EmuSync vs SideSave
EmuSync
github.comSideSave
github.comSide by side
| Figure | EmuSync | SideSave |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Game Save Managers | 8.2 (#3) | 7.9 (#12) |
| Privacy | The privacy policy says the app does not collect, store, or transmit personal information, and stores app data locally or in the chosen cloud provider. | SideSave says it has no accounts or telemetry and does not upload saves to third parties unless the user enables Cloud Backup and chooses a provider. |
| Purpose | EmuSync syncs game save files across devices by mapping save locations to a shared cloud storage provider. | SideSave syncs save data for non-Steam games added to Steam as shortcuts between two specific machines, peer-to-peer. |
| Support | The README directs users to the project wiki for troubleshooting and usage details. | The user guide directs users to the SideSave Discord for help and GitHub Issues for bug reports. |
Plans
In their own words
EmuSync
EmuSync syncs game saves between devices by linking save locations to shared storage. It is aimed at people who play emulator or non-Steam games on multiple devices, and at anyone seeking another save backup. Storage can be a local or shared folder, Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive. Users can configure save locations, let the app detect saves, and choose automatic or manual syncing. EmuSync also provides local backup and manual restore. Steam Deck users can check sync status with a Decky plugin without switching to desktop mode. Advanced users and scripts can use its local HTTP API, which requires no authentication and is documented as available only on the device, not over the network. The privacy policy says personal information is not collected, stored, or transmitted; app data stays locally or with the chosen cloud provider. Windows 10 and 11 x64 are confirmed working, and Linux instructions cover Steam Deck. The project says it cannot currently build and test for Mac and has no plans for Android or iOS. Its Windows installer is unsigned and may trigger a SmartScreen warning.
SideSave
SideSave is free, open-source software that synchronizes save data for non-Steam games added to Steam as shortcuts. It pairs two approved machines and transfers tracked saves over a local network or an internet relay, sending only changed content blocks. Versioned snapshots and branches preserve history, while lineage-based conflict detection asks whether to keep the local copy, remote copy, or both. Saves can be restored individually or as complete versions. Detection reads Steam’s shortcuts.vdf file and offers Proton save locations for tracking. The scan excludes real Steam Cloud games, emulator saves, repack-wrapper detection, and portable installs. Optional backups can mirror snapshots to Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, WebDAV, a webhook, or local/NAS storage. SideSave has no accounts or telemetry; relay traffic is encrypted but not end-to-end. The project publishes no releases, so users build the CLI, desktop app, relay, or Steam Deck components from source.