Quick Overview
- 1#1: Ekos - Comprehensive cloud-based brewery management platform for production planning, inventory, sales, and regulatory compliance.
- 2#2: BeerSmith - Professional recipe formulation, brewing process simulation, and batch tracking software for home and craft brewers.
- 3#3: Brewfather - Modern cloud platform for brewing recipes, fermentation monitoring, inventory management, and keg tracking.
- 4#4: Brewer's Friend - Online brewing suite with recipe builder, mash planning, community sharing, and mobile tracking features.
- 5#5: OrchestratedBEER - Integrated ERP system for brewery operations including production, sales, inventory, and CRM.
- 6#6: BrewPlanner - Advanced production scheduling and planning tool optimized for craft breweries and distilleries.
- 7#7: Brew Keeper - User-friendly brewery management software for inventory, sales, and production tracking in small operations.
- 8#8: Beer30 - Cloud-based operations and accounting platform tailored for breweries and cideries.
- 9#9: Kegbot - Open-source system for automated keg monitoring, pour tracking, and user analytics.
- 10#10: ProMash - Recipe design and brewing process calculation software with mash and fermentation profiles.
Tools were ranked based on key factors: robust functionality, user-friendly design, reliability, and thoughtful value, ensuring they cater effectively to both small-scale operations and large craft breweries alike.
Comparison Table
Explore the landscape of beer software with our comparison table, showcasing tools like Ekos, BeerSmith, Brewfather, Brewer's Friend, OrchestratedBEER, and more. This resource breaks down features, usability, and best uses to help brewers find the right solution for their workflow, whether they're new to digital brewing or refining their process. Discover how each tool excels in recipe creation, process tracking, or automation to elevate your brewing game.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ekos Comprehensive cloud-based brewery management platform for production planning, inventory, sales, and regulatory compliance. | enterprise | 9.6/10 | 9.8/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 2 | BeerSmith Professional recipe formulation, brewing process simulation, and batch tracking software for home and craft brewers. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.3/10 |
| 3 | Brewfather Modern cloud platform for brewing recipes, fermentation monitoring, inventory management, and keg tracking. | specialized | 9.1/10 | 9.6/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 4 | Brewer's Friend Online brewing suite with recipe builder, mash planning, community sharing, and mobile tracking features. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 5 | OrchestratedBEER Integrated ERP system for brewery operations including production, sales, inventory, and CRM. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 6 | BrewPlanner Advanced production scheduling and planning tool optimized for craft breweries and distilleries. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 8.6/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 7 | Brew Keeper User-friendly brewery management software for inventory, sales, and production tracking in small operations. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.7/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 8 | Beer30 Cloud-based operations and accounting platform tailored for breweries and cideries. | enterprise | 7.8/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 9 | Kegbot Open-source system for automated keg monitoring, pour tracking, and user analytics. | other | 8.1/10 | 9.2/10 | 6.2/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 10 | ProMash Recipe design and brewing process calculation software with mash and fermentation profiles. | specialized | 7.2/10 | 8.1/10 | 5.8/10 | 7.5/10 |
Comprehensive cloud-based brewery management platform for production planning, inventory, sales, and regulatory compliance.
Professional recipe formulation, brewing process simulation, and batch tracking software for home and craft brewers.
Modern cloud platform for brewing recipes, fermentation monitoring, inventory management, and keg tracking.
Online brewing suite with recipe builder, mash planning, community sharing, and mobile tracking features.
Integrated ERP system for brewery operations including production, sales, inventory, and CRM.
Advanced production scheduling and planning tool optimized for craft breweries and distilleries.
User-friendly brewery management software for inventory, sales, and production tracking in small operations.
Cloud-based operations and accounting platform tailored for breweries and cideries.
Open-source system for automated keg monitoring, pour tracking, and user analytics.
Recipe design and brewing process calculation software with mash and fermentation profiles.
Ekos
enterpriseComprehensive cloud-based brewery management platform for production planning, inventory, sales, and regulatory compliance.
Advanced fermentation tracking with real-time monitoring and predictive yield analytics
Ekos is a cloud-based brewery management platform that provides an all-in-one ERP solution for craft breweries, handling everything from production planning and inventory tracking to sales, accounting, and regulatory compliance. It features real-time data analytics, mobile accessibility for shop floor operations, and seamless integrations with tools like QuickBooks and Xero. Designed to scale with growing breweries, Ekos optimizes efficiency, reduces waste, and ensures TTB compliance through automated reporting.
Pros
- Comprehensive end-to-end brewery management with strong production and inventory tools
- Robust compliance features including automated TTB and state reporting
- Real-time analytics and mobile app for on-the-go decision-making
Cons
- Initial setup and learning curve can be steep for smaller teams
- Pricing scales with production volume, potentially high for nano-breweries
- Some advanced customizations require additional development
Best For
Mid-sized to large craft breweries seeking a scalable, integrated ERP to streamline operations and ensure compliance.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing starting around $500-$1,000/month depending on production volume, users, and modules; includes implementation fees.
BeerSmith
specializedProfessional recipe formulation, brewing process simulation, and batch tracking software for home and craft brewers.
