# DrinkSmith vs BarGenius

The clearest difference is monetization model: DrinkSmith at free with in-app purchases against BarGenius's subscription. BarGenius's advantage is rating (4.8 vs 4.5) and update cadence (every 5 days vs fortnightly). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. DrinkSmith sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and BarGenius sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

BarGenius holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 114 and 94 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 78% of DrinkSmith's written reviews are positive against 83% of BarGenius's.

DrinkSmith ships an update fortnightly, BarGenius every 5 days. Both last shipped on November 12, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | DrinkSmith | BarGenius |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.5 (114 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drinksmith-cocktail-recipes/id6451126617/reviews) | **[4.8 (94 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bargenius-bartender-app/id6740407542/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **114** | 94 |
| Positive reviews | 77.8% of reviews | **82.8% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | **Every 5 days** |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Subscription |
| Best chart rank | — | **#156** |
| Size | 80 MB | 35 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **15.6** |
| Devices | iPhone, Vision Pro | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Ryan Allen](https://appshunter.io/developer/1248135063) | [David Parker](https://appshunter.io/developer/821839348) |

## What reviewers say

### DrinkSmith

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drinksmith-cocktail-recipes/id6451126617)

Master the art of bartending with this comprehensive cocktail recipe guide. Discover hundreds of drinks, explore ingredients, and experiment with flavors using augmented reality. Perfect for both beginners and experienced mixologists looking to elevate their home bar creations.

**Highlights:** Hundreds of cocktail recipes, Augmented reality mixology guidance, Searchable filters by ABV, ingredients, flavor, Dynamic recipe collections, Ingredient information and usage tips, Customizable drink creation, Community sharing

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| DrinkSmith Pro Monthly | $3.99 | per month |
| DrinkSmith Premium Yearly | $23.99 | per year |
| DrinkSmith Premium Lifetime | $39.99 | one-time |


### BarGenius

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bargenius-bartender-app/id6740407542)

**Currently charting:** #156 Top Grossing · Food & Drink (US App Store)

Explore over 10,000 cocktail recipes with this ad-free app. Discover classics and modern creations, learn mixology techniques, and even create and share your own recipes. Perfect for home enthusiasts and professional bartenders alike.

**Highlights:** Over 10,000 cocktail recipes, Search and discover cocktails, Learn mixology techniques, Create and share custom recipes, Follow top bartenders, Browse drink history and origins

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Pro | $3.99 | per month |
| Yearly Pro | $19.99 | per year |
| Lifetime Pro | $39.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is DrinkSmith free?

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

### Is BarGenius free?

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

### Which has better reviews, DrinkSmith or BarGenius?

BarGenius is rated higher. DrinkSmith averages 4.5 out of 5 from 114 ratings, while BarGenius averages 4.8 from 94 ratings.

### Do DrinkSmith or BarGenius have ads?

Neither DrinkSmith nor BarGenius shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, DrinkSmith or BarGenius?

DrinkSmith ships an update fortnightly, and BarGenius every 5 days. Most recently, DrinkSmith was updated on November 12, 2026 and BarGenius on November 12, 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.*