For home cooks choosing their next app
Mealime is closing on 21 October.
Kitchen First is a free alternative for UK and US home cooks who want dinner ideas from their fridge, a meal calendar and a shopping list.
By Matteo Manzoni · Published
Last checked:
Kitchen First is not affiliated with Mealime. It cannot import Mealime recipes or account data.
View on the App StoreComing soon. Free for iPhone, iOS 17+. UK and US.
What is closing, and when?
Mealime says its app will be discontinued on 21 October 2026. Its official announcement says: Mealime will be discontinued as of October 21, 2026.
Read Mealime’s closing announcement and FAQ.
Mealime is directing users to Meals Hub in Albertsons Companies store apps and websites. The announcement also says Mealime Pro recipes and features become available to all Mealime users during the wind-down.
Do you have to shop at Albertsons to use Meals Hub?
No. Mealime’s current FAQ says Meals Hub lets you browse recipes, create meal plans and generate shopping lists even if you cannot shop at an Albertsons Companies store. It also confirms a web version through those store websites.
We have not verified Meals Hub’s availability in the UK. If you want an independent iPhone app for UK or US food names and units, Kitchen First is another option. It starts with the food you have and includes its own recipes.
What does Kitchen First do differently?
Kitchen First matches its 302 included recipes to your food, then helps you plan, shop and cook. It is a different app with a smaller, included recipe library. This table separates what it does from what you may need when leaving Mealime.
| Your need | Kitchen First | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Find something to cook | 302 included recipes matched to your food | Its own library, not Mealime’s recipes |
| Plan meals | Calendar for breakfast, lunch and dinner | You choose your meals and dates |
| Make a shopping list | Missing ingredients, tick off and Put away | A list in the app, not a grocery checkout |
| Cook step by step | Cooking mode with step timers | Timers on steps that offer one |
| Bring your Mealime collection | No import | Recipes, favourites and account data cannot transfer |
| Track nutrition or calories | Not included | Choose another tool if this is essential |
| Share or sync between phones | Not included | Your data stays on your phone |
| Use UK or US names and units | Both supported | Free for iPhone, iOS 17+, no account |
How do you start in two minutes?
Try this short first-use route when Kitchen First is available on the App Store. Two minutes is a suggested starting session, not a measured setup-time guarantee.
- Add a few foods. Open Kitchen and search for what you have. You can also speak a list or scan a grocery receipt.
- Choose tonight’s dinner. Look at recipes matched to those foods and check any missing ingredients.
- Plan or cook. Add the meal to a calendar day, put missing ingredients on Shopping, or open cooking mode.
Mealime alternative: common questions
When is Mealime closing?
Mealime says its app will be discontinued on 21 October 2026. This was checked against its official closing page on 12 October 2026.
What is replacing Mealime?
Mealime directs users to Meals Hub in Albertsons Companies store apps and websites. Its FAQ says you can browse recipes, plan meals and make shopping lists even without shopping at one of those stores. UK availability has not been verified.
Can Kitchen First import Mealime recipes?
No. Kitchen First cannot import Mealime recipes, favourites or account data. It has its own library of 302 included recipes.
Is Kitchen First affiliated with Mealime?
No. Kitchen First is an independent app and is not affiliated with Mealime or Albertsons Companies.
Is Kitchen First free in the UK and US?
Yes. Kitchen First is a free iPhone app for the UK and US. It requires iOS 17 or later and no account.
Does Kitchen First offer nutrition or sync?
No. Kitchen First does not offer nutrition or calorie tracking, recipe import, sharing or sync between phones. Your data stays on your phone.
Start with your kitchen.
Free for iPhone. No account. Your data stays on your phone.
View on the App StoreComing soon. Free for iPhone, iOS 17+. UK and US.