Comparison

Mixology vs BARTENDER®

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Mixology

Discover and create a wide variety of cocktails with an extensive recipe library. Find new drinks based on your preferences, ingredients you have, or explore popular and random suggestions. Elevate your home bartending with detailed instructions and pairing ideas.

Highlights
  • Extensive cocktail recipe library
  • Search by name, ingredient, or type
  • Save favorite cocktails
  • Random cocktail generator
  • Home bar inventory suggestions
  • Ingredient information
  • Detailed step-by-step instructions
Read full description

Whether you are making a drink for the first time or you are an experienced mixologist, Pocket Bartender turns your phone into a complete drink-making assistant. Designed with a clean layout and powerful tools, the app takes the guesswork out of cocktail preparation so you can focus on making and enjoying great drinks. Key Features * Designed for All Skill Levels Beginners get clear step-by-step instructions and automatic measurement conversions to build confidence without technical jargon. Seasoned pros can build custom recipes from scratch, use advanced ingredient substitution options, and batch cocktails for large gatherings. * Vast Library of High-Quality Recipes Access thousands of classic, modern, signature, and seasonal recipes for holidays like Halloween and Valentine's Day. Explore a wide variety of both alcoholic drinks and zero-proof mocktails, smoothies, and party punches. * AI-Powered Photo Recognition Snap a photo of any cocktail to instantly view its name, history, and detailed step-by-step recipe. Take a picture of your available ingredients, and the app will immediately show you every drink you can create with them. * Smart Inventory & "What Can I Make?" Input your home bar stock to see every cocktail you can make right now without extra store trips. View exact missing ingredient counts for drinks you want to try, making shopping quick and focused. Manage your home bar inventory by listing ingredients and available quantities for automated daily suggestions. * Smart Substitutions & Precision Scaling Get instant ingredient swap suggestions—like substituting light rum for gin—with notes on how flavor profiles change. Scale any recipe instantly by number of servings or liquid volume so your proportions remain accurate for any crowd size. * Custom Recipe Builder & Shared Shopping Lists Create your own unique recipes or tweak existing classics to match your personal taste. Add missing items directly from recipe cards to an in-app shopping list and share it instantly with friends or family. * Smart Search, Folders & Discovery Search easily by drink name, specific spirit, or style categories like tiki, punch, or highball. Organize your favorite cocktails into custom folders like Date Night or Summer Party. Use the Random Cocktail Generator to discover new flavors, explore popular trending drinks, or browse similar cocktail recommendations. View curated food and snack pairings designed to complement the flavor profile of your selected drink. Privacy Policy: https://pocketbartender.app/privacypolicy/ Terms of Use: https://pocketbartender.app/tos/

About

BARTENDER®

Discover thousands of cocktail recipes, expert tips, and industry trends. This app is your ultimate guide for crafting drinks at home or managing a professional bar. Explore articles, product reviews, and access digital magazine issues.

Highlights
  • Searchable cocktail recipe database
  • Trending and seasonal drink discovery
  • In-depth articles on bartending techniques
  • Expert reviews and product recommendations
  • Digital BARTENDER Magazine access
  • Online merchandise store
Features
Read full description

The Bartender.com mobile app is your ultimate cocktail companion, whether you're a professional mixologist, an aspiring home bartender, or simply someone who loves great drinks. With a comprehensive cocktail recipe database, expert insights, and curated content, the app serves as the go-to resource for all things bartending. Explore thousands of cocktail recipes, discover new trends, seasonal drinks, and in-depth articles on everything from bar management to cocktail culture. Whether you’re crafting cocktails at home or running a busy bar, the Bartender.com app provides all the tools, inspiration, and knowledge you need. You can also browse exclusive content for industry professionals, shop for bartending gear and branded merchandise, and access the latest issues of BARTENDER Magazine on the go. The app features a searchable cocktail recipe database where you can access thousands of cocktail recipes with detailed instructions, ingredient lists, and expert tips. Stay up-to-date with trending and seasonal cocktails to discover new drinks and innovations in the cocktail world. Read top-rated articles organized by category, tag, or type, including bartender techniques, bar management tips, and industry news. The app also provides in-depth resources for bartenders, mixologists, bar owners, and investors, as well as tips and tricks for amateur bartenders looking to enhance their at-home cocktail skills. Explore expert reviews and recommendations for bartending products, from commercial tools to home bar accessories. Additionally, you can access the latest digital editions of BARTENDER Magazine, available for viewing and downloading directly within the app. Finally, shop for exclusive Bartender.com-branded merchandise, from apparel to bartending essentials. With a perfect blend of expert advice, innovative cocktail recipes, and industry knowledge, the Bartender.com app is an essential tool for anyone who loves great drinks or works in the bartending and hospitality industries. Whether you’re looking to refine your craft, discover new products, or stay ahead of the trends, the Bartender.com app has you covered.

Screenshots

Mixology4 screens
BARTENDER®4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: BARTENDER® at none against Mixology's 3. BARTENDER® also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). Mixology's advantage is ratings volume (82 vs 6) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 5 weeks). On price, rating, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Mixology sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. BARTENDER® asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for Mixology against 4.7 for BARTENDER®. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Mixology has 82 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Mixology ships an update fortnightly, BARTENDER® every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Mixology versus BARTENDER®: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMixologyBARTENDER®
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (82 ratings)4.7 (6 ratings) — better
Positive reviews61.1% of reviews—
Number of ratings82 — better6
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 5 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size107 MB57 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperVincent KiptirgeiBARTENDER Media LLC

Customer experience

Mixology

All ratings82 ratings
Positive87.8%
Neutral4.9%
Negative7.3%
Written reviews18 reviews
Positive61.1%
Neutral5.6%
Negative33.3%

BARTENDER®

All ratings6 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral16.7%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Mixology

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly$3.991 Month
  • Annual$12.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime$19.99
None

BARTENDER®

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Mixology free?
Mixology is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is BARTENDER® free?
BARTENDER® is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Mixology or BARTENDER®?
BARTENDER® is rated higher. Mixology averages 4.6 out of 5 from 82 ratings, while BARTENDER® averages 4.7 from 6 ratings.
Do Mixology or BARTENDER® have ads?
Neither Mixology nor BARTENDER® shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Mixology or BARTENDER®?
Mixology ships an update fortnightly, and BARTENDER® every 5 weeks. Most recently, Mixology was updated on September 21, 2026 and BARTENDER® on September 11, 2026.

Other comparisons