Crouton is well liked, and for good reason. It feels great on iPhone and iPad, works on Apple Watch, and lets you move through steps hands-free.
People leave over the recipe limit on the free version, and because it only works on Apple devices. Gratin is free with no recipe limit, on Mac, Windows, iPhone and Android.
Gratin vs Crouton at a glance
Figures come from each app’s public pricing and help pages. Trademarks belong to their owners. Crouton website ↗
If you’re all Apple, Crouton’s one-time upgrade (~$25) with iCloud sync is cheaper than Gratin’s $39 Pay-once sync. Gratin’s sync fee ($12/yr or $39 once) also covers Windows and Android, plus the Claude and ChatGPT connector.
See Gratin’s pricing and the 5-year Pay-once guarantee →What Crouton does well, and what gets in the way
What Crouton does well
- Polished design made for iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch
- Hands-free cooking mode, plus Apple Shortcuts and Reminders support
- A fair one-time Plus upgrade, with no required subscription
What gets in the way
- Only on Apple devices, with no Windows, Android or web app
- The free version limits how many recipes you can save, and AI import costs extra
- Sync only works through iCloud
Why people switch from Crouton to Gratin
No recipe limit
Crouton’s free version limits how many recipes you can save and charges extra for AI. Gratin has no limit, and its AI tagging and nutrition are included.
Works on Windows and Android too
If you plan meals on a Windows PC or share a kitchen with someone on Android, Gratin works there too.
Sync you can pay for once, or run yourself
Gratin’s sync is end-to-end encrypted and not tied to an Apple ID. Use our Hosted sync ($12/yr or $39 once) or your own server.
Connect Claude or ChatGPT to your recipes
With Hosted sync, Gratin’s connector lets your AI assistant read your recipes, suggest dinners and save changes to your book.
Bottom line
Crouton is a fun Apple app if you’re happy buying Crouton Plus and staying on iCloud. Otherwise, try Gratin.
Questions about Crouton and Gratin
Does Gratin limit how many recipes I can save for free?
No. There’s no recipe limit and no paid feature tier.
Does Gratin have a cooking mode for the counter?
Yes. It keeps your screen on and shows amounts inside each step. Tap a time in the text to start a timer.
Does Gratin charge extra for AI features?
No. Tagging, recipe cleanup and nutrition estimates are in the free app and run on your device.