidance on how to cut, cook, and serve each food by age.
- You want a structured 100-foods plan and allergen-introduction guidance.
- You're focused only on solids and don't need a general baby tracker.
Choose bao if…
- You want a free food and allergen log: bao tracks foods tried, likes and dislikes, and exposures to the top 9 allergens.
- You want solids in the same timeline as bottles, nursing, sleep, and diapers.
- You want every caregiver logging meals in one shared place, free.
About Solid Starts
Solid Starts is the best-known starting-solids app, built around a free First Foods® database of 400+ foods with preparation, choking, and allergen guidance. It's made by SolidStarts LLC; see their website for current plans and pricing.
About bao
bao is a free baby and toddler tracker made by aequitas labs. It changes with your child's stage, from newborn feeds and sleep to first foods and then potty training, and it's free for every caregiver you invite. There are no ads and we never sell your data. Read more in our guide to the best baby tracking apps.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Solid Starts app free?
The First Foods® database is free. The food tracker, allergen-introduction guidance, and 100-foods plan are part of a paid subscription.
Can I use bao and Solid Starts together?
Yes. Many parents look up how to serve a food in Solid Starts and log what was eaten, plus any allergen exposure, in bao, where it sits next to feeds, sleep, and diapers.
Sources
Solid Starts details checked October 2026 against: