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.
| Aspect | En Croissant | Chess.com Free | Chess.com Premium |
| Cost | $0 | $0 | $100/year |
| Game Analysis | Unlimited depth, multiple engines | Limited (shallow analysis) | Better (but still restricted) |
| Games Per Month | Unlimited analysis | Limited cloud analysis | Faster but still capped |
| Opening Explorer | Free, integrated | Free but basic | Premium feature |
| Database Management | Full local database | Limited (cloud-based) | Slightly better |
| Repertoire Training | Yes, with spaced repetition | Premium-only | Yes |
| Engine Selection | Any UCI engine | Stockfish only | Stockfish only |
| Multi-Engine Comparison | Yes (simultaneous analysis) | No | No |
| Offline Access | Full local operation | Requires internet | Requires internet |
| Privacy | 100% local (your data stays on your computer) | Cloud-based (data on servers) | Cloud-based |
| Playing Ability | Analysis-only (no online play) | Play online | Play online |
| Ads | None | Yes (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.
| Aspect | En Croissant | Lichess |
| Cost | Free | Free |
| Platform | Desktop app | Web-based + mobile |
| Game Analysis Depth | Unlimited (local engines) | Cloud-limited |
| Opening Repertoire | Advanced (spaced repetition) | Basic (studies only) |
| Database Management | Local SQLite (extremely fast) | Cloud-based, limited |
| Multi-Engine Analysis | Yes | No (Stockfish only) |
| Offline Capability | Complete | Requires internet |
| Learning Curves | Moderate | Gentle (beginner-friendly) |
| Puzzle Training | Limited | Extensive (150,000+ puzzles) |
| Playing Online | No (analysis-only) | Yes (full platform) |
| Opening Explorer | Lichess API integration | Native, excellent |
| Privacy | 100% local | Depends on settings |
| UI Complexity | Intermediate | Beginner-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?
| Aspect | En Croissant | ChessBase 17 | ChessBase Latest (18+) |
| Cost | $0 | $250-300 | $300+ |
| Game Database Size | User-managed | 8 million+ games included | 10+ million games |
| Platform Support | Windows, Mac, Linux | Windows only (Mac via Parallels) | Windows primarily |
| Exact Position Search | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Partial Position Search | Planned | Yes (advanced) | Yes |
| Analysis Engines | Any UCI engine | Integrated engines | Integrated engines |
| Opening Theory | Via Lichess/Chess.com | Native (extensive) | Native (extensive) |
| Game Management | Excellent | Excellent (industry-leading) | Excellent |
| User Interface | Modern, clean | Dated, complex | Improved but still dated |
| Setup Complexity | 5 minutes | 30+ minutes | 30+ minutes |
| Learning Curve | Gentle | Steep | Steep |
| Annotation Depth | Good | Excellent | Excellent |
| Merge Games | No (limitation) | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-Engine Support | Yes | Limited | Limited |
| Cloud Sync | No | Optional | Optional |
| Spaced Repetition Training | Yes (built-in) | Limited | Limited |
Where ChessBase Still Dominates
Professionals using ChessBase are paying for:
Decades of accumulated data - The 10+ million game database is comprehensive
Advanced search capabilities - Partial position search, pawn structure queries are sophisticated
Game merge functionality - Combining games with variations (important for repertoire work)
Professional annotations - Support for complex analysis with multiple engine lines
Industry standard - Databases exist in ChessBase format; compatibility matters professionally
Where En Croissant Wins
Cost - Free forever vs. $300
Privacy - Zero cloud dependency
Modern UX - Feels like 2024, not 1994
Setup simplicity - Working in 5 minutes vs. 30 minutes
Multi-engine comparison - Better for evaluating positions from different angles
Cross-platform - Works on Mac and Linux natively
Spaced repetition - Built-in learning system ChessBase lacks
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)
Visit encroissant.org/download
Download for your OS (Windows, macOS, or Linux)
Install like any other application
Launch and see a clean, intuitive interface
That's it. Compare to ChessBase:
Download from Chessbase.com
Register online
Create account
Activate license
Configure databases
Install engines
Learn the 30-year-old UI (30+ minutes of tutorials)
First Analysis Session (8 minutes total)
Connect your Chess.com/Lichess account → Authorize with OAuth → Games download automatically
Select a recent game → Click "Analyze"
Pick Stockfish → Hit "Download" → Install with one click
Engine analysis begins automatically → Watch evaluation graph populate in real-time
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)
| Aspect | En Croissant | SCID vs PC |
| UI Quality | Modern, beautiful | Dated (2008 aesthetic) |
| Database Management | Excellent | Good |
| Game Import | Seamless (Chess.com/Lichess) | Manual PGN imports |
| Engine Integration | Simple one-click | Requires configuration |
| Analysis Depth | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Learning Curve | Beginner-friendly | Steep |
| Cross-Platform | Yes (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.
