Of every app here, RecipeSage is closest to Gratin in spirit. It's free, open source, ad-free, and you can self-host it. If you want those values today, it's a genuinely great project and we'd never talk you out of it.
The differences are architectural. RecipeSage is a web app (a PWA) built around a hosted server and account, with no native iOS app. Gratin is local-first with native desktop apps, works with no account at all, and treats sync as an optional encrypted relay rather than the core.
Gratin vs RecipeSage, side by side
Based on how each product generally works today. Product names belong to their owners. Visit RecipeSage ↗
RecipeSage is free and self-hostable, and so, honestly, is Gratin: the app costs nothing and you can run the sync relay yourself. The only thing Gratin charges for is hosting that relay so you don't have to, $12 a year or a one-time $39. If you're happy self-hosting, you'll pay neither of us a cent.
See how Gratin is priced, and why →What RecipeSage gets right, and where it grates
Where RecipeSage shines
- Genuinely free, open source (AGPL-3.0), and ad-free
- Strong collaboration: shared recipes, plans, and lists
- Self-hostable, with easy data export
Where it can frustrate
- The hosted service rests on one maintainer's server
- PWA feel is less polished; no native iOS app
- Some extras are gated behind donating; self-hosting takes skill
Why people move to Gratin
Local-first, not server-first
RecipeSage centres on a hosted server and account. Gratin stores your recipes on your device by default; sync is optional.
Native apps, no account
Gratin ships real desktop apps and needs no sign-up. RecipeSage is a PWA with an account (self-hosted or hosted).
Encrypted sync you can still self-host
Like RecipeSage, you can run your own infrastructure. Gratin's relay is end-to-end encrypted, so even your own server can't read your recipes.
The verdict
RecipeSage is a wonderful open-source, self-hostable option, and we mean that. Choose Gratin if you want a local-first app with native desktop clients and no account, with self-hostable encrypted sync still on the table.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gratin open source like RecipeSage?
Not fully yet; open-sourcing is in progress. RecipeSage is open source (AGPL-3.0) today, so if that's essential right now, it's the safer bet.
Can I self-host Gratin's sync like RecipeSage?
Yes. Gratin's sync is an end-to-end encrypted relay you can run yourself, so your recipes stay yours even on your own hardware.
Do I need an account for Gratin?
No. Gratin works with no account at all. RecipeSage's hosted service requires one (self-hosting aside).