OnlyRecipe vs Cookmate: Complete Comparison Guide 2025
Choosing between OnlyRecipe and Cookmate (COOKmate)? Here's everything you need to know about features, pricing, and which app is right for you.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | OnlyRecipe | Cookmate |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $2.99/mo or $24.99/yr (AI: $3.99/mo or $34.99/yr) | €6/quarter or €20/yr ($6/$20 USD equivalent) |
| AI Features | ✓ Advanced AI | ⚠ ChatGPT (credit-based) |
| Social Media Import | ✓ TikTok, YouTube, Instagram | ✗ Not supported |
| Screenshot Import | ✓ AI-powered | ✗ Not supported |
| Handwritten Recipes | ✓ AI recognition | ⚠ Scanning only |
| Website Import | ✓ Yes | ✓ Bookmarklet |
| File Format Import | ✗ ZIP, CSV | ✓ MMF, MXP, FDX, RK |
| Meal Planning | ✓ AI-powered | ✓ Calendar-based |
| Grocery Lists | ✓ Smart lists | ✓ Auto-generated |
| Cloud Sync | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| Mobile Apps | iOS & Android, Web | Android only |
| Free Version | 25 recipes, 3 AI imports/day | 60 recipes, 10 AI imports/month |
The Bottom Line
Choose OnlyRecipe if: You want modern AI features like importing recipes from TikTok, YouTube, Instagram videos, screenshots, or handwritten recipes. OnlyRecipe is perfect for the 2025 cook who discovers recipes on social media and wants unlimited AI imports.
Choose Cookmate if: You need to import recipes from legacy file formats (Meal Master, MasterCook, etc.) and prefer a web-based interface. Cookmate is good for traditional recipe management with a higher free tier limit.
Detailed Feature Comparison
📥 Recipe Import & Management
OnlyRecipe
- Social Media Import: Import directly from TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook videos using AI
- Screenshot Import: Take a screenshot of any recipe and import it with AI recognition
- Handwritten Recipes: Digitize handwritten recipes with advanced AI
- Website Import: One-tap import from any recipe website
- In-App Browser: Browse and save without leaving the app
Cookmate
- Website Import: Bookmarklet for saving recipes from supported websites
- Manual Entry: Add your own recipes manually
- Scanning: Scan recipes from books and magazines
- File Format Import: Import from Meal Master (.mmf), MasterCook (.mxp), LivingCookBook (.fdx), Rezkonv (.rk)
- AI Recipe Generator: Create recipes using ChatGPT (credit-based)
- No Social Media Support: Cannot import from video platforms
🏆 Winner: OnlyRecipe
OnlyRecipe's AI-powered import features are game-changing for modern cooks who discover recipes on social media. While Cookmate offers legacy file format imports, it lacks support for today's most popular recipe sources.
🤖 AI & Smart Features
OnlyRecipe
- AI-powered video recipe extraction
- AI meal planning suggestions
- Automatic nutritional analysis
- Smart ingredient recognition from images
- AI-powered recipe organization
- Unlimited AI imports with AI Premium plan
Cookmate
- ChatGPT recipe generation (credit-based)
- Custom recipe images using OpenAI (5 credits per image)
- AI-assisted import from unsupported sites (10 free, 200 premium)
- Credit system limits AI usage (10/month free, 200/month premium)
- No AI for video or image recognition
🏆 Winner: OnlyRecipe
OnlyRecipe offers unlimited AI imports with its AI Premium plan, while Cookmate limits AI usage through a credit system. OnlyRecipe's AI is also more comprehensive, covering video, images, and handwriting recognition.
💰 Pricing Comparison
OnlyRecipe
- Free: 25 recipes, 3 AI imports/day, basic features
- Premium: $2.99/month or $24.99/year - unlimited recipes, all features
- AI Premium: $3.99/month or $34.99/year - unlimited AI imports
- Single subscription works across all devices
Cookmate
- Free: 60 recipes, 1 shopping list, 10 credits/month, includes ads
- Premium: €6/quarter or €20/year ($6/$20 USD equivalent)
- Premium includes: Unlimited recipes, unlimited shopping lists, 200 credits/month, ad-free
- Credit system limits AI features
🏆 Winner: Depends on usage
Cookmate offers a higher free tier (60 vs 25 recipes) and similar annual pricing (~$20/year). However, OnlyRecipe's AI Premium ($34.99/year) provides unlimited AI imports, while Cookmate limits you to 200 credits/month. For heavy AI users, OnlyRecipe offers better value.
