Mealime shut down: what former users can use instead

Short answer

Mealime is no longer an active choice; its site states it shut down on October 21, 2026. This page helps former users choose a replacement.

We build Minichef, so this is a first-party comparison. We are not claiming an independent lab test or that Minichef is best for everyone. The useful question is which app makes your dinner workflow easier.

What each app is built to do

Minichef: Minichef is worth considering if you already have recipes saved from websites, social posts, photos, or notes and want an AI-assisted plan from that personal collection. The official listing describes recipe import, a meal planner, and generated grocery lists.

Mealime: Mealime’s site now states that the service shut down on October 21, 2026. Its previous workflow centered on choosing meals from a curated recipe catalog and turning selected meals into a grocery list.

Where Minichef may be the better fit

There is no direct Mealime account migration documented in Minichef’s official listing. If you exported recipes or still have links/photos, check whether Minichef can import those individual items before deleting any Mealime data.

Minichef’s listed workflow covers importing recipe links, social recipes, photos, screenshots and text; asking its AI Chef to plan or modify recipes; and generating grocery lists. See the Minichef App Store listing, the Minichef meal-planner page and the Minichef recipe-organizer page for the current product description. The free tier and premium limits can change; the App Store shows current terms before purchase.

Where Mealime may be the better fit

Mealime’s former strength was a curated meal-planning flow. Since its service has shut down, it is no longer an active alternative; this page is a transition guide, not a live product scorecard.

Which should you choose?

If you were looking for curated recipes to choose from, compare active services that maintain a recipe catalog. If you want to bring your own saved recipes into planning, try Minichef’s free tier and verify which imports work for your sources.

If you already use Mealime, test one real week before moving your entire cookbook. Check that your most important recipes import correctly, that the plan matches how your household eats, and that the grocery workflow suits your store. Do not delete your existing library until you have confirmed your recipes are available somewhere else.

Sources and method

We reviewed Minichef’s public App Store listing and product pages alongside Mealime’s official website (shutdown notice) on October 31, 2026. Features above are summarized from those public descriptions, not from a full hands-on test of both apps. Availability, pricing and feature limits can vary by country and change over time. Mealime’s official website (shutdown notice) is the source for Mealime’s product description: Mealime official source.