Advanced equipment and mash profile customization with predictive modeling for batch-specific efficiency and gravity forecasts
BeerSmith is a veteran brewing software suite tailored for homebrewers and small-scale professionals, offering recipe formulation, mash and fermentation profiling, inventory management, and printable brewing sheets. It features a vast community-shared recipe database, brewing scheduler, and equipment-specific scaling for precise predictions. Cloud sync across desktop (Windows/Mac) and mobile apps enables seamless workflow from planning to execution.
Pros
- Comprehensive recipe tools with accurate volumetric scaling and scientific calculations
- Huge shared database of ingredients, styles, and user recipes
- One-time purchase with robust desktop app and cross-device cloud sync
Cons
- Dated interface that can feel clunky despite functionality
- Steep learning curve for advanced features like custom profiles
- Mobile companion app requires separate subscription
Best For
Serious homebrewers and nano-brewers seeking a feature-packed tool for recipe design and full brew process management.
Pricing
Desktop: $29.99 (Home), $49.99 (Standard), $59.99 (Pro) one-time; Mobile app: $4.99/month or $29.99/year subscription.
Brewfather
specializedModern cloud platform for brewing recipes, fermentation monitoring, inventory management, and keg tracking.
Live fermentation tracking with sensor integrations and predictive gravity charts
Brewfather is a powerful cloud-based brewing software tailored for homebrewers and small craft breweries, offering recipe formulation, batch tracking, fermentation monitoring, and inventory management. It excels in detailed planning tools like water chemistry calculators, mash profiles, and yeast management, with seamless integrations for hardware such as Tilt hydrometers and iSpindel. The platform supports scaling from hobbyist batches to production runs, providing analytics, reports, and community recipe sharing for optimized brewing workflows.
Pros
- Comprehensive feature set with advanced calculators and hardware integrations
- Cloud-based access across devices with real-time data syncing
- Strong community support, frequent updates, and scalable for production brewing
Cons
- Steep learning curve for beginners due to depth of options
- Some premium features like unlimited batches require subscription
- Mobile app lags behind web version in functionality
Best For
Dedicated homebrewers and nano-breweries seeking an all-in-one professional-grade brewing management platform.
Pricing
Free plan for basics; Premium $4.99/month ($49.99/year); Pro $8.99/month ($89.99/year) for unlimited batches and advanced tools.
Brewer's Friend
specializedOnline brewing suite with recipe builder, mash planning, community sharing, and mobile tracking features.
Integrated brewing competitions and a vast public recipe database for inspiration and collaboration
Brewer's Friend is a cloud-based brewing software platform designed for homebrewers and small-scale craft brewers, providing tools for recipe formulation, mash and fermentation planning, inventory tracking, and brewing logs. It features a massive public recipe database, water and yeast calculators, label generators, and community sharing capabilities. Accessible via web and mobile apps with seamless cloud syncing, it supports extract, partial mash, and all-grain methods.
Pros
- Extensive recipe tools and calculators including mash profiles and water chemistry
- Large community database with thousands of shared recipes and brewing competitions
- Strong free tier with mobile app and cloud sync for multi-device use
Cons
- User interface feels dated and occasionally cluttered
- Advanced features like custom equipment profiles locked behind paid plans
- Moderate learning curve for beginners due to feature density
Best For
Intermediate homebrewers who want a cost-effective, community-focused platform for recipe management and tracking.
Pricing
Free basic plan; Premium $34.99/year ($3.49/month); Ultimate $59.99/year ($5.99/month) for pro features.
OrchestratedBEER
enterpriseIntegrated ERP system for brewery operations including production, sales, inventory, and CRM.
Beer Orchestrator engine for automated recipe scaling, fermentation tracking, and production optimization
OrchestratedBEER is a comprehensive cloud-based ERP platform tailored for craft breweries, managing everything from recipe formulation and production scheduling to inventory tracking, sales, and regulatory compliance. It offers real-time analytics, mobile accessibility, and seamless integrations with accounting tools like QuickBooks and Xero. The software helps breweries optimize operations, reduce waste, and scale production efficiently while ensuring TTB compliance.
Pros
- Robust production planning and batch tracking tools
- Strong integrations with accounting and POS systems
- Excellent compliance reporting for TTB and state regulations
Cons
- Steep learning curve for new users
- Higher pricing may not suit very small nano-breweries
- Limited customization options without developer support
Best For
Mid-sized craft breweries seeking scalable ERP to manage growth and compliance.
Pricing
Subscription-based starting at $499/month for basic plans, scaling to $1,500+/month for enterprise features; custom quotes available.
BrewPlanner
enterpriseAdvanced production scheduling and planning tool optimized for craft breweries and distilleries.
Visual brewing calendar that timelines your entire pipeline from mash to bottling across multiple batches
BrewPlanner is a cloud-based brewing software designed for homebrewers and small-scale craft brewers to create, scale, and manage beer recipes efficiently. It offers comprehensive tools for inventory tracking, mash and boil planning, brewing schedules, fermentation monitoring, and automatic shopping list generation. Accessible via web browser on any device, it streamlines the entire brewing workflow from recipe formulation to packaging.
