MealBudgetThe best Mealime alternatives in 2026
Mealime shut down on October 21, 2026. Which replacement fits depends on what you used it for: the recipes, the plan, or the shopping list. Here are six, with what each costs and who it suits.
Mealime said personal data would be deleted at shutdown, and it did not offer an export, so whichever you pick, you are starting fresh. Per Mealime’s notice, its recipes are on Meals Hub.
Quick answer
- Just want the recipes, free: Meals Hub.
- Want the week to fit a grocery budget: MealBudget.
- Want to own your recipes with no subscription: Paprika.
- Want the basket sent to a store for pickup: eMeals.
The six, compared
Meals Hub (Albertsons Companies)
Free
Anyone who mainly wants Mealime’s recipes. Mealime said its recipes would stay available there, inside the Albertsons Companies grocery apps and websites. Preferences have to be set up again.
Source: mealime.com/closing, read 12 Oct 2026.
MealBudget
First week free, then $7.99/mo or $49.99/yr (US, Google Play)
Households who want the week to fit a grocery budget. You set the amount first; it plans dinners that share ingredients and one shopping list, with the total estimated from average local prices. Imports recipes from a link, a screenshot or a PDF. Android today, iPhone in review.
Source: our own Play listing, 12 Oct 2026.
Plan to Eat
$5.95/mo or $49/yr ($54.99 through the App Store)
Planning on a calendar from your own collected recipes, across web and phone on one family account. 14-day trial with no card.
Source: vendor pricing page, read 22 Sep 2026.
Paprika Recipe Manager
One-time purchase per platform, $4.99 on iOS
Owning your recipes with no subscription, and clipping recipes from any website. Strong at merging a shopping list.
Source: vendor site and App Store listing, read 22 Sep 2026.
eMeals
"As low as $4.99 a month" on a 12-month plan
Dietitian-written plans sent straight to a store for pickup or delivery, including Albertsons, Safeway, Kroger and Walmart.
Source: vendor how-it-works page, read 22 Sep 2026.
AnyList
Free tier; Complete $9.99/yr individual, $14.99/yr household
A shared family shopping list that syncs everywhere, at a low yearly price, with meal planning in the paid tier.
Source: vendor pricing page, read 22 Sep 2026.
MealBudget wrote this page and is one of the apps on it. It is independent and not affiliated with Mealime or Albertsons Companies. Prices change; each entry says where and when it was read.
Questions
- What is the best free alternative to Mealime?
- Meals Hub, in the Albertsons Companies grocery apps and websites. It is free and Mealime said its recipes would be available there.
- What is the best Mealime alternative for a tight grocery budget?
- MealBudget is built around that: you set what the week should cost, and it plans meals and one shopping list to fit, with the total estimated before you shop.
- When did Mealime shut down?
- October 21, 2026, according to mealime.com/closing. Mealime said all personal data would be deleted when the app closed.
Lost your Mealime recipes? What you can still do. Looking at grocery budget apps more widely? Our wider comparison.
Want to keep planning after Mealime, on a budget you set? Bring your recipes into MealBudget by link, screenshot or PDF, and the first week is free.