Ludusavi vs SideSave

Ludusavi is a free Rust tool for backing up PC video game save data. It covers more than 19,000 games and allows custom entries, with support for libraries such as Steam, GOG, Epic, Heroic, and Lutris. Users can operate it through a graphical interface or a command-line interface for scripting. Supported data includes file-based saves, Windows registry saves, Steam Proton saves, and Steam screenshots. Ludusavi is also available as a Playnite extension. For cloud copies, it integrates with Rclone remotes including Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, Box, FTP, SMB, and WebDAV. Its synchronization process checks local and cloud saves before uploading changes and warns about conflicts. The tool supports scheduled backups and version history. Its backup information uses the Ludusavi Manifest, with information primarily sourced from PCGamingWiki. Portable releases are available for Windows, Linux, and Mac under the MIT License. One limitation is that it does not automatically support backing up on one operating system and restoring on another.

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.