This week I take a look at the various versions and options available for using BeerSmith to develop your beer, mead, wine and cider recipes. This list is current as of mid 2021 following the release of BeerSmith 3.2 desktop and BeerSmith Web.
BeerSmith Versions and Platforms
- BeerSmith Desktop – The BeerSmith desktop program, currently at version 3.2.7, runs on the Windows PC, Mac and Linux Ubuntu platforms as a standalone program. While it can be run by itself, it also supports recipe exchange via the Cloud folder and as of the 3.2 update you can also exchange profile and ingredient data with the cloud. A free 21 day trial can be downloaded from BeerSmith.com. I do recommend updating to 3.2 if you are not running the current version (check Help->About to see your current version).
- BeerSmith Web – The newest version released in June of 2021. BeerSmith Web is a full featured web based recipe editor that can be accessed by logging into BeerSmithRecipes.com from any browser. It has layouts that support desktop, tablet and even phone access to include the full recipe editor and associated profiles, ingredients and tools. Recipes, ingredients and profiles can be accessed and transferred via the cloud features in the desktop program as well. You can get a free 30 day trial at BeerSmithRecipes.com by setting up an account, and existing Gold or higher level users have access to the web editor now.
- BeerSmith Mobile App – A mobile app for Android and IOS (iPhone/iPad) you can purchase for $4.99 from the iTunes or Google Play app store. This app can be used to create and store recipes offline on your phone or tablet, and also allows basic recipe transfer via the cloud folder. Unlike the web version you don’t have to be connected/online though the web based version does have some additional features (like water profile matching) not available on the mobile yet. The mobile app is a separate purchase via the iTunes or Google Play store.
Licensing for BeerSmith Desktop and Web
- Basic Level – The basic desktop license is intended for those who don’t want a subscription, but just want to use the BeerSmith desktop program on their Mac, PC or Linux machine as a standalone app. It includes minimal cloud space (15 recipes) and does not include access to the new web based recipe editor. However it is a fixed price one time fee (no subscription) and it does allow full recipe editing as well as searching/download of shared cloud based recipes. It also includes upgrades to all 3.x releases.
- Gold Level – The gold level license is our most popular level. It includes access to both the BeerSmith desktop program and also the web based version which means you can access/edit your cloud based recipes from anywhere – even your phone or tablet. It includes 125 cloud recipes, unlimited desktop recipes, two activations for the desktop so you can install to your desktop and laptop (for instance) and you still get mobile access via the web based editor. It also includes future updates, including major versions for a low price of $14.95/year.
- Platinum Level – The platinum level has all the gold level has plus more. It includes access to both the BeerSmith desktop program and also the web based version. It includes 300 cloud recipes, unlimited desktop recipes, three activations for the desktop version and mobile access via the web based editor. It also includes future updates, including major versions for a low price of $21.95/year.
- Professional Level – The professional level is intended for commercial use. It includes a commercial use license, access to both the BeerSmith desktop program and also the web based version. It includes 750 cloud recipes, unlimited desktop recipes, five activations for the desktop version and mobile access via the web based editor. It also includes future updates, including major versions for a low price of $49.95/year.
- BeerSmith Mobile App – The BeerSmith Mobile app is a completely separate purchase through the iTunes or Google Play store. For a price of $4.99 you get the mobile recipe builder that runs independently on your iPhone or Android device. It has the option to store recipes locally on your phone in a SQL database or access your cloud folder recipes. It does not include access to the desktop program or new web based recipe editor. It does include future updates to the mobile app.
I hope you enjoyed this week’s article from the BeerSmith Home Brewing Blog. Please subscribe for regular weekly delivery, and don’t hesitate to leave a comment or send this article to a friend.
Related Beer Brewing Articles from BeerSmith:
- BeerSmith Web Highlights
- BeerSmith Mobile Now Available for iPhone/iPad (and Android/Kindle Fire)
- An Important Upgrade Message for Legacy BeerSmith 2 Users
- BeerSmith for the Web Released
- BeerSmith Cloud Recipe Privacy and Sharing Explained
- Getting the Most from the BeerSmith Recipes Cloud
- BeerSmith Mobile App Released for Android and Kindle Fire
- BeerSmith for the Web Preview
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Brad,
I know I have not update or renewed for a couple of years so I need to do that. Can you confirm for me that my original subscription was just the Basic (one time) Level. I would like to do the Gold Level at $ 14.95 per year.
Do I just click the link from the laptop I use to brew with?
Thank you and keep up the awesome work on behalf of all us home brewers!!!
You can check your current level by logging into the account or going to this page (log in): https://beersmithrecipes.com/licenses
You can renew there or add another license if you need the higher level.
The golden member has two activation options “yearly subscription” and “1 year activation”. What is their difference?
The subscription sets up an autopayment in paypal while the yearly requires you to manually renew in a year.