Pros
- Intuitive web interface with mobile responsiveness
- Robust recipe builder with scaling and ingredient substitution
- Integrated brewing calendar for multi-batch planning
Cons
- Full features locked behind paid subscription
- Limited integrations with hardware or third-party apps
- No native desktop or mobile app
Best For
Intermediate homebrewers seeking a simple, always-accessible web tool for recipe management and schedule planning without needing advanced analytics.
Pricing
Free limited plan; Pro at €4.99/month or €49/year; Family plan for multiple users at €9.99/month.
Brew Keeper
specializedUser-friendly brewery management software for inventory, sales, and production tracking in small operations.
Real-time inventory synchronization across production, packaging, and sales with automated lot tracking
Brew Keeper is a cloud-based ERP platform tailored for craft breweries, offering end-to-end management of inventory, production scheduling, recipe formulation, sales orders, and financial reporting. It provides real-time data insights and mobile accessibility to help breweries optimize operations and scale efficiently. The software integrates with accounting tools and supports multi-location facilities, making it suitable for growing operations.
Pros
- Comprehensive inventory and production tracking with barcode support
- Real-time reporting and analytics for informed decision-making
- Strong mobile app for on-the-go brewery management
Cons
- Steeper learning curve for new users
- Pricing can be high for smaller breweries
- Limited third-party integrations compared to top competitors
Best For
Mid-sized craft breweries seeking a robust, scalable ERP solution to manage complex operations.
Pricing
Custom subscription pricing starting around $500/month based on production volume, with per-barrel fees for larger operations.
Beer30
enterpriseCloud-based operations and accounting platform tailored for breweries and cideries.
Advanced tank scheduling and automated fermentation tracking for precise production planning
Beer30 is a comprehensive cloud-based ERP software designed specifically for breweries, providing tools for inventory management, production scheduling, recipe formulation, and sales tracking. It streamlines operations from raw materials to distribution, including fermentation monitoring and POS integration. This solution is built to help craft breweries scale efficiently while maintaining control over quality and compliance.
Pros
- Robust production and inventory management with real-time tracking
- Strong integrations with QuickBooks, Xero, and POS systems
- Scalable platform suitable for growing mid-sized breweries
Cons
- Steeper learning curve for non-technical users
- Pricing can be high for very small nano-breweries
- Mobile app lacks some advanced desktop features
Best For
Mid-sized craft breweries seeking an all-in-one ERP to manage production, sales, and inventory as they scale.
Pricing
Starts at $495/month for the Starter plan (up to 1,000 barrels/year), with Pro ($995/month) and custom Enterprise tiers based on volume.
Kegbot
otherOpen-source system for automated keg monitoring, pour tracking, and user analytics.
RFID/NFC user authentication tied to flow meters for individualized pour logging and accountability.
Kegbot is an open-source keg monitoring system that uses flow meters, scales, and RFID/NFC readers to precisely track beer pours and inventory from kegs. It offers a web dashboard for real-time stats, leaderboards, pour history, and user management, with support for multiple kegs and custom drinks. Ideal for home bars or events, it logs data locally and emphasizes community-driven customization.
Pros
- Exceptionally accurate pour tracking with hardware integration
- Fully open-source and highly customizable
- Rich analytics including leaderboards and exportable data
Cons
- Requires DIY hardware assembly and technical setup
- Steep learning curve for non-technical users
- Self-hosted only, no official cloud option
Best For
Tech-savvy homebrewers or keg enthusiasts who want precise, customizable monitoring without subscription fees.
Pricing
Free open-source software; hardware setup costs $200-600 (flow meters, Raspberry Pi/Arduino, taps).
ProMash
specializedRecipe design and brewing process calculation software with mash and fermentation profiles.
Advanced mash infusion/decoction scheduler with real-time temperature simulations
ProMash is a veteran desktop brewing software primarily for Windows users, offering detailed recipe formulation, mash scheduling, and brewing calculations. It includes tools for water chemistry, fermentation tracking, and equipment profiling to help brewers optimize their processes. While comprehensive, its interface reflects its long history without modern updates.
Pros
- Extensive mash scheduling and temperature profiling tools
- Accurate water chemistry and grain bill calculators
- Detailed equipment and batch tracking capabilities
Cons
- Outdated, clunky Windows-only interface
- No mobile app or cloud integration
- Limited updates and community support
Best For
Experienced homebrewers comfortable with desktop software who need precise mash and water calculations.
Pricing
One-time purchase of $39.95 for the full version.
Conclusion
The top 10 tools reviewed cover diverse needs, from comprehensive cloud management to recipe creation and small-operation tracking. At the top is Ekos, a standout with its all-in-one platform integrating production planning, inventory, sales, and compliance. BeerSmith and Brewfather follow as strong alternatives—BeerSmith for home/craft brewers with detailed recipe tools, and Brewfather for modern cloud-based tracking.
Start with Ekos to streamline your brewery operations and boost efficiency, or explore BeerSmith or Brewfather based on your specific brewing focus.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison