Download

8BitForge for Desktop

The same powerful chiptune studio, running natively on your machine. Offline access, lower latency, and full file system integration.

Get Started

Choose Your Platform

Windows

Windows 10+ (64-bit)

Installer (.exe) Portable (.exe) ~94 MB

macOS

macOS 11 (Apple Silicon & Intel) unsigned

Mac arm64 Mac Intel x64 ~112 MB

Linux

Ubuntu 20.04+, Debian 11+, Fedora 36+

Download .AppImage .deb package Snap Store ~114 MB

Web Browser

No download needed — works on any modern browser

Launch Web App Instant access · Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
Specs

System Requirements

Minimum

CPUDual-core 1.5 GHz
RAM4 GB
Storage200 MB available
AudioAny sound card
Display1280 × 720
OSWindows 10 / macOS 11 / Ubuntu 20.04

Recommended

CPUQuad-core 2.5 GHz+
RAM8 GB+
Storage500 MB available
AudioASIO / CoreAudio low-latency driver
Display1920 × 1080
OSLatest stable release
Why Go Native?

Beyond the Browser

🔌

Offline Mode

Create music anywhere — no internet required. Your projects sync automatically when you're back online.

Native Performance

Direct access to your audio hardware. Lower latency, smoother playback, and dedicated resources for your sessions.

📁

File System Access

Save projects locally, drag & drop audio files, and integrate with your existing production workflow.

Everything You Need

What's Included

🎴

Full Creative Suite

Sequencer, Piano Roll, Synthesizer, Mixer, Effects, Mastering — every tool from the web app.

🎵

6 Export Formats

WAV, MP3, FLAC, AIFF, OGG, and MIDI. Full mix, stems, or per-pattern bounces.

🌐

10 Languages

English, French, Japanese, German, Spanish, Chinese, Portuguese, Italian, Korean, Russian.

FFmpeg Built-In

Professional audio encoding powered by FFmpeg.wasm — no external tools required.

Auto-Update

The app checks for updates and installs them seamlessly. Always stay on the latest version.

Cloud Sync

Your projects, presets, and kits sync between desktop and web. Pick up where you left off.

v2.0.0

Latest release — March 2026

Built with Electron 32 · Chromium 128 · Node.js 20 LTS

View full changelog
FAQ

Common Questions

Is the desktop app free?

Yes. The desktop app is free to download and use with the same feature set as the web version. All creative tools are included at no cost. Export features follow your current license tier (Free, Annual, or Perpetual).

Do I need an internet connection?

No — you can compose, edit, and mix entirely offline. An internet connection is only needed for cloud sync, downloading community presets, and checking for updates. Offline changes sync automatically when you reconnect.

Will my projects sync between web and desktop?

Absolutely. Sign in with the same account on both platforms and your projects, presets, kits, and settings sync automatically through the cloud. Start a track on the web, finish it on desktop — or vice versa.

How do updates work?

The desktop app checks for updates automatically on launch. When an update is available, it downloads in the background and installs on the next restart. You can also check manually from the app settings.

Can I run it alongside the web version?

Yes. The desktop and web versions are independent. You can have both open at the same time. Projects sync through the cloud, so there's no conflict between the two.

What about MIDI controller support?

Full MIDI support is included. The desktop app can access your MIDI controllers directly through the operating system, often with even lower latency than the browser version.