Best Homebrew Apps

  • 3List

Dec 28, 2020 Wagic, the Homebrew. It is one of the best Homebrew apps and works best for the games including magic, wizard or cards. It assists players to win the games and enter new levels or modes to discover new challenges. It can also help a user to get better ammunition and gaming skills for competing with others. One can even personalize the themes. Ps4 homebrew apps CoD Ghosts 1.20 Open Source Project & LibJBC for PS4 Homebrew Apps Following the Call of Duty Ghosts: Unlock All PS4 Trophies for Clients demo, this weekend @CustomHooker shared on Twitter a CoD Ghosts 1.20 Open Source Community Project with some new videos from his YouTube Channel below as PlayStation 4 Scene developer @Al. Open-source cheat-engine for the Nintendo Switch. It's a kip module which plays music in the background, no matter what are you doing.) Switch System module to play a sound file anywhere (system, game, etc.) Ldnmitm, convert Ad-hoc (local play) to LAN for game without native LAN support. Use with Switch-LAN-Play.

Installing

Using desktop apps is the death of productivity (at least for me). Any time you need to go to your desktop, you risk the chance of getting distracted by YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Reddit, Twitter, etc. Using tmux with Homebrew has boosted my productivity and delivery rate 10x.

Applications are installed by copying the necessary files directly to the switch/ folder in the root of the SD card, or in a subdirectory of switch/, in which case said subfolder must be named identically to its executable. Normally the former should be used. The latter should be used if the application uses anything from FS current-working-directory (directory where the NRO is located). Applications come with the following:

  • [appname].nro: The executable.

The Homebrew Menu will scan the SD card for all .nro files, but will only display an icon for those who have one according to the format described above. You can also freely navigate the filesystem to select an application.

Icon/metadata for each application is loaded from data embedded in the NRO (custom assets section), if available.

Notes

List

Launchers

NameDescriptionAuthorDownloadOpen-Source
Homebrew MenuRun homebrew on your Switch!Yellows8, plutoooHereYes

Applications

NameDescriptionAuthorDownloadOpen-SourceLast Updated
switch_sysmoduleRPC over USB, etc. Originally a sysmodule, however this can also be used as a regular application.Yellows8Yes
pPlayA video player for the Nintendo SwitchCpasjusteHereYes2018-12-19
Switch Lan PlayAllows you to play Lan supported games online,spacemeowx2HereYes2018-03-19
Ldn_mitmAllows you to play Wireless supported games online,(Requires Switch Lan Play)spacemeowx2HereYes2018-12-07
PynxAllows you to run homebrew applications written in Python on the Switch.AileenLuminaHereYes2018-03-19
Switch BrainfuckA brainfuck interpreter for the Nintendo Switch.TheKggHereYes2018-04-21
ScreenTester-NXDetect and repair dead/stuck pixelsMariceHereYes2018-05-19
NX-ShellMultipurpose File ManagerJoel16HereYes2018-05-26
Gag OrderSuperNag removerAdubbzHereYes2018-05-30
Switch ReaderE-Hentai gallery viewerColin969HereYes2018-11-21
In-Home-SwitchingStream games from PC to the Nintendo Switchjakibaki, D-VAmpireHereYes2018-12-31
vgeditText editor with touch/controller/usb supportvgmooseHereYes2020-06-15
OJDS-NXStream controller inputs to your PC to be displayed on Open Joystick DisplayNicholeMatteraHereYes2021-01-30

Game Engines

NameDescriptionAuthorDownloadOpen-SourceLast Updated
Duke Nukem 3DEDuke32 is an awesome, free homebrew game engine and source port of the classic PC first person shooter Duke Nukem 3DCpasjusteHereYes2020-05-02
LÖVE PotionLÖVE for Nintendo SwitchTurtlePHereYes2021-01-16
EasyRPG PlayerRPG Maker 2000/2003 game interpreterRinnegatamante & EasyRPG teamHereYes2019-03-03
MegaZeuxA game creation system originally released in 1994 with text mode-like graphics and a large library of games.LachesisHereYes2020-11-22
Solarus EngineZelda-like Action-RPG game enginecarstene1nsHereYes2018-05-20
raylib-nxA simple and easy-to-use library to enjoy videogames programming.LucaSkyerHereYes2021-07-27

