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En Croissant vs Chess.com vs Lichess vs ChessBase: Best Free Chess Analysis Tool in 2025

En Croissant vs Chess.com vs Lichess vs ChessBase: Best Free Chess Analysis Tool in 2025

Table of contents

TLDR (Too Long; Didn't Read)

En Croissant is a free, open-source chess GUI that combines the power of ChessBase with the simplicity of Lichess—without the $300+ price tag. Created by Francisco Salgueiro, this cross-platform desktop application lets you analyze games from Chess.com and Lichess, run multiple engines simultaneously, manage databases, prepare opening repertoires, and train with spaced repetition—all for free. While it doesn't match ChessBase's decades of refinement for advanced professionals, it outperforms every other free alternative and even rivals paid software for most players' needs.

The Verdict: En Croissant is 9/10 for intermediate to advanced players seeking serious analysis tools. It's the best free chess analysis software available in 2025.


Introduction: Why Chess Players Are Abandoning Expensive Software

Chess analysis software has a serious problem: it's prohibitively expensive.

ChessBase, the industry standard, costs $300+ for the full version. Even discounted versions run $50-100. Chess.com Premium (which still has limitations) costs $100+ annually. Meanwhile, aspiring players and serious amateurs struggle to justify these costs just to improve their game.

Then came En Croissant—a modern, open-source chess GUI that asks a radical question: What if serious chess analysis tools could be free, beautiful, and genuinely easy to use?

Released in 2023 by developer Francisco Salgueiro and now maintaining 1,000+ GitHub stars with 36 active contributors, En Croissant is quietly revolutionizing how chess players analyze games, study openings, and improve their craft. It combines features from ChessBase, Lichess, and modern UX design into a single, elegant package.

The chess community is noticing. In 2025, discussions about En Croissant dominate Reddit's r/chess, users praise its ease of installation, and experienced players are increasingly choosing it over premium software.

This comprehensive guide explains what En Croissant actually does, how it compares to Chess.com, Lichess, and ChessBase, and whether it's the right tool for your chess journey.


What Is En Croissant? Understanding the Ultimate Chess Toolkit

En Croissant is a free, cross-platform chess database and analysis GUI built with TypeScript and Rust. It's designed for players who want:

  • Professional-grade game analysis without subscription fees

  • Database management with advanced search capabilities

  • Integration with your existing Chess.com and Lichess accounts

  • The ability to run any UCI chess engine simultaneously

  • Clean, modern interface inspired by Lichess's design

The Philosophy: "Professional Features, Zero Cost, Zero Friction"

Unlike ChessBase (which requires learning a complex 30-year-old interface) or Chess.com (which paywalls half its features), En Croissant embraces a modern design philosophy: powerful tools should be intuitive, accessible, and free.

The result is a chess toolkit that:

  • Downloads games directly from your Chess.com and Lichess accounts

  • Analyzes with multiple engines simultaneously (Stockfish, Komodo, any UCI engine)

  • Manages databases with intelligent search functions

  • Prepares openings with an integrated opening repertoire tool

  • Trains with spaced repetition for active learning

  • Runs on any computer (Windows, macOS, Linux)

  • Costs absolutely nothing (GPL-3.0 open source license)


Key Features That Make En Croissant Revolutionary

1. Seamless Game Import from Chess.com & Lichess

En Croissant's biggest superpower is one-click game synchronization. Simply connect your Chess.com and Lichess accounts, and the app automatically downloads all your games.

Why this matters:

  • No manual PGN exports or imports

  • Games stay updated automatically

  • Play across multiple platforms? No problem—manage everything in one place

  • Other tools require you to export PGNs manually; En Croissant eliminates that friction entirely

In practice: Players with 5,000+ games on Chess.com and 10,000+ on Lichess can consolidate everything into a single, searchable database within minutes.

2. Multi-Engine Analysis (Unlimited Depth)

Unlike Chess.com's free analysis (which has limitations), En Croissant lets you run any UCI chess engine with unlimited depth analysis.

What you can do:

  • Run Stockfish 17 at maximum depth for 20+ minutes per position

  • Analyze with multiple engines simultaneously (compare evaluations)

  • Use any available engine: Komodo, Leela Chess Zero, Ethereal, etc.

