Game Backup Monitor

Overview

Game Backup Monitor (GBM) detects games as they run and backs up their saves after play ends, using 7-Zip compression. It is best suited to Windows and Linux players who want automatic, per-game backups without a game-count cap.

Its appeal is practical rather than ambitious: it can also monitor other applications and handle games running through DOSBox, ScummVM, or Wine. The trade-offs are setup work for cloud storage, an unsigned application that Microsoft may flag, and a project whose maker says it is complete and will receive maintenance updates but no major changes.

Key features

Automatic backups after a game closes remove the need to remember to copy saves manually. You can set up an unlimited number of monitored games, each with its own settings, and optionally track total play hours and individual sessions. Direct launching from GBM is also optional, so it can serve as both a monitor and a starting point for games.

GBM is not limited to games: it can monitor any application on a PC. Support for DOSBox, ScummVM, and Wine makes it relevant to older games and compatibility-layer setups. Importing configurations from the Ludusavi Manifest, which provides thousands of configurations, can reduce manual setup; those configurations are unofficial.

Cloud backup requires a separate cloud storage provider and folder synchronization client. That gives users flexibility over where their backups go, but GBM is not a self-contained cloud service. The maker says the application connects to the internet only when the user requests game-configuration imports and does not upload computer information.

Automatic backup, scheduled backups, version history, game detection, and restore options are supported. The project is mature but not positioned for major feature growth, so it is a better fit for users who value its current capabilities than those looking for an actively expanding product.

Pricing

GBM's Game Backup Monitor plan is free. It is open source, supports unlimited games, and includes 7-Zip compression. There is no paid tier to unlock a higher game limit; the cost is the time and setup needed to configure the software and, if wanted, pair it with a provider and sync client for cloud backups.

Platforms

GBM supports Windows and Linux. Development testing verifies Windows 11 and Linux Mint 21. Windows requires .NET Framework 4.8; Linux requires Mono and additional packages, including SQLite3 and 7-Zip. The installer and executable are not digitally signed, so Microsoft may flag them as unsafe. Sharing one backup folder between Windows and Linux is technically possible, but explicitly not recommended or supported.

Who it's for

Choose GBM if you play on Windows or Linux, want unlimited monitored games, and are willing to manage local configuration or provide your own cloud-sync setup. It also suits users who want save backups for non-game applications or need monitoring for games run through DOSBox, ScummVM, or Wine. Look elsewhere if you need a signed Windows application, supported cross-platform sharing of one backup folder, or a project expected to add major features.

Pros and cons

• Unlimited games at no cost: useful for large libraries without a per-game cap or paid upgrade.
• Automatic, compressed backups with version history: reduces manual save copying while retaining backup versions.
• Broad monitoring scope: can monitor non-game applications as well as games using DOSBox, ScummVM, or Wine.
• Cloud setup is external: users must choose a provider and configure a folder sync client.
• Unsigned application: Microsoft's safety warning can complicate installation for cautious Windows users.
• Limited project direction: maintenance updates are planned, but major changes are not.

Alternatives

For a broader comparison, see Game Save Managers.

• Checkpoint64 is worth considering if its free plan's 20 MiB per space and team features fit your needs, or if its Pro plan's 5.00 EUR per month, billed monthly and cancel anytime, is preferable.
• EmuSync is another free option with no subscription or paywall, and supports API, Linux, and Windows.
• Game Save Genie is a free option for users who want to use their own cloud storage and need Linux, macOS, self-hosted, or Windows support.
• Hoard is a freemium alternative with Linux, macOS, self-hosted, and Windows support.
• Ludusavi is a free, MIT-licensed portable executable for Windows, Linux, or Mac.
• OpenSave is free and open source, with no subscription, pro tier, ads, or telemetry, and supports self-hosting as well as desktop platforms.
• Game Save Manager is a Windows-only alternative with a free 64-bit installer on GitHub; an optional support download is also available.
• Gamekeeper is a Windows-only freemium alternative whose free plan limits Multi-Space to three per game and supports several local and network storage types.

Verdict

GBM is a strong fit for Windows and Linux players who want free, automatic backups across an unlimited library and do not mind configuring their own cloud sync. Choose it for its scope and per-game controls; look elsewhere if you need a signed installer, supported sharing of a backup folder across Windows and Linux, or a product still building major features.