Best GSM Alternatives in 2026
The top GSM alternatives are Ludusavi, Game Save Genie and GSBS: 15 game save managers our editors would look at instead of GSM, in our ranking order.
GSM: A focused Ludusavi and Rclone workflow for versioned, cross-platform save backups. Where it falls short: unsupported games require manual backups.
Switching from GSM? For most game save managers buyers the best GSM alternative is Ludusavi, built for broad, free multi-platform save management. On a budget, SaveKnight starts at $5/mo.
Why People Look for a GSM Alternative
- Unsupported games require manual backups
- Restore choices are manual rather than automatic
- Interfaces are limited to Linux and Windows
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallLudusavi9.4
Broad, free multi-platform save management
Visit Ludusavi - Lowest priceSaveKnight8.0
Paid plans from $5/mo
Visit SaveKnight - Best free optionLudusavi9.4
Has a free plan
Visit Ludusavi
All 15 GSM Alternatives, Ranked
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
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Best forBroad, free multi-platform save management
- Better than GSM:
- Editor score 9.4 vs 8.2
A free, open-source save manager with GUI, CLI, retention, and cloud-sync options.
- Scheduled backups
- Automatic backup
- Cloud synchronization
9.4/10★★★★★Visit Ludusavi -
Best forAutomated backup with cloud storage
- Better than GSM:
- Editor score 9.3 vs 8.2
A free, open-source save manager with broad game detection and versioned cloud backups.
- Scheduled backups
- Automatic backup
- Cloud synchronization
9.3/10★★★★★Try Game Save Genie -
Best forSelf-hosted sync with web administration
- Better than GSM:
- Editor score 9.2 vs 8.2
A capable open-source choice for self-hosted sync, versioning, and recovery.
- Scheduled backups
- Automatic backup
- Cloud synchronization
9.2/10★★★★★Visit GSBS -
Best forAdvanced peer-to-peer save synchronization
- Better than GSM:
- Editor score 9.1 vs 8.2
A free, open-source save manager with advanced sync, rollback, and conflict handling.
- Automatic backup
- Cloud synchronization
- Version history
9.1/10★★★★★Visit OpenSave -
Best forPolished cross-platform cloud save backup
- Better than GSM:
- Editor score 9.0 vs 8.2
A polished cross-platform save manager with free cloud storage and affordable Pro sync.
- Automatic backup
- Cloud synchronization
- Version history
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Hoard -
Best forWindows users wanting deep backup controls
- Better than GSM:
- Editor score 8.8 vs 8.2
A deep Windows save manager for gamers who want automated backups and version control.
- Scheduled backups
- Automatic backup
- Cloud synchronization
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Gamekeeper -
Best forReliable automated backups during gameplay
- Better than GSM:
- Editor score 8.7 vs 8.2
A free open-source choice for automatic save backups on Windows and Linux.
- Scheduled backups
- Automatic backup
- Cloud synchronization
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forWindows users needing scheduled local history
- Better than GSM:
- Editor score 8.6 vs 8.2
A capable free save-history manager for Windows, with automation but no documented cloud sync.
- Scheduled backups
- Automatic backup
- Version history
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forSimple Google Drive save versioning
- Better than GSM:
- Editor score 8.5 vs 8.2
A focused, free way to version and restore game saves through Google Drive.
- Cloud synchronization
- Version history
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit QSave -
Best forCross-device sync with automation hooks
- Better than GSM:
- Editor score 8.4 vs 8.2
A free, open-source sync tool with backups, history, and automation options.
- Automatic backup
- Cloud synchronization
- Version history
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit EmuSync -
Best forFree Windows backup with unlimited checkpoints
- Better than GSM:
- Editor score 8.3 vs 8.2
A free Windows save manager with automatic detection, checkpoints, and rollback.
- Automatic backup
- Cloud synchronization
- Version history
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Savra -
Best forShared saves with locks and activity history
A focused save manager for shared, recoverable game libraries across three desktop platforms.
- Automatic backup
- Cloud synchronization
- Version history
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Checkpoint64 -
Best forWindows cloud backup with encrypted storage
A focused Windows save manager with encrypted cloud backup and cross-PC sync.
- Automatic backup
- Cloud synchronization
- Version history
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit SaveKnight -
Best forPlaynite users wanting integrated save backups
A capable free save-backup plugin for Playnite users who want automated protection.
- Automatic backup
- Cloud synchronization
- Version history
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forDesktop backup profiles with many integrations
A flexible Windows and Linux save manager with compression, rotation, and broad sync support.
- Scheduled backups
- Cloud synchronization
- Version history
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit SaveState
GSM Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to GSM?
Ludusavi: #1 in our Game Save Managers ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. A free, open-source save manager with GUI, CLI, retention, and cloud-sync options.
Is there a free alternative to GSM?
Yes. Ludusavi, Game Save Genie, GSBS, OpenSave and Hoard have a free plan or a free tier (15 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for GSM alternatives?
Unsupported games require manual backups; Restore choices are manual rather than automatic; Interfaces are limited to Linux and Windows.
How do I switch from GSM?
Back up your world, configs and mods from GSM's panel, or download the server folder over SFTP. Create the server on the new host with the same game version (and the same modpack or loader, if you use one). Upload the world and config files, start the server once and check that the mods and plugins load. Share the new address with your players or point your domain at it, then cancel GSM after a test session.
How to Switch from GSM
- Back up your world, configs and mods from GSM's panel, or download the server folder over SFTP.
- Create the server on the new host with the same game version (and the same modpack or loader, if you use one).
- Upload the world and config files, start the server once and check that the mods and plugins load.
- Share the new address with your players or point your domain at it, then cancel GSM after a test session.
GSM vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Automatic backup | Cloud synchronization | Scheduled backups | Version history | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | GSM | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | 8.2 | ||
| 1 | Ludusavi | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.4 |
| 2 | Game Save Genie | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.3 |
| 3 | GSBS | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.2 |
| 4 | OpenSave | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.1 | |
| 5 | Hoard | Yes | €1.99/mo | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | 9.0 |
| 6 | Gamekeeper | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.8 | |
| 7 | Game Backup Monitor | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.7 |
| 8 | Game Save Manager | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.6 | |
| 9 | QSave | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | 8.5 | ||
| 10 | EmuSync | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.4 | |
| 11 | Savra | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.3 | |
| 12 | Checkpoint64 | Yes | €5/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.1 | |
| 13 | SaveKnight | Yes | $5/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.0 | |
| 14 | Playnite Save Manager | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | 7.9 |
| 15 | SaveState | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.8 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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