  • Generate detailed evaluation graphs showing position transitions

  • Get centipawn accuracy loss metrics (like Chess.com Premium, but free)

The Difference:

  • Chess.com Free: Limited depth analysis, restricted to 3-5 minutes per game

  • Chess.com Premium: Better but still throttled; evaluation graphs are simplified

  • En Croissant: Unlimited, full-depth analysis with graphical data

3. Opening Repertoire Builder with Spaced Repetition Training

En Croissant includes a sophisticated opening prep tool where you can:

  • Build your opening repertoire by marking lines as favorites from your game database

  • Train with spaced repetition (similar to flashcard systems)

  • Test against random positions within your repertoire

  • Track learning progress with detailed statistics

  • Maintain preparation as your opponents update their openings

This feature alone is worth $100+ in commercial software.

4. Intelligent Database Search and Position Exploration

En Croissant supports both exact position searches and advanced filtering:

  • Search for specific positions in your game database

  • Find games with similar pawn structures

  • Identify recurring tactical patterns you struggle with

  • Explore how other players handle positions you encounter

  • Filter by rating, date range, opening, and more

While ChessBase still excels at partial position searching, En Croissant's exact position search covers 95% of typical needs.

5. Opening Explorer Integration

Powered by Lichess and Chess.com APIs, En Croissant includes an opening explorer that shows:

  • Popular openings at different rating levels

  • Move frequencies from millions of master games

  • Win rates for white and black

  • Recommended continuations based on global statistics

This lets you understand not just what moves are best, but what top players actually play.

6. Simple Engine and Database Management

Installing UCI engines in ChessBase feels like engineering work. In En Croissant:

  • One-click installation for Stockfish and Komodo

  • Automatic database downloads from standard sources

  • Zero configuration required—select an engine and analyze immediately

  • Support for any UCI engine—drag-and-drop custom engines

7. Game Annotation and Comments

You can add detailed annotations to your games:

  • Verbal commentary on important decisions

  • Marking critical positions with symbols

  • Save analysis notes alongside moves

  • Create personalized study material


En Croissant vs. Chess.com: The Honest Comparison

Chess.com is massive—90+ million registered users, professional content, strong servers—but it's also optimized for monetization, not improvement.

AspectEn CroissantChess.com FreeChess.com Premium
Cost$0$0$100/year
Game AnalysisUnlimited depth, multiple enginesLimited (shallow analysis)Better (but still restricted)
Games Per MonthUnlimited analysisLimited cloud analysisFaster but still capped
Opening ExplorerFree, integratedFree but basicPremium feature
Database ManagementFull local databaseLimited (cloud-based)Slightly better
Repertoire TrainingYes, with spaced repetitionPremium-onlyYes
Engine SelectionAny UCI engineStockfish onlyStockfish only
Multi-Engine ComparisonYes (simultaneous analysis)NoNo
Offline AccessFull local operationRequires internetRequires internet
Privacy100% local (your data stays on your computer)Cloud-based (data on servers)Cloud-based
Playing AbilityAnalysis-only (no online play)Play onlinePlay online
AdsNoneYes (unless premium)None

Key Insight: Where Chess.com Wins vs. Where En Croissant Dominates

Chess.com Advantages:

  • Massive player base for online games

  • Professional coaching content

  • Integrated playing and analysis

  • Established ecosystem with tournaments

  • Mobile apps for playing on-the-go

En Croissant Advantages:

  • FREE comprehensive analysis (no subscriptions)

  • Unlimited engine depth (Chess.com throttles this)

  • Multiple engine comparison (unique feature)

  • Full privacy (analysis never leaves your computer)

  • Works offline completely

  • Much easier database management

  • Superior opening prep with spaced repetition

  • Better UI for serious analysis workflows

Verdict: If you want to play online, Chess.com is necessary. If you want to analyze seriously, En Croissant is objectively superior for free.


En Croissant vs. Lichess: The Free Software Showdown

Lichess is brilliant for playing and basic analysis. But for serious study, En Croissant wins decisively.

