PlateJoy vs Mealime: which meal planning apps should you pick?
Our independent head-to-head from the 2026 edition of Best Meal Planning Apps.
PlateJoy
Deeply customized weekly meal plans with grocery integration.
8.8/ 10
Mealime
Fast, simple weeknight meal planner.
8/ 10
Head-to-head
| PlateJoy | Mealime | |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 8.8/10 | 8/10 |
| Pricing | $12.99/mo | Free; Pro $5.99/mo |
| Best for | Families and dietary restrictions | Weeknight cooks short on time |
| Platforms | iOS, Android, Web | iOS, Android |
Pros & cons
PlateJoy pros
- Best-in-class customization
- Instacart integration is seamless
- Handles multiple eaters per household
PlateJoy cons
- Setup quiz is long
- Recipes lean US-centric
Mealime pros
- 30-minute recipes
- Beautiful UX
- Solid grocery list
Mealime cons
- Limited macro tracking
- Smaller recipe library
Our verdict
Winner: PlateJoy. The most thoughtfully built meal planner we tested. Worth the price if you're cooking for a household.
In short
- PlateJoy – The most thoughtfully built meal planner we tested. Worth the price if you're cooking for a household.
- Mealime – Best 'just tell me what to cook tonight' app.
See the full best meal planning apps ranking for every app in this category, or browse all head-to-heads.