Review Insights · App Store
Cooklist: Pantry Meals Recipes
Cooklist, Inc · 11,105 ratings · ★ 4.7
4.7
★★★★★
11,105 ratings
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Top complaints - extracted from 52 negative reviews
Recurring phrases mined from 1-2★ reviews. The bigger the percentage, the more users have the same problem. Fix the top 2-3 in your version and you have product-market fit on day one.
1
"free"
13 negative reviews mention this · 25% of all complaints
★★★★★ "It’s not free. My girlfriend sent me this app to get vegan recipes. We just started vegan on January 1, 2026 . The app said free .After setting an account. Im asked a join 7 day trail etc My girlfriend set this app she vegan .How is this app free. I didn…" - JennyRC503
2
"trial"
12 negative reviews mention this · 23% of all complaints
★★★★★ "No free version. Free trial only but afterwards, 10 a month or 60 a year. There is no free version you can use." - Hydrias
3
"been"
10 negative reviews mention this · 19% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Canceling. This has been an absolutely life changing up until recently. I’ve been able to plan meals and keep track of my pantry inventory like a pro! Making a meal plan and then having the shopping list exported to my Walmart app shopping list has be…" - Shaaaaaaa
4
"doesn"
9 negative reviews mention this · 17% of all complaints
★★★★★ "AI slopfest. Can’t navigate without using their stupid AI bot that doesn’t even work. Thanks for making a useless app!" - Rick Rick 1101
5
"pantry"
9 negative reviews mention this · 17% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Canceling. This has been an absolutely life changing up until recently. I’ve been able to plan meals and keep track of my pantry inventory like a pro! Making a meal plan and then having the shopping list exported to my Walmart app shopping list has be…" - Shaaaaaaa
6
"free trial"
9 negative reviews mention this · 17% of all complaints
★★★★★ "No free version. Free trial only but afterwards, 10 a month or 60 a year. There is no free version you can use." - Hydrias
7
"money"
8 negative reviews mention this · 15% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Kroger. I used to love this app. I loved it so much that I didn’t mind paying the yearly subscription price. It uploaded all of my purchases and it also helped me cut down wasted food AND helped me “shop” from my cabinet. This app hands down saved …" - AshleyKaye2001
8
"list"
7 negative reviews mention this · 13% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Canceling. This has been an absolutely life changing up until recently. I’ve been able to plan meals and keep track of my pantry inventory like a pro! Making a meal plan and then having the shopping list exported to my Walmart app shopping list has be…" - Shaaaaaaa
9
"items"
7 negative reviews mention this · 13% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Stopped working. Items from my shopping list won’t generate to my Walmart, which was the sole purpose of this app for me. I contacted customer support- no response." - Charleypazos
10
"charged"
7 negative reviews mention this · 13% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Overcharged and no contact. I was just overcharged by 3 times their promised reduced rate - now I can’t email or get in touch with anyone - don’t trust this app." - Juderulz
11
"option"
6 negative reviews mention this · 12% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Poor Design. Forcing users to answer unnecessary questions with slow transitions is always an instant turn off. When will incompetent devs learn most users don’t care about what they think the app should be used for? Give an option to skip, I’ve downloa…" - Devs are stupid
12
"downloaded"
6 negative reviews mention this · 12% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Poor Design. Forcing users to answer unnecessary questions with slow transitions is always an instant turn off. When will incompetent devs learn most users don’t care about what they think the app should be used for? Give an option to skip, I’ve downloa…" - Devs are stupid
📋 All 52 negative reviews
Every 1-2★ review we fetched. Use the copy button to grab them all for your own analysis (paste into ChatGPT/Claude with a prompt like "summarize core user problems, group by theme, ignore bugs, focus on missing features").
Poor Design
Forcing users to answer unnecessary questions with slow transitions is always an instant turn off. When will incompetent devs learn most users don’t care about what they think the app should be used for? Give an option to skip, I’ve downloaded the app, you don’t need to ask me guided questions to appeal features I already know about.
Overcharged and no contact
I was just overcharged by 3 times their promised reduced rate - now I can’t email or get in touch with anyone - don’t trust this app.
AI slopfest
Can’t navigate without using their stupid AI bot that doesn’t even work. Thanks for making a useless app!
Canceling
This has been an absolutely life changing up until recently. I’ve been able to plan meals and keep track of my pantry inventory like a pro! Making a meal plan and then having the shopping list exported to my Walmart app shopping list has been wonderful. Buuuutttt now my shopping list no longer syncs with my Walmart app. If this doesn’t change I will be canceling my subscription when the renewal happens in may. I’m not the only one to have this problem. I’ve seen posts of people who have been having the same problem for months with no end in sight. Please please fix this Cooklist!!!
Not user friendly
Downloaded the app because it was showing online that it had available a protein isolate that I wanted for $10 cheaper than I could find anywhere else. It doesn’t have an option to browse online, you HAVE to get the app, which I would have been fine with doing if I needed to to actually purchase. It took forever to set up an account just for me to search the same product and it not even be available. Complete waste of time. I feel like they are fishing for users by listing groceries available for cheaper that aren’t even available.
Stopped working
Items from my shopping list won’t generate to my Walmart, which was the sole purpose of this app for me. I contacted customer support- no response.
Predatory app, misleading prices
Was shopping online and found a product I need for the lowest price. Once you click it prompts you to download their app, and jump through hoops, and subscribe for $60, and asks a LOT of questions, eventually the price shows even higher than other stores! Scam!
cancelled charged month anyone
cancelled charged month anyway
It’s not free
My girlfriend sent me this app to get vegan recipes. We just started vegan on January 1, 2026 . The app said free .After setting an account. Im asked a join 7 day trail etc My girlfriend set this app she vegan .How is this app free. I didn’t see in app charge. This is false advertisement. So I deleted the app . Upset that it’s false that it’s free.
Non-Functional
I have downloaded and kept this app but unfortunately I have never been able to get it to function. It doesn’t have an update and I have the most current update but it stays on the same screen even after closing the app then reopening, restarting the phone entirely and it stays on the screen unable to connect.
Even when you cancel they charge you!
I signed up for a week long trial and cancelled the same day. I was just charged $24.99 today. Scam!
False advertising
Doesn’t actually let you import from instagram.
Can't find any customer support
The app is neat.
I used this app years ago and wanted to try it again. Its had some awesome upgrades.
But…
I thought I was starting a free trial. It charged me day one.
But I had this app years ago so maybe I had a free trial back then. So ok I accept that.
But now trying to use the app it keeps telling me to sign up and pay.
You already have my money.
I can't figure out how to fix it or contact anyone to help.
From what I've been able to use its a 5 star app.
Since I can't fully use it. And they stole $60 from me.
1 star
I used this app years ago and wanted to try it again. Its had some awesome upgrades.
But…
I thought I was starting a free trial. It charged me day one.
But I had this app years ago so maybe I had a free trial back then. So ok I accept that.
But now trying to use the app it keeps telling me to sign up and pay.
You already have my money.
I can't figure out how to fix it or contact anyone to help.
From what I've been able to use its a 5 star app.
Since I can't fully use it. And they stole $60 from me.
1 star
Scam
The app led me to believe was signing up for a free trial and as soon as I agree to it I was charged almost $80 dollars. It’s been months that I have been attempting to get my money back and I haven’t even used the service because I canceled my subscription immediately and deleted the app. Will not be recommending to anyone
So much frustration with this app
I downloaded this app with intentions of using it long after the free trial. It does not work as it should. When selecting to use only items in my pantry, it would include recipes that had items that were not in my pantry. Some of the directions seem to be out of order on the recipes as well. If you have to go to the website that has the recipe on it, you have to close so many ads just to see the recipe. I understand that isn’t the apps issue, but it just added to the frustration when trying to use the app. I cancelled before the end of my trial due to the errors and frustrations.
Import From Grocery Store
The import from grocery store doesn’t work. It makes the use of this app frustrating.
Annoyed
Nothing I hate more than filling out all my personal info,registering an email answer a bunch of questions just to find out you can’t use it without a membership!
Scam
I subscribe Paige 65.54 and they said it was 59.99 but than they keep wanting me to pay over and over when I try to use the app.
Good concept, very buggy
Freezes and crashes frequently. No options for diabetic, gluten free, or nightshade free. Searching for recipes using only current pantry ingredients is a fail. Almost all of them require at least something that is not there. Substitutions are odd; how can you make home made potato chips from frozen hash browns?
Ramen man steer clear too rich for you!!!!!
Should be told right away that you have to purchase I order to use. Not for the poor man!!!!!
Too many clics
The idea of customizing the profile from the beginning with so many clicks is really unpleasant. In addition, they practically push you to buy the subscription from the beginning. I don’t recommend it
Do not spend the money
Even if you cancel, they keep your money
No Kroger Integration
They claim their app syncs with Kroger but this hasn’t worked since February. I have to now manually enter all my purchases.
Don’t download
The app makes you record a video of you saying the stuff you have and then it’s supposed to translate that to a list but it glitches out. No good.
Does Not Save Exp Dates
I have entered and re-entered the same expiration date for the same items about eight times while trying to set this up with my pantry on day one. None of them stick. It’s not an issue with Wi-Fi or data connection. I am at home. This app is terrible if it can’t even set up the first time.
Instant spam
I downloaded this app and tried to login via Facebook to set up an account and almost within the minute was getting a new form of spam from and email texting me pretending to know me and having just run across my number saved in their computer… I just got a new number. No one could have run across my number and known my name like that.
What a rip-off!
There’s no way to cancel. I accepted a “special rate” to signup - $2.08/month for 1st year with the option to cancel within 7 days. Neither the offer or 7-day cancellation were honored. If they have to trick users to signup, the app can’t be good. Now I have the hassle of fighting them to get my money back.
Stay away!!!
16-Sep-2025
I got a response from the developer basically blaming me for not getting a refund. States that there’s no refund for the steep discount.
Well, they didn’t read my review correctly because I stated that NEITHER the 7-day cancellation OR the deep discount were honored. It was a bait & switch, I was charged the FULL annual fee!! Rip-off!!!!
Stay away!!!!!!
Stay away!!!
16-Sep-2025
I got a response from the developer basically blaming me for not getting a refund. States that there’s no refund for the steep discount.
Well, they didn’t read my review correctly because I stated that NEITHER the 7-day cancellation OR the deep discount were honored. It was a bait & switch, I was charged the FULL annual fee!! Rip-off!!!!
Stay away!!!!!!
Scam
Offers a 7 day free trial then charges you the full $60 amount. Don’t waste your money!
Of course you have to pay.
I’m so tired of apps being advertised as “free” but are not really. I didn’t even get past the sign up stage because I was already greeted with a “sign up for a limited trial”. I don’t even know what the app fully offers and you want me to trial it before you start charging me, no thank you. Immediately uninstalled.
Loved til…
Was loving this app, but the receipt link hasn’t worked since mid June. And all they say is “working on it”. Kroger and Costco not working. The nicest part was importing items instead of having to scan and add each one.
Full blown bugged
This app doesn’t work anymore been using it for a long time and it is just full of bugs. I unsynced the stores because they kept disconnecting, so not I add things from the list to the pantry manually and it doesn’t record the item going it and continues to ask me to add the items to pantry. These developers need to fix this.
Amazing if it worked
This app would save me so much time if it would actually pull in what I put in my pantry to the rest of the app. I have over 100 items in my pantry that I listed in the app, but the rest of the futures can’t seem to reference those items. Will change my review if we get this fixed!
Great, but now it only crashes.
It is a great app, but no barely functional. App crashes almost immediately and cannot use it anymore.
Charged immediately for “free trial”
I tried to do the 7 day trial but instead it charged me immediately. And even though I have unwillingly paid for the full year of Pro I am getting constant pop ups to try the 7day trial.
Would have been nice to try the 7day trial before committing to a year long purchase.
So far I’m not loving the apps features either.
Might as well use what Safeway app provides for free.
Would have been nice to try the 7day trial before committing to a year long purchase.
So far I’m not loving the apps features either.
Might as well use what Safeway app provides for free.
DO NOT download this
When I downloaded this it made me create an account with my info and then I couldn't even finish creating it because they don't have my grocery store available. Like why do you even need to know that I thought this was an app for planning meals with stuff in your pantry? Now they have my info and I can't even use the app. why does nothing work & is easy anymore WHY IS EVERY APP SO BAD
Didnt even make it through the setup advertisements
I was downloading 3-4 similar apps to see which Id want, an legit couldnt even get through the long start up to look through the app.
