# Backbar vs The Craft IQ

The clearest difference is rating: The Craft IQ at 5.0 against Backbar's 3.6. The Craft IQ also leads on ads (none vs shown). Backbar's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6) and ratings volume (33 vs 4). On price, update cadence, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. The Craft IQ sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Backbar asks for nothing beyond the download.

The Craft IQ holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Backbar has 33 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Backbar | The Craft IQ |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.6 (33 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backbar/id1461796151/reviews) | **[5.0 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-craft-iq/id1621073620/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **33** | 4 |
| Positive reviews | 60.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 32 MB | 43 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | 15.1 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Backbar](https://appshunter.io/developer/1461796150) | [Shaun Prevatt](https://appshunter.io/developer/1621073622) |

## What reviewers say

### 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


### The Craft IQ

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-craft-iq/id1621073620)

This app helps you easily create, manage, and batch cocktail recipes. It converts measurements, calculates ingredient quantities for any party size or business need, and helps with purchasing and conversions.

**Highlights:** Recipe creation and management, Automatic pour size conversion, Batch cocktail calculation by guest count, Batch cocktail calculation by batch size, Ingredient purchasing and shopping list, Unit and garnish conversion, Cocktail library with editable recipes

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Version | $1.99 | per month |
| Bar Program | $29.99 | per month |
| Restaurant Program | $99.99 | per month |
| Catering | $199.99 | per month |
| Corporate | $449.99 | per month |
| Corporate Tier 2 | $899.99 | per month |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Backbar free?

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

### Is The Craft IQ free?

The Craft IQ is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Backbar or The Craft IQ?

The Craft IQ is rated higher. Backbar averages 3.6 out of 5 from 33 ratings, while The Craft IQ averages 5.0 from 4 ratings.

### Do Backbar or The Craft IQ have ads?

Backbar shows ads; The Craft IQ does not.

### Which is updated more often, Backbar or The Craft IQ?

Backbar ships an update every 3 weeks, and The Craft IQ every 3 weeks. Most recently, Backbar was updated on October 19, 2026 and The Craft IQ on October 14, 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.*