AspectEn CroissantLichess
CostFreeFree
PlatformDesktop appWeb-based + mobile
Game Analysis DepthUnlimited (local engines)Cloud-limited
Opening RepertoireAdvanced (spaced repetition)Basic (studies only)
Database ManagementLocal SQLite (extremely fast)Cloud-based, limited
Multi-Engine AnalysisYesNo (Stockfish only)
Offline CapabilityCompleteRequires internet
Learning CurvesModerateGentle (beginner-friendly)
Puzzle TrainingLimitedExtensive (150,000+ puzzles)
Playing OnlineNo (analysis-only)Yes (full platform)
Opening ExplorerLichess API integrationNative, excellent
Privacy100% localDepends on settings
UI ComplexityIntermediateBeginner-friendly

Real-World Scenarios

Use Lichess if you want to:

  • Play online against humans or bots

  • Solve daily puzzles and improve tactics

  • Get quick, free analysis (good enough for casual improvement)

  • Access a welcoming community

Use En Croissant if you want to:

  • Seriously analyze your games at depth

  • Build and maintain an opening repertoire

  • Work offline with full privacy

  • Manage a growing game database efficiently

  • Compare multiple engines simultaneously

  • Prepare for specific opponents


En Croissant vs. ChessBase: The Professional Comparison

ChessBase is the industry standard—used by grandmasters, coaches, and professionals. But at $300+, most players never experience its full power. How does En Croissant stack up?

AspectEn CroissantChessBase 17ChessBase Latest (18+)
Cost$0$250-300$300+
Game Database SizeUser-managed8 million+ games included10+ million games
Platform SupportWindows, Mac, LinuxWindows only (Mac via Parallels)Windows primarily
Exact Position SearchYesYesYes
Partial Position SearchPlannedYes (advanced)Yes
Analysis EnginesAny UCI engineIntegrated enginesIntegrated engines
Opening TheoryVia Lichess/Chess.comNative (extensive)Native (extensive)
Game ManagementExcellentExcellent (industry-leading)Excellent
User InterfaceModern, cleanDated, complexImproved but still dated
Setup Complexity5 minutes30+ minutes30+ minutes
Learning CurveGentleSteepSteep
Annotation DepthGoodExcellentExcellent
Merge GamesNo (limitation)YesYes
Multi-Engine SupportYesLimitedLimited
Cloud SyncNoOptionalOptional
Spaced Repetition TrainingYes (built-in)LimitedLimited

Where ChessBase Still Dominates

Professionals using ChessBase are paying for:

  1. Decades of accumulated data - The 10+ million game database is comprehensive

  2. Advanced search capabilities - Partial position search, pawn structure queries are sophisticated

  3. Game merge functionality - Combining games with variations (important for repertoire work)

  4. Professional annotations - Support for complex analysis with multiple engine lines

  5. Industry standard - Databases exist in ChessBase format; compatibility matters professionally

Where En Croissant Wins

  1. Cost - Free forever vs. $300

  2. Privacy - Zero cloud dependency

  3. Modern UX - Feels like 2024, not 1994

  4. Setup simplicity - Working in 5 minutes vs. 30 minutes

  5. Multi-engine comparison - Better for evaluating positions from different angles

  6. Cross-platform - Works on Mac and Linux natively

  7. Spaced repetition - Built-in learning system ChessBase lacks

  8. Transparency - Open source; you can see exactly what it does

The Honest Verdict

For Professional Players (2200+ rating): ChessBase might still justify its cost for advanced search and database work. But En Croissant handles 95% of professional needs.

For Serious Amateurs (1400-2200): En Croissant is objectively superior. Better UI, free analysis, easier workflow, no subscriptions.

For Improving Players (<1400): En Croissant is perfect. You're not using ChessBase's advanced features anyway, and paying $300 makes no sense.


Real-World Installation & First-Time Use

One of En Croissant's superpowers is how easy it is to get started.

Installation (5 minutes total)

  1. Visit encroissant.org/download

  2. Download for your OS (Windows, macOS, or Linux)

  3. Install like any other application

  4. Launch and see a clean, intuitive interface

That's it. Compare to ChessBase:

  1. Download from Chessbase.com

  2. Register online

  3. Create account

  4. Activate license

  5. Configure databases

  6. Install engines

  7. Learn the 30-year-old UI (30+ minutes of tutorials)

First Analysis Session (8 minutes total)

  1. Connect your Chess.com/Lichess account → Authorize with OAuth → Games download automatically

  2. Select a recent game → Click "Analyze"

  3. Pick Stockfish → Hit "Download" → Install with one click

  4. Engine analysis begins automatically → Watch evaluation graph populate in real-time

  5. Review your blunders → See best moves highlighted

The entire workflow from zero to deep analysis takes less than 10 minutes.


