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Top 10 Best Brewing Software of 2026

Explore the top 10 best brewing software to simplify your process—recipe tools, batch tracking, and more. Choose the right one for you today!

Alexander Schmidt

Alexander Schmidt

Feb 11, 2026

10 tools comparedExpert reviewed
Independent evaluation · Unbiased commentary · Updated regularly
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Brewing software is a critical tool for homebrewers and craft operations, streamlining recipe creation, batch management, and quality control. With a spectrum of options—from all-in-one apps to enterprise systems—choosing the right solution enhances efficiency and consistency, making this curated list of the top 10, including Brewfather, BeerSmith, and others, essential for informed decisions.

Quick Overview

  1. 1#1: Brewfather - All-in-one web and mobile app for recipe formulation, brewing day timers, fermentation tracking, and inventory management.
  2. 2#2: BeerSmith - Comprehensive desktop software for advanced recipe design, brewing calculations, and exporting to brewing equipment.
  3. 3#3: Brewer's Friend - Cloud-based platform for recipe building, batch tracking, community sharing, and brewing analytics.
  4. 4#4: QI Homebrew - Advanced recipe calculator with precise mash pH, water chemistry, and yeast management tools.
  5. 5#5: Brewtarget - Free open-source software for recipe creation, equipment profiles, and brewing session logging.
  6. 6#6: BrewNinja - Simple web-based recipe builder with ingredient scaling and brewing calculators.
  7. 7#7: Ekos - Enterprise brewery management system for production planning, inventory, and sales tracking.
  8. 8#8: OrchestratedBEER - Cloud brewery operations software for scheduling, quality control, and compliance.
  9. 9#9: vSpike - Real-time fermentation monitoring and control software integrated with sensors.
  10. 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.

1Brewfather logo9.7/10

All-in-one web and mobile app for recipe formulation, brewing day timers, fermentation tracking, and inventory management.

Features
9.9/10
Ease
9.2/10
Value
9.8/10
2BeerSmith logo9.1/10

Comprehensive desktop software for advanced recipe design, brewing calculations, and exporting to brewing equipment.

Features
9.6/10
Ease
7.9/10
Value
9.2/10

Cloud-based platform for recipe building, batch tracking, community sharing, and brewing analytics.

Features
9.1/10
Ease
8.4/10
Value
9.3/10

Advanced recipe calculator with precise mash pH, water chemistry, and yeast management tools.

Features
8.4/10
Ease
8.0/10
Value
8.7/10
5Brewtarget logo6.8/10

Free open-source software for recipe creation, equipment profiles, and brewing session logging.

Features
7.2/10
Ease
6.0/10
Value
9.5/10
6BrewNinja logo7.8/10

Simple web-based recipe builder with ingredient scaling and brewing calculators.

Features
8.2/10
Ease
9.1/10
Value
9.8/10
7Ekos logo8.4/10

Enterprise brewery management system for production planning, inventory, and sales tracking.

Features
9.1/10
Ease
7.6/10
Value
8.0/10

Cloud brewery operations software for scheduling, quality control, and compliance.

Features
8.7/10
Ease
7.6/10
Value
7.9/10
9vSpike logo7.8/10

Real-time fermentation monitoring and control software integrated with sensors.

Features
8.2/10
Ease
7.5/10
Value
7.4/10
10iBrewMaster logo7.4/10

Mobile and desktop app for recipe management, timers, and brewing process guidance.

Features
7.5/10
Ease
8.0/10
Value
7.0/10
1
Brewfather logo

Brewfather

specialized

All-in-one web and mobile app for recipe formulation, brewing day timers, fermentation tracking, and inventory management.

Overall Rating9.7/10
Features
9.9/10
Ease of Use
9.2/10
Value
9.8/10
Standout Feature

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).

Visit Brewfatherbrewfather.app
2
BeerSmith logo

BeerSmith

specialized

Comprehensive desktop software for advanced recipe design, brewing calculations, and exporting to brewing equipment.

Overall Rating9.1/10
Features
9.6/10
Ease of Use
7.9/10
Value
9.2/10
Standout Feature

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.

Visit BeerSmithbeersmith.com
3
Brewer's Friend logo

Brewer's Friend

specialized

Cloud-based platform for recipe building, batch tracking, community sharing, and brewing analytics.

Overall Rating8.7/10
Features
9.1/10
Ease of Use
8.4/10
Value
9.3/10
Standout Feature

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.

Visit Brewer's Friendbrewersfriend.com
4
QI Homebrew logo

QI Homebrew

specialized

Advanced recipe calculator with precise mash pH, water chemistry, and yeast management tools.

Overall Rating8.2/10
Features
8.4/10
Ease of Use
8.0/10
Value
8.7/10
Standout Feature

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.

Visit QI Homebrewqihomebrew.com
5
Brewtarget logo

Brewtarget

other

Free open-source software for recipe creation, equipment profiles, and brewing session logging.

Overall Rating6.8/10
Features
7.2/10
Ease of Use
6.0/10
Value
9.5/10
Standout Feature

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)

Visit Brewtargetbrewtarget.org
6
BrewNinja logo

BrewNinja

specialized

Simple web-based recipe builder with ingredient scaling and brewing calculators.

Overall Rating7.8/10
Features
8.2/10
Ease of Use
9.1/10
Value
9.8/10
Standout Feature

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.

Visit BrewNinjabrewninja.net
7
Ekos logo

Ekos

enterprise

Enterprise brewery management system for production planning, inventory, and sales tracking.

Overall Rating8.4/10
Features
9.1/10
Ease of Use
7.6/10
Value
8.0/10
Standout Feature

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.

Visit Ekosekosbrew.com
8
OrchestratedBEER logo

OrchestratedBEER

enterprise

Cloud brewery operations software for scheduling, quality control, and compliance.

Overall Rating8.2/10
Features
8.7/10
Ease of Use
7.6/10
Value
7.9/10
Standout Feature

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.

Visit OrchestratedBEERorchestratedbeer.com
9
vSpike logo

vSpike

specialized

Real-time fermentation monitoring and control software integrated with sensors.

Overall Rating7.8/10
Features
8.2/10
Ease of Use
7.5/10
Value
7.4/10
Standout Feature

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.

Visit vSpikevspike.com
10
iBrewMaster logo

iBrewMaster

specialized

Mobile and desktop app for recipe management, timers, and brewing process guidance.

Overall Rating7.4/10
Features
7.5/10
Ease of Use
8.0/10
Value
7.0/10
Standout Feature

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.

Visit iBrewMasteribrewmaster.com

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.

Brewfather logo
Our Top Pick
Brewfather

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.