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Mela alternatives: 3 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Nov 8, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rankAll recipe managers and meal planners

Top picks

Common reasons people leave Mela: apple devices only, and meal planning is basic compared with dedicated planners. We ranked 3 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Mela, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Paprika Recipe Manager currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingVerified priceOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Paprika Recipe Manager logoPaprika Recipe ManagerPaid—NoiOS, Android, macOS +17 of 768.8
2AnyList logoAnyListFree plan + paid$9.99 per yearNoiOS, Android, macOS +25 of 564.8
3ReciMe logoReciMeFree plan + paid$39.99 a year (US yearly plan)NoiOS, Android, Web +17 of 761.8
  1. Paprika Recipe Manager logo

    1. Paprika Recipe ManagerTop pick

    Best for: Home cooks who want a subscription-free recipe box on both phone and desktop

    PaidiOS, Android, macOS, Windows

    68.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Mela

    Runs on Android and Windows too, with a stronger meal planner and smart grocery lists.

    Pros

    • One-time purchases with no subscription
    • Reliable one-tap recipe import from websites
    • Free cloud sync across all platforms
    • Grocery lists merge ingredients and sort by aisle

    Cons

    • Each platform must be bought separately
    • No web app for use on a borrowed computer
    • Interface looks dated next to newer recipe apps
    Visit Paprika Recipe Manager Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Paprika Recipe Manager a good Mela alternative?

    Verified facts

    7 of 7 verified
    Platforms
    iOS, Mac, Android, Windows
    Checked Nov 2, 2026paprikaapp.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Pricing
    Each platform sold separately
    Checked Nov 2, 2026paprikaapp.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Cloud sync
    Free account
    Checked Nov 2, 2026paprikaapp.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Meal planning
    Weekly or monthly
    Checked Nov 2, 2026paprikaapp.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Developer
    Hindsight Labs LLC
    Checked Nov 2, 2026paprikaapp.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Windows app
    $29.99 one-time
    Checked Nov 6, 2026paprikaapp.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free trial
    Yes on Windows, no time limit
    Checked Nov 6, 2026paprikaapp.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. AnyList logo

    2. AnyList

    Best for: Couples and families who share grocery lists and want recipes and meal plans in the same app

    Free plan + paidiOS, Android, macOS, Web, Browser extension

    64.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Mela

    Recipe box and shopping list app shared with your household, with web import and meal planning.

    Pros

    • Shared lists sync instantly between household members
    • Low yearly price, with a household plan
    • Apple Watch, Siri and Mac apps alongside iPhone and iPad
    • Recipe import from popular recipe sites and browser extensions

    Cons

    • Meal planning calendar and web app need the paid Complete plan
    • Feature set is centred on Apple devices; Android gets fewer extras
    • No self-hosting or offline-only storage option
    Visit AnyList Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is AnyList a good Mela alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Individual plan
    $9.99 per year
    Checked Nov 8, 2026anylist.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Household plan
    $14.99 per year
    Checked Nov 8, 2026anylist.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Web app
    Yes, with Complete
    Checked Nov 8, 2026anylist.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Apple Watch app
    Yes
    Checked Nov 8, 2026anylist.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Shared lists
    Yes, real-time sync
    Checked Nov 8, 2026anylist.com(opens source in a new tab)
  3. ReciMe logo

    3. ReciMe

    Best for: Cooks who save recipes from TikTok and Instagram and want them in meal plans and lists

    Free plan + paidiOS, Android, Web, Browser extension

    61.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Mela

    Saves recipes from Instagram and TikTok as well as websites, and runs on Android where Mela doesn't.

    Pros

    • Imports recipes from social video posts, screenshots and handwritten cards
    • Grocery lists sorted automatically by supermarket aisle
    • Meal planner and cookbooks stay free
    • Apps on iOS and Android, plus web app and Chrome extension

    Cons

    • Free version is capped at five recipe imports a week
    • Unlimited imports need an ongoing subscription rather than a one-off purchase
    • Fewer offline and pantry features than older recipe managers
    Visit ReciMe Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is ReciMe a good Mela alternative?

    Verified facts

    7 of 7 verified
    Free plan
    Yes, up to 5 recipe imports per week
    Checked Nov 8, 2026recime.app(opens source in a new tab)
    Import sources
    Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube
    Checked Nov 8, 2026recime.app(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    iOS, Android, web
    Checked Nov 8, 2026recime.app(opens source in a new tab)
    Browser extension
    Chrome
    Checked Nov 8, 2026recime.app(opens source in a new tab)
    Starting price
    $39.99 a year (US yearly plan)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026recime.app(opens source in a new tab)
    Free trial
    7 days (ReciMe Plus)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026recime.app(opens source in a new tab)
    Student discount
    10% off the first year of an annual plan
    Checked Nov 8, 2026recime.app(opens source in a new tab)

The best Mela alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Paprika Recipe Manager logo

Best Mela alternative for most people

Paprika Recipe Manager

Runs on Android and Windows too, with a stronger meal planner and smart grocery lists.

AnyList logo

Best Mela alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

AnyList

Recipe box and shopping list app shared with your household, with web import and meal planning.

Paprika Recipe Manager logo

Best Mela alternative for Mac

Paprika Recipe Manager

Runs on Android and Windows too, with a stronger meal planner and smart grocery lists.

Paprika Recipe Manager logo

Best Mela alternative for Windows

Paprika Recipe Manager

Runs on Android and Windows too, with a stronger meal planner and smart grocery lists.

ReciMe logo

Best Mela alternative for iPhone and Android

ReciMe

Saves recipes from Instagram and TikTok as well as websites, and runs on Android where Mela doesn't.

AnyList logo

Best Mela alternative for working in the browser

AnyList

Recipe box and shopping list app shared with your household, with web import and meal planning.

Mela alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Mela?

Paprika Recipe Manager ranks first right now. Runs on Android and Windows too, with a stronger meal planner and smart grocery lists. AnyList and ReciMe follow it in our ranking.

Mela vs Paprika Recipe Manager: what's the difference?

Both Mela and Paprika Recipe Manager are paid products. Only Paprika Recipe Manager runs on Android and Windows.

Is Mela free?

Mela is a paid product.

How much do Mela alternatives cost?

Verified prices for the top-ranked Mela alternatives: AnyList, $9.99 per year; ReciMe, $39.99 a year (US yearly plan). Each price was checked on the app's own site; see each card below for the date and source.

Is there a free alternative to Mela?

Yes. AnyList (free plan + paid) and ReciMe (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Mela?

None of the 3 alternatives in this list is open source.

Why do people switch from Mela?

The complaints we hear most: apple devices only; meal planning is basic compared with dedicated planners; relies on iCloud, so no sharing with Android users.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Mela, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.