Quick Overview
- 1#1: Brewfather - All-in-one web and mobile app for recipe formulation, brewing day timers, fermentation tracking, and inventory management.
- 2#2: BeerSmith - Comprehensive desktop software for advanced recipe design, brewing calculations, and exporting to brewing equipment.
- 3#3: Brewer's Friend - Cloud-based platform for recipe building, batch tracking, community sharing, and brewing analytics.
- 4#4: QI Homebrew - Advanced recipe calculator with precise mash pH, water chemistry, and yeast management tools.
- 5#5: Brewtarget - Free open-source software for recipe creation, equipment profiles, and brewing session logging.
- 6#6: BrewNinja - Simple web-based recipe builder with ingredient scaling and brewing calculators.
- 7#7: Ekos - Enterprise brewery management system for production planning, inventory, and sales tracking.
- 8#8: OrchestratedBEER - Cloud brewery operations software for scheduling, quality control, and compliance.
- 9#9: vSpike - Real-time fermentation monitoring and control software integrated with sensors.
- 10#10: iBrewMaster - Mobile and desktop app for recipe management, timers, and brewing process guidance.
We ranked these tools by evaluating feature depth (from basic recipe design to advanced fermentation control), software reliability (stability, update frequency), user-friendliness (intuitive interfaces, cross-device access), and value (alignment with homebrew to commercial needs), ensuring only the most practical and effective options are featured.
Comparison Table
Brewing software streamlines recipe development, batch tracking, and fermentation log management for homebrewers. This comparison table showcases top tools—such as Brewfather, BeerSmith, Brewer's Friend, QI Homebrew, Brewtarget, and additional options—to help readers evaluate features, usability, and value to find their ideal solution.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brewfather All-in-one web and mobile app for recipe formulation, brewing day timers, fermentation tracking, and inventory management. | specialized | 9.7/10 | 9.9/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 2 | BeerSmith Comprehensive desktop software for advanced recipe design, brewing calculations, and exporting to brewing equipment. | specialized | 9.1/10 | 9.6/10 | 7.9/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 3 | Brewer's Friend Cloud-based platform for recipe building, batch tracking, community sharing, and brewing analytics. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.3/10 |
| 4 | QI Homebrew Advanced recipe calculator with precise mash pH, water chemistry, and yeast management tools. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 5 | Brewtarget Free open-source software for recipe creation, equipment profiles, and brewing session logging. | other | 6.8/10 | 7.2/10 | 6.0/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 6 | BrewNinja Simple web-based recipe builder with ingredient scaling and brewing calculators. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 7 | Ekos Enterprise brewery management system for production planning, inventory, and sales tracking. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.6/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 8 | OrchestratedBEER Cloud brewery operations software for scheduling, quality control, and compliance. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.6/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 9 | vSpike Real-time fermentation monitoring and control software integrated with sensors. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.5/10 | 7.4/10 |
| 10 | iBrewMaster Mobile and desktop app for recipe management, timers, and brewing process guidance. | specialized | 7.4/10 | 7.5/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.0/10 |
All-in-one web and mobile app for recipe formulation, brewing day timers, fermentation tracking, and inventory management.
Comprehensive desktop software for advanced recipe design, brewing calculations, and exporting to brewing equipment.
Cloud-based platform for recipe building, batch tracking, community sharing, and brewing analytics.
Advanced recipe calculator with precise mash pH, water chemistry, and yeast management tools.
Free open-source software for recipe creation, equipment profiles, and brewing session logging.
Simple web-based recipe builder with ingredient scaling and brewing calculators.
Enterprise brewery management system for production planning, inventory, and sales tracking.
Cloud brewery operations software for scheduling, quality control, and compliance.
Real-time fermentation monitoring and control software integrated with sensors.
Mobile and desktop app for recipe management, timers, and brewing process guidance.
Brewfather
specializedAll-in-one web and mobile app for recipe formulation, brewing day timers, fermentation tracking, and inventory management.
Real-time fermentation monitoring with direct IoT device integrations for precise gravity and temperature tracking
Brewfather is a comprehensive cloud-based brewing software platform tailored for homebrewers and professional brewers, enabling recipe formulation with advanced calculators for grains, hops, water chemistry, and yeast. It provides end-to-end batch tracking from brew day through fermentation, kegging, and packaging, with real-time data integration from devices like Tilt hydrometers and BrewPi controllers. Additional tools include inventory management, brew scheduling, custom label generation, and a vibrant community for recipe sharing.
Pros
- Exceptionally feature-rich with professional-grade tools like water profiling and fermentation graphs
- Seamless integrations with brewing hardware for live monitoring
- Responsive web and mobile apps with strong community support
Cons
- Steep learning curve for complete beginners due to depth of features
- Requires reliable internet as it's fully cloud-based
- Some advanced analytics locked behind premium subscriptions
Best For
Serious homebrewers and small craft breweries needing an all-in-one professional brewing management system.
Pricing
Free basic plan; Premium $4.99/month or $49/year; Pro $9.99/month or $99/year (billed annually).