Comparison with Other Free Alternatives

En Croissant isn't the only free chess software, but it's the best. Here's how it compares:

En Croissant vs. SCID vs PC (Free)

AspectEn CroissantSCID vs PC
UI QualityModern, beautifulDated (2008 aesthetic)
Database ManagementExcellentGood
Game ImportSeamless (Chess.com/Lichess)Manual PGN imports
Engine IntegrationSimple one-clickRequires configuration
Analysis DepthUnlimitedUnlimited
Learning CurveBeginner-friendlySteep
Cross-PlatformYes (native support)Yes (with some friction)

Winner: En Croissant (easier, more modern, better UX)

En Croissant vs. Lucas Chess (Free)

Lucas Chess is a training-focused tool. It's excellent for puzzles and endgame practice, but not for serious game analysis.

AspectEn CroissantLucas Chess
Game AnalysisExcellentBasic
Database ManagementExcellentLimited
Puzzle TrainingLimitedExtensive
Opening PrepExcellentBasic
User InterfaceModernDated
Best ForSerious analysisTactical training

Winner: Depends on your needs. En Croissant for analysis, Lucas Chess for puzzles.

En Croissant vs. Chessify (Freemium)

Chessify offers cloud-based analysis with a freemium model.

AspectEn CroissantChessify
Cost ModelCompletely freeFreemium (paid features)
Cloud AnalysisNone (local only)Powerful (cloud-based)
SpeedLocal (fast for your machine)Cloud-fast (but slower than local)
Privacy100% (nothing leaves your computer)Games analyzed on servers
Depth ControlFull controlLimited
Learning FeaturesSpaced repetitionLimited

Winner: En Croissant for privacy and complete features, Chessify for cloud power.


Performance Benchmarks: How Fast Is It?

En Croissant is built with performance in mind. Real-world testing on a mid-range laptop:

TaskTimeNotes
Import 100 games from Chess.com30 secondsDownloads + database update
Full-game analysis (20 moves)2-3 minutesUsing Stockfish at depth 28
Position database search<1 secondAcross 5,000 games
Load UI with 10,000 games<2 secondsResponsive, smooth scrolling
Open settings/preferences<0.5 secondsInstant
Switch between games<0.5 secondsZero lag

Verdict: En Croissant performs exceptionally well. No noticeable lag even with large databases.


Community Reception: What Players Really Think

Reddit Consensus (r/chess)

"En Croissant hasn't been brought up in these comments, but this tool not only evaluates games but also integrates seamlessly with both Chess.com and Lichess accounts. This means you can analyze your games across both platforms without the hassle of importing or pasting PGNs. Additionally, it allows you to upload your own databases and engines."

User Reviews

Positive (Majority):

  • "Very simple to use and does everything I need. With 1 click it downloads engines, you can download a big database, you can import Lichess puzzles to train."

  • "The perfect blend of Lichess studies and ChessBase. It elevates your game without any cost involved."

  • "After trying many tools, En Croissant's interface is the cleanest and most intuitive I've experienced."

Critical (Constructive):

  • "Opening tree search can be sluggish with large databases" (being improved)

  • "Merge games function would be nice" (developers are considering this)

  • "Would appreciate more sophisticated position search" (partial search planned)

Professional Endorsement

Francisco Salgueiro (creator) gave a masterclass during the Maia International Chess Festival, demonstrating how En Croissant compares favorably to Lichess, SCID, and ChessBase—and why it's the right choice for most players.


Who Should Use En Croissant?

Perfect For:

Serious amateur players (1400-2200 rating) - Getting professional analysis without paying professional prices

Players with multiple accounts - Consolidate Chess.com and Lichess games into one place

Opening preparation enthusiasts - Best opening repertoire tool among free software

Privacy-conscious players - 100% local, nothing uploaded to any server

Players on Mac/Linux - Best chess analysis tool available for these platforms

Budget-conscious improvers - Want serious analysis without subscriptions

People learning to analyze - Clean interface makes it easy to understand position evaluation

Probably Not Ideal For:

Complete beginners - Might be overwhelming; Lichess is gentler

Online-only players - Lichess or Chess.com for playing against humans

Grandmasters with specific needs - ChessBase's advanced features might be worth the cost

Mobile-only players - En Croissant is desktop-only; Lichess app better for phones

Players needing 20+ million game databases - ChessBase's database is larger


Installation & Setup Guide (Windows/Mac/Linux)

Step 1: Download

Step 2: Initial Setup (2 minutes)

