Recipe Keeper has served cooks on Windows, Android, Mac and iOS for years. It has a one-time Pro upgrade (~$20 per platform) and can scan paper recipes.
Its downsides are a lot like Paprika’s. Past the free limit, you buy Pro again on each platform. The design is basic, and sync needs a Recipe Keeper account. Gratin is free and modern on all four platforms.
Gratin vs Recipe Keeper at a glance
Figures come from each app’s public pricing and help pages. Trademarks belong to their owners. Recipe Keeper website ↗
Recipe Keeper’s ~$20 Pro upgrade looks cheaper on one device, but you buy it again on every platform. Gratin is free everywhere, and costs $12/year or $39 once only if you want Hosted sync.
See Gratin’s pricing and the 5-year Pay-once guarantee →What Recipe Keeper does well, and what gets in the way
What Recipe Keeper does well
- Works on Windows, Mac, Android and iOS
- Pro is a one-time purchase per platform, with no subscription
- Saves recipes from the web and scans printed recipes
What gets in the way
- Plain design that feels basic
- You have to buy Pro again on each platform you use
- Syncing between devices needs a Recipe Keeper cloud account
Why people switch from Recipe Keeper to Gratin
No recipe limit, nothing to buy twice
Recipe Keeper charges ~$20 separately on Windows, Mac, iOS and Android. Gratin is free with unlimited recipes everywhere.
Easy to read while you cook
Amounts sit inside each step, times turn into timers you can tap, and servings scale in metric or imperial.
Encrypted sync you can also run yourself
Gratin encrypts your recipes on your device before they sync. Sync is $12/yr, $39 once, or free on your own server.
AI on your device, plus Claude and ChatGPT
Tag new recipes and estimate nutrition on your device, or connect Claude or ChatGPT with Hosted sync.
Bottom line
Recipe Keeper is a dependable organizer, especially if you need its scanner. Gratin is more modern, free everywhere, and syncs with encryption.
Questions about Recipe Keeper and Gratin
Can Gratin save recipes from websites like Recipe Keeper?
Yes. Paste a recipe link into Gratin or use the browser extension, and you get the recipe without the ads and pop-ups.
Is there a Gratin app for Windows and Android?
Yes. Gratin has apps for Windows, Mac, Android and iOS.
How do I back up or export my recipes in Gratin?
Go to Settings → Data → Export All Recipes. That saves one file with all your recipes and photos in a standard recipe format (Schema.org JSON-LD). You can also export single recipes as Cooklang files.