OnlyRecipe vs Mealie: Cloud vs Self-Hosted Recipe Manager 2025
Choosing between a cloud-based AI recipe manager and self-hosting? Here's everything you need to know about OnlyRecipe and Mealie.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | OnlyRecipe | Mealie |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting | Cloud-based | Self-hosted (Docker) |
| Pricing | $2.99/mo or $24.99/yr (AI: $3.99/mo or $34.99/yr) | Free (open-source) Server costs apply |
| Setup Difficulty | Download & use instantly | Requires technical setup |
| AI Features | ✓ Advanced (social media, screenshots) | ✗ Limited AI |
| Social Media Import | ✓ TikTok, YouTube, Instagram | ✗ Not supported |
| Data Control | Cloud-stored (encrypted) | ✓ Complete control |
| Website Import | ✓ Yes | ✓ Built-in scraper |
| Meal Planning | ✓ AI-powered | ✓ Calendar view |
| Multi-User | Personal accounts | ✓ Groups & collaboration |
| Mobile Apps | ✓ Native iOS & Android | Mobile-friendly web |
| API Access | Limited | ✓ Full API |
| Maintenance | None (managed for you) | You manage updates |
The Bottom Line
Choose OnlyRecipe if: You want a modern, AI-powered recipe manager that works instantly without technical setup. Perfect for importing from social media, screenshots, and handwritten recipes.
Choose Mealie if: You're tech-savvy, want complete data control, and don't mind managing your own server. Ideal for privacy enthusiasts and those who already self-host other services.
Detailed Comparison
🚀 Setup & Ease of Use
OnlyRecipe
- Download from App Store or Google Play
- Create account and start using immediately
- No technical knowledge required
- Automatic updates
- Works on any device instantly
Mealie
- Requires server or VPS to host
- Docker setup and configuration needed
- Domain and SSL certificate setup
- Manual updates and maintenance
- Technical knowledge essential
🏆 Winner: OnlyRecipe
Unless you're already comfortable with Docker and self-hosting, OnlyRecipe's instant setup is vastly simpler. Mealie requires significant technical expertise.
🤖 AI & Modern Features
OnlyRecipe
- AI import from TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook videos
- AI screenshot and handwritten recipe recognition
- AI meal planning suggestions
- Automatic nutritional analysis
- Smart recipe organization
Mealie
- Machine learning for ingredient parsing
- Recipe scaling algorithms
- Shopping list consolidation
- No social media import
- No screenshot/handwritten support
🏆 Winner: OnlyRecipe
OnlyRecipe's AI features are built for 2025 cooking habits. Mealie focuses on traditional recipe management without modern AI capabilities.
🔒 Privacy & Data Control
OnlyRecipe
- Cloud-stored with encryption
- Data backed up automatically
- Managed security updates
- Privacy policy and compliance
- You trust the service provider
Mealie
- Complete data ownership
- Data never leaves your server
- You control all security
- No third-party access
- You're responsible for backups
🏆 Winner: Mealie (for privacy purists)
If maximum privacy and data control are your top priorities, Mealie's self-hosted approach is unbeatable. However, most users find OnlyRecipe's cloud security perfectly adequate.
💰 True Cost Comparison
OnlyRecipe
- Free: 20 recipes, 3 AI imports/day
- Premium: $24.99/year
- AI Premium: $34.99/year
- Total annual cost: $24.99-$34.99
- No hidden costs, maintenance, or technical time
Mealie
- Software: Free (open-source)
- Server/VPS: $5-20/month ($60-240/year)
- Domain: ~$12/year
- Your time: Setup (4-8 hours) + maintenance
- Total annual cost: $72-252 + your time
🏆 Winner: OnlyRecipe (for most users)
Unless you already have a server running 24/7, OnlyRecipe is more cost-effective when you factor in server costs and your time. Mealie makes sense if you're already self-hosting other services.
⚙️ Features & Functionality
OnlyRecipe
- Native mobile apps (iOS & Android)
- Web app (beta)
- Social media imports
- Screenshot & handwritten recipes
- AI meal planning
- Smart grocery lists
- Recipe scaling & conversion
- Print & PDF export
Mealie
- Web-based interface (mobile-friendly)
- Website recipe scraper
- Markdown support
- Multi-user with groups
- Meal planning calendar
- Grocery lists with ML parsing
- Full API access
- Home Assistant integration
- Import from other apps (Paprika, Tandoor, etc.)
🏆 Winner: Tie (different strengths)
OnlyRecipe excels at modern AI features and mobile apps. Mealie shines with API access, multi-user collaboration, and home automation integration.
Pros & Cons
OnlyRecipe Pros
- ✓ Instant setup, no technical knowledge needed
- ✓ Advanced AI features (social media, screenshots)
- ✓ Native mobile apps
- ✓ Automatic updates and backups
- ✓ Lower total cost for most users
- ✓ Zero maintenance required
OnlyRecipe Cons
- ✗ Cloud-based (not self-hosted)
- ✗ Limited API access
- ✗ No multi-user collaboration
- ✗ Subscription required for full features
Mealie Pros
- ✓ Complete data control and privacy
- ✓ Free and open-source
- ✓ Full API access
- ✓ Multi-user with groups
- ✓ Home Assistant integration
- ✓ Import from many apps
Mealie Cons
- ✗ Requires technical setup and maintenance
- ✗ Server costs ($60-240/year)
- ✗ No AI features
- ✗ No social media imports
- ✗ No native mobile apps
- ✗ You manage backups and security
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Mealie if you:
- • Are comfortable with Docker and self-hosting
- • Already run a home server or VPS
- • Want complete data control and privacy
- • Need multi-user collaboration features
- • Want Home Assistant integration
- • Prefer open-source software
- • Don't need AI or social media features
Choose OnlyRecipe if you:
- • Want to start using it immediately without setup
- • Discover recipes on TikTok, YouTube, or Instagram
- • Want AI features (screenshots, handwritten recipes)
- • Prefer native mobile apps
- • Don't want to manage servers or technical infrastructure
- • Value automatic updates and backups
- • Want modern features without complexity
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mealie really free?
The software is free and open-source, but you'll pay for server hosting ($5-20/month), a domain name (~$12/year), and invest time in setup and maintenance. Total cost is typically $72-252/year plus your time.
Can I migrate from Mealie to OnlyRecipe?
While there's no direct import, you can export your recipes from Mealie and re-import them to OnlyRecipe from their original sources using the one-tap website import feature.
Is OnlyRecipe's cloud storage secure?
Yes, OnlyRecipe uses industry-standard encryption and security practices. However, if you require absolute data control, self-hosting with Mealie gives you complete ownership.
Which is better for families?
Mealie supports multi-user accounts and groups, making it better for household collaboration. OnlyRecipe is designed for individual use but offers family-friendly features like easy sharing.
Final Verdict
The choice between OnlyRecipe and Mealie comes down to your technical comfort level and priorities.
Mealie is excellent for tech-savvy users who value data control, already self-host services, and don't need modern AI features. It's powerful, flexible, and truly yours.
OnlyRecipe is perfect for everyone else—those who want modern AI features, instant setup, and zero maintenance. It's the practical choice for 2025 cooking habits without technical overhead.
For 95% of users, OnlyRecipe's convenience and AI features outweigh Mealie's self-hosting benefits. But if you're in that 5% who loves tinkering with servers, Mealie is a solid choice.
Try OnlyRecipe Free
No server setup, no Docker, no hassle. Just download and start cooking.
