Sourdough Forge vs Autoproofer (2026):
Which Sourdough App Is Better?
If you’re looking for a sourdough baking assistant, you may have come across both Autoproofer and Sourdough Forge. This guide helps you understand their key differences.
🏆 Quick Verdict
Sourdough Forge is the better choice if you want a complete sourdough companion — starter management, bake journaling, repeatable workflows, and an AI coach for comprehensive troubleshooting.
Autoproofer is best for bakers who mainly want fermentation-focused assistance, especially for timing proofing and dough development.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Sourdough Forge | Autoproofer |
|---|---|---|
| Starter feeding & health tracking | Limited | |
| Bake scheduling & reminders | Partial | |
| Proofing & fermentation guidance | Strong focus | |
| AI Sourdough Coach | Limited | |
| Full bake journal with photos | ||
| Recipe management | Moderate | |
| Best for beginners | Very beginner-friendly | More advanced |
| Price (Monthly) | $5.99 | Varies |
| Price (Lifetime) | $14.99 | Varies |
Complete System vs. Fermentation Tool
Autoproofer: Fermentation First
Autoproofer is designed primarily around bulk fermentation timing and proofing guidance. It's especially useful if your biggest challenge is "When should I end bulk fermentation?".
Forge: Complete Companion
Sourdough Forge covers the full sourdough lifecycle: starter feeding, recipe planning, bake journaling, and AI coaching. The goal is to help you bake better bread, not just time fermentation.
AI Coaching: Beyond Proofing
Both tools touch on fermentation, but Sourdough Forge offers broader coaching through its AI Sourdough Coach.
Ask Forge about:
- Fixing weak starters
- Crumb structure analysis
- Shaping techniques
- Dough strength issues
Autoproofer is more specialized around fermentation stages only.
Who Should Choose Which?
Choose Sourdough Forge if:
- You want starter + bake tracking in one place
- You want AI guidance beyond just fermentation
- You want a journal to improve over time
- You want repeatable recipes & results
Choose Autoproofer if:
- You mainly need fermentation-first proofing assistance
- You want help specifically identifying dough readiness
- You want a specialized fermentation timing tool
Value for Money
Monthly
$5.99
Lifetime
$14.99
Best Value
Invest in Sourdough Forge once for a lifetime of better baking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sourdough Forge better than Autoproofer?
Sourdough Forge is better for bakers who want an all-in-one sourdough system with starter tracking, bake journaling, and AI coaching. Autoproofer is more focused specifically on fermentation guidance.
Does Autoproofer track starters?
Autoproofer is primarily designed for dough fermentation workflows and offers less starter management depth compared to Forge.
Which app is best for fermentation and proofing?
Autoproofer is a strong choice if your main goal is fermentation timing. Forge also supports fermentation guidance, but within a broader baking system.
What is the best sourdough app for overall improvement?
Sourdough Forge is designed around long-term improvement through journaling, repeatable workflows, and AI troubleshooting support.
Improve with every loaf.
Get the complete sourdough companion that helps you bake with confidence.
Try Sourdough Forge FreeAvailable on iOS • Free trial included