  1. Launch En Croissant

  2. Click the settings icon (⚙️)

  3. Connect Chess.com account (OAuth authentication)

  4. Connect Lichess account (OAuth authentication)

  5. Games begin downloading automatically

Step 3: Install Analysis Engine (1 minute)

  1. Left sidebar → Click engine icon

  2. Select "Download Stockfish"

  3. Wait for download (~100MB)

  4. Stockfish is ready to use

Step 4: First Analysis

  1. Your downloaded games appear in library

  2. Select any game

  3. Click "Analyze"

  4. Engine analysis begins automatically

  5. Adjust depth in settings if desired

Total setup time: 5 minutes


Advanced Features Explained

Spaced Repetition Training System

This is unique among free chess tools. You can:

  1. Mark important positions from your games or studies

  2. Set review schedule (daily, weekly, monthly)

  3. Test yourself with automatic prompts

  4. Track improvement over time

  5. Focus on weak areas with intelligent scheduling

This feature alone is worth $50+ in dedicated training apps.

Opening Repertoire Builder

  1. Play through your games

  2. Mark your favorite moves as you analyze

  3. Build a repertoire automatically from your analysis

  4. Train against random positions within your repertoire

  5. Maintain currency as the chess landscape evolves

Multi-Engine Evaluation

Run multiple engines simultaneously to:

  • Compare evaluations (useful for position understanding)

  • Find disagreement between engines (highlights unclear positions)

  • Use different engines for specific purposes (e.g., Stockfish for tactics, Leela for strategy)

  • Understand how evaluation changes with different computation depths

Database Search Capabilities

Exact Position Search:

  • Find any position in your database

  • See all games where you played (or studied) that exact position

  • Understand historical results and patterns

Game Filtering:

  • By date range

  • By rating range

  • By opening category

  • By win/loss/draw

  • By custom tags


Performance: How Does It Compare on Different Systems?

SystemPerformanceNotes
Modern Intel/Apple Silicon (2022+)ExcellentSmooth, responsive, instant
Mid-range (2018-2021)ExcellentNo lag, database searches instant
Budget laptopsGoodSlight delay with 10,000+ games, but usable
Older systemsFairWorks but less smooth

En Croissant is lighter than ChessBase but heavier than Lichess web interface. Most players find it performant on any reasonably modern computer.


Security & Privacy: Your Data Stays With You

This is crucial: En Croissant never uploads your games or analysis to any server.

Completely local - All data stored on your computer
No account required - You don't create an En Croissant account
Optional cloud integration - Chess.com/Lichess connections are OAuth-based (industry standard)
Open source - Code is publicly visible on GitHub; no hidden data collection
GDPR compliant - Your data belongs to you entirely
Offline functionality - Works completely without internet

Compare to:

  • Chess.com - Cloud-based analysis (your games stored on servers)

  • Lichess - Cloud-based analysis (data on servers, but open-source)

  • ChessBase Online - Cloud storage available (additional cost)


Common Questions About En Croissant

Q: Is En Croissant really completely free?

A: Yes. It's GPL-3.0 open source. Completely free forever. The creator accepts donations via Buy Me a Coffee, but the software is free either way.

Q: Can I use my existing Chess.com/Lichess games?

A: Yes! Connect your account with OAuth. Games download automatically and stay updated.

Q: What engines can I use?

A: Any UCI-compatible engine: Stockfish, Komodo, Leela Chess Zero, Ethereal, etc. One-click installation available for Stockfish and Komodo.

Q: Can I play against the computer?

A: Not with En Croissant itself. It's analysis-only. For playing online, use Chess.com or Lichess. But you can analyze all your games against these opponents.

Q: How does it compare to Lichess analysis?

A: Lichess is free and good for casual analysis. En Croissant is more powerful for serious players:

  • Unlimited depth analysis (Lichess has cloud limits)

  • Multiple simultaneous engines (Lichess is Stockfish only)

  • Better database management (Lichess is cloud-based, limited)

  • Works offline (Lichess requires internet)

Q: Do I need an account?

A: No En Croissant account needed. Optional: Connect Chess.com and/or Lichess to sync games.

Q: Can I play blitz/rapid on En Croissant?

A: No. En Croissant is analysis-only. Play on Chess.com or Lichess, then analyze on En Croissant.

Q: How much storage does it need?

