# Real Plans - Meal Planner — user reviews > 125 indexed App Store user reviews of Real Plans by Holistic Squid, LLC, rated 4.60/5 from 2,165 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/real-plans-meal-planner/id899058990/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/real-plans-meal-planner/id899058990.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 1,777 · 4★ 157 · 3★ 61 · 2★ 35 · 1★ 135 ## What do users think of Real Plans? Overall sentiment: neutral **Pros** - 👍 Easy to use - 🚀 Convenient meal planning - 💡 Customizable to dietary needs - 🚀 Organized shopping lists - 👍 Helpful customer support **Cons** - 🐛 Glitchy app performance - 💰 Expensive subscription - 🔒 Difficult to cancel subscription - 🔍 Limited recipe variety - 🔍 Repetitive meal plans **Commonly reported bugs** - App crashes when updating schedules - Grocery list items disappearing or duplicating - Inaccurate nutritional information - Inability to delete or modify saved meals **Most requested features** - Ability to adjust portion sizes - Integration with more recipe sources - More dietary filter options - Improved accessibility for disabled users - Ability to plan meals further in advance ## Newest reviews (10 of 125) ### 2/5 — Love the idea but hard to use *2026-08-09, version 15.23* The app is not easy to use - the interface is clunky, not intuitive, and doesn’t always work as it should. And don’t even try to upload your own recipe - it will disappear on you after you enter all the info! ### 4/5 — Almost Perfect *2026-06-17, version 15.23* I love how easy it is to schedule meals, whether it’s a recipe from the app or one that I’ve imported. I love how it generates a shopping list for me and how I can check things off as I’m shopping. My biggest complaint is a recurring problem. I have gluten free bread scheduled for my shopping every week. Every once in a while, it disappears completely from the list and I have to add it again. Even though it is a weekly item, I have actually forgotten to purchase it when it has disappeared from the list, which is very annoying. The whole point of scheduling weekly recurring items is so that I don’t have to think about them every week. ### 4/5 — Great shopping lists! *2026-03-17, version 15.22* I love the shopping list feature!! It was fantastic at simplifying the changes I needed to make in my shopping to accommodate the Low FODMAP diet. Just wish there was a bit more variety and new recipes published more often. ### 2/5 — Expensive recipes *2025-12-07, version 15.21* I’ve had RealPlans for a while. I will not be resubscribing. If you let the app plan your meals, they are time consuming and to buy that much food is expensive. Not happy with it. ### 3/5 — Good, but… *2025-08-18, version 12.13* The meal planner works nice when you use it alone or for a group of people where EVERYONE EATS THE SAME. But if you eat plant based Whole30 and your husband wants to eat the original Whole30 including meat, the meal planner doesn’t do recipes for both. Also switching devices on the same account deletes all data, ie if you like to select meals on your phone but use your iPad to cook, all selected meals for the week INCLUDING ALL YOUR SETTINGS are deleted on both devices and can’t be rescued. What the heck, really??? ### 2/5 — Slow *2025-08-10, version 12.13* App would be great if I didn’t have to wait 5 minutes anytime I need to make an update, delete / add a meal / or anything else on the app. Responsiveness of app is terrible. ### 2/5 — Great idea, not so great execution *2025-01-27, version 12.10* I would love to come back to this app in the future once more kinks have been worked out. It’s not very user friendly and there are a lot of little kinks that make use frustrating. Here are just a few examples for the staff to look into. I have only used blank-calendar planning mode, fyi. Mobile app: > I can’t figure out how to delete a meal without clearing the whole calendar. > Trying to import a recipe from a web page is a nightmare. It froze Safari several times and deleted everything causing me to start over. The information is not importing completely accurately which is fine, I can correct it, but there is no way to look at the actual recipe web page while doing so unless you open a separate browser program and then when you go back to the import tool it closes out and freezes up your browser app. I’m sure there are work arounds like importing the recipe needing work, then going back to the app and editing it, or importing directly from the app via a link (is there?) but I didn’t get that far because I was too frustrated. > Navigating the app is is just clumsy: >>When trying to search, my keyboard is in the way and the search results are in a small box hidden under the keyboard and there is no way to scroll them up. >> If don’t type the whole word correctly you get no results. For example I accidentally typed “Coffe”and there were no results, but when searching “Coffee” there were. >> When pulling up filters, etc. there is no way to exit if you change your mind unless you click “submit” or the like. —————————————— These are errors/annoying things about using the WEB and/or mobile version: > There is no “snack” slot on the calendar which would be great. > It was too confusing trying to plan meals for my husband and I because I needed to plan only breakfast, lunch, and snack for myself but dinner for the both of us. So