SaveState

SaveState is a graphical app for backing up and restoring video game save files, including saves from games without cloud saves. It creates compressed ZIP backups, supports one-click backup and restore, and can rotate older backups automatically. To locate a save folder, users can drop a game launcher shortcut onto the app. Its desktop launcher list includes Steam, Epic, GOG, Battle.net, Ubisoft, EA App, Playnite, and Heroic; it also supports save discovery for emulators such as RetroArch, Dolphin, ares, DuckStation, PPSSPP, and PCSX2. Local backups work without an account or cloud provider. Optional sync can use Google Drive, WebDAV, FTP or FTPS, SMB or network folders, and Git. Desktop releases are offered for Windows and Linux. Release notes describe Dolphin save discovery for macOS locations, and a separate Android app is in pre-release alpha. That app can detect emulators, scan saves, create and restore ZIP backups, and manage profiles. Some saves in protected Android/data paths require a rooted device and superuser access through Root mode. SaveState is free and GPLv3-licensed.

SaveState combines local save backups with optional synchronization and broad launcher and emulator discovery. Android users should check whether their saves sit in protected paths that require Root mode.

SaveState suits players who want local backups of game saves, including saves from titles without cloud saves. It may also suit users who want optional cloud synchronization or emulator save discovery.

Overview

SaveState backs up and restores video game saves, including saves from games without cloud support. It is a strong fit for PC players with libraries spread across launchers and emulators who want local backups and control over optional syncing. Its broad discovery makes it flexible; Android’s alpha status and root requirement for some saves narrow its appeal there.

Key features

SaveState makes compressed ZIP backups and offers one-click backup and restore, automatic rotation of older copies, scheduled backups, and version history. That gives players several ways to keep a useful run of save copies without relying on a game’s own cloud service. Restores are manual, so players who want recovery to happen automatically should look elsewhere.

Dropping a game launcher shortcut onto the desktop app prompts it to identify the game and search for its save folder. Supported launchers include Steam, Epic, GOG, Battle.net, Ubisoft, EA App, Playnite, and Heroic. It also discovers saves for RetroArch, Dolphin, ares, DuckStation, PPSSPP, and PCSX2. That breadth is valuable for players whose saves are scattered across PC storefronts and emulators.

Sync is optional and supports Google Drive, WebDAV, FTP/FTPS, SMB or network folders, and Git. Nothing uploads until a provider is configured, leaving local-only use straightforward. Players who want off-device copies have several destinations to choose from, though they must configure one themselves.

Version 3.1 describes restore checks before installation, staged extraction, atomic installation, and an attempted rollback if replacing a save fails. These safeguards address the risk of a failed restore damaging the existing save. The project also says its artifact is signed by SignPath.io with a certificate from the SignPath Foundation.

Pricing

SaveState is free and open source under GPLv3. Its Free plan costs nothing, requires no account, and includes local backups and optional cloud sync. There is no paid tier or account barrier to the core backup workflow, making it an accessible choice for players who want to manage saves themselves.

Platforms

The desktop app is offered for Windows and Linux, with ZIP and WinGet downloads for Windows and an AppImage for Linux. macOS support is reflected in release notes describing discovery of Dolphin save directories in macOS locations.

The separate Android app is in pre-release alpha. It can detect emulators, scan saves, create ZIP backups, restore saves, and manage profiles, but some emulator saves in protected Android/data paths require a rooted device and superuser access through Root mode. Android users without root access may find some saves out of reach.

Who it's for

SaveState suits players who want a free, open-source way to protect saves across PC launchers and emulators, especially those who prefer local copies or want to choose their own sync provider. It is less suitable for Android users whose saves sit in protected paths on an unrooted device, or for anyone expecting restores to run without manual action.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Broad launcher and emulator discovery helps cover saves outside a single storefront.
• Pros: Local backups work without an account or configured cloud provider.
• Pros: Multiple sync choices, scheduled backups, version history, and automatic rotation support different backup habits.
• Cons: Restore is manual, even with scheduled backups and version history.
• Cons: The Android app is still in pre-release alpha, and some protected saves require root access.

Alternatives

Browse Game Save Managers for more options. Choose OmniSave if Android or macOS support matters and you want another free option. Gamekeeper may suit Windows users who want a free Multi-Space feature, limited to three spaces per game, and local or several network cloud-storage choices; its Pro plan uses custom pricing. JKSV is the more targeted choice for Nintendo Switch homebrew saves, with Google Drive and WebDAV backups. Playnite Save Manager suits players already using Playnite who want a free save-management plugin, with cloud sync still experimental. QSave is a free, open-source option for macOS and Windows that backs saves up to the user's own Google Drive. Save Keeper is for PS Vita or PS TV users running HENkaku or h-encore; Drive sync requires a Google account. SideSave suits users looking for a free, self-hosted option on Linux who are comfortable building from source, since it has no published releases. Checkpoint64 has a free tier with 20 MiB per space, one team, and limits on joining teams and read-only fans; its Pro plan costs €5 a month, billed monthly and cancellable anytime.

Verdict

SaveState is a compelling free choice for desktop players who want broad launcher and emulator coverage, local backups, and optional control over cloud destinations. Its main advantage is flexibility without requiring an account or cloud setup. Look elsewhere if you need automatic restores, or if Android saves on your device require root access you cannot grant.