📱 User Experience & Platform Support
OnlyRecipe
- Modern, clean interface built for 2025
- Native iOS and Android apps
- Web app available
- Intuitive navigation and search
- Fast recipe imports with AI
- Regular updates with new features
Cookmate
- Web-based interface (primary)
- Android app available
- No iOS app
- Cloud sync across devices
- Drag-and-drop meal planning calendar
- Social sharing features
🏆 Winner: OnlyRecipe
OnlyRecipe offers native apps for both iOS and Android, while Cookmate only supports Android. For iPhone users, OnlyRecipe is the clear choice.
Pros & Cons
OnlyRecipe Pros
- ✓ AI-powered social media imports
- ✓ Screenshot & handwritten recipe support
- ✓ Unlimited AI imports (AI Premium)
- ✓ Native iOS and Android apps
- ✓ Modern, intuitive interface
- ✓ Regular updates and new features
OnlyRecipe Cons
- ✗ Lower free tier (25 vs 60 recipes)
- ✗ No legacy file format imports
Cookmate Pros
- ✓ Higher free tier (60 recipes)
- ✓ Legacy file format support
- ✓ Web-based (works on any device)
- ✓ Similar annual pricing (~$20/year)
- ✓ ChatGPT recipe generation
Cookmate Cons
- ✗ No iOS app
- ✗ No social media import
- ✗ No screenshot/handwritten support
- ✗ Credit-based AI limits
- ✗ Ads in free version
Who Should Choose Which App?
Choose Cookmate if you:
- • Need to import recipes from legacy file formats (Meal Master, MasterCook, etc.)
- • Prefer a web-based interface over mobile apps
- • Use Android exclusively (no iPhone)
- • Want a higher free tier (60 recipes)
- • Primarily save recipes from traditional websites
Choose OnlyRecipe if you:
- • Discover recipes on TikTok, YouTube, or Instagram
- • Want to import from screenshots or handwritten recipes
- • Use an iPhone or want native mobile apps
- • Want unlimited AI imports without credit limits
- • Prefer modern AI-powered features
- • Want an ad-free experience
Switching from Cookmate to OnlyRecipe
Making the switch is straightforward:
- Export from Cookmate: Use Cookmate's export feature to save your recipes (if available)
- Download OnlyRecipe: Get the app from the App Store or Google Play
- Re-import Recipes: Use OnlyRecipe's one-tap import to quickly save recipes from their original sources
- Try AI Features: Import your first recipe from a TikTok video or screenshot to experience the difference
💡 Pro Tip
Start with OnlyRecipe's free plan to test it alongside Cookmate. You get 25 recipe saves and 3 AI imports per day—enough to evaluate if it's right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can OnlyRecipe import my Cookmate recipes?
Currently, there's no direct import from Cookmate. However, since most recipes originally came from websites, you can quickly re-import them using OnlyRecipe's one-tap website import feature. If you have recipes from social media, OnlyRecipe can import those directly.
Does OnlyRecipe have an iOS app like Cookmate?
Yes! Unlike Cookmate (which only has Android), OnlyRecipe has native apps for both iOS and Android. This makes it perfect for iPhone users who want a dedicated recipe management app.
How do the AI features compare?
Both apps have AI features, but with different approaches. Cookmate uses a credit system (10/month free, 200/month premium) for ChatGPT recipe generation and AI imports. OnlyRecipe offers unlimited AI imports with its AI Premium plan ($34.99/year) and includes video, screenshot, and handwriting recognition that Cookmate doesn't offer.
Which app is better for social media recipes?
OnlyRecipe is far superior for social media recipes. It can directly import from TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook videos using AI. Cookmate doesn't support social media imports—you'd need to manually transcribe video recipes.
Can I try OnlyRecipe before paying?
Absolutely! OnlyRecipe offers a generous free plan with 25 recipe saves and 3 AI imports per day. This lets you fully test the app before committing to a subscription. Cookmate also has a free tier with 60 recipes but includes ads.
Final Verdict
Both OnlyRecipe and Cookmate are solid recipe managers, but they serve different types of cooks in 2025.
Cookmate is a good choice if you need to import recipes from legacy file formats and prefer a web-based interface. It offers a higher free tier (60 recipes) and works well for traditional recipe management.
OnlyRecipe is the clear winner for modern cooks who discover recipes on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram. Its AI-powered features—including social media imports, screenshot recognition, and handwritten recipe digitization—represent the future of recipe management. Plus, it offers native iOS and Android apps, making it accessible to all mobile users.
If you're discovering recipes on social media in 2025, OnlyRecipe's AI features will save you hours of manual work. If you primarily need legacy file format imports and only use Android, Cookmate remains a viable option.
Ready to Try OnlyRecipe?
Start with our free plan—25 recipes and 3 AI imports per day. No credit card required.
