Final Verdict
You have a lot of meal planning apps you can choose from, but we recommend PlateJoy as the best overall. PlateJoy offers a free 11-day trial to see if it’s a fit. They also have many different meal plans to choose from, and you can set a calorie goal and how many meals you want to eat.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is a Meal Planning App?
A meal planning app helps you plan your meals for the week, provides you with a grocery list with quantities needed for the whole week of food, and can help you follow specific meal plans or adhere to dietary restrictions with ease.
Is a Meal Planning App Easy to Use?
Yes! Meal planning apps are designed to save you time, help you stay organized, and view your meals for the week all in one place. Some also allow you to check your calories and how many meals you eat per week.
Can I Import My Own Recipes?
Some meal planning apps allow you to upload your own recipes from a website or enter them yourself. Other meal planning apps simply provide you with a menu for the week with no ability to upload your own recipes. It's best to check the details of the app's FAQ section or contact the app to find out this information.
What’s the Average Cost of a Meal Planning App?
Most meal planning apps range from free for the basic version to $15/month. The number of features and integrations the app offers might increase the cost. Head to an app's website to find out how much it will cost.
Can a Meal Planning App Help Me Lose Weight?
Yes, it's possible! Most meal planning apps include healthy, unprocessed foods and help you limit the number of times you eat out each week. If followed correctly, meal planning apps can help you reach your nutrition and weight loss goals.
Methodology
To compile our list of best meal planning apps we researched meal planning apps, consulted various blogs and reviews, and searched the app store for highly-rated options. We only considered apps with multiple positive reviews, a grocery list feature, and the option to choose different meal plans or customize the menu in some way. Factors such as cost, accessibility, how they cater to specific diets or food sensitivities, ease of use, and app features were also assessed.
Lastly, we gave preference to apps that had extensive recipe libraries and the feature to exclude certain foods or set dietary preferences. This is important, especially for people with food sensitivities, as a meal plan full of foods you cannot eat is not very helpful. All companies researched are available in the U.S. and have pricing information listed online.