AnyList for Recipes, Shopping and More

Mac users are blessed with several very good recipe collection apps, including AnyList, Paprika and Mela, all of which allow you to clip recipes you find online into a database and personal cookbook. AnyList and Paprika also have built in grocery lists that sync via the cloud, while Mela uses Apple's Reminders app for grocery list management, including the shopping specific features included in iOS 17.

AnyList and Paprika both have extensive meal planning features. They create a calendar which you can share like any other. You can also share all information via cloud syncing and built in email capabilities. Anylist features include widget and shortcut support, while Paprika's do not.

Where AnyList stands alone is the incorporation of other list types. It can manage three types of lists: grocery lists, categorized lists and simple lists. I have used it as a packing and camping list for years using variations of the same templates based on the type of trip. It integrates easily with Siri and with Amazon Alexa, making voice control in the kitchen or on the road a breeze.

AnyList is a universal app that also features a fully functional web version so that you can access all the features from a Windows computer or a work Mac where you can't install the software. The Android version uses the same database as the iOS version so if you live in a multi-platform home, you can still use it. It is a subscription-based app with a single license going for $9.99 a year and a household license going for $14.99.

List features include:

• Quickly add and cross off items. Autocomplete suggests common items as you type.
• Add notes to list items to indicate quantity, brand, coupons, etc.
• Create multiple lists to organize items by store or occasion.
• Grocery items are automatically separated into categories.
• Create your own custom categories.
• Reorder categories to match the layout of your local store.
• Save items as favorites, then browse your favorites and add them to your current shopping list.
• View recent items from your past shopping trips, then add them back to your current list.
• Everyone creates their own AnyList account, so you can share some lists, while keeping others private.
• Optional push notifications let you know when a shared list has been modified.
• Choose a color for each list to help distinguish lists.
• Move or copy items between lists.

Recipe Features Include:

• Enter your own recipes, or copy & paste them from another source.
• Add ingredients from your recipes to your shopping lists with a single tap.
• Organize recipes into collections by type or occasion.
• Search your recipes by name or ingredients.
• Print recipes, or send via email.
• Share your recipe collection with a trusted partner. Any changes to recipes will be instantly visible to both of you.

Note: There is another relatively new recipe and list app available, Crouton which I have not had a chance to review, but I would be interested in knowing more about it if anyone has used it.