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SaveState

github.com

Free plan Open source WindowsmacOSLinuxAndroid
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Spec score 8.2 #5 of 27 in Game Save Managers

What it is

SaveState is a graphical app for backing up and restoring video game saves, including games without cloud saves. It creates compressed ZIP backups, offers one-click backup and restore, and can rotate older backups automatically. Users can drop a game launcher shortcut onto the app to detect a game and search for its save folder. The desktop app supports Steam, Epic, GOG, Battle.net, Ubisoft, EA App, Playnite, and Heroic, as well as save discovery for emulators including RetroArch, Dolphin, ares, DuckStation, PPSSPP, and PCSX2. SaveState is free and GPLv3-licensed. Local backups need no account or configured provider; optional synchronization supports Google Drive, WebDAV, FTP/FTPS, SMB or network folders, and Git. Desktop releases are offered for Windows and Linux. Release notes describe Dolphin directory discovery for macOS locations. A separate Android app is in pre-release alpha and supports emulator detection, save scanning, ZIP backup and restore, and profile management. Some emulator saves in protected Android/data paths require a rooted device and superuser access through Root mode. The project describes preflight validation, staged extraction, atomic installation, and attempted rollback if replacement fails.

Spec sheet

What it does
SaveState backs up and restores video-game save files through a desktop GUI.Read 14 Oct 2026 · github.com
Purpose
SaveState is a graphical app for backing up and restoring video game save files, including games without cloud saves.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Android limitation
Some Android emulator saves stored in protected Android/data paths require a rooted device and granting superuser access to Root mode.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Android maturity
The Android companion is pre-release alpha v0.8, distributed through beta testing rather than a public Play release.Read 14 Oct 2026 · github.com
Android roadmap
Android auto-scheduling, Google Drive/OneDrive cloud backup, profile import/export, and more languages are listed as roadmap items.Read 14 Oct 2026 · github.com
Android version
A separate Android app is in pre-release alpha and supports detecting emulators, scanning saves, creating ZIP backups, restoring saves, and managing profiles.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Backup and restore
It creates compressed ZIP backups, supports one-click backup and restore, and can rotate older backups automatically.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Backup format
Backups are compressed ZIP archives with configurable retention and restore operations.Read 14 Oct 2026 · github.com
Build requirements
Source builds require Python 3.10 or newer, pip, Git, and either Windows 10/11 or tested Ubuntu 24.x LTS.Read 14 Oct 2026 · matteo842.dev
CLI/API scope
Published developer documentation describes a command-line silent-backup option but no web API or SDK.Read 14 Oct 2026 · github.com
Cloud controls
Cloud Sync provides upload, download, status indicators, automatic sync, bandwidth limits, and storage quotas.Read 14 Oct 2026 · github.com
Cloud providers
Optional synchronization supports Google Drive, WebDAV, FTP/FTPS, SMB or NAS shares, and Git repositories.Read 14 Oct 2026 · github.com
Cloud sync
Optional sync providers include Google Drive, WebDAV, FTP/FTPS, SMB/network folders, and Git; nothing is uploaded unless a provider is configured.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Code signing
The project says its artifact is signed by SignPath.io with a certificate from the SignPath Foundation.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Contribution policy
The repository asks for issue feedback but says code pull requests are not accepted.Read 14 Oct 2026 · github.com
Cross-device restore
Version 3.1 can link downloaded cloud backups to existing or newly created profiles with device-specific paths.Read 14 Oct 2026 · github.com
Desktop platforms
The desktop version is offered for Windows and Linux, with Windows ZIP/WinGet downloads and a Linux AppImage.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Distribution listing
An itch.io publication page describes SaveState as a downloadable Windows/Linux tool that creates compressed backups.Read 14 Oct 2026 · itch.io
Documentation
Documentation covers usage, cloud synchronization, save-search heuristics, and source building.Read 14 Oct 2026 · github.com
Emulator coverage
The desktop project lists emulators including RetroArch, Dolphin, ares, Ryujinx, Yuzu, PCSX2, xemu, and others.Read 14 Oct 2026 · github.com
Emulators
The desktop app supports save discovery for emulators including RetroArch, Dolphin, ares, DuckStation, PPSSPP, and PCSX2.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Game detection
Users can drop a game launcher shortcut onto the app to detect the game and search for its save folder.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Independent changelog
NewReleases records version 2.7 adding an opt-in updater, profile icons, backup notes, and improved RetroArch detection.Read 14 Oct 2026 · newreleases.io
Independent review