| Aspect | En Croissant | Lucas Chess |
| Game Analysis | Excellent | Basic |
| Database Management | Excellent | Limited |
| Puzzle Training | Limited | Extensive |
| Opening Prep | Excellent | Basic |
| User Interface | Modern | Dated |
| Best For | Serious analysis | Tactical 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.
| Aspect | En Croissant | Chessify |
| Cost Model | Completely free | Freemium (paid features) |
| Cloud Analysis | None (local only) | Powerful (cloud-based) |
| Speed | Local (fast for your machine) | Cloud-fast (but slower than local) |
| Privacy | 100% (nothing leaves your computer) | Games analyzed on servers |
| Depth Control | Full control | Limited |
| Learning Features | Spaced repetition | Limited |
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:
| Task | Time | Notes |
| Import 100 games from Chess.com | 30 seconds | Downloads + database update |
| Full-game analysis (20 moves) | 2-3 minutes | Using Stockfish at depth 28 |
| Position database search | <1 second | Across 5,000 games |
| Load UI with 10,000 games | <2 seconds | Responsive, smooth scrolling |
| Open settings/preferences | <0.5 seconds | Instant |
| Switch between games | <0.5 seconds | Zero 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
Go to encroissant.org/download
Select your operating system
Run the installer
Step 2: Initial Setup (2 minutes)
Launch En Croissant
Click the settings icon (⚙️)
Connect Chess.com account (OAuth authentication)
Connect Lichess account (OAuth authentication)
Games begin downloading automatically
Step 3: Install Analysis Engine (1 minute)
Left sidebar → Click engine icon
Select "Download Stockfish"
Wait for download (~100MB)
Stockfish is ready to use
Step 4: First Analysis
Your downloaded games appear in library
Select any game
Click "Analyze"
Engine analysis begins automatically
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:
Mark important positions from your games or studies
Set review schedule (daily, weekly, monthly)
Test yourself with automatic prompts
Track improvement over time
Focus on weak areas with intelligent scheduling
This feature alone is worth $50+ in dedicated training apps.
Opening Repertoire Builder
Play through your games
Mark your favorite moves as you analyze
Build a repertoire automatically from your analysis
Train against random positions within your repertoire
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?
| System | Performance | Notes |
| Modern Intel/Apple Silicon (2022+) | Excellent | Smooth, responsive, instant |
| Mid-range (2018-2021) | Excellent | No lag, database searches instant |
| Budget laptops | Good | Slight delay with 10,000+ games, but usable |
| Older systems | Fair | Works 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
Completely free - No subscriptions, no hidden costs
Modern UI - Feels like software from 2024, not 1994
Easy setup - Working in 5 minutes, not 30 minutes
Privacy-first - All analysis local, nothing in the cloud
Cross-platform - Windows, Mac, Linux all equally supported
Game integration - Seamless Chess.com and Lichess sync
Multi-engine analysis - Compare engines simultaneously
Opening repertoire tools - Best spaced repetition system available free
Active development - Regular updates, growing community
Open source - Transparent, community-driven development
⚠️ Limitations
Analysis-only - Can't play games (use Lichess/Chess.com for that)
Partial position search - Coming soon but not yet (exact search only)
Smaller database - ChessBase has more master games included
Desktop-only - No mobile app (yet)
Steeper than Lichess - Not for complete beginners
Merge games function - Not yet available
Smaller community - Fewer tutorials than ChessBase/Lichess
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
Visit encroissant.org - Download for your system
Install - Takes 2 minutes
Connect Chess.com/Lichess - 1 minute setup
Download Stockfish engine - 1 click
Select a game - Click "Analyze"
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:
Paying $300+ for ChessBase
Paying $100/year for Chess.com premium
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.
