Recipe box apps / RecipeSage
ForgetfulChef vs RecipeSage
RecipeSage and ForgetfulChef both put every recipe you collect into one searchable box. RecipeSage is free, donation-supported, and open source. ForgetfulChef has a free plan and a paid Pro plan. Here is where each one wins.
Where RecipeSage is strong
- Free for everyone, supported by donations, and open source under the AGPL. You can even run it on your own server.
- Apps for web, iOS, and Android, and your collection stays searchable offline.
- Imports from a website, a photo of a cookbook page, a PDF, or plain text.
- Exports your recipes to PDF, JSON-LD, or text at any time.
- Meal planner, shopping list, scaling, unit conversion, and nutrition tracking.
Where ForgetfulChef is different
- Snap a dish: photograph a meal at a restaurant or a friend's table and get a recipe to cook it at home.
- Follow other home cooks and see what they're saving and cooking in your feed. RecipeSage describes itself as a personal keeper, not a recipe network.
- Cook Mode walks you through one step at a time with a built-in timer, free on every plan.
- Export your whole collection anytime from your profile.
Side by side
| RecipeSage | ForgetfulChef | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free (donation-supported) | Free up to 25 recipes. Pro is $39/year or $4.99/month. |
| Open source | Yes | No |
| Import from a website | Yes | Yes |
| Scan a cookbook page | Yes, free | Yes, Pro |
| Recipe from a photo of a finished dish | Not a listed feature | Yes, Pro (Snap a dish) |
| Works offline | Yes | No |
| Follow other cooks | Not a listed feature | Yes, free |
| Export your recipes | PDF, JSON-LD, or text | JSON file |
| Where it runs | Web, iOS, Android | Any web browser |
Which one should you pick?
Pick RecipeSage if you want everything free, open source, available offline, or self-hosted.
Pick ForgetfulChef if you want to turn a photo of a meal into a recipe, follow other home cooks, and cook from a step-by-step Cook Mode.
Try ForgetfulChef free. No credit card.
Questions
Is RecipeSage really free?
Yes. RecipeSage describes itself as free, donation-supported, and open source.
Can I take my recipes with me if I leave ForgetfulChef?
Yes. Tap Export recipes on your profile to download your whole collection as a JSON file.
Last checked October 2026. Prices and features change, so check each company's site for the latest. Sources: recipesage.com.
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