Comparison

BARTENDER® vs Cocktail Friend

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

Head to head
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.

About

Cocktail Friend

Discover and create thousands of cocktails with detailed recipes, ingredient information, and personalized suggestions based on what you have at home. Explore new drinks, learn about spirits, and save your favorites for easy access.

Highlights
  • Thousands of cocktail recipes
  • Virtual liquor cabinet for personalized suggestions
  • Browse by category, glass type, or ingredient
  • Learn about cocktail ingredients
  • Save favorite recipes
  • Articles on cocktail culture and techniques
  • Works offline
Features
Read full description

Cocktail Friend is your complete guide to the world of cocktails. Whether you're a home bartender looking to expand your repertoire or just searching for the perfect drink to make tonight, we've got you covered. THOUSANDS OF RECIPES Browse our extensive collection of cocktail recipes, from timeless classics like the Old Fashioned and Margarita to modern craft creations. Each recipe includes detailed ingredients, measurements, step-by-step instructions, and the proper glassware to use. MY LIQUOR CABINET Add the bottles and ingredients you have at home to your virtual liquor cabinet. Cocktail Friend will instantly show you all the drinks you can make right now—no more guessing or running to the store. DISCOVER NEW DRINKS • Browse by category: Whiskey cocktails, Vodka drinks, Tequila favorites, and more • Explore by glass type: Find the perfect Martini glass cocktail or Highball refresher • Search by ingredient: Love bourbon? See every bourbon cocktail in our database • Non-alcoholic options: Great mocktail recipes for designated drivers and non-drinkers LEARN ABOUT INGREDIENTS Tap any ingredient to learn more about it—its history, flavor profile, and all the cocktails that use it. Expand your knowledge of spirits, liqueurs, bitters, and mixers. SAVE YOUR FAVORITES Found a drink you love? Add it to your favorites for quick access anytime. Build your personal collection of go-to recipes. ARTICLES & GUIDES Read our curated articles about cocktail culture, bartending techniques, spirit guides, and the stories behind classic drinks. Learn the difference between bourbon and rye, discover the history of the Negroni, or master the art of the perfect shake. FEATURES: • Clean, intuitive interface designed for easy browsing • High-quality photos for most cocktails • Detailed ingredient lists with precise measurements • Glassware recommendations for proper presentation • Regular updates with new recipes and content • Works offline once recipes are loaded • No account required to browse recipes Whether you're hosting a party, impressing a date, or just unwinding after a long day, Cocktail Friend helps you craft the perfect drink every time. Download now and start exploring the world of cocktails! --- Please enjoy responsibly. Cocktail Friend is intended for users of legal drinking age. *** We are a small 2 person team and this little indie app is the product of our love for programming & mixology. If you enjoy our app, it would absolutely mean the world to us if you could leave us a positive review on the App Store. This lets others know that our app can be trusted. We want to build a truly great app, so never hesitate to reach out with any suggestions. We truly appreciate the support! -Joe

Screenshots

BARTENDER®4 screens
Cocktail Friend4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Cocktail Friend at 5.0 against BARTENDER®'s 4.6. Cocktail Friend also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 5 weeks). BARTENDER®'s advantage is ratings volume (42 vs 1) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 26.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Cocktail Friend holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: BARTENDER® has 42 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

BARTENDER® ships an update every 5 weeks, Cocktail Friend weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 4, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 5 level
BARTENDER® versus Cocktail Friend: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBARTENDER®Cocktail Friend
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (42 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Number of ratings42 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size57 MB4 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperBARTENDER Media LLCJoseph Condon

Customer experience

BARTENDER®

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

Cocktail Friend

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

BARTENDER®

No in-app purchases

None

Cocktail Friend

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is BARTENDER® free?
BARTENDER® is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Cocktail Friend free?
Cocktail Friend is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, BARTENDER® or Cocktail Friend?
Cocktail Friend is rated higher. BARTENDER® averages 4.6 out of 5 from 42 ratings, while Cocktail Friend averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do BARTENDER® or Cocktail Friend have ads?
Neither BARTENDER® nor Cocktail Friend shows ads.
Which is updated more often, BARTENDER® or Cocktail Friend?
BARTENDER® ships an update every 5 weeks, and Cocktail Friend weekly. Most recently, BARTENDER® was updated on November 4, 2026 and Cocktail Friend on October 30, 2026.

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