Mela
Mela: A focused Apple recipe manager with imports, meal planning and Reminders grocery lists. Ranked #48 of 68 in Recipe Apps by our editors (4.0/10); pricing: Paid; best for apple users planning meals and managing recipes.
At a glance
- Editor score4.0 / 10
- PricingPaid
- Best forApple users planning meals and managing recipes
- Free planNo
- Recipe importYes
- Facts checked5 Oct 2026
Where it wins
- Imports recipes from supported websites, books and recipe-blog feeds
- Guided cooking includes step navigation, ingredient check-off and timers
- Meal calendar and grocery lists work with Apple Calendar and Reminders
Where it doesn't
- Limited to iOS and macOS
- iOS/iPadOS features require a paid in-app purchase
- macOS is sold separately
Our verdict on Mela
Mela brings recipe collecting, meal planning and cooking into an Apple-focused app for people who want their recipe library tied to everyday planning. Recipes can come from supported websites through an in-app browser or sharing extension, printed books through text recognition, recipe-blog RSS feeds, and Mela or Paprika files. Categories help organize a library, while iCloud sync and sharing connect it across Apple devices and with other iCloud users.
Its cooking and planning tools form a practical loop: a built-in calendar supports meal planning, and grocery lists are managed through Apple Reminders. In full-screen cook mode, users can navigate recipe steps, check off ingredients and run timers. Integration with Apple Calendar, Reminders and iCloud makes Mela a natural fit for people already using those services. Buyers who rely on non-Apple platforms or want a standalone grocery workflow should look elsewhere; Mela is available for iOS and macOS.
Pricing is paid rather than free. The App Store lists Mela+ for iOS/iPadOS at $6.99 USD as a one-time in-app purchase to unlock all features, with pricing potentially varying by storefront. Mela for macOS is sold separately, so Apple users planning to use both versions should account for separate purchases. Mela suits individuals seeking a dedicated recipe collection with imports, guided cooking and Apple-linked planning; it is less suited to people seeking a free option or a cross-platform service.
Mela pricing
Mela fact sheet
| Free plan | No |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Not verified |
| Recipe import | Yes |
| Meal planning | Yes |
| Guided cooking | Yes |
| Recipe library size | Not verified |
| Platforms | iOS, macOS |
| Grocery lists | Yes |
| Deployment | Desktop, Mobile |
| Platforms | macOS, iOS |
| Support | Email, Docs |
| Built for | Solo (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 3 integrations: iCloud, Apple Calendar, Apple Reminders |
| Pricing | Paid (source) |
| Website | mela.recipes |
| Facts checked | 5 Oct 2026 |
Mela integrations
Mela lists 3 integrations on its own site.
- iCloud
- Apple Calendar
- Apple Reminders
Alternatives to Mela
- NYT CookingA paid recipe service pairing a 20,000-recipe library with guided cooking and grocery lists.9.2
- CookpadA community recipe library with searchable personal collections and optional Premium tools.9.0
- Food.comA free recipe catalog for browsing, saving favorites, and sharing cooking notes.8.8
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Guides on recipe apps
- Best recipe apps for iPhone and iPad: the best options for saving, planning, shopping, and cookingAug 2026
- 11 Best Cooking and Recipe Apps for iPhone and Android in 2026Aug 2026
- AI Recipe Generators: What They Can Do, Which Tools Are Worth Using, and How to Use Them SafelyAug 2026
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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