# MasterCook — user reviews > 66 indexed App Store user reviews of MasterCook by Valusoft Finance, LLC. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mastercook/id999514024/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mastercook/id999514024.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 16 · 4★ 3 · 3★ 3 · 2★ 8 · 1★ 11 ## What do users think of MasterCook? Overall sentiment: mixed **Pros** - 👍 Great for organizing recipes - 🌟 Excellent customer support - 📲 Syncs across devices - 💡 Easy recipe import - ✅ Long-time user satisfaction **Cons** - 🐛 Frequent app crashes - 🐛 Registration/login issues - 🐛 Display/font problems - 🐛 Editing and saving errors - 📉 Poor app functionality - 💸 Steep annual cost - 👎 Clunky and outdated UI - 🤷‍♂️ Syncing problems - 🗑️ Not worth the cost **Commonly reported bugs** - App crashes when opening - Cannot register/login - Text invisible or unreadable - Editing fails with error message - Recipes not saving - App closes randomly - Recipes not importing correctly - Syncing issues - Cannot export app recipes to PC - Search function not working - App crashes on search for non-existent item - System error on login - Cannot delete app - Display issues after upgrade - Cannot see cookbook names - Ingredients not recognized for nutritional info - Cannot move between recipe edit screens - Keyboard covers input field - App not opening after upgrade - App not recognizing online status - Login credentials shown for another user **Most requested features** - Search by ingredient - Print recipes and shopping lists - Copy/paste functionality - Improve UI/reduce whitespace - Direct web import on tablet - Meal planning feature - Search function for recipes - Sort by category - Pantry functionality - Landscape mode for iPad - Ascending sort for downloaded recipes ## Newest reviews (10 of 66) ### 4/5 — Changed availability to view photos in app *2024-07-02, version 3.0* Have used this site, long before it was ever available as an app. i love the ease andvonvience of it. BUT WHY OH WHY can i no longer see the photos I've attached to my recipes? i used to, hate that i can't anymore ### 2/5 — Cannot export app cookbooks/recipes to MasterCook online or my Windows PC version *2022-09-11, version 2.9* 1. Been using MasterCook for PC since the original. Love it. 2. Added the app when it came out. It works great for recipes on the go and importing recipes (love that). I also add my own via the app. HOWEVER, there is no apparent way to update the pc version with the new recipes. Or the MasterCook.com online cookbooks. This should be on a cloud so it’s all updated as you go. Very irritating. I’m investigating some cloud-based recipe apps. My membership is through Dec. 2023, so plenty of time to find one that does this or hope MC upgrades system. Never did get a reply to this, but problem resolved itself: The past two days I’ve been trying to save a few web recipes. None of them appear in my MasterCook. I ended up deleting the app from my iPhone, reinstalling, and retrying to save the recipes, to no avail. Please help! ### 3/5 — Shopping List is ehh *2022-02-04, version 2.9* This app is sorta clunky but the best recipe manager for my needs at the moment. I would really love if every time I checked or unchecked an item off of my shopping list, it didn’t pop up a little window saying the list has been updated and then I have to click okay every time to get rid of that window. It drives me insane. Please just let me check an item off without the app self-congratulating itself on checking things off my list. I know the item got checked off, I’m the one who did it! ### 4/5 — MasterCook 2020 *2021-10-19, version 2.9* I reviewed this app a year ago and only gave it one star because the app could not be used in Landscape mode. Shortly after my review this issue was fixed along with some syncing issues so it deserves a new review. I love MasterCook for PCs and have been using it since since the first version decades ago. Adding the app and the ability to sync across all devices is priceless - no more printing out recipes every day. Now if only you could fix the ingredient bugs. For some reason after the last upgrade most of the ingredients on my recipes are no longer recognized when I try to look at the nutritional information. In order to fix this I need to delete the ingredient from the recipe and then reenter it. I have over 1000 recipes to fix so I hope this bug will be fixed. It’s the only reason I can’t give five stars. ### 2/5 — Terrible! *2021-02-25, version 2.9* This app is terrible. I try to view a recipe and the app will randomly close. It may or may not import a recipe from a website and if it does, it may or may not be formatted correctly. So, I go in to reformat the recipe. The edit feature does not work properly but I do manage to get the ingredients looking somewhat correct. I go to save it, and “oops, something went wrong”. My edits cannot be saved. I pay for this app and it totally is a disappointment!! ### 2/5 — MasterCook 2020 and App *2020-07-31, version 2.5* I have been a MasterCook user for a couple of years with MC 15 and recently moved to MC 2020. What a love/hate relationship. Love the PC App (Win 10). It is great for importing off Web and I have gotten very good at managing my recipes and cookbooks. It also syncs well down to my iOS devices. Hate the IOS app. Can’t change white fonts on white background for lists. (They are more visible with the new app vs invisible for older app). Online lists are black fonts. You cannot sync from IOS devices to online, you had better add your recipes on the PC and sync down. iPad users cannot use landscape, same app for iPhone and iPad. That was really not acceptable on MC 15, but a brand new app 20 years into the 21st Century...NOT. 4.5 stars for MasterCook 2020 PC/Online. 