Checkpoint vs SaveState
Checkpoint
github.comSaveState
github.comSide by side
| Figure | Checkpoint | SaveState |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 0 | 1 |
| Spec score · Game Save Managers | 7.8 (#13) | 8.2 (#5) |
| Backup and restore | It backs up and restores 3DS and Switch save data, with support for several 3DS data types including extdata, DS cartridges, DSiWare, and GBA Virtual Console titles. | It creates compressed ZIP backups, supports one-click backup and restore, and can rotate older backups automatically. |
| Purpose | Checkpoint is a homebrew save management framework for Nintendo 3DS and Switch, written in C++. | SaveState is a graphical app for backing up and restoring video game save files, including games without cloud saves. |
Plans
In their own words
SaveState
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.