# Mixel vs Backbar

The clearest difference is rating: Mixel at 4.8 against Backbar's 3.7. Mixel also leads on ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (1.5K vs 32). Backbar's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10). On price, update cadence, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Mixel sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Backbar asks for nothing beyond the download.

Mixel holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Mixel has 1.5K ratings behind it against 32, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 76% of Mixel's written reviews are positive against 60% of Backbar's.

Mixel ships an update fortnightly, Backbar every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Mixel | Backbar |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (1.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mixel-cocktail-recipes/id1280464759/reviews)** | [3.7 (32 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backbar/id1461796151/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.5K** | 32 |
| Positive reviews | **76.0% of reviews** | 60.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#119** | — |
| Size | 127 MB | 32 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | 15.1 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Cool Font LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1170822925) | [Backbar](https://appshunter.io/developer/1461796150) |

## What reviewers say

### Mixel

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mixel-cocktail-recipes/id1280464759)

**Currently charting:** #119 Top Grossing · Food & Drink (US App Store)

Discover cocktails you can make with ingredients you already own. This app offers a vast recipe library, an AI bartender for custom creations, and tools to manage your home bar inventory. Perfect for home bartenders and party hosts.

**Highlights:** 2,600+ cocktail recipes, Build home bar inventory, AI bartender for custom recipes, Step-by-step mixing instructions, Shopping list and ingredient optimizer, Create and share custom recipes

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium | $1.99 | per month |
| Premium | $14.99 | per year |
| User Creations Pack | Free | one-time |
| Gin Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| Vodka Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| Tequila & Mezcal Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| Whiskey Pack | $1.99 | one-time |
| Tiki Pack | $1.99 | one-time |
| Base Upgrade | $3.99 | one-time |
| Mixel Premium | $49.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great app
- 👍 Useful features
- 🤖 Intuitive interface
- 🎨 Excellent design
- 💰 Worth the price

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💸 Subscription model
- 🤔 Navigation issues
- 🙈 Outdated graphics
- 🐌 Performance issues
- 🔍 Limited search

**Reported bugs**

- Disappearing custom ingredients/recipes
- Data loss after updates
- Crashes on certain actions

**Requested features**

- Customizable cocktail menus
- Ability to add/edit recipes
- Ingredient substitution suggestions
- User-generated recipe sharing
- Landscape mode support


### Backbar

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backbar/id1461796151)

This application streamlines bar and restaurant management by simplifying inventory counting, vendor purchasing, and menu costing. It helps reduce costs and improve efficiency for beverage programs. Features include real-time syncing across devices, barcode scanning, and integration with over 1,300 beverage suppliers.

**Highlights:** Real-time inventory syncing, Barcode scanning for products, Streamlined vendor purchasing, Menu costing and pricing optimization, Digital invoice management, Staff education on beverages

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Mixel free?

Mixel is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Backbar free?

Backbar is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Mixel or Backbar?

Mixel is rated higher. Mixel averages 4.8 out of 5 from 1.5K ratings, while Backbar averages 3.7 from 32 ratings.

### Do Mixel or Backbar have ads?

Backbar shows ads; Mixel does not.

### Which is updated more often, Mixel or Backbar?

Mixel ships an update fortnightly, and Backbar every 3 weeks. Most recently, Mixel was updated on October 29, 2026 and Backbar on October 24, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*