selecting the “how many people to plan for” setting (I can’t remember the actual name of the setting) didn’t work for us. Adding leftovers was also confusing because it would change the serving size. If I add a meal that makes 4 servings, I would expect I could add it to the calendar 4 times, but when dragging and adding as a left over it would just add more servings which makes no sense. I’m expecting this is user error but when I went to the support page I couldn’t find any help in this area. > Some stuff just gets *stuck* and buttons won’t work. For example when changing serving size I could only increase the size and never go back down. I mean I could increase from 4 to 20 (as a test) and then the - (minus) button wouldn’t work, so I would have to delete the whole recipe entry and start over. There are more little things but this is what I can think of now. I requested a refund shortly into my trial because I could just tell it was going to be too frustrating for me to get it to work the way I needed so I will go back to excel. Great idea, poor execution and the $15/mo subscription is high for me to use something that only kind of works. ### 5/5 — Easy Peasy *2024-01-31, version 11.15* Love this app. Makes meal planning easy and gives me a shopping list to keep me organized. ### 1/5 — Disappointed *2024-01-14, version 11.15* Very difficult to use ### 2/5 — App misleading *2023-12-07, version 11.15* I got this app because I thought it was part of the whole30 program and today I found out it’s not part of the whole30 programs🤬🤬🤬🤬. So I have wasted my money on this. This popped up when I sign up for the starter kit. They should say that they’re not part of Melissa’s whole30 program but it’s a tool to use if you want too. I wish I could get a refund for the remaining amount of time that I won’t be using this app. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Cant even see it *2026-03-31, version 15.23* It’s hard to tell if this app will suit my needs because I’m unable to access it without purchasing a membership first. You can’t even see the layout, or get into the app without giving money first. There’s not even a user demo option. Just led me to move on to another app. ### 1/5 — Don't waste your money *2026-02-07, version 15.22* I got this last year, and didn't use it, so after 2 months I canceled it...or so I thought. So at 4 months I canceled it AGAIN. no joy. Now the app won't even show the account, it just cycles and bails. Horrible customer service via AI. DO NOT GET APP. ### 1/5 — Complicated and strange food *2026-01-27, version 15.22* Waste of money! Wish I would’ve gone with another meal plan app. This app is complicated and the recipes are not to my liking. From the reviews it sounded like the recipes would simply generate and the food choices would be more basic. This app requires too many steps and the food combos are weird. I struggled to find more than a handful I liked. ### 1/5 — Scam *2025-12-13, version 15.21* They’ve been charging $20/ month and there is no way to cancel subscription, sign in to the account, or contact the company. I want my money back!!! Cancel my subscription!!! ### 1/5 — App not working. Tells me to update, and then it doesn’t *2025-09-17, version 15.16* App not working. Tells me to update, and then it doesn’t ### 1/5 — Overpriced and deceptive *2024-12-03, version 12.6* Glitchy and limited functionality. More to the point, signs you up to monthly billing even if just trying for one month and hides charges in the app. ### 1/5 — Kept crashing, not accessible for me as a blind person but perfect idea *2024-10-07, version 12.5* This looked to be the perfect solution to what I needed. However, as soon as I open the app, it keeps crashing. I’ve also found out through experimenting that it is not fully accessible with my screen reading software as a blind person. Many unlabeled buttons and I cannot drag and drop to add recipes. This is really sad because I would love to use this service. ### 1/5 — Purchased app and its not working *2024-06-22, version 12.3* I just purchased the app and its not working every time I log in it gives me an error! Total waste of money! ### 1/5 — Impossible to cancel *2024-06-11, version 12.2* I cancelled our subscription over 3 times and was continuing to still get charged! I emailed customer support after each time, several times and NO response no refund! If cancel it again and then sure enough, the next 1/4 I would get billed again. This has been such a frustrating process. Don’t sign up if you aren’t positive you’ll love it! ### 1/5 — Worst experience *2024-04-12, version 11.15* Honestly the food looks so much better than it taste . I don’t recommend this diet at all!!! ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — So much easier this time with this app! *2026-03-10, version 15.22* I’ve done whole30 before and it’s night a day with this app! I love you can say when you want to cook and when you want leftovers! Of course you can pick your meals but having them start with something helped my decision fatigue and everything they’ve suggested I’ve loved! ### 5/5 — Just do it *2026-03-06, version 15.22* My lifestyle and relationship with food is so much healthier as a result of this app’s Whole30 compliant automated meal planning that’s easy to edit with personal preferences. After choosing my meals and leftovers, a shopping list is automatically created making our weekly trip to the grocery store so much more efficient. ### 5/5 — Worth It! *2026-01-24, version 15.22* My family has been using the Real Plans app for over a decade, it’s just such a handy application to use.. The simple practicality of it, how it tailors your grocery list so that you don’t have any waste, which is fantastic, the access to all the fun and delicious recipes, which is amazing, and the way that you can customize your diet and the things you want to eat based on any number of variables like gluten allergy, vegetarian, the app is worth it, we definitely get our money’s worth out of it.. ### 5/5 — Update *2025-09-17, version 15.16* Just downloaded the app and was excited to get my grocery list together because I head down the mountain today to run errands. There is apparently an update which won’t let me access my list at the moment and when I click on Update to go to the App Store the Update button does not show. So I can’t update the app and I can’t access the app until I update. Help! ### 5/5 — Life-Changing App A Must-Have for Ever Cook *2025-05-28* I don’t usually leave app reviews, but Real Food Plans has made such a huge difference in my life that I had to share! This app is absolutely fantastic. Meal planning used to be such a headache for me, trying to juggle feeding the family while also sticking to my own dietary preferences felt impossible. But this app solved it all. It’s so easy to use, and the layout makes planning meals feel effortless, not overwhelming. What really sets it apart is how practical it is. I’m saving money by avoiding over-shopping and wasting food, and meal planning no longer eats up my time. Shopping is now super quick and organized. You can even add your regular household items to your food list and check everything off in one place, so convenient! The customer service is also top-notch. It’s clear the team behind this app really cares about their users. Honestly, this is a total game-changer. I feel more in control, less stressed, and actually enjoy meal planning now. If you’re on the fence download it! I’ve never reviewed an app before, but this one truly changed my daily life, and I can’t recommend it enough. ### 5/5 — Foundational *2025-02-14, version 12.12* This is the missing piece to my meal planning foundation!! I’ve been focused on nutrition for over two decades (I’m a Registered Nurse, Integrative Nutrition Coach and soon to be AIP Certified Coach) and I ALWAYS fall down around meal planning!! Until now. I am super pumped to have this tool in my arsenal of self-care. And the customer support is TOP-NOTCH!!! Try this app, you will LOVE it! ### 5/5 — Awesome Ap *2025-01-06, version 12.10* Just met with Anthony to show me how to use the ap! Highly recommend, it was so helpful. You can do so much with this ap! Here I come 2025, healthier me. Great resource! ### 5/5 — Confusing at first, but great app support *2025-01-02, version 12.9* I’m using Real Plans with Whole30. I clicked through some pages on the Whole30 website, but accidentally purchased the wrong version of Real Plans and was disappointed when I didn’t see Whole30 as an option under “diet type”. I reached out to support, and they were quick to respond and scheduled a zoom call with me to walk through their platform. The zoom call was with Antony. He was lovely to chat with and took the time to show me exactly how to use the platform the way I wanted to. Excited to use the shopping list and cooking mode features during my Whole30 journey 😊 ### 5/5 — Easy to use and takes feedback! *2024-02-05, version 11.15* I discovered Real Plans a few months ago, and it is exactly what I was looking for - new recipes, easy to plan with leftovers, macro consideration, and a shopping list all in one! Plus they are integrated with some of my favorite recipe creators, and it’s easy to import your own. I provided feedback asking if we could have access to planning a few more weeks out - we order our meat monthly from our local farm, so this would help immensely. They took that to their dev team and made the update! Thank you for making mealtime much easier! Love all of the customization tools as well to fit any diet, schedule, and cooking level. ### 5/5 — Great app; amazing customer support *2024-02-05, version 11.15* This is my second time using Real Plans. I found the Low FODMAP plan a couple years ago when I was having health issues and the app was a lifesaver- it saved me from having to spend hours researching recipes and ingredients. I had a week’s worth of meals in a few moments. I actually saw my symptoms improve by following the meal plan! Unfortunately I started having health issues again so I turned to the app for support. I created the meal plan and used the grocery list to do all my shopping. So easy! But the next day (a Sunday) I discovered all the recipes I had planned for had disappeared! I realized a new week had populated and I could not find the week I had planned for. Upset, I emailed customer service and complained, not expecting a reply til the next day at the earliest. I was so surprised that within an hour of my email I had a call back from a real person! Antony understood my frustration and patiently walked me through finding the week of meals I had planned for. I am definitely glad I renewed my subscription and am truly grateful for the support! --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-31.*