Chapter— Comparison
WhatToCook vs Mealime
Mealime is known for guided meal planning, diet filters, and grocery list generation (with a Pro tier for deeper nutrition). WhatToCook leans into AI help, importing recipes from anywhere, and flexible discovery based on ingredients.
AI cooking help + importing vs guided meal plans
№At a glance
№ 01
Feature by feature
| Feature | WhatToCook | Mealime |
|---|---|---|
| Meal planning workflow | Flexible weekly planning with quick swaps and macro targets. | Guided weekly meal planning with auto grocery lists. |
| Diet preferences & restrictions | Supports multiple diet goals and planning flows. | Strong diet types + allergy/dislike filters; deeper nutrition in Pro. |
| Grocery lists | Recipes/meal plan → grocery list; shared lists for real-time collaboration. | Auto list from planned meals; store-department sorting; ordering in some markets. |
| Recipe importing | Import from websites, social posts, or camera scan; organize in collections. | Primarily relies on its recipe catalog and guided planning flow. |
| AI help & recipe insights | AI ideas + substitutions, nutrition per serving, and step-by-step cooking mode. | More structured planning and filters; some personalization in Pro. |
| Pricing modelAlways verify current pricing/subscription features in the app before purchasing. | Free core features with optional premium upgrades (varies by plan). | Free tier + Mealime Pro subscription for advanced features. |
Note: Features and pricing can change over time. We review these pages regularly.
№ 02
The verdict
WhatToCook is best if…
- You save recipes from many sources and want everything organized in one place.
- You want AI help for ideas, substitutions, and quicker planning.
- You want ingredient-based search plus a built-in recipe catalog.
- You want to scan handwritten recipes and save them fast.
Mealime is best if…
- You want a guided ‘pick meals → auto list → cook’ workflow.
- You rely on strong diet filters and structured plans.
- You want grocery ordering integrations where available.
№ 03— Switching
Switching from Mealime to WhatToCook
- add step timing
Set your preferences first
Choose your diet, allergies, and dislikes so suggestions and discovery start in the right direction.
- add step timing
Import your repeat meals
Bring over your go-to recipes from websites or social links, then save them into collections.
- add step timing
Plan the week and share the list
Create a weekly plan, generate a single grocery list, and share it with family or roommates.
№ 04— Questions
WhatToCook vs Mealime: FAQ
Quick answers before you decide
Is Mealime or WhatToCook better for meal planning?
Mealime is great if you want a guided meal-plan builder with strong filtering. WhatToCook is better if you want flexibility, importing, and AI-assisted planning.
Can I generate a grocery list from my meal plan in WhatToCook?
Yes. WhatToCook turns your recipes and meal plan into a combined grocery list and supports sharing.
Do I need to subscribe to use WhatToCook?
No. WhatToCook has a free core; some advanced features may be part of a premium plan depending on your region.
№ 05— The index
Other chapters
Same app, a different starting point.
№ 06— Reservation
Try WhatToCook free today.
If you want faster meal planning, easier importing, and shared grocery lists, give WhatToCook a try.
- Table for
- your whole household
- Cover charge
- Free to start
