If you are looking for a Mealime alternative, the right choice depends on what you want to keep: familiar recipes, a simple shopping list, or an easier way to decide what to cook. Dishcount is worth trying if grocery savings are a priority.
I built Dishcount to help people plan meals around local grocery deals. You enter your ZIP, choose available stores and get meal ideas based on sale ingredients. You can build a shopping list and create a free account to save your favorite Dishcount recipes.
This comparison is written by Dishcount's founder. Dishcount is independent of Mealime and Albertsons. It does not currently import Mealime recipes or reproduce Mealime's recipe collection.
What is happening to Mealime?
Mealime's official notice says the app will be discontinued on October 21, 2026. Albertsons acquired Mealime in 2021. Mealime says its recipes will remain available through Meals Hub in Albertsons Companies apps and websites, with the same core recipe team.
Meals Hub is free, and Mealime says you can use it for recipes, meal plans and shopping lists even without an Albertsons store nearby. If keeping the Mealime recipe catalog is your main concern, start by looking at that official option.
Dishcount vs Mealime
The main difference is where planning begins. Mealime starts with recipes. Dishcount starts with available grocery deals.
| Feature | Dishcount | Mealime |
|---|---|---|
| Starting point | Local grocery offers and your meal preferences | Choose recipes to build a meal plan |
| Recipes | AI-generated meal ideas based on selected deals and preferences | Chef-created recipe catalog, continuing in Meals Hub |
| Shopping lists | Add ingredients from your meal ideas to a list | Build a grocery list from your chosen meals |
| Saved favorites | Save Dishcount recipes with a free account; no Mealime import | Mealime says its recipe catalog continues; personal app data will be deleted at shutdown |
| Cost | Free; no account required to start planning | Pro features are being made free during the transition; Meals Hub is free |
| Store choice | Supported US stores; offers vary by ZIP, store and week | Meals Hub planning and lists remain usable without a nearby Albertsons store |
Mealime's transition details come from its official notice. Dishcount features reflect the current product. Store coverage and sale availability can change.
How to try Dishcount
- Enter your ZIP. See which supported grocery stores and offers are available near you.
- Choose your planning approach. Get five dinner ideas from available deals, or browse the offers and pick ingredients yourself.
- Make the plan your own. Set household size and available meal preferences, review the recipes and add ingredients to your shopping list.
- Save what you like. A free account lets you keep Dishcount recipes, shopping lists and preferences for future visits.
For example, if chicken and peppers are on sale at a supported store, those ingredients can be the starting point for dinner. Actual offers vary. Check the current offers near you.
When Dishcount may be a good fit
Try Dishcount if you want help deciding what to cook from this week's grocery offers, prefer a free website you can open on your phone, or want to browse deals before choosing meals. You can start without creating an account.
If your priority is keeping the exact Mealime recipes you already cook, or using a chef-created catalog rather than generated recipes, Dishcount may not meet that need. Explore Meals Hub before deciding. You can also use Dishcount alongside your existing recipe collection to look for grocery offers.
Questions about switching from Mealime
Can I transfer my Mealime recipes to Dishcount?
Not currently. Dishcount can save recipes from its own meal results, but there is no Mealime import or account migration feature.
Is Dishcount a free Mealime alternative?
Dishcount is free to use for finding available deals, getting meal ideas and building a shopping list. A free account adds saved recipes, saved lists and preferences. It offers a different planning approach rather than every Mealime feature.
Will it work with my grocery stores?
Enter your ZIP to check. Dishcount covers supported US grocery stores, and available offers vary by location and week. It does not cover every store or every item.
Do I have to download an app?
No. Dishcount runs in your browser on a phone, tablet or computer.
Will my Mealime favorites disappear?
Mealime says all of its recipes will remain available through Meals Hub, while personal app data will be deleted when Mealime closes. Continued access to the catalog is different from transferring your saved favorites or account settings. Follow Mealime's official transition guidance for your account.
See what you could make this week
Start with your ZIP and explore dinner ideas built around available grocery deals.
Try Dishcount free