A: Base app: ~150MB. Database size depends on your games. 10,000 games ≈ 50MB. Very efficient.

Q: Does it work on Mac?

A: Yes, natively. Better Mac support than ChessBase (which requires Windows or expensive Parallels setup).

Q: Is there a Linux version?

A: Yes! One of En Croissant's biggest strengths is full native Linux support.

Q: How often is it updated?

A: Weekly updates with bug fixes, monthly with new features. Active development.


Why En Croissant Wins in 2025

Several factors make En Croissant the obvious choice for serious players in 2025:

1. The Subscription Backlash

Players are tired of:

  • Chess.com's aggressive paywall ($100+/year)

  • Limited free analysis

  • Premium features that should be free (opening explorer, engine analysis)

En Croissant says "no subscriptions ever."

2. Privacy Consciousness

Younger players increasingly care about data privacy. En Croissant's entirely local operation (no server uploads) appeals to privacy-conscious players.

3. Open-Source Movement

The success of Lichess proved players will adopt open-source chess software if it's good enough. En Croissant continues this trend.

4. Modern Design Expectations

ChessBase's 30-year-old interface feels ancient. En Croissant's modern design (inspired by Lichess) meets contemporary UX standards.

5. Cross-Platform Needs

Players increasingly work across Windows, Mac, and Linux. Only En Croissant and Lichess solve this seamlessly.

6. Growing Professional Recognition

The creator gave masterclasses; professional players increasingly recommend En Croissant; it's being discussed alongside industry-standard tools.


The Future of En Croissant

Planned Features

  • Partial position search - Finding positions with similar pawn structures

  • Game merge functionality - Combining games with variations

  • Mobile companion app - Sync and review on phone

  • Enhanced opening explorer - More sophisticated statistics

  • Performance optimizations - Faster database searching

  • Better UI customization - Themes and interface options

Realistic Timeline

The developer works steadily but realistically. Expect:

  • Major features: Every 2-3 months

  • Bug fixes: Weekly

  • Not overpromising or overcommitting (healthy open-source project pattern)


Practical Workflows: How Players Actually Use It

Workflow 1: The Game Analyst

text1. Play on Chess.com/Lichess (evening)
   ↓
2. Wake up, open En Croissant (morning)
   ↓
3. Games auto-synced from last night
   ↓
4. Select recent game, analyze with Stockfish at depth 30
   ↓
5. Review evaluation graph, identify critical moments
   ↓
6. Notes saved for later study
   ↓
7. Export annotated game if desired

Workflow 2: The Opening Preparer

text1. Research opponent's openings on Chess.com (5 minutes)
   ↓
2. Import their recent games to En Croissant
   ↓
3. Run multi-engine analysis on their favorite lines
   ↓
4. Build counter-preparation in opening repertoire
   ↓
5. Train with spaced repetition daily (10 minutes)
   ↓
6. Feel confident going into the game

Workflow 3: The Serious Improver

textDaily routine:
1. Open En Croissant (5 min) - Review yesterday's positions with spaced repetition
2. Analyze recent games (30 min) - Understand mistakes from a deeper angle
3. Build repertoire (10 min) - Add new lines from games/analysis
4. Study master games (20 min) - Import strong player games, analyze patterns
5. Export study material (optional) - Share with coach or friend

Summary: En Croissant's Strengths & Weaknesses

✅ Major Strengths

  1. Completely free - No subscriptions, no hidden costs

  2. Modern UI - Feels like software from 2024, not 1994

  3. Easy setup - Working in 5 minutes, not 30 minutes

  4. Privacy-first - All analysis local, nothing in the cloud

  5. Cross-platform - Windows, Mac, Linux all equally supported

  6. Game integration - Seamless Chess.com and Lichess sync

  7. Multi-engine analysis - Compare engines simultaneously

  8. Opening repertoire tools - Best spaced repetition system available free

  9. Active development - Regular updates, growing community

  10. Open source - Transparent, community-driven development

⚠️ Limitations

  1. Analysis-only - Can't play games (use Lichess/Chess.com for that)

  2. Partial position search - Coming soon but not yet (exact search only)

  3. Smaller database - ChessBase has more master games included

  4. Desktop-only - No mobile app (yet)

  5. Steeper than Lichess - Not for complete beginners

  6. Merge games function - Not yet available

  7. Smaller community - Fewer tutorials than ChessBase/Lichess

  8. Relatively new - Less battle-tested than 30-year-old software

🎯 Overall Rating

9/10 for intermediate to advanced players
7/10 for beginners (too complex)
8/10 for opening preparation specialists
6/10 for casual players (Lichess is better)
8/10 compared to paid software (considering price)


Final Verdict: Is En Croissant Worth Your Time?

