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I’ve used most of the major brew tracking apps over the years and my conclusion is that the best app is the one you’ll actually use consistently, and that depends more on interface design and workflow fit than on feature count. A brew tracking app with 200 features that you abandon after three batches produces no data. A simple app with 20 features that you use on every batch produces a valuable record of your brewing history. Here’s how the main options compare on the factors that actually determine whether you’ll stick with them.
Brewfather
Brewfather combines recipe design and batch tracking in a single platform, the most integrated option available. Every batch links to its recipe; measured OG, FG, and tasting notes attach to the batch record; efficiency and attenuation are calculated automatically from your measurements. The brew day mode sends hop addition push notifications from the loaded recipe. The free tier covers everything most homebrewers need; the $4/month premium adds inventory management, multi-device sync priority, and Tilt/Rapt Pill integration. The mobile app is the best-designed in the category, consistently updated and actively maintained. If you’re starting fresh with no existing recipe library elsewhere, Brewfather is the default recommendation for integrated recipe-plus-tracking.
Beersmith 3
Beersmith remains the most feature-rich option with the deepest equipment calibration and water chemistry tools. The $28 one-time purchase (versus Brewfather’s subscription) appeals to brewers who prefer not to pay ongoing fees. The desktop-first design is better suited to pre-brew recipe design than mobile brew day use. The batch tracking features are comprehensive but less streamlined than Brewfather, recording a batch in Beersmith requires more steps than recording the same data in Brewfather’s batch log. Best for: brewers who already have a Beersmith recipe library, who prioritize recipe calculation precision over tracking workflow convenience, or who strongly prefer desktop software.
Brewer’s Friend
Brewer’s Friend’s web-based interface and free tier make it accessible without installation or subscription commitment. Batch logging is straightforward; the interface works well on mobile browsers for brew day use. The database of shared recipes (500,000+) is a strength for recipe discovery. The limitation is that Brewer’s Friend lacks the polished mobile app experience of Brewfather, it’s a web app that works on mobile rather than a mobile-first design. For brewers who primarily work at a desktop computer and want a free platform with a large recipe community, Brewer’s Friend is a strong option.
SimpleBrewery and BrewNote
SimpleBrewery and BrewNote are simplified tracking-only apps (no full recipe design calculator) focused on recording brew day data and tasting notes with minimal friction. These are appropriate for brewers who do recipe design in one tool (Beersmith, a spreadsheet) and want a separate lightweight mobile app for recording what actually happened on brew day. Lower feature count means lower learning curve, both apps can be used productively within minutes of installation. Not suitable if you want integrated recipe-plus-tracking in one platform.
Common Questions
Can I use multiple brew tracking apps simultaneously?
Yes, and some experienced brewers do, typically using Beersmith for recipe design (for its calculation depth) and Brewfather for batch tracking (for its better mobile logging experience), with Brewfather’s Beersmith import feature bridging the two. The main cost is double-entry of recipe changes and a split data history. For most brewers, consolidating on a single platform is more practical, the time saved by avoiding double-entry exceeds any feature gap you’re compensating for. Before committing to a multi-app workflow, spend a few months with a single platform’s full feature set, Brewfather in particular has most of what Beersmith users migrate away for, and the integrated experience compounds over time as your batch history builds.
