# Backbar vs 412 Plates

The clearest difference is rating: 412 Plates at 5.0 against Backbar's 3.6. 412 Plates also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 2 days vs every 3 weeks). Backbar's advantage is monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription) and ratings volume (33 vs 1). On price, in-app purchases and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

412 Plates 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 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Backbar ships an update every 3 weeks, 412 Plates every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Backbar | 412 Plates |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.6 (33 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backbar/id1461796151/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/412-plates/id6797358475/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **33** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 60.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 2 days** |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Subscription |
| Size | 32 MB | 2 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.1** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Backbar](https://appshunter.io/developer/1461796150) | [412 Plates LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/6797358477) |

## 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


### 412 Plates

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/412-plates/id6797358475)

Unlock daily buy-one-get-one-free deals at local Pittsburgh restaurants for a monthly fee. Browse offers for free and redeem them easily in person by showing your phone.

**Highlights:** Daily buy-one-get-one-free deals, Local Pittsburgh partner restaurants, Browse deals for free, Easy in-person redemption, Cancel anytime membership, No coupons or codes needed

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Backbar free?

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

### Is 412 Plates free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Backbar or 412 Plates?

412 Plates is rated higher. Backbar averages 3.6 out of 5 from 33 ratings, while 412 Plates averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Backbar or 412 Plates have ads?

Backbar shows ads; 412 Plates does not.

### Which is updated more often, Backbar or 412 Plates?

Backbar ships an update every 3 weeks, and 412 Plates every 2 days. Most recently, Backbar was updated on October 8, 2026 and 412 Plates on October 11, 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.*