If you're weighing a free alternative to apps like AnyList, Mealime or Paprika, Shop by Aisle plans your week with AI, writes recipes, and does the one thing most planners don't: sorts your list by your store's aisles.
| Feature | Shop by Aisle | Typical paid planner |
|---|---|---|
| Core price | Free | Free tier + paid plan for full features |
| Grocery list sorted by your aisles | Yes | Rarely |
| Photo aisle-sign scanner | Yes | No |
| AI plans your week | Yes | Sometimes (often premium) |
| AI writes original recipes | Yes | Rarely |
| Party planning (menu, prep, schedule) | Yes | No |
| In-app assistant | Yes — Basil | No |
| Share with the household | Yes | Sometimes (often premium) |
| Install without an app store | Yes (PWA) | Varies |
Other apps change their features and pricing often — this reflects common differences in the category as of 2026, not a claim about any specific app's current plan. Check each app's site for the latest.
Map your store once (or scan the aisle signs) and every list follows your path through the store.
Fill a week in seconds with sides, ready-by times and calories — or ask the AI to invent a recipe and save it with a photo.
Bring recipes in from a link, a scanned recipe card, or pasted text — then send the ingredients to your list.
Plan a gathering end-to-end: menu, night-before prep, a timed day-of schedule, drinks, supplies and the shopping list.
Set up your store, plan a week, and shop it sorted — all free.
Yes — the meal planner, recipe tools and aisle-sorted lists are all free with no subscription. It's supported by ads and affiliate links, including the Amazon Associates program.
It sorts your grocery list into the order you walk your own store's aisles, includes an AI planner and recipe generator at no cost, has a photo aisle-sign scanner, and can plan a whole party — menu, prep list and timed schedule.
Yes. You can import a recipe from a link, scan a printed recipe card, paste text, or generate an original recipe with AI, then add it to a list or your weekly menu.
No. It runs in any browser and installs to your home screen as a PWA, so there's nothing to download or update from an app store.