Best SideSave Alternatives in 2026
The top SideSave alternatives are Ludusavi, Game Save Genie and GSBS: 15 game save managers our editors would look at instead of SideSave, in our ranking order.
SideSave: A free Linux save manager with snapshots, branches, conflict detection, and peer-to-peer sync. Where it falls short: linux is the only supported platform..
Switching from SideSave? For most game save managers buyers the best SideSave alternative is Ludusavi, built for broad, free multi-platform save management. On a budget, SaveKnight starts at $5/mo.
Why People Look for a SideSave Alternative
- Linux is the only supported platform
- Scheduled backups are not included
- Building from source is required because releases are not published
- No scheduled backups — 6 of the alternatives below have it
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 - Best for scheduled backupsLudusavi9.4
Scheduled backups (SideSave: no)
Visit Ludusavi
All 15 SideSave 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.
-
Best forBroad, free multi-platform save management
- Better than SideSave:
- Scheduled backups
- Editor score 9.4 vs 7.2
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 SideSave:
- Scheduled backups
- Editor score 9.3 vs 7.2
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 SideSave:
- Scheduled backups
- Editor score 9.2 vs 7.2
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 SideSave:
- Editor score 9.1 vs 7.2
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 SideSave:
- Editor score 9.0 vs 7.2
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 SideSave:
- Scheduled backups
- Editor score 8.8 vs 7.2
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 SideSave:
- Scheduled backups
- Editor score 8.7 vs 7.2
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 SideSave:
- Scheduled backups
- Editor score 8.6 vs 7.2
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 SideSave:
- Editor score 8.5 vs 7.2
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 SideSave:
- Editor score 8.4 vs 7.2
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 SideSave:
- Editor score 8.3 vs 7.2
A free Windows save manager with automatic detection, checkpoints, and rollback.
- Automatic backup
- Cloud synchronization
- Version history
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Savra -
Best forLean Ludusavi and Rclone backup workflow
- Better than SideSave:
- Editor score 8.2 vs 7.2
A focused Ludusavi and Rclone workflow for versioned, cross-platform save backups.
- Cloud synchronization
- Version history
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit GSM -
Best forShared saves with locks and activity history
- Better than SideSave:
- Editor score 8.1 vs 7.2
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
- Better than SideSave:
- Editor score 8.0 vs 7.2
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
- Better than SideSave:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 7.2
A capable free save-backup plugin for Playnite users who want automated protection.
- Automatic backup
- Cloud synchronization
- Version history
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit site
SideSave Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to SideSave?
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 SideSave?
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 SideSave alternatives?
Linux is the only supported platform; Scheduled backups are not included; Building from source is required because releases are not published.
How do I switch from SideSave?
Back up your world, configs and mods from SideSave'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 SideSave after a test session.
How to Switch from SideSave
- Back up your world, configs and mods from SideSave'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 SideSave after a test session.
SideSave vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Automatic backup | Cloud synchronization | Scheduled backups | Version history | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | SideSave | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | 7.2 |
| 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 | GSM | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | 8.2 | ||
| 13 | Checkpoint64 | Yes | €5/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.1 | |
| 14 | SaveKnight | Yes | $5/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.0 | |
| 15 | Playnite Save Manager | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | 7.9 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update