Prepful
How they compare
| Feature | Prepful | Mela |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | iOS, Android, and web | iPhone, iPad, and Mac only |
| Import from TikTok / Instagram | Yes, instant | Yes, from the post's caption text |
| Import from YouTube | Yes, instant | Yes, from the video's description text |
| Import from Facebook | Yes, instant | Not listed on Mela's site (checked Nov 2026) |
| Import from Pinterest | Yes, pins that link to a recipe site | Not listed on Mela's site (checked Nov 2026) |
| Import from a website or blog | Yes, instant | Yes, built-in web importer |
| Import from a photo | Yes, instant | Yes, camera scan with manual field tagging |
| Meal planning | Yes, free | Yes, via Apple Calendar |
| Shopping list | Aisle-sorted | Via Apple Reminders |
| Cook mode | Inline quantities, timers, voice control | Large-font step view |
| Price | Free to start | Free download, then a one-time Mela+ unlock per platform: $6.99 (iOS/iPadOS), $14.99 (macOS) |
| Last updated | Updated regularly | June 2025 (iOS), May 2025 (Mac) |
Mela details above are sourced from its own website and iOS and macOS App Store listings, checked November 9, 2026, and can change. See Mela on the App Store for current pricing and features.
Where Prepful is different
If you're all-in on Apple hardware and want to pay once instead of subscribing, Mela is a real option: its camera scanner for cookbook pages works well, and it doesn't nag you for a monthly fee. But it doesn't run on Android or in a browser, so it can't be the one place a household shares recipes if anyone's on a different phone. Prepful runs everywhere, on iOS, Android, and the web, so the whole household (and anyone you share a recipe with) can open it, with no platform lock-in and no separate purchase per device.
Compare Prepful to other apps
- Prepful vs AnyList
- Yummly Alternative
- Prepful vs Paprika
- Mealime Alternative
- Prepful vs ReciMe
- Prepful vs Samsung Food
- Prepful vs Crouton
- Prepful vs BigOven
- Prepful vs Copy Me That
- Prepful vs Plan to Eat
Common questions about switching from Mela
Is Mela a subscription?
No. Mela is a free download, and unlocking it takes a one-time Mela+ purchase per platform: $6.99 for iOS/iPadOS, $14.99 for macOS. Prepful is free to start, with no purchase needed to use import, planning, or shopping.
Does Mela work on Android or in a browser?
No. Mela only runs on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Prepful runs on iOS, Android, and the web, so everyone in a household can use it regardless of what phone they carry.
Can Mela import from TikTok or Instagram?
Yes, from the post's text: Mela's App Store notes say it reads video descriptions on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. Prepful pulls ingredients and steps from the caption and what's said in the video, so it also works when a recipe is only spoken.