Excel vs RecipeRewriter Pro: foodservice comparison
Excel is still the most widely used tool for recipe costing in foodservice. Flexible, familiar, free. It's also manual, slow and error-prone. Here's a data-backed comparison so you decide on facts.
Average time per recipe spec
Excel: 25-45 minutes to cost, list allergens and lay out. RecipeRewriter Pro: 30-60 seconds per spec, all-in.
For 50 recipes: Excel 25-37 hours, RecipeRewriter Pro under 1.
Feature comparison
Handwritten photo OCR: Excel no, RecipeRewriter Pro yes. Automatic allergen detection: Excel no, yes. Market price estimates: Excel no, yes. 6-language translation: Excel no, yes. Printable PDF layout: Excel manual, automatic. Searchable cloud recipe book: Excel limited, native.
Real cost
Excel: €0 license + €25 labour per spec (€50/h, 30 min). 100 recipes = €2,500 hidden in chef hours. RecipeRewriter Pro: from €0.90 per spec, no subscription. 100 recipes = €90.
When to stay with Excel
If you have 5 recipes that never change, Excel works. If you need maximum formula customisation and have a mature template, keep it. For anything else, a specialised tool saves hours.
When to switch
If your menu changes seasonally, if you have rotating staff, if you need clear allergens for the floor, if your recipes live in notebooks and photos. ROI is immediate.
Try RecipeRewriter Pro for free
No card. Generate your first costed, allergen-marked spec in under a minute.
Try RecipeRewriter Pro for free →Frequently asked questions
Can I import my Excel templates?
Paste the recipe content and AI generates the spec. No template conversion needed.
Does it work offline?
No, RecipeRewriter Pro is web. Excel does work offline.
What if I want to take my specs?
Download PDF and HTML per spec. Bulk export on the roadmap.
Is there a trial?
Yes. First spec and recipe book free, no card.