Customer Reviews (148)

Sans Sarif • 2025-03-24T11:11:36-07:00

I’m so grateful for this app. For people that look at screens all day, being able to cut down on scrolling and ads is awesome.

RustyduckVA • 2025-03-06T10:08:36-07:00

JTR makes it so easy to actually get the parts of the recipe that matter and having every saved recipe be editable is a lifesaver. I went ahead and got premium just because of how often I was using it! Great job team.

Love 2 cook2 • 2025-03-05T16:16:30-07:00

This app just erased 99% of my saved recipes today. Tried logging out & logging in again & they are gone! WTH?! I am paying for Premium.

Summary of Key Insights

  • Just the Recipe enjoys a strongly positive sentiment overall, with users praising its core functionality of extracting recipes from cluttered websites and simplifying the cooking experience. The app effectively addresses the common frustration of excessive text, ads, and distractions on recipe websites.
  • The app's strengths lie in its ease of use, clean interface, and the ability to edit and organize recipes. The premium features, such as unlimited storage, PDF saving, adjustable servings, and AI-powered unit conversions, are generally well-received.
  • Key weaknesses include occasional syncing issues, recipe loss, problems with parsing recipes correctly, and the subscription model being preferred as a one-time purchase by some. There are also requests for additional features like shopping list integration, improved organization options (alphabetical sorting, sub-sections), and better error handling/support responsiveness.
  • The overall rating is high, with a significant proportion of 5-star reviews (77%), indicating strong user satisfaction with the app's primary function. However, the negative reviews highlight critical issues that need addressing to maintain user trust and improve the overall experience.

Quantitative Metrics:

  • Overall Rating (estimated): 4.6 stars (based on score distribution).
  • 5-Star Reviews: 114 (77%)
  • 4-Star Reviews: 13 (9%)
  • 3-Star Reviews: 9 (6%)
  • 2-Star Reviews: 1 (1%)
  • 1-Star Reviews: 11 (7%)

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 148 reviews
  • Time Frame: Reviews appear to be relatively recent, spanning from a few months to a year. Exact date ranges are not provided for all reviews. Several reviews mention specific dates in 2025, implying the reviews are from that year.
  • Analysis Methods:
    • Sentiment Analysis: Categorizing reviews as positive, negative, or neutral based on the expressed opinions.
    • Keyword Extraction: Identifying frequently used words and phrases to determine common themes, pain points, and requested features.
    • Feature Analysis: Mapping user feedback to specific app features (e.g., recipe extraction, editing, organization).

Key User Pain Points

  • Recipe Loss/Syncing Issues: Several users reported losing saved recipes or experiencing syncing problems between devices, which is a critical issue for paying subscribers.
  • Parsing Errors: The app sometimes fails to correctly extract recipes from websites, resulting in incomplete or improperly formatted recipes. This includes issues with ingredients being listed together instead of separated, and directions being a single paragraph.
  • Subscription Model: Some users dislike the subscription model and would prefer a one-time purchase option.
  • Pasting Permissions: The constant prompting for paste permissions when manually entering recipes is annoying.
  • Lack of Support: Some users reported a lack of response from the developer when they encountered issues.
  • App Instability: Some users reported the app not opening or crashing.

Frequently Requested Features

  • Shopping List Integration: Users want the ability to export ingredients from recipes to a shopping list.
  • Alphabetical Sorting: A way to sort recipes alphabetically for easier browsing.
  • Sub-Sections for Ingredients/Instructions: The ability to create sections within recipes (e.g., "dough ingredients," "icing ingredients").
  • Notes Feature: Ability to add personal notes to recipes.
  • Recipe Import Enhancements: Improved ability to import multiple recipes at once and from screenshots.
  • More Measurement Options: Volume measurements (cups, etc.) instead of just servings for recipes like sauces.
  • Android Support: Users want the app to be available on Android devices.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Effective Recipe Extraction: The app successfully extracts recipes from cluttered websites, removing ads and unnecessary content.
  • Ease of Use: Users find the app easy to use and navigate.
  • Clean Interface: The app has a clean and simple design.
  • Recipe Editing: The ability to edit and personalize recipes is a valuable feature.
  • Organization Features: Users appreciate the ability to categorize and organize recipes into collections.
  • Time-Saving: The app saves users time by eliminating the need to scroll through lengthy blog posts and ads.
  • Unit Conversion: The AI-powered unit conversion is useful for international cooking.
  • Convenient Storage: Provides a central location for all recipes, eliminating scattered bookmarks and screenshots.
  • Print Functionality: The print option with consolidated spacing and fonts is appreciated.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