2 Stars for disappointing app. ### 3/5 — Search button? *2020-06-21, version 2.5* What happened to the search button to allow you to search for recipes across cookbooks? Am I overlooking something? ### 2/5 — Crash on iOS 22 Fixed *2020-06-09, version 2.5* Works again. Thanks, BUT this should not have happened. Just because Apple doesn’t seem to take testing as seriously as they once did doesn’t mean you should copy them. ### 5/5 — Mastercook has all the features! *2020-04-30, version 2.2* I've been using Mastercook basically my entire adult life. Every time I need to re-subscribe I look around to see if there's anything better yet. So far the desktop version is the most detail-oriented program available-by which I mean nothing else comes close. It literally has everything I need and that's a tall order. Now about the app...this was long-awaited. Being able to sync my recipes from my computer and access them from my phone or IPad is priceless. They are always updating, the customer service is beyond compare, and when something is wrong with the app, the programmers scramble and it doesn't stay a problem for long. I think any app that works to update as much as MC deserves patience from their users. They are always improving and adding features. It's been worth my loyalty all these years. ### 2/5 — Can’t view cookbook names *2020-04-12, version 2.2* All I can see is the list of dates I added cookbooks, the name is not viewable. Please fix this or will have to delete. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Shutting down *2025-12-31, version 3.8* Web site says they are shutting their servers down end of year and users can transfer their accounts to Cook’n / DVO Enterprises. ### 1/5 — Not much value *2025-01-24, version 3.5* The phone app is basically a waste of time and money. The only benefit I can see from it is, in the kitchen you can display a recipe while cooking rather than printing it from your PC. The search function is poor, the categories are preset and don't reconcile with your downloaded cookbooks. The developer did not think about feature and functionality. ### 1/5 — As others have said… *2024-01-08, version 2.9* …it’s not really worth it, just a failed money grab. It should be offered free as an inducement to purchase the PC version. While you’re at it, rethink the horrible file handling capabilities of the PC version. It’s not the 1990s anymore… ### 1/5 — Register *2022-07-14, version 2.9* I have tried several times to register . The boxes show nothing and I have not been able to register. I have used the computer program for years and love it. Any ideas>> ### 1/5 — Unable to register *2022-07-05, version 2.9* The fields to register/create a new account are not populated so one can enter their info. I have downloaded and deleted the app several times hoping the issue would correct its self upon re download. ### 1/5 — Ripoff *2022-01-21, version 2.9* Warning: Have paid for this many times over the years. Now they are telling me if I don’t pay again I will lose all of my recipes. ### 1/5 — Edit fails with ‘Oops something went wrong’ *2020-10-12, version 2.7* During edit of recipe using iPad Pro, cannot move from screen 2 to 3. Get above message and cannot complete the edit. Only option that works is to not save changes made. ### 1/5 — What a waste *2020-10-08, version 2.7* Can’t even register because you can’t see the font in the fields you are trying to populate. Then one field gives no direction and you can’t pass it because all fields must be filled in. This is a joke right? A successful version on a PC but can’t manage a semi decent app? Skip this and save the frustration. HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT ### 1/5 — Do not upgrade to this version *2020-06-05, version 2.4* Have been a user for years. Upgraded last week, now app will not open. I can’t go back to older version. I cannot access ### 1/5 — Pretty useless *2020-05-22, version 2.2* I use the app for work. At this point only the dates are visible and not the titles of cookbooks, so I can’t actually use it. Without access to my work computer, this app was going be incredibly helpful during this pandemic, but that was wishful thinking. It’s terrible and we might need to look into something new for our students. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — WOW *2025-10-15, version 3.8* I’ve been using MasterCook for years now and I’ve never been happier with this product! This is my first review of MasterCook. It’s had its bugs at times but overall this product has been great and it functions very nicely! I have over 5000 recipes stored in it and I have no problems finding what I need. There’s one thing I don’t like about it is when you download a recipe from the website sometimes they change the name of the recipe. And it makes it hard to find. So you go to the cookbook and you scroll down looking for the name of the recipe, but you can’t find it. Then you go to the recipe list and click the funnel and then date and apply and you scroll all the way to the bottom of the list! It should show up on the top of the list so it will be easier to find. Ascending instead of descending. ### 5/5 — Using MasterCook v14 on windows 11 *2022-09-05, version 2.9* I had to get a new computer with windows 11. My old MasterCook 11. Version was incompatible with v11. I contacted support regarding this issue. I was sad that my old version would not work but support was so helpful and not only told me about v14 that I could download and exactly how to do that as well as get my 371 recipes from my previous version downloaded to the new version. I have had MasterCook for many years and love it and the support I received felt very personal. Pam really wanted me to be successful in continuing to use MasterCook!! Thank you again Pam for your diligent support!!! ### 5/5 — Great App *2022-05-12, version 2.9* I use this app every day. I use it both on my iPad and my iPhone. I have never had any issues with the app on either device. Love it. ### 5/5 — Customer Support Beyond Compare *2022-04-27, version 2.9* I have been using a version of Mastercook since 1998 and have saved over 5600 recipes in my cookbook - they are precious to me. I recently upgraded to the MC 2022 version and had a problem with the installation on my computer and sync to the website, both of which were my fault. I was freaking out. HOWEVER, throughout the entire process and many emails at all hours of the day, Pam was patient, encouraging, and knowledgeable. Her care and service were exceptional. Because of her, I now have a better program on my PC and all of my recipes available on my phone. My recipes are now safe. CMCI also love that I can share my recipes more easily with friends and family using the app. Thank you MasterCook for years of partnership in the kitchen and beyond. ### 5/5 — Much Improved *2022-04-20, version 2.9* MasterCook 22 has significantly improved their desktop and mobile apps. The mobile app makes the recipes more accessible. If you encounter any problems, MasterCook Support is as responsive and excellent as in the past. Well worth the price if you value your recipes. ### 5/5 — Donna *2021-10-29, version 2.9* I have just recently subscribed to master cook and the app for the phone, after using living cookbook for years, but they are no longer supported. This program runs differently, so I've had to ask quite a few questions, but the email support Pam gives is invaluable! It was very worthwhile to pay for the extra help to get my recipes imported to this program. And to be able to access them on my phone is awesome!!! ### 5/5 — Amazing Supporr *2020-06-16, version 2.5* I had a corrupted file in my program and I wrote an email to Mastercook support. Pam from support emailed me right away with detailed instructions of uninstalling and files to check and reload and syncing information...she stayed right with me right to the end which made me so grateful for her help. My Mastercook program is up and running perfectly...all my cookbooks and recipes safely stored inside. Bravo Pam and Mastercook support team for a job well done! ### 5/5 — Great program! *2020-06-04, version 2.4* I have had MasterCook for years and LOVE it! I am not computer savvy but this does all the work. It is easy to add a recipe from Facebook, etc. This is the best cooking app ever! Support is easily available and very knowledgeable with quick responses to your questions. ### 5/5 — I have been using MasterCook for 10 + years now *2020-06-01* And I was extremely excited to find out that they have updated the app. WOW! It looked great yesterday! 😫 Then today they updated it again? Now it would even open up! So sad 😭! I have a IPhone 6s. Yesterday it had some small glitches but NOW this one is a BIG ONE! Please fix! Thank you **Developer response:** Whenever you have an issue, send an email to support@mastercook.com so we can fix the problem for you. ### 5/5 — Updated from Living Cookbook *2020-05-13, version 2.2* I have been using this program and apps for over a year now. I was very reluctant to move as I really liked Living Cookbook and I had a lot stored there. But since the program seems to be no longer serviced I decided it was time to find a new program. MasterCook offered two great options for me. I was able to move my recipes and I would now be able to view them on my iPad and while shopping on my iPhone. MasterCook supplied me with all the help I needed to move my content. I have never found any program with better support than MasterCook. True there was a good bit of time spent in cleaning it up once moved but it’s all there. I noticed some complaints about this app but I can’t agree. Perhaps it was earlier versions? I really do like this program and it’s apps. If I had any complaint it would be that the annual cost is steep. But other than that it is a great program with great 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 2026-09-03.*