Games

NameDescriptionAuthorDownloadOpen-SourceLast Updated
20482048 port for Switch homebrewBernardo GiordanoHereYes2018-04-21
Cannonball-NXAn Enhanced OutRun Enginelantus/MVGHereYes2018-05-23
Chocolate DoomChocolate Doom port for SwitchWinterMuteHereYes2018-06-22
Chocolate Doom NXChocolate Doom port for SwitchNicholeMatteraHereYes2021-01-30
Hamsters NXA breeding of Hamsters game in text mode.Cid2mizardHereYes2018-02-28
HEXGEMA match 3 (or more) board gamecarstene1nsHereYes2018-07-25
Hot PocolateAlternative music visualizerilltetekaHereYes2018-08-15
HurricanPort of POKE53280 Classic Turrican reimaginationrsn8887HereYes2019-05-09
InvadersNXSpace Invaders type gameMaesterRowenHereYes2018-07-09
Ken's LabyrinthClassic MS-DOS shooter with enhanced features such as HD textures and 60fps supportNightfoxHereYes2019-01-19
MCOsuOsu! Port for SwitchMcKay42HereYes
MeritousTop View Dungeon Gamenop90HereYes2018-03-17
Noodles!A clone of the iOS puzzle game Noodles!MrJPGamesHereYes2019-07-24
NXEngineReimplementation of Cave Story / Doukutsu Monogatari, a Japanese freeware PC side-scrolling platformer game from 2004.carstene1nsHereYes2018-05-20
NXQuakeTyrQuake is a source port of id Software's QuakefgsfdsHereYes2018-09-15
NXQuake2Yamagi Quake II is a source port of id Software's Quake IIfgsfdsHereYes2018-09-04
NX-VVVVVVVVVVVV port for SwitchNicholeMatteraHereYes2021-01-30
OpenBOROpenBOR is the ultimate 2D gaming engine with over 10+ years of active development behind it. With OpenBOR you can build anything from simple button mashers to elaborate projects rivaling the most lavish professional offerings. Download one of the dozens of ready to play game modules available here, or grab the development kit and start up one of your own!cpasjusteHereYes2018-03-18
OpenTyrianOpenTyrian is a port of the DOS shoot-em-up Tyrian, which is an arcade-style vertical scrolling shooter.felixrgHereYes2018-05-19
PickrPickr webgame port for Switch homebrewBernardo GiordanoHereYes2018-04-16
Pixel-PainterA simple drawing homebrew8BitWonderHereYes2020-08-19
Postal-NXAn isometric top-down shooter video game from 1997lantus/MVGHereYes2018-05-25
powder-nxPhysics sandbox game, which simulates air pressure and velocity, heat, gravity and a countless number of interactions between different substances.VelocityRaHereYes2019-09-15
REminiscenceREminiscence is a re-implementation of the engine used in the game Flashback made by Delphine Software and released in 1992.CpasjusteHereYes2018-03-28
SDLLopanA classic remake of Linux Lopan (a Mahjong solitaire clone) by Dave Ashley.nop90HereYes2018-03-02
SDLPoPAn open-source port of Prince of Persia, based on the disassembly of the DOS version.usineurHereYes2018-05-14
Space Game NXSpace game is a graphical shooter game on the Switch ported from Wii U!vgmooseHereYes2018-02-19
SnakeA minimalistic Snake clone for Switch made with LovePotion.ShrikeHereYes2018-03-10
Stepmania 5.xA port of the Stepmania 5.x PC game to the switchretronx-teamHereYes
SuperTuxKartPort of SuperTuxKart to the Nintendo SwitchMaryHereYes2021-07-20
Super Methane BrothersAn elimination platformer remake similar to Bubble Bobble (originally released for AMIGA in 1993). Blast baddies with your methane gun and survive 100 floors in the tower of time.carstene1nsHereYes2018-05-08
Switch PongA port of pong for the Nintendo SwitchTheKggHereYes2018-04-20
TaiseiA port of taisei for the Nintendo SwitchTaisei ProjectHereYes2021-01-01
TetriswitchA Tetris clone for Nintendo Switch.Ryuzaki_MrLHereYes2018-03-13
TicTacToeA Tic Tac Toe implementation for Switch.SH3RLOCKHereYes2018-02-23
Useless HomebrewA 'useless machine'-like software, ported from DSTcm0, Rydian (DS)HereYes2018-03-03

Emulators

NameDescriptionAuthorDownloadOpen-SourceLast Updated
ScummVMScummVM is a program which allows you to run certain classic graphical point-and-click adventure games...CpasjusteHereYes2018-05-18
mGBAStandalone version of mGBA for SwitchendriftHereYes
pFBAA port of final burn alpha to multiple platformsCpasjusteHereYes2018-08-25
PPSSPPPort of the standalone PSP Emulator 'PPSSPP' for the Switchm4xw, Henrik RydgårdHereNo
CHIP8-NXCHIP8 emulatorMariceHereYes2018-05-25
LaiNESwitchCompact, cycle-accurate NES emulator in ~1000 lines of C++.KevootHereYes2018-07-26
pSNESsnes9x 1.56.2CpasjusteHereYes2018-08-24
RetroArchRetroArch has advanced features like shaders, netplay, rewinding, and next-frame response times.HereYes2018-10-01

