Meals & groceries · Updated Oct 16, 2026
Mealime is closing Oct 21: 5 easy swaps for busy moms
Mealime says it will shut down on October 21, 2026 and delete your account data. Here's how to save your favorites tonight and pick a new planner that fits how you cook.
✓ Verified on Mealime's closing page, Oct 16, 2026.
The quick facts
- Closing date: October 21, 2026 (Mealime's own notice).
- Pro is free until then. Pro subscribers won't be charged again.
- Your data gets deleted at shutdown. Your account doesn't transfer.
- The recipes move to Meals Hub, free inside Albertsons Companies store apps (Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco and others).
Before Oct 21: save what you love (10 minutes)
- Screenshot this week's plan and grocery list.
- Save your top 10 recipes. Open each one and use Share to copy its link into one note, or print it from the Mealime website.
- Write down your diet settings (allergies, dislikes, serving size) so you can set up your new app in two minutes.
Mealime hasn't announced an export button, so do this now instead of on the last day.
The easiest move: Meals Hub (free)
If you shop at Safeway, Vons, Albertsons or another Albertsons-family store, Meals Hub keeps every Mealime recipe and adds thousands more. Open the store app, tap More, then Meals Hub.
Want something that isn't tied to a grocery store? Here are five swaps.
Which swap fits you?
Best for the Fast Lane Want dinner decided, fast? Text Ollie (free to start).
Best for the Joyride Want something fresh and fun to use? Samsung Food.
Best for Cruise Control Want the least stress and $0? Samsung Food or Meals Hub.
Best for the Route Planner Want every recipe and list organized just right? Plan to Eat, AnyList or Paprika.
Want more than a meal planner? See the best AI tools for busy moms, free plans first.
1. Plan to Eat: Closest feel to Mealime, but with your own recipes
Import the recipes you rescue, drag them onto a calendar, and get a sorted list. No card for the trial, so nothing to forget to cancel.
Plan to Eat
14-day free trial, no card · then $5.95/mo or $49/yr
Your recipes from any website in one cookbook. Drag them onto a calendar and it builds the grocery list, sorted and combined.
Best for the Route Planner
Your first 10 minutes
3 quick steps:
1) Install the recipe clipper and save 5 dinners your family loves. 2) Drag them onto next week. 3) Open the shopping list and check off what's already in your pantry.
Skip it if you want recipes chosen for you. Plan to Eat uses your recipes.
Price checked Oct 16, 2026
2. Samsung Food: Best free planner with recipes built in
Free plan with recipes, a weekly planner and a shopping list. Works on iPhone and Android, not just Samsung.
Samsung Food
Free plan · Food+ $6.99/mo or $59.99/yr (7-day trial)
Save recipes from almost any website, build a weekly meal plan, and turn it into a shopping list. Food+ adds AI-made personalized plans. Works on any phone, not just Samsung.
Best for the Joyride
Your first 10 minutes
3 quick steps:
1) Set your family's diet and dislikes in your profile. 2) Save 5 recipes your kids will actually eat. 3) Drag them into this week's planner and tap "add to shopping list."
Skip it if you only want a plain list. AnyList is simpler.
Price checked Oct 16, 2026
3. AnyList: Best if your favorite part was the grocery list
The list sorts by aisle and syncs instantly with your partner. The upgrade is just $9.99 a year.
AnyList
Free plan · Complete $9.99/yr (you) or $14.99/yr (household)
The shared grocery list that sorts itself by aisle and updates on everyone's phone the second someone adds milk. Saves recipes from any website.
Best for the Route Planner
Your first 10 minutes
3 quick steps:
1) Make a list called "Groceries" and share it with your partner. 2) Add your 15 weekly staples once so they autofill forever. 3) Save 3 favorite dinner recipes from the web.
Skip it if you want the app to plan meals for you. AnyList organizes. It doesn't decide.
Price checked Oct 16, 2026
4. Paprika Recipe Manager 3: Best if you hate subscriptions
Pay once and keep it. Great for saving the recipes you rescue from Mealime.
Paprika Recipe Manager 3
One-time: $4.99 iPhone/iPad · Android free up to 50 recipes, $4.99 to unlock · Mac $29.99. No subscription.
Grab any recipe off the web (minus the life story), scale it, plan meals, and make a grocery list. Pay once, keep it forever.
Best for the Route Planner
Your first 10 minutes
3 quick steps:
1) Use the built-in browser to save your 10 most-cooked recipes. 2) Add 3 to this week's meal plan. 3) Tap "add ingredients to grocery list."
Skip it if you use phones and a computer. Each version is bought separately.
Price checked Oct 16, 2026
5. Ollie (family assistant by text): Best if you want dinner decided by text
Free to start and the most hands-off: text it your family's tastes and it sends back the week's dinners and a grocery list. It can handle the family calendar too.
Ollie (family assistant by text)
Free plan (50 messages/mo + 6 free a day) · Everyday $25/mo · Always-On $100/mo
A family assistant you just text. No app, no login. Ask for this week's dinners and a grocery list, "add Mia's recital to my calendar," or "did I miss anything from school today?"
Best for the Fast Lane
Your first 10 minutes
Text Ollie to start:
Hi Ollie! We're a family of 5 with two picky kids (no mushrooms, no spicy). Plan 5 weeknight dinners for this week, 30 minutes or less, with one leftovers night. Then text me one grocery list.
Skip it if you only want a meal planner. The free plan is 50 messages a month, and Everyday at $25/mo costs more than most meal apps.
Price checked Oct 16, 2026
Mealime shutdown FAQ
When is Mealime shutting down?
Mealime says the app will be discontinued on October 21, 2026. Pro subscribers are not being charged again, and Pro features are free for everyone until then.
What happens to my Mealime recipes and data?
Mealime says all personal data will be deleted when the app shuts down, and your account does not transfer. Save the recipes and plans you care about before October 21.
Where are Mealime's recipes going?
To Meals Hub, a free planner inside Albertsons Companies grocery apps (like Safeway, Vons and Jewel-Osco). Mealime says it works even if no Albertsons-family store is near you.
What's the best free Mealime replacement?
Meals Hub (free, same recipes) or Samsung Food (free plan, works on any phone). AnyList is free for a shared grocery list.
We don't make any of these apps and none of them paid to be here. "Savvy-Tested" checks are in progress. Prices checked Oct 16, 2026; they can change.