Mela review
A focused Apple recipe manager with imports, meal planning and Reminders grocery lists.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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 pros and cons
- 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
Mela fact sheet, pricing and score →
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