Title managers

NameDescriptionAuthorDownloadOpen-SourceLast Updated

Save managers

Best Homebrew Apps Macos

NameDescriptionAuthorDownloadOpen-SourceLast Updated
CheckpointFast and simple save manager for 3DS and Switch written in C++.Bernardo GiordanoHereYes2018-05-14
JKSVWIP save manager for more advanced usersJK_HereYes2018-06-25
EdiZonSave file manager and editor with JSON+Lua plugin support for easy creation of new save editors for any game.WerWolvHereYes2018-08-19

File servers

NameDescriptionAuthorDownloadOpen-SourceLast Updated
FtpdA port of ftpd for 3DS.mtheall, TuxSH, WinterMuteHereYes2018-09-24
sys-ftpdA port of ftpd for 3DS that's running in the background.mtheall, TuxSH, WinterMute, jakibakiHereYes2018-09-24
mtp-server-nxA port of mtp-server for Android.Gillou68310HereYes2019-09-19
nxmtpA MTP implementation.liuervehcHereNo2019-01-13

Demos

NameDescriptionAuthorDownloadOpen-SourceLast Updated
34c3-demoDemo from the 34c3 for Homebrew on the Switch.plutooHereYes2018-02-19
Dokkaebi HackAnimated Demo using SDL on the Switch.NicholeMatteraHereYes2020-06-27
Retrieved from 'https://switchbrew.org/w/index.php?title=Homebrew_Applications&oldid=11075'


For many brewers, long gone are the days of doing recipe calculations on pen and paper. Save for the nostalgic, most homebrewers use some kind of software to figure out their numbers.

Though many out there have relied on the “ole’ standby” Beersmith2, there are a plethora of choices.

But its the 21st century now, and we want connectivity, we want syncing across devices, we want brewing software that integrates with out current, modern devices.

My goal here is not to tell you which one is best, but rather to give you a high-level overview and to point out some of the key features between the most popular options.

Using this information should help you in making a somewhat enlightened choice when choosing your brewing software.

BrewFather Brewing Software

BrewFather runs on any modern browser and/or mobile devices. You can work offlineand connect automatic synchronizationwhen you get back online. Recipe designer, intuitive batch tracking, inventory management, and integratedwith many popular devices. All to make your brew-day easier.

Compatibility

First let’s look at compatibility. One of your foremost deciding factors when it comes to the type of software you will choose will be the format in which you can use it.

  • Do you want to use it from your phone or tablet (web-based or app)? Do you have an IOS or Android based device?
  • Do you want to run it from your computer (web-based or desktop app)? Do you have a Mac, PC, or Linux?
  • Do you want open-source where you could potentially change the source code or do you just want it to work out of the box?

Hopefully I can answer a few of these questions, but let’s just start with trying to make it compatible with your setup.

Cost

One of the most limiting factors for most homebrewers is the cost of their tools.

Although not all of these software packages are exactly apples to apples, the difference in cost between them might be a “make it or break it” factor for you.

Below are the prices associated with each piece of software reviewed. Some of the packages are subscription based, and in that case, the monthly or yearly price is listed.

Potential Popularity

It might not be a fair comparison when looking at the user base of certain products.

In some cases, the user base might not be public information. Also, when trying to analyse social media and forums, it should be noted that this is just an attempt to show the representation of the active users. I looked at Facebook pages, Twitter accounts, and forums to get an idea of the user base for each home brewing software.

Though social media and forum activity do not necessarily portray exact numbers of user base, I think they do paint a pretty good picture as to how many people are talking about the software and using it.

Brewing Software Reviews

Lastly, I would like to give a brief description of each package. I have not used every package listed here, but reading reviews and browsing through free trials I have come up with the following.

Brewtarget

Ability to export/import Beer XML: Yes

Brewtarget is an open-source software with a great set of tools. It gives you a lot of control when it comes to designing your recipe.

The software automatically calculates the color, bitterness, gravity, and ABV. It does priming calculations, OG corrections, pitch rates, refractometer calculations, brew day timers, and much more. Best of all it is completely free.

Beersmith 2

Ability to export/import Beer XML: Yes

BeerSmith is by far one of the most used pieces of software in the homebrewing community.

Its tool set is very robust and once it is set up for your brewing style and equipment, its calculations are very accurate.

It was very hard not to compare all of the other options to BeerSmith as it is what I use every brew day.