BeerSmith
specializedComprehensive desktop software for advanced recipe design, brewing calculations, and exporting to brewing equipment.
Advanced mash designer with multi-step infusion and temperature profiling for precise all-grain brewing control
BeerSmith is a veteran brewing software suite tailored for homebrewers and small-scale professionals, offering recipe formulation, equipment profiling, and precise brewing calculations. It supports extract, partial mash, and all-grain methods with tools for mash design, water chemistry adjustments, fermentation tracking, and inventory management. The platform includes desktop, mobile apps, and optional cloud syncing for recipe sharing and backups.
Pros
- Comprehensive calculators for mash efficiency, boil-off, and water profiles
- Vast ingredient and style databases with import/export capabilities
- Detailed brewing logs and session timers for process tracking
Cons
- Outdated interface with a steep learning curve for new users
- Mobile app lacks full desktop parity
- Cloud sync requires separate annual subscription
Best For
Experienced homebrewers who need advanced recipe scaling, mash profiling, and session management tools.
Pricing
One-time purchase: $34.95 (Home edition), $59.95 (full Standard); BeerSmith Cloud sync $19.95/year; mobile apps $14.99-$24.99.
Brewer's Friend
specializedCloud-based platform for recipe building, batch tracking, community sharing, and brewing analytics.
Real-time brew day timers and checklists synced across devices for guided brewing sessions
Brewer's Friend is a cloud-based brewing software platform tailored for homebrewers and craft brewers, offering recipe creation, batch tracking, inventory management, and brewing calculators. It provides tools for formulating recipes with a vast ingredient database, logging brew sessions with timers and checklists, and analyzing results for consistency. The platform supports community sharing of recipes and fosters collaboration among users worldwide.
Pros
- Comprehensive recipe builder with extensive ingredient database
- Cloud sync and mobile app for brew day timers and tracking
- Strong community features for sharing and cloning recipes
Cons
- Ads in the free version can be intrusive
- Some advanced analytics locked behind premium paywall
- Interface feels slightly dated compared to newer competitors
Best For
Homebrewers seeking an affordable, feature-rich platform with community support for recipe management and brew logging.
Pricing
Free plan with ads; Gold premium at $3.49/month or $34.99/year for ad-free experience and advanced features.
QI Homebrew
specializedAdvanced recipe calculator with precise mash pH, water chemistry, and yeast management tools.
Dynamic equipment profiler that automatically adjusts recipes for your specific mash tun, kettle, and fermenter sizes
QI Homebrew (qihomebrew.com) is a web-based brewing software designed for homebrewers to create, scale, and manage beer recipes with precise calculations for gravity, IBU, ABV, and mash efficiency. It supports batch tracking, inventory management, fermentation logs, and equipment profiling to streamline the brewing process from planning to packaging. The platform also includes a community-driven recipe database for sharing and discovering brews, making it ideal for collaborative homebrewing.
Pros
- Accurate brewing calculators and recipe scaling tools
- Community recipe sharing and database
- Detailed batch and inventory tracking
Cons
- Interface can feel cluttered on smaller screens
- Limited integration with brewing hardware
- Advanced features require premium upgrade
Best For
Intermediate homebrewers seeking an affordable, community-focused tool for recipe management and batch logging.
Pricing
Free basic plan; Pro upgrade at $3.99/month or $29/year for unlimited recipes and advanced analytics.
Brewtarget
otherFree open-source software for recipe creation, equipment profiles, and brewing session logging.
Customizable equipment and mash profiles with automatic recipe scaling and printable brewing sheets
Brewtarget is a free, open-source homebrewing software for creating, scaling, and managing beer recipes with detailed calculations for ingredients, mash profiles, fermentation, and water chemistry. It supports equipment profiles, inventory tracking, and generates printable brewing worksheets and labels. Though development ceased around 2015, it remains functional for basic recipe formulation and planning on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Pros
- Completely free and open-source with no subscriptions
- Cross-platform support for Windows, Mac, and Linux
- Solid recipe scaling, equipment profiles, and printable worksheets
Cons
- No active development or updates since 2015
- Dated, clunky interface that feels outdated
- Lacks modern integrations like cloud sync or app connectivity
Best For
Budget-conscious beginner to intermediate home brewers who need straightforward recipe tools without ongoing costs or advanced integrations.
Pricing
Free (open-source, no paid tiers)
BrewNinja
specializedSimple web-based recipe builder with ingredient scaling and brewing calculators.
Comprehensive water chemistry calculator with automatic salt additions and profile matching
BrewNinja (brewninja.net) is a free web-based suite of brewing calculators tailored for homebrewers and small-scale brewers. It provides tools for mash scheduling, water chemistry adjustments, strike volume calculations, IBU estimation, ABV computation, and yeast pitching rates, among others. The platform emphasizes quick, precise calculations without requiring software downloads or user accounts.
