Comparison · October 2026
Mixel vs Cocktail Flow
For most people, Mixel, because it costs less and it's still being updated. Cocktail Flow has far more ratings, but its last App Store update was on 14 December 2019. Barello, which we make, shows what you can mix from your bottles for free. It keeps your wine on the same shelf, too.
Barello is a home cellar and bar app that tells you what to open tonight, what to keep, and what you can mix from what you have.
Side by side
| Mixel | Cocktail Flow | Barello | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | A$2.99 a month or A$22.99 a year, after a three-day trial | A$7.99 a month or A$39.99 a year, shown as introductory pricing | Free |
| Shows what you can make from your bottles | Yes, free | Yes, but it doesn't say whether that's free | Yes, free |
| Recipes | All 2,600 with Premium | Premium adds 300+ | Free |
| Wine | Not in its listing | Not in its listing | On the same shelf, with when each bottle is ready to drink |
| Last App Store update | August 2026 | December 2019 | Still being updated |
| App Store ratings | 83 in Australia and 1,542 in the US | 1,442 in Australia and 21,374 in the US | Far fewer. It's much newer |
A newer US app called Cocktail Flow AI Bartender is a different app. These figures are for the original Cocktail Flow.
Which to pick
Pick Mixel if you want the most recipes and an AI bartender to chat with.
Pick Cocktail Flow if you like browsing recipes by spirit or colour, and an app last updated in 2019 doesn't bother you.
Pick Barello if you'd rather pay nothing, or you keep wine as well as spirits.
See what to open and mix from your own shelf. Joining takes about thirty seconds.
Join freeQuestions people ask
Is Mixel better than Cocktail Flow?
For most people, yes. Mixel is A$22.99 a year against A$39.99 for Cocktail Flow in Australia, and it's still being updated.
Is Cocktail Flow still updated?
Its last App Store update was on 14 December 2019. It's still on the store and still sells its subscription.
Is there a free alternative to Mixel and Cocktail Flow?
Barello, which we make. It shows the cocktails you can make from the bottles you own, and everything in it is free. Your wine sits on the same shelf. There's no social feed or AI chat.
Sources: the Australian and US App Stores, 22 October 2026, with prices in Australian dollars. Plans from each app's upgrade screen, September 2026.
Barello vs Mixel and Barello vs Cocktail Flow. What's free in Barello.