High Priority:

  • Address Recipe Loss/Syncing Issues: Investigate and fix the bugs causing recipe loss and syncing problems. This is a critical issue affecting user trust and subscription value. Implement automated backups.
  • Improve Recipe Parsing Accuracy: Enhance the recipe extraction algorithm to handle a wider range of website formats and avoid parsing errors. Implement user feedback mechanisms to flag and correct parsing issues.
  • Resolve Support Responsiveness: Improve customer support response times and provide helpful solutions to user issues.
  • Fix App Instability: Address the issues of the app not opening or crashing.

Medium Priority:

  • Consider One-Time Purchase Option: Explore offering a one-time purchase option in addition to the subscription model to cater to a wider range of users.
  • Implement Shopping List Integration: Add a feature to export ingredients to a shopping list.
  • Add Alphabetical Sorting: Implement alphabetical sorting for easier recipe browsing.
  • Implement Notes Feature: Add a feature to allow users to add personal notes to recipes.
  • Reduce Paste Permission Prompts: Find a way to minimize or eliminate the annoying paste permission prompts.
  • Improve Error Handling and User Feedback: Implement more informative error messages and provide users with clear instructions on how to resolve common issues.

Low Priority:

  • Implement Sub-Sections: Add the ability to create sub-sections within recipes (e.g., "dough ingredients," "icing ingredients").
  • Enhance Recipe Import: Improve the ability to import multiple recipes at once and from screenshots.
  • Add More Measurement Options: Include more measurement options (volume, weight).
  • Develop Android Version: Explore developing an Android version of the app to reach a wider audience.
  • Implement Tap to Top: Add a tap-to-top feature for easier navigation in long recipes.
  • Address Apostrophe Coding Issue: Fix the coding issue where apostrophes are sometimes displayed incorrectly.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • AI-Powered Recipe Suggestion: Integrate AI to suggest recipes based on available ingredients or dietary preferences.
  • Community Recipe Sharing: Create a platform for users to share their own recipes and discover new ones.
  • Smart Kitchen Integration: Integrate with smart kitchen appliances for automated cooking assistance.
  • Meal Planning Features: Add meal planning features to help users plan their meals for the week.
  • Nutritional Information Integration: Automatically extract and display nutritional information for recipes.
  • Voice Control Integration: Allow users to control the app with voice commands.

Trends and Observations

  • Strong Focus on Convenience: Users are primarily driven by the desire for convenience and efficiency in the kitchen.
  • Ad Aversion: Users are highly averse to ads and excessive text on recipe websites.
  • Value for Money: Users are generally willing to pay for a good product, but they expect it to be reliable and offer good value for money.
  • Positive Word of Mouth: Many users discovered the app through recommendations from friends or articles, indicating strong word-of-mouth marketing potential.
  • Need for Stability and Reliability: Negative reviews often focus on app instability and data loss, suggesting that reliability is a key factor in user satisfaction.
  • Desire for Personalization: The ability to edit and personalize recipes is a highly valued feature.

Conclusion

Just the Recipe is a well-received app that effectively addresses a common pain point for home cooks. Its strengths lie in its ease of use, clean interface, and recipe extraction capabilities. However, addressing the critical issues of recipe loss, syncing problems, and parsing errors is essential to maintain user trust and prevent negative reviews. Implementing the frequently requested features, such as shopping list integration and alphabetical sorting, will further enhance the user experience and attract new users. Overall, Just the Recipe has the potential to become an indispensable tool for home cooks, but continued development and a focus on reliability are crucial for long-term success.

Original App Link

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/just-the-recipe-cook-smarter/id1598423213?uo=2