Brewtoad

Ability to export/import Beer XML: Export only

Brewtoad is an online service that gives you the ability to build recipies, set up equipment profiles, and even helps with mash calculations.

You can create variants of your recipes. One really cool feature of this website is that once you have built your recipe you can buy beer ingredients right from the site. It is like building your own personalized beer kit.

Brewer’s Friend

Ability to export/import Beer XML: Yes

Brewer’s Friend is web service that has an app for both IOS and Android. It also has a windows desktop app.

Apps3ds

Brewer’s Friend has a Free version in which you can store up to five recipes.

With this software comes your typical recipe builder, however, they also have a pretty good set of tools including a nice library of forms and templates. They have a great tool for water chemistry as well as a great reference for water reports.

Like Brew Toad, you can also buy the beer kit for created recipes from them. I have never used this software, however, that is only because I started using Beersmith before I found out about them.

They have both a free version and a paid version. The paid version allows you to delete recipes and sync with the apps. Paying for the service also gets rid of the advertising.

Brewcipher

Best homebrew apps 3ds

This software is really just a spreadsheet. The link is to the google drive folder where all of the relevant files can be downloaded.

Ability to export/import Beer XML: No

Brewcipher is a free workbook that can be ran with Excel. You can customize your equipment profiles, create grain bills, and hop profiles. It is modeled after most of the other popular software but it does everything using formulas in Excel.

If you are spreadsheet savvy, this might be a pretty good fit for you. It has many features that you find in some of the other software packages, however, everything is put in specific cells on different sheets.

It would be a little scary at first glance, especially for someone that does not use Excel. However, if you are good with Excel, Brewcipher could give you a better idea of the math behind all of the outputs, if that’s your thing.

Bru’n Water

Ability to export/import Beer XML: NA

Bru’n water does not really compare to the rest of these, however, I wanted to list it because it seems popular.

It is a calculator specifically for the water chemistry of your mash.

Homebrew

I had not heard of it before researching for this post,but I will start using it from now on.

Bru’n uses Excel or Open Office and it does have a free version. Their website also has a lot of information on it for those looking to get into brewing water chemistry.

Mr. Malty

Ability to export/import Beer XML: NA

Mr. Malty is a yeast pitch rate calculator and much like Bru’n water does not really compare to the tools offered in the other packages, however, I would not write it off.

It is recommended by many when it comes to calculating the pitch rate of your yeast.

The web version is free. It does have an app available on the Apple App Store ($2.99) and the Google Play store (4.99).

BrewPal

Ability to export/import Beer XML: Yes

BrewPal is an app based recipe formulation software for IOS. It allows you to take your recipes with you.

It syncs between all of your iCloud devices. Though somewhat limited when comparing it to the others, when it comes to an IOS app based software, BrewPal is still a nice tool to have.

If you are looking to only use your iPhone or iPad for brew calculations, this might be just the tool you are looking for.

Beer Tools Pro

Ability to export/import Beer XML: Yes

Beertools is a recipe formulation and management software.

It has many tools for adjusting alcohol, color, bitterness, and much more.

This software, to me, feels much like Beersmith, though, not as many options. However, It’s tools seem much more streamlined and to the point. Overall the user interface is clean and navigation through all the available options is very straightforward.

I would have liked to have seen more reporting from such a feature rich product. (e.g. brew steps).

They have a web-based version that the desktop app will sync with so that you can use it on a mobile device as well.

BeerAlchemy

Ability to export/import Beer XML: Yes

BeerAlchemy is a Mac only software with a desktop version and an App version which only runs on IOS.

It has a recipe creator and tools for inventory management.

One cool feature I noticed was that if you are a brewer that keeps on top of their inventory, this software can recommend brews based on the ingredients you have in stock.

The desktop version will sync with the app version which will help with shopping lists and brewday schedules.

Best Homebrew Apps 3ds

Final Notes

Once again, I have not personally used every software listed here and this post just scratches the surface when it comes to the different options available for brewing software. They change and the good ones frequently update to keep with modern devices and new platforms. My current favorite does an excellent job with staying up-to-date.

BrewFather Brewing Software

CTroll3D 3DS

BrewFather runs on any modern browser and/or mobile devices. You can work offlineand connect automatic synchronizationwhen you get back online. Recipe designer, intuitive batch tracking, inventory management, and integratedwith many popular devices. All to make your brew-day easier.

Hopefully it can be used to help you make a knowledgeable decision when you decide to look into using software for your brewing needs.

Paulus

Alex is a family man from Texas. He finds as many ways to mix his hobbies together which include electronics, woodworking, anything DIY, and of course homebrewing. He has progressed from kit beers to partial mash and has recently made the move to all-grain. He enjoys creating his own recipes and learning how each part of the process changes them.