Mela is one of the best-looking recipe apps ever made, and it shares a lot of Gratin's values: local-first, no ads, a one-time price, and no separate account. If you live entirely inside Apple's world, it's a joy.
That's also the catch. Mela is iOS, iPadOS, and macOS only, and it syncs through iCloud. The moment a Windows PC or an Android phone enters your life, you're stuck. Gratin keeps the local-first, private feel but runs everywhere.
Gratin vs Mela, side by side
Based on how each product generally works today. Product names belong to their owners. Visit Mela ↗
Mela's one-time unlock is cheaper, and iCloud sync is free, so on an all-Apple setup it will cost you less over time. We won't pretend otherwise. What Gratin's fee buys is different: sync you actually control and can self-host, across Windows and Android, not just iCloud on Apple hardware. If price is the only axis and you're all-Apple, Mela wins it. If owning your sync matters, that's what you're paying for.
See how Gratin is priced, and why →What Mela gets right, and where it grates
Where Mela shines
- Award-winning, genuinely native Apple design
- Flexible import: live web preview plus OCR scanning
- iCloud sync and a well-loved hands-free cook mode
Where it can frustrate
- Apple devices only, no Windows, Android, or web
- Sync is tied to iCloud
- Organisation and sorting options are limited
Why people move to Gratin
Not just Apple
Gratin runs on Mac, Windows, and mobile. Mela stops at the edge of the Apple ecosystem.
Sync that isn't tied to iCloud
Mela's sync is iCloud only. Gratin's is an end-to-end encrypted relay you can host yourself or point across any of your devices, whatever OS they run.
Same local-first values
Like Mela, Gratin keeps your data on your device with no ads and no account. You're not trading privacy to gain cross-platform reach.
The verdict
If you're all-in on Apple and love a stunning native app, Mela is a wonderful pick. If your devices don't all wear an Apple logo, or you want sync you own, Gratin gives you the same local-first spirit without the walls.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gratin as beautifully designed as Mela?
Mela sets a very high bar on design, and it's been at it longer. Gratin is clean, fast, and pleasant to cook from, but if pixel-perfect native Apple design is your top priority, Mela is exceptional.
Why choose Gratin over Mela?
Cross-platform reach and sync you control. If you use anything outside Apple's ecosystem, or want to self-host your sync, Gratin fits where Mela can't.
Does Gratin sync without iCloud?
Yes. Sync runs over an end-to-end encrypted relay you can host yourself or pay us $12/year or a one-time $39 to run. No iCloud, no Apple ID required.