Deceptive “free trial” button charged me $60 for full year
I attempted to sign up for a free trial and got a prompt (with screenshot as receipt) that claimed I was signing up for a 7 day free trial that would begin on June 2, and would receive an email reminder before hand that the trial was ending. I selected the big green button saying “free 7 day trial” under which it said “no payment due now”. When I authorized the purchase, I got an email from Apple saying I had been charged $59.99 for a years subscription starting today. Really bogus attempt to get money instead of offering a product I *choose* to pay for
Sync
How do I sync iPad and iPhone accounts during trial period?
This app is a scam
The app crashes every 30 seconds. I have not been able to use it and they would not refund me. Don’t waste your money. It’s a scam!
Can’t try the app out before it demands payment - too aggressive
If I like an app, I will eventually pay out of respect to its developers a fair purchase price. Demanding payment immediately without a good test drive period is weird. Deleting it off my device.
amazon connection outage
when will it be back up?
Could be great
Too much locked behind the paywall to make this app useful and screw any sort of subscription. The free app is basically useless, don’t bother.
Just make the app paid
Right when you sign up, it’s asking for you to pay lmaoo. Now they have my information and I’m not even using their services. Great.
Wonderful idea… too many bugs
App needs a lot of fixing. It crashes often, doesn’t update my shopping list like it used to, ingredient names are off, etc.
They charge for this?
This isn’t an app that is worth paying for.
No free version
Free trial only but afterwards, 10 a month or 60 a year. There is no free version you can use.
Kroger
I used to love this app. I loved it so much that I didn’t mind paying the yearly subscription price. It uploaded all of my purchases and it also helped me cut down wasted food AND helped me “shop” from my cabinet. This app hands down saved me so much money on my grocery bill. Then all of a sudden, Kroger doesn’t link. Hasn’t linked for a year, January 15, 2025 was the last trip it registered in my history. I am sorry but this is the major grocer in my area with the next option being Walmart, which in my area is not where I would ever go to get any fresh foods/produce. You lost my subscription because of this. Please fix this so that Kroger links. I really miss this app a lot and I do pick-up orders at Kroger, which means no physical receipts… which I also just don’t have time to scan in, individually anyways… if they offered physical receipts.
Needs an export option
This app needs a way to export data to cvs or excel, otherwise it would be perfect, I love all the features but the only reason I can’t use it is because I can export my pantry data
HEB Integration + Widgets
UPDATE: 2 stars for now. 3 different stores have been having "outages" for months on end, preventing cart export and pick up grocery orders. Some transparency on the source of the issue and the timeline for a fix would be appreciated.
Original review:
Great app, it seriously does it all- I've been waiting on the HEB integration for a while now, I hope it's in the works. Would also like to have some iOS widgets for shopping list/expiring items/meals to cook/etc. But keep the awesome features coming. Thanks for continuing to improve the app (AI recipes, Pantry scan, etc). Small tweak for usability- make the edit expiry date based on initial estimated date instead of resetting it to the current date if we want to manually update it. Usually it's pretty close and I want to get it exact, but then I'm stuck spinning the numbers a bunch to get back in range of the initial estimate if I want to tweak it. If you have a beta tester program, I'd love to join.
Original review:
Great app, it seriously does it all- I've been waiting on the HEB integration for a while now, I hope it's in the works. Would also like to have some iOS widgets for shopping list/expiring items/meals to cook/etc. But keep the awesome features coming. Thanks for continuing to improve the app (AI recipes, Pantry scan, etc). Small tweak for usability- make the edit expiry date based on initial estimated date instead of resetting it to the current date if we want to manually update it. Usually it's pretty close and I want to get it exact, but then I'm stuck spinning the numbers a bunch to get back in range of the initial estimate if I want to tweak it. If you have a beta tester program, I'd love to join.
charges you under the guise of a “free 7 day trial”
pretty much what the title says. i was super excited to try this app out for free for a bit but they start charging you as soon as you sign up. unless i pay, i currently cannot buy anything else thru the app store. unbelievably annoying.
+ 2 more in the clipboard copy
Sentiment summary
94%
Positive (4-5★)
2%
Neutral (3★)
3%
Negative (1-2★)