# Backbar vs Cook Timer

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Backbar at none against Cook Timer's 3. Cook Timer's advantage is update cadence (every 6 days vs every 3 weeks). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Cook Timer sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Backbar asks for nothing beyond the download.

Backbar ships an update every 3 weeks, Cook Timer every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on July 26, 2026 and September 13, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Backbar | Cook Timer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.6 (33 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backbar/id1461796151/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **33** | — |
| Positive reviews | 60.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 6 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 32 MB | 108 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | **15.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Backbar](https://appshunter.io/developer/1461796150) | [Tomohito Kii](https://appshunter.io/developer/1689523321) |

## 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


### Cook Timer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cook-timer-multi-timer/id6761573321)

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly - Cook Timer | $2.99 | per month |
| Annual - Cook Timer | $14.99 | per year |
| Lifetime Premium | $29.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Backbar free?

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

### Is Cook Timer free?

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

### Do Backbar or Cook Timer have ads?

Both Backbar and Cook Timer show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Backbar or Cook Timer?

Backbar ships an update every 3 weeks, and Cook Timer every 6 days. Most recently, Backbar was updated on July 26, 2026 and Cook Timer on September 13, 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.*