GamingOnLinux described SaveState as a user-friendly backup manager for games without Steam Cloud, Minecraft, and detected emulators.Read 14 Oct 2026 · gamingonlinux.com
Install Linux
Linux distribution is an AppImage inside a tarball that users make executable and run.Read 14 Oct 2026 · github.com
Install Windows
Windows distribution is a ZIP archive with no installer, and WinGet installation uses Matteo842.SaveState.Read 14 Oct 2026 · github.com
Latest release date
GitHub shows SaveState v3.1 released on 30 September 2026.Read 14 Oct 2026 · github.com
Launcher detection
Dragging a game shortcut lets SaveState identify the game and search for its save directory.Read 14 Oct 2026 · github.com
Launcher integrations
The desktop app lists Steam, Epic, GOG, Battle.net, Ubisoft, EA App, Playnite, and Heroic among supported launchers.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Licence confirmation
SignPath identifies the project as cross-platform open source under GNU GPL version 3.0 only.Read 14 Oct 2026 · signpath.org
License and support
SaveState is GPLv3-licensed, accepts bug reports and feature suggestions, and says code pull requests are not accepted.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Limit: Android storage
The Android companion requires root for some protected Android/data locations because scoped storage blocks ordinary access.Read 14 Oct 2026 · github.com
Limit: requested features
Steam Deck Reddit discussion requested cloud synchronization, tutorials, and clearer cross-platform restore guidance.Read 14 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
macOS support
The release notes describe Dolphin directory discovery for macOS locations.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Maker company facts
The opened maker pages provide no legal company name, founding year, headquarters city, employee count, or funding information.Read 14 Oct 2026 · github.com
Maker identity
The GitHub account identifies the maker as Matteo Cioffi, using Matteo842, with location Italy.Read 14 Oct 2026 · github.com
Manual profiles
Users can create a profile by entering a game name and save-folder path when detection fails.Read 14 Oct 2026 · github.com
Minecraft support
Minecraft profiles can be created from detected worlds and their save folders.Read 14 Oct 2026 · github.com
Notable news
GamingOnLinux reported the Linux-support release on 4 June 2025.Read 14 Oct 2026 · gamingonlinux.com
Optional dependencies
Optional Python packages add Steam VDF, Minecraft NBT, fuzzy matching, and Windows shortcut capabilities; core backup works without them.Read 14 Oct 2026 · matteo842.dev
Original Xbox
Version 3.0 added per-game xemu Xbox-save extraction and restoration using direct FATX and QCOW2 handling in Python.Read 14 Oct 2026 · github.com
Praise: backup controls
GamingOnLinux highlighted configurable retention, compression levels, free-space checks, and source-size checks.Read 14 Oct 2026 · gamingonlinux.com
Praise: community interest
Steam Deck Reddit participants praised automatic save finding, non-Steam coverage, and emulator support.Read 14 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Praise: interface
GamingOnLinux noted the PySide6 interface, dark and light themes, operation log console, and Italian/English support.Read 14 Oct 2026 · gamingonlinux.com
Privacy and cloud
Cloud sync is optional, and local backups can be used without configuring a provider.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Restore safeguards
The v3.1 release describes preflight validation, staged extraction, atomic installation, and attempted rollback if replacement fails.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Restore safety
Version 3.1 stages extraction, validates archives before replacement, installs atomically, and attempts rollback after failure.Read 14 Oct 2026 · github.com
Security reporting
The security policy requests private vulnerability reports by email and supports only the latest main branch.Read 14 Oct 2026 · github.com
Security signing
Release artifacts are signed through SignPath.io with a SignPath Foundation certificate.Read 14 Oct 2026 · github.com
Self-hosting
The project documents local desktop/AppImage operation and does not describe a self-hosted server mode.Read 14 Oct 2026 · github.com
Silent backups
Desktop shortcuts and the command `SaveState.exe --backup "Profile Name"` run backups without opening the main window.Read 14 Oct 2026 · github.com
Steam support
A Manage Steam screen scans installed Steam games and attempts automatic save-path detection.Read 14 Oct 2026 · github.com
Zero configuration
The desktop app starts with usable defaults and does not require an account or configuration files.Read 14 Oct 2026 · github.com

Plans and prices

Free Free Windows/Linux desktop app · local ZIP backups · optional cloud sync · GPLv3 source Read 14 Oct 2026 · github.com

Every SaveState plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free and GPLv3-licensed
  • Local backups need no account
  • Optional sync includes Google Drive and Git
  • Supports many launchers and emulators

Limits

  • Android app is in pre-release alpha
  • Some Android/data saves require a rooted device
  • Desktop releases are offered for Windows and Linux

Who it suits

SaveState suits players who want local backups for games and emulators, including titles without cloud saves. Android users with saves in protected paths may need a rooted device and Root mode access.