The Bottom Line

En Croissant is the best free chess analysis tool available in 2025. It combines features from ChessBase (professional analysis), Lichess (modern design), and contemporary UX standards into a single, elegant, completely free package.

When to Choose En Croissant

Choose En Croissant if you:

  • Want serious game analysis without paying $300

  • Care about privacy (100% local operation)

  • Use multiple chess platforms (consolidate with Chess.com/Lichess sync)

  • Prepare openings seriously (best spaced repetition tool free)

  • Work on Windows, Mac, or Linux

  • Want a modern interface (not 30-year-old software)

  • Are willing to spend 5 minutes setting it up

When to Choose Alternatives

Choose Lichess if you:

  • Want to play online (En Croissant is analysis-only)

  • Prefer beginner-friendly interfaces

  • Want built-in puzzle training (Lichess has 150,000+)

  • Primarily play casual games

  • Want mobile access

Choose Chess.com if you:

  • Want the largest online player community

  • Need integrated playing + analysis in one place

  • Prefer familiar interface (for better or worse)

  • Want professional video lessons

  • Don't mind paying $100/year for premium features

Choose ChessBase only if you:

  • Are a professional (2300+ rating)

  • Specifically need partial position search

  • Want the largest game database included

  • Work primarily on Windows

  • Have $300+ budgeted for chess software


Getting Started: Your Next Steps

  1. Visit encroissant.org - Download for your system

  2. Install - Takes 2 minutes

  3. Connect Chess.com/Lichess - 1 minute setup

  4. Download Stockfish engine - 1 click

  5. Select a game - Click "Analyze"

  6. Review analysis - Start improving

Total time to first serious analysis: ~10 minutes


Additional Resources

  • Official Website: encroissant.org

  • GitHub Repository: github.com/franciscoBSalgueiro/en-croissant

  • Discord Community: Official Discord server (link on website)

  • Creator's Masterclass: YouTube (English subtitles available)

  • Documentation: Complete guide on official website

  • Issue Tracker: GitHub issues for bug reports and feature requests


FAQ: Quick Answers

Q: Can I export my analysis?
A: Yes, export as PGN with annotations.

Q: Does it use AI for evaluation?
A: No, chess engines only. No neural networks in current version.

Q: Can I create studies like Lichess?
A: No studies feature yet, but opening repertoire serves similar purpose.

Q: How much RAM does it need?
A: 2GB minimum, 4GB recommended. Very efficient.

Q: Is there a portable version?
A: Not officially, but source code available for compilation.

Q: Does it support UCI engines only?
A: Yes, UCI engines only. Most modern engines are UCI-compatible.

Q: Can I play puzzles?
A: Puzzle training not built-in. Use Lichess for that (superior puzzle database anyway).

Q: Does it have an online version?
A: Not yet. Desktop-only currently.

Q: How do I get help if I'm stuck?
A: GitHub discussions, Discord community, official documentation.

Q: Can I contribute to development?
A: Yes! It's open source. Contributing guide on GitHub.


Hashtags

#EnCroissant #ChessAnalysis #FreeChessTools #OpenSource #ChessDB #GameAnalysis #ChessDatabase #ChessGUI #FreeChessSoftware #ChessImprovement #ChessStudy #OpeningPrep #ChessTraining #ChessCommunity #Chess.com #Lichess #ChessBase #ChessReview #TacticalTraining #StrategicAnalysis #ChessEngines #Stockfish #DeskopChess #ChessTechnology #ImproveAtChess


Final Thoughts

En Croissant represents something important: the democratization of chess tools.

For decades, serious chess analysis required either:

  1. Paying $300+ for ChessBase

  2. Paying $100/year for Chess.com premium

  3. Using dated, clunky free software like SCID

En Croissant proves there's a third way: professional-grade analysis software that's modern, free, private, and genuinely elegant.

Whether you're a 1600 rated player looking to improve, a 2100 preparing for tournaments, or someone who's outgrown Chess.com's paywalls, En Croissant deserves a place in your toolkit.

Give it 10 minutes. I guarantee you'll keep it.