Pros
- Completely free with no ads or paywalls
- Broad selection of over 20 specialized calculators
- Instant access via any web browser, no signup needed
Cons
- No recipe formulation, storage, or inventory management
- Web-only interface lacks a dedicated mobile app
- Somewhat dated design and no brewing session tracking
Best For
Homebrewers seeking quick, reliable calculators for mash, water, and fermentation planning without full software commitment.
Pricing
Entirely free with no premium tiers or subscriptions.
Ekos
enterpriseEnterprise brewery management system for production planning, inventory, and sales tracking.
Advanced lot-level inventory tracking with automatic expiration alerts and traceability for recalls
Ekos is a comprehensive cloud-based brewery management platform tailored for craft breweries, handling everything from production scheduling and inventory tracking to sales, distribution, and regulatory compliance. It offers real-time dashboards, automated reporting for TTB/TTB filings, and seamless integrations with accounting software like QuickBooks and POS systems. Designed to scale with growing operations, it replaces spreadsheets and siloed tools with a unified ERP-like system.
Pros
- Powerful production planning and scheduling tools
- Excellent compliance and regulatory reporting automation
- Robust integrations with accounting, e-commerce, and POS systems
Cons
- Steep learning curve for new users
- Pricing can be prohibitive for very small breweries
- Mobile app functionality is limited compared to desktop
Best For
Mid-sized craft breweries seeking scalable, end-to-end operations management to support growth and efficiency.
Pricing
Custom subscription pricing starting around $500/month based on production volume and features, with enterprise tiers for larger operations.
OrchestratedBEER
enterpriseCloud brewery operations software for scheduling, quality control, and compliance.
Real-time IoT orchestration for fermenters and tanks, automating scheduling and alerts
OrchestratedBEER is a cloud-based brewery management platform tailored for craft breweries, offering end-to-end tools for recipe management, inventory tracking, production scheduling, and sales automation. It emphasizes real-time data integration from fermenters and tanks via IoT sensors, enabling precise orchestration of brewing processes. The software also handles compliance reporting, CRM, and analytics to support scaling operations efficiently.
Pros
- Comprehensive IoT integration for tank and fermentation monitoring
- Robust production planning and inventory tools
- Strong analytics and compliance reporting
Cons
- Steep learning curve for advanced features
- Pricing can be high for small breweries
- Mobile app lacks some desktop functionalities
Best For
Mid-sized craft breweries seeking integrated IoT-driven production orchestration and scalability.
Pricing
Subscription starts at $399/month for core features, with tiers up to $1,500+/month based on production volume and add-ons.
vSpike
specializedReal-time fermentation monitoring and control software integrated with sensors.
Integrated sales enablement with mobile app for reps to manage accounts and orders on the go
vSpike is a brewery management platform tailored for craft breweries, emphasizing sales automation, inventory tracking, and customer relationship management. It enables seamless wholesale and direct-to-consumer order processing, real-time inventory visibility, and detailed sales analytics to drive business growth. While it supports operational efficiency, it focuses more on commercial aspects than core recipe formulation or production scheduling typically found in dedicated brewing software.
Pros
- Robust sales and CRM tools tailored for breweries
- Real-time inventory management across multiple locations
- Comprehensive reporting and analytics for business insights
Cons
- Limited focus on recipe development and brewing process tracking
- Steep learning curve for non-sales features
- Higher pricing may not suit very small operations
Best For
Mid-sized craft breweries prioritizing sales growth and wholesale management over homebrewing or recipe tools.
Pricing
Starts at $299/month for basic plans, scaling to $999+/month for enterprise features with custom quotes available.
iBrewMaster
specializedMobile and desktop app for recipe management, timers, and brewing process guidance.
Cross-device cloud syncing for real-time brew session tracking
iBrewMaster is a cross-platform brewing software suite for homebrewers, enabling recipe creation, inventory tracking, brew day scheduling, and fermentation logging. It features a large ingredient database, mash and boil calculators, and tools for predicting gravity and efficiency. Available on iOS, Android, web, and desktop with cloud sync, it supports community recipe sharing and cloning.
Pros
- Multi-platform support with seamless cloud syncing
- Comprehensive recipe tools and large community database
- Intuitive mobile apps for brew day timers and checklists
Cons
- Dated user interface on some platforms
- Advanced analytics and features require Pro subscription
- Occasional sync delays and limited customization options
Best For
Casual to intermediate homebrewers seeking a mobile-first app for recipe management and sharing.
Pricing
Free basic version; Pro subscription at $3.99/month or $39.99/year unlocks full features.
Conclusion
The top 10 brewing software tools meet diverse needs, with Brewfather leading as the top choice, boasting a seamless all-in-one web and mobile platform for recipe formulation, fermentation tracking, and inventory management. BeerSmith stands out for its advanced desktop capabilities in recipe design and equipment export, while Brewer's Friend excels with cloud-based community sharing and brewing analytics. Together, these three deliver exceptional solutions for brewers of all skill levels.
Dive into brewing efficiency—start with Brewfather, its versatile tools make it the perfect companion to elevate your craft, whether you're designing, tracking, or scaling your batches.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