SaveState in depth

Read the full write-up

Overview

SaveState is a graphical app for backing up and restoring game saves, including those from games without cloud saves. It suits players with libraries spread across launchers and emulators who want local copies or control over their own sync destination. Its breadth is useful; Android remains an early-stage option, and access to some saves there requires root.

Key features

SaveState makes compressed ZIP backups, supports one-click backup and restore, and can rotate older copies automatically. Scheduled backups and version history help keep a succession of recoverable copies, while manual restores leave the recovery step in the user's hands. Version 3.1 describes preflight validation, staged extraction, atomic installation, and attempted rollback if replacing a save fails—sensible safeguards for a process where a bad restore can matter more than a missed backup.

On desktop, dropping a game launcher shortcut onto the app prompts it to detect the game and search for its save folder. Supported launchers include Steam, Epic, GOG, Battle.net, Ubisoft, EA App, Playnite, and Heroic. Save discovery also covers emulators such as RetroArch, Dolphin, ares, DuckStation, PPSSPP, and PCSX2, making SaveState a strong fit for players whose saves span storefront games and emulation.

Cloud synchronization is optional, with Google Drive, WebDAV, FTP/FTPS, SMB or network folders, and Git as provider choices. Nothing is uploaded until a provider is configured, so local-only backups are a straightforward option. Sync is flexible for users who already have a preferred destination, though they must configure it themselves.

The separate Android app is in pre-release alpha. It can detect emulators, scan saves, create ZIP backups, restore them, and manage profiles, but saves in protected Android/data paths may require a rooted device and superuser access through Root mode. That makes it a less dependable choice for anyone who needs broad Android coverage without device-level changes.

Pricing

SaveState is free and open source under GPLv3. The Free plan costs nothing, requires no account, and includes local backups with optional cloud sync. There is no paid tier to unlock a different backup workflow, though cloud sync depends on configuring a provider and restores are manual. The project accepts bug reports and feature suggestions but does not accept code pull requests.

Platforms

The desktop app is offered for Windows and Linux, with Windows ZIP and WinGet downloads and a Linux AppImage. Release notes describe Dolphin directory discovery for macOS locations. The separate Android app is available in pre-release alpha. SaveState's supported-platform coverage makes it relevant across desktop and Android, but the desktop downloads and Android maturity are not uniform.

Who it's for

SaveState is a good choice for desktop players who want a free, open-source way to protect saves across several launchers and emulators, especially if local backups are enough or they are comfortable choosing and configuring a sync provider. It is less suited to players who need a mature Android workflow for protected emulator folders without rooting their device, or who expect a restore to run automatically.

Pros and cons

Pros: Broad launcher and emulator discovery helps cover saves outside a single storefront or game cloud system.

Pros: Local backups work without an account or cloud provider, and multiple sync destinations are supported when users want them.

Pros: ZIP backups, automatic rotation, scheduled backups, and version history support an ongoing backup routine.

Cons: Restores are manual, so users must initiate recovery themselves.

Cons: The Android app is pre-release alpha, and some protected save paths require root access.

Cons: Cloud synchronization requires provider configuration; it is not enabled by default.

Alternatives

Ludusavi is another free option for Windows, Linux, or Mac, with a portable executable and an MIT license; choose it if that packaging and license suit your setup better.

Checkpoint64 has a free tier with 20 MiB per space, one team, joining three friends' teams, and three read-only fans, plus a Pro plan at €5 a month billed monthly with cancellation at any time. Consider it if those team and space limits fit your needs.

GSBS is a free alternative available for Linux, macOS, Windows, web, and self-hosted setups.

Hoard is another option.

QSave is free and open source for macOS and Windows, and backs up game saves to the user's own Google Drive.

Game Backup Monitor is a free, open-source option for Linux and Windows with unlimited games and 7-Zip compression; cloud use requires a provider and sync client.

Game Save Genie is free, has no subscription, and uses the user's own cloud storage.

OpenSave is free and open source, with no subscription, pro tier, or ads, and no telemetry.

Browse more options in Game Save Managers.

Verdict

Choose SaveState if you want a free, open-source desktop save manager with wide launcher and emulator discovery, local backups, and optional control over where cloud copies go. Look elsewhere if Android is your main platform and your saves sit in protected folders, or if you need automated restores.

Verdict

SaveState supports local backup and optional cloud synchronization across its listed desktop and Android offerings. The Android app is still in pre-release alpha, and protected save paths can require root access.

Where Specifiction places it

Alternatives to SaveStateAll alternatives →