On a 'like for like' fan sizing basis, from an extraction point of view, both will remove similar volumes of air from the cellar.
A basic extractor fan will remove its rated capacity of air from the cellar, and then the same amount of air will come into the cellar via doors, ventilation grilles etc. to replace what has been extracted.
A heat recovery unit with two fans of the same capacity will remove the same quantity of air, but the replacement air will come in via the unit's fresh air intake instead of from other sources. However, as there are two fans running, the electricity consumption will be double for the same extraction rate.
The advantage of the heat recovery fan is that the replacement air will come in from the outside, whilst a simple ventilation fan may draw heated air from the house into the cellar which may cause heat loss from the house in the winter. And if the cellar is heated, there is the heat recovery advantage with the second option too.
The advantage of a basic extractor is that, if correctly placed, (i.e. opposite the main source of replacement air) it may provide better ventilation throughout the cellar and have a lower electricity consumption, whereas a heat recovery fan will localise the ventilation to around the area in which it is located.
Have you considered a dehumidifier instead? low running costs & no loss of heat from your home. The downside is that